The vital role of dialogue to combat antisemitism
The Guardian reports on two Muslim / Jewish networks emphasising the importance of building bridges between the faith communities amidst antisemitic attacks and rising Islamophobia. Laura Marks, co-founder of Nisa-Nashim, a Jewish-Muslim women’s network, says while community safety is crucial, the government must also invest in interfaith and cohesion work. Mohammed Amin, co-chair of the Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester, says interfaith work at a local level has a vital role: “If you increase connectivity, you decrease hostility”. Sarah Sackman, the Labour MP for Finchley and Golders Green, writing in The Guardian, says British Jews are tired and scared: “There is a moderate majority in this country that needs to stand up. Not just in solidarity against acts of terrorism, but also against ambient everyday antisemitism.”
Police conclude searches of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Love headquarters in Crewe
The Telegraph carries a report on the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light sect based in Crewe, which was raided by police last week. It reports on the group’s leader Abdullah Hashem Aba, and the reaction of the local community who report living alongside hovering drones and robot guard dogs. The Daily Mail also reported on the group this week, including contents of its social media sites, where miracles are reported. Cheshire police say their searches at the group’s headquarters, Webb House, concluded on Sunday. Ten people were arrested as officers pursued allegations of serious offences involving a woman, who was a member of the group at the time the offences occurred. All have since been released on conditional pending further enquiries, with strict bail conditions which prevent them from returning to the site. The group’s YouTube channel is here and TikTok here.
Evangelical celibate priest sacked for “inappropriate relationship with a man”
Sam Allberry, a British gay celibate evangelical priest now based in the United States, has been “disqualified from gospel ministry” following an “inappropriate relationship with an adult man in 2022”. He has written widely about Christianity and gay relationships, such as: Is God Anti-Gay?; What God Has to Say About Our Bodies; Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?; and 7 Myths about Singleness. Trained as a Church of England vicar, he moved to the US, eventually becoming associate pastor at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee, which is affiliated to the Anglican Church of North America, a conservative off shoot of the Anglican church. A statement by church elders is reported to say his behaviour was“a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel”. The Gospel Coalition says it has begun to remove all of his content from its “website and other content channels”.
Undocumented immigrant from El Salvador becomes Catholic bishop in USA
A man from El Salvador, who entered the United States as an undocumented immigrant, hidden in the boot of a car, has been appointed as the new Catholic bishop of West Virginia. Bishop Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, now 55, moved to the US in 1990 at the age of 20. His family fled during the civil war, and he was shot at, imprisoned in Mexico and crossed a desert before making it into the US at his third attempt. He studied English and worked as a cleaner and builder before training for the priesthood. An auxiliary bishop for three years, he has spoken out against policies toward immigrants and told reporters that he accepted his new role “with great joy and humility”.
US seeking to restore relations with the Vatican after Trump’s outburst against Pope Leo
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, will meet Pope Leo in Rome, after Donald Trump’s aggressive comments on the Pope a few weeks ago. Trump was responding to the Pope’s repeated calls for peace in the US war against Iran, which riled him into saying that Pope Leo was weak and not doing a very good job, followed by posting an image of himself as Jesus healing a man – though he said the image was of a doctor. The US vice-president, JD Vance, followed this up, saying the Vatican should “stick to matters of morality”. It’s been confirmed that Rubio will also meet the Vatican’s secretary of state, Pietro Parolin, and the Italian foreign minister and deputy prime minister. The Italian prime minister, Georgia Meloni, criticised Trump for lashing out – her meeting with Marco Rubio has not been confirmed.
Pope urges support for world press freedom
Sunday was World Press Freedom Day, and Pope Leo urged the faithful to “remember the many journalists and reporters who have fallen victim to wars and violence.” He said freedom of the press is often violated, sometimes blatantly and other times in more hidden ways. The day is promoted by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which says that by “fostering access to reliable information, accountability, dialogue, and trust, press freedom and independent journalism can offer key contributions to peace, economic recovery, sustainable development, and human rights.”
Bahai’s say nearly half their community in Qatar faces expulsion
The Baha’i International Community says that 40 percent of Qatar’s Bahá’í population faces imminent expulsion from the country. It accuses the Qatari government of carrying out a deliberate campaign against Baha’is, with nearly half targeted through “unlawful detention, threats and intimidation, and notifications of non-renewal of work permits, forcing them to leave the country”. It warns that families will be separated and businesses established over decades will close, and is calling on the Qatari government to uphold constitutional guarantees of freedom of belief. There has been no response as yet from the Qatari government.
Liverpool Cathedral says tower fire was not arson
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral has rebutted suggestions that a fire in the tower last Friday was a deliberate attack. Posts on social media made wild speculations as to the cause, but Merseyside Fire and Rescue confirmed it was an electrical fire. There were no injuries and only minor damage. The Cathedral issued a statement saying staff were grateful for the emergency services’ quick response and apologised “for any concern or disruption this incident may have caused”.
An interview with James Orr, Cambridge associate professor and head of policy at Reform UK
James Orr, associate professor in the philosophy of religion at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Divinity and Head of Policy at Reform UK, has given an interview to Tim Stanley at The Telegraph, on the DNA of his party and the Christian affiliation of its leader. The article describes Orr’s house and its grounds which include “a chapel (Book of Common Prayer) made out of an old shipping container”. Tim Stanley continues: “In the CofE, he spies a ‘big gap’ between the pulpit and the pew, the former being expressly political, the latter more interested in religion. ‘The reason I am reluctant to go to a sort of run-of-the-mill Cambridge church… is partly because I don’t feel that Christianity is being honoured or respected or articulated’ in the way he understands it.”
CofE restructure plan around Falmouth to be considered at special hearing
The Church Times reports that there will be a Church Commissioners hearing in Falmouth this month to consider a proposal to put 21 churches in the Kerrier deanery into one single benefice. The plan says the church is understaffed and “mainly old and grey”, with a weekly attendance across 23 churches of 520. Some churches do not want the change, missing the pastoral care that a dedicated cleric brings. The Falmouth Packet reports that 167 objections have been lodged.
Monastic community installs plaque regretting historic sex abuse in its midst
The monastic community of Ealing Abbey in west London, has installed a plaque in the church expressing regret at child sexual abuse in its midst and support for survivors. The Benedictine community of Ealing was criticised for its failings during the hearings into the Catholic Church by the independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), and two monks were jailed for offences. The current abbot, Dominic Taylor, unveiled the plaque on Saturday following a Mass for healing in the abbey church. During the Mass, Abbot Dominic said there was a need for atonement and repentance on the part of the Catholic Church and urged any victims to not be afraid but contact safeguarding officials and the police. The words on the plaque say: “Mindful of all victims of child sexual abuse by clergy and people in authority, we acknowledge the terrible wrong done and grieve the deep suffering caused. Ever vigilant, let us work and pray for healing, justice and peace. The Abbot and Community.” (Report by Catherine Pepinster)
