Faith communities must help “change the narrative” on immigration
Immigration is among the top four concerns driving voters at the general election, and representatives of faith groups and community organisations told a Religion Media Centre briefing that the language, rhetoric and hostility towards refugee communities had to change. Asylum seekers were a very small proportion of the total net migration figure, yet they had all the attention and a partnership between civic society and faith communities was critical to changing the narrative. There was common criticism of the Rwanda policy, and support for practical measures such as providing safe and legal routes to this country, tighter control of borders and allowing people who want to work to contribute. View or listen to the briefing via links here, read the article here. This was the second of a four-part series of election briefings looking at how religion is part of the story. Next week we’re looking at the cost of living and poverty, and climate change.
Church of England dioceses in financial trouble
The Church Times reports on a paper to the Church of England General Synod, showing that diocesan deficits are expected to double from £29 million in 2022 to £62 million this year. The figures are in the Diocesan Finances Review Update (GS Misc. 1384) which says most dioceses are now in a structural deficit and 23 have less than three months’ cash reserves. It says the key driver is falling attendance, which is down 19 per cent since Covid resulting in a fall in giving. Proposals to tackle the problem will be discussed in the autumn and this is another matter coming back to synod in February 2025. The full details Church Times report is here.
Just 17 per cent of marriages in 2022 were religious ceremonies
The Office of National Statistics has published latest data on marriages in England and Wales in 2022, showing that 17 per cent were religious ceremonies and 83 per cent were civil. In 1992, 50 per cent were civil ceremonies. In total there were 246,897 marriages in England and Wales in 2022, and there was a record number of same-sex marriages at 7,800 (3.2 per cent) with more female same sex couples than male. All the data is here
CofE general synod agenda
Same sex blessings: Proposals to introduce standalone services with prayers of blessing for same sex couples, come before the Church of England’s parliament, the General Synod, in York next month. Papers published yesterday suggest a “delegated episcopal ministry” offering pastoral support to clergy from alternative bishops who agree with them on the issue. More work needs to be done on these proposals and whether clergy can be in same sex marriages. There will be a discussion in July and decisions in February 2025. The prayers are already in use in some churches within regular services, including at Canterbury Cathedral.
Safeguarding: A report into new structures to implement full independence of safeguarding operations and scrutiny in the Church of England, will be considered, with a promise that decisions will be made in February 2025. The changes follow recommendations by Prof Alexis Jay who conducted a review into the collapse of the Independent Safeguarding Board a year ago. Legislation for a redress scheme will also be discussed.
Soul Survivor: A call for a KC led inquiry into abuse by the Soul Survivor founder Canon Mike Pilavachi and allegations of a cover-up within the Soul Survivor network, is on the agenda of synod. In reply, the CofE secretary general says such an inquiry is no longer relevant as internal processes and disciplinary measures have been taken and there is already an independent review being undertaken by a lawyer engaged by the Watford Soul Survivor church.
Disabled children: Synod will also debate a motion from the Diocese of Liverpool on the human dignity of disabled children. It challenges the assumption that “bringing a disabled child into the world is a tragedy to be avoided” and calls for more support and advice for families during pregnancy and after birth.
Archbishop Vigano summoned to Rome on charges of schism
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former apostolic nuncio to the United States, has been summoned to the Vatican to face charges of schism. He published a notice from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on social media, summoning him to appear yesterday afternoon. The charge of schism carries a penalty of being denied communion with the Catholic church. Archbishop Vigano has long been a critic of Pope Francis, calling for his resignation, denying his legitimacy and rejecting the reforming Vatican Two as an “ideological, theological, moral, and liturgical cancer,” of which the Synodal Church is a “metastasis”.
Presbyterian Church resists moves towards assisted dying in Ireland
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has said it is dismayed at recent moves to introduce assisted dying In Britain and Ireland. It follows an announcement in March by Sinn Féin and the SDLP that they would consider supporting a change to the law and similar moves in the Irish parliament, when a committee also recommended a change. A similar debate is to take place in Scotland this autumn and the Isle of Man and Jersey have also just vote in favour. The Rev Daniel Kane, Convener of the Council for Public Affairs, said the council wanted “to express our deep desire to engage both the whole Christian Church, and all of society, in affirming the importance and innate dignity of every human life from conception to death as a precious gift from God…The current situation in other places within these islands helps set the disturbing backdrop to this debate.”
Pew Research finds non religion in East Asia and Vietnam, alongside widespread belief in God
A Pew Research Centre survey has found that many adults in East Asia and Vietnam have no religious affiliation. Yet many – including the religiously unaffiliated – hold religious or spiritual beliefs and engage in traditional rituals. The survey of more than 10,000 people in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, found non religion at its highest in Hong Kong, at 61 per cent. But religion was ever present, with most adults saying they believe in God or unseen beings, like deities or spirits, however an average of just 26 per cent said religion was very important in their lives. 46 per cent of Japanese were Buddhist and there were substantial numbers of Christians in Hong Kong and Daoists in Taiwan. Pew Research is here.
Ancient rites of midsummer observed once more at Stonehenge
English Heritage ran a live feed of Stonehenge for the summer solstice from 8pm last night, with another feed early this morning for daybreak. The mid-summer moment has been marked for thousands of years at Stonehenge, whose stones line up with the movements of the sun. Pagans and druids observe ancient ceremonies around standing stones throughout the British Isles. Our factsheet explains the religious significance of Stonehenge. A factsheet on Pagan traditions which celebrate the summer solstice is here
