Coronation community events reflect “a consecration to service”
Plans for “The Big Help Out” , a day of mass volunteering on the coronation weekend, were outlined yesterday. Scores of charities have joined the call to coordinate helpers for community activities. At the same time, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York published a pastoral letter saying the coronation is an historic moment and is “essentially a consecration to service”. The Coronation weekend and bank holiday, they say, is aimed at bringing the nation together, a chance to reach out and serve communities, with The Big Help Out and Coronation Big Lunch. For them it is a matter of mission: “We pray this would be a moment for all to encounter afresh the person of Jesus Christ – the servant King – and be renewed in our calling to serve Him by serving others”. The Church of England has produced resources for churches to use in their planning for community events. The Church Times has a report on the Big Help Out here
Pope Francis shows marked improvement
Pope Francis has shown a “marked improvement” in hospital, after being given intravenous antibiotics for a bronchitis infection. The Pope is 86 and was taken in for treatment on Wednesday, after problems breathing, but the hospital says, with his recovery, that he could be released in the coming days. Cardinals have announced that the Pope will not lead services in Holy Week leading up to Easter, but he will be present at, though not lead, the service on Easter Sunday, 9 April. His hospitalisation follows two years of health issues including colon surgery and problems with his knee which led to him to using a wheelchair. Reuters report here
89 per cent of young British Muslims pray regularly at home
UK Muslims aged 16 to 24 are significantly more religious than their British peers, with 89 per cent regularly praying at home and 75 per cent regularly visiting a mosque. The data is from a survey commissioned by hyphenonline.com, a news website for Muslims in Britain and Europe. The vast majority of young Muslims (87 per cent) agreed employers should give time off to celebrate Eid at the end of Ramadan. Just over half of Muslim young people identified as British and Muslim equally. The survey of 2,000 people born between 1996-2005 also found young Muslims and their peers shared similar views, for example on the stability of their personal finances, hopes to buy a home, and optimism that society will tackle climate change.
Pastor disqualified after mismanagement found at Rhema church, Croydon
The Charity Commission has found serious misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the evangelical Rhema Church in Croydon, which has now been wound down. It identified Pastor Martin Phelps as holding the principal controlling role in the administration of the charity, supported by the bookkeeper and said the trustees failed to exercise proper oversight of them. Its investigation found £95,000 was spent on overseas trips which lacked clear charitable purpose; expenses were claimed for such personal outlays as vets’ bills and gym memberships; £225,000 was paid to Mr Phelps to reduce mortgage payments and was given back to the charity; and a tax liability of over £540,000 had to be paid out of the charity’s assets. The Commission disqualified Mr Phelps from being a trustee and/or holding senior management functions with any charity for ten years.
Ukraine Orthodox monastery resists eviction order
Orthodox monks, clerics and laity have resisted an eviction order from the Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv. The complex of chapels, dormitories and catacombs is part of Ukraine’s Orthodox Church which aligns with Moscow and there are claims that Russian operatives are working out of the building. They were given until Wednesday to leave or be evicted, but in the event, nothing happened. Hundreds of worshippers gathered outside the complex to attend Mass and police inspected cars coming and going, but no-one was expelled. The Ukrainian culture minister, Oleksandr Tkachenko, said the authorities would not use force to expel the monks.
£1m more to protect Jewish communities from antisemitism
The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has pledged an increase of £1m in funding on Jewish community security and action on antisemitic crimes, according to a report in the Jewish Chronicle. It says that speaking at the Community Security Trust’s Annual Dinner, the extra funds would include £15 million for protective security measures in synagogues and faith schools. A new Jewish Community Police, Crime and Security Taskforce will be created to enhance efforts to combat antisemitic and violent crime and the Home Secretary will chair a new forum to discuss security concerns, starting this spring.
Home Secretary’s “thinly veiled attack” on Board of Deputies
Jewish News reports that Ms Braverman’s speech was a thinly veiled attack on the Board of Deputies, after they had questioned the illegal migration bill. In a tweet on 8 March they said they had significant concerns that the legislation would breach both the Refugee Convention and the Human Rights Act and said safe routes for asylum seekers would be more effective at reducing the numbers. In her speech, Ms Braverman said: “Communal organisations must transcend lines of political difference if they are to legitimately remain representative of their diverse communities”.
Prof Maggie Atkinson resigns from CofE Safeguarding Board
The chair of the Church of England’s Independent Safeguarding Board, Professor Maggie Atkinson, has resigned. The news was announced in a statement by the Archbishops Council, following complaints about breaches of personal data and a dispute-resolution process involving the professor and the two other board members. Dr Atkinson, honorary professor at the University of Keele, said her decision to resign was based on changing family circumstances and ISB matters. The former Labour MP Meg Munn has been made acting chair until the end of 2023, while continuing as independent chair of the CofE’s National Safeguarding Panel. The Church Times has the full story here
Government review of faith and state relationship explained
Kiran Stacey, political correspondent at The Guardian, has written an explainer of the review into the relationship between state and faith in Britain, which was completed by Colin Bloom, the government’s Faith Engagement Adviser. The explainer says the review’s publication has been delayed multiple times in part because of the Covid pandemic. It makes the point that the report will lay out the positive impact religion played in society during the pandemic, alongside describing the harm. It is said to urge ministers to be “more aggressive in tackling oppression, violence and radicalisation in religious settings”.
Sikh MP defends Indian High Commission protesters
Preet Kaur Gill MP has demanded that an MP who described Sikhs protesting outside the India High Commission in London last week as “terrorists” should correct the record. She was referring to Bob Blackman MP who called for a debate and strong action against the demonstrators saying Britain was “harbouring Khalistani terrorists”. Preet Kaur Gill told the Commons that this language was inappropriate and, while condemning violence, she said many were concerned that an internet and mobile ban in Punjab left them unable to contact relatives. The High Commission demonstration was over police action in the state of Punjab, where police are searching for Amritpal Singh, a self styled preacher who calls for an independent Sikh homeland and is wanted for attempted murder. Yesterday, he released a video saying he is not a fugitive or a criminal, he is not negotiating his surrender and he will soon “appear before the world”.
Hindu celebration of Rama Navami
Hindus have held celebrations for the festival Rama Navami, remembering the birth of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu. The day is marked by special events at Temples, with the reading of stories, praying, singing, fasting and community meals. Swamis and devotees at Neasden Temple observed a ceremony at 12 noon signifying the birth.
