Islamic Relief mobilises emergency aid after Afghanistan earthquake
Islamic Relief has deployed an emergency health team after a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 600 people and injuring thousands. Entire villages in Kunar province were reduced to rubble when the 6.0 magnitude quake hit around midnight, with many victims trapped as homes made of mud and flimsy materials collapsed. Rescuers are struggling to reach remote mountain areas cut off by landslides and flooding, with casualties being carried out on foot or airlifted by helicopter. Aftershocks continued through the night, adding to the panic. “Entire villages have been turned into mud and rubble in Kunar and the death toll is rising every hour,” said Ibrahim Ahmed Alhomadi, Islamic Relief’s head of programmes in Afghanistan. He said survivors urgently need healthcare, food, water and shelter. The disaster comes as Afghanistan faces drought, aid cuts and the return of more than two million refugees from Iran and Pakistan.
Pope Leo ‘has same openness to LGBTQ issues’ as Pope Francis
Pope Leo XIV has received the US Jesuit priest and LGBTQ campaigner, James Martin, in a private audience at the Vatican. The two men knew each other from the Synodical process, where they had met and worked together twice. Afterwards, Fr Martin said he was “consoled” by the meeting and Pope Leo had encouraged him to continue his ministry. He said: “Pope Leo has the same openness to LGBTQ issues as Pope Francis had. He made clear that he wants everyone to feel welcome”. He found the pope “serene, relaxed and joyful” and said they laughed frequently: “It was as if we were back at the synodal table” he said. Fr Martin is Editor at Large at The America magazine and their report of the meeting is here.
Contents of Spurgeon’s College go under the hammer this month
The administrators of Spurgeon’s College, which closed on 31 July, are selling the assets including artefacts attributable to its founder, the 19th century Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. These include the trowel Surgeon used to lay the foundation stone, a book case from his study, a full-size statue of him by Francis Derwent Wood, two large oil paintings of him, and his handwritten theology course notes for trainee ministers. The College’s theological library collection holds an estimated 60,000 books such as textbooks, journals and The Sword and Trowel magazines, which the auctioneers say can be sold as one lot or separately. In addition, certain antiquarian texts are being sold by way of a separate auction process by Forum Auctions on 25 September, a collection including ‘Coverdale’ Newe Testament (1539). Founded in 1856, Spurgeon’s has trained thousands of men and women for Christian ministry and its name is synonymous with Baptists in the UK and internationally. It closed after a sudden termination of financial support from a private charitable foundation, forcing it into insolvency. The administrators say the sale offers people “a unique opportunity to become part of the history of Spurgeon’s”, continuing its legacy and impact. Offers must come in by 18 September. Details here
Starvation sect in Kenya is active again as 37 bodies are found
A doomsday sect in Kenya, linked to the deaths of more than 400 people who starved themselves to “meet Jesus,” appears to be active again. Reporters for The Telegraph say police have discovered the bodies of 37 suspected victims at a site around 12 miles south of Shakahola Forest, near Mombasa, where Pastor Paul Mackenzie previously ran the Good News International Church. Mackenzie has been in custody since May 2023 and is on trial with 28 others for 191 counts of murder. In a separate case with his wife and 91 others, he faces charges over the manslaughter of 238 people. While many followers were detained during earlier police raids, some are thought to have evaded capture and continued following the sect’s teachings. Investigators believe the newly discovered victims died within the past year.
Muslim Institute ‘Muslims, Politics and Power’ conference
The Muslim Institute has announced that its annual winter gathering will be on the theme “By Any Means Necessary’: Muslims, Politics and Power in the 21st Century”. It will take place at Sarum College, Salisbury, from 28 – 30 November, the 60th anniversary of the death of Malcolm X. Organisers say it will consider a number of questions: “How best to build and organise our communities? How to uphold justice and safeguard spaces for dissent? How to challenge anti-Muslim bigotry in society, politics and media? How to hold our own leaders to account? How to ally with others facing bigotry and fighting for justice? How to engage with those in power? How to generate our own power?” WG25 brings together leading change makers and thinkers to explore how to transform the British Muslim landscape ‘by any means necessary’. Speakers include Prof Fozia Bora, University of Leeds; Dr Miriam François, journalist and filmmaker; Prof Kehinde Andrews, Birmingham City University; Dr Wajid Akhtar, Secretary-General of the MCB; and Tharik Hussain, author.
Archaeologists uncover early Christian city in Egypt’s Kharga Oasis
An Egyptian archaeological team has uncovered the remains of an early Christian settlement in the Kharga Oasis, in the western desert. The discovery, made in late July at Ain Al-Kharab, includes mud-brick houses, two churches, a cemetery and artifacts such as pottery, stone and glass. One church, built in basilica style, features a large hall with columns, while a smaller one contains Coptic inscriptions. A mural depicting Jesus healing a patient was also found, though no images were released due to conservation concerns. Officials said the finds show the oasis was an important centre for Christianity between the fourth and seventh centuries, marking a shift from Egypt’s earlier pagan traditions. Previous digs in the area revealed Roman and Islamic-era remains, highlighting centuries of cultural change. The mission was led by Dr Siham Ismail of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. Daily Mail article here
“Eunuch ring” former vicar jailed after using nail scissors to modify body parts
The Rev Geoffrey Baulcomb, aged 79, has been jailed for three years for being part of an extreme body modification “Eunuch” ring, where male genitals were removed. At the Old Bailey, he pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a nine-second video of him using nail scissors was found on his mobile phone. He also admitted seven other charges, including possessing extreme pornography and making and distributing images of children on or before 14 December 2022. He retired in 2003 and in 2022, he was banned for life from continuing in Holy Orders after police found drugs at his home near Eastbourne.
