US bishops urge Christians to stand up for immigrants whatever the cost
The US Episcopal church’s presiding bishop, Sean Rowe, joined an online prayer vigil last night, in memory of 37-year-old Renee Good, who was shot dead by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis. He said: “We have gathered to pray to strengthen our minds and hearts in preparation for the action to which we are called”. And he urged people to continue to stand with immigrants and the vulnerable, saying it was important for the church to stick together “when encountering dehumanisation and violence”. The Bishop of Minnesota, Craig Loya, said the church must turn the world upside down by “mobilising for love”. In a short address, he said: “In this painful moment, love calls us to give ourselves away, to put lives on the line and … no matter the outcome, the response, we will not be moved”. People were weary, weighed down, angry and heartbroken after the events of the past week, with the “magnitude of reckless cruelty” and the depth of fear, but he said: “The Episcopal Church and followers of Jesus will continue to stand up, march in the streets, deliver food to those locked in fear in their homes, flood legislators with calls for the madness to stop, because we are carried along by the Spirit’s river of love”. This was the latest in a number of vigils, prayer meetings and services put on by local clergy of all denominations, responding to a community in shock and grief, and appealing for justice and mercy in relation to migrants and their detention. In addition, The Episcopal News Service reports that the church is promoting a tool kit, “Protesting Faithfully”, setting out guidance for “faithful presence” at demonstrations. A recording of the vigil is promised. Facebook posts here
Bishop of Greenland adamant that the country is not for sale
Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk, the Bishop of Greenland for the Evangelical Lutheran Church, has given an interview to the World Council of Churches, giving her reaction to President Tump’s threats to take over her country. She said: “It is critical to stay calm in a situation like this. Prayers heal and give meaning. We pray each Sunday for the Kingdom of Denmark and the autonomous government of Greenland. People are clearly worried. This is a question of human rights, dignity, and respecting international laws and treaties. We are a small people, but we are not invisible. Our future is not something to be decided over our heads. We have language, culture, ancestors, children, and a future tied to this place. We are people, not property. Greenland is not land to be bought. It is our home and it is not for sale”. The Church of Greenland is funded by the government and is a diocese within the Church of Denmark. 95 percent of the population are members. The bishop is urging all Americans who believe in freedom, dignity, and the right of people to choose their own path, to write to their representatives on Capitol Hill and ask them to stand by Greenlanders in their right to determine their own future. She said: “We must cooperate across national borders, work together and stand up for our rights. And we shall talk to each other in a respectful tone”.
Scottish grandmother in Scottish court facing abortion buffer zone charges
A grandmother has appeared in a court in Glasgow, accused of breaching abortion buffer zone legislation by holding a placard saying “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”. This is the first prosecution of its kind since the law was passed in 2024. Rose Docherty, aged 75, did not enter a plea and her bail was continued until her next appearance on 3 February. The safe access zones legislation forbids harassment, intimidation and “influencing” of anyone seeking access to abortion services and is enforced within 200 metres of health facilities. She faces two charges related to action outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow last September. She is represented by ADF, Alliance Defending Freedom, which says the US State Department and the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference have expressed concern at the case.
Report expected today into police action over ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans
An independent report into the ban on Israeli fans from watching Maccabi Tel Aviv against Aston Villa last November, is expected to be published today. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and Jewish Leadership Council have issued a statement calling for the removal of Chief Constable Craig Guildford over his handling of the affair. He and senior colleagues gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee twice, where he defended the decision saying there had been no conspiracy or political influence, and the conclusion was reached over safety concerns. The Times says that if that report is critical, the Home Secretary is open to withdrawing confidence in the chief constable.
Andrew Gilbert steps down from Board of Deputies vice president role
Andrew Gilbert, one of three vice presidents of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, has stepped down from his role after less than two years, but the reasons are unclear. Jewish News reports that an email from chief executive Michael Wegier said: “Andrew Gilbert has decided to step down as an Honorary Officer. We thank him for all his hard work on behalf of the Board of Deputies, and we wish him well for the future. We are grateful to Divisional Vice Chair Judith Prinsley for assuming responsibility as an interim Honorary Officer and as interim Chair of the Board’s Security, Resilience and Cohesion Division. We will hold a by-election for a new Honorary Officer at the beginning of March. Details will be sent out next week.” The report explains that Mr Gilbert is a former president of the Reform movement and former co-chair of the London Jewish Forum.
US designates Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organisations
The United States has designated Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist organisations. The US will now block any assets owned by the Muslim Brotherhood, criminalise transactions with its members and impede their ability to travel to the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters’ violence and destabilisation wherever it occurs”. The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Egypt, aiming to promote a society governed by Islamic principles or Sharialaw through social, political, and educational work. In Britain, it has influenced groups focussing on charitable purposes. The UK government has not added the Muslim Brotherhood to the list of proscribed terrorist groups under the Terrorism Act. A government review in 2014 found that while some parts of the Brotherhood’s ideology and activities were contrary to British values, the organisation itself had not been directly linked to terrorism within the UK, and therefore did not meet the legal threshold for proscription. Associated Press report here
US Catholic bishops’ president meets Trump at the White House
Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, met President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials at the White House on Monday. RNS reports this was the first such meeting in a decade. A spokesperson for the bishops’ conference told the National Catholic Reporter that they discussed areas of mutual concern and areas for further dialogue, and the archbishop “looks forward to ongoing discussions”. NCR says that US bishops have criticised the Trump administration’s policies on immigration enforcement, and in November they expressed their solidarity with immigrants, opposed the indiscriminate mass deportation of people and prayed for an end to “dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement.” The last such meeting with the US bishops’ president was in 2017.
‘Questions of Hope and Hate’ – briefing is up on our website
Yesterday’s Religion Media Centre briefing on a report about diversity, faith and identity in Britain is now available on YouTube and as a podcast via links on our website here. The report, “Questions of Hope and Hate: Faith and Faultlines in a Changing Britain”, is published by the Good Faith Partnership and Hope Not Hate, and explores the reasons for faith narratives being mobilised for causes of division in Britain. More than a hundred people, including many leaders of national interfaith initiatives, attended the launch and several addressed the briefing. Report author Paul Bickley said the response indicated that “there is a coalition that could become a movement” and next steps were now being considered. The briefing is here
