Board urges UK bars Kanye West over antisemitism
The US rapper Kanye West, who is controversial because of past antisemitic and hateful comments, is to headline all three nights of the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, London, from 10 – 12 July. In response, the Board of Deputies of British Jews is calling on the government to consider blocking his entry into this country. Its president, Phil Rosenberg, told Newsnight on BBC2 that they are concerned that Kanye West’s presence may inflame an already febrile situation, with high levels of antisemitism being recorded and experienced.
Food parcels distributed for Passover
The Jewish festival of Passover starts today, commemorating the liberation of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Charities, synagogues and welfare organisations are organising food parcels, to ensure that everyone has access to the special festival foods. The charity Food Lifeline says over a two week period, volunteers pack more than 1,200 parcels with matzvah (unleavened bread), wine, and candles. Passover begins with a “seder” meal on the first or second nights, and some families will be incomplete this year due to transport problems caused by the war in Iran. Factsheet on Passover is here.
Number Ten Easter reception: PM to work with church on shared values
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has said he hopes to work closely with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, on “shared values”, as he praised churches for strengthening communities. Speaking at the Downing Street Easter reception, he said Christian faith continues to play a vital role in bringing people together and serving those in need. Premier Christian News report here
Pope calls for peace and hopes for truce over Easter
Pope Leo has called on world leaders to “come back to the table” and solve their problems through dialogue. In remarks to journalists last night at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo addressed all world leaders, urging them to reduce violence, look for solutions and promote peace which – “especially at Easter – might reign in our hearts.” He said continuous appeals for peace are made but many people want to promote violence and war. He urged Christians to pray for peace and suggested that over Easter, a truce may be observed.
Worldwide Anglican church report on working with refugees and migrants
The Anglican Alliance, an organisation founded almost 20 years ago to bring together development, relief and advocacy work across the Anglican Communion, has launched a resource pack for churches offering practical help in welcoming and supporting migrants and refugees. It includes information on mental health, legal considerations, pastoral and spiritual care, child support and advocacy. Called “People on the Move”, it has been developed in response to waves of migration which saw 300 million migrants including 45.2 million refugees around the world in 2024. It says it recognises “the huge role churches often play in humanitarian aid and advocacy”.
Archbishop appeals for Christian unity standing with the marginalised
The Archbishop of Canterbury has told heads of Christian churches and ecumenical partners that divisions in the church “do not define the final reality of the Church”. They share a deep unity of faith in the quiet work of prayer, friendship, hospitality and shared witness. In the archbishop’s annual lecture to them, she said Christians must renew their calling to stand with the marginalised and to serve those most in need, remembering people who are displaced, oppressed, or forgotten. They must declare hope in the face of deep suffering and conflict, war and violence.
Call for faith literacy in health care, as youth mental care referrals triple
England faces The think tank Equi, which reports on social trends and seeks to bring Muslims into public policy ideas, has produced a report highlighting the importance of faith literate approaches to mental health among young people. “Beyond the Clinic: Faith and Young People’s Mental Health” says in the eight years to 2024, monthly referrals for children and young people’s mental health services in England tripled. Based on a poll of 1,200 young people aged 16-24 and interviews with 32 experts, examines the mental health experiences of young people with a focus on young British Muslims, it recommends that faith literacy should be embedded into national mental health policy, clinical guidance should be faith sensitive and faith-literate youth mental health support should be seen as a priority. Report is here.
Stories of US clergy on the front line of resistance against ICE raids, compiled by RNS
The three partners in the Global Religion Journalism Initiative – the Conversation, Religion News Service and Associated Press – have combined to produce a special report on how religious groups have banded together to resist President Trump’s immigration crackdown. The compilation consists of reports on clergy and other faith leaders who have been on the front line of civil resistance. There is the Reform rabbi and Lutheran pastor in Minneapolis who demonstrated on the streets and held joint prayer services; the Scalabrinian sisters who accompanied migrants to court in the diocese of El Paso, Texas; and the Rev Michael Woolf, aged 46, who was slammed to the ground and violently handcuffed as he protested outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Chicago. All these stories are on the RNS website here.
