Andy Burnham visits The Passage and pledges to end rough sleeping
On his first day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham visited the homelessness charity “The Passage” in Victoria, central London, where he helped prepare breakfast. The Passage is a Catholic-founded charity that supports people experiencing homelessness through emergency accommodation, housing advice, health and wellbeing services, employment and training support, and long-term resettlement into permanent housing. It was established in 1980 by the Daughters of Charity, a Catholic religious order, and Cardinal Basil Hume, who was the Archbishop of Westminster. During the visit, Burnham said it was “the best place to start” his premiership because he wanted to see “the lives that are being turned around” by the charity. Outside Number Ten, he pledged that his first instruction as PM will be to end rough sleeping in England.
Faith groups congratulate new Prime Minister and outline key concerns
Within minutes of taking office, the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, received thanks and many demands from religious organisations. Archbishop Richard Moth, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has offered his congratulations, saying: “We are living in challenging times. As Christians we have a duty to be bridgebuilders and peacemakers. Where there are tensions, hostility and injustice, we are called to respond with real concern and respect for the dignity of the person, for the needs of families, the marginalised, and the vulnerable. The Prime Minister faces many challenging issues as he begins his work, and I assure him and his family of my continued prayers for the task ahead.”
Operation Noah & Climate Christian Action have written a letter signed by more than 20 Catholic and church group leaders, urging the new Prime Minister to hear the ‘Cry of the Earth,’ and refuse plans for a vast new oilfield in the North Sea
The Jesuit Refugee Service UK urges the new Prime Minister to restore the right to asylum, end immigration detention, and put dignity and protection at the heart of the asylum system >>
World Vision calls on Burnham to “be a Prime Minister, a global leader, who will take definite action for children at home and abroad” >>
The Jewish Leadership Council congratulated Andy Burnham and issued a statement saying: “We look forward to working constructively with his government to ensure that measures to tackle anti-Jewish hatred and the extremist ideologies behind it are brought forward without delay”.
The Muslim Council of Britain congratulated Andy Burnham while urging action on Islamophobia, youth opportunity and Gaza >>
Tributes paid to Edward Stourton, ‘giant of broadcasting’ who has died aged 68
Edward Stourton, broadcaster and journalist, known for his deeply rooted Catholic faith, has died aged 68. He was an author and broadcaster, presenting BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as well as numerous radio and television documentaries. In recent years, he presented BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 and died on Saturday. Cardinal Vincent Nichols paid tribute saying Edward Stourton was “a courteous, warm and deeply perceptive journalist, who had brought integrity, intelligence and humanity” to his reporting over more than four decades. Austen Ivereigh, the Catholic author and papal biographer, wrote on X: “Ed was brilliant in every way, and so kind and gracious. He was the UK’s best known Catholic journalist, and a giant of broadcasting. How we will miss him.” Christopher Lamb, CNN’s Vatican correspondent said Ed Stourton was “thoughtful, unflappable, with a gentle yet rigorous style. A sad loss”. BBC News story here.
Muslims and Jews hold summit ‘Together We Rebuild’
A one day summit of senior Muslim and Jewish leaders and activists has been held in Westminster to rebuild relations and develop a shared programme of action. The “Together We Rebuild” summit, convened by Qari Asim, Co-Chair of the UK Muslim Network, and Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, was held with the support of the UK government. The then Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, and the new Prime Minister’s chief of staff, James Purnell, addressed the meeting, and the new Faith Minister Lord Lemos was in attendance. The Board of Deputies says people discussed countering hatred, protecting religious freedoms, strengthening education and addressing the impact of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict on British communities. Practical proposals for future cooperation in each of these areas was explored. More here.
King Charles praises Cambridge eco-mosque
King Charles visited Cambridge Central Mosque, known as Europe’s first eco-mosque, 90 minutes after inviting Andy Burnham to form a government. He praised the mosque for being a remarkable example of integrated faith activity. Opened in 2019, the mosque is a place of worship, a community hub hosting educational events, and social projects. Telegraph story here
