Evangelical Anglicans told: Don’t be too hasty about leaving the CofE
The Evangelical Alliance is urging evangelicals within the Church of England “not to cop out too early” in their dispute over same-sex blessings, which were agreed in principle at the last General Synod. Gavin Calver, who leads the multi-denominational Evangelical Alliance, says it is supporting evangelicals who find the CofE stance challenging, some of whom may join the organisation for unity with others who share their views. He was speaking in a wide ranging interview with Roger Bolton for the Religion Media Centre’s Big Interview series, where he explained his views on the Bible that “every word is true”, marriage is between a man and woman, the reasons for growth in evangelicalism in the UK, the duty to speak out on public policy for example the Illegal Migrant Bill, and why all faith paths do not lead to heaven. Listen to the podcast here Read our report here
The Rev Richard Coles leaves Saturday Live this weekend
The Rev Richard Coles will present his last Saturday Live programme on BBC Radio 4 this weekend after 12 years, as the programme production moves from London to Cardiff. The Guardian explains that the BBC announced his departure on Tuesday night in an email to journalists including the content of this week’s show. Richard Coles said: “If you leave a programme after 12 years, a gentler process would have been nice. But what happens happens. It just feels a little bit rushed. I’d rather have had a longer goodbye to listeners.” He said he was happy doing the show which had gone from strength to strength and he would have preferred the programme to stay in London.
Ramadan advice for Muslim football players and officials
Football officials across the Premier and Football League have been given instructions to help Muslim players during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, which started yesterday, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset when the fast is broken. For football games that run over sunset, players will be allowed to use natural stoppages in play to take fluids, snacks or energy gels. Players have told the Liverpool Echo that playing and training in Ramadan is not easy, with special attention to timing of sessions and rests factored in.
Man in custody after two elderly Muslim men set on fire
A man has been charged with attempted murder after two elderly Muslims were attacked in Edgbaston and Ealing, and set on fire as they left their mosques after prayer. Mohammed Abbkr, aged 28, from Edgbaston in Birmingham, was remanded in custody and will appear in court again on 29 April. He is alleged to have sprayed a substance on the two men and set it alight
200 Ukraine monks to be evicted for “promoting” Russia
Two hundred Orthodox monks at the Pecherska Lavra (Monastery of the Caves) in Ukraine, are to be evicted by Wednesday next week after accusations that they have promoted the “ideology of a Russian space”. The monastery is part of the Moscow aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church and has appealed to President Zelensky for protection. The new independent Ukraine Orthodox church, aligned to Constantinople, said it had tried to persuade the remaining leaders of the Moscow aligned church to end its link to Russia, to no avail. The Moscow based Russian Orthodox church led by Patriarch Kirill has supported Putin and the war in Ukraine.
Archbishops say the coronation is a mission opportunity
The Church of England has published a range of resources for the King’s coronation in May. It includes prayers, special forms of worship and advice on community events such as the Big Lunch. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York say the centre of the coronation is a Christian service in which the King will be anointed. They hope this is a moment for people to hear the Christian call of service and the weekend “presents a unique missional opportunity for the Church”.
