Children’s Commissioner urges support for Religious Education
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has called for more support for religious education in schools, saying it is the one place in the curriculum where young people can discuss “important and exciting philosophical, religious and moral conundrums in safe spaces”. Speaking at an event marking the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, Dame Rachel, a former RE teacher, said the subject helps children understand the different faiths and communities which make up modern Britain. The RE council says the subject has evolved over the last 50 years and must now work with an approach that recognises the complexity of religious and non-religious worldviews in the twenty-first century.
Soul Survivor leaders’ grief over safeguarding allegations
The senior pastor at Soul Survivor, Andy Croft, has issued a statement saying they are now aware of more recent allegations against its founder Canon Mike Pilavachi. Soul Survivor is an evangelical, charismatic movement based in Watford, runs summer camps attracting tens of thousands of young people, and is part of the Church of England. There is an independent national church safeguarding investigation underway into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Canon Pilavachi, and he has stepped aside while the inquiry continues. The latest statement says leaders are aware of the suffering of people who have already come forward and they want people to know “how much this grieves us”. People are encouraged to share what they know with the national safeguarding team. Former members and attendees have taken to social media to express their shock.
President Zelensky’s office denies knowledge of Pope peace talks
The Times reports that a Ukrainian government official has denied any knowledge of Pope Francis’ peace mission. The Pope had spoken of his hopes for peace while on a return flight from Hungary at the weekend. But a CNN report quotes an official close to President Zelensky’s office saying he had not consented to peace efforts on Ukraine’s behalf: “If talks are happening, they are happening without our knowledge or our blessing”. The Times says Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, also said that the Kremlin was unaware of a Vatican peace mission.
British Muslim awards given for community contribution
The 10th British Muslim Awards have been presented in a ceremony organised by Oceanic Consulting. Man of the Year was Amir Malik, founder of the Muslim Golf Association. Creative entrepreneur of the year was Areeb Siddiqui, who founded Kestrl, an organisation helping people with financial decisions within their framework of religious belief. The Community Initiative of the Year went to the Muslim Soorts Foundation, which encourages Muslims to engage in sport. The young achiever of the year was Awais Hussain, a scholar with the Aziz Foundation and founder of Mirpur Heritage, which seeks to preserve the culture of the Mirpur region in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
Chief Rabbi lauds inquisitive and respectful King
The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, has told the Guardian that observant Jews will be lining the streets to watch the coronation. They cannot watch on television because it falls on the Sabbath day when the use of electricity is banned. He said the country was blessed to have a king who respected all faiths – he and his wife are guests of the King at St James’s Palace on the night before the coronation so they can walk to Westminster Abbey on Saturday. The Guardian reports that the Chief Rabbi first met Charles in 2013, and he found the King to be “very inquisitive and very respectful”.
The Queen’s coronation bishops announced
Lambeth Palace has announced that the Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, and the Bishop of Hereford, Richard Jackson, will serve as Bishops Assistant to the Queen during the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey . As previously announced, the Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, and the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Michael Beasley, will serve – by tradition – as Bishops Assistant to the King.
Artificial Intelligence capable of starting new religions
The historian Yuval Noah Harari, has told an international science conference that the world could soon see the first religion that attracts devotees with sacred texts created by artificial intelligence. The Times reports his view that AI systems like ChatGPT had mastered human language so well, it could offer illusionary ideas, controlling and manipulating people. Article is here
Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta is a Canadian lawyer
John Dunlap, 66, a Canadian lawyer who found his vocation caring for AIDS patients in Harlem, has been elected the grand master of the Knights of Malta , the first non-European non-aristocratic head of the ancient lay Catholic order. The Associated Press reports that The Knights of Malta is an ancient chivalric order that runs hospitals and clinics and offers humanitarian aid around the world. It counts 13,500 knights, dames and chaplains, 80,000 permanent volunteers and 42,000 employees, most of them medical personnel. AP says the election ends tumultuous years and a governance crisis, which had forced the Pope to intervene.
Mass marriage in the Unification Church scheduled for this weekend
The Unification Church, otherwise known as The Moonies, or in the USA Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is still operating mass weddings in South Korea and this weekend, 50 couples from around the United States are scheduled to attend a satellite ceremony in Las Vegas, for those unable to attend the main ceremony . The Religion News Service reports that marriage is the main sacrament for the Unification church, where couples dedicate themselves to each other and to God. Couples simultaneously make their vows alongside other couples.
Barbra Streisand awarded $1m prize
Barbra Streisand is to be awarded the annual $1 million Genesis Prize, dubbed the “Jewish Nobel” by Time Magazine. The Jewish Chronicle reports that the prize honours “outstanding professional achievements, contributions to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values”. The actor, singer and activist has raised millions for non-profits and causes over 37 years and in keeping with tradition, she is giving the Genesis prize money to causes promoting the environment, promoting women’s health, combating disinformation in the media, and aiding the people of Ukraine. JC story here
