English cathedral visitors almost double in one year
The Association of English Cathedrals reports that visitor numbers almost doubled from 2.9 million in 2021 to 5.7 million in 2022 – a growth of 197 per cent. Westminster Abbey, where the King will soon be crowned, welcomed 3 million visitors in 2021 and 6.8 million in 2022. Rochester had the highest number of visitors since records began with 213,000 people, an increase of 446 per cent on the previous year, due to the attractions of the art installation Gaia, a huge planet earth in the nave, and the world’s longest lego bridge hosted in August. The Association’s chair, the Dean of St Albans, Jo Kelly-Moore, said the increase is due in part to opening up after Covid lockdowns, but she believed that it also confirmed the vital role of the Cathedrals as places of welcome where people find wonder, peace and hope.
Three bishops with historic roles at the coronation
The Cabinet Office has released further details of officials who will perform historic roles at the coronation. They include the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Dr Michael Beasley, and the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler. The Church Times explains that the bishops’ role goes back to 973, and includes accompanying the monarch and standing on either side of him during the anointing. Another customary role goes to the Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church, Dr John Armes, in his role as ex officio chair of the Walker Trustees, connected to the white rod of Gaelic-speaking kings.
Audit says 30,000 homes could be built on Church Commissioners’ land
An audit of the Church Commissioners for England has concluded it has capacity to deliver 30,000 new homes on its land, of which around 9,000 will be classed as affordable. At present around 9,000 new homes are subject to planning applications and in the pipeline for future development. The audit benchmarked the Commissioners’ portfolio against environmental sustainability goals of zero emissions, transport connectivity, biodiversity, and building design.
Warning to charities targeting Muslim donors during Ramadan
Fadi Itani, chief executive of the Muslim Charities Forum, has warned that some non-religious charities tend to capitalise on Muslim donors, particularly during Ramadan, to “seem more inclusive and generate easy income”. Civil Society UK reports his view that there is sometimes systematic targeting of Muslims during this time when their faith requires them to give. He said it’s not a problem if charities are genuinely authentic in asking Muslim donors for funds and if the impact of their giving aligns with Islamic values.
The Sikh couple who help others go through infertility struggles
Sarina and Vik Dosanjh, a Sikh couple from Walsall, have told the story of their struggle to start a family in a BBC-1 programme broadcast last night. After five miscarriages, they undertook IVF treatment and reflected their view that “Infertility within the Sikh community is still very much a taboo subject, it is very much brushed under the carpet”. Yet they said their faith was the most important thing to hold onto during the treatment and in line with their commitment to sewa, service, they set up an online support group The Himmat Collective for people from Punjabi and South Asian communities who struggle with fertility or experience loss. Married, Sikh and Wanting A Baby is on BBC iplayer.
Hidden ancient Biblical text discovered by UV light
A hidden section of Matthew 11-12 has been found by applying UV light on an ancient Vatican manuscript. The passage, written in Syriac, lies behind later scripts on the same parchment, routinely scraped so it could be used again. The words relate to the disciples eating ears of wheat when hungry and while the content is not startingly new, the discovery sheds insight on how New Testament texts were translated and understood as generations re-wrote the script.
Limits on Greek Orthodox Easter ceremony decried as heavy handed
Israeli police have imposed limits on the number of Greek Orthodox who can assemble at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem this weekend for the Holy Fire ceremony. This precedes the Orthodox Easter, on Sunday 16 April, and marks the ancient story of a light emitting from Jesus’ tomb, which is shared to light candles and lamps. The Associated Press reports that Israel, which imposed similar restrictions on the Holy Fire event last year, says it wants to prevent another disaster after a crowd stampede in 2021 at a packed Jewish holy site left 45 people dead. Christian leaders say there’s no need to alter a ceremony that has been held for centuries. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem called the limitations “heavy-handed.”
The music manager with Jewish roots who turned down Jesus Christ Superstar
The Jewish Chronicle carries an interview with 70’s music manager Harvey Lisberg, who turned down Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s album Jesus Christ Superstar, on the grounds that it might not go down too well with his Jewish community of north Manchester. He estimates the decision cost him £50 million, but nevertheless he won fame and fortune discovering and managing artists including Herman’s Hermits and 10CC and lived the high life. Now 83 and living in Palm Springs, he has just published his autobiography “I’m Into Something Good: My Life Managing 10cc, Herman’s Hermits & Many More!”, Omnibus Press.
