Bishop says Ukrainians remain hopeful for freedom, 35 years on
Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union today. A meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing”, with leaders of more than 30 countries including the UK, France and Germany, is to take place in Kyiv, with several leaders attending in person. 300,000 Ukrainians who fled their homeland when war broke out, have been housed and supported in the UK. Catholic Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, who leads the Ukrainian Catholic community in the UK, has thanked the government and local communities for welcoming refugees and enabling the church to meet locally providing much needed community support. He told the Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4 that the church tries to give people a sense of hope and resilience that things will be OK. He said: “It’s a terrible time for people not knowing what the future can be, but we are hopeful. We pray that the right to freedom and independence and peace will prevail.
Archbishop rejects Russia’s talk of a holy war in Ukraine
The Church of England has shared a message of solidarity with the churches and people of Ukraine. The Bishop of Worcester, Hugh Nelson, who is also bishop to the armed forces, delivered a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, as he joined Ukrainian church leaders, other religious leaders and government officials at the national prayer breakfast in Kyiv yesterday morning. The message renewed the Church of England’s commitment to “stand in prayerful solidarity” with Ukraine and acknowledged the “immense sacrifices” made “in defence of your country, its people and the values of freedom and human dignity”. It also rejected the language of “holy war” used to justify Russia’s attempts to “occupy and subjugate Ukraine”.
Russian Orthodox church to send saint’s relics to front line in Ukraine
The Kremlin is said to be preparing to send the recently discovered holy relics of Dmitry Donskoy, the 14th century grand prince of Moscow and patron saint of Russia’s military police, to Russian troops on the front line of the war in Ukraine. The remains were uncovered at the Kremlin’s Archangel cathedral as workers repaired floor slabs. Putin visited the Cathedral last week and lit a candle in remembrance. The relics will be divided three ways between several churches and the Ukrainian front. Times story here
Protest outside ‘Make Great Britain Christian again’ conference
A conference, “Make Great Britain Christian Again”, was held this weekend at Emmanuel Free Church of England in Morecambe. Speakers included the Rev Brett Murphy, a priest in the conservative Confessing Anglican Church who was formerly the presbyter in charge at Emmanuel. He was removed from that role in 2024 but the church website still describes him as the vicar and trustee. Other speakers included Bishop Cei Dewar of the Confessing Anglican Church and Pastor Chris Wickland of the independent Living Word Church Network in Hampshire. All three have appeared at or supported Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom events. The conference included addresses on the state of the nation, “spiritual warfare prayers” and patriotic hymns including Jerusalem and I Vow to Thee, My Country. Outside, Christians from Better Story protested against what they described as the co-option of Christianity by the far right and its misuse to justify anti-migrant and anti-Muslim sentiment. The Free Church of England bishop overseeing the church, Matthew Firth, said there were “deep and complex problems at Emmanuel Church, Morecambe”.
David Campanale claims £790,000 damages after deselection over Christian views
David Campanale, a former BBC journalist deselected as a Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Sutton and Cheam, is claiming £790,000 damages from the party, according to a report by The Guardian. He is an evangelical Christian opposed to abortion and assisted dying and he was removed in 2022 after local members objected to his views. His replacement, Luke Taylor, went on to win the seat in 2024. The Lib Dems have admitted direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation and breach of contract under the Equality Act 2010. The report says he has issued a “schedule of loss” to the courts, claiming damages for injury to feelings, loss of earnings and related issues; the Lib Dems however have calculated damages closer to £23,000. The report quotes a Lib Dem spokesperson said: “This is an ongoing legal case so it would not be appropriate to comment” but pointed out that three of the neighbouring LibDem MPs are Christians.
New code of conduct for better treatment of singers in churches and synagogues
The Times reports that Equity, the actors’ and entertainers’ union, has drawn up a new code of conduct for better treatment of liturgical singers in churches and synagogues. It follows accusations of drunken abuse, inappropriate comments, low pay, harmful working conditions, bullying, late payments, no travel expenses or travel laid on after midnight masses. Matthew Minter, a member of Equity’s Liturgical Singers Network, who helped to draw up the code, told The Times: “The code celebrates and builds on best practice where it already exists, while also sending a clear signal to engagers about what dignity at work should look like for singers in this area of the profession”. Story here.
Portugal enacts law banning the burka in public
Portugal has enacted a law banning the wearing of the burka in public, with a penalty of a fine ranging from €150 – €3,000. The law also bans forcing someone to cover their face for reasons related to gender, religion, age or origin, and is widely seen as a measure targeting Muslim women following similar laws passed in France, Belgium and Austria. President António José Seguro, who was once in the Socialist Party but stood for election as an independent, is quoted saying “The face must be considered a central element of human identity and communication.” The Telegraph reports that the measure was put forward by the right-wing Chega party, backed by the Social Democratic Party, but left wing groups opposed it warning it could fuel Islamophobia.
Pope urges peace as culture ‘rearms’ minds, words and nations
Pope Leo has given a wide ranging address against war, polarisation and social division, and in robust defence of young Catholics, saying they are a sign of hope for the future. He was speaking in the republic of San Marino, a land locked area of Italy with its own parliament and 35,000 residents. He said Catholics must respond with mercy and peace to a culture which “rearms minds, words and nations”. San Marino was a community characterised by the Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect and communion, a legacy continuing to this day. Associated Press report here.
Families heartbroken after items removed from loved one’s graves
Pocklington Group of Churches in Yorkshire has apologised after ornaments, flowers and teddies were removed from graves at St Martin’s Church in Hayton and dumped in a wheelie bin. Families say they were not warned in advance and were heartbroken that items including a teddy bear beside the grave of a baby who died at birth 23 years ago, statues of doves and a solar butterfly had been removed. Churchyard memorial regulations for the Diocese of York were amended in 2022 and stated items which are not allowed to be placed on a grave including teddy bears, certain ornaments and artificial flowers. Pocklington Group of Churches said responsibility for applying the regulations locally rested with the Parochial Church Council, and the updates were not routinely applied. In a statement they said: “We are sorry that the decision to remove these items was not carried out with the compassion families deserved. Immediate steps are being taken to establish what was removed and whether missing belongings can be located and returned.” A meeting with the affected families will also be held. BBC story here.
