No chaplains for England’s World Cup team — but there’s always WhatsApp support
Half of all Premier League football clubs engage with Christian activities such as Bible studies and prayer meetings, according to research just published by Christians in Sport. But despite this growing enthusiasm for faith and for having chaplains who offer pastoral care, hardly any chaplains will be at the World Cup, apart from those working for the national squad of the hosts, the USA. Matt Baker, national director for Sports Chaplaincy UK, says football clubs recognise the importance of having a regular chaplaincy presence in their clubs, but there is not the same commitment to chaplaincy in the national teams, which play much more sporadically. However, club chaplains will be doing their bit to still support England players — even if they are not at the World Cup. “They will support them from afar,” he said, “chaplaincy via email and WhatsApp.” Read Catherine Pepinster’s report here
Archbishop of Armagh calls for calm in Belfast
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, John McDowell, has called for calm as riots broke out in north Belfast after a man was stabbed in the street by an attacker described by the Home Office as a Sudanese national granted asylum. In a statement released yesterday, the Archbishop said: “There is nothing to be gained from street protest and disorder.. I would appeal for calm in a community that is understandably hurting by what was seen and what was reported. This was a savage and brutal incident and I condemn it outright… It is reprehensible to brand all newcomers as dangerous illegals. Many families from foreign countries are contributing hugely to wider society and are valued and appreciated. They do not deserve to be singled out or targeted.”
Bishops meeting at the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, also issued a statement expressing concern: “Bishops prayed for peace and that the sacred dignity of each human person would be upheld by all. Reports that the focus of these violent attacks was family homes and businesses of migrants, is all the more disconcerting. The true measure of a just society is one which effectively welcomes newcomers, combats racism and rejects divisive political rhetoric.”
Pope blesses tower of Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona
Pope Leo has blessed the central tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, completing a construction project that began 144 years ago. Named the Tower of Jesus Christ, it stands 172.5 meters high, the tallest of 18 towers which makes the Basilica the tallest church in the world. Yesterday was the 100th anniversary of the death of architect, Antoni Gaudi, and the Pope paid respects by lighting a candle and praying at his tomb in the crypt. Later he presided at a Mass, where he described the Basilica as a work in progress. The Glory facade of the main entrance and a grand stairway remain to be finished. An estimated 70,000 people lined the route and the number of visitors brought the city to a standstill.
Southern Baptists vote to ban women pastors and stop women preaching
The Southern Baptist Convention has taken steps to formally ban women pastors and give a clear message that only men should preach. An amendment to the constitution was passed by an overwhelming majority with 75 per cent in favour – but it can only be enacted if a similar vote is reached next year. The church already rejects women as senior pastors, but some congregations appoint women as assistants or preachers, and their status is contested. The proposers said this change would create constitutional clarity. The amendment would exclude any church that acts to “affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation.” The Southern Baptist Convention has 13 million members and is the second largest denomination in the USA – Catholics are the largest.
Sick babies ‘allowed to die’ at church run home in Cumbria
Sick babies considered unsuitable for adoption were allowed to die at a Church of England-run mother-and-baby home in Cumbria, according to a new study by Lancaster University academic Dr Michael Lambert. A lecturer in medical humanities, he studied hundreds of national and regional archive documents to find out why Stephen Holt and other children died. His report concludes that Stephen, born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus at St Monica’s Maternity Home in Kendal in 1964, was denied modern medical treatment because he was unlikely to be adopted. The study also suggests other “unadoptable” infants died at disproportionately high rates. Stephen’s mother, Judith Hindley, who became pregnant after rape, spent her life traumatised by the experience. Her husband, Steve Hindley, welcomed the findings after years of campaigning. The Diocese of Carlisle, which ran the home, thanked Dr Lambert for his work, repeated its “heartfelt apologies” to those affected, and pledged full transparency with any police investigation. BBC report here.
Mitzvah Day organisation moves into JW3 Centre in north London
Mitzvah Day, billed as the UK’s largest faith led day of social action, will move its institutional home to the JW3 centre in north London. Jewish News reports that the move is subject to formal approval by both sets of trustees. Founder, Laura Marks, set up Mitzvah Day as a charity in 2008 and it will retain its name, identity and character, working towards Mitzvah Day in the autumn of 2026 and beyond. JW3 chief executive Raymond Simonson, is quoted saying: “Our role is to protect what has made Mitzvah Day so trusted and loved, while giving it the organisational support to continue to thrive. At the same time, bringing Mitzvah Day into JW3 strengthens our own deep commitment to outward-facing social action”.
University creates AI tool to translate ancient Sanskrit texts
A project by the University of Oxford and the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, has used artificial intelligence to transcribe handwritten Sanskrit texts. The manuscripts come from South Asian collections and cover a wide range of subjects relevant to religion, philosophy, language and cultural history. The project combined the study of South Asian source texts with AI and data science, to develop a system which created searchable e-texts. The team says that the latest model is expected to automatically transcribe the majority of the manuscripts with 97 per cent accuracy or above, representing the highest standard of what is currently possible for digitised source material. Researchers believe AI tools like this can revolutionise access to primary sources in South Asian studies.
