The death of Jason Arday: ‘a time for reflection on values and boundaries‘
The death of the Cambridge academic Jason Arday, has been reflected upon this weekend, with friends and commentators describing their shock, anger and moral indignation at the way the unravelling story of his life led to his death. 30,000 people have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for a public inquiry into media coverage after “two weeks of relentless harassment”. He had faced accusations including plagiarism and fabricating his achievements, which he denied. A vigil organised by Stand Up To Racism will be held this evening in Trafalgar Square, with organisers saying it is “to mourn for Jason and stand against the racist politics responsible for his death”. A fundraiser for his family, organised by Windrush campaigner Sir Patrick Vernon, has already achieved more than £116,000. The United Reformed Church has compiled responses and tributes here.
Jason Arday delivered a BBC Radio 4 Lent Talk in March 2021, when he gave his life story and spoke of his Christian faith. The talk is not available online, but a clip was played on the BBC Radio 4 Sunday programme: “My own outlook on life has very much been shaped by the belief that a greater power has cradled my hopes, dreams, fears and aspirations and brought them all to fruition. For me personally, hope has been a strong tenet in my life, particularly when I think about how I navigate difficulty. My faith very much guides me in the mantra that no two days are the same and that hope can always be found in a new day. As with any human being who walks in faith, There have been times when I have questioned the presence of God, particularly in dark moments when challenges have seemed insurmountable.”
From 2022-2023, Arday was on the Oasis Educational Board, whose founder, the Rev Steve Chalke, described him as “gentle Jason”. He said Arday was a role model for neuro-divergent people, race and faith. This was a time for reflection on values and boundaries in society. Christians believe in mercy and redemption, he said, but the toxic disease of humiliation creates a cycle of blame and punishment: “We can’t go on judging people by their worst moments. We all fail, we all struggle. Redemption sits at the heart of any healthy society – it’s the oxygen of a healthy society.”
Prof Robert Beckford, academic theologian on faith and racial justice, said there had been a media frenzy dehumanising Jason Arday. He agreed with the prime minister, that this should be a time of reflection: “But I do think at some point there will be a need for what I would see as a kind of institutional, reputational surveillance, the way in which there seems to be quite a co-ordinated and sophisticated attempt to derail, to attack and to marginalise prominent black and brown people at this moment in time”. Christians should reflect on how they comforted or advocated on behalf of “this vulnerable young man”, he said. Sunday programme is here
British Muslims pray for rain as showers and heavy rain are forecast
Several mosques across Britain took part in a National Day of Prayer for Rain yesterday, as weather fronts began to deliver showers and heavy rain in most of Britain. Two-thirds of the country is officially in drought after prolonged dry weather and heatwaves. Five Pillars says the prayer “revives the historic Prophetic tradition of Salat al-Istisqa – asking Allah swt for mercy during times of drought” and prayers are for the wellbeing of the nation, its wildlife and agricultural land. The tradition is associated with humility, repentance and charity as well as asking for rain, placing a duty on believers to act as responsible custodians of the Earth. Mosques taking part included Birmingham’s Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre and others in east London and Essex.
Progressive Jewish leaders appalled by Netanyahu’s ‘Islamic Republic of Britain’ jibe
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has described the UK as “the Islamic republic of Britain” and said it was “the first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon”. He made the comments in an Israel army podcast and the Foreign Office described them as “completely unacceptable”. The Movement for Progressive Judaism issued a statement saying Netanyahu “does not speak for British Jews”. Co-leaders Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy said Progressive Judaism is “appalled” by the remarks: “At a time when antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and social division are causing real fear across our country, language of this kind is dangerous and irresponsible. Prime Minister Netanyahu does not speak for British Jews. His words do not represent us. British Jews are not made safer by rhetoric which denigrates British Muslims or portrays an entire community as a threat. Jewish leadership in this country must be clear in saying so. We have a responsibility to call out language which fuels prejudice and division.” Jewish News reports that “It is understood the Board of Deputies raised concerns over the Israeli PM’s comments with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and with its Embassy in London”.
Pope renews appeal for end to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank
Pope Leo has called for an end to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. In his weekly Angelus address, Pope Leo appealed to the international community “to ensure that progress is made toward a two-state solution, for a just and lasting peace.” The Holy See has consistently said that a secure and internationally recognised border is the only viable and equitable path toward a just and lasting peace.
American pilot missionary released by Nigerian captors
The American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, who was abducted in Niger last October, has been released. President Donald Trump and the Evangelical Christian mission organization SIM International, confirmed his release on Friday. He was seized outside his home in Niger and spent over nine months in captivity. Sim International said he is in good health in the care of US officials, and will soon be reunited with his wife Krista, his children, and his extended family. The New York Times has quoted US officials saying that he is en route to the United States. Christian Post story here.
21 Cornwall churches to form ‘mega-benefice‘
The Church Commissioners have approved a proposal to unite 21 churches currently in six benefices (groups of churches) of the Kerrier deanery in the Diocese of Truro, into one single “mega-benefice”. Each of the 16 parishes in the deanery, an area including Helston, Constantine and Germoe, will remain a distinct legal entity, but operational governance and clergy oversight will be centralised across the deanery, under one rector, two vicars, a number of lay leaders and self-supporting ministers, and a clergy role created for three years for pastoral care. The model has already been tested and the CofE says there has been a substantial increase in children, young people and families. But the Kerrier scheme has attracted strong criticism, with fears that the loss of clergy will result in a further loss of membership, a decline in pastoral care and the breaking of a link between local people and their church. The latest development is published by the Church Commissioners here. The deadline for any appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is 16 September 2026.
Challenges for the future of CofE parishes
The proposal to amalgamate churches with falling rolls and declining income is one of many being considered by the Church of England, listed here. The Times reports on clergy in Lincolnshire and North Norfolk, where one cleric oversees 10 and 14 churches respectively. It outlines the stress for clergy rushing from one event to another, the challenges for congregations raising funds for repair and maintenance and the row over spending £100 million in reparation for the outcomes of slavery, with campaigners saying this should go to parishes instead. Catherine Pepinster writes a comment piece on the story here.
Tallest statue of Virgin Mary in Europe is installed in small Polish village
The Guardian reports that a statue of the Virgin Mary, at 55.6 meters high believed to be the tallest in Europe, was inaugurated on Saturday in the small Polish village Konotopie. The statue is taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is 38 metres high, but smaller than the statute of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines, at 98 metres. The statue was paid for by a local wealthy couple and the inauguration was attended by the former president, Lech Wałęsa, now aged 82, who said his long championship of democracy and the Catholic faith, were now complete.
Baptism by bucket at a church in Walsall
A baptism by bucket, with water poured onto the candidate instead of being fully immersed in a pool, has been performed at St Matthew’s Church in Walsall. The vicar, the Rev Jim Trood, said the unusual step was taken because of the water shortage and the current drought, and there was a need to be responsible stewards of the environment. So he remembered a bucket baptism he’d heard of 20 years ago and decided on that instead. The Bishop of Lichfield, Michael Ipgrave, told the Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4 that it was innovative and captured the imagination. There was no theological difference between baptism by full immersion, sprinkling of water or a bucket of water poured over you, and he’d heard of what happened “with great joy”.
