Crosses held aloft at Unite the Kingdom march
Around 60,000 people took part in the Unite the Kingdom march on Saturday, which proceeded along Whitehall before ending with a rally in Parliament Suare. Bishop Ceirion Dewar, from the Confessing Anglican Church, a conservative breakaway group, based in Wales, took to the stage again with an impassioned speech. Later Bishop Jwan Zhumbes, an Anglican bishop from Bukuru in Nigeria, spoke about the persecution of Christians by the Islamist group Boko Haram, and urged the crowd not to depart from the UK’s Christian principles. A contingent of wooden crosses, marked with the words “Redeemer” and “Saviour” were made by Deacon Pete Prosser, also from the Confessing Anglican Church, and held aloft. Three young French women dressed in niqabs, removed them dramatically on the stage, in a stunt described as mockery of Islam, which caused outrage on social media. The Metropolitan police say there were 22 arrests.
Nakba Day march draws thousands to London
There were two marches in London on Saturday. The other one, from Kensington to Pall Mall, was to mark Nakba Day, the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war that followed the creation of Israel. Tens of thousands of people took part. Police kept the two marches apart in a massive police operation, and they passed relatively peacefully. The Met Police say 12 arrests were made in connection with the Nakba march, two for hate crimes.
Christians set up ‘listening stations’ as peace envoys on the marches
Christian groups set up “listening stations” on both routes during the demonstrations, saying dialogue is needed during a time of rising social tension, because people feel “they are not being listened to”. The groups were Red Letter Christians, Christians Against the Far Right and Better Story, whose co-founder Tommy Sharpe, told Premier Christian News that they set up listening stations to try to find areas of common ground that unite people. Baptist minister and co-director of Red Letter Christians, the Rev Sally Mann, said the Christian groups were acting as “peace envoys”. The Bishop of Willesden, Anderson Jeremiah, said: “I feel that… the most important thing I have to do is to listen and to hear their pain.”
Pope signs encyclical on Artificial Intelligence and ethics
Pope Leo has signed his first encyclical, expected to address artificial intelligence and its potential effects on humanity. It is expected to advocate an ethics-based approach to AI, in the context of the church’s teaching on social justice, employment and peace. The encyclical is due to be published soon, and the Vatican has let it be known that the Pope has set up a study group to continue the work, because AI is progressing at such a pace. The Associated Press explains that the Vatican has already offered ethical guidelines on AI in warfare, education and healthcare, saying it must be used to complement and not replace human intelligence.
Pope to visit France in September
Pope Leo will travel to France from 25 to 28 September, in the first official papal state visit to the country for 18 years. The Vatican says the journey is in response to invitations from the French head of state, the country’s ecclesiastical authorities and the director-general of UNESCO. The Pope is expected to visit its headquarters in Paris on his visit.
Police drop case against Bristol street preacher
Avon and Somerset police have dropped the criminal investigation into Dia Moodley, a Christian pastor who was arrested for commenting on Islam and transgender ideology while street preaching in Bristol city centre. They say “no further action will be taken” following his arrest last November, on suspicion of inciting religious hatred and committing a religiously aggravated public order offence. This was the second time Avon and Somerset Police arrested the pastor for commenting on Islam and transgender ideology while street preaching, and then dropped the investigation. Pastor Moodley, aged 58, of the Spirit of Life Reformed Baptist Church in Bristol, is represented by Alliance Defending Freedom UK and is considering legal action against the police for violation of free speech rights. He was able to explain his case to US State Department officials in London in March. Story is here.
Manuscripts restored to Britain’s Jain community
A huge hoard of precious manuscripts which has been sitting in storage at the Wellcome Collection for more than a century has been given back to Britain’s Jain community. Read Lianne Kolirin’s report here:
Salvation Army co-hosts international conference on health and well being
The Salvation Army is co-hosting an international conference on 12 June in London to consider “Global Determinants of Health and Wellbeing”, with a focus on poverty and social deprivation, the needs of people without stable housing, and social justice. It has been organised by Professor Adrian Bonner, consultant in community-based research for the Salvation Army, Bristol University Press which published his Social Determinants of Health Series, and University College London. Panel sessions will promote discussions between faith and non-faith organisations and their role in working with statutory authorities in promoting health and wellbeing in the community. There will be contributions from faith, charity and international groups to an audience of politicians and policy makers, faith groups, academics and the people who make projects work on the ground. Details here.
Evangelical Christians rededicate the US to God in eight hour prayer service
In Washington, thousands attended an eight hour open air service on the National Mall called “Rededicate 250”, for people to pray for the rededication of America as “One Nation Under God”. On a massive stage resembling a church, with arch stained glass windows, pillars and artwork, evangelical Christian bands led the singing, and politicians lined up to issue messages of support. Pete Hegseth told the crowd to pray without ceasing, and President Trump took part on film, reading a Bible passage recorded earlier for a marathon Bible reading event. A roll call of Trump’s evangelical backers also took to the stage, including Paula White-Cain of the White House faith office and evangelist Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son. The event drew criticism for drawing on a narrow version of Christianity and for failing to include other faiths, apart from one orthodox rabbi. Guardian report here
Skull of medieval Czech saint stolen and encased in concrete
Police in the Czech Republic have arrested a man after the 800 year old skull of a Czech saint was stolen from a church and encased in concrete. They believe the man, who is aged 35, objected to its display and planned to throw it into a river. The relic of Saint Zdislava, a noblewoman known for her charitable work, was kept in a glass shrine in a local church. Police say they rescued it after “meticulous police work and a bit of police luck”.
