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| The Religion Media Centre is moving to Substack, an online platform that makes it easy to design and publish newsletters, articles, podcasts, videos, and more. If you’re already on one of our mailing lists, you’ll still receive the emails you’ve subscribed to by email without any action required on your part, but you’ll have the bonus of being able to view an archive of our content in one place on Substack. More information on our website here. Inquiries to [email protected] The week began with Trump’s threat of war in Greenland. The United States Archbishop for the Military Services, Timothy Broglio, said the rhetoric “tarnishes the image of the United States”. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said “solutions by force cannot be used”. Three US cardinals (pictured) issued a joint statement calling for a renewed moral framework for American foreign policy, drawing on Pope Leo’s appeal for multilateral cooperation. Faith leaders in Scotland lit candles for peace; Pope Leo urged the media to amplify reconciliation and peace. On Wednesday Trump backed down on Greenland and cancelled the tarriff threat >> One thousand people from across the world gathered at Methodist Central Hall in London, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first UN General Assembly, held there on 10 January 1946, five months after World War Two ended >> Safeguarding, sexuality and money: the challenges facing Dame Sarah Mullally as she is formally confirmed in her role as the next Archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday. Tim Wyatt reports on the internal turmoil and dissent, bitterness over safeguarding and declining attendance .. but also emerging glimpses of growth. Story here >> The Woolf Institute has launched “The Commission on Interfaith Relations: UK Faith Groups and Global Conflict”, an initiative where 14 commissioners will visit six cities, speaking to faith leaders on their experience of conflict and building community >> At least three people have been arrested following the disruption of a Southern Baptist church service in Minnesota by demonstrators against ICE. There are daily protests against immigration enforcement, and clergy have been in frontline. One bishop warned them to prepare for martyrdom >> Fr Damian Howard, former Provincial Superior of Jesuits in Britain, was asked to step down as senior chaplain at Oxford University Catholic chaplaincy “due to professional misconduct, following a complaint that was investigated and substantiated” >> Thousands gathered for the Magh Mela Hindu festival in India, a month-long religious festival held at the confluence of three mystical rivers, for a time of teaching, bathing, prayer and practices to honour ancestors. AP has captured the festival in pictures here. |
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| Monday 19 January 2026 Archbishop for US Military says talk on Greenland “tarnishes” United States UN 80th anniversary celebrated at Methodist Central Hall US bishop tells clergy to prepare for martyrdom Vatican Secretary of State says force cannot be used in Greenland Conference on springtime growth in the Church of England ‘Herd immunity’ to Christianity in Britain in decline? Official warning over handling of John Perumbalath safeguarding case Holocaust survivor Harry Olmer dies aged 98 Thousands gather for Magh Mela Hindu festival in India Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ banned at Polish weddings |
| Tuesday 20 January 2026 Three US cardinals appeal for ‘moral foreign policy’ ‘Full force of the law’ after protesters disrupt Minnesota church service US churches highlight non-violence on Martin Luther King day Church leaders in Jerusalem condemn Christian Zionism Board of Deputies president says extremist settler violence must end 150 people abducted from church services in Nigeria Nuns in Sweden accused of being Russian spies Incoming archbishop defends £100m impact of slavery scheme Armenian church provides prayers for week of prayer for Christian unity |
| Wednesday 21 January 2026 Woolf Institute launches Commission on Interfaith Relations and Global Conflict Call for bursaries and subject knowledge courses for RE teachers Vatican tried to intervene in Venezuela before US captured President Maduro Minnesota pastor condemns ‘shameful, unlawful’ demonstration in church service World Council of Churches says world leaders must have “spirit of dialogue” Trump’s lawyer floated US asylum for British Jews Australia tightens hate speech and gun laws after Bondi Beach attack Christian private schools’ legal challenge against VAT on school fees |
| Thursday 22 January 2026 Pope urges media to amplify reconciliation and peace Princess Royal joins faith leaders lighting candles for peace and unity Fr Damian Howard steps down from Oxford chaplaincy role Bishop of Oxford supports consultation on banning social media for under 16s CofE synod agenda: poverty, the care crisis and mental health US Ambassador rebukes Holy Land patriarchs over criticism of Christian Zionism Killer of Japan’s former PM ‘victim of religious abuse’ Catholicism declines in Latin America, but remains largest religion Police investigate hate crime after pig’s head left on gate of Muslim family Norfolk church rebuild approved despite fears of revival surge |
| Friday 23 January 2026 Oxford Catholic chaplain’s inappropriate behaviour ‘reported to police’ £92 million fund to repair heritage churches, but VAT will be charged £11.5 million fund announced for Civil Society Covenant scheme Sajid Javid pledges to increase Holocaust education in schools Commons speaker hosts Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony National Day of Mourning for victims and survivors of Bondi Beach massacre Three arrested after Minnesota church service disrupted by protesters Catholic bishops warn Gaza is a ‘catastrophic crisis’ and urge pressure on Israel Long-standing Vatican reporter John Allen has died aged 61 |
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