Andy Burnham, soon to be Prime Minister, ‘embodies Catholic social teaching’
People from Manchester who know Andy Burnham well, say he embodies the essence of the common good and Catholic social teaching, challenging poverty and helping the homeless. They were speaking in a Religion Media Centre briefing about the Catholic faith behind the politics of a man who will become the first Catholic to take on the PM’s role.
Faith leaders from the city said he was a ‘convener of the people’, seeing faith communities as key partners in bringing together people to build society. He has forged links with faith communities in Manchester, including accompanying a joint visit to Rome to meet Pope Francis, finding common ground on issues such as climate change. Considering whether this interfaith solidarity could be replicated in Downing Street, there were hopes that he was arriving at just the right time, as consultation is underway for RE to be part of the national curriculum and a working group is set up to discuss religious literacy across government departments.
Members of the Jewish community praised his support of them, especially after the attack on Heaton Park synagogue in which two Jewish men died. But there is anxiety at his recent statement that Labour had got it wrong in response to Gaza and that more pressure should be put on the Israeli government.
On moral issues, where Catholic social teaching can lead politicians in different directions, he has in the past expressed his conflict with the church over issues of sexuality and recently made clear that he is unlikely to support the assisted dying bill in its current form, saying the focus should be on improving palliative and end of life care. Andy Burnham has made hope a key theme in his vision for the future and the people of Manchester made it clear in this briefing that they are placing their hope in him. Rosie Dawson hosted, with speakers including Prof Francis Davis, Catherine Pepinster, Bishop David Walker, Mike Kane MP, Rev Ian Rutherford, and many interfaith guests. View the briefing again or listen to the podcast via links here.
Andy Burnham’s maiden speech on Hillsborough and the duty to tell the truth
Andy Burnham gave his first speech after election in the Commons yesterday in a debate about the Hillsborough law, which says public authorities and officials have a duty to tell the truth. He supported the families of the 97 people who died at the Hillsborough Stadium in a crush during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in1989. Subsequent inquiries found that police altered officers’ statements and promoted false accounts that blamed Liverpool supporters. Burnham worked to set up an independent panel and ensure documents were made public. In the Commons, he praised Keir Starmer for his part in pushing through the legislation and his commitment to fairness and justice.
Burnham’s Catholicism ‘certainly holds meaning for him’
The Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth, said he was certain that Burnham’s Catholic background held meaning for him. As a Catholic and as a Christian “one thinks out of that space and that informs conscience and we the way we think about things”. Interviewed on the BBC’s “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg”, he said he hoped to see real concern for humanity, for the needs of families and the homeless, and “all that will come from his Catholic understanding”. He believed Burnham’s appointment as the first Catholic Prime Minister, was a milestone and he was looking forward to having a meeting with him.
Pope’s visit to England and Scotland ‘probable, desirable. inevitable’
The Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Miguel Maury, has said that a visit by Pope Leo XIV to England and Scotland is “probable, desirable, and I would even venture to say, inevitable”. He was speaking in an interview with the Spanish news agency ACI Prensa, and said: “Probable, because King Charles III made a state visit to the Vatican last year, and it is logical that the United Kingdom should now invite Pope Leo XIV to return the visit. This is desirable because he is the only English-speaking Pope in more than eight centuries, so the reception will be extraordinary and his message amplified in the many English-speaking countries, especially in his native one”. He said it was inevitable because the church wants to “relaunch the proclamation of the faith in one of the most secularized societies in Europe”. He concluded: “Everything indicates that the pontificate of Leo XIV is destined to awaken the consciences of the West, just as that of Saint John Paul II was a catalyst for those of the East in its time, so that the Church can breathe fully with both lungs”. ACI transcript here.
Faith literacy could improve NHS care and cut costs, report says
The NHS could improve patient care, build trust and reduce costs by taking greater account of the faith of patients and staff, according to a report by the think tank Equi, supported by the British Islamic Medical Association. “Faith in the NHS: Better Health, Greater Trust, Lower Costs” says a lack of faith literacy is harming health outcomes. All Muslim healthcare professionals surveyed said understanding faith needs can improve results, but only seven per cent said the NHS consistently does this. The report also found 73 per cent of Muslim staff said they are discriminated against because of their faith and over half said their faith was a barrier to career progression. It calls for faith to be considered routinely in patient care, a standardised faith literacy support for all staff, work with faith based voluntary groups and data collection to understand inequalities.
Three Christian charities welcome synod vote to support Palestinian Christians
Christian Aid, Embrace the Middle East and Sabeel-Kairos UK, a Christian charity supporting Palestinians in partnership with Christians in the Holy Land, have issued a statement welcoming the Church of England’s General Synod vote to “hear” a report from Palestinian Christians who wrote of their “cry from the heart” in a “time of genocide, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement unfolding before the eyes of the world”. The three charities welcomed the CofE’s commitment to encourage deeper theological reflection and understanding across the church and work for justice, peace and reconciliation in Israel and Palestine. They are part of the newly-formed Just Peace Coalition, which provides resources for churches to learn more about the situation in Palestine, which they say is “beyond urgent”. The campaign aims to “enable churches and individuals to take action, to deepen their engagement and to respond in costly solidarity”. The organisations supported the Diocese of Carlisle and synod members who successfully brought the motion forward.
Council of Christians and Jews says synod vote raises deep concern in Jewish community
The Council of Christians and Jews has issued a statement after the synod debate on the Kairos II document, saying it has raised deep concern and damaged trust amongst the Jewish community in the UK, “alongside extremely problematic language and assumptions”. It says the document does not represent the views of all Christians in the Holy Land. It reminds clergy that standing alongside Palestinians and Palestinian Christians “must not be at the expense of UK community cohesion, nor the safety of local faith communities in the UK”. The CCJ statement says it remains committed to fostering dialogue, deepening relationships ad building trust between Christians and Jews.
Church of England synod proposes bishop for children in care
On the final day of the Church of England’s parliament, the General Synod, meeting in York, there was a unanimous decision to appoint a lead bishop to oversee the challenges of children and young people in care, and to support the people and communities who care for them. The proposer, Billy-Jo O’Leary, said there are 100,000 children in care across the UK, and she described her own experience of instability, homelessness and never feeling she belonged anywhere. She said a bishop would be a champion for those without a voice and promote good practice at local level, highlighting issues such as housing, education, mental health and the criminal justice system.
Hindus challenge council’s sale of temple to Muslim association
A Hindu community in Peterborough has taken the city council to court after it sold a complex which has housed its temple since 1986, to a Muslim association which wants to build a mosque on the site. It is the only Hindu temple in a 35 mile radius. The court heard that Bharat Hindu Samaj had leased the unit and had been negotiating to buy it for a decade, but in February, the council decided to sell the site to the UK Islamic Mission, whose bid was higher. The council’s barrister told the court there were other premises available, and the sale was driven by financial and legal considerations. The Hindu group is seeking a judicial review of the decision. The case continues. Times of India report here
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints reports record number of missionaries
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints says that a record 88,500 volunteers are serving as full-time missionaries – the largest number serving at any one time in its 196-year history. The rise is due to the first wave of 18 year old young women missionaries coming through, following their graduation from high school or equivalent. Service remains optional for women and is set at 18 months, but it is a “priesthood responsibility” for men, who serve for 24 months. The Church’s global missionary number has grown since the end of 2022, from just over 65,000 to more than 88,500 today. Missionaries now serve in more than 150 countries and teach in over 60 languages. More here
