Global day of prayer and fasting for an end to the war
The Patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem have called a global day of prayer and fasting today for justice, reconciliation, peace, and an end to hatred and war. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has invited Anglicans around the world to join, saying “As Christians our first action in the face of war, terror and hatred is to pray to the God of justice, mercy and peace”.
The Muslim Council of Wales is holding an emergency vigil for Gaza today for women – “grandmothers, mothers, daughters and sisters standing in solidarity”. It will be held at Cardiff Central station at 12 noon.
The World Council of Churches is appealing for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in the middle east and is calling on the State of Israel, with the support of the international community, to allow humanitarian support to enter Gaza so millions of innocent civilians, including many children, may receive medical treatment and basic supplies.
Cardinal offers himself to Hamas in exchange for child hostages
The head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, has offered himself to Hamas in exchange for the Israeli children being held hostage in Gaza. Reuters reports that he was speaking during a video conference with journalists in Italy when he made the point that there will be no way of stopping the escalation of war until the hostages are released: “I am ready for an exchange, anything, if this can lead to freedom, to bring the children home. No problem. There is total willingness on my part”, he said. He clarified that his office had no direct contact with Hamas.
Welby: “the cancer of antisemitism must not be allowed to spread”
Earlier yesterday, Justin Welby tweeted that the cancer of antisemitism must not be allowed to spread in the UK. “I stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community in the face of the disgraceful hatred and prejudice we’re seeing on our streets, online and on campuses. We cannot tolerate such hatred. It’s our moral responsibility to reject it – and unite in resistance to it.”
London Jewish schools targeted in early morning attack
Red paint has been thrown onto the external doors and gates of two girls’ Jewish schools in Stamford Hill, north London, which is home to the Orthodox Jewish community. The Community Security Trust says antisemitic attacks have trebled since the attacks by Hamas against Israel ten days ago.
Baroness Warsi appeals for all communities to be protected in Britain
Conservative peer Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has picked up the Prime Minister’s call that “Nothing will stand in the way of us keeping the Jewish community safe. You have our complete backing”. She offered “friendly advice” in capital letters on Twitter / X : “Nothing should stand in the way of us keeping ALL communities safe in OUR country. We DO NOT have a hierarchy of races or communities in the UK and we DO NOT play divide and rule. We should ALL stand united against ALL forms of hate”.
Prince William looks for hope for a peaceful future in the middle east
Prince William has written to the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, expressing solidarity after the Hamas terrorist attacks. He reflected on his visit to the region in 2018 which was “profoundly moving”, when he was struck by the shared hope of Israelis and Palestinians for a better future. At present, these seem unobtainable, he said, but he hoped that in time: “voices calling for peace, common understanding and co-existence can once again come to the fore so that human suffering can be consigned to the past”.
Other news
The Catholic Union and Caritas Social Action Network have called for children and families to be the focus of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, increasing the rate of child benefit, scrapping the two-child cap on universal credit and working tax credits, and lifting the high income child benefit charge.
A monthly prayer vigil for refugees outside the Home Office in London, prayed for those who have died trying to reach the UK, asylum seekers in detention centres and people experiencing hostility in the UK asylum process. It was organised by the London Catholic Worker, Westminster Diocese Justice and Peace Commission, and the London Churches Refugee Fund.
The former President of Ireland, Dr. Mary McAleese, has criticised the Catholic church’s refusal to ordain women as “unscholarly sexist humbug masquerading as threadbare theology.” She was speaking in Rome at the end of a parallel synod “Spirit Unbounded”, organised by liberal groups and spoke of a grass roots movement to dismantle the “dysfunctional magisterial culture” at the Vatican >>.
