Parliament of World Religions meets in Chicago to promote harmony
The Parliament of World Religions is meeting in Chicago this week, it’s ninth meeting in 130 years and five years since its last gathering. It is attracting speakers from all major religious traditions and leaders including the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the former US House speaker, Nancy Pelosi. The theme is “A call to conscience – defending freedom and human rights” with a focus on combatting authoritarianism. Topics include climate change, human rights, food insecurity, racism and women’s rights. The chair of the gathering is a Wiccan priestess who is also an author and lawyer. The Parliament was started in 1893 to bring together world religions to find common cause, promote harmony and engage with world issues. The speakers include several prominent British Sikhs listed here
Catholics in Northern Ireland police service worried after data breach
Northern Ireland’s Chief Constable, Simon Byrne, has met the chair of the Catholic Police Guild following the data breach when information on 10,000 officers and civilian staff was mistakenly released in a Freedom of Information request. The Belfast Telegraph reports that the Guild said there were particular difficulties faced by Catholic members of the police service and implications for future recruitment from the Catholic community. It quotes the chair of the Catholic Guild, Superintendent Gerry Murray, saying they had asked for an urgent meeting after members raised concerns and worries for themselves and their family members. Dissident republicans are reported to have seen the data.
Warning of increased risk to Swedish people following Quran burnings
Sweden’s national security adviser, Henrik Landerholm, has warned there is a heightened threat to the country and to Swedish interests abroad following the burning of the Quran in Stockholm. Extremists who previously considered Sweden a legitimate target now regard it as a priority for attack, he said. He has appealed to Swedish people abroad and to businesses linked to the country to observe increased vigilance and caution.
Review into John Smyth passes five-year mark with no publication date in sight
Madeleine Davies writing in the Church Times, reports that the review into abuse carried out by John Smyth, who groomed boys at an evangelical summer camp and then beat them in his shed, has still not been completed, five years after the process began and three years since the first deadline. The review is being carried out by Keith Makin, a former director of social services, but has been delayed due to the pandemic, new information being reported to the police and allowing time for people named and criticised to respond in advance. Andrew Graystone, advocate for survivors, said the CofE only contracted Mr Makin for two days a week which meant it either didn’t recognise the scale of the review or simply didn’t care. Report is in the Church Times here
European Court hears case challenging worship ban during Covid
ADF International, the conservative Christian legal group based in the US, Britain and Europe, is taking on a case in Slovakia, challenging the ban on public worship during the pandemic. It is working with Jan Figel, Slovakian politician and former European Commissioner, bringing a case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that the ban in 2021 was disproportionate and breached religious freedom. ADF has won similar cases in Scotland, Chile and Switzerland. ADF has been in the headlines in the past week, by defending a man charged with breaking rules on buffer zones, praying silently outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth; and by being asked by a Texas judge to offer training to three lawyers on religious freedom, after a flight attendant was sacked for posting anti-abortion views.
Australian Catholic bishops visit Ukrainian cities in a show of support
A delegation of Australian Catholic bishops has visited Ukraine to meet people in Lviv, Kyiv, Bucha and Irpin, cities which have suffered in the war. They talked to church and civic leaders to see where more help is needed. The Australian church has been vocal in its support of the people of Ukraine and has launched appeals for humanitarian aid. They visited a rehabilitation centre for soldiers, attended a funeral, visited a mass grave and supported priests in their pastoral work. They have since vowed to continue to support the people of Ukraine.
Follow up for South Sudan church peace initiative
The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has begun a four-day visit to South Sudan, where he will see the situation in Malakal, which has been affected by multiple natural disasters including flooding. This follows up the visit of Pope Francis to the region in February this year, accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, who were on a peace mission to the war torn country. Archbishop Ameyu of Juba said the church is engaging in quiet diplomacy to encourage people to stick to the peace agreement and the elections due next year are part of this process.
Secular call for bishops to lose their place in the House of Lords
The National Secular Society has submitted evidence to a parliamentary committee into reform of the House of Lords, saying that the continued presence of bishops is “impossible to justify”. It says the system under which 26 seats in the House of Lords are granted to Church of England bishops is archaic and unfair, “incompatible with a pluralistic nation that aspires to treat all citizens equally”. It also warned that failing to abolish the bishops’ bench would lead to calls for increased religious representation in parliament, particularly of other faiths, which would be “wholly unworkable and risk creating sectarian tensions”. The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has called for evidence on the size, role and appointments to the House of Lords, following concern that incremental reforms are needed to restore confidence in the Chamber.
