Pope Leo gives robust theological defence of Vatican Two
Pope Leo has highlighted the importance of the liturgical reform enacted by the Second Vatican Council, which encouraged greater participation of the congregation in liturgy. Mass was allowed to be celebrated in local languages rather than predominantly in Latin, priests were encouraged to face the congregation, and new forms of music found their way into the liturgy as congregations became more involved. The Pope, speaking in the final reflection of a series on the documents of Vatican Two, gave a theological defence of the reform, saying it was “firmly rooted in the living tradition of the Church” and liturgy has always developed and changed. Traditionalists argue that Vatican Two was a rupture with tradition and last month, the Society of St Pius X, a movement founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre who rejected aspects of Vatican Two including liturgy, went ahead with unauthorised consecrations of bishops, an act which the Vatican said was schism. Those involved were excommunicated.
New CofE Chief Education Officer is civil servant Charlie Lang
Charlie Lang, a civil servant at the Department of Education, has been appointed as the next chief education officer for the Church of England and chief executive of the National Society for Education. He will lead one of the country’s largest education networks, in 41 dioceses, with 4,700 Church schools educating over one million children, while also supporting education work across the Church in Wales. The Church of England runs a quarter of all primary schools in England, 228 secondary schools and more than 1,500 academies. Charlie Lang has spent more than 20 years at the Department for Education, including oversight in areas of SEND, exclusion and child protection. He has also served in local churches for 20 years and is churchwarden of St Paul’s Shadwell, an HTB church plant. He takes over from Canon Nigel Genders, who held the job for more than a decade.
Exeter cathedral offers voluntary redundancy due to financial deficit
Exeter cathedral has offered voluntary redundancy and reduced working hours as it faces a “significant” financial deficit. It says these measures are to avoid compulsory redundancies. In July, Exeter Cathedral School which had 220 pupils, was closed due to financial pressures, with choristers moving across to Exeter school. Also in July, the Dean, Jonathan Greener, retired aged 65, after nine years in the role. The interim Dean is Stephen Waine, formerly Dean of Chichester Cathedral. The BBC reports that the Cathedral is to review its property portfolio. It has just celebrated its 150th anniversary.
Chicago Catholic priest returns after fifth allegation dismissed
The Rev Michael Pfleger, a campaigning Catholic priest from Chicago, has had his fifth accusation of sexual abuse dismissed by the church and he has been immediately re-instated. Pfleger has faced five allegations of sexual abuse since 2021, involving incidents alleged to have taken place between the 1970s and 1990s. Three men came forward in connection with allegations dating from the 1970s, followed by a further allegation in 2022 and a fifth, involving a former female pupil, in July this year. Church investigations found all five allegations unsubstantiated. He has spoken out on social justice issues such as anti-gun violence, and he has criticised Donald Trump. At a news conference after the latest dismissal, he said he would not be silenced. It was no coincidence, he said, that two weeks before the latest accusation, he called out Trump “for his wickedness and never ending flood of lies”.
Faith leaders protest Hindu nationalist leader’s New York visit
Faith leaders and human rights groups have organised protests in New York ahead of a visit this weekend by Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who is expected to address thousands of people at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The RSS is the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, himself a lifelong member of the organisation. Founded a century ago, the RSS promotes Hindutva, an ideology centred on the idea of India as a Hindu civilisation. Critics say the movement has fostered intolerance and discrimination against religious minorities. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for sanctions against RSS members and Indian officials it says are responsible for violations of religious freedom. But the RSS rejects accusations of intolerance, describing itself as a cultural movement dedicated to Hindu unity, and saying that its critics are promoting anti-Hindu prejudice.
Rohingya refugees demand their safe return home to Myanmar
Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, now living in Bangladesh, have held a rally to demand their safe return home. The Rohingya are predominantly Muslim and in 2017, an insurgent group launched an attack on security posts in Rakhine State, complaining of discrimination. The Buddhist-majority Myanmar state launched a brutal crackdown which is described as “Rohingya Genocide Day.” Hundreds of thousands fled over land and sea and now more than one million live in refugee camps. The security situation in Rakhine (also known as Arakan) remains volatile, but the Associated Press quotes Rohingya refugee leader Sayed Ullah saying: “We cannot stay here for 50 years. Given the current situation in Arakan, we need to determine how an environment conducive to peace can be created”. Fifteen countries, including the UK, have said that the escalating conflict in Rakhine does not “allow for voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation.”
Charity Commission reviews decision on Israel property event at London synagogue
Jewish News reports that the Charity Commission is reviewing its decision to issue guidance to the trustees of Edgware United Synagogue in relation to a “Great Israeli Real Estate” event in the building in June, which advertised properties for sale in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians asked the Commission to consider the actions of trustees in allowing the event to be held, and Jewish News understands that after issuing guidance, the case was closed. But the ICJP has raised further concerns and now the Charity Commission has confirmed a review of its earlier decision. A spokesperson for the synagogue has said: “This was a third-party hire and event organisers had confirmed to us in writing beforehand that all properties being marketed were legal in English law.” Organisers of the event told Jewish News that properties listed in the brochure, in the ‘disputed territories’ such as Givat Zeev or Kfar Eldad, was an error for which they apologise.
Hare Krishna monk turned punk rocker brings his band to London
The Guardian tells the story of Hare Krishna devotee and punk rocker Ray “Raghunath” Cappo, who is bringing his band Shelter to London in November, more than 30 years after he helped pioneer the musical movement “Krishnacore”. Cappo, who explored Christianity and Buddhism before travelling to India to become a Krishna monk, sees his music as part of his spiritual calling. Inspired by the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, he concluded that he should not abandon punk but integrate his faith with what he loved doing. Shelter combined punk with Krishna chants, Hindu imagery and lyrics based on the Gita. Records, albums and gigs followed during the 1990s and “krishnacore” bands spread across the world. Today, Cappo teaches yoga and maintains his spiritual life, alongside his music. He said his life combining punk and devotion to Krishna is about “pursuing what you love in a way that connects you to your own enlightenment and the enlightenment of others”.
Pope makes it onto Vanity Fair’s ‘best dressed’ list
Vanity Fair has put Pope Leo on its “best dressed” list, after he was pictured wearing his papal cassock with Nike trainers and a baseball cap. He is listed in the “Originals” category, alongside the likes of Spike Lee, Björk and Rosalía, which credits “the most outlandish and innovative dressers [who] keep things interesting and are full of surprises.” Vanity Fair says: “What the people in this list have in common is that when it comes to personal style, they have it in spades — that and a singular point of view.” On Pope Leo, it explains: “Even prior to the papacy, Leo, FKA Father Bob, took his modest cream cassock to heavenly heights by pairing them with Nikes”. And on his fashion claim to fame, it says: “Leo has kept his sense of wry casualness, sometimes sporting baseball caps”. Vanity Fair article and pic here.
