The King will inaugurate the CofE’s new General Synod
The King will inaugurate the newly-elected General Synod of the Church of England in London on Tuesday 17 November. It will be the first such ceremony in his reign and the first during the tenure of Archbishop Sarah Mullally. The CofE says the King will attend a service at Westminster Abbey before moving to Church House, Westminster, for the Synod. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York will also give addresses. 487 members will serve on the new Synod for its five-year term and at this first group of sessions there will be an update on safeguarding and discussions on maintaining church buildings, funding, and clergy wellbeing. More here
Pope Leo requests postal ballot vote in US elections
Pope Leo has requested a postal ballot to vote in next Tuesday’s US midterm elections, according to a report by Catholic commentator Christopher Hale, who believes this is the first time in history that a Pope will have voted in a secular election. The Chicago Sun-Times also has the story and says the Pope requested the vote on 3 October, under his birth name Robert Francis Prevost. It’s reported that the ballot was sent to an address in New Lenox belonging to his brother John, who was in Rome this week. Pope Leo is registered in New Lenox, Will County, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, where there are elections for the US Senate, the House of Representatives and for the Illinois Governor, all of which have Democrats in the lead.
Chief Rabbi warns politicians at the despatch box from encouraging hate speech
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has criticised politicians who contribute to hateful thoughts against Jewish people. In an interview with Jewish News, he said: “When a politician stands at the dispatch box in Parliament, and you can sense the hatred of Israel in that person’s voice, and here I’m not referring to a particular government or a, you know, we’ve seen it. That is irresponsible leadership. When that person speaks about particular actions in Gaza, and you can sense that there’s an element of disregard, or even worse, it contributes to a tone in our society …which then encourages hate speech.” He said that when anti-Israel rhetoric is expressed, anti-Jewish sentiment and action is not far behind. “My greatest fear is for Britain itself, the future of our culture, our identity, our values, at a time when our civilization is under attack, and my fear is exacerbated because I believe that our national leadership is choosing to turn a blind eye with that direct threat.” The full interview is here.
Black curate resigns from Putney church after racist abuse
The Revd Sharon Hunt, a Black curate at St Mary’s Church in Putney, has resigned after saying she experienced racist abuse at a parish supper in September. Her letter of resignation was read out to the congregation last Sunday, by the Archdeacon of Wandsworth, Bridget Shepherd. It was then emailed to the wider congregation with a statement from the Archdeacon, who said: “What took place at the Seminar Supper was unacceptable. No one should have to tolerate racism — however it manifests itself.” The Times reports that in the letter, Sharon Hunt said her resignation was prompted by the alleged abuse and the silent response of others who heard it. She had worked in the charity sector before becoming a curate in 2023, the first Black curate in the church’s 700 year history, and was recently acting up as team vicar. The Diocese of Southwark says pastoral support has been offered to the person affected and the parish, and the safeguarding team has been involved in considering the matter.
Enoch Burke confronts Church of Ireland Primate
Enoch Burke, a former teacher in Ireland, who has spent more than 700 days in prison in an escalating dispute over the use of pronouns for a transgender pupil, accosted the Church of Ireland’s Primate, Archbishop John McDowell, as he made his way home from the Cathedral. Burke walked next to him, grabbing his arm and forcefully telling him that he was a traitor to the Church of Ireland ethos, blaming the prelate for failing to defend him in the transgender dispute. The incident was filmed and Burke posted it on Twitter/X . Burke was dismissed after refusing an instruction to use a student’s preferred name and pronoun, saying it conflicted with his religious beliefs. His imprisonment followed breaches of injunctions barring him from the school. Yesterday, his case was back in court after he trespassed on school grounds, amassing substantial fines. He was ordered not to go within 100 metres of Wilson’s Hospital School, in Co. Westmeath, or he could be arrested and sent to prison. A judge is considering measures to recover outstanding fines totalling €238,268.18.
Weekend festivals mark threshold between seasons and worlds
Samhain, a Pagan festival marking the end of summer, the final harvest and the beginning of winter, is being marked this weekend. For some, it is the spiritual new year and a time to remember ancestors, share food, light candles and reflect on releasing thoughts and actions. In Glastonbury, “Sacred Reunion in Avalon”, a five-day Samhain retreat reflecting Druid and Pagan traditions, will offer walks, rituals, songs and gatherings. Organisers describe Samhain as a threshold between seasons and worlds, and say the event will focus on ancestors, the Divine Feminine and Avalon’s landscape. The customs in Samhein are mirrored in Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, a festival to remember and celebrate the lives of the dead, which today has been commercialised with trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins and dressing up in costumes. The next day in the Christian calendar, 1 November, is All Saints Day, celebrating the lives of saints. And then on 2 November, It’s All Souls Day, remembering all who have died, a time in some traditions, of visiting cemeteries and lighting candles. Report on Samhein here. Factsheet here. What Islam says about Halloween – article here.
Kentucky University worker wins AI exemption on humanist grounds
The Religion News Service reports that a humanist university researcher has won the right not to use AI, by using Title VII, a federal law that allows employees to ask for a change in their work requirements to comply with religious belief. David Durman, who works at the University of Kentucky, argued that asking AI to think for him was a violation of his beliefs and “ability to be a moral actor”. He was supported by the American Humanist Association, which says this is the first case where AI exemption has been given to a humanist. Article by Bob Smietana is here
Bishop of St Albans to perform at Zombies concert in the cathedral
The Bishop of St Albans, Dr Andrew Rumsey, is to perform at the Zombies concert on Saturday night in St Albans Cathedral. He is a folk singer, guitarist and composer who has released three albums, and says he is honoured to perform one of his songs on stage. The concert is part of the three day “Begin Here Festival” featuring the 1960s band who grew up and went to school in the city. Their close harmonies and melodies, written mainly by Rod Argent and featuring Colin Blunstone, brought them international success.
