Scotland marks the coronation with interfaith blessings and a sermon on the environment
Representatives from many faiths and a humanist gave blessings and greetings at the ceremony in St Giles Cathedral, marking the coronation of King Charles III, when he and Queen Camilla were presented with the Scottish Crown Jewels. The faith leaders’ role echoed similar greetings at the coronation in July, but this time they were incorporated in the service. Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, who is Muslim, gave a reading of Psalm 19. The representatives were Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, Hindu priest Dr Srihari Vallabhajousula, the Senior Rabbi in Scotland Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Buddhist nun Ani Rinchen Khandro and Fraser Sutherland, chief executive of the Humanist Society Scotland. The sermon was given by the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Sally Foster-Fulton, who was born and raised in south Carolina and ordained in the Church of Scotland in 1999. Her theme was the environment: “the heavens and earth are not human commodities or possessions”.
MPs debate removing bishops from the House of Lords
MPs will debate the future of Church of England bishops in the House of Lords, during a Westminster Hall debate this afternoon. Tommy Sheppard, SNP MP, will lead the debate, having earlier described the bishops’ presence as “incredibly unrepresentative” of the population. Westminster Hall debates allow a subject to be aired and a minister to reply. Comedian Sandi Toksvig published a statement on Twitter expressing her support, saying it was time “for parliament to reflect and represent our diverse and modern society”. Last year she took issue with the Archbishop of Canterbury over Anglican resistance to same sex relationships.
Holocaust memorial future “in doubt”
The Jewish Chronicle reports that Sir David Adjaye, the architect behind the Westminster Holocaust memorial, has been removed from his design role in the project, following accusations of sexual misconduct at his company, for which he has apologised. It suggests that the future of the memorial is in doubt. Its design and location next to the Houses of Parliament has proved controversial, with planning permission refused despite legal appeals. In January, the Prime Minister pledged to introduce legislation repealing the statute that prevented planning permission. However, the JC reports that the cost of the scheme has risen from £50million to £139 million and there is now a case being made for a combined Holocaust memorial and new Jewish Museum.
Muslims who have had bank accounts removed are “ignored” by the media and government
In the wake of the story that Nigel Farage has had his bank account closed, journalist Peter Oborne writes in the Middle East Eye that he spoken to dozens of Muslims who have had their bank accounts removed without explanation, but none of those stories has been told in the British media. He reports that “one lost his job, another saw his life’s work, a charity, wiped away. Yet another, a proud man, broke down in tears as he described the humiliation inflicted upon him and his family”. Peter Oborne says the stories were ignored by the media and ministers he spoke to, because the people were Muslims and this, he believes, is an illustration of structural Islamophobia.
Commission to find new Christian martyrs of the 21st century
Pope Francis has set up a commission to identify the “new martyrs” of the 21st century, saying martyrs are more numerous now than in the first centuries. The commission will consider names from within and outside the Catholic church, clergy or lay people who have been killed for their faith, sometimes through simply attending Mass, helping the poor or working for peace. The initiative will lead into the Holy Year, scheduled for 2025, when pilgrims of hope will be drawn to Rome. Associated Press report here
£5.2 million church fraudster went unchecked for ten years
Auditors investigating how it was possible for Martin Sargeant, a church official in the Two Cities, in the London Diocese, to defraud the London Diocesan Fund of £5.2million, have reported that his activities went unchecked for ten years. There was a lack of effective governance and independent audit of funds administered, and no expenditure reporting was in place. He was allowed to be in sole control of bank accounts and relationships with developers and in his expanding portfolio of church consultancies, his credentials and references were not checked.. The report says that even after he resigned, he diverted payments to bank accounts he controlled due to a lack of scrutiny and checks. Sargeant was jailed for five years for fraud in December last year. The report outlines how funds have been recovered and dispersed, recommends fraud-awareness materials and basic financial training for new priests, treasurers, and PCCs, and a review of the whistleblowing policy. Church Times report here
Archbishops’ Council blocked safeguarding governance review …
The decision by the Archbishops’ Council to sack two members of the Independent Safeguarding Board and disband the whole operation has provoked anger. In a further twist to the story, Rosie Dawson reports for us that the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council blocked an attempt to review the governance of the Independent Safeguarding Board. According to Clive Billenness, a lay member of General Synod and a member of the Council’s own audit committee, early warnings about a failure of governance in relation to the ISB were ignored. Full story on our website here
… General Synod to discuss overhaul of church governance
Levels of mistrust between the Church of England General Synod and National Church Institutions, such as the Archbishops’ Council, are at such a low ebb that a new structure of oversight is called for. A report suggests reforms to governance and “habits of mutual respect”. Church Times story here
… Organised campaign at Synod against same sex blessings
The Church Times reports that leaders of 11 C of E organisations have written to the bishops, arguing it is “unlawful, unconstitutional, and illegitimate” for the bishops to commend blessings for same-sex couples, and calling for prayers of blessing to be approved only after a two thirds majority vote. Same sex blessings are due to be debated at the Church of England General synod meeting in York this weekend. The list of signatories is here
Mountaineer says stop placing crosses at the top of European summits
The Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner has spoken out against the custom of placing crosses on European summits. He told the German tabloid Bild said there had been a “mania” to put up a cross on every mountain and hill but “no-one has the right to occupy a mountain for their religion.” The existing 4,000 Alpine crosses should be left in place, he said, but countries including Germany should not put up any new ones. Times report here
Archbishop’s book about kissing was attempt to reach young people
Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández of La Plata, Argentina, the man in charge of Catholic church doctrine, has explained that a book he wrote while a young man “Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing” was an attempt to reach the young. He said he was inspired by an ancient phrase from church fathers, that incarnation was like a kiss from God to humanity. His book explored what kissing means and he wrote it with “the participation of a group of young people who gave me ideas, phrases, poems etc.” According to The Catholic Herald, the Archbishop also expressed the view that too much kissing can result in couples feeling “almost nothing” and suggested that they instead attempt to grow in intimacy by shared activities and meals. The book is apparently out of print.
