Pope tells young people they are a sign ‘a different world is possible’
Pope Leo XIV has told more than a million Catholic young people camping outside for an outdoor Mass near Rome, that they are “the sign that a different world is possible. A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.” It was the final gathering in the week long Jubilee of Youth, which was part of the special Jubilee Year, a time of forgiveness, reconciliation, and renewal. At the Mass, Pope Leo said: “We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings. We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war.” He encouraged the young people to “study, work, and love according to the example of Jesus” and to “spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith to everyone you meet”. Associated Press report here
Wing and prayer: restored aircraft lands in cathedral nave
A bright yellow Short Scion Floatplane has found its way onto the nave of Rochester Cathedral, rescued from dilapidation by an aircraft restoration group in the Medway Towns and now completely rebuilt and on display. It was a complicated operation that involved nudging the fuselage gently through the intricately carved Great West door, which dates from 1150. The Cathedral says the installation celebrates local skill – the 1930s aircraft was manufactured at the Shorts’ factory on the banks of the Medway and the restoration was funded with a grant from the Rochester Bridge Trust, with work carried out by volunteers. This is the latest in a series of creative projects featured at the Cathedral, breaking down the barriers between a sacred space and the people. Read Christine Rayner’s report, with pics, on our website here.
New Archbishop of Wales says ‘it’s extraordinary’ she was elected
The new Archbishop of Wales, Cherry Vann, told the BBC Sunday programme that it was extraordinary she was elected at all, on a number of counts: “the fact that I’m English, that I’m not a Welsh speaker – I know that means an awful lot to some people – that I’m a woman and that that I’m in a civil partnership. I think it’s a sign that the Church in Wales is courageous”. Asked why the church in Wales is more progressive than England, she said it was difficult to say: “I don’t know whether it is something to do with the fact that Welsh people have a sense of being done to and of being the underdog and having to fight for their sense of identity and their language over decades over centuries. And I wonder if that means that they are more sympathetic to minority groups?”. She has also given an interview to The Guardian, where she said she was a trailblazer not a campaigner, and revealed she had kept her civil partnership secret for many years, worried that she would be outed on the front page of a newspaper. Her appointment was described as a “grievous event” and “another nail in the coffin of Anglican orthodoxy”, by GAFCON, the global Anglican group opposed to gay relationships and other progressive measures. In a statement, it urged people in Wales “dismayed by this act of apostasy” to join them in a stand against “Anglican revisionists”. Cherry Vann told Sunday she was sure some Anglicans in the global south would view her election with horror and might not attend Primates meetings if she was there, but in the UK and Europe, she felt her appointment was a real sign of hope, a positive move, an she knew some people who never attend church “rejoice in my election”. Interview on Sunday programme here (26 minutes in)
76-year-old in custody over child cruelty charges at Christian camp
A 76-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with child cruelty offences after three boys became ill at a Christian summer camp in Leicestershire last week. John Ruben of Ruddington, Nottingham, was charged with three counts of wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health, at Stathern Lodge in north Leicestershire, between 25 July and 29 July. The court was told it was in connection with sweets allegedly being laced with sedatives. Ruben gave no indication of how he would plead and is due to appear at Leicester crown court on Friday 29 August. Leicestershire police arrived at the camp after receiving reports that children were feeling unwell. Eight boys between the ages of eight and 11, and one adult, were admitted to hospital as a precaution before being discharged.
Board of Deputies president says civilians should not be punished for crimes of Hamas
The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Phil Rosenberg, has said that civilians in Gaza should not be punished for the crimes of Hamas, and repeated that the Board has called for aid to be “massive and sustained”. He would also like to see others joining in the call for the release of hostages and said the images of the hostage Evyatar David looking emaciated and being forced to dig his own grave, were “unconscionable”. He was answering questions on the BBC’s Sunday programme about the Board’s statement following an emergency meeting last week which said food must not be used as a weapon of war by any side. The statement also criticised some Israeli ministers for supporting the forced displacement of people from Gaza and for the “intolerable violence” by extremist settlers on the West Bank. He acknowledged that the statement marked a “change in tone” for the Board, and explained that the community is polarised. However, he said it was important to create space for people to hear a diversity of opinions with grace, and to empathise with suffering wherever it is seen, so that, as a society, “we do not import conflict but export peace”. He said: “This horrible war has been devastating for people first and foremost on the ground there, but also for communities around the world”, citing increases in both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Interview is here (37 minutes in).
Israeli government minister causes outrageby praying at Temple Mount
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has caused outrage by leading Jewish prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem. It is the site of two Biblical temples and the place where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven. Jordan is the custodian of the site, while Israel is in control of security and access. Under a decades-old arrangement, Jews can access the site but not pray there. But Ben-Gvir has been filmed leading Jewish prayers at the site, and Jordan has called it “an unacceptable provocation”. The Israeli prime minister’s office said there had been no change to Israel’s policy of maintaining the status quo agreement that allows only Muslim worship there. Read our explainer here
Bishop of Fulham apologises for choir intervention
The Bishop of Fulham has apologised after appearing in his dressing gown during a choir concert in his church, St Andrew’s Holborn, when he said they were making “a terrible racket” and demanded they leave. The Bishop, who lives on the site, interrupted the concert at 10pm thinking this was the end of the booking, but he has confirmed the booking was made until 11pm. Sky News has seen his apology where he said: “This should not have happened … I also apologise for remarks which were made in haste, and which have understandably caused hurt and distress. I can give you every assurance that the events of Friday evening will not recur, and I apologise again to performers (especially those unable to perform at the end of the evening) and the audience alike.” In his letter, the bishop said the choir continues to be welcome and that he hopes a good relationship will continue. The choir told Sky News it was “upsetting” that they were unable to finish their show as planned, but “hold no hard feelings and wish the bishop well”.
