BBC apologises after Thought for the Day comment on xenophobia
The BBC has apologised after Krish Kandiah’s “Thought for the Day” on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, described Robert Jenrick’s comment on asylum seekers as “xenophobia”. He quoted from an article in the Mail on Sunday by Mr Jenrick, shadow justice minister, where he said: “I certainly don’t want my children to share a neighbourhood with men from backward countries who broke into Britain illegally, and about whom we know next to nothing.” Mr Kandiah went on to say: “These words echo a fear many have absorbed. Fear of the stranger. The technical name for this is xenophobia. All phobias are by definition irrational, nevertheless they have a huge impact”. The BBC apologised saying: “Today’s episode of Thought for the Day contained reflections from a faith perspective on fear in society but has been edited to remove some of the language used and we apologise for its inclusion.” The recording of the Today programme on BBC Sounds edited out the words about xenophobia. Shortly after Thought for the Day was broadcast, Mr Jenrick posted on X: “On BBC Radio 4 this morning listeners were told that if you’re concerned about the threat of illegal migrants to your kids, you’re racist. Wrong. You’re a good parent.” It’s reported that Radio 4’s head of editorial standards, Roger Mahony, wrote to Mr Jenrick to say he had removed two references to xenophobia from the programme and admitted that the language went beyond the segment’s scope. The Guardian reports that Mr. Kandiah is distressed about the row and his intention was to make inclusive points about community cohesion. Last night, he posted a recording of his Thought for the Day on Twitter / X, saying “Take a listen and let me know what I am wrong about factually?”. Thought for the Day is produced by the BBC Religion and Ethics department in Manchester.
Pope Leo hoping Trump and Putin agree a ceasefire
Pope Leo has spoken of his hopes that tomorrow’s summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, will lead to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Speaking to journalists at his summer residence, the Castel Gandolfo, where he is on a short break, He said: “We must always seek a ceasefire. The violence, the many deaths, must stop. Let’s see how they can come to an agreement. Because after all this time, what is the purpose of war? We must always seek dialogue, diplomatic efforts, not violence, not weapons.” Asked if he is concerned about the possibility of the population of Gaza being deported, the Pope said: “Very much (concerned). The humanitarian crisis must be resolved. We cannot go on like this. We know the violence of terrorism, and we honour the many who have died, as well as the hostages — they must be freed. But we must also think of the many who are dying of hunger.” The Pope affirmed that the Vatican was working on “soft diplomacy”, seeking non-violence through dialogue. He arrived in Castel Gandolfo after his weekly general audience, which was held inside the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall due to the heat, at which he repeated his call for peace.
University spaces available for the study of Theology and Religious Studies
As A level results come out today, the Complete University Guide indicates that 18 out of 22 universities listed, will have places in clearing for the study of Theology and Religious Studies. The ones that are listed with no places in clearing, are Durham Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol. The Guide ranks universities for entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects. The top university is Durham, followed by Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews. UCAS lists 45 institutions offering degrees in Theology and Religious Studies, sometimes twinned with philosophy, ethics, art history, science, death, culture, education and counselling.
Faith leaders oppose national guard takeover of Washington DC saying ‘fear is not a strategy’
The Episcopalian Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, and the Dean of Washington National Cathedral, Randy Hollerith, have joined a group of Christian and Jewish leaders in Washington DC, opposing the deployment of National Guard troops to the capital. In a statement published on the Cathedral’s website, they say fear is not a strategy: “President Trump justifies assuming control of the D.C. police and deploying the National Guard by declaring our city is ‘overrun by violent gangs, blood thirsty criminals, roving mobs of youth, drugged out maniacs, and homeless people.’ Such sweeping language is both inaccurate and dehumanizing, increasing the risk of indiscriminate arrests and the use of excessive force”. They say they beg to differ with the president’s view that the distirct is a lawless wasteland: “We see fellow human beings – neighbours, workers, friends and family – each made in the image of God.. As religious leaders, we remain firm in our commitment to serve those in need and to work collaboratively toward solutions to our city’s most pressing problems. We call on our political and civic leaders to reject fear-based governance and work together in a spirit of dignity and respect—so that safety, justice, and compassion prevail in our city.” The statement is signed by six Washington rabbis, the region’s United Methodist bishop and local leaders with the Presbyterian Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
John Henry Newman’s ‘remarkable’ Catholic honour
Writing in The Telegraph, Catherine Pepinster considers how John Henry Newman, once a critic of the Catholic Church, became not only a saint but one of only 38 people to be declared a Doctor of the Church, and the first Briton to hold the title for 1000 years. Newman was a 19th-century theologian, leader of the Church of England’s Oxford Movement which aimed to revitalise its Catholic heritage and traditions, who then became a Roman Catholic. His status as a Doctor was announced on 31 July this year. The article quotes Bernard Longley, the Archbishop of Birmingham, who said the honour was remarkable when his writings as an Anglican, then Catholic, were reviewed. And King Charles is quoted in praise of Newman, who he said had initiated open debate between Catholics and other Christians, paving the way for later ecumenical dialogues. Article is here
Marcus Walker reports a mood shift in the CofE and hope for the future
Father Marcus Walker, co-founder of the Save the Parish campaign, has penned an optimistic view of the Church of England. Writing in The Critic, he reports a different mood at the general synod in York in July, where he said people, including bishops, discussed major issues and disagreed with each other openly and publicly, a change of culture which was “glorious to behold”. He said: “For the first time in a long time I think I can honestly say that I feel hopeful about the Church of England and its future”, describing the change as a feeling of Spring. He praised the decision to spend more money on the poorest parishes and was delighted that the Archbishop of York, in his opening address, noticed that the churches offering a depth of tradition were seeing new people in the congregation. Disappointed that a move to give £100 million each year into diocesan stipends funds was rejected, he nonetheless was glad that one third of bishops backed the unsuccessful move. He concludes: “If the mood shift that I am sensing here in York is real, it might reveal itself in a new Archbishop who combines a manifest love for God, a recommitment to our Anglican identity, an openness to real debate, a love of the local and a reinvestment in the poorest parishes.” The article is here
Long standing safeguarding campaigner resigns from general synod
Martin Sewell, a long standing member of the CofE General Synod who has been at the centre of its debates on safeguarding, has formally stepped down, announcing his resignation in a short post on Twitter / X. He was a representative from the Rochester diocese, and a North Kent Child Protection and Family Law Solicitor for 35 years, of which he said “exercising that expertise has defined my time at Synod. I ask the awkward questions.” He created a network across the CofE, and became the link person between general synod members, survivors, clergy, journalists, lawyers and bloggers. In his last synod in July, he said he would step down after the Redress Bill covering compensation to survivors, was passed, as there was nothing more that he wanted to do. In his final speech, he spoke of his concerns about the weakness of the CofE’s audit and scrutiny.
Ely Cathedral providing second hand school uniform store
Ely Cathedral is providing a second-hand school uniform store for parents of primary school age children in the city. A basket placed inside the grand main door of the Cathedral is being filled with donations which will be available to the public from September. This is the second year of the scheme and the Rev Sarah Newns, who heads youth outreach work for the Cathedral, said the wardrobe will be open to coincide with children’s activities at the Cathedral. The uniform store is in response to the cost of living crisis which leaves families struggling to make ends meet.
