Pope Leo and Archbishop Sarah Mullally pray together at the Vatican
Pope Leo and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, prayed together in the Chapel of Urban VIII in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, saying the grace together. Their meeting was an indication of continuing unity talks, and a historic moment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury prayed side by side with a Pope. The Catholic church is opposed to women’s ordination and the Pope acknowledged that new problems had been added onto “historically divisive issues.” But he vowed to continue talks about unity, saying: “It would also be a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear”. Dame Sarah said it was a joy to be welcomed by the Pope, praised him for speaking out about peace and injustice, gave thanks for the Anglican Centre in Rome which promotes unity, committed to telling a story of hope and working for the common good, and said she would be united with the Pope in prayer in the years to come. The archbishop is on a four day visit to Rome and her time with the Pope was private, talking for an hour before their prayer in the chapel. She gave the Pope an antique edition copy of ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ by Cardinal Newman, a Peruvian retablo artwork depicting the nativity scene and a jar of Lambeth Palace honey. Times report here.
Progressive Judaism explores divided views on Zionism and Israel
The Movement for Progressive Judaism has produced a book outlining and welcoming different views of Zionism and the state of Israel among its members, so there can be wide discussion of ideas that can be “wrestled with”. The book,Progressive Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel, is a compilation of essays by 40 rabbis and lay leaders who addressed the book launch last night. It doesn’t hold back on criticising Israeli government policies and actions since the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. One explained that the Movement is founded on universalism and the pursuit of social justice, which means “there is serious work to do with Israel today”. Another said there are two key challenges for the community – dealing with antisemitism and “how Judaism can survive in a world where Jews are the ones who sometimes do cruel things”, describing “crimes that most of us find unconscionable”. Another said it was possible to be both a passionate Zionist and deeply critical of the nation’s actions and policies. The conduct of the Israeli government has split the community, with a rabbi describing their work as like a tug of war with opposing views on Israel within the congregations. It is said that Judaism is “polyvocal”, but the Movement’s co-leader Rabbi Josh Levy said for all 40 authors, “there is a real sense of love and commitment for Israel” and a reflection of the diversity of the Zionist movement. This is the first book produced by the Movement, designed to provoke debate and thought leadership. More information here.
Progressive Christianity ‘making a comeback’ in the USA
Progressive Christianity in America, submerged by MAGA evangelicalism in recent years, is making a comeback, according to Bill McKibben, a US academic in environmental studies at Middlebury College in Vermont, who has argued the case in The Guardian. He says “Christianity is always journalistically represented by evangelicalism”, with pictures of the laying on of hands on Donald Trump, talk of apocalyptic times and God on the side of the United States in the war in Iran. But he says the church, known for decades for peace, liberation and social justice, is fighting back, with clergy against ICE raids, and the Pope taking issue with the president’s protestations about war and peace. The arguments are “providing a theological education to the public at large… It’s good for everyone to be reminded that the Christian tradition is powerful, radical and subversive.” Article is here.
Abbot warns Holy Land risks becoming a Christian Disneyland
A Benedictine abbot has warned that the Holy Land risks becoming a “Christian Disneyland” as local Christian communities continue to decline. Dom Nikodemus Schnabel said Christians now make up less than two per cent of the population, citing war, economic hardship and emigration. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, he warned that historic sites could become “empty symbols” without living communities. “There is no Christmas without Bethlehem, no Easter without Jerusalem,” he said. Jerusalem’s Christian presence remains diverse, with 13 Churches sharing key sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. But he cautioned that the region risks losing families and everyday Christian life.
Retiring bishop returns to being a parish priest
The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, is to go back to being a parish priest after he retires from his role at the end of May. He will move to the parish of St Peter’s, Folkestone, which is under the care of a “flying bishop”, the Bishop of Richborough, appointed to care for churches opposed to women’s ordination. He said he’s looking forward to spending time on the south coast. Sussex World report here.
Appeal against ban on amplification of street preaching in Colchester
Christian Concern has taken up the case of the Bread of Life Community Church in Colchester, Essex, which has been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) that could criminalise its pastor and members for preaching in Colchester city centre. It says “This is believed to be an unprecedented use of public‑order powers against a whole church, rather than individual Christian street preachers and further seeking to criminalise the content of the message rather than just the manner of preaching.” The CPN prohibits the church’s use of amplification during its weekly preaching on the street. The church denies acting unlawfully and is appealing the decision in a case ot be heard by magistrates on 1 May. The appeal is supported by the Christian Legal Centre.
UK’s first Muslim women’s rugby team ‘launched this summer‘
Richmond rugby player Zainab Alema has announced plans to launch what could be the UK’s first Muslim women’s rugby team. The side, provisionally called Muslimah Rugby, is expected to debut in a 10-a-side friendly in London later this summer. Alema, formerly of the Premiership Women’s Rugby, said the initiative aims to create an inclusive entry point for Muslim women in a sport where they are under-represented. Backed by Richmond RFC and drawing interest from the Rugby Football Union, the project has already received strong community support, with Alema hoping to build a lasting pathway into the game. Report by Aisha Rimi for Hyphen Online here.
