Pope points to dynamic form of secularism promoting co-operation
Pope Francis has spoken of a dynamic concept of secularity that can promote co-operation. He was addressing a conference on the French island of Corsica, the first time a Pope has visited, where 85 per cent of the population is Catholic. He warned against pitting Christian and secular culture against one another and called for a dynamic form of “laicism”, (separation of church and state), one which promoted the “popular piety” found on the island, in contrast to the French mainland. He said this could act as a bridge between religious and civic society, a concept of secularity “that is not static and fixed, but evolving and dynamic,” that can adapt to “unforeseen situations” and promote cooperation “between civil and ecclesial authorities.” He also encouraged islanders to make more children, saying they were a blessing. At the airport as he left the island, the Pope met President Macron, who thanked him for visiting and they exchanged gifts, a warm meeting following disquiet when the Pope failed to attend the re-opening of Notre Dame. The Pope’s visit took place two days before he reaches the age of 88, but reporters say he appeared energetic though still displaying a bruise from a fall a week ago.
Quakers around the world are leaving X today
Quakers in Britain are joining other Quaker organisations across the world in disengaging from the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, from today (16 December). They say they are concerned at “changes under Elon Musk’s ownership, including increased levels of disinformation and hate. X’s role in spreading harmful content and the erosion of journalistic integrity and public discourse directly contradict Quaker principles of truth and integrity”. Friends World Committee for Consultation and its Europe and Middle East Section, Quakers in Ireland, US Friends Committee on National Legislation, Canadian Friends Service Committee, Quaker Council for European Affairs the Friend (Quaker magazine), and Woodbrooke (Quaker learning organisation) are also leaving X on 16 December. Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “We seek to answer that of God which is to be found in every person. It seems that X is no longer a forum where this can happen. When the bad outweighs the good, it is time to seek other methods of engaging where it easier to find common ground with our fellow human beings.” Quakers in Britain said their X account would be archived to provide information and support. They can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and BlueSky.
Israel closes embassy in Ireland citing antisemitism
Israel’s foreign minister says it will close its embassy in Dublin because of “the actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel”. Gideon Saar issued a statement saying the decision followed Ireland’s support last week, for South Africa’s legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice, accusing the country of “genocide.” Mr Saar said: “The actions and anti-Semitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the de-legitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards. Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel.”. Ireland’s Taoiseach (prime minister), Simon Harris, said the decision by Israel to close its Irish embassy was “deeply regrettable”, saying on Twitter / X: “I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law”. He said “Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law.” Earlier this year, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, was recalled over the decision to recognise the State of Palestine.
Bishop of Newcastle says CofE “old boys’ club” must be broken
The Bishop of Newcastle Helen-Ann Hartley has given an interview to The Times, saying the next Archbishop of Canterbury must break up the “old boys’ club” protecting an institution which is “working hard to shut the story and the narrative down”. She spoke of systemic dysfunction in the institution and in the House of Bishops “in terms of cultures around power, privilege and entitlement that persist”. She was the only bishop to call for Justin Welby to resign, after which she said she was frozen out by other bishops. She told reporter Tim Sigsworth, that colleagues had asked if she was OK and offered a cup of tea, but no one came out publicly to agree with her. She feels so isolated that she has avoided the bishops’ robing room in the Lords. She said: “You might say that’s an overreaction, but I don’t feel confident enough to go into that room with colleagues present. So I’ve asked for my robes to be moved”. However, she said she is overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages, cards and gifts from supporters. The article says she is “something of an outsider in the Church of England”, explaining she was brought up in the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, where her father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all ministers. She was ordained in 2005 and became a bishop in New Zealand nine years later, moving back to England in 2018. She said: “All that gives you a really different perspective.”
Labour MP says Sikhs are quizzed about India when they enter the UK
The Guardian reports that Labour MP Preet Gill, has written to the Home Secretary warning that British Sikhs are being stopped as they enter Britain at airports and questioned about their attitudes towards India. She said the questions centred on their attitude to Sikhs being granted their own homeland within India called Khalistan. In her letter, sent in September but which has just come to light, she said “one man had been stopped and held at Manchester airport for several hours on his way back from a family holiday in Turkey, during which time he was asked what his views were on Sikhism, on the partition of India, and on Nijjar’s death in Canada” this refers to the drive-by shooting of a Sikh activist in Canada, which the government there blamed on India. The Guardian says Preet Gill is concerned that the incidents have inflamed anger among British Sikhs about alleged harassment by the Indian government when people are being asked about their identity and religious beliefs, for no apparent reason.
Plans for burial site including space for Muslims, dividing community in Lancashire
A planning application has been submitted to create a cemetery, including an area for Muslim burials, in fields near a business park between Blackburn and Oswaldtwistle. The application is from the Issa Foundation, a charity run by the billionaire Issa brothers, who own Asda, Cooplands and Leon. It will be named “The Issa Memorial Garden (Muslim Cemetery & Pavilion)”, a 45 acre site able to include 12,250 burial plots, 387 parking spaces, a funeral parlour and prayer halls. Hyndburn Conservative group leader Cllr Zak Khan, is urging Hyndburn council to reject the application, saying local people are concerned about traffic and groundwater contamination of nearby allotments, gardens, and waterways lower down.
Bill to ban first cousin marriages meets resistance
A Commons bill to ban marriage between first cousins is causing continuing debate. The private members bill was introduced by Richard Holden, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, who has previously introduced bills to ban virginity testing and hymenoplasty, where the hymen is restored so that women bleed having intercourse. He said first cousin marriage should be banned on social grounds, perpetuating insular communities, and on public health grounds, citing a greater risk of birth defects, serious illness and even infant death. He told the Commons that cousin marriage is practised by about 10 per cent of the world and is most prevalent in the middle east, west Asia and north Africa. He said it is over 80 per cent in parts of rural Pakistan and the rate amongst Pakistan diaspora in the UK is increasing. Although it is apparent in majority Muslim countries, he said cultural and economic reasons led to its inception. In reply, the independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley, Iqbal Mohamed, opposed the move and said rather than stigmatising cousin marriages, there should be a more positive approach to health concerns linked to the children of those relationships. The Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4 continued the debate with Michael Muthukrishna, associate professor of economic psychology at the LSE, saying he was concerned at the greater risk of cousin marriages in small communities in successive generations. While Professor Joyce Parker, professor of reproductive science at UCL, said the risk was very low and more attention should be paid to educating people of the possible risks to babies. The bill will come back to the Commons on 17 January 2025.
Vicar apologises after casting doubt on whether Father Christmas is real
A vicar has apologised after casting doubt on the existence of Father Christmas in a class of Year 6 children, which left some of them in tears. The Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain, vicar of St Faith’s church in Lee on Solent, was addressing an RE lesson about the nativity, at Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School, when his comments made children think Father Christmas wasn’t real. Parents and children said he talked about cookies left for Father Christmas, then revealed it was the parents who ate the cookies, at which there were gasps and some children started crying, according to one mother, “ruining Christmas”. Dr Chamberlain apologised to everyone and the Diocese of Portsmouth statement said it was an error of judgment. Telegraph story here