Bishops warn the cross must not be used to intimidate
Seven CofE bishops have issued a statement warning against using the cross and other Christian symbols to intimidate others. Last summer, the St George’s flags were paraded in the right wing Unite the UK march and hoisted on to lampposts as signs of English identity. But the bishops say it must be recognised that the cross “cannot be owned by any one group or cause, rather it is a symbol of unity, inclusion and our common life”, rooted in Christian heritage which must be embraced and rediscovered. The statement was published yesterday, Racial Justice Sunday, and comes from a group set up by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to consider questions of national unity and diversity amid concerns about polarisation in society. They call for a “mature debate” on the different impacts of migration, noting that churches can act as “spaces where different response to immigration can be listened to with respect and dignity”. The group is also developing resources supporting churches celebrating St George’s Day in April. Its chair is the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, and other members are the Bishops of Kirkstall, Barking, Bradford, Croydon, Willesden and Birmingham.
Right wing ‘Advance’ party holds policy launch in Emmanuel church
The Advance political party, a right wing group started by Reform UK’s former co-deputy leader Ben Habib, held its policy launch at the Emmanuel Church in London, an evangelical church affiliated to the Evangelical Alliance. One of the speakers was Pastor Rikki Doolan, of Spirit Embassy church in London, who visited Tommy Robinson in prison, leading to his conversion. Pastor Doolan told the audience the church was a fitting venue for the launch pointing to a sign saying “God is with us”. He said: “I want to say: Britain, God is with us, Advance UK. God is with us and the Bible says …if God is for us then who could be against us. It means we are victorious already now”. He said Britain “must turn back to Jesus Christ, the God of this nation…We must rededicate this nation to Christ.” Symon Hill, a university chaplain in the West Midlands, took issue with the venue in a blog via Twitter / X, saying: “The use of churches by far-right parties must never become normalised.”
Synod opens amid continuing disagreement
The Church of England General Synod opens in London today, with an agenda including the first address by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally. There will be a discussion on ending the Living in Love and Faith project, a church wide discussion on same sex relations and blessings, which reached an impasse over deep divisions. Decisions remain to be taken on stand-alone services for same sex couples and whether same sex clergy may be married in civil ceremonies. Other issues on the agenda are safeguarding, working class clergy, poverty and banning ‘oasis’ floral foam. The Telegraph has published a chart showing a decline in the number of people on the electoral roll of churches in each of the dioceses, a long term trend.
Numbers of Christian converts
Luke Hancorn, pastor of Freedom Church in Hereford, writes in Premier Christianity that his church saw 903 people “saved last year” and his congregation grew by 40 per cent. He suggests this is the start of a quiet movement. And the Christian Broadcasting Network reports that nearly 2,000 young people “either gave their lives to Jesus or made renewed commitments of faith at a large-scale evangelistic crusade in London last week”. This was at an event at the ExCel centre led by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, whose “2819 Church” in Atlanta, USA, is said to be the fastest growing church in America.
British Interfaith delegation visits new UK Ambassador to the USA
The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Phil Rosenberg, has led a delegation of interfaith leaders to visit the new British Ambassador to the USA, Sir Christian Turner, days after presenting his credentials in Washington. The leaders included Imam Qari Asim, senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds. They talked about “the role faith and the joint fight against prejudice and extremism can play in strengthening the UK-US special relationship”.
Another Progressive Judaism merger
The Jewish communities in Harlow and Chelmsford have merged to create a new Progressive congregation with more than 300 adult members and families. This is the second such merger in a week, following the announcement that Radlett Reform Synagogue and Elstree Liberal Synagogue would also merge. Rabbi Irit Shillor will serve both Harlow and Chelmsford, a wide geographical area.
Southern Baptists say racist tweet depicting the Obamas was ‘inexcusable’
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention says a video reposted by President Donald Trump, which depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama with the bodies of apes, was “inexcusable”. A statement said: “Regardless of the circumstances in which the video was made or shared, the depiction of the Obamas was inexcusable, and we are glad the video was taken down. Calling someone an ape is intentionally derogatory and dehumanizing. Despite sometimes deep disagreements over policies, in recent years Southern Baptists have declared over and over the biblical truth that every person is made in God‘s image, has the same inherent worth, and should be treated accordingly.” Trump said he saw only the first portion of the video and did not see the end with the racist imagery. He said he did not regret sharing it adding: “I didn’t make a mistake.” Article here
Pope’s sorrow and concern for victims of Nigeria attacks
Pope Leo has expressed “sorrow and concern” over a series of attacks in Nigeria where people have been killed and abducted. Last Tuesday, at least 160 people were killed in the village of Woro, in the central-west region. AFP reports that at least 51 people have been kidnapped and three killed in attacks over the past three days in four villages in part of Kaduna State which is majority Christian. On Saturday, armed men abducted 11 people, including a priest, in the Kajuru area. On Friday, two people were kidnapped on the road to Maro, also in Kajuru. Speaking on Sunday, Pope Leo said he hoped the authorities would “continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”
Michaelangelo Sistine chapel sketch fetches £17million at auction
A sketch by Michelangelo of a foot, has sold for almost £17 million, more than ten times the estimate. It belonged to a man on the west coast of the USA, who said it had been passed down through the family and he had inherited it from his grandmother. It is a small red chalk sketch thought to date from 1511-1512 and experts at Christie’ssay it is a foot sketch of the Libyan Sibyl, a prophetic priest, which was painted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. A specialist at Christie’s tested its origin by discovering drawings on the back of the sheet and comparing it to a drawing at the Metropolitan museum.
