Sarah Mullally backs the Pope in calls for peace
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has issued a statement backing the Pope in his “courageous” call for peace. She said it was the “calling of every Christian – and of all people of faith and goodwill – to work and pray for peace”. Her robust defence of Pope Leo follows his call for a ceasefire and dialogue to resolve the Iran conflict, which caused Donald Trump to criticise and insult him for being weak and “terrible on foreign policy”. The Archbishop said shared humanity had long inspired peacemakers across generations, whether Christian or not, a vision that gave rise to the United Nations, and she echoed Pope Paul VI’s words that there should be “no more war.” She urged all Anglicans to pray for peace, saying: “In a time marked by hatred, division, and violence, may we be steadfast in that calling – witnesses to hope, agents of reconciliation, and bearers of God’s peace in a wounded world.” She is due to visit the Pope in Rome later this month.
Churchwarden’s conviction of murder is quashed
Benjamin Field, aged 35, a former churchwarden jailed for murdering a university lecturer has had his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal. He was sentenced to a minimum of 36 years in prison for the murder of Peter Farquhar, aged 69, in Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, in 2015. Yesterday, judges ordered a retrial, saying jurors at Oxford Crown Court had “not been properly directed” over prosecution claims that he spiked Farquhar’s whisky to make him think he was losing his mind, in order to inherit his house and money. Field’s lawyers said there was no evidence Farquhar was forced or deceived. Field remains in prison while the Crown Prosecution Service takes the case to the Supreme Court.
Church in Wales allows same sex blessings and moves towards same sex marriage
The Church in Wales Governing Body has voted to make permanent the provision for church blessings for couples in same-sex civil marriages and civil partnerships. The decision follows an experimental five year period which ends in September and was approved by an overwhelming majority – all five bishops, 32:7 clergy and 48:8 laity. Further proposals will come forward in April next year, for same sex marriage services. Church in Wales report here.
Methodist minister appeals for calm after reports of rape outside the church
The minister of Epsom Methodist church, near the place where a woman in her 20’s is reported to have been raped, has appealed for calm after protests that the police have not released information about the suspects. The Rev Catherine Hutton said the community was “shocked and appalled” by reports of the alleged attack and she was intimidated by the protest. The church organised a Hope for Epson event appealing to the community to come together in love and grace after the event. She said: “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”.
Pope warns against people who manipulate religion for military and political gain
The Pope has once more emphasised the need for peace and harmony, while on his 11 day visit to Africa. Yesterday he visited Bamenda, a city in the northwest of Cameroon which is at the centre of a decade long conflict between the English speaking minority and government forces. He praised Christian and Muslim leaders for coming together in a peace movement, and he warned against people who “manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild. They turn a blind eye to the fact that billions of dollars are spent on killing and devastation, yet the resources needed for healing, education and restoration are nowhere to be found.”
Multi faith framework for investments discussed at event in Paris
A press briefing will be held this afternoon following a two day event in Paris when faith groups and networks, which manage at least $200 billionin investments, met to discuss how they could use their combined investment power for greater impact. The Faith in the Common Good Forumis the first time that religious groups – 33 faith traditions and networks from four major world religions – have come together to discuss coordinated action at scale, including the development of a multi-faith framework for collaborative action. The aim is to create a powerful new alliance of values-driven, faith-based investors using their combined investment muscle to address critical global environmental and social challenges. Speakers include Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, President of the Vatican Bank, and Dave Zellner,Executive Chair of FaithInvest. Ethical investment is reported to be a growth area for city investors. Further information here.
More US young men than young women say religion is important to them
A Gallup poll in the United States suggests that young men are more likely than young women to say religion plays a major role in their lives. Data collected from 2024-2025 found 42 per cent of men aged 18 to 29 described religion as very important to them, compared to 28 per cent in 2022-23. Young women’s responses have remained largely unchanged over the same period, at around 30 per cent. Gallup poll is here.
