‘No imminent danger’, but the Pope stays in hospital
Pope Francis took part — remotely — in the Vatican’s spiritual retreat yesterday after doctors updated his prognosis to say he is no longer in imminent danger of death. However, doctors have decided to keep him in hospital for several more days, AP reports. The detailed information about the Pope’s illness is unprecedented. The Vatican’s level of transparency about his condition, since he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February, has surprised many observers who recall how, even 20 years ago, this was almost unthinkable. Traditionally, the Catholic Herald reports, Papal health is treated with denial and obfuscation. The reason for the transparency? Francis himself. Dr Sergio Alfieri, head of the Pope’s medical team says Francis made the decision to be up front with the daily developments.
‘Confusing’ process to replace Welby
The process to select a new Archbishop of Canterbury is “confusing” and “lacking in transparency”, says a member of the Church of England Evangelical Council. The Rev Andrew Goddard raised his concerns, after the General Synod voted against changes to the decision-making process of the Crown Nominations Commission, submitted by the House of Bishops. The process also involves consulting bodies within the church and Dr Goddard accuses the Canterbury diocese of failing to follow procedures and is demanding answers to “serious questions” relating to the selection process. Premier Christian News report here
Reform supporter calls Islam ‘a barbaric cult’
Dan Cooper, a “wellbeing ambassador” at a City law firm who wants to stand as a candidate for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the local elections in May, has called Islam a “barbaric cult” on social media. His X account has now been closed, but screenshots of his posts last month show he called Islamophobia “a made-up word” and added: “I hate Islam. It’s a 7th century barbaric cult. I don’t fear it, I loath [sic] it.” His bosses said they have taken “prompt and decisive action” but would not clarify if he had been sacked. Times report here
Televangelist fined £150,000 over ‘miracle spring water’
A £150,000 fine has been imposed by Ofcom on a TV programme broadcast in the UK by a televangelist who claimed water could cure cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Two programmes aired in May 2023 by the US evangelist Peter Popoff included “potentially harmful claims” about “miracle spring water” and broke the Broadcasting Code, said the government’s regulating body. A statement said: “While we respect the broadcaster’s and audience’s rights to freedom of expression and religion, we considered that the claims made went beyond proclamations of faith.” Premier Christian News report here
Hindu nationalists want Mughal emperor’s grave destroyed
Hindu nationalists in India are demanding that the grave of the last Mughal emperor be removed. Aurangzeb — full name Abul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Mohammad Aurangzeb — died in 1707, his empire spanning nearly all the Indian subcontinent. For the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his allies, the legacy of the Mughals — who ruled India for six centuries — is a byword for the subjugation of Hindus by a foreign occupier. One MP in Maharashtra, the state where Aurangzeb is buried, urged the authorities to “send a bulldozer and raze his grave … he was a thief and looter. Those who visit Aurangzeb’s tomb and pay homage … should take the tomb to their own homes, but the glorification of Aurangzeb will not be tolerated any more.” Times report here
Carney quizzed over pro-Palestinian demos
A Jewish lawyer has voiced concerns about the stance of Mark Carney, Canada’s new prime minister, on how to quell antisemitism in the country. The Jewish Chronicle reports that Vivian Bercovici, a former Canadian ambassador to Israel, has asked Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, “on many occasions” to speak out against pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Canada, but has received no reply. She said Carney’s silence “left us with a vacuum”.
Ramadan, time to quit smoking
Members of Queen Mary University London’s smoking cessation service have been visiting mosques in east London to persuade Muslims to take the opportunity of self-denial during Ramadan to give up for good. Shohaib Ahmed, an adviser working in Waltham Forest, said: “Ramadan is a month of reward and many people see stopping smoking as something rewarding for their health. It gives them courage and motivation.” Report here
Norfolk, where a musical meets the mystical
A musical drama about the medieval Christian mystic Margery Kempe will be premièred on the Norfolk coast this month. Kempe (c.1373-1440?) wrote what is believed to be the first English language autobiography, The Book of Margery Kempe, which chronicles her pilgrimages to the Holy Land and her conversations with God. Kempe was tried for heresy many times but never convicted. The play, by Tony Triggs, runs for four nights and a matinee in Wells-next-the-Sea starting on 19 March. Report here
Priest’s 24-hour prayer vigil for Zimbabwe Church Times report here
Forced marriage of Christian child bride annulled by Pakistan court Catholic Herald report here
Wyoming governor signs bill to protect religious freedom Report here
