Assisted Dying Bill likely to run out of time in the House of Lords today
Today is the final day listed for the Lords to consider the Assisted Dying Bill, but it is likely to fall because the debate, with over 1,200 amendments, has not been completed. Supporters have criticised the Lords for deliberately putting forward amendments in order to force the bill to run out of time. Opponents say it was flawed and needed rigorous amendment. The legislation was first introduced in parliament by Kim Leadbeater MP, as a private members bill in October 2024 and it was passed at its third reading by 314 to 291 votes. As it faces failure, the campaign group Dignity in Dying says MPs are ready to bring back the bill because public opinion is in favour of change. BBC report with analysis here.
Keir Starmer visits Kenton synagogue, scene of recent arson attack
Keir Starmer visited Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow yesterday, where there was an arson attack a week ago when a bottle with accelerant was thrown through a window. This was the latest in a spate of attacks against Jewish owned buildings and synagogues in north London. He met the Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and other Jewish leaders and said he was glad that arrests had been made. A 17-year-old boy from Brent has pleaded guilty to arson not endangering life. Jewish News reports that members of the community expressed their fear and anxiety after multiple recent attacks and the prime minister acknowledged this and said he wanted faith communities to live in safety and security. He also pledged to bring forward legislation to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, saying he was increasingly concerned about countries using proxies to carry out attacks. Jewish News report here.
Pope calls for new culture of peace, not hatred and division
As Pope Leo returned to Rome after an 11 day visit to four countries in Africa, he gave a wide ranginginterview to journalists, emphasising that the United States and Iran should return to negotiations to end the war. He called for a new “culture of peace, not hatred or division” and said that as a pastor, he could not be in favour of war. He also condemned capital punishment, supported the right to immigration controls, but said better opportunities in poorer countries would not make people feel compelled to leave, adding: “migrants are human beings and deserve to be respected in their human dignity and not be treated worse than house pets, animals.” He confirmed that the Holy See does not agree with the formal blessing of gay couples and said there were much greater issues than sexual morality, such as freedom of religion, justice and equality. AP report here.
Rowan Williams on demonic forces in the Church of England
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has advanced his ideas on evil and demonic culture, which he sees in the world today. In an interview with Freddie Sayers, CEO and executive editor of Unherd, he said the demonic in America is “the erosion of standards of truthfulness in public life and the normalisation of violence in word and deed”. He believes there are malign forces in the universe and that people can be manipulated and exploited by destructive forces. A discussion then followed over the Church of England, where he said he was worried about a church “too preoccupied with strategy — with schemes for solving problems — and not preoccupied enough with its own integrity as a community of witness and prayer.” He was asked whether the CofE had become overly bureaucratised and whether this was demonic. And he said: “In a word, yes”, explaining that the diabolical is a “pull to the destructive and towards a kind of idolatry of the self and the corporate self and its well-being and security and control.” His latest book is Solidarity: The Work of Recognition.
Walks on St George’s Day to reclaim the flag as a symbol of unity
Around a dozen events emphasising unity and peace between different communities in England, took place across the nation yesterday, on St George’s Day. In London, around 50 people waving flags and holding posters saying “Faiths United” and “England United” (pictured), walked from St John’s Wood church in Regent’s Park, to the nearby Liberal Jewish synagogue and then London Central mosque. The Guardian reports that Maurice Ostro, organiser of the events and founder patron of the Faiths Forum for London, said people used to laugh at him for his extensive interfaith work, but now, amid rising antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, the jokes have stopped.
Russell Brand’s book on how to become a Christian in seven days
Russell Brand, born again Christian who is due to stand trial on charges of rape in October this year, has announced that he will stand for election as Mayor of London, in the May 2028 election. He denies all charges against him. This news was conveyed in an interview with Tucker Carlson on his YouTube channel, during which they prayed together and Brand read Bible passages. In the interview, he also announced that his book “How to Become a Christian in Seven Days,” is to be released on 12 May this year, published by the newly formed Tucker Carlson Books. Interview is here
Documentary explores supernatural events and explanations
A US survey suggests that 48 per cent of Americans have received a miraculous answer to prayer and 35 per cent have witnessed or experienced a divine healing. They survey by the American Bible Society and Christian Broadcasting Network News, has been published alongside a documentary “Investigating the Supernatural: Angels and Demons”, which “explores the evidence for supernatural phenomena through rigorous investigation, compelling personal testimony, and theological exploration”. It is available behind a paywall here.
Nicole Kidman explains why she became a death doula
Nicole Kidman has been explaining why she decided to become a death doula, helping someone through the last stage of life, revealing that it was her experience of her mother’s death in 2024 that prompted her decision. She said her mother felt lonely as she passed away and saw the need for someone to sit with the dying person offering solace and care. She said: “It’s a really fascinating — It’s very beautiful and you have to be a certain personality to be able to do it, but I found out that I’m actually that personality.”
Residents in St Austell want to remove Earth Goddess sculpture
An overwhelming majority of the residents in St Austell have said they want to remove an eleven metre high ceramic sculpture named “Earth Goddess” from the town centre. They were asked their opinion in a survey by the Town Team, an organisation seeking the regeneration of the town, which has high retail vacancy rates of between 15 and 20 per cent and is experiencing economic decline. The sculpture, made of brightly coloured circles of clay, was put up in 2020 designed to point to the town’s link to china clay, but it was controversial from the start, with seven religious leaders objecting to its name. Although it has a minority of supporters, 90 per cent of those polled said it was out of place and suggested it be moved out of the town centre. The local MP admitted it was “not much loved”. BBC report here.
