This is our weekly newsletter of religion news and updates about the Religion Media Centre, which we post every Friday afternoon.
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The world held its breath on Sunday as the US bombed nuclear facilities in Iran, but the following day, Israel and Iran announced a ceasefire.
Sunday – Bishop of Chelmsford who fled Iran in 1980, issues prayer for the people >>
Sunday – Pope Leo XIV pleads for peace in the Middle East >>
Monday – Chief Rabbi ‘evacuated out of Israel on RAF plane’ >>
Wednesday – Pope stands in solidarity with Christians in the Middle East >>
Friday – Church of England prepares for war amid heightened risk of conflict >>
Japan’s Catholic bishops say nuclear weapons must be abolished this year >>
Quakers “deep concern” at designation of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation >>
Hundreds of Christians gathered in Westminster Hall for the National Prayer Breakfast. Prof John Lennox, said Christian faith is needed in public life and had laid the foundations for core values in democracy >>
The Islamic New Year was celebrated this Thursday – 1447AH, Anno Hegirae — the year of the Hijra, migration, of the Prophet Muhammad to Medina in 622. The first day is reflective and spiritual, in contrast to fireworks and parties. Read Maira Butt’s factsheet here
Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Laura Marks CBE, and Dr Julie Siddiqi MBE received the Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion for building understanding between faiths. Michael Sternberg said women’s key role in healing rifts is “too often ignored”. >>
BBC One showed a film of BBC journalist Amol Rajan on a pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela, in search of healing after the death of his father, and a return to his roots. Raised a Hindu and now ‘non-religious’, he said he felt a sense of belonging and ‘cosmic energy flowing’. Amal Rajan Goes to the Ganges, BBC iplayer
Films from the Religion Media Festival 2025 are being uploaded to our YouTube channel here. So far:
- Religion, Politics and the Media in America – interview with Sir Mark Thompson
- Reporting John Smyth’s abuse and CofE response – interview with Channel 4 journalist Cathy Newman
- ‘The inextricable link between religion and football’ – presentation by Dal Darroch, head of diversity and inclusion at the Football Association
More headlines ..
| Health secretary Wes Streeting fears vote in favour of assisted dying is the wrong choice >> Tim Stanley: ‘It’s official: our establishment has lost any sense of right and wrong‘ >> Archbishop of Wales apologises for errors of judgement in Bangor Cathedral scandal >> Board of Deputies suspends five after public letter criticised Israel >> Muslim World League leader meets MPs to discuss social cohesion >> Christians Against Poverty join protest at welfare cuts >> Methodists win award for reducing carbon emissions >> Report says faith is overlooked in UK care system, with harmful impact on children >> Goldsmiths launches antisemitism action plan after critical report>> Elim Pentecostal church criticises abortion and assisted dying votes >> Church of England’s silence on grooming gangs ‘shows growing distance with working class‘ >> Justin Welby speaks on loneliness of resignation and support for same sex blessings >> Clergy pay and redress for abuse survivors on synod agenda >> The story of the first lesbian marriage in a church near York Minster >> Community of St Anselm at Lambeth Palace, considers its future >> Truro Cathedral displays embroidered silk panels on story of creation >> Pope Leo warns of AI’s impact on young people >> Vatican releases film of Pope Leo as a young priest in Peru >> Pope Leo pledges commitment to synodality >> Dalai Lama expected to address his succession by 6 July>> Suicide bomber kills 22 praying in a church in Syria >> India ‘deports thousands of Muslims to Bangladesh’ >> Estonian nuns accused of pro-Russian propaganda >> Sixteen statues restored to Notre Dame >> US legal action against seal of confession ruling >> 52:46 – How America divides on allowing teachers to lead prayers in schools >> 42:47 – America’s divide on Trump’s immigration policies >> Catholic sisters protest outside US Capitol about immigration policy >> New US Episcopal diocese for the indigenous Navajo Nation based in Utah >> Government minister regrets cancellation of European Rabbis’ conference in Sarajevo >> Majority of US religious groups back abortion >> New York’s Muslim mayoral candidate faces Islamophobic abuse >> Continuing legal issues for ‘The Chosen’ blockbuster film series >> Summer solstice events bring out thousands across Europe >> |
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