Jersey’s assisted dying bill receives Royal Assent
Jersey has become the first part of Britain to allow assisted dying. The States Assembly approved the bill in February, and Royal Assent has just been given. It will come into law in a few days time, but will not come into effect until next year. The Minister for Health and Social Services, Tom Binet, said he was delighted: “Our focus now is on continuing our work to get the service set up and running”. But Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, said he was disappointed: “This legislation will fundamentally alter health and palliative care on Jersey and put the lives of vulnerable people at risk”. When the bill was passed, the Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, Philip Egan, said he was “greatly disturbed” by the legislation and called instead for better palliative care. There has been no further response yet, after the bill has won royal assent.
School chaplain returns to ministry after seven-year legal battle
The Rev Bernard Randall, a school chaplain who was prevented from ministry after preaching to pupils on gender, encouraging them to think critically about competing viewpoints, has been allowed back into ministry after a seven year legal battle. At the time, the school, Trent College in Derbyshire, had invited a campaign group to provide training on inclusion. After the sermon, the chaplain was referred to Prevent and to the Diocese of Derby, which required him to undergo an independent psychological safeguarding assessment, and when he declined arguing he had done nothing wrong, he was refused “permission to officiate”, effectively barring him from ministry. At the school, he was dismissed, re-instated but made redundant a year later. Christian Concern says an independent review found the concern over Randall “was unsubstantiated and there are no ongoing safeguarding concerns”. He has regained eligibility to preach and return to the ministry. Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre, which represented Randall, said he had been “deeply wronged” and called on the Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally, to meet him. Christian Concern account here. Times report here
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei buried after six days mourning
The funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, concluded with his burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, after six days of state mourning and funeral processions across Iran and Iraq. He was killed on 28 February in a US-Israeli air strike, but the funeral was postponed because of the war and the ceremonies were only able to take place after a temporary ceasefire. Over the last six days, the coffin has travelled through Tehran, Qom, the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala, before reaching Mashhad for burial. The route reflected both Khamenei’s status as Iran’s political leader and Shiite Islam’s most senior figure. Vast crowds lined the streets, many dressed in black, waving flags and carrying portraits of Khamenei. The same day, the United States said it hit 90 targets across Iran, with Iran saying bridges and a railway route connecting Tehran to the city of Mashhad, were damaged.
Catholic Generosity Report urges better collaboration to unlock growth
The “Catholic Generosity Report” into the extent of Catholic fundraising, estimates that the UK’s 5.3 million Catholics contribute an estimated £2.9 billion annually to charitable giving. It also identifies more than 840 Catholic charities across the UK which have a combined annual income approaching £1.9 billion. The report, commissioned by Catholics in Fundraising, explores the untapped potential in areas such as legacy giving, major philanthropy, and faith-consistent investment. It was launched at an event hosted by Sarasin & Partners, in front of an audience of more than 50 leaders, philanthropists and professionals from across the Catholic charitable, financial and community sectors. Organisers say the clear message was that greater collaboration will be essential to unlocking the full potential of Catholic generosity, building a stronger culture of stewardship, giving and collective impact.
Palestine, slavery and nationalism on agenda of CofE general synod this weekend
The Church of England General Synod, the church’s parliament, starts today in York. It’s the last session in the five year term, and includes a motion expressing solidarity with Palestinian Christians and accepting a report describing Israel’s actions as genocide; latest developments on Project Spire, the scheme to give £100 million for communities affected by the legacy of slavery; the question of national identity, when the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, will say that churches should help promote an inclusive English identity and the St George’s flag should be flown as a symbol of unity not nationalism. Elections begin for synod members for the next five years, when synod ends on Tuesday.
Seven Makin review disciplinary cases launched, but none upheld so far
A question has been tabled at the General Synod on clergy facing disciplinary action following the publication of the Makin Review, which examined the church’s response to the serial abuser John Smyth. The written answer says the director of the National Safeguarding Team sought permission to bring proceedings out of time against 10 individuals. Out of the 10 applications, seven were granted permission and seven complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure were brought, with a bishop deciding in one case to take no further action, and two other cases having beenn found to have no case to answer following an investigation. The remaining four individuals are awaiting trials, which will be held later this month. Q&A paper here – Makin is Question 3
Sarah Mullally to visit Ghana, Cameroon and the USA this summer
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, will visit Ghana and Cameroon from 26 July to 8 August, and then the Episcopal Church in the United States from 25 – 28 September. Here she will take part in a roundtable discussion at the United Nations on health and peace, preach at Christ Church in Greenwich, Connecticut and visit the House of Bishops’ autumn meeting at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas. Since being installed in March, she has been to Rome where she met the Pope and Palestine where she met beleaguered Christians.
Evangelical church becomes one of UK’s first to accept Bitcoin donations
The Bournemouth Echo reports that the evangelical Citygate Church in Bournemouth, Southbourne, and Poole, has become one of the first churches in the UK to accept Bitcoin as a means of donation. The report quotes Sean Theunissen, elder and operations lead, saying they are only saving the Bitcoin donations, but are keen to explore the opportunities to strengthen international partnerships, explaining that “they work with over 600 mission partners on joint enterprises, from supporting ‘micro-businesses grounded in the community to hosting Bible study sessions”. He said the church has had issues with intermediary banks getting in the way of things in the past, and bitcoin could potentially reduce delays getting money to where it needs to be faster. Another leader explained that a person in a less developed country, with a mobile phone and internet connection can access money directly without dealing with banks. Citygate is part of the global Commission group of churches, which is itself part of New Frontiers, a global evangelical charismatic organisation
Muslim News Awards presented for the 22nd year
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence were presented this week, in a ceremony marking its 22nd year. They recognise excellence in interfaith leadership, science and innovation, humanitarian service, education, media, business, the arts, and public life. Journalist Peter Oborne won the Annemarie Schimmel Award for Championing a Muslim Cause, given for defending Islam and Muslims against widespread vilification. The Excellence in the Media award went to Adama Juldeh Munu, a London based journalist, who has reported for TRT World, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye, covering global politics particularly Black heritage and the intersection between Islam and the African diaspora. As principal producer of Across the Balkans on TRT World, she spearheaded coverage on the Gaza war and explored contemporary discussions and comparisons relating to the legacy of the Srebrenica genocide. Full list of winners here,
Church tribunal finds vicar guilty of ‘conduct unbecoming’
The Rev Sam McNally-Cross, has been removed as vicar of St Thomas, St Andrew and St Philip, Kensal Town, after having a relationship with his lodger while still married and continued after his divorce. A church tribunal reviewed 1,000 pages of social media messages and photos and found he was the complainant’s priest, partner, landlord, and line manager, causing a “serious degree of harm”. The tribunal said the “sad case” was one of “conduct unbecoming”.
App to stop Christians with online porn addiction makes $1 million in 16 days
“Unchaind”, a recovery app designed to help Christians overcome pornography addiction through joining accountability groups, tracking activity, AI-powered Bible guidance, daily check-ins and content blocking, made more than $1 million 16 days after launch. It was developed by publishers Applo and Rocapine, which says it is building wellness products that improve lives rather than maximise screen time. It quotes research indicating around one in ten men report feeling addicted to pornography.
