Arson attack on Jewish ambulances in London:
Arson attack on four Jewish charity ambulances investigated by counter terrorist police
An arson attack on four Jewish charity-owned ambulances in Golders Green, north London, is being investigated by counter-terrorist police and treated as an antisemitic hate crime. CCTV footage from the early hours on Monday morning, shows three men dressed in black running to the vehicles which then exploded in flames. Met Police say they aware that an Iran-aligned group, Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (The Islamic Movement of the People of the Right Hand), claimed responsibility on their Telegram social media channel. Inquiries are continuing. Machzike Hadath Synagogue
PM says it was a “horrific antisemitic attack”
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the incident happened at a time of “soaring antisemitism” and the government said it stood with the Jewish community and would “fight relentlessly to rid our society of antisemitism.” The Prime Minister said it was a “horrific antisemitic attack” and he met Jewish community leaders to discuss the incident. The Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the attack was “a particularly sickening assault – not only on the Jewish community, but on the values we share as a society”. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies, said the attack is in the context of rising antisemitism around the world: “This is a threat not just to the Jewish community but to our societies as a whole”.
Ambulance appeal raises £1million in 24 hours
The company that runs the ambulances, Hatzola, is a non-profit, volunteer organisation established in 1979 to provide pre-hospital emergency medical response and transportation at no cost, to the North London community. Within 24 hours, an appeal raised more than £1million to replace the ambulances. The Health Secretary Wes Streeting promised the government would provide temporary replacements and fund them permanently in the long term.
Archbishop of Canterbury installation in Canterbury tomorrow
How ‘Leading Women’ CofE mentoring group helped Sarah Mullally to high office
Dame Sarah Mullally’s installation as Archbishop of Canterbury tomorrow, might never have happened without the work of an important, but little-known, organisation in the Church of England. The “Leading Women” organisation mentored many women — including Dame Sarah — to take up leadership roles in the Anglican church. Its aim was to ensure that women would not be overlooked because they lacked the leadership skills needed to be taken seriously as candidates for the episcopacy. Dame Sarah was in the programme from 2012-13, when she was a team rector in Sutton. She became a bishop in 2015. The group was mentioned by Prof Andrew Atherstone in his biography of Dame Sarah. Catherine Pepinster reports for us here
Archbishop of Canterbury installation backgrounders and links:
The order of service for the archbishop’s installation has been published here. There is more information and aanswers to frequently asked questions about the proceedings. The installation can be viewed live on BBC1 and on the Church of England’s YouTube channel here. On our website you will find:
- Timeline: the six month road to Canterbury, from election to installation, as Sarah Mullally prepared for the top job, including confirmation at St Paul’s Cathedral, making an oath of allegiance to the King, meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales, and going on a six day pilgrimage to Canterbury. Timeline is here. It includes links to our briefings and articles including:
- 3 October 2025: Religion Media Centre briefing: Courage and pastoral care – gifts of Sarah Mullally, first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Synod watchers and commentators respond to the news that Sarah Mullally had been chosen to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury >>
- 4 February 2026: RMC Briefing on the new Archbishop of Canterbury and the challenges of a divided church with guests including authors Tim Wyatt and Prof Andrew Atherstone >>
- Factsheet on women bishops in the Anglican Communion >>
Other news:
Cafod urges immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank amid continuing violence
The aid agency Cafod is urging an end to violence in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, which they say has increased in intensity because of the regional war. CAFOD’s representative for the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, Elizabeth Funnell, said “Palestinians’ lives are increasingly restricted, with people finding it difficult to go to work, farm their land or access essential services”. She says footage has emerged of “Israeli settlers raiding Palestinian villages, throwing stones, and setting fire to homes and vehicles”, and quotes a local partner saying there have been around 10 attacks on Palestinians a day. She says whole communities are being displaced from their homes and lands, the humanitarian situation is dire, and the need for unrestricted access to aid is still a huge issue. Cafod cannot stay silent and says there must be an immediate return to peace.
Warm tributes at funeral of the Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson
The funeral has taken place of the Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson, who died aged 64 on 3 March, less than a month after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. His widow, Beverley, is vicar of All Saints Guildford, and led the prayers with their daughter, and all four children took part with readings and music. Tributes were paid to his musicianship – he played the piano and composed choral works – and to his warm character which has made his loss keenly felt. He was evangelical by tradition and well known by Lutheran Churches of Scandinavia and the Church of Nigeria, where he occasionally preached. He trained at Ridley Hall in Cambridge, where he met the now Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, who gave the address, and spoke of the shock at his untimely death among close friends, the diocese and his family left behind. The service was led by the Bishop of Dorking, now acting Bishop of Guildford, Paul Davies, and in a poignant moment, the Dean held Bishop Andrew’s crozier high and placed it on the altar as the service drew to a close.
Priest who ran “Boys Town” inspiring Oscar winning film, is on the road to sainthood
The priest whose work with at risk young people formed the plot of “Boys Town”, an Oscar winning 1930s film, is on the road to being declared a saint. Pope Leo has proclaimed the virtues of Fr Edward Joseph Flanagan, officially declaring him “venerable”, a step towards sainthood. Fr Flanagan migrated to the USA from Ballymore, in Ireland, and provided shelter for homeless men, and mentoring to boys in the juvenile justice system, based at a farm near Omaha, named Boys Town. His work was depicted in the 1938 film of the same name, starring Spencer Tracy as a heroic Flanagan and Mickey Rooney as one of the boys in his care. Tracy won an Oscar. Associated Press report here.
