Former Bishop of Durham among seven clergy to face disciplinary charges over Makin review
The former Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, is among seven clergy facing disciplinary charges following the Makin review into the serial abuser John Smyth. The National Safeguarding Team said in February that it would seek to bring disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure against 10 clergy including two bishops, criticised in the review. The Makin review investigated how the CofE responded to allegations of abuse by the barrister John Smyth, who ran Christian summer camps and abused boys and young men in his garden shed until they bled. In a statement, the CofE said all the cases were ot of time, but permission was given to take action against seven people. They are: Bishop Paul Butler, Rev Roger Combes, Rev Sue Colman, Rev Andrew Cornes, Rev Tim Hastie-Smith, Rev Nick Stott, Rev John Woolmer. No further action under the CDM will be taken against the former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, Rev Paul Perkin and Rev Hugh Palmer. Penalties range from a conditional discharge to a lifetime ban from ministry. CofE statement here. Times report here
Diocese of Jerusalem condemns attack on Anglican Al Ahli Arab hospital
The Diocese of Jerusalem has condemned an Israeli military attack yesterday on an Anglican hospital in Gaza, which killed five people including three journalists, two of whom were former employees of the Palestine Today TV channel. The Diocese issued a statement saying the attack, the eighth hit on the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, was an “unprovoked assault against civilians” and it called on the Israeli Army to “respect the internationally protected sanctity of Ahli Hospital and all other hospitals throughout the Gaza Strip, as their beleaguered doctors, nurses, and medical staff seek to treat those innocents, mostly women and children, who have been severely injured in continued military assaults”. The cause is reported to be an Israeli drone strike.
Hajj pilgrim numbers down on last year
Official figures for the number of pilgrims at the Hajj suggest the total is 1,673,230, with 1,506,576 from abroad and 166,654 from within the Saudi Kingdom. This is 160,000 fewer than last year and around half of the number of 2012. A report from the Associated Press says the lower number may be due to inflation, economic crises around the world, excess heat or tighter entry rules which is making the Hajj too expensive.
Chairman of Reform UK resigns hours after burqa ban row
Zia Yusuf has resigned as the chairman of Reform UK, hours after he took issue with comments from newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin, that the burqa should be banned. Yusuf, described as a multi-millionaire Muslim entrepreneur, posted on Twitter / X: “I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn’t do.” Ms Pochin had asked the Prime Minister, in the Commons, whether, in the interests of public safety, the government would “follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others and ban the burqa?” Her call was met with cries of “shame” from some MPs.
Deadline today for Dean of Bangor Cathedral job applications amid financial turmoil
The Church Times picks up a story that all new spending at Bangor Cathedral has been suspended pending a review this week. The BBC says this follows a report on Cathedral finances which found hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt, weak financial controls, unclear reporting lines, and spending decisions that were insufficiently scrutinised. The Sub Dean Sion Rhys Evans left his role in January after 10 months gardening leave. Today is the deadline for job applications to be the new Dean of Bangor Cathedral, with a requirement to be “An experienced leader and skilled in developing sustainable financial models, seeking out creative partnerships and exploring untapped potential for income generation”.
App launched offering spiritual first aid to Catholics in the military
A new Catholic Military Connect app has been launched to offer spiritual first aid to Catholics serving in the British armed forces. The app will offer personnel a direct link to a military chaplain and will be a “single point of access for prayer, information, and answers to questions”. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said in challenging times, faith provides vital support when under pressure. Story here
Plans to submerge 12 Hindu statues into Weymouth Bay
Permission is being sought to submerge 12 marble statues into the sea in Weymouth Bay, as part of an ancient Hindu ceremony to indicate their life in worship is over. The BBC explains that the statues include five which are human size and weigh 800kg each, and they belong to the 30-year-old Hindu temple Shree Krishna Mandir in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, which has been demolished and is being rebuilt. The ritual immersion of a deity’s idol into water, is known as a Murti Visarjan, signifying creation and dissolution. A crane would be used to lift the statues on to a barge which would take them out to sea. The marine licencing application is subject to a public consultation ending on 22 June.
