Pope and Cardinal condemn attack on civilians at Holy Family Church in Gaza
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says a mother and daughter were killed inside the Holy Family Church complex in Gaza on Saturday by sniper fire. It is the only Catholic church in the Gaza strip, a place of refuge for people sheltering from the war and the site of a convent where 54 disabled people are cared for. In a statement, the Patriarchate says “Nahida and her daughter Samar were shot and killed as they walked to the Sister’s Convent. One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety. Seven more people were shot and wounded as they tried to protect others inside the church compound”. The statement also said that a tank fired a rocket at the Convent. The Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, whose family is sheltering there said they have no electricity, no water, no food, “and now a sniper is inside the Church compound where they are sheltering”. The Pope said the attack was terrorism, with unarmed civilians the objects of bombings and shootings. Cardinal Vincent Nichols has issued a statement saying it seems to be “a deliberate and callous killing by IDF soldiers of innocent civilians: an elderly woman and her daughter in the grounds of a church. This killing has to stop. It can never be justified”. The Israeli Defence Force is quoted saying it denies the attacks took place: “During the dialogue between the IDF and representatives of the community, no reports of a hit on the church, nor civilians being injured or killed, were raised. A review of the IDF’s operational findings support this.”
Two women priests become one of first same sex couples to receive prayers of blessing
History was marked this weekend when the Church of England allowed prayers for the blessing of same sex couples. The “prayers for a covenanted friendship” include words said by partners to each other: “I offer myself to you in love and friendship”. The Times carries the story of two priests in Suffolk, Catherine Bond and Jane Pearse, whose relationship was blessed on Sunday morning. Press Association film here
Cardinal Becciu found guilty of financial crimes and sentenced to prison
The Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who once held one of the highest offices at the Vatican, has been found guilty of embezzlement, abuse of office and inflencing witnesses, and sentenced to five and a half years in prison. The charges relate to the investment of €200 million in a fund to buy a property in Sloane Avenue, South Kensington; a €125,000 donation of Vatican money to a charity run by his brother in Sardinia; and giving Vatican funds to a woman who was convicted of using the money for herself. He was on trial with nine other defendants and all were convicted of some charges, following a trial that lasted two and half years. His lawyers have pledged to appeal. The Catholic Herald outlines what might happen next and suggests the appeals process could take longer than the trial. Cardinal Becciu is 75.
Census details of Sikh population published by ONS
The Office of National Statistics has issued more information on 2021 census results about the Sikh population in England and Wales. This includes people who identified “Sikh” as their religion, ethnic group, or both. 525,865 people identified as Sikh, 0.9% of the population. 426,230 people identified as Sikh through the religion question alone, 1,725 through the ethnic group question alone and 97,910 through both questions in combination. Home ownership rates were higher than the general population, more people lived in multi-family or generation homes and more were likely to be married. The most common main language was English (English or Welsh in Wales) at 62.1 per cent. Details here
Pope celebrates 87th birthday
The Pope celebrated his 87th birthday yesterday, after a year of ill health. In spring, he was in hospital for bronchitis and missed the Good Friday procession. Earlier this month he cancelled a trip to Cop28 in Dubai, also due to respiratory problems. In June, he was in hospital for nine days for an operation on an abdominal hernia. Yet also this year he has visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Hungary, Portugal, Mongolia and France.
New bishop in Plymouth but failure to agree in Carlisle
The Crown Nominations Commission has failed to agree on the appointment of a new Anglican Bishop of Carlisle, an unusual circumstance that last occurred with Oxford in 2015. The Church Times suggests this may be due to the make-up of the commission members and the dispute over same sex blessings. The last bishop, James Newcome, retired in the summer and it may be another 18 months before the selection panel consider the appointment again. Meanwhile in Devon, Canon Christopher Whitehead has been appointed as the 10th bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Plymouth. He replaces Mark O’Toole who is now the Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia. Canon Christopher will move south from the diocese of Clifton in Bristol, where he has lived for 54 years.
Masters degree in Islamic art launches with exhibition in York
An exhibition of Islamic art spanning one thousand years has gone on display at the University of York’s Borthwick Centre for Archives, heralding the launch of a new masters degree in Islamic art and cultures. York Press reports that the ceramics, paintings, coins with ornate calligraphy and photographs, date from the 9th to the 19th centuries and come from lands ruled by Muslim dynasties from Spain to India.
