Bishop ‘deeply concerned’ at narrative around early release of prisoners
The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, the lead bishop for prisons, says she is “deeply concerned” about the narrative around the early release of prisoners. She told the Sunday programme on Radio 4, that she does understand the distress caused to victims of the early release of prisoners, but “policy and legislation is being driven by emotion and media headlines”. She said no-one is explaining how sentencing works, that prisoners released are then on license, supervised by the probation service. She challenged the narrative that the argument is about prison capacity and that more prisons are needed, saying the UK has the highest prison population in western Europe and there is a high rate of re-offending. She said the system is not focussing on transformation, but the underlying issues of why people offend must be dealt with. She would not be drawn for an opinion on whether the two men convicted of manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper should be released early: “to get into that would be to perpetuate the narrative of public pressure rather than being evidence led”, adding that the evidence does not support the view that streets are safer if people are kept locked up for longer.
Investigation launched into Al-Khair Foundation over alleged links with Hamas
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Al-Khair Foundation and has restricted certain transactions. In a statement, the Charity Commission said: “Last month the Commission received a complaint alleging the charity and its partners had connections to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation. It also alleged the charity had funded the organisation. The regulator immediately started examining the serious concerns raised and gathered more information to inform its assessment. The Commission has now escalated its engagement to a statutory inquiry. The Commission is aware that Mohammad Yousef Hasna, an individual employed by an organisation that the Al-Khair Foundation works with to deliver aid in Gaza, has been arrested in the UK and charged by US authorities for conspiring to provide material support to Hamas. The regulator will be considering all relevant information as part of its investigation, which will include verifying his connection to the charity, and wider allegations made about the charity. The charity recorded an income of over £74 million pounds in financial year ending 31 July 2025. Due to the concerns of possible serious risk to charitable funds, the Commission has issued a legal order restricting certain financial transactions by the charity without the Commission’s prior consent.”
Muslim Council of Britain says government non-engagement policy ‘does not exist in writing’
The Muslim Council of Britain says Freedom of Information (FOI) requests have confirmed that the “so-called policy of government non-engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain” does not exist in writing at any government department approached. It says the suggestion is “pushed by bad-faith actors in legacy media”. A spokesperson said: “This so-called policy of non-engagement is a historic relic. It was built to appease those who trade in Islamophobia, and it survives only by recycling decades-old allegations that have never withstood scrutiny. Ministers know it. The current Prime Minister, the current Defence Secretary and the current Equalities Minister are amongst many who have engaged with the MCB over the years, because they would rather speak directly to British Muslim communities through trusted partners than through self-appointed interlocutors. This policy does not even exist on paper. Asked through Freedom of Information requests, every department approached has confirmed it holds no document, no briefing, nothing in writing that justifies it. A policy never written down is just an excuse. This policy can’t be defended. The only question is how much longer the Government intends to pretend otherwise.” More here
Pope to meet survivors of abuse during four day visit to France
The Vatican has published the schedule for Pope Leo’s four day visit to France from 25 – 28 September. He will meet President Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, give a speech at the UNESCO headquarters and celebrate vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral. In Lourdes, he will meet bishops, and in Metz he will attend an inter-religious meeting. He will also meet survivors of clergy abuse. A report in 2021 estimated that 330,000 children had been sexually abused over 70 years by people working for the church. Last month, the Vatican appointed French Bishop Thibault Verny to head the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission. Associated Press story here.
Armenian Church leaders in court amid escalating government dispute
The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, and six other senior clergymen have been taken to court, accused of defying a court order to reinstate a defrocked bishop. The case is the latest in a deteriorating relationship between the church and the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He has repeatedly called for Catholicos Karekin II to resign, accusing the church of political involvement and links with Russia. The Church says the government is interfering in its independence. It sees itself as central to Armenian identity and believes that the government moves against it, threatens its historic role in society. The World Council of Churches has expressed concern “about undue interference in inner church matters.”
Mothers’ Union celebrates 150th anniversary
The Mothers’ Union is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with attempts to raise its profile and encourage new membership, currently standing at 35,000 in the UK and Ireland. It was founded by Mary Sumner, a rector’s wife in Old Alresford, Hampshire, with the ambition of supporting women and strengthening family life within the church. It is now a global movement with 4 million members across 84 countries, especially strong in Africa. The Mothers’ Union has campaigned over the years for raising the age of marriage from 12 to 16, for the women’s vote, to stop children bringing alcohol from pubs to their parents, to today’s work on domestic abuse and supporting prisoners’ families. BBC Radio 4 Sunday feature here.
Church Commissioners plans for 1,607 homes in Ely
The Church Commissioners for England has submitted an outline planning application for 1,607 homes, the final phase of a development north of Ely, Cambridgeshire. Its spokesperson said it will include jobs, amenities and green space, while connecting with the wider new community’s planned schools and local centres. There will be affordable homes and self-build plots, a “significant extension to Ely Country Park” and walking and cycling routes. The development is part of a Church Commissioners’ plan for 30,000 homes across the country, from small-scale sites to thousand-home communities. More here.
Insurer demands ‘Jesus Loves You’ stickers on a car must be removed
Premier Christian News reports that a UK motorist is considering legal action, after his insurer, GoSkippy Insurance, told him he must remove “Jesus Loves You” stickers from his car. It “declined the modification”. Simeon Chandra, 35, said the stickers were intended to “spread a positive message that Jesus loves you” and he was so shocked at the insurer’s response, that he could have cried. The Christian Legal Centre is taking up the case saying it raises issues under equality law, including whether a Christian customer has been treated unfavourably because of religious expression.
