US Religious Freedom Commission slams European countries’ record on minority rights
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has reported that some EU countries have maintained or implemented laws and policies that restrict the rights of religious minority groups or impact them in a discriminatory manner. Its “Issue Update: Religious Freedom Concerns In The European Union” lists Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium for restrictions on wearing the hijab. “These laws perpetuate the idea that wearing a headscarf is antithetical to a European country’s values and may even represent “extremist” or anti-Western ideologies”, it says, adding that when associated with rhetoric on European values, this contributes to “othering” and anti-immigrant sentiment. It is highly critical of French government funding for the European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects (FECRIS), saying it has “pejoratively labelled some religious associations as “sects” or “cults”. And it criticises the French Inter-Ministerial Mission in the Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Derivatives because it “regularly disparages groups including Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Church of Scientology”.
Jewish leaders say new Israel law diminishing Supreme Court power is deeply disappointing
The Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council have issued a joint statement expressing deep disappointment at a law approved by Israel’s Knesset which removes the power of the Supreme Court to overrule government actions it considers unreasonable. The law has been bitterly contested in Israel where police used water canons against protesters blocking a road, amidst rowdy protests by crowds outside the Knesset. The statement says: “Both the Board of Deputies and the JLC have been supportive of the efforts by President Herzog to find a compromise between supporters and opponents of the proposed judicial reforms and we are deeply disappointed that, at this stage, the efforts have failed. Now that the first law has passed, we plead with Israeli leaders to return urgently to dialogue and to prevent the deepening of a constitutional crisis which will do tremendous damage to the very fabric of Israeli society, its regional security and global status. A Jewish democratic state remains the greatest achievement of the Jewish People in modern times and its preservation and development should be a priority of Jews worldwide.”
Faith Museum opens in the north east on 7 October
The Faith Museum, telling the story of faith in Britain over 6,000 years, opens to the public in Auckland Castle, on 7 October. It is housed in the 14th century wing of the castle and an adjoining 21st century extension. The museum has been developed over ten years, funded by a £12.4 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is part of The Auckland Project, in Bishops Auckland, with historic buildings, gardens, galleries and a heritage railway. The Project says the museum “does not seek to force a definition of faith but rather invites visitors to consider how people across history have described and demonstrated it” and all visitors are welcome, whether they identify as religious, spiritual, or neither. Artefacts include the Gainford Stone, a rock of carved prehistoric art; the Roman Binchester Ring with Christian symbols – on display for the first time, after being excavated in 2014 from the Roman Fort Vinovium, just one mile away from the museum; the 13th-century Bodleian Bowl, a bronze vessel inscribed with the name of Joseph, son of Rabbi Yechiel, a famous scripture scholar of Paris; a copy of William Tyndale’s English translation of the New Testament from 1536, and a set of 20th-century prayer beads owned by Lord Headley, believed to be the first Briton to have legitimately completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The Guardian reports that a campaign has been launched to bring a 16th-century tapestry commissioned by Henry VIII from Spain to be the centrepiece of the museum. It depicts Saint Paul directing the burning of “the heathen books” and is “effectively the birth certificate of the Church of England”, according to the curator.
CofE abuse survivors say reviews of past cases must be priority
The Church Times reports that survivors of abuse in the Church of England have objected that a plan to bring in Professor Alexis Jay to develop independent safeguarding structures, has been put in place while reviews of past cases remain in limbo. It quotes a Church House spokesperson saying details for dealing with the reviews will be made available this week. There is uncertainty about the process after two members of the Independent Safeguarding Board were sacked in June. Jane Chevous, from Survivors Voices, said the uncertainty was causing significant harm among those whose cases were pending.
CofE appoints group to distribute money addressing historic links with slavery
A group has been appointed to oversee the distribution of a £100 million Church Commissioners investment fund, to “address the shameful wrongs” of the Church of England’s historic links with slavery. It includes two journalists – Alex Renton, author of Blood Legacy, and co-founder of the Heirs of Slavery Group, and Jonathan Guthrie, head of Lex, the Financial Times‘ daily column on global capital. Other members include investment specialists, academics, and activists and the group will be chaired by Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon. Press statement here
Reach PLC diversity group stops activities in protest at Nigel Farage appointment
Reach Culture, a group within Reach PLC which promotes diversity and inclusion, has announced it will stop activities in protest at the appointment of Nigel Farage as a columnist on the Daily Express US. In an email to staff, seen by “Hold the Front Page”, the Reach Culture committee said it had “no choice but to take this firm stance” because Mr Farage’s appointment “runs counter to the principles on which Reach Culture was founded”. It organises training on reporting communities in Britain and promotes the work of staff from minority backgrounds. Nigel Farage said he has a good relationship with the title, which was the first to back leaving the EU in 2014. His column will include “his wisdom on all things US politics, including upcoming twists and turns in the 2024 presidential election”.
Shops shut as Romany Christian festival starts in east Midlands
The Christian Light and Life festival for travellers has opened in Market Harborough, attracting 700 vans on the showground, where people are assembling for Bible study, worship and gospel events. Light and Life is a Romany Pentecostal Christian movement with an estimated 20,000 members. But local papers have reported disquiet among traders who shut up shop last weekend as the travellers arrived for the festival which takes place from Monday to Thursday this week. Leicester Live reports concerns about anti-social behaviour after trouble at a similar event on Rutland showground in Oakham in 2021. An anti-bullying charity nearby issued a statement saying they do not condone hatred towards a community as there is good and bad in each one. A trustee for Light and Life said they were self sufficient, organising everything on site.
