Cop28 agreement fails to impress faith representatives
The Muslim Council of Elders, organisers of the Faith Pavilion at Cop28, have welcomed the agreement from leaders at the climate summit, pledging a transition away from fossil fuels. It says this is a historic step towards building a more prosperous and sustainable future for humanity. But the agreement has been criticised by representatives of the global south for not going far enough to help the most vulnerable countries cope with weather extremes. Dr Lorna Gold, CEO of Faith Invest, said: “The acceptance of the need to ‘transition away from fossil fuels’ after 30 years of blind denial could be seen by some as a victory, but it is far from the kind of robust and meaningful action that is now needed. The final text is full of holes and no mention of how this transition will be measured or financed. How it is translated now into action, especially in terms of finance, is what matters”. And Rabbi Yonatan Neril, Founder of the Interfaith Centre for Sustainable Development, said: “The outcome of this climate conference shows the need for humanity to significantly increase its level of ambition for sustainable planet. Faith communities are actively pushing to ensure the needs of the poorest and the planet are prioritized.” View our briefing on the role of faith in climate change solutions here
King holds meeting for people involved in community relations
The King has hosted a meeting at Buckingham Palace for people involved in community relations. Canon Dr Andrew Smith, director of interfaith relations for the Bishop of Birmingham, is quoted by the Press Association, saying that the war in the Middle East has had reverberations in some Jewish and Muslim communities in the UK, with faith leaders working to maintain dialogue between faith groups. He said the meeting at the palace considered that it was a “painful time”, but relationships were being sustained. Participants included representatives from “The Feast”, a charity aiming to bring together teenagers from different faiths and cultures. 18 leaders from those who took part will be invited to a forum at Windsor Castle, exploring “faith, trust and friendship”, run by Windsor Leadership, a charity providing high-level management training.
Pope decides not to be buried in the Vatican
Pope Francis, aged 87, says he will be laid to rest in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he goes to pray before and after trips overseas. Popes are usually buried beneath St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City but Pope Francis told a Mexican journalist at the Vatican, Valentina Alazraki, that he had met the master of ceremonies in order to simplify papal funerals, adding: “I’ll launch a new ritual.” Guardian story here
Teachers walk out of French school after accusations of Islamophobia
In France, the education minister, Gabriel Attal, has visited a school near Paris, after teachers walked out when pupils aged 11 to 12 refused to look at a 17th century nude Renaissance painting shown in class and accused their teacher of racism and Islamophobia. A parent threatened to file a complaint and the teachers stayed away saying there was an increase in cases of violence and lack of management support. The minister said students would face disciplinary action and a team would ensure pupils adhere to the “values of the republic.” The incident arose days after six teenagers were convicted for their role in the beheading of a teacher, Samuel Paty, in 2020, after he showed a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed in class.
France withdraws funding from Muslim school
Reuters reports that France is to end funding for the private school Averroes, in Lille, the country’s biggest Muslim high school, because of administrative failures and questionable teaching practices. It has more than 800 pupils and has been under contract with the state since 2008. Reuters says it has seen an interior ministry’s report which says the school’s teaching does not align with French republican values. The school says it will challenge the decision in court.
Church shaped like an upturned boat on the national heritage list
The Church of St Nicholas in Fleetwood, Lancashire, designed to resemble an upturned boat, has been added to the National Heritage List for England 2023. Its construction with triangular windows representing sails, reflects the maritime history of the area. It is one of 227 historic places added to the list.
