Bill to end ban on Catholics and Jews advising on CofE bishops, in parliament today
A bill will come before parliament today to remove legislation which bars Catholics and Jews from advising the monarch on appointments to the Church of England. The Times says it has been told the bill will be presented today. Andy Burnham, who is Britain’s first lifelong Catholic prime minister, has said it is unacceptable that a bill passed in 1829 prevented him from performing all the functions of his role. He described it as an “antiquated and archaic anomaly”. For the moment, he has delegated his responsibilities to the Lord Chancellor, Alex Norris. Times report here
Call for more ‘political theology’ in Christian response to social need
Catholic academic Prof Francis Davis says the Gather Movement’s report suggesting there could be 250,000 social action activities across all of Britain’s churches, is an underestimate. Speaking at a seminar last weekend, he said work by the English Benedictine monasteries must be counted as it makes a vital contribution to rural life. Caritas Social Action Network and UK Catholic schools reach more than a million people each year, he said, and he pointed out that English Anglican cathedrals welcome an average of 4,000 schoolchildren weekly for educational opportunities, and support 6,000 jobs. He is calling for “deeper commitment to inter-disciplinary empirical political theology” to help lay people identify social needs and make improvements. Article is here
Gather Movement briefing recording
The recording of yesterday’s Religion Media Centre briefing on the Gather Movement’s report, which maps social action activities across churches, is on our YouTube page here. Speakers include Mark Cowling, National Coordinator, Gather Movement; Claire Walker, CEO National Churches Trust; Carrie Alderton, CEO off the Faith and Belief Forum; and Kevin Bentley, a councillor of 26 years standing. They discussed how the mapping project could reach all faith traditions across all local authority areas, and the logistics and the challenges of expanding the project.
Chief Coroner seeks public inquiry into Heaton Park synagogue attack
The chief coroner hearing inquests into the deaths of two men at the Heaton Park synaogue attack, in Manchester, is to ask the Government to hold a public inquiry instead. Judge Alexia Durran, Chief Coroner of England and Wales, said she will write to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to recommend the inquests be converted into a public inquiry, after being told some MI5 material could not be heard in open court because of national security concerns. Adrian Daulby, 53, was killed by a bullet fired by armed officers, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died from multiple knife wounds. BBC report here.
Sikh Federation demands government action within 12 months
More than 10,000 Sikhs at the Sikh Federation (UK) National Convention, called on the government to take action within the next 12 months, on anti-Sikh hate, recognition of Sikhs in public services, and protection of the Dastaar (turban) and the Five Ks – items traditionally worn by initiated Sikhs. The Federation has pressed the government to secure the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, to announce a judge-led public inquiry into “Margaret Thatcher’s anti-Sikh actions in the 1980s”, and to “confront the Indian government’s targeting of Sikh activists in the UK”.
Church Deacon from north London jailed for sexual assault over decades
A church deacon, youth group leader and former moderator for the London Baptist Association, has been jailed for eight and a half years after grooming and sexually assaulting young men over several decades from 1970 to 2008. John Grant, aged 77, of Hornsey, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault, six counts of indecent assault and two counts of causing another person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity between 1970 and 2008. The Metropolitan Police said some abuse took place when Grant attended Muswell Hill Baptist Church, at other youth groups in north London and at Billingham Baptist Church in Stockton-on-Tees. Police became aware when a victim reported being sexually assaulted over 30 years.
Paul Mackness appointed new Dean of St Davids Cathedral
The new Dean of St David’s Cathedral in Wales, is Paul Mackness, currently the Archdeacon of St David’s. He takes over from Dean Sarah Rowland, who has moved back to her home diocese of St Asaph. The Cathedral faces financial challenges, with a recent Bishop’s report suggesting it might be bankrupt within two years. Paul Mackness has served for 25 years in the diocese. Last weekend, the new Bishop of Bangor Rev Dr Manon Ceridwen James, was consecrated as bishop and she will be installed as Bishop of Bangor at St Deiniol’s Cathedral this weekend. The Diocese of Bangor has been grappling with financial and governance problems, including weak financial controls, a £300,000 deficit at the cathedral and prolonged delay in electing a new bishop.
500 year old Catholic charity changes its name to The Do Good Charity
The Saint John of God Hospitaller Services charity, established by the 16th century Portuguese saint, João Cidade “Saint John of God”, is changing its name to The Do Good Charity. Its founder dedicated his life to working with the poor, sick and marginalised and then established a hospital in Granada. The religious order that developed became known in Italy as the Fatebenefratelli – the “Do Good Brothers”. Today, the charity works in 50 countries. In the UK, it supports more than 1,800 people every month across 60 communities, providing housing, care and specialist support. Chief Executive Paul Bott, said their historic title didn’t make clear who they were, and the new name will help identify what they do.
