Commission on Jewish divorce to be launched
Two United Synagogue Trustees have told the Jewish Chronicle that the Office of the Chief Rabbi and the United Synagogue are proposing to launch a Commission on Jewish divorce, to improve the “Get” (Jewish divorce) process and to help those whose partners refuse to grant the “Get”. Jewish divorce is processed by a rabbinical court and requires the consent of both the husband and wife, but there is no requirement to prove unreasonable behaviour, separation or adultery. The decision follows a review to improve a process which many regard as opaque. It recommends additional female support, including a “Get” caseworker, better communication of the procedure and the setting up of an independent complaints process. Jewish News quotes a 2016 report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research which found that Jewish divorce had risen from eight to 11 per cent over a decade, one in six Jewish adults – 17 per cent – had been divorced; and six out of 10 divorced Jews were women. Three-quarters of divorcees who had a Jewish wedding obtained a “Get”.
Amendments to “immoral” illegal migration bill backed by clerics in the Lords
The Archbishop of Canterbury backed amendments to the illegal migration bill as it went through the Lords committee stage. He called on ministers to implement 10-year strategies for tackling human trafficking and for international collaboration to solve the refugee crises. He told the Lords that he accepted the need to control migration, but this bill affected just 45,000 of the total 700,000 immigrants into the UK and was not about overall immigration. The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, whose family fled Iran, said asylum seekers such as Iranian Christians, cannot always choose to stay in the nearest country, where they face restrictions on religious practice. She valued the intention of international treaties which existed “to establish a baseline of protection and commitment that is shared across nations” to people who urgently require humanitarian assistance”. The bill’s passage continues through Parliament.
Charity Commission assessing concerns about Methodist Church sexism reports
The Charity Commission has confirmed to The Times that it has taken an interest in the Methodist Church after a leaked report found that female members believed it not to be a safe place for women, with reports of misogyny, bullying and inappropriate touching. A spokeswoman told The Times: “A charity should be a safe and trusted environment for all. We are assessing concerns recently raised in the media to determine if there is a role for the commission. We welcome the decision taken by the Methodist Church to carry out an internal review.” The Times quotes a spokeswoman for the church: “We recognise that there are reported incidents of sexism and misogyny within our church, and properly listening and responding to those who have been abused still needs to improve . . . We will study the recommendations of this report carefully and use them as we continue our work to improve our response to survivors of abuse.”
Islamic Centre of England “shuts its doors”
The Islamic Centre of England is reported to have shut its doors and suspended daily prayers until further notice, three weeks after the Charity Commission sent in an interim manager. The Telegraph reports that the suspension was announced in a notice on its locked gates, which was later removed. Reporters were told it would last two or three days. The Charity Commission took action after issuing an official warning to trustees, over failure to comply with legal duties and failure to protect the charity’s assets. The interim manager from a law firm will conduct a review of the charity’s governance and administration and make recommendations to the Commission. The Telegraph says two Tory MPS have accused the charity of being the London office of the Iranian regime.
Irish union leader enlisted to raise €800million for mother and baby home redress scheme
The former general secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, Sheila Nunan, has been appointed to lead negotiations with religious bodies in making financial contributions towards the €800 million cost of the mother and baby home redress scheme. She will act on behalf of the Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman and negotiate with all religious orders who had a historical involvement in the institutions. The scheme will provide financial payments to an estimated 34,000 people. Meanwhile, Daniel MacSweeney, a former International Committee of the Red Cross envoy, has been appointed to oversee the excavation and recovery of children’s remains at the Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co Galway.
Australian medical missionary aged 88 freed after seven years as a hostage
Australian surgeon Kenneth Elliott, a Christian medical missionary, has been released after seven years as a hostage in Burkina Faso, west Africa. The doctor, aged 88, and his wife Jocelyn, were abducted by Al-Qaeda terrorists while running a free healthcare clinic in the north of the country. Jocelyn was freed after efforts by the local Djibo community. Her husband’s freedom was won after intervention by the Australian government. The Christian charity Open Doors told Premier Christian News that Burkino Faso is the most dangerous country to be a Christian, facing violence, death and the destruction of churches and villages.
The Kerala Story film “won’t be shown” in Burnley and Blackburn
The “Reel” cinema chain in Blackburn and Burnley has said that it has no plans to show the film “The Kerala Story”, which has been the subject of public demonstrations in Birmingham. The film portrays a fictional story of people in the Indian state of Kerala who are persuaded to convert to Islam, in a plot line which Muslims have found offensive believing it is propaganda, stereotyping Muslims as terrorists. Some parts of India have banned the film, and in Birmingham, protests forced Cinemaworld to stop and start showings. Lancashire Telegraph story here.
Kosher food price inflation has ended hot school meals in London
London Kosher Catering, which provided hot meals for children in Jewish schools, has withdrawn services due to spiralling costs. It stepped in after the previous supply company, Signature Dining, which served 18 Jewish schools, went bust. Jewish News reports that the cost of providing a kosher hot meal is around £5, which is £2 more than the money the government provides. A caterer is quoted saying that kosher food prices have risen by between 60-70 per cent. Schools have instead been ordering bagels from a Jewish bakery.
Charismatic church in Durham builds £1million base
“The Emmanuel Church”, a charismatic church which grew out of student worship at Durham University, has moved into a £1 million building on the Belmont Industrial Estate, just outside Durham. Founded by preacher David Campbell in 1980, the church has a large diverse congregation and the new centre can seat 500. It is next to another large base, The Durham Centre, which caters for young people’s work and offers space as a conference venue. The church has a 14 point set of conservative evangelical beliefs. Its church plants – satellite churches started by small groups – offer an array of community activities including street mission, a pay as you can café and wellbeing groups.
Plan to put Ten Commandments up in Texas school classrooms has failed
Proposals to display the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom in Texas have failed in the state House of Representatives. Civil rights groups said the bill was an assault on religious freedom and the separation of church and state guaranteed by the US constitution. Guardian report here
