Pope Francis sends greetings to LGBTQ Catholic conference
Pope Francis has sent greetings to attendees at the Outreach LGBTQ Catholic Ministry Conference, to be held at Fordham University, in New York City, from today til Sunday. The handwritten letter thanks James Martin, S.J., the editor of Outreach, for “all the good you are doing,” and promises his prayers and good wishes to all the participants of the conference. He says “I thank you for your witness”. This is the Pope’s third such letter and the two men have met twice to discuss ministry to LGBTQ Catholics.
Archbishop proposes amendment to illegal migrants bill
The Archbishop of Canterbury has proposed an amendment to the Illegal Migrants Bill going through the House of Lords, which would mandate the Secretary of State to produce a 10-year strategy for tackling the global refugee crisis. He said international collaboration was required and Britain should take the lead, as it had done with modern slavery. He described people smuggling as evil and said it should be totally eradicated. He cited data showing that at the end of 2022, there were 108.4 million people displaced; 35.3 million were refugees; 62.5 million were internally displaced; and 5.4 million were seeking asylum. Conflict and climate change may lead to a tenfold rise in the next 25 years, while the number arriving by boat (45,755 in 2022) is tiny in context. The bill would prevent people arriving by boat to claim asylum and lead to many being deported to Rwanda, deemed a safe third country, a practice which Welby said earlier was ungodly. The bill is almost through its stages in the Lords and will go back to the Commons for a vote.
US Catholic archbishop urges continuing care for migrants
The leader of the United States’ Catholic bishops told its annual conference that well-intentioned lawmakers seeking to enact border management should be encouraged. But in the same address, he called on all Catholics to continue aid to immigrants, especially the poor and vulnerable. The Associated Press reports that Archbishop Timothy Broglio voiced scepticism about the trend of some governors to ship migrants to other states, saying this was more a statement of intent thana genuine search for better care.
Hindu Americans encouraged to stand for election to challenge discrimination
The first US summit for Hindu Americans, on political engagement, has been held on Capitol Hill. Dr Romesh Japra, founder and chairman of American4Hindus, believes Hindus are well represented in professions such as medicine, culture, business and law, but politically they are far behind. He said: “We feel that Hindu Americans are being discriminated against, that is why we thought it was a good idea to bring all the organisations together.” There were 130 people from 14 organisations at the gathering and speakers encourages them to stand for election. They are also involved in the welcome for the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits the Capitol next week.
Gafcon chair castigates Justin Welby for criticising the Church of Uganda
The chair of Gafcon, the conservative group rivalling the Anglican Communion, has castigated the Archbishop of Canterbury for calling out the Church of Uganda’s support for the anti-homosexuality act. Justin Welby said there was no justification for any Anglican province to support the law and the church should uphold the freedom and dignity of all people”. But Laurent Mbanda, the Rwandan Archbishop and chair of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans which is against same sex relationships, has issued a statement saying Welby was patronising towards Africa. He may have expressed grief and sorrow over the Church of Uganda’s position, but ”he did not express any grief or sorrow over the crisis that has torn apart the Anglican Communion under his watch”. He called to Justin Welby to repent. “He has lost every power and authority to dictate to or advise other Primates and Provinces of the Communion who oversee 85 per cent of the Global Communion. It is pertinent to remind Archbishop Welby that Africa is no longer a colony of the British Empire”.
Dawn French reprises Vicar of Dibley role for eulogy in a living funeral
Dawn French reprised her role as the Vicar of Dibley for a “living funeral” at Truro Cathedral, honouring the life of her friend who has stage 4 breast cancer. The Telegraph explains that Kris Hallenga, aged just 37, wanted to celebrate her life, so organised a service with glitterball, 20 piece orchestra, silent disco and Abba singalong. Dawn French gave the eulogy and said the whole service was phenomenal – Kris’s own festival.
