Black smoke signals no pope elected after first conclave vote
After a two-hour delay, black smoke finally emerged from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican at 9pm last night, indicating that the 133 cardinals gathered there to decide who will be the next pope had failed to reach a decision. The delay was the longest on record and led to speculation as to the cause, with one suggestion that the homily before the vote went on too long and another that there were technical or language difficulties. But the conclave meets in secret and there has been no explanation for the wait. Eventually the sun was setting as the black smoke rose, so it could barely be seen against the sky. This was the first vote and was not expected to reach a decision. Cardinals will return for four more votes today, with the winning candidate needing to secure a two thirds majority. Catherine Pepinster has written an explainer on the conclave process here
80th anniversary VE day marked in churches and cathedrals
Cathedrals and churches across Britain are marking the 80th anniversary of VE day today with special services. The Church of England has produced an order of service template with readings, prayers and traditional hymns. It includes a pledge of commitment to “support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations”. The televised service attended by the royal family, comes from Westminster Abbey at 12 noon today to honour and pay tribute to the wartime generation. At 6.30pm, cathedrals and churches in Britain and abroad, will ring bells in united celebration, including at Coventry cathedral, a centre for reconciliation and peace. Angela Youngman reports here on how the cathedral uses art to heal the wounds of history and work for peace.
Minister calls for unity amid India-Pakistan conflict
Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has assured MPs that he is in regular contact with the Faith Minister, Lord Khan, over actions to prevent rising tensions between India and Pakistan spilling over into UK communities. In a Commons debate following a ministerial statement on India and Pakistan, he said colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are talking to affected communities across the country and recognising the sensitivities: “We look to all community and faith leaders to spread the message that now is a time for coming together across religious and ethnic differences. We now need to see calm heads”. MPs expressed concern at the impact on their region. Tan Dhesi, Labour, said many of his Slough constituents of Indian and Pakistani heritage, especially Punjabi and Kashmiri, were “extremely worried about the safety of their loved ones as bullets fly and bombs drop”. Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale, said many of his constituents were concerned about family members, and wanted assurances that the Government was doing everything to de-escalate the situation. Louie French, Conservative, asked whether Hindu temples would be offered the same funding and security as mosques. Mr Falconer described the India-Pakistan situation as “delicate and of grave concern,” and emphasised that the UK government’s focus was on promoting regional stability and preventing escalation. Hansard debate report here
Widespread global belief in life after death and spirits in nature
Belief in life after death is widespread around the globe, as is the belief that spirits can reside in animals and in parts of nature such as mountains, rivers or trees, according to a Pew Research Centre survey. It polled 50,000 people in 36 countries with a wide range of religious traditions, to test spirituality among people from the world’s major religions and others associated with “New Age”. It found these spiritual beliefs were held in common to varying degrees, across traditions and among “nones”, people who are not religiously affiliated. There was little difference according to age. A majority of adults in most of the countries surveyed believed in life after death, the highest in Muslim-majority Indonesia and the lowest in Sweden. The research is here
India seeks repatriation of gems buried with remains of the Buddha
Sotheby’s has postponed the sale at auction of the “Piprahwa gems”, precious stones buried with the cremated remains of the Buddha, in a monument in Uttar Pradesh. The amethysts, coral, garnets, pearls, rock crystals, shells and gold, either standing alone or in jewellery, were expected to sell for about £9.7m at an auction in Hong Kong, but the Indian government threatened legal action for violations of cultural heritage laws. The Guardian reports that the gems were found by William Claxton Peppé, a British colonial landowner, in 1898, and most went to the colonial museum in Kolkata, while Peppé was allowed to retain a fifth of them. Three of his descendants put them up for sale, but the Indian government says it will discuss repatriating the gems to India after discussions with the family and Sotheby’s.
More than 11,000 people have their say on the next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Church of England says that more than 11,000 people have participated in the consultations for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, submitting their views online, by post and in person between February and March this year. The initiative aimed to help “discern the gifts, skills and qualities required in the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury to meet the needs of the Church today and in the years to come”. The evidence will sit alongside a “Statement of Needs” from the Diocese of Canterbury, and other information from the National Church and Anglican Communion. The process to choose the next Archbishop is led by the Crown Nominations Commission and is expected to last until November.
Bishop says CofE needs new process for same sex marriage debate
The Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson, has written an e-book arguing that the Church of England should use a different process to determine whether standalone services of blessing for same sex couples can take place. He says relying on a simple majority in the general synod has missed a “serious attempt to discern the mind of the Church” and dramatically raised the theological and emotional stakes. Instead, he says the synod should use the “Canon B2 process” where a two thirds majority is needed, a proposal put forward by The Alliance, a group within the CofE that is opposed to the change. He said the Living in Love and Faith process, involving the whole church in discussions over same sex relationships, had gone wrong and carrying on regardless risked “widespread ridicule”. Church Times article here
