Christian organisations’ joint statement for peace in Sudan
A joint statement by Christian organisations has urged the international community not to turn a blind eye on Sudan. It says: “The situation in Sudan is dire and without a concerted strong push for peace talks the conflict will only worsen. The international community cannot continue to turn a blind eye to Sudan. We must act decisively to bring the parties to the negotiation table and work towards a sustainable resolution of the conflict.” It says both community-based networks and local civil society organisations remain critically underfunded and face extreme risks daily. The statement was signed by: ACT Alliance, Caritas Internationalis, World Council of Churches, All Africa Conference of Churches, Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, and Caritas Africa. The statement came as Britain hosted a high level international conference on Sudan, aiming to get more food and medicine into Sudan and to begin charting a way to end the hostilities.
Graves of Muslim children vandalised in Watford cemetery
Up to 100 graves have been vandalised in a Muslim section of the Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Watford, including those of children and babies. Police say they are treating it as an Islamophobic hate crime and are appealing for witnesses and further information from the public. The Muslim funeral company Wadi Funeralcare has published pictures of grave markers uprooted and strewn across the grass. It said it was “heartbroken by the recent desecration” and that “some graves were subjected to unspeakable acts of disrespect”. Police are meeting community leaders today. Watford Observer article here
Bishop of Lincoln says steel industry ‘vitally important’ to Scunthorpe
The Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, told the House of Lords that it was vital to safeguard the steel industry while transitioning towards a greener future. Spealing during the emergency debate on the future of the steel industry and the Scunthorpe steelworks, he said “British Steel is the symbol of an industry which is vitally important to the wellbeing and identity of Scunthorpe, a place I am proud to serve as Bishop. That is before we consider its importance to our national infrastructure, recognising the need for connectivity through our railways in order to see one another, stimulate our economy, and reduce regional disparities. Protecting these jobs and the vital work done through them required action that has not appeared to be forthcoming from private investment. I wish the Government well in its endeavours, which are not without cost”. Referencing the announcement of the creation of a theme park on a former brickworks in Bedford, he said the need for a secure manufacturing base is essential. He urged the government to consider the pastoral issues alongside the practical measures, saying his prayers were with “the many people who will feel uncertainty and anxiety”, and that churches will offer love and hope.
Archbishop addresses UN meeting on CofE’s ‘historic complicity’ in slave trade
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has addressed a UN Forum on People of African Descent, acknowledging the Church of England’s “historic complicity in the slave trade” and emphasising “the moral and spiritual imperative of truth-telling, accountability and healing”. The event was co-hosted by Kenya and the Anglican Communion, with speakers from Barbados, Jamaica and Ghana, and was intended to focus on reparatory justice and institutional accountability, with the Church of England’s story as a case study. The Archbishop said the church had a moral responsibility to address the failings of the past, particularly the wealth handed down through generations, and hoped its work to repair, heal and pursue justice demonstrated how “Christian faith can bring about real change in the world.” The Church of England has pledged £100 million to address the harm caused by its historic links to slavery, in a programme chaired by the Bishop of Croydon, Rosemarie Mallett, who contributed to the discussion.
Hundreds of protesters hold Passover Seder outside ICE headquarters
Hundreds of protesters held a Passover Seder at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in New York to demand the release of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. The Religion News Service reports that it was held to protest at a judge’s ruling that Khalil, a Columbia university student and US resident, posed “potentially serious foreign policy consequences” and that he could be deported. He was arrested in March after taking part in 2024 campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war and remains in custody with his green card revoked. The “emergency Seder” was organised by Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist Jewish organization. Rabbi Abby Stein, who presided over the Seder, said Passover was an invitation to reflect on modern forms of oppression, pointing to the war in Gaza. Protesters denounced Trump’s administration for immigration policies, constraining pro-Palestinian activism, and attacking transgender people.
Board of Deputies says BBC must move faster to address concerns
The Board of Deputies has called on the BBC to move “firmer, further and faster” over areas of concern including bias in its Middle East coverage and poor treatment of Jewish staff. The Board set a deadline of the first day of Passover, 12 April, for progress on issues raised at a meeting with BBC Director-General Tim Davie. In a statement, the Board says it understands the BBC has committed to launching an independent Thematic Review into its coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict, is undertaking a full fact-finding review into the making of the programme ‘Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone’, and is considering plans to roll out training on antisemitism. It is pressing the BBC to call Hamas and Hezbollah “proscribed terrorist organisations” and to rapidly address serious editorial failures. Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said there appears to have been some progress but “this has not gone as far or as deep as will be required to fix the problems that we have identified. Full statement here
Dr Toby Greene is the new Director of Public Affairs at the Board of Deputies, taking over from Daniel Sugarman who is moving on to a new role as Deputy Editor of the Jewish News.
Church Commissioners’ new lease for butterfly conservation near Winchester
The Church Commissioners has agreed a fresh lease with Butterfly Conservation on its land at Magdalen Hill Down, a nature reserve on the edge of Winchester in the South Downs National Park. For the last 30 years, 30 species have been protected including Brown Argus and Adonis Blue butterflies. Butterfly Conservation estimates that more than 80 per cent of the country’s butterfly species have declined since 1976 and 2024 was one of the worst years for UK butterflies on record. The CofE says the new lease “forms part of the Church Commissioners for England’s work using appropriate land within its farmland portfolio to promote nature and biodiversity improvements across England”.
Cholera linked to water from holy well in Ethiopia
The Times reports the outcome of an investigation into four cases of cholera in Britain among people recently returned from Ethiopia. It suggests they are linked to bottles of holy water taken from a sacred well in Ethiopia and brought to the UK, which contained a superbug strain of cholera. Water from the Bermel Giorgis well is said to cure illness and exorcise demons and is used in baptisms and for drinking. The water found in the UK has been disposed of. Times report here
