King’s ‘anchor of faith’ and inspiration from interfaith understanding
King Charles’ historic speech to the US joint meeting of Congress repeatedly emphasised the “unbreakable” bond between the US and UK. He said shared values and “common democratic, legal and social traditions” were “the special ingredient” in a partnership “more important today than it has ever been”. In a speech which was more political than expected, with mention of executive checks and balances, resolve to support Ukraine, the promotion of peace and the end of war, he also spoke of his Christian faith and interfaith initiatives, and was applauded with standing ovations several times: “For many here, and for myself, the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community. Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness which I have found confirmed countless times. Through it I am inspired by the profound respect that develops as people of different faiths grow in their understanding of each other. It is why it is my hope – my prayer – that, in these turbulent times, working together and with our international partners, we can stem the beating of ploughshares into swords. I am mindful that we are still in the season of Easter, the season that most strengthens my hope. It is why I believe, with all my heart, that the essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value all people, of all faiths, and of none.”
Christian background of alleged White House dinner gunman
The Religion News Service has been delving into the Christian background of Cole Tomas Allen, the man who has been charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Trump told Fox News that Allen was “anti-Christian”. But Kathryn Post reports that when Allen was a student, he was involved with the evangelical Christian fellowship at Caltech in Pasadena, and his father was an elder at Grace United Reformed Church in Torrance. His 1000 word manifesto, which was left in his hotel room, interpreted scripture – turn the other cheek, and render unto Caesar.
Review says ‘Faith Covenants’ strengthen crisis response and community trust
An evaluation of the first ten years of “Faith Covenants”, guidance for collaboration between local authorities and faith providers, has found they have been successful in strengthening relationships and providing a structure for working in partnership. A study of 13 of the 33 Covenants already in place, found that two thirds of the local authorities reviewed, responded more quickly to crises such as the Covid pandemic, cold weather or community tension due to the way Faith Covenants harnessed deep local roots, encouraged trusted leadership, provided volunteers and established links with vulnerable communities. The 10 year review was commissioned by Faith Action and the APPG on Faith and Society, whose chair, Zoe Franklin MP, addressed the report launch yesterday. She said it was clear the full potential of Covenants had not yet been realised and the current re-structuring of local authorities, alongside the government’s focus on social cohesion, provided opportunities for Faith Covenants to be expanded, building trust and strengthening collaboration.
Australian report finds ‘safeguarding concerns’ after British vicar took his own life
An Australian report into a British vicar who took his own life in November last year, has found serious safeguarding disclosures about abuse, from his time as a vicar in the UK. The Rev Kesh Govan, aged 50, worked in the Dioceses of Lichfield and Manchester, moved to Ireland and then to Australia in 2014, where the Anglican Church in Southern Queensland investigated. The location of the abuse is not being made public, in order to safeguard confidentiality. There was no record of abuse in Australia. He took his own life after the report was published. The Archbishop of Brisbane, Jeremy Greaves, issued a “sincere and complete apology” to survivors. The Dioceses of Lichfield and Manchester said the news was deeply distressing and urged people with concerns to come forward and seek help. Church Times report here
Israel’s direction is ‘existential threat’ to Judaism
More on the book from Progressive Judaism on Zionism and the State of Israel. In an interview with The Guardian, the Movement’s co-leaders, Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy, “warned that Israel’s current political direction risks becoming ‘incompatible with Jewish values’, while insisting that criticism of the country’s government is ‘a Jewish obligation’ rather than an act of disloyalty.” They told the paper that “Israel’s trajectory could pose an ‘existential threat’ not just to the country itself but to Judaism.” Jewish News report on the book is here.
Israeli troops destroy solar panels in Christian village in southern Lebanon
The Telegraph publishes film of Israeli troops destroying solar panels with military diggers in the Christian village of Debel, in southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reports that water infrastructure, homes, roads and olive trees were also damaged. This comes a week after Israeli soldiers smashed a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer, action criticised by Benjamin Netanyahu. The soldiers were convicted and sentenced to 30 days in prison. The Telegraph reports that the Israeli army has become increasingly religious in the past 30 years, suggesting religious arguments for ownership of the land was the motivating factor. The IDF says the actions filmed “do not align with the values of the IDF and the conduct expected of its soldiers”.
Fire at Iran victims’ memorial in London amid wave of arson attacks
The Metropolitan Police are investigating a fire at the memorial wall, in Golders Green, which features pictures of hundreds of people murdered by the Iranian regime during unrest in January. The incident is not being treated as terrorism. The attack in the early hours of Monday morning, followed a spate of arson attacks on Jewish sites including four ambulances run by a Jewish charity. Police say 26 arrests have been made recently across various incidents. Eight people have been charged and one has admitted an offence.
