Site of medieval Jewish massacre in York lights up for Hanukkah
A Hanukkah ceremony was held at Clifford’s Tower in York last night, the scene of a massacre of Jews in 1190, when the city’s 150 strong Jewish community was trapped by a violent mob in an antisemitic surge sweeping across England. Many Jews committed suicide rather than be murdered. Last night’s event is the first Jewish ceremony held at the tower since the tragedy. It marks the start of the eight day festival of Hanukkah, the festival of lights, and features the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. York now has a thriving Jewish community and one of its members, Ben Rich, a trustee of the Religion Media Centre, has explained that bringing Judaism back to York is a “fantastic legacy” . While it is important that the historic Jewish story is told, it is a living community and a modern story that has not ended.
The impact of the world cup on attitudes to Muslims and Islam
As the world cup ends, Rayhan Uddin, writing for Middle East Eye, assesses its impact on attitudes to Islam. While attention in western media has been on Qatar’s human rights record and conditions for migrant workers, the Islam on display in Doha has also captured imagination. He says for Arab and Muslim fans, the world cup in Qatar was seen as a major milestone and a source of pride. He quotes a British Muslim fan describing the less rowdy, family atmosphere as fans could not drink in stadiums. There was the novelty of halal burgers and non-alcoholic beers, daily prayers for gatherings of fans and tourist routes of Islamic history and culture open to fans from all over the world, as imams and teachers shared knowledge. Morocco, the first African team in a World Cup semi-final, were filmed reciting Al-Fatiha, and knelt in worship before and after defeat. In the UK, Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports which encourages clubs to look after religious needs of athletes and fans, said the world cup showed “We can incorporate culture, food and festivities in a positive way with a spirit of inclusivity and learning.”
Archbishop says there’s always a way for reconciliation with Harry and Meghan
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has said there is always a way forward for reconciliation between Prince Harry, Meghan and other members of the royal family, but it has to be at the right time. Interviewed on the Laura Kuenssberg programme on BBC1, he said God breaks into the world to open the way to forgiveness through Jesus Christ but the way people welcome the opportunity is different for everyone. Asked to reflect on society in 2022, he said there was a lack of togetherness and people have become very unforgiving: “People suffer hugely when they do things that are wrong, not just with public exposure, but the awful trolling that goes on, and the inability to accept apologies, to seek forgiveness”.
Our Lady of Kyiv hiding in the underground, a Christmas icon
Father Aleksey, the director of Radio Maria Ukraine, has given details of a Christmas icon and blessing which Ukrainian Catholics stick on their front doors on 6th January. People write on their doors CMB, which is taken to mean Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, or the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat – May Christ Bless This House. Every year the image on the sticker is changed and this year, the church has chosen a photo of a woman, hiding in the Kyiv underground in the first days of the war, photographed with her child. The picture has been turned into an icon of Mary the mother of Jesus: “Our Lady of Kyiv hiding in the underground”. Father Aleksey says this is a reminder of the year they have lived in Ukraine.
Pope has written a resignation letter in case ill health forces him to stop
Pope Francis has revealed that soon after being elected pontiff in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impeded him from carrying out his duties. The Associated Press reports his interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC, where he said that he gave the note to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who then was the Vatican secretary of state, a position now occupied by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. In 2021, he had surgery to repair a bowel narrowing and since then has had increasing mobility issues and now uses a wheelchair, though he told his interviewer “One governs with the head, not the knee.” Pope Francis, who is 86, explained that there was already a rule in existence if health or an accident leaves a pope unable to do his job and he simply acted upon it. He has previously supported the decision of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, to resign due to ill health.
Government responds to CPS statement that parts of the Bible are ‘no longer appropriate’
A Government law officer has clarified that a Crown Prosecution Service comment in a street preacher hate crime case. that some verses in the Bible are “no longer appropriate to modern society”, is not indicative of a general approach by the CPS. The comments were in response to the case of street preacher, John Dunn, who was arrested for hate speech after telling a gay couple holding hands that “the Bible says that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The documents are said to have also referenced Biblical justification for slavery and the death penalty. The gay couple could not be found to give evidence and the case against John Dunn was dropped. The Christian Legal Centre took up the case and a question was asked in the Lords by Baroness Hoey. In reply, Lord Stewart of Dirleton, the advocate general for Scotland, told the Lords that there was no new approach to cases involving the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the right to freedom of expression. In future cases of freedom of expression, arguments will be submitted to the senior district crown prosecutor for signing off.
Invisible community of Shamans seeking inner peace and guidance
The Guardian carries a report about Shamanism, a form of spirituality that has risen in popularity from 650 followers in 2011 to 8,000 in 2021, according to latest census figures. It is described as an internal quest for meaning, communion with the source of the divine in nature and search for health and well-being. The continuing presence and power of ancestors is acknowledged and revered, as are nature spirits in the natural world. These guides are called upon to cleanse and restore inner harmony through rituals and practices including incantations and song. Doctors, university lecturers, social workers and teachers are among this invisible community. Guardian article here
