Archbishop and bishops to speak against illegal immigration bill in the Lords
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the bishops of Durham and Gloucester are listed as speakers in the Lords today for the second reading of the illegal immigration bill. They are among 87 peers who want to speak on a policy designed to stop people crossing the channel in small boats. The bill will mean that people who arrive in the UK illegally will be detained and removed to their home country or a safe third country such as Rwanda. The Guardian says the Archbishop will condemn the bill, the first time he will have come out so firmly on this issue. In December he said “shrill narratives” describing migrants as less than fully human, should be rejected. The bill has provoked an angry response and it is expected the Lords will vote through changes.
Organ harvesting suspected among victims of Kenyan cult
Police in Kenya say that some of the followers of a cult, who were persuaded to starve so that they could meet Jesus, have had organs removed in what is believed to have been a well organised trade. More than 100 bodies have been recovered so far and for most, the cause of death was starvation, but some victims were strangled, beaten or suffocated and others were missing organs. They were believed to be followers of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a taxi driver who became a pastor and founded the Good News International Church. He is in custody pending further investigations. Telegraph report here
Christian Aid report warns of threat to Commonwealth from climate change
A report from Christian Aid warns that global warming will have a serious effect on the wealth of Commonwealth countries, with economic development declining because of rising temperatures. Extreme weather events such as floods or drought will make things worse. “The Climate Cost to the Commonwealth” says the rise in GDP could be slowed by 75 per cent by 2100 in some countries. Its recommendations include continuing pressure to lower the global temperature rise and efforts to agree the Get the Loss and Damage Fund, compensating countries adversely affected by climate change.
George Whitefield plaque changed to read slavery tarnished his image
A blue plaque honouring the 18th century preacher George Whitefield, has been re-worded to say his reputation has been tarnished because of his support of slavery. Whitefield, born in Gloucester, was an influential evangelist in the founding of Methodism. He took his mission to America and founded the Bethesda orphanage in Savannah, Georgia. But recent research shows that the orphanage was supported by income from plantations and Gloucester City Council’s commission to review race relations says his views on slavery tarnish his legacy. A plaque on the wall of the De Crypt School in Gloucester, which Whitefield attended, has been changed to read: “Crossing the Atlantic 13 times, he was parish priest in Savannah, Georgia, where he established the Bethesda Orphanage. Despite his charitable works, Whitefield’s views on slavery tarnish his legacy… His orphanage was supported by income from plantations.”
Two men executed in Iran for insulting the Prophet of Islam
Iran has executed two men who were convicted of burning the Quran and insulting the Prophet of Islam, according to the Mizan news agency. The BBC reports that Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli-Zare are reported to have run dozens of social media accounts dedicated to atheism and desecration of the sanctities. It is reported that there has been a surge in executions in the Islamic Republic amid continuing anti-government unrest, but those for blasphemy convictions are rare. Iran remains one of the world’s top executioners, having put to death at least 203 prisoners this year, according to the Oslo based group Iran Human Rights.
Priest opposing sex education changes removed from minister’s office
A priest had to be removed from the Irish Education Minister’s constituency office after protesting against proposals to change sex education in schools. Father Sean Sheehy, originally from County Kerry, was with twenty other protesters taking issue with the proposed teaching of gender-identity issues to primary school children from September. Last November, he condemned transgenderism, abortion, same-sex relationships and condoms for teenagers, but was suspended as a result and the bishop apologised to anyone who was offended. Fr Sheehy is 80 and has spent most of his life serving in Louisiana, USA.
Scottish Catholic museum moved to Glasgow for better accessibility
A museum charting the history of Catholicism in Scotland is set to open in Glasgow. The Glasgow Herald reports that the entire collection of paintings including the Memorial Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots, together with church textiles and Jacobite memorabilia, which is currently displayed at Blairs Museum in Aberdeen, will be moved to a new museum in the former St Mary’s school, in Glasgow. The site will also include all the branches of the Scottish bishops’ conference. The Archdiocese of Glasgow said the museum will give greater accessibility to the historical records and artefacts of the history of the Catholic Church in Scotland pre Reformation, during the Penal Laws when Catholicism was banned in Scotland and the Emancipation of Catholics in 1829 up until the present day.
Irish bishop insists God chose men not women to be priests
Bishop Alphonsus Cullina, of Waterford and Lismore in Ireland, has told a radio show God chose men — not women — to be priests. His comments follow the recent discussions in Ireland as part of the global “synod” process to discover the concerns of the whole church not just the hierarchy. The Irish submission showed support for women to be admitted to the priesthood. But the Bishop said allowing women to become priests would not be a “quick-fix solution” to the Church’s current recruitment crisis.
Daily Mail: “Sentamu’s place is set in stone”
The Daily Mail reports that a stone sculpture of the former Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, is almost complete and lying in the stone yard of York Minster. The “grotesque” was commissioned by the Chapter of York to mark the Archbishop’s retirement, following a centuries-old tradition of cathedral clergy and other notable people being honoured in this way.
