Is there a place for private conscience in modern politics?
There is much more to the SNP Kate Forbes row over same-sex marriage than secularism versus out-of-date conservative Christianity, according to commentators in our Religion Media Centre briefing this week. Dr Jessica Scott from the University of Nottingham, said the story had caused alarm because the issue was about personal conscience, which had seemed fixed, infallible or impervious to change. But in the Christian framework, conscience is highly deliberative, involving reflection, discussion and tradition. The panel observed that religious convictions are treated in a different league from political dissent, and regarded more seriously and with less acceptance than political creeds. They discussed that the furore illustrated a “Dawkins approach” to religion, that it is irrational and dogmatic, whereas they said that a religious conviction is often the main motivator for a politician to enter politics, to change society, alleviate poverty and fight for justice. Dr Nick Spencer, from Theos, suggested that barring people from high office because of their approach to one moral issue “radically shrinks the space of a liberal democratic public square”. Read our report on the briefing here
Lambeth Palace safeguarding action requires improvement
A report by the Social Care Institute for Excellence into safeguarding practice at Lambeth Palace has found room for improvement. It says previous efforts by Lambeth Palace to engage with survivors have been insufficiently thoughtful and thought through and there has been insufficient emphasis on ‘getting it right’ for victims and survivors of abuse. Record-keeping arrangements have historically been poor, reflecting an inadequate understanding of both legal requirements and good practice. Records are still not easily searchable and have not been consistently stored. The reports says that issues are now beginning to be addressed, but procedures need be practiced regularly to ensure understanding and workability, and compliance needs improving. Full report is here
BBC staff on strike in protest at weekend cuts affecting religious programmes
BBC staff working in local TV, radio and online, will go on strike on budget day in protest at plans to share radio programming after 2pm on weekdays and at weekends. The move would slash the number of religious programmes on local radio on Sunday mornings. The strike will start at 11am on 15 March and last for 24 hours, followed by a work to rule for up to six months. The NUJ says the BBC’s focus on digital content and delivery shouldn’t be at the expense of local news and journalism.
Inside the Chorley training centre for Mormon missionaries
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a large training centre in Chorley, north west of Manchester and BBC2 showed a documentary last night explaining how young people from the US and the UK are trained to be missionaries. The church was started in America by Joseph Smith in 1830, after he published The Book of Mormon, a translation of golden plates said to have been received in a vision, containing the religious history of an ancient American civilization. Its missionaries go out in pairs to explain the faith and gain converts. The film explains the strict moral code the young people have to abide by and their methods of evangelism including creating 50 social media posts a day and talking to people on the streets.
Nicaragua bans open air public processions during Lent
Vatican News refers to reports that the government of President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua has banned the traditional public processions of the Way of the Cross in all parishes in the country. Instead during Lent, and also on Good Friday, the ritual will take place inside churches and not in public venues. Vatican News says President Ortega’s crackdown against the Nicaraguan Church is escalating, following the outcry over the sentencing of Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa to 26 years imprisonment and the deportation to the United States of 222 political opponents. They have all been stripped off citizenship.
Charitable foundation pays RNS for news about Hinduism in America
The Religion News Service in the US has received a $40,000 grant from the Guru Krupa Foundation to expand its coverage of Hindus and Hinduism. It says the grant will enable RNS to “highlight current events, emerging issues and trends to illuminate how Hinduism is lived in America and the world”. The Foundation, based in New York, gives grants to social welfare programmes and higher education in American and India.
Asteroid named after Pope Gregory XIII
An asteroid has been named after Pope Gregory XIII, who worked with an Italian astronomer and mathematician to invent the Gregorian calendar now in widespread use, regulating the calculation of leap years. The Associated Press reports that the asteroid is among 72 named by the International Astronomical Union. Three others were given the names of Jesuits affiliated with the Vatican Observatory. To be technical, the name given in honour of Gregory is “560974 Ugoboncompagni” — Gregory’s birth name was Ugo Boncompagni.
