Pope Leo tells journalists to foster peace and reject hatred
Pope Leo XIV held his first press conference yesterday, with around 6,000 journalists and media professionals who had reported on the intense period of change over the past three weeks, thanking them for their ‘tireless work”. A press conference on this scale has become routine for new popes. In his first press conference at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, he called for communication to foster peace by caring for how people and events are presented. His vision is of a media that “does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition, and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.” He also expressed solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for reporting the truth, and called for their release. He said their suffering reminds the world of the importance of the freedom of expression and the press, adding that “only informed individuals can make free choices.”
Zelensky invites Pope to visit Ukraine
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine. In a statement issued on Twitter / X, he described their initial conversation as warm and substantive: “Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people”, he said, and they agreed to plan an in-person meeting in the near future. “I thanked His Holiness for his support of Ukraine and all our people. We deeply value his words about the need to achieve a just and lasting peace for our country and the release of prisoners. We also discussed the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia. Ukraine counts on the Vatican’s assistance in bringing them home to their families”.
Pope’s digital footprint
“What we can learn about Leo XIV from his digital footprint?”, an article by Claire Giangravé, for the Religion News Service, reports his likes on Facebook and his reposts on Twitter, where is described as a “Twitter Lurker”, choosing posts on gender identity, Pope Francis, abortion, immigration and, famously, in response to the vice president’s view of a hierarchy of love, a repost of an article: “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others.”
Complaints over Pope’s handling of sex abuse cases
The Guardian reports on complaints of Pope Leo’s handling of sex abuse complaints during his time as leader of an Augustinian religious order in Chicago, and as a bishop in Peru. A report “Clergy molestation survivors concerned and insulted by election of Pope Leo XIV”, by Ramon Antonio Vargas, is here.
Board of Deputies appeals for release of remaining Israeli hostages
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has issued a statement urging the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. On Twitter / X, it said: “We are overjoyed to see Edan Alexander released after 584 days of cruel captivity by Hamas in Gaza. We call on all responsible authorities to ensure the urgent release of the 58 remaining hostages. This should include steps towards sustained peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East. There has been far too much suffering”.
Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners and ends partnership with US government
The US Episcopal Church has declined to participate in the fast-tracked re-settlement of around 50 Afrikaners, who are being allowed into the Unites States after Trump accused South Africa’s Black-led government of racial discrimination against the white minority group. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, said in an open letter: “In light of our church’s steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation and our historic ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, we are not able to take this step”. Instead, the Episcopal Church will formally end all federal resettlement work when its contract expires on 30 September. Its staff will continue as a church-based ministry to serve the needs of refugees already in the US, asylum-seekers and other migrants. Detailed report from the Episcopal News Service here
Washington State tells clergy to report child abuse disclosed in confessions
Catholic clergy in Washington State are now legally obliged to disclose reports of child abuse heard during confessions. The new law has added “members of the clergy” to a list of other professionals who are mandated to report child abuse. This has been denounced by local Catholic leaders as an infringement of religious freedom, with bishops saying that priests who violate the seal of confession will be excommunicated. Washington state joins New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia which have also approved the legislation. Report in America, the Jesuit Reiew here
London clergy affirm same sex relationships and leadership of women
Two well-known clergy from central London – the Rev Dr Sam Wells of St Martin in the Fields, and Canon Lucy Winkett, of St James’s Piccadilly, have written an open letter to the Church Times in response to moves from conservative evangelicals and traditionalists to form a separate province, withhold money from dioceses and appoint new lay leaders, all in protest at same sex blessings. The letter says these proposals involve parishes close to them in London, but the issue: “has now become confrontational and subversive, and is explicitly threatening the integrity of the Church of England”. It continues that assertive claims from same sex opponents that the Bible is clear on the matter, or liberal churches shrink, are becoming commonplace but are not well founded. The two clergy recognise their position is now characterised as one that is not biblical or faithful, but “a perspective in which the leadership of women and the increasing recognition of same-sex relationships are not an egregious departure from the faith, but are, instead, good and right and true”. The letter is here
Women arrested at Quaker Meeting House speak to the Guardian
Guardian reporter Emine Sinmaz has asked more questions about the police raid on a Quaker House in Westminster last month, when six young women holding a meeting on the premises were arrested by police. In dramatic scenes, police smashed down the door and took the women away, saying they were planning criminality to shut down London. Five have been bailed and one faces no further action. Sinmaz spoke to two of the women, one of whom described it as a traumatic experience, and the report outlines past protests including Just Stop Oil action during the London Marathon and their calls for a trade embargo on Israel. The reporter also spoke to Mal Woolford, an elder of the Westminster Quaker Meeting who was present at the time, and said “the gathering had looked like an innocuous meeting of drama students. He described the police response as ‘ridiculously heavy-handed’.”
Vesak festival to mark birth of the Buddha
Buddhists are holding ceremonies across the world, including the UK, to commemorate Vesak, marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. This is another religious ceremony associated with the marking of the full moon and is usually celebrated in May or June. There were programmes of meditation and chanting at UK Buddhist centres, talks, storytelling, community events and candlelight processions. Many centres shared ceremonies online throughout the day. Number Ten Downing Street posted good wishes to Buddhists across the country, and the London Eye was lit in purple in honour of the day. Reuters report in pictures here
Tributes to Rev Robert Corp, ‘champion of choral music’
Tributes are being paid to the Rev Robert Corp, a conductor and composer known for his work with the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Proms, the Highgate Choral Society and the London Chorus. He founded the New London Orchestra and the New London Children’s Choir, and was due to perform one of his own works at this year’s Three Choirs Festival in Hereford. An Oxford music graduate, he was ordained at the age of 47 and served in Kilburn, Hendon and latterly St Alban the Martyr, Holborn. He died suddenly on 7 May after complications following surgery. Classic FM described him as a great champion of English choral music.
