Official statistics show a decline in marriages and steep decline in religious ceremonies
The Office for National Statistics has released data showing that there were 231,949 marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales in 2023, a decrease of 8.6 per cent on 2022. Of these, just 32,473 were religious ceremonies, a figure which has more than halved over ten years. Among the religious ceremonies, 23,004 were conducted by the Church of England, a number which has similarly more than halved over ten years and is the lowest on record. The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, told the Telegraph: “Church marriage vows are timeless and among the most recognisable and beautiful words known..We want to reassure couples that they don’t have to be churchgoers to have a church wedding, they don’t need to be christened, and we welcome couples who already have children.” Other stats include: an increase in civil partnerships, comprising 3.3 per cent of all legal partnerships, the highest number were conducted for men and women over 65; same-sex marriages, introduced in 2014, increased up to 2022, while same-sex civil partnerships declined; the median age for men and women entering an opposite-sex marriage in 2023 was 34.8 years and 33.0 years, respectively. Dataset showing religious stats 2023 here
Pope criticises disrespectful treatment of migrants in the US
Pope Leo XIV has criticised recent measures against migrants in the United States and has called for people to be greated “with humanity and dignity.” Speaking to reporters, he said the recent US bishops’ statement rejecting mass expulsions of migrants and expressing concern for the situation in the country was “very important.” He said: “I believe we must seek ways of treating people with humanity, with the dignity that is theirs. If someone is in the United States illegally, there are ways to address this. There are courts. There is a judicial system. I believe there are many problems in the system. No one has said that the United States should have open borders. I think every country has the right to determine who enters, how, and when. When people have lived good lives – many of them for 10, 15, 20 years – treating them in a way that is, to say the least, extremely disrespectful, and with instances of violence, is troubling.” Vatican News story here
Appeal for government to offer safe routes for refugees from Sudan
Dr Krish Kandiah, founder of the Sanctuary Foundation which helps refugees in the UK fleeing war and persecution, is urging the government to provide safe routes of passage to refugees fleeing Sudan. Delivering “Thought for the Day” on BBC Radio 4, he said blood spilt on the ground from the 150,000 who have died, can be seen from space and he urged the government to offer compassion to some of the people fleeing the war. Dr Kandiah is a Baptist minister and co-hosted, with Lord Rees, a meeting in the Lords on Monday, exploring faith and migration. He said on Twitter/X: “The Christianity I know drives me to welcome people fleeing war and terror, not to scapegoat them. I don’t argue for open borders, but I do argue for compassionate borders—policies that are orderly and just, but also humane.” He also welcomed comments made at Westminster Abbey on Monday evening, by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, who spoke of the courage to welcome strangers, as rooted in sacred texts. Catherine Pepinster’s report on Mr Grandi’s address is here
Robust argument over theory of a ‘Quiet Revival’
A robust argument is developing in the pages of Premier Christianity magazine on the subject of the Quiet Revival, a report from the Bible Society which suggested that church attendance has increased by dramatic levels especially amongst 18-24 year olds. The results were based on a YouGov survey suggesting 5.8 million people attended church at least once a month last year, compared to 3.7 million in 2018. Among 18-24 year olds (Gen Z) 16 per cent attended church at least once a month; whereas in 2018 only 4 per cent did so. Tim Wyatt looked at the results against data from the Church of England and the Catholic church, which showed growth but not at those high levels, and concluded that “the quiet revival is not happening”. In response, Bible Society researcher Dr Rob Barward-Symmons stood by the stats and said YouGov would not approve anything if it was a misrepresentation or abuse of their data. He said such a critique “leads to confusion and ultimately blocks opportunities for wider spiritual growth”.
Holocaust survivor dies aged 95
Tributes are being paid to Holocaust survivor Vera Schaufeld MBE, who has died at the age of 95. She came to Britain aged nine on Kindertransport in 1939, and never saw her parents again. Her first memory in the UK was sitting at Liverpool Srtreet station waiting to be collected. After the war, she met he husband in Issrael, then returned to the UK, where she worked as a teacher and became deeply involved in Holocaust education. Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive Officer of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said Vera Schaufeld was a “kind and gentle woman who contributed so much to Holocaust education after her active working life as a teacher.” Jewish News story here
Statutory inquiry into Christian charity
The Charity Commission has announced a statutory inquiry into The Matt 6.3 Charitable Trust, which is absed in Grimsby and “advances the Christian faith”. A statement says: “In October 2024, the regulator became aware of serious concerns about governance failings and unauthorised payments at the charity. The charity’s advisors told the trustees they must cease all unauthorised payments to connected parties and appoint an independent board of trustees. However, some payments continued to be made, and the charity has so far not recruited any independent trustees…The statutory inquiry will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal duties in respect to the administration, governance and management of the charity”. Matthew 6:3 says: “When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”.
Bishop of Oxford to retire
The Bishop of Oxford, Dr Steven Croft, has announced that he will retire in July 2026 after ten years in the role. He has been at the centre of news stories including Living in Love and Faith, calling for the CofE to allow marriage of same sex couples; criticising The Alliance for calling for a separate Province for people opposed to same sex blessings; admitting he did not act sufficiently on disclosures of abuse while he was Bishop of Sheffield; and was entangled in the contentious dispute over Martyn Percy at Christ Church Oxford. In the Lords, he has taken on roles with AI, digital ethics and climate change, Church Times article here
Cardinals due to meet in Rome in January
There are reports that Pope Leo XIV is planning to convene an extraordinary consistory of cardinals in Rome on 7 – 8 January, a gathering which usually discusses issues of common concern or new initiatives. The last one was in 2022 under Pope Francis. The National Catholic Register says cardinals have complained that they have not met frequently enough and are asking for more collegiality under Pope Leo.
Rare Sikh holy book displayed in Edinburgh
A rare 300-year-old handwritten holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, was displayed at Edinburgh Gurdwara on Sunday – its first public appearance in 175 years. It is believed to be the oldest holy book of its kind in the UK, and was rediscovered in 2020 when University of Edinburgh academics uncovered it in their archives. Because of its fragile condition, curators transported it to the gurdwara in a special convoy for only a few hours, where no flash photography was permitted. A volunteer gently waved a chaur sahib over the manuscript as a sign of reverence, and priest Giyani Himit Singh read prayers from five of its pages to the congregation. The scripture was once owned by Maharaja Kharak Singh, ruler of Punjab, and was taken from Dullewalla Fort in 1848 before later being gifted to the university by Sir John Spencer Login. Its ink is infused with gold. Organiser Galab Singh Gold described the viewing as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, saying many were moved to tears. Eastern Eye report here
Concern after church in Swansea daubed with Swastika
A church in Townhill, Swansea has been defaced with a large swastika and the Russian military “Z” symbol, prompting shock and anger in the local community. The symbols, daubed on the walls of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church last weekend, were quickly painted over, but not before sparking deep concern about the rise of extremist imagery targeting places of worship. The Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, Mark O’Toole, said he was “very saddened” by the racist vandalism and grateful for those who acted swiftly to remove it. He stressed the Catholic community knows such views are not widespread locally and urged prayers for “deeper tolerance” and conversion of hearts. South Wales Police have launched an investigation into the hate graffiti. A former Welsh Labour MP, Geraint Davies, said it was an example of “national and religious blasphemy.” Story here
1500 year old floor mosaic points to Christian shrine in Turkey
A floor mosaic with Christian symbols and words, believed to be around 1500 years old, has been discovered by archaeologists in Urfa, Turkey. It depicts scenes of creation, decorated with animals, plants, and the four elements of air, water, earth, and fire, alongside inscriptions mentioning church leaders. The mosaic was uncovered at Urfa Castle which was built between 460 and 495 AD and is thought to be the floor of a church, chapel or shrine to a martyr. The excavation also discovered graves of three religious officials, suggesting the long-standing religious significance of the city. Daily Mail story here
