Board of Deputies suspends five after public letter criticised Israel
The Board of Deputies has suspended five Deputies and sent a letter of criticism to a further 31, after an investigation into a letter sent to the Financial Times in April which condemned Israel’s government for the war in Gaza. The 36 signatories said they could not “turn a blind eye or remain silent” at the “renewed loss of life and livelihoods” after Israel’s renewed offensive. In a statement last night, the Board said an independent panel unanimously found that 36 Deputies had breached its code of conduct. The breaches were primarily around the public presentation and promotion of the letter, “which created the misleading impression that this was an official document of the Board as a whole”, and the subsequent press release which had an “exacerbating effect”. The 31 who did nothing more to promote the letter, were sent a letter of criticism. Five more who contributed to a “misleading press release”, made public appearances, published disrespectful social media posts, or made inappropriate communications to the investigations panel, have been suspended for two years. In three cases, they can reduce their suspension if they apologise. A report in the Jewish News says it’s understood that the five suspended include Harriett Goldenberg, who had been serving as vice chair of the Board’s International Division, and Philip Goldenberg, a lawyer and longstanding Liberal Democrat councillor. Both had given public media appearances.
Board of Deputies advice to people stranded in Israel
The Board of Deputies has set up a special website page with up-to-date official information, resources, and safety advice for British citizens stranded in Israel. It lists information on travel arrangements to help people leave, and emergency information on health, accommodation and diplomatic advice.
National Prayer Breakfast asserts Christian foundations of public life
Hundreds of Christians gathered in Westminster Hall for the National Prayer Breakfast organised by an all-party parliamentary group of MPs and funded by the Bible Society. Christian MPs led prayers and gave readings, a band led the singing of hymns and songs, and the speaker was mathematician Prof John Lennox, who said everyone brings their faith in something into the public square and Christian faith is needed in public life. It had laid the foundations for core values in democracy – equality, dignity, and human rights.
Muslim World League leader meets MPs to discuss social cohesion
The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa met the House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and several MPs, in London yesterday. Arab News reports they discussed the foundations of social cohesion in religiously and ethnically diverse societies, fighting extremism and hatred, combating discrimination and exclusion, and showcasing the league’s efforts to build bridges between civilizations and promote mutual understanding. The report quotes Dr Al-Issa saying that the vast majority of Muslims in Britain show strong religious and national awareness and “discordant voices” are isolated cases that reflect individual views, not the values of Islam.
Christians Against Poverty join protest at welfare cuts
Christians Against Poverty has joined the growing chorus of protest at the government’s plans for welfare cuts, to be debated by parliament next Tuesday. It says disabled people are already 50 per cent more likely to experience poverty in the UK, and are at greater risk of deep, long-term hardship. It believes the UK Government’s proposed welfare cuts threaten to drive a quarter of a million more disabled people into poverty. It has an ongoing appeal for donations saying CAP’s support, delivered through the local church, is needed more than ever. A total of 108 MPs have signed an amendment to the bill, calling for legislation to be paused while measures are taken to spend £1bn to get more people into work first.
US legal action against seal of confession ruling
The US Justice Department is challenging the State of Washington over a new law, Senate Bill 5375, which requires Catholic priests to break the seal of the confession to report child abuse or neglect. The Department says this violates the free exercise of religion for all Catholics and would make priests liable for excommunication, for breaking their vows. A Justice Department lawyer says laws targeting religious practices have no place in US society.
52:46 – How America divides on allowing teachers to lead prayers in schools
Pew Research has found 52 per cent of Americans favour allowing teachers to lead classes in prayer, but 46 per cent are opposed. A quarter of the population has strong feelings both for and against. The findings are from Pew’s 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study of 37,000 adults across America. The findings come against the backdrop of public debate on the place of Christianity in public life. The Supreme Court recently upheld a ban on what would have been the nation’s first religious public charter school in Oklahoma. In Texas, a law has recently been passed requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all public school classrooms, while in Louisiana a similar law has been blocked in the courts.
42:47 – America’s divide on Trump’s immigration policies
The Church Times reports research suggesting that Americans are split over Trump’s immigration policies, with 42 per cent approving and 47 per cent against. Church groups have been in the vanguard of opposition to ICE raids and mass arrests. 73 per cent of Democrats and 41 per cent of Republicans say it is OK for religious organisation not to help deport illegal immigrants.
Catholic sisters protest outside US Capitol about immigration policy
Catholic sisters from across the United States gathered on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, to demonstrate against the treatment of immigrants. Titled “Sisters Speak Out: A Prayer and Public Witness for Immigrants and a Just Economy”, the sisters prayed, processed and heard speeches on the impact of cuts to immigrant communities and those living in poverty. They are concerned at reduced funding to Medicaid and food programmes, and increased deportations.
New US Episcopal diocese for the indigenous Navajo Nation based in Utah
The Episcopal Church in the US has welcomed a new diocese for the Navajo Natioon communities. The “Missionary Diocese of Navajoland” covers a region that includes Navajo congregations in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. Its creation follows years of campaigning for self-determination and to have their own bishop. The Episcopal News Service reports that “one of the constitution’s articles says that the diocese will strive to adhere in its communications and decision-making to the historic and sacred traditions of the Navajo people as well as the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church.”
Methodists win award for reducing carbon emissions
The administrative body running the Methodist church, the Connexional Team, has become the first carbon literate church group, winning an internationally recognised Bronze Carbon Literacy Award for raising awareness of carbon costs and need to reduce emissions. The church has a target to reach net zero by 2030 and won the award by registering the training programme ‘Carbon Literacy for Congregations’, training members of the team, appointing a “carbon literate leader”, and making pledges to introduce change. In future they will measure building energy and travel emissions and encourage communication on future carbon reduction plans.
Three ‘trailblazers and pathfinders’ in interfaith dialogue awarded gold medals
Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Laura Marks CBE and Dr Julie Siddiqi MBE have beenawarded the Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion for “exceptional contribution to the improvement of understanding between the faiths in the United Kingdom, and across the world”. Dr Julie Siddiqi is co-founder of many faith initiatives including the British Muslim Network and Muslim Women’s Network; Jagbir Jhutti-Johal is a professor of Sikh Studies involved in interfaith and freedom of religion and belief initiatives; and Laura Marks founded Mitzvah Day, helped establish the multifaith Women’s Faith Forum and is chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. The Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion Award was founded by the late Sir Sigmund Sternberg and previous recipients include the Queen, Pope John Paul II and other notable faith leaders. His son, Michael, said each of the women were “trailblazers and pathfinders” who had made exceptional contributions: “Much of the work done within communities here to build understanding and to heal rifts is actually done by women. Sadly this is too often ignored”. (pic: Sam Friedrich acumenimages.com)
