MP behind assisted dying bill asks to meet Archbishop to avoid “discord and division” in the debate
Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP introducing the assisted dying bill into the House of Commons, has written to the Archbishop of Canterbury after he came out against the bill, saying it would be a dangerous slippery slope, widening the criteria of people opting to die. His views are shared by other bishops, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Muslim leaders for whom assisted dying is “absolutely prohibited”. The Guardian says Ms Leadbeater stressed the need to avoid “discord and division” in the debate and said she does not accept “that a decision about how to reduce suffering at the end of life should sow discord and division”. The paper quotes extensively from her letter, which takes issue with the Archbishop on several points. She said there will not be a slippery slope because “parliament will have drawn a very clear and settled line that should not be crossed”. She said it is entirely possible to value life while taking different views on whether dying people had a choice over how their lives end. The Guardian reports that she proposed a meeting to discuss the issues and Lambeth Palace said it was trying to find a mutually convenient date.
Unprecedented row in Scotland as four bishops urge colleague to reconsider role
Four bishops in the Scottish Episcopal Church have signed a public statement urging a fellow bishop, Anne Dyer, to stand aside. She is Scotland’s first woman bishop, appointed in 2018 as Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney. In 2021, she faced claims of bullying and in 2022 she was suspended on allegations of misconduct. Last week, the church’s senior legal officer ruled that it would “no longer be in the public interest” to pursue the allegations, despite evidence suggesting a realistic prospect of conviction, meaning in theory she is entitled to resume her role. However, yesterday afternoon, four other bishops including the primate, Mark Strange, and the Bishops of Edinburgh, Brechin, Argyll and the Isles and the acting bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, signed a statement saying deep divisions remain in the diocese despite the ruling and urged her to consider whether she was the right person to lead the diocese, calling for an urgent conversation with her. Anne Dyer is on holiday and let it be known that this was an attempt to “improperly pressurise her to step down” and that her colleague’s actions were wrong and unfair. Church Times story here
Pope meets Israeli and Palestinian elders to discuss peace plan
Pope Francis has met the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and the former Palestinian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nasser Al-Kidva, at the Vatican. They presented their peace proposal for Gaza, including an immediate ceasefire, the release of the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, along with the simultaneous release of an agreed number of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, and the resumption of negotiations for the creation of two separate states at peace with each other. Speaking to Vatican Media after the audience, Ehud Olmert said he had been able to discuss the possibility of a special agreement for the status of the Old City of Jerusalem, so that five nations including Palestine and Israel, would keep it free for all believers to practice their faith.
Government considering giving legal recognition to humanist weddings
Law and Religion UK reports a short debate in the House of Lords on humanist weddings. Baroness Thornton, a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group asked the Government whether they planned to give legal recognition to humanist weddings. Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, said he understood the strength of feeling, but “as a new Government, we must look closely at the details of any proposed changes before setting out our position, which we will do in due course”. Other groups also wanted special recognition, such as Muslims or Hindus, and he said the matter must be considered in the round. The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, said the bishops would welcome humanist wedding ceremonies being given legal status, but the latest Law Commission recommendations would create a free market celebrant-based approach to the wedding industry, something which could undermine the solemn nature of marriage, a caution shared by Humanists UK. Comment by Prof Russell Sandberg: Labour Peer Gives Welcome Update on Marriage Law Reform.
Former treasurer charged with defrauding church of £643,637
A former church treasurer in Northern Ireland has appeared in court charged with defrauding Shankill Parish Church in Lurgan, of more than £643,637.31 between July 2011 and January 2020. Godfrey Ellis, aged 54, from Clanconnell Gardens in Waringstown, is accused of abusing a position of trust and making gains for himself through transferring money into his own account, as well as one charge of forgery. He was released on bail of £500 and his case has been transferred to Craigavon Crown Court, where he will next appear on 22 November, and where is expected to enter a plea. Irish News story here.
London Jewish Museum plans digital exhibition on impact of 7 October
The Jewish Museum in London las launched a project to collect items and written thoughts from people in Britain, on their responses to the 7 October attack. The museum does not have a building anymore, so the exhibition will be digital with images collected and displayed on social media. Sally Angel, CEO of the Jewish Museum London, told the Jewish Chronicle that they want to document the impact on British Jews, their diverse experiences and emotions felt at this time. She explains that the exhibition will use “photos, posters, films, audio, objects, and artefacts to ensure this period in history is preserved and remembered for future generations.”
RE “provides young people the superpower of empathy”
Every school interested in an academic and engaging curriculum should have a place for RE at its highest level, according to RE head of department Greg Parekh, who has put forward the case in an article for FE News. Mr Parekh,, head of RE at Helston Community College and a secondary consultant to Cornwall SACRE, says: “At its best, RE provides the academic skills and knowledge to engage in meaningful discussions on sensitive topics, reflect critically on your own beliefs and question assumptions in a constructive way. All of this provides a broader, empathetic perspective that allows young people to take their place not just in modern Britain but as global citizens. Above all, in inspiring the next generation of theologians, philosophers, debaters and thinkers, it provides young people with the superpower of empathy”. At the heart of RE, he says, is a vital idea: that everyone should be able to explore the big questions in life, and that the response to those questions on an individual level matter”. Article is here
Bishop leads Anglicans to biodiversity conference
A group of Anglicans are travelling to Colombia this week to take part in the United Nations’ Cop16 biodiversity conference starting on 21 October. They intend demonstrating Anglican commitment to tackling nature loss and to emphasise the power of faith groups in achieving change. The delegation will be led by the Bishop of Norwich Bishop Graham Usher, the Anglican Communion’s lead on biodiversity. The communion has published a report to explain its views. It is called “Choosing Hope: Anglican Joint Action on Nature Loss”. Report here
Secularism conference addresses challenges in liberal democracie
A one-day conference “Secularism 2024: Protecting liberal values” takes place tomorrow (Saturday) in Covent Garden. Organised by the National Secular Society, the conference will “shed light on the contemporary challenges faced by liberal societies, including rising religious fundamentalism and identity politics, and how secularism can provide a solution to these complex issues”. A session on “liberal values and the secular state” includes the Rev Robert Thompson, a member of synod and local councillor in Camden. Amanda Spielman, former Chief Inspector of Ofsted, will discuss navigating religious controversies in education. The event closes with a keynote speech by Maryam Namazie, co-founder of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and a prominent speaker against Islam and Islamism.
50,000 expected to attend Muslim festival at Excel Centre this weekend
The Global Peace and Unity Festival 2024, a display of Muslim life, with stalls, exhibitions, business presentations and a conference, is being held at the Excel in London this weekend and is expected to attract more than 50,000 people. It started in 2005 but was paused for several years, making a return this year in ambitious style. There will be Muslim musicians from all over the world. Workshops, seminars and presentations in pavilions will cover lifestyle, sport, health, finance, fashion, politics in society, faith and education. Speakers include academics and religious leaders as well as MPs Naz Shah and Stephen Timms. An international charity symposium will explore latest trends and challenges to the sector. 500 exhibitors showing a range of halal food will market their products alongside a Halal food court. And there is a “Muslim marriage event” allowing people to meet potential partners.
