RMC Weekly Round-up 6 June 2025

Crown Nominations Commission for next Archbishop of Canterbury. Image credit: CofE

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Official figures for the number of pilgrims at the Hajj suggest the total is 1,673,230, fewer than last year >> Reports that Saudi Arabia has blocked more than 269,000 unauthorised pilgrims. Fears that Hajj is turning into a ‘cyber pilgrimage’ >>

E Media Group, the company which owns the Islam Channel, has acquired “Tribune”, Britain’s oldest democratic socialist publication which has been running for 88 years >>

The former Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, is among seven clergy facing disciplinary charges following the Makin review into the serial abuser John Smyth and the CofE’s fauilure to stop him >>

Egypt’s foreign minister confirmed that the future of one of the world’s oldest monasteries, St Catherine’s at the foot of Mount Sinai, is assured after fears that a court ruling insisting it sits on public land, threatened its status >> 

A man who who burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offence. The National Secular Society said this signalled ‘a concerning capitulation to Islamic blasphemy codes’ >>

Commission meets for the first time to agree a nomincation for the next Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured) 


Join us for the sixth Religion Media Festival on Monday 9 June 2025 at Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. It’s a day packed with excellent speakers, interviews, and panel discussions delving into all aspects of the presentation of religion in the media. The full progrmame is here

Other news ..

Village church dispute now involves the local police and the bishop. The Telegraph sent an investigative repirter to the village >>
Churches power social projects in Bristol >>
WW1 memorial plaques stolen from a church, turn up in scrapyard >>
New safeguarding leadership job advertised by CofE >>
Commission meets for first time to select the next Archbishop of Canterbury, pictured >>
Rev Richard Coles returns to parish ministry >>
Church Multiplication Centre downsizing due to lack of funds >>
Investigative reporter sent to examine village church argument >>
Bishop calls on government to ‘address’ two child benefit cap >>
Call for independent safeguarding inquiry into Bangor Cathedral >>
Deadline today for Dean of Bangor Cathedral job applications amid financial turmoil >>
 
Cambridge University appoints first Jewish professor of Hebrew >>
Inquiry into government’s failure to set up ethics watchdog >>
Rap trio ‘Kneecap’ will perform at Glastonbury despite Jewish fears >>
Muslim children disproportionately affected by two child benefit cap >>
Halal committee opposes petition on non-stunned slaughter >>
Chairman of Reform UK resigns hours after burqa ban row >>
App launched offering spiritual first aid to Catholics in the military >>
Plans to submerge 12 Hindu statues into Weymouth Bay >>
 
Zambian nun urges church to confront abuse of women religious >>
Cardinal Becciu has audience with the Pope   >>
MP says inquiry into Golden Temple massacre is ‘under consideration’ >>
France moves to posthumously promote Alfred Dreyfus to brigadier general >>
US Presbyterian leader ‘retiring’ after publicly naming ‘scandalisers’ >>
Eight injured in Boulder flamethrower attack on Jewish hostage rally >>
Pope Leo’s video message to young people in his home city >>
Irish bishops express ‘grave concern’ at humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza >>
Israeli public increasingly sceptical about lasting peace >>
Pope Leo XIV urges peace in Ukraine, in phone call with Putin >>
AI reveals dead sea scrolls may be older than thought >>
Diocese of Jerusalem condemns attack on Anglican Al Ahli Arab hospital >>


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