Review of religion news in 2025
Our review of religion news in 2025 includes interviews with faith leaders and journalists, making sense of the significant changes and developments over the past year. 2025 is ending with the deadly attack on Jews at Bondi Beach, coming after a rise in antisemitism recorded across the world. Britain also saw an increase in hate crime against Muslims, while at the same time, there were new initiatives to build bridges and strengthen community relations. The Church of England experienced major change, with one Archbishop of Canterbury resigning and another appointed — Dame Sarah Mullaly, the first woman to hold the role. The Catholic Church marked the death of Pope Francis and the surprise election of an American successor, Pope Leo XIV. The government’s Faith Minister lost his job and was replaced. Yet amid institutional change, faith communities on the ground remained active: alleviating poverty, delivering aid, helping to broker peace, and engaged in vigorous internal debates. And in the US and Britain, the suggestion of a Quiet Revival, the rise of Christian nationalism and the clash between populism and liberal democracy was either welcomed or challenged. View the briefing again or listen to the podcast via links on our website here
Government to ‘unveil antisemitism action plan within days’
Jewish News reports that the Communities secretary Steve Reed has revealed the government will unveil an “antisemitism action plan within days”. Speaking at the Jewish Labour Movement’s Hanukkah reception, he said that the government’s plan was aimed at tackling antisemitism in all areas of public life: “Whether it’s in our universities, in our schools, whether it’s marches and the appalling things that are said and written on banners, and the places where people think it is appropriate to go to intimidate people simply because of their faith, institutions such as broadcasters, it will no longer be tolerated.” He told the audience that he knew “we need to go beyond mourning the loss and the dead, and we need to act”
New definition of Islamophobia leaked to the press
A leak of the government’s taskforce considering a change in the definition of Islamophobia, suggests that it is about to reframe it as “anti-Muslim hostility”. This will replace the current wording: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” There has been criticism that using the term “race” is incorrect as Muslims are not all of one race. The Telegraph reports that the new definition says anti-Muslim hostility means “engaging in or encouraging criminal acts, including acts of violence, vandalism of property, and harassment and intimidation whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated, which is directed at Muslims or those perceived to be Muslims because of their religion, ethnicity or appearance.” And it has kept the race element by adding: “It is also the prejudicial stereotyping and racialisation of Muslims, as part of a collective group with set characteristics, to stir up hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions as individuals.” Critics fear that any new definition would create a blasphemy law by the back door, by limiting criticism of a religion. A spokesperson for the Department of Communities is quoted saying: “We will always defend freedom of speech. This remains at the front of our minds as we carefully consider the recommendations.” The taskforce reported back in October and their work is expected to be published soon. BBC report here
Clare Coutinho, Shadow Minister for Equalities, said: “It is grossly naive to believe that creating a separate tier of protections for one religious group is going to lead this country to greater unity.”
The Muslim Council of Britain says the government “seems to be considering a definition that fails to reflect how Islamophobia actually operates in the lives of ordinary British Muslims”
Islamic State motivation for Bondi Beach attack on Jews
Police say the mass shooting of 15 Jews during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia, was “a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State”. Evidence included Islamic State flags found in their car. The father and son attackers are also known to have visited the Philippines in the weeks before the attack, and an investigation is underway to determine whether they were being trained in weapons while they were there.
Interfaith Hanukkah Menorah lighting ceremony planned in London
An interfaith Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony will be held in central London this Thursday (18 December) at 4.30pm. The event has been planned in the wake of the attack on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach, Sydney, and will unite Jewish, Muslim, Christian and other faith leaders in a powerful act of solidarity against division, hatred and fear. Organisers say the event will be “a powerful call to show that violence and hatred will not fracture our communities, as well as providing the stunning visual of faith leaders standing together lighting the Jewish menorah”. Those in attendance include Imam Asim Hafiz OBE MA, Islamic Religious Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff; Imam Monawar Hussain MBE, Founder of The Oxford Foundation; Julie Siddiqi, Co-founder of the British Muslim Network; The Bishop of Willesden Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy; Canon Dr Giles Fraser, BBC Radio 4 presenter and Vicar of St Anne’s, Kew; Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Progressive Judaism Co-Lead; and Rabbi Josh Levy, Progressive Judaism Co-Lead.
Bishops recognise ‘deep hurt’ caused by decision to pause same sex blessings
Church of England bishops are planning to write a letter to the church summarising the direction of Living in Love and Faith, the project on same sex relationships, marriage and identity. In October, they agreed to pause the process amid threats of schism and plans for a parallel structure of bishops, saying standalone services for same sex blessings now needs a two thirds majority of the synod, and the decision on whether clergy are permitted to be married in a civil ceremony, needs a further legal change. But this week, they “recognised the deep hurt, particularly to LGBTQI+ people as a result of those decisions”. Gay clergy had criticised the announcement for showing no pastoral concern towards them. The letter will set out an agreed position and will be finalised in January and brought to the General Synod in February.
Rev Jonathan Fletcher ‘not fit to enter plea’ on indecent assault charges
The Rev Jonathan Fletcher, an influential figure in the conservative evangelical wing of the Church of England, who was heavily involved in the running of the Iwerne Holidays where John Smyth groomed boys and young men, will not now stand trial on charges of indecent assault, after a judge ruled he was not fit to enter a plea. Mr Fletcher, aged 83, was the former vicar of Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon, from1982-2012. A review by the safeguarding agency thirtyone:eight, found multiple complaints over 40 years including allegations of spiritual, emotional and psychological abuse, naked saunas, massages and beatings. One serious incident of a sexual nature was also alleged. He was due to stand trial in May 2026 on one charge of grievous bodily harm with Intent, and eight counts of indecent assault on an adult male, and had entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. On Tuesday 2 December 2025 at Kingston Crown Court His Honour Judge Lodder KC, determined that Mr Fletcher, 83, was not fit to enter a plea. Instead there will be an ‘examination of the facts’ hearing but he will play no part in the proceedings. His permission to officiate was removed by the Bishop of Southwark in 2017, and in 2020 he was prohibited from all ministry for ten years. He is no longer permitted to minister in an Anglican context. Telegraph report here. Additional information by Andrew Graystone.
