Church pays tribute to missionary found dead in Athens suitcase
Elisabeth-Jane Ross, the young woman whose body was found in a suitcase in an abandoned building in Athens, was a Christian missionary working with a refugee support group in the city. Her pastor at City on a Hill church in Edinburgh has paid tribute to her, saying she had been a church member for 20 years. The police have arrested 26-year-old Sharif Ahmadzai on suspicion of murder with intent, robbery and weapons offences, and he is expected to appear in court in Athens today. Reports suggest he was born in Afghanistan and fled after being orphaned, arriving in Greece as a teenager and becoming a champion boxer. He was converted to Christianity and married a US citizen and devout Christian, Alaina Hall, who is not implicated in the crime and has given evidence to the police. Together, they had set up a Christian based charity helping refugees.
Prof David Miller unfair dismissal decision upheld on appeal
An employment tribunal decision that former University of Bristol academic, Professor David Miller, was wrongfully dismissed over his antizionist beliefs, has been upheld on appeal. He was sacked over his views and criticism of Israel, on the ground he did not meet the university’s standards of behaviour. He successfully appealed against his sacking in 2024 and claimed unfair dismissal, breach of contract and discrimination or victimisation on the grounds of religion or belief. A university spokesperson said they were “disappointed” with the findings of the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Emergency meeting over ‘threat of Israeli takeover’ around al-Aqsa mosque
The Guardian reports that Jordan is convening an emergency meeting today over what it says is an imminent threat of an Israeli takeover of the compound around al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock. It follows incursions of religious extremists to the site where they pray and perform rituals, in violation of an 1868 treaty, overseen by Jordan, by which only Muslims can pray there. The article quotes Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, saying that tampering with the status quo could trigger a religious conflict into the whole Muslim world. He will host the meeting with his counterparts from Arab League countries, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan. Report is here
Muslim graves targeted in Huddersfield
The Huddersfield Council of Mosques says it is deeply concerned at the rise of anti-Muslim hatred in the Almondbury area, after graffiti was daubed on a prayer sign at a burial ground, and dogs have defecated on Muslim graves. Its secretary,Imam Mohammed Abubakar, said the sign was a message of compassion which made the graffiti more upsetting. A local resident told the Yorkshire Post that visitors were “taking their dogs to defecate” next to Muslim headstones and there were other threats of violence towards people and places of worship so that mosques had to have more security. West Yorkshire Police say patrols have been increased in the area to identify those involved.
Archbishop calls for peace in Cameroon as her visit to west Africa ends
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has called for peace in Cameroon, on the final day of her visit to west Africa. Cameroon has been embroiled in an armed conflict since 2016, when protests by English-speaking communities over alleged marginalisation escalated into a separatist insurgency that has killed more than 6,500 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. The Anglican Church has been on the frontline of the conflict, with congregations forced to move, schools disrupted and clergy ministering in areas of violence, while repeatedly calling for dialogue and reconciliation. At a farewell service in Yaoundé, Dame Sarah said the people of Cameroon “have suffered for far too long” and called for “genuine and inclusive dialogue” that leads to peace. She said dialogue needs everyone around the table and this requires courage and commitment at every level of society, particularly those in authority.
Director of Laudato Si Research Institute awarded Oxford University professorship
Professor Celia Deane-Drummond, Director of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute at Campion Hall, Oxford, has been awarded the title of Professor of Contemporary Catholic Theology, by the University of Oxford. The honour recognises her career shaping contemporary Catholic theology, bringing together theology, ecology, ethics and the biological sciences. She is a founding Director of the Research Institute and is regarded as one of the world’s leading Catholic theologians working at the intersection of theology and the natural sciences. Campion Hall and the LSRI are both Jesuit institutions in Oxford, and Jesuits UK says this is a proud moment for the wider Jesuit community as well as for Professor Deane-Drummond herself.
Vermont clergy abuse survivors can claim against church property
Survivors of clergy abuse in the Vermont Catholic Diocese are being allowed to sue for an estimated half-billion dollars in parish assets, to fund settlements. A court has ordered that they can pursue financial holdings and local property and possessions of nearly 70 parishes held in trust. The order simply allows people to file a legal claim to determine whether they are entitled. Claims will be made unless settlement can first be reached with the diocese.
Apostolic Nuncio honours the founder of the Jesuits
Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, led a Mass in London, on the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. He was educated by the Jesuits, and revealed that he turns to Ignatian discernment when facing important decisions and uses the Ignatian method of Gospel contemplation in his own daily prayer. The service was held at Farm Street Church in Mayfair, a historical centre for Jesuits in Britain. There are more than 100 Jesuit priests and brothers in Britain, working as parish priests, chaplains, teachers, academics, writers, doctors, spiritual directors, and artists.
