“Unhelpful dynamic” at Cop27 as developing countries wait 13 years for agreement on grants
Steve Hucklesby, a Christian climate campaigner at the global climate summit Cop27, has given his prediction of what the world can expect from the global climate talks held at Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. Representing the Joint Public Issues Team drawn from four church denominations in Britain, he says new carbon reduction pledges are not expected this year as Cop27 is more focussed on implementation of existing pledges and finance. He has seen an unhelpful dynamic between developed and developing nations over $100 billion annual compensation grants to enable countries to create new systems and green economies to meet the zero target. After 13 years this pledge “still falls woefully short” he says. Top of the agenda is the “loss and damage fund” for countries suffering from disasters such as massive flooding in Pakistan, which at the moment have to take out loans to repair damage. Churches will give their verdict on the outcome of Cop27 this Friday, when it ends.
Singing ban during Covid lockdowns “based on flawed science”
The Telegraph reports a British study which suggested the lockdown bans on singing, bus travel and restaurants was based on bad science. Professor Carl Heneghan and Dr Tom Jefferson, from Oxford university, say early studies of government restrictions “increasingly show that government policies were built on bad science”. They cite the Skagit County Choir Study by academics at various British universities, into the story of a chorale in Mount Vernon, Washington, where 52 of the 61 choir members at a rehearsal were struck down with Covid. This case led to choirs being banned for fear Covid was transmitted through spray while singing, but the scientific evidence is now said to be of poor quality, not sampling the air for example. The Skagit study says “An unexamined assumption has led to erroneous policy conclusions about the risks of singing, and indoor spaces more generally, and the benefits of increased levels of ventilation”. The two Oxford academics say the pandemic “has scarred the public’s trust in science and scientists. It’s not clear if it will ever recover”.
More Church of England clergy asking for help to pay bills
The Church Times reports that the number of grants given to clergy to support increased cost of energy bills has gone up from 18 in 2019 to 378 this year. The Clergy Support Trust estimates that 15 per cent of clergy will have contacted them this year. At the end of 2021, the Trust helped around 1600 households but this year, “that number is likely to be in excess of 2200”. Church Times story here
Muslims in Britain report mental health downturn in cost of living crisis
A survey by the polling company Muslim Census, suggests one in five British Muslims has used a foodbank in the last year, more than half have experienced difficulty in paying at least one bill, 65 per cent went into debt to manage everyday bills and almost one third had to miss a meal to afford their household bills. More than 75 per cent reported a negative impact on their mental health, citing worry, guilt and fear about spending on self. The survey was of 1,568 Muslims aged 18-65+.
US stark religious divide on same sex marriage as it moves to become protected in law
The US Senate is about to vote on a bill which would protect same-sex marriage at the federal level, but with protections for religious organisations who object. Pew Research has found that 61 per cent of the total population are in favour of same sex marriage including 36 per cent who say it is very good for society. 71 per cent of white evangelical Protestants say it is bad for society, 62% of white non-evangelical Protestants say it is good. So too do about two-thirds of Catholics (66 per cent) and 82 per cent of religiously unaffiliated adults. Black Protestants are closely divided with 49 per cent in favour and 46 per cent saying it is bad.
Australian lawyers report low dealing by church in sex abuse cases
The Guardian has carried reports that the Catholic church in Australia is offering low value compensation to sex abuse survivors if the allege paedophile priest has died. It follows a case which was halted in June by a court which said the death of the priest meant the church could no longer defend itself properly. Lawyers report three concerning responses: sums offered to the victims are “paltry”, the church is pressurising victims not to launch civil proceedings or courts are “staying” cases where the offer is not accepted. Guardian report here
Presbyterian minister and broadcaster dies suddenly aged 54
In Northern Ireland, Presbyterian minister the Rev Dr Paul Bailie, has died suddenly aged 54, hours after attending a General Assembly Committee meeting where he was said to be in great form. Known to many through his BBC broadcasts, his death has shocked close friends and colleagues who describe him as wise, gifted and talented.
“Ummazing “ one stop shop for Muslim friendly business services
A new company has been launched in England to advertise Muslim friendly businesses. Ummazing Services is an online directory of services such as restaurants, law firms and wedding venues “that cater for the needs and appreciates the diversity of the British Muslim community”. Co-founder, Isma’il Munir says Muslims have had to shop around for services which adapt to their requests, but Ummazing will identify those businesses that tailor their offer to different religious or cultural expectations. It will be a one-stop-shop for Muslim clients.
