Jesuit Refugee Service calls for end to immigration detention
The Jesuit Refugee Service UK has renewed calls for an end to immigration detention in the wake of the public inquiry report into abuse at Brook House immigration removal centre, near Gatwick airport. The report reviewed the centre in 2017 and its fundings have just been published. It identified a toxic culture; breaches of human rights laws relating to torture and inhuman or degrading treatment; and racist, derogatory language towards detainees. Sarah Teather, JRS UK’s Director, said detention for immigration control must end. “Sweeping new powers allowing the government to detain people arbitrarily are about to come into force. This is outrageous, and the inquiry report again shows why. It is not too late to take a different course.”
New Wine apologises for appearing to minimise its relationship with Soul Survivor
The evangelical group New Wine, within the Church of England, has apologised for its earlier statement on the organisation’s links with Mike Pilavachi, the founder of Soul Survivor. He stepped down after allegations that he massaged and wrestled young men, charges which were found to be proved by an internal church investigation. New Wine’s chair, Bishop Jill Duff, who only took office in July, has issued another statement saying they are profoundly sorry that the first one appeared to minimise the relationship between the two organisations. She announced a “full and independent review” to see whether there were allegations of his behaviour at New Wine events. Both statements were released on X, formerly Twitter.
Don’t expect big doctrinal change at next month’s Rome synod
The Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales has issued guidance on what to expect from the bishops’ synod in Rome next month, which will consider the global survey of church members on governance and challenges. It lists the representatives from England and Wales as Archbishop John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark; Bishop Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds; and Bishop Nicholas Hudson, auxiliary bishop for the diocese of Westminster. The Synod of Bishops will, for the first time, include non-bishop voting members. Professor Anna Rowlands and Austen Ivereigh have been chosen as expert facilitators. In addition, Father Jan Nowotnik, director of Mission for the Bishops’ Conference is also attending and he and Prof Anna Rowlands preview the synod in a filmed conversation here. Prof Rowlands said those who fear or would welcome doctrinal changes will both be disappointed because the Pope’s focus is on the mission to the world.
Trump accused of fanning flames of antisemitism in social media jibe
Donald Trump has posted a message to mark the Jewish New Year on Truth Social saying that liberal Jews voted to destroy America and Israel by supporting President Joe Biden: “Just a quick reminder for liberal Jews who voted to destroy America & Israel because you believed in false narratives! Let’s hope you learned from your mistake & make better choices moving forward! Happy New Year!” The message has infuriated many including CNN anchor Dana Bash, who is Jewish. She said Trump was pushing the door open on antisemitism, stoking the flames of division. He knows full well that “this kind of rhetoric is incredibly dangerous, and he just thinks that it’s advantageous to him. And he does it”.
More turmoil for Southern Baptists as would be next president withdraws
The man announced as the next interim president of the Southern Baptists – its sixth in five years – has withdrawn because of his wife’s health. The Rev Dan Summerlin’s decision was announced at the end of the Southern Baptist Convention’s meeting in New Orleans and marks another dramatic moment in the church’s never ending search for a stable leader. He was due to be the next interim leader, following the current interim Jonathan Howe, who stepped in after his predecessor resigned over faking his CV. Jonathan Howe is remaining in place at the moment.
Vatican inquiry into serious allegations against Australian bishop
The Vatican is investigating “serious and deeply distressing allegations” against the former bishop of Broome in Western Australia, Christopher Saunders, following an inquiry by Western Australian police. Saunders resigned in 2020 after sexual misconduct and bullying claims emerged. He is now in his 70s and has denied the allegations. He has not been charged with any offence.
Muslim Council of Britain prepares to open mosques this weekend
The Muslim Council of Britain has issued booklets with information on the faith, which are designed to be given out to visitors at the Visit My Mosque event this weekend. The information includes the role of women in the faith, the five pillars of Islam, what is a mosque?, and the Prophet Muhammad.
UNESCO warns Stonehenge tunnel plans should change or be abandoned
The United Nations cultural body Unesco says the government should make amendments to the plan for a tunnel near Stonehenge or “not proceed”. In a report, Unesco said the world heritage site was at risk of being put on its danger list unless changes were made to the plans. Last July, the government approved plans to build a two mile tunnel taking traffic away from the neighbouring A303. But there is a persistent campaign against the scheme, from environmentalists and historians in the Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site campaign, who say the tunnel entrance would harm the physical and visual integrity of the property. They want the government to act before Unesco’s World Heritage Committee meets again in February. Historian Tom Holland is quoted in The Times saying that a further legal challenge was necessary to “halt a development that, if allowed to go ahead, will permanently and irreversibly desecrate the Stonehenge landscape”. Our factsheet on the spiritual significance of Stonehenge is here
Hindu Ganesh Chaturthi festival underway across the world
Hindus are celebrating the birth of the Hindu god Ganesh, depicted with an elephant head and considered to be the pre-eminent god in the pantheon. He is traditionally worshipped before any major enterprise and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers and authors. The ten day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which began yesterday, is celebrated with colourful processions, music, dancing, social events and good food. There is a vivid account by the BBC of the celebration in Swindon, where 1,000 people gathered in the town centre square, at the start of a four day celebration.
