Pope starts 12 day visit to South America – three weeks after lung operation
Pope Leo will start his 12 day visit to South America today, just three weeks after an operation to remove a tumour in his lung. The trip will take him to ten cities in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, the country where he spent 20 years in ministry.The BBC reports that the Vatican describes him as a “71-year-old who has undergone an operation” not someone with a “permanent medical condition”. A spokesperson said the Pope had fantastic stamina and had not asked for changes to the schedule. No extraordinary measures had been taken in relation to his health.
Former Methodist president and district chair on trial for sexual assault
The Rev Steven Wild, the former chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Methodist District from 2008 until 2022, and President of the Methodist Conference 2015-2016, is on trial at Truro Crown Court, facing 11 charges of sexual assault and indecent assault between 2004 and 2015. The court was told that the sexual assaults were “non-consensual sexual touching” which often happened in public. One of the alleged victims told the court that he kissed her on the cheek 20 times, put his arms round her and said she was very special. She was shaken and scared. She said she was “fobbed off” when she tried to report it to another minister. Steven Wild, aged 72, of St Ives in Cornwall, has denied all the charges. The trial is set to last three weeks.
Churches advised to prepare for extreme weather and security risks
The Church Times reports that the Christian Emergency Network ReadyUK has issued a briefing for churches to check resilience measures in preparation for severe flooding or terrorist attacks. It reinforces government advice on food and water supplies to last for 72 hours, light, warmth, communications, money, documents and medical supplies. It advises church leaders to appoint an emergency and resilience lead, promote government advice in church notices, maintain buildings, secure paper records and keys, and set up a communications system, especially for vulnerable people. The initiative comes on the back of natural disasters such as wildfires, storms and floods, and more recently, cyber-attacks. Church Times article is here
Interfaith Week 2026 launches with call to celebrate unity in diversity
Interfaith Week 2026 starts on Sunday with the theme “Lighting the Way for a Shared Future”, highlighting the work of faith communities who build bridges between diverse communities. The week is backed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the events include a youth roundtable at 10 Downing Street, with young people including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, a Zoroastrian and a Baháʼí sharing their experience of interfaith work. A reception for parliamentarians will also be held and the Faith Minister, Florence Eshalomi , has issued a statement of support for “the extraordinary inter faith work taking place in communities across the country”, urging everyone to get involved to discover shared values in order to “strengthen our resilience against those who seek to divide us”. The week is organised by a steering group of faith representatives and the campaign is funding 20 grass roots initiatives in a variety of settings including schools, charities, community centres and Voice FM, a community radio station in Southampton.
Catholic group welcomes universal clemency on California death row
The Catholic Mobilising Network has welcomed Governor Newsom’s decision to grant universal clemency to California’s death row. 548 death row inmates will have their sentence commuted to life without parole, the largest single such act in history. Governor Newsom issued an open letter saying: “I take this action because I firmly believe that state sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values, undermines the foundations of our legal system and diminishes each of us.” While acknowledging the profound suffering of victims’ families, CMN celebrated the decision as an act of moral clarity and urged other governors in states like Ohio, Kansas, and Alabama to emulate Newsom’s leadership.
CofE abuse redress scheme ‘not fit for purpose’
The Church of England’s proposed abuse redress scheme has been criticised as “not fit for purpose” by Malcolm Johnson, head of the abuse team at Lime Solicitors, who represents survivors. He says restrictive eligibility criteria and a failure to consult survivors risk causing further trauma and denying victims justice. The scheme, expected to launch by the end of 2026, will offer compensation of between £5,000 and £667,000 for sexual, physical, spiritual and financial abuse, neglect and maltreatment. It was introduced following the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse findings that there had been serious failures by the church to protect children and respond appropriately to allegations. Five members of the Survivor Advisory Group have also withdrawn their support for the redress scheme, citing concerns over the process and compensation limits. Lime Solicitors will be hosting a seminar today to discuss the issues.
Julie Etchingham becomes a vice president of the Catholic Union
The Catholic Union of Great Britain has made a series of new appointments including ITV’s Julie Etchingham as one of four new vice presidents. The organisation represents the interests and views of lay Catholics in England, Wales and Scotland. It lobbies MPs, peers and government departments on legislation and public policy, promotes Catholic social and moral teaching in public debate, speaks on issues including freedom of conscience, engages with social issues such as poverty and organises lectures, conferences and discussions to encourage Catholics to participate in public life. Other appointments include two new patrons – the Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth and the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Leo Cushley. And the new chair is Professor Anthony McClaran, recently retired vice-chancellor of St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
One third of Ireland’s Jewish population estimated to be Israeli-born
A report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research says that immigration, particularly from Israel, is helping to revive Ireland’s Jewish population after decades of decline. The study estimates there are 2,500–2,700 Jews in Ireland, representing 0.05 per cent of the population. Around one-third are Israeli-born or descended from Israeli immigrants. Ireland has the fourth-highest proportion of Israel-born Jews among European Jewish communities, after Norway, Finland and Bulgaria. The population fell from a peak of 3,900 in 1946 to 1,581 in 1991, but has since recovered. However, the fertility rate is estimated at 1.0 – 1.3 children per woman, below the level to sustain population levels without immigration. This report is part of JPR’s ongoing work to provide data helping community leaders and policymakers support Jewish life and plan effectively for the future.
Bail revoked for Unification Church leader in South Korea
A South Korean court has revoked bail for Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church. after a film was broadcast on local TV showing her visiting the movement’s headquarters in breach of court orders. Han Hak-ja, aged 83, was sentenced to two years in prison in August for providing luxury items, including a designer handbag, to former first lady Kim Keon Hee while her husband Yoon Suk Yeol was president, in an attempt to secure policy favours. She was bailed on medical grounds pending an appeal, and has been in hospital suffering from an undisclosed chronic illness, with reported mobility and eyesight problem. The Seoul High Court has also ordered the forfeiture of her bail bond of around £112,000. The church says the visits did not violate the terms of her bail. Han Hak-ja is the wife of the late Moon Sun-myung, who founded the church in 1954.
