Church of England defends teaching “the reality of systemic racism“
The Church of England has responded to criticism that church schools are given guidance on teaching about racism which includes critical race theory – that racism is inherent in society, white people benefit from the systematic oppression of people of colour and there is a “white supremacy pyramid” where stereotypes lead to racist words and action. The guidance came from the Diocese of Coventry and was made available to the Church of England in Suffolk. It was referred to in a report from the organisation “Don’t Divide Us”, which found that of the 49 third-party organisations providing teacher training or resources for schools, 48 promoted critical race theory as fact. In response, the Church of England’s chief education officer, the Rev Nigel Genders, said there is no single approach to addressing racial justice in Church of England schools. Teachers and school leaders are trusted to choose the best resources. He said the church is committed to addressing the issue of racism: “This includes learning about the enduring impact of slavery and the reality of institutional and systemic racism”.
Justin Welby’s mother has died aged 93 after living “a full human life”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has paid tribute to his mother, Lady Jane Williams, who has died aged 93. He said he mourned her death “with profound sadness. I loved her very deeply and it has been a privilege to be her son. I am the person I am in part because of her love, example and encouragement”. His mother had lived “a full human life with all its ups and downs”, he said. She married Gavin Welby in 1956, but they divorced three years afterwards and Justin was put in the care of his father, an alcoholic and volatile man. Seven years ago it was discovered that Justin Welby’s biological father was Sir Anthony Montague Browne, a former private secretary to Winston Churchill, with whom his mother had a brief affair before her marriage. For the past 40 years, Lady Williams was married to Labour peer Lord Charles Williams, and devoted herself to charitable work. “Her story is one of redemption – which she found through faith in Jesus Christ, and loving service to others. In recovery from alcoholism, she helped countless others to know freedom from addiction.”
Jesse Jackson stands down from his civil rights group
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, aged 81, is to step down from Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the civil rights group he founded more than 50 years ago. He was diagnosed with Parkinsons eight years ago and has since suffered many health problems. The Associated Press reports that he now uses a wheelchair and when he announced his resignation at the charity’s convention, he spoke with such a quiet voice it was difficult to hear him. The meeting lauded his achievements as a powerful advocate for civil rights since emerging as a protégé of Martin Luther King, and as a campaigner for equality, voting rights and education. He stood twice as a presidential candidate.
Trocadero to become Islamic Centre
The Trocadero between Piccadilly Circus and Soho in central London is to be made into a three-storey Islamic centre, according to an exclusive in The Mail on Sunday. The planning application from the Aziz Foundation was approved at a Westminster Council planning meeting in May. A prayer room will be created from space previously used as a cinema, to accommodate 390 worshippers. The Aziz Foundation was set up by the property billionaire Asif Aziz, who is listed as one of the most influential Muslims in the world.
Threat to burn the Torah and Bible in Sweden is withdrawn
The man who said he would burn the Torah and the Bible outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm gave up his plan and instead held a one-person demonstration on Saturday against the burning of holy books. He was given a permit for the protest by Stockholm police, but the Times of Israel reported that the man arrived outside the Israeli diplomatic mission on Saturday afternoon holding a copy of the Quran and saying that, as a Muslim, it was never his intention to burn Jewish or Christian holy books, only to protest the recent burning of the Quran. There have been two recent incidents where the Quran has been burned in Stockholm, causing outrage and diplomatic protest in majority Muslim countries.
Catholic bishop of Shanghai appointed without Vatican consultation
Pope Francis has named Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to lead the diocese of Shanghai, but a statement from the Vatican says he was transferred there by authorities in China without consultation with them, in breach of bi-lateral accords. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, said the unilateral move went against “the spirit of dialogue and collaboration” but the Pope had decided to approve Shen for the greater good of the Shanghai diocese and because Shen was an “esteemed pastor”.
MEPs support Canadian pastor convicted of “mischief” after anti-vaccination speech
The son of Canadian pastor Artur Pawlowski, who faces prison for addressing lorry drivers protesting at mandatory covid vaccinations, has visited the European Parliament in Brussels to speak to MEPs about the case. Nathaniel Pawlowski, aged 23, said his father’s speech at the USA border protest in February 2022 was a sermon and his arrest was a violation of the freedom of religion. He accused the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau of being a modern day Caligula, taking freedom and democracy away on the grounds of health and safety. MEPs applauded his case. Artur Pawlowski is pastor of The Cave of Adullam congregation in Calgary and founded the Street Church Ministries. This is not his first brush with the law.
