Cardiff editors urge faith groups to build media links
A panel of media editors in Cardiff told the Creating Connections event yesterday, that the budget cuts in mainstream media are making it difficult for reporters to get out into communities to find and tell stories with depth. The sheer volume and immediacy of modern communications, from emails and social media to instant messaging, leaves journalists wading through thousands of messages every day. But they want to reflect the lives of people in faith communities and find contributors, and they encouraged people to create contacts with reporters and maintain the conversations. The panel, with ITV, Reach PLC, the NUJ, Rondo Media, Cardiff University’s Journalism head, and independent journalist Will Hayward, was a highlight in a packed programme. It also included a networking session where representatives of faith traditions explained their work, a presentation on the religious landscape of Wales illustrating deep rooted ideas which still influence public life, a workshop on social media and a panel discussion on the importance of taking Religion, Values and Ethics education seriously. A longer report and film will be published on our website soon.
Lords to debate ending ban on Catholics and Jews making Church appointments
The House of Lords is due to debate the Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill at second reading today. It would remove historic restrictions preventing Catholics and Jewish people from advising the monarch on appointments to senior positions in the Church of England and Church of Scotland, or making certain ecclesiastical appointments themselves. The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, is expected to speak. In September, Andy Burnham said it was “unacceptable for there to be a legislative bar against people of any faith performing all the functions of my office”, calling it an “antiquated and archaic anomaly.” UK parliament briefing here.
Parents and children in fear at mosque in Stockport
ITV reports that parents attending Elaf Masjid in Edgeley, Stockport, say they are too scared to take their children to the mosque, after six attacks in the past 18 months. Windows have been smashed, the Quran has been damaged, and pork products have been thrown onto the roof. A child aged seven was racially abused in the street, and a Muslim family had a pig’s head placed on their gate. Mosques in Greater Manchester are said to have experienced the highest number of attacks recently. The Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson, said “We have seen the expression of hate crime on the streets of Greater Manchester in its most visceral form”, referring to the attack on Heaton Park synagogue and now these Islamophobic attacks. He told ITV: “There is no place for hate crime anywhere in Greater Manchester”.
Pope Leo meets abuse survivors in Buenos Aires
Pope Leo XIV has met five survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy during his visit to Buenos Aires, hearing their testimonies and restating his commitment to improve safeguarding. The meeting lasted more than an hour as he heard each person tell their story and suggest proposals for “strengthening paths of healing” in the church. He blessed them and expressed gratitude for their witness of faith. The encounter comes amid calls from survivors for stronger accountability, including a global zero-tolerance policy for clergy facing credible allegations of abuse. The Vatican says this is one of several meetings planned with survivors of abuse on the South America tour.
Belarusian Catholic priest jailed for three years after opposing Ukraine war
A Catholic priest in Belarus has been sentenced to three years in prison after condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and helping organise aid for Ukrainian refugees. Father Anatoly Parakhnevich, 66, was convicted of “insulting the authorities” and “extremism” following a closed trial. The Viasna Human Rights Centre has designated him a political prisoner, saying his sermons reached thousands of people. He has been detained since March and reportedly suffered a heart attack in custody. He denies the charges and plans to appeal. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya described the sentence as “heartbreaking” and politically motivated.
Islamic Relief appeal as winter storms threaten displaced families in Gaza
Islamic Relief has launched a winter appeal to support displaced families in Gaza, as heavy rain and storms have flooded tens of thousands of tents, leaving them without shelter and exposing children to illness and hypothermia. It says nearly one million people are at risk of flooding over the coming months, with many living in overcrowded camps or damaged buildings. Around 70,000 worn-out tents were flooded during the first day of the latest storm, while many families lost bedding and belongings. The charity says restrictions on humanitarian supplies, including shelter materials, medical equipment and fuel, are worsening conditions.
Campaign to mobilise 500,000 Christians for carol singing evangelism
A national Christmas evangelism campaign, Shine Your Light, aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians to go carol singing across the Uk in December. Now in its fourth year, the initiative encourages churches to organise carol services and other events in public spaces, schools, shopping centres and community venues. Organisers say 1,984 churches have already committed, including 1,484 signed up through nine church networks. The main campaign weekend is 11–13 December. This year’s focus includes reaching people experiencing loneliness, older people, prisoners, asylum seekers and families living on large estates. Shine Your Light is run by the National Day of Prayer and Worship, whose founder and leader is a Pentecostal Pastor, Dr Jonathan Oloyede.
