Day 19: War in the Middle East
UN secretary-general, António Guterres said there were clear violations of international law in Gaza and that the “appalling attacks” by Hamas cannot justify the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people” – Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, called on him to resign immediately. The freed 85-year-old Israeli hostage, Yocheved Lifschitz, shook hands with her captor and said shalom as she left his control, but then revealed she had been through hell. Palestinian officials say 700 people were killed in the past 24 hours.
Palestinian Christians “horrified” at western Christian support for Israel
An open letter from Palestinian Christians says they “watch with horror the way many western Christians are offering unwavering support to Israel’s war against the people of Palestine” and calls on those who voice uncritical support for Israel to repent. The letter says: “We are disturbed by the silence of many church leaders and theologians when it is Palestinian civilians who are killed. We are also horrified by the refusal of some western Christians to condemn the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine, and, in some instances, their justification of and support for the occupation”. The letter is signed by twelve Christian organisations including Kairos Palestine.
Anglicans in Palestine say the Archbishop of Canterbury does not understand threat to their existence
The Church Times reports a letter from Palestinian Christians in the West Bank saying the Archbishop of Canterbury is not listening to their experience when he makes public pronouncements on the Israel / Gaza war. The report quotes the letter from Christians in Ramallah and Birzei, who say their identity as Anglicans and Palestinians has been “under constant attack ever since the onset of the Israeli State”. They would expect their existence to be more publicly supported by the Archbishop and for the church to condemn the denial of their rights rather than “attempt to create a balance between the oppressed and the oppressor”. They describe the situation in Palestine as “a genocide of the Palestinian people and a serious threat to extinguish the Christian presence”. Church Times article here
Scotland’s first minister and faith leaders commit to continuing good relations despite the war
Jewish and Muslim faith leaders in Scotland have issued a joint statement with the First Minister, Humza Yousaf, denouncing hate crime and vowing to work together. As Islamophobia and antisemitism rise after the breakout of war in the Middle East, the statement reaffirms a commitment to continuing dialogue and says they are proud of a strong inter-faith tradition in Scotland: “We will continue to work together to foster community cohesion and goodwill across Scotland, so that everyone can live in safety”.
Synagogue attendance in Britain doubles after Hamas attacks
The Jewish Chronicle reports attendance doubling at their Friday night services since the Hamas attack on Israel. Sam Heller, from Alyth (North Western Reform Synagogue) in Temple Fortune, north London, said people sat in the foyer, on children’s chairs and stood, as they ran out of service sheets and books. She told the JC the service was “exactly what everybody needed”, a sense of connection with community, and it was profoundly moving.
Other news
Catholic bishop urges Sunak to do more on climate change
The Catholic bishop of Salford, John Arnold, has written to the Prime Minister urging him to take further action on climate change and better champion existing measures to limit carbon emissions. The bishop takes the lead on environment issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and with the letter, he enclosed a copy of the Pope’s latest document urging action on climate change, called Laudate Deum. He said the government should assume a global leadership role to ensure commitments made at the global COP conferences are kept.
Conmen pretending to be priests swindling money for sacraments in California
Spanish-speaking conmen posing as Catholic priests have been charging people in California hundreds of dollars to celebrate sacraments, teach classes and issue certificate. The Christian Post reports that the Catholic diocese of Stockton, near San Francisco, is warning that the men assumed the identities of two serving priests and employ intimidation tactics against anyone questioning their identity or authority, often threatening legal action for defamation. The conmen are reportedly charging $600 per home visit plus $70 for each child they bless. Also they ask for birth certificates, amid suspicion they will be used for human trafficking or identity theft.
Polish Catholic bishop resigns after reports of gay orgy
The Pope has accepted the resignation of a Polish bishop after reports of a sex party involving a male prostitute in a priest’s apartment and previous violent incidents involving his clergy. Bishop Grzegorz Kaszak, of the diocese of Sosnowiec, in southwestern Poland, is only 59 – the normal retirement age is 75. The Associated Press reports that a priest in the diocese was placed under criminal investigation for an incident in his flat at the end of August, involving sex, drugs and a medical collapse, described in the papers as a gay orgy.
Major Billy Graham Evangelistic Association conference in Berlin next year
Premier Christian News reports that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is planning a major conference in Berlin next year, involving more than a thousand church leaders. It follows earlier Europe wide gatherings run by the organisation from 1966 and this time is open only by invitation to people with European citizenship who are actively engaged in ministry in Europe. The report quotes Dr Per Ewert, Director of the Swedish Christian think tank, The Clapham Institute saying in an age of secular individualism, it was crucial to preach the gospel “in a culture in need of moral and spiritual foundations, peace, and agape love.”
Antisemitism ruled out as motive for Detroit synagogue president killing
Police in Detroit say there is no evidence that the stabbing to death of a 40 year old synagogue president outside her home, was an antisemitic attack. Samantha Woll was known for her interfaith work and was a campaign staffer for Attorney General Dana Nessel and the former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
