President Trump suspended the bombing of Iran less than two hours before his self-imposed deadline of 8pm EST (1am BST). In a post on Truth Social, he said the double sided ceasefire would be suspended for a period of two weeks, “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz”. He backed down after Pakistan, acting as mediator, called on Trump to extend his deadline for two weeks “to allow diplomacy to run its course”. Trump had earlier threatened “a whole civilisation will die tonight”, if a deal with Iran was not struck, action which would have been a war crime. His approach, words and brinkmanship have been condemned, including by the Pope and world Christian leaders, and have led to calls for his impeachment.
Pope Leo: threat against the entire Iranian people was ‘unacceptable‘
Pope Leo said that Trump’s threat against the entire people of Iran was “truly unacceptable”. Trump said he would destroy “the whole Iranian civilisation” if Tehran did not comply with a deadline to reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to journalists yesterday evening at his summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, he said: “There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more, it is a moral question concerning the good of the people as a whole… We have a worldwide economic crisis, an energy crisis, and a situation in the Middle East of great instability, which is only provoking more hatred throughout the world… Let’s remember, especially, the innocent: children, the elderly, the sick, so many people who have already become, or will become, victims of this continued warfare, and to remind all that attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law, and that they are also a sign of the hatred, division, and destruction that the human being is capable of… We all want to work for peace. People want peace. I would invite the citizens of all the countries involved, to contact the authorities – political leaders, congressmen – to ask them, to tell them, to work for peace and to reject war and violence… Come back to the table. Let’s talk. Let’s look for solutions in a peaceful way.” His comments were filmed here.
World Council of Churches ‘gravely concerned’ at threats against Iran
Leaders of the World Council of Churches said they were “gravely concerned” by the threats made by US President Donald Trump of imminent widespread attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and the response of Iran promising serious retaliation. The moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee Rev Prof Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev Prof Jerry Pillay said “any war fought without limits is incompatible both with the law and with fundamental morality. The proclamation of intent to deliberately breach those limits, and the increasingly flagrant violation of law and ethics in conflicts proliferating around the world, is abhorrent to the moral conscience of humanity and utterly inconsistent with the endeavour of seeking peace and security in the world”. Full statement is here.
Wireless festival cancelled after Kanye West denied permission to enter UK
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has welcomed the news that London’s Wireless Festival has been cancelled, after the Home Office denied the rapper, Kanye West, permission to enter Britain. The Jewish Chronicle explains that “West has previously identified as a Nazi, released a track titled Heil Hitler, posed in a swastika T-shirt and posted numerous antisemitic comments online. He subsequently apologised and blamed his behaviour on mental illness caused by a previous head injury”. A spokesperson for the Campaign said “The Government has clearly made the right decision here. For once, when it said that antisemitism has no place in the UK, it backed up its words with action.” Three Imams had also urged that the event be cancelled, reports the Jewish News. Imams Qari Asim, Asim Hafiz and Monawar Hussain, said the event would have normalised hate and antisemitism.
Attack on congregation during Easter Sunday service in north west Nigeria
Gunmen in Kaduna state, Nigeria, killed a reported seven people and seized 31 people hostage, in an attack on a church during the Easter Sunday service. The army says it has freed the hostages after a gunfight, a story disputed by a local community leader. The BBC quotes the Rev John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who questioned the rescue claims after speaking with residents. The gunmen fled the scene and the army is searching for them. There is no admission of responsibility, but similar attacks have been carried out by Islamist militants in the region. The Nigerian government has strongly rejected assertions by President Trump, that there is a Christian genocide underway in the country.
New Archbishop of Canterbury offered advice on inevitable attack and failures
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams, has offered advice to the new incumbent, Dame Sarah Mullally. Writing in The Spectator, he said he would guess “she is feeling a bit of that never-the-same-again apprehension”. He then predicted that there would be attack, failure but also friends to support her: “Now you are Out There, you’re responsible for something happening that is in every way beyond you. You will be exposed to unrealistic expectation and unreasonable attack. You know you are going to fail in all sorts of ways. And you need to know that the weight and importance of what is put into your hands is such that it will survive your failures. I hope there will always be people around to tell Sarah this”.
UK political parties vie for church support
The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has promised that her party will restore funding for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which the government has recently placed caps on. Posted on Twitter / X, she said “Churches matter. They aren’t just important places of worship, in many towns and villages they are the centre of the community and the pride of local people, often steeped in hundreds of years of history. It is critical we maintain them properly, because when they’re gone, this history and heritage could be lost forever.” This promised followed a letter from Keir Starmer to Christian leaders who had attended a reception at Number Ten before Easter. He praised their efforts in supporting children, families and communities across the UK as “hugely valuable and hugely valued”. He went on: “This Government is dedicated to supporting and standing with all our communities. It is our wonderful diversity that enriches our nation and enhances our way of life. As we remember Christ’s loving sacrifice and the promise of new life, your work takes on a special relevance at this time of year. So thank you, once again, for helping us be the country we want to see.”
Charity warns pipe organs could disappear in 40 years
A survey conducted by a charity seeking to restore and retain Britain’s 15,000 pipe organs, suggests they will be almost extinct by 2070, as churches lack funds to repair and maintain them, and dump them in landfill. “Pipe Up for Organs” rescues and stores pipe organs threatened with destruction and tries to find them suitable new homes. One has been placed in London Bridge Station and another at the Whitgift centre in Croydon. The charity says the pipe organ is “the King of Instruments” and it is passionate about restoring the nation’s heritage: “The pipe organ is a timeless instrument at the heart of Britain’s musical heritage, and one of the most glorious of all human achievements. For over two thousand years, it has produced some of the most powerful, subtle, and emotionally profound music ever heard. It remains the instrument with the widest musical range, capable of everything from the quietest whisper to the most overwhelming sound.” Telegraph story here.
World Interfaith Harmony week winners
King Abdullah II of Jordan has announced the winners of the World Interfaith Harmony Week awards, promoting interfaith relations and world peace. First prize went to The Islamic Community in the Republic of Slovenia, which organised a breakfast for the four main religious communities, Christian and Muslim. Second was the Horizon Health Network in Canada, for promoting spiritual care in clinical health settings. And third prize went to The Multi-Faith Council of NW Ohio, for organising a breakfast for 16 faith traditions in the region. Prizes were $5k, $3k and $1k plus gold medals.
