Obituaries of ‘church giant’ Cardinal Pell
There are numerous obituaries of Cardinal George Pell, who has died aged 81 from complications following a hip operation. The Telegraph says “this nemesis of liberalism” was forthright and outspoken, defending the church’s moral teaching on marriage and homosexuality. Christopher Lamb, writing in The Tablet, describes his work as the Vatican’s “Prefect for the Economy” from 2014, running into opposition as he pursued transparency in financial governance. In December 2018, Pell was convicted of molesting two choirboys in Melbourne where he was archbishop, but he was cleared on appeal in April 2020 and freed from jail, a sequence of events giving rise to suggestions that his enemies were involved. Five months later, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the Pope’s former chief of staff, was sacked and is now facing a €355m fraud case.
Pope commends Pell’s dedication to the gospel
In a telegram of condolences, Pope Francis recalled Cardinal Pell’s “consistent and committed witness, his dedication to the Gospel and to the Church, and particularly his diligent cooperation with the Holy See in its recent economic reform, for which he laid the foundations with determination and wisdom.”
Cardinal Pell alleged to be author of anti Pope Francis memo
Italian journalist Sandro Magister, confirmed in his blog a suspicion that Cardinal Pell was the author of an anonymous memo , signed only as “Demos”, that circulated among the cardinals last year and tore into Pope Francis. Among the comments were “this pontificate is a disaster in many or more respects, a catastrophe”; and “the German synod speaks of homosexuality, of women priests, of communion for the divorced. And the papacy is silent.” The memo accuses the pope of interfering in legal proceedings under way against 10 people for fraud, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu. He accuses the Vatican of losing €100m through inefficiency and corruption over the past 30 years. The memo appeals for the next pope to restore doctrinal clarity in faith and morals. The danger of a synodical church, where everyone is involved in decisions, will lead to a loose federation of local churches, the memo says, with different visions, probably closer to an Anglican or Protestant model than an Orthodox model.
Board of Deputies condemns MP’s comments on Holocaust
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has condemned the remarks by Andrew Bridgen MP, who wrongly claimed that Covid vaccinations have serious side-effects and added: “As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.” The board said the comments were unconscionable. Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, told the Jewish Chronicle that it was disturbing that some people thought it was appropriate to invoke the imagery of the Holocaust to score political points: “The murder of six million people is not a subject for flippant analogies or political exploitation.” By the end of the day, Bridgen had the Conservative whip removed.
Local reaction mixed to new bishop against women’s ordination
The new Bishop of Blackburn, Philip North, who is against the ordination of women but recognises their orders, has sent a handwritten letter to all 74 women priests in the diocese, acknowledging that the news may be uncomfortable to some, and assuring them that he will listen to their concerns. In our article on the local reaction to the appointment, Rosie Dawson reports that the overwhelming majority of women clergy are very excited by the move. Bishop North is already working in the diocese as Bishop of Burnley, and he is well liked with one supporter saying: “He is way more supportive of women’s ordained ministry and celebrates it more than others who supposedly are in favour.” But one priest, who did not want to be named, told us that she was considering leaving the diocese, fearing his encouragement of the opposing view would embolden less gracious people. Read Rosie Dawson’s article here
Elgin marbles from Parthenon temple should not be returned says culture secretary
The culture secretary Michelle Donelan has said that the Elgin marbles — marble sculptures part of a frieze at the Parthenon temple in Athens — should not be returned to Greece. She told the Media Show on BBC Radio 4 that sending them would “open the gateway to the question of the entire contents of our museums”. The marbles were brought to Britain from Greece in 1816 by Lord Elgin and the British government placed them in the British Museum.
Call for change so Muslims, Sikhs and Orthodox Jews with beards can become firemen
A Birmingham city councillor is calling on the West Midlands Fire Service to provide breathing apparatus suitable for men with beards. At present the equipment is for clean-shaven men, but Sybil Spence said this can act as a barrier to Muslims, Sikhs or Orthodox Jews, who have beards for religious reasons. The lead member for the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, Zafar Iqbal, said it was working proactively to be as inclusive as possible.
Singing Sikh bus driver film from the Midlands goes viral
The Express and Star reports on a Sikh bus driver from West Bromwich who has gone viral on YouTube with a film where he sings praises to the brotherly spirit of bus drivers in the Midlands. Ranjit Singh Veer (pictured), sings a song in Punjabi, with lyrics on how he works alongside “brothers and sisters” from many countries, “with our honest working hands we drive the buses” … “with God’s grace we drive the buses from our different faiths”. He made the film to show his family in India something of his working life, but its wide appeal has led to it being viewed 60,000 times. Ranjit, 59, is shown singing in the cab and dancing in the depot, alongside drivers from many backgrounds. His manager said “our staff are our greatest asset”.
