“Final salute” to Pope Benedict XVI the pastor
Fifty thousand people, heads of state and royalty, cardinals and clergy from around the world attended the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI at St Peters Square. After a two hour ceremony, he was laid to rest in a crypt known as the Vatican Grottoes beneath the basilica, next to the tombs of nearly 90 other popes The Requiem Mass was led by Pope Francis, who arrived in a wheelchair and stood unsteadily during the ceremony. He spoke in his homily of the burden of serving as a pastor and the need for prayerful devotion and support of the faithful to carry it through.
The number of mourners and the service itself was more low key than the last papal funeral, in part due to the fact that emotions were expressed when Benedict resigned ten years ago. In his controversial eight year reign as Pope, and 24 years at the Vatican beforehand, his statements and decisions caused anger, but one to one, he is said to have had a gentle nature which created strong personal loyalty. At the end of the ceremony, muffled cries of “Santo Sinito” – “Make him a saint now” – could be heard from the crowd.
Afterwards, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, president of the Catholic bishops conference of England and Wales who attended the funeral, told the BBC that there was “a kind of final salute” as the many elderly cardinals who had worked with Benedict remembered his life. The mass was, he said, “a unique historical event of great emotional depth and stature” and as it was taking place, he was thinking “quite simply, how lovable Benedict was and therefore thanking God for the gifts that he gave us through him”.
Report on our RMC briefing on Pope Benedict XVI’s legacy is on our website here and the film of the briefing is on YouTube here.
Ukraine rejects Patriarch Kirill’s appeal for ceasefire
Ukraine has rejected a temporary ceasefire on 6 and 7 January, the date of the Orthodox Christmas. The Kremlin said the call to end hostilities came from Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who backs President Putin and the war in Ukraine. But the Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the proposal was “hypocrisy” and only when Russia leaves the occupied territories will there be any temporary truce.
Christian persecution charity splinters in America
Open Doors US, affiliated to Open Doors International which highlights and campaigns against Christian persecution, has splintered. Its CEO David Curry has announced he is leaving to set up another organisation Global Christian Relief, unaffiliated to Open Doors International. The reason for the split is not clear, although discussions are known to have taken place since 2022. David Curry is a member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and his new organisation reflects “a larger vision to mobilize dedicated Christians like you to support our persecuted family”. However, Open Doors US says it is continuing, remains affiliated to Open Doors International and has appointed a new CEO, Lisa Pearce.
UN concerned at escalating tensions around Jerusalem holy sites
The United Nations Security Council has stressed the need to maintain the status quo at the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, after Israel’s security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the site. He has previously advocated a change to the status quo, which allows only Muslims to worship there, even though it is also holy to Jews who call it Temple Mount. The UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has called for all parties to refrain from action that could escalate tensions in and around the holy sites.
Plans for new gurdwara in Telford run into internal opposition
A planning application to turn a large former HMRC block of offices into a Sikh Gurdwara in Telford, has run into opposition. The Shropshire Star reports that some members of the existing Gurdwara in Oakengates say their family has worshipped there for years and the new site in Priorslee, poses challenges for traffic and transportation. The Star reports that the new site is four times the size of the existing gurdwara and the application says that it will serve Sikhs in Shropshire and surrounding areas. There are plans for a priest living on-site, a kitchen and community facilities for worship and “improvement of well-being” . The application is lodged with Telford & Wrekin Council.
Sussex Cricket pledges to support Muslim staff, cricketers and supporters
Sussex Cricket has signed the Muslim Athlete Pledge recognising the needs of Muslim cricketers, fans and staff and promising to focus on equality and diversity at all levels of the sport. The pledge isa step towards full accreditation with the Nujum Sports Athlete Charter, signposting zero tolerance to discrimination. Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, his coaching team and the first team players and will also be taking part in an educational workshop in March.
“X” for a kiss banned from church graveyard memorial stone
A church court has decided that an “X” – denoting a kiss – on a memorial stone in a church graveyard is inappropriate and cannot be allowed. The judgment was delivered after Nigel Champion sought permission for a memorial stone to his mother and father in a double grave at St Mary’s Church, Great Chart near Ashford, Kent. He asked for a design with two swans, his mother’s favourite bird, a poem and at the end “love X”. Commissary General (church legal officer) of the diocese of Canterbury, barrister Robert Hopkins, said in his judgment: “This symbol is not appropriate. In my view it conveys a tone that is loving, but excessively casual and informal”.
