New Bishop of Blackburn appointed despite not recognising ordination of women
Philip North, suffragan Bishop of Burnley, has been promoted to become Bishop of Blackburn, despite his opposition to the ordination of women priests. The appointment has been criticised by the women and the church group WATCH. His views on women priests caused him to withdraw from nomination as Bishop of Sheffield, after complaints. The bishop has previously explained that his objection is based on the CofE’s decision to act unilaterally, instead of waiting for the whole church to take an agreed position. He does not doubt the validity of women priests and says they are fully and equally part of the diocese. His previous appointments include priest administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and his work has included contributions to Thought for the Day on Radio 4.
Cardinal George Pell dies aged 81
Cardinal George Pell, Catholic archbishop of Melbourne and Sydney, and Vatican treasurer until jailed for child sex abuse charges subsequently overturned, has died from heart complications after hip surgery at the age of 81. The BBC reports that a jury in 2018 found he had abused two boys while archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s. He always maintained his innocence and spent 13 months in prison before the verdict was quashed. His trial and conviction followed three years as Vatican treasurer where his investigations were followed by a corruption trial involving 10 people, which began in 2021and is ongoing.
£100m to address CofE historic links to slavery
The Church of England is committing £100m to address past wrongs after a report confirmed that Queen Anne’s Bounty, a predecessor fund of the Church Commissioners’ endowment, had links with transatlantic slavery. The money will go to communities affected by historic slavery. By 1777, Queen Anne’s Bounty had investments worth £406,942 (around £724m today) in the South Sea Company which transported 34,000 slaves over 30 years. The Church Commissioners says it is deeply sorry for its predecessor fund’s links with transatlantic chattel slavery and will fund further research to support dioceses, cathedrals and parishes as they address their historic links with slavery.
Bishops condemn Brazil riots as act of terrorism
The Church Times reports that Anglican bishops in Brazil have described the storming of Congress by supporters of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro as an “act of terrorism”. Thousands of Bolsonaro supporters overran police and ransacked parliament buildings, one week after the new President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was sworn in after last October’s election .
Ideas of Lord Sacks explored in Israel conference
A conference dedicated to the thoughts of the late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is to be held at Bar-Ilan University in Israel next week. Sponsored by the Jewish News, the conference will explore his ideas on Jewish thought and religious Zionism, countering religious extremism, the ethics of responsibility, Orthodoxy in modernity, religious leadership, and his vision for Israel and the Jewish people. Lord Sacks was Chief Rabbi from 1991 to 2013, and died from cancer in November 2020.
Italian PM meets the Pope
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has visited Pope Francis to discuss the fight against poverty, family issues, the war in Ukraine and migration. Meloni leads a far-right coalition which won national elections in September. She has spoken about her Catholic faith and traditional family values.
