Scotland consults over regulating water cremation
The Scottish government has launched a series of consultations on burials and burial law, including the regulation of Alkaline Hydrolysis – water cremation. Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, said there is public support for the introduction of “new, environmentally friendly alternatives” in Scotland and alkaline hydrolysis is already in use in some countries including Ireland, Canada and the USA. Its regulation would be similar to measures governing the disposal of ashes, with safeguards to ensure high standards. She said water cremation would be an additional choice, not a replacement, and many people would not consider it suitable for them or aligned with their beliefs. She said: “Scotland is the first UK nation to pursue a statutory regulatory regime for the funeral sector” and England, Northern Ireland and Wales may follow suit.
Sharia compliant student finance promised in England for 2025
Muslim students will be able to access sharia compliant student finance in England after 2025 with an Alternative Student Finance scheme. Muslims cannot lend or receive money with the expectation of benefit from interest, as wealth can only be generated through legitimate trade and investment in assets. This has prevented Muslims from taking out interest-bearing loan. But the new scheme will use the Islamic finance principle of Takaful, a co-operative form of repayment, which means students apply for an alternative payment for their tuition fees and living costs and after their studies, they will repay contributions to a fund that will only be used to help future students access the scheme. Islam Channel explains that the UK Government first proposed a student finance product consistent with Muslim beliefs in 2013 and there have been consistent campaigns to get something done. The new scheme will come in in 2025 and still requires more legislation.
Pope praises tradition of religious tolerance in Mongolia
Pope Francis ends his four day trip to Mongolia today, inaugurating The House of Mercy, a Catholic run centre for people needing help, especially women and children fleeing domestic abuse. It was an historic visit to a small Catholic community of 1,450 people, which only took root in the 1990s after Communist rule ended. He praised Mongolia’s tradition of religious tolerance and presided over an interfaith event with Mongolian shamans, Buddhist monks, Muslim, Jewish, Shinto leaders and a Russian Orthodox priest, saying religious traditions have potential for the benefit of society as a whole. They outlined their beliefs and described the Mongolian round shaped yurt as a symbol of harmony. The visit has been observed as an indication of the relationship with Mongolia’s neighbours, Russia and China, which has tightened control on religious groups amid a tense bilateral agreement over the appointment of Catholic bishops, a pact which was broken in April when China unilaterally declared a bishop was transferring diocese. At Mass on Sunday, he invited two Chinese bishops to stand with him at the altar – Cardinal John Tong Hon, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ, bishop of Hong Kong. Holding their hands high, he sent greetings to the “noble people of China”, encouraged the people to strive ahead and the Catholics to be good Christians and good citizens. Associated Press report here
Pope rehabilitates exiled priest, Teilhard de Chardin
In his homily at Sunday’s Mass, the Pope referred to the Jesuit theologian Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who was exiled by the church to the district of Tiantsin, China, where he continued his work as a palaeontologist. The Vatican accused him of doctrinal error after he challenged the idea of original sin, as he tried to make sense of evolution and the origin of mankind. But Pope Francis said the priest, who had lived not so far from Mongolia around 100 years ago, was often misunderstood, and referred to his interpretation of the eucharist, words replicated in Laudato Si, the encyclical on caring for the planet. The Pope said: “This priest, often misunderstood, had intuited that the Eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the world and is the living centre of the universe, the overflowing core of love and of inexhaustible life”. Journalist Christopher Lamb commented that Pope Francis had completed the rehabilitation of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
Loss of CofE parishes brings warning of death knell for the church
The Telegraph has analysed the figures for Church of England parishes closing and says almost 300 have disappeared in the past five years alone, asserting that this is the fastest rate since records began in 1960. It says that from 2016-2021, 278 parishes disappeared and were either reorganised or merged, leaving a total of 12,232 as compared to 14,491 in 1960. The stats have been seized upon by the Rev Marcus Walker, chair of the Save the Parish campaign, who told The Telegraph this was a “doom loop” and the death knell is ringing for the CofE unless it redirects money and manpower to parish ministry. Responding, the Bishop of Leeds Nick Baines, was asked by the BBC’s Sunday programme if the figures were true, to which he replied that “The Telegraph has form” and said the rate of closures at the moment, compared to the last decade, is the lowest rate for 50 years. The Church of England says it is investing £3.6 billion of Church Commissioners funds in front-line ministry over the next nine years. It provides figures showing the number of consecrated churches closing has decreased in each of the last five decades, from 760 in 1969-1979 to 209 in 2010-2019.
75 per cent of clergy in Times survey backed Remain
The Times poll of almost 1,200 active Church of England clergy, which found a majority accepting of sex outside marriage and backing an end to the teaching that homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture, has also found that 75.4 per cent of respondents backed Remain at the 2016 referendum, compared with 18.8 per cent who voted Leave. Previous surveys show 55 and 66 per cent of Anglicans in the pew supported Brexit. The latest tranche of stats released this weekend showed 36 per cent of priests surveyed back Labour, 17.9 per cent Lib Dems and 13.2 per cent Conservatives. The survey also found that more than 80 per cent opposed the government’s policy of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Highlights of the Chief Rabbi’s ten years in office
The Jewish News offers an appreciation of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, as he passed the tenth anniversary of his appointment, on 1 September. Journalist Jenni Frazer writes that he has always sought to be inclusive and bring in diverse members of the Jewish community.He expanded the role of women and produced the first guide for Orthodox Jewish schools to improve the wellbeing of LGBT+ pupils. He has engaged in public life, supporting the Mitzvah Day event of community giving and launching a programme for Jewish students to learn about issues such as the climate crisis, international development, global public health and the refugee crisis. He has engaged in interfaith dialogue and as a public figure is known for his warm relations with King Charles, giving a blessing on behalf of faith leaders at the coronation.
Magic daisy wheel symbol found carved into 750-year-old Essex inn
Rare daisy wheel hexafoil symbol has been found carved onto a beam in the 750-year-old Shoulder of Mutton tea room, formerly an inn, in Halstead Road, Colchester. The Wild Hunt reports that according to Historic England, the hexafoil is the most common magical symbol found in the eastern part of the country, dating back several hundred years and located on a variety of buildings from farmhouses to churches – and pubs. The report adds that it is an ancient symbol with examples dating from the late Bronze Age, occurring in Europe, Russia and more recently Australia, travelling with British settlers. It has been interpreted as a sun symbol, a thunder wheel, or a sign averting evil. Colchester city council story with pics here
