Former deputy PM: “I was used to acrimony in politics, but I hadn’t expected to find it in the church”
Sir David Lidington, once the de facto deputy prime minister under Theresa May, and long standing member of the Church of England, has spoken of his shock at discovering a total breakdown of trust within the CofE. In a RMC interview with Roger Bolton, he said the flaws in the governance of the church aggravated the breakdown of trust at all levels, between individuals and organisations. He found a deep suspicion with members of the general synod not trusting the bishops or archbishops; some bishops deeply sceptical about the value of scrutiny by the general synod; and some synod members accusing the Archbishops’ Council of being Machiavellian. His observations were recorded in The National Church Governance Report which he presented to the general synod in York, outlining new organisational structures. In the interview, he said mistrust had “bedevilled” efforts to bring people together when confronting divisive issues such as same sex marriage or safeguarding process. He floated the prospect of parliament setting up a new institution responsible for safeguarding, saying the key issues were who appoints the independent safeguarding board and which law are they under – church or state. He hoped restructuring would contribute to a rebuilding of trust, but a change of culture was also needed and he hoped the proposals would move the CofE into a “more trustful direction where people do have greater confidence in each other”. View the “Big Interview” between Sir David and Roger Bolton on our YouTube channel here
Muslim Council of Britain calls for review of Muslim bank account closures
The Muslim Council of Britain is calling for a review into the “arbitrary closure” of bank accounts belonging to Muslim individuals and Muslim organisations. In a letter to the prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer, leaders of opposition parties, and the permanent secretary to the treasury, the MCB highlights cases where there has not been “adequate transparency and recourse for those affected”. Zara Mohammed, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said it seeks “an impartial review that not only addresses the mechanisms behind bank account closures but also examines why British Muslims are disproportionately affected by this issue”. A Financial Conduct Authority survey found that the highest proportion of those who were “unbanked” were Muslims. The MCB says universal banking rights must be protected, irrespective of religious or cultural backgrounds and political views.
79 per cent of British Jews disapprove of Netanyahu as links with Israel “start to fray”
The Institute for Jewish Policy Research reports that 79 per cent of Jews in the UK disapprove of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Surveys from November 2022 to May this year, show 72 per cent of Jews in the UK are pessimistic about the future of democratic governance in Israel, and 44 per cent say Israel’s overall situation is bad or very bad. Disapproval ratings have climbed in the past nine months, reaching boiling point in Israel last week when the government passed legislation to limit the powers of the Supreme Court, a decision which triggered massive protests in Israel and by the Jewish diaspora around the world. The report says about nine in ten British Jews have visited Israel at least once and more than seven in ten feel a sense of attachment to it regarding it as an important component of their Jewish identity. Yet there are some indications that the relationship may be shifting. “Such high disapproval ratings for key members of the current Israeli government provide another sign that the bonds that have long tied Jews in the UK to Israel may be starting to fray”. Report is here
Strict border controls to stop Quran burning in Sweden
Sweden is introducing strict border controls and identity checks to stop outsiders perceived to be potential threats, from entering the country. The move, to be voted upon on Thursday, is in response to incidents when the Quran has been set on fire, stamped or torn, which has provoked angry responses in Muslim majority countries. The Swedish embassy in Baghdad was set on fire in protest last month. The government says the new measures are designed to prevent “people with very weak connections to Sweden” to come into the country to commit crimes or to act in conflict with Swedish security interests. The Associated Press reports fears that the burning and desecration of the Quran has dented Sweden’s international reputation and may adversely affect its desire to join NATO.
Catholic World Youth Day starts in Lisbon
Around one million Catholic young people have gathered in Lisbon for the 37th World Youth Day, an event which actually lasts six days and includes a visit by Pope Francis. Pilgrims from all over the world are being put up in homes and churches throughout the city. The first Mass was held yesterday in Edward VII Park, presided over by Cardinal D Manuel Clement, Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, with several hundred visiting priests. The theme of the event is “Mary arose and went with haste”, and the first sermon’s theme was on the importance of journeys. Pope Francis is due to arrive today to lead several services for the huge crowds gathered. A clip from the Mass is here
Welsh Jewish Heritage Centre developed in Merthyr Tydfil
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, has visited the disused synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, which is being renovated and turned into a Welsh Jewish Heritage Centre. Nation Cymru reports that the synagogue, a Grade II listed building, opened in 1877 but has been unused since 2006, falling into disrepair. The Foundation for Jewish Heritage bought it in 2019 and carried out urgent repairs, allowing the building to be developed into a centre with help from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, private trusts and Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. There are 2,000 Jews in Wales, representing 0.8 per cent of the population. Many moved into the valleys as industry developed in the 19th century but now the main centres are in Cardiff. The Centre will present the community’s 250-year history as well as reflecting wider issues such as diversity and social inclusion.
Mother from London Orthodox community dies in French car crash
A 50 year old mother, from the Orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill, north London, has died after a three vehicle crash on a motorway in France. She was travelling with six members of her family including her husband, Rabbi Shalom Pinchos Posen. He and five children are in hospital but out of danger. In all, four people died in the crash. The others were a 75-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man in a second vehicle, and a 14-year-old boy in a third. There are no further details as to what caused the crash.
Inquiry into police removal of turban from Sikh man in Birmingham Perry Bar
A tribunal in Birmingham is considering allegations that a West Midlands police officer removed a Sikh man’s head dress, who was taken into custody in 2021 for driving a vehicle with a registration plate not conforming to regulations. The Express and Star reports that Randeep Singh-Kular alleges that the officer – who cannot be named – manhandled him in a custody suite, treated him with lack of respect and forcibly removed his head covering, despite his objection that he was wearing it for religious reasons. Wearing a turban – or “kesh” – is one of five articles of faith for Sikhs. Harpreet Sandhu KC, representing the officer, said Mr Singh Kular was the one showing aggression in the custody suite and referred to a case he was involved in six years ago when he removed his head dress. The case is scheduled for four days.
Inquest verdict on Canon Anna Matthews
An inquest into the death of Canon Anna Matthews, vicar of St Bene’t’s Church, Cambridge, has found she intended to take her own life, She died aged 44 in March this year, news which shocked her friends and colleagues. She had been vicar at the church for ten years and was director of ordinands in the diocese for seven years. The inquest heard she had no signs of mental health problems and although she had been seeing a psychologist for five months, she had never shown any indication of suicide.
Man charged with murder of Devon church leader
A 24-year-old man has appeared in court in Plymouth, charged with the murder of a church leader. Hazel Huggins, aged 53, was a leader at Hope Church in Dawlish, and was found dead last weekend at an address in Ilbert Street, Plymouth. Premier Christian News reports that Hazel and her husband Guy, led “Pastors’ Pad”, which provides respite and care to Christian leaders in front-line ministry across the UK. She also volunteered for the community engagement charity Redeeming Our Communities.
Legal challenge to first publicly funded religious school in Oklahoma
Parents, faith leaders and lobby groups are taking legal action to stop Oklahoma from establishing America’s first publicly funded religious school. Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, says this is an assault on church-state separation. She says the proposal is among moves by conservative-led states to bring in religion into schools, with attempts to teach the Bible and to ban books and lessons about race, sexual orientation and gender identity. Oklahoma has already voted to put public money into the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, despite a warning from Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general that such a school would violate both state law and the Oklahoma Constitution.
Return to the memories of Downside Abbey
An old boy of Downside Abbey, near Bath, has returned as a journalist after a break of 15 years, which has seen the Benedictine monks removed from teaching and eventually move away temporarily to Buckfast Abbey, after a damning report by IICSA into historic abuse at the school. Writing for The Telegraph, Alex Diggins recounts more stories of abuse from old boys, which he describes in graphic detail. But as he was led on a tour of the building, he remembers that the presence of the monks felt essential to the fabric of the school and their absence now was “echoing”. Later, he travelled to Devon to meet his former headmaster, chaplain and a teacher, who are now living as part of The Community of St Gregory. Abbot Nicholas, elected in 2020, told him that the decision to leave Downside was a practical one with buildings not fit for purpose, it was not made because there was a school next door. “All we can express is, well, sorrow. We’re genuinely sorry for the failings of the past. And we’ll keep reaching out to anyone who has suffered. We’re not moving on. We still live with it.” The former headmaster, Dom Leo, told him: “The best we can do is be a good community and see if that generates something”. Alex Diggins’ report is here
