30 Christian leaders call for action on AI-powered ‘killer robots’
More than 30 leaders from churches and Christian organisations have signed an open letter to the foreign secretary calling for the UK to back international regulation of “killer robots”, weapons that use AI to target and destroy or kill. The signatories include senior representatives from the Church of England, Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church, Baptist Union, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. They urge the government to support negotiations for legally binding rules on these weapons, ahead of a UN conference in Geneva on 16–20 November which will decide whether formal treaty talks should begin. The signatories say there has been an escalation of military AI usage in Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. The full letter to the Foreign Secretary and list of signatories is here.
Christians respond to past association with Russell Brand
The Church Times has rounded up reaction to Russell Brand’s conviction from people who have given him a platform in the past. It reports that the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, was a guest on Brand’s podcast in 2019, and in 2021 Brand endorsed the Archbishop’s book “Dear England”. It quotes a spokesperson saying the Archbishop was appalled to learn of the abuse and commended the courage of women coming forward, adding that acknowledgement and remorse for actions are a vital part of a Christian life. In 2019 Brand was interviewed at the Greenbelt festival, and in a statement, the organisers say they deeply regret giving Brand that platform, and thoughts are with the women he harmed. More here
Pope Leo draws hundreds of thousands to Mass and youth vigil in Argentina
Pope Leo XIV has travelled to Córdoba in Argentina on day five of his 12-day South American visit, celebrating Mass at the Military Aviation School before meeting clergy and religious communities. An estimated 650,000 people attended the Mass. Yesterday evening, he led a youth vigil in Buenos Aires with hundreds of thousands of young people. Today, he visits a prison before travelling to Peru, where he is a citizen and served as a missionary and bishop in Chiclayo. His plane will land at the Callao Air Base, one of Peru’s largest cities and a major sea port. Here, in a seaside park, a 14 metre high statue of the Pope, made of white steel and fibreglass, was unveiled on Monday, and is said to be the world’s tallest statue of a Pope. The remaining days of his 12 day visit to the region, will be in Peru, and will include trips to the Andes and Amazon region before his return to Rome. Guardian report on Pope’s visit to Argentina is here
Sharia-compliant student finance scheme criticised by Reform UK
A new sharia-compliant student finance scheme is being developed to help students who cannot take out interest-bearing loans for religious reasons, to access higher education. The Alternative Student Finance scheme, due to launch next year, is based on Islamic finance principles, so that instead of interest payments, graduates make income-based contributions to a shared fund that supports future students. The Telegraph reported that repayments would fund other Muslim students and quoted Reform UK education spokesman Suella Braverman describing it as a “two-tier system”. The Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) has complained to the newspaper, saying this misrepresents the scheme, whose repayments will support all students enrolled in it, regardless of faith.
Catholic archbishop raises concerns over draft conversion practices bill
The Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, John Sherrington, has called on politicians to abandon the draft Conversion Practices Bill, warning that its broad provisions could threaten religious freedom and freedom of expression. In a statement submitted to Parliament as the bill goes through pre-legislative scrutiny, he said the proposed legislation could create uncertainty around lawful pastoral care, family life and conversations about sexuality and gender identity. The Catholic Church opposed all forms of abuse, he said, but existing laws already provided protection. He urged the Government instead to enforce existing safeguards and provide accessible support for people experiencing abuse or coercion.
French bishops urge Catholic hospitals to prepare to refuse assisted dying
Catholic bishops in France have urged Catholic healthcare institutions to prepare to use their legal right to refuse to provide assisted suicide and euthanasia under a new law due to come into force in January 2027. In a letter, they said a ruling by the Constitutional Council in August confirmed that institutions could refuse to provide assisted dying if it conflicted with their founding principles or mission. Referring to Pope Leo XIV’s recent reaffirmation of the Church’s opposition, they urged providers to update their statutes and regulations. A comprehensive guidance document for Catholic healthcare providers is planned for 2027.
Lords give second reading to bill on religious restrictions in CofE appointments
The House of Lords has given a second reading to a Bill removing restrictions preventing Jewish and Catholic prime ministers from advising the Crown on the appointment of Church of England bishops and archbishops. The anomaly means people of other faiths can participate, but not Jews or Catholics. The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, backed the Bill, describing it as “modest but important” and bringing the constitution closer to modern British values of religious freedom and equal citizenship. Former BBC director-general Lord Birt supported removing religious discrimination more widely from the constitution, questioning why the reform should stop here.
£13.4 million to promote churches in three CofE dioceses
The Church of England is giving £13.4 million to three dioceses for mission in rural villages, market towns and city centres. The Diocese of Winchester has been given £7m for churches in deprived communities in Bournemouth and Southampton, resources for growth in towns and surrounding areas, and support for 12 additional rural church groups to grow congregations. The Colchester area will receive £2.8 million for projects including Choir Church, iSingPOP and schemes to help young people in areas around Harlow, Braintree and Colchester. And in Worcester, £3.6 million will be spent on enabling “at least one thriving larger church in each of its population centres by 2030”, and on churches in Droitwich, Pensnett, Evesham, Kidderminster and Worcester. Staff and costs will be covered in places where ministry is currently reduced or non-existent. More details here
