Islamic Relief on the ground in earthquake zones
Islamic Relief workers are helping in the rescue effort after two earthquakes struck south east Turkey and northwest Syria. More than 2,000 people have died and more than 7,000 are injured. The charity’s teams are providing emergency food assistance, shelter and cash grants to those worst affected. In Syria, where the earthquake affected people already living as refugees, it will provide health and medical supplies to hospitals and clinics, and blankets and tents for those made homeless. Islamic Relief, along with other large aid agencies, has launched an immediate appeal.
Declassified archives say Patriarch Kirill ‘was a KGB agent‘
The Times reports that declassified archives allege that Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, was a KGB agent while working for the World Council of Churches in Switzerland in the 1970s. The report says that a police file suggests he was known as “Mikhailov” and responsible for swaying the policies of an international church body. Patriarch Kirill has supported President Putin and the war on Ukraine and there have been moves to expel him from the World Council of Churches. The Times says there have been past rumours about his role. In 1992, a dissident priest with access to papers, said many church leaders had actively worked with the secret police.
Welby says church should not coerce or control others
As the Church of England’s parliament, the General Synod prepared for a bruising week discussing same-sex marriage, the Archbishop of Canterbury admitted the members have deep and passionately held differences. In an opening address, Justin Welby said the church should not coerce or control others with whom they disagree. He said: “We constantly face this temptation — to make something of ourselves, or to seek to impose our own unity through rules, hierarchies and structures which become a way of controlling others. The church throughout history and in our day has so often given into this temptation to become turned in on itself, narcissistic, imposing unity through force.” Group discussions will be held today (Tuesday) and a five-hour debate and voting on Wednesday. Live synod stream here
Moderator says action must follow talk of peace in South Sudan
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, has described his visit to South Sudan on a peace pilgrimage with the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury as “an extraordinary few days”. In a reflection posted on Twitter, he said the team had done what they could in private meetings with political leaders, to help resolve violence: “They have indicated their desire to do something, but we all know that talk alone is not enough — action must follow.” He said South Sudan was a phenomenal country with people who wanted to move forward, enjoy greater freedoms, more prosperity, better education and health. The church was working together and trying its best to make a difference. See the filmed reflection here
More than 50 clerics arrested in India over illegal child marriages
The Associated Press reports that more than 50 Hindu priests and Muslim clerics have been arrested in Assam, northeast India, for allegedly performing illegal child marriages involving girls under the age of 18. State police said more than 2,000 men in total have been detained. AP reports National Crime Records Bureau figures showing that only 155 cases of child marriages in the state were registered in 2021. The legal marriageable age is 21 for men and 18 for women.
Buddhist temple in Melbourne destroyed by fire
The Bright Moon Buddhist temple in Melbourne, Australia, a centre for hundreds of families, has been destroyed by fire. Flames broke out at 8pm on Sunday and by morning only a shell was left. The Guardian reports that the society formed in 1980 and bought a former sports complex at Springvale South, renovating it into a Dharma Hall. The cause of the blaze is unknown. The cremated remains of temple members were stored in the building and it is not known if they have been lost. Dramatic image in The Guardian report here
Sikh kirpans in court appeal ruling
A ruling will be delivered on Thursday 9 February, on whether Sikhs can carry their kirpan, a small sword worn for religious reasons, into courts. Courts and tribunals have applied strict limitations prohibiting Sikhs from carrying their kirpan into the court building and other public places. Lawyer Jaskeerat Singh Gulshan has challenged the ruling and the case is to be heard at the Court of Appeal in London.
Hillsong global leaders announced
The new leaders of the global Hillsong Church are Phil and Lucinda Dooley, a couple from South Africa who have been in leadership roles in the church for more than 30 years. Its founder, Brian Houston, is subject to a court case, charged with concealing information about his father’s sex abuse. The Mail reports that he and his wife are selling their home and possessions to raise money.
The RE teacher who became a podcast sensation
Louisa Smith, the religious education teacher behind The RE Podcast has posted her reflections after 100 episodes of a show aimed at RE teachers and beyond. She has interviewed think tank experts, academics, other RE teachers and the Religion Media Centre executive chairman Michael Wakelin. The subjects are as diverse as explaining information on religious traditions, unpacking beliefs, exploring jihad and asking whether God is trans. Apart from learning from scratch how to record, edit and post a podcast, she lists scores of new facts and insights she has picked up along the way. “For 21 years, I had no idea there was such a rich and diverse support network out there. Twitter has connected me with other RE teachers, RE charities, RE resources and authentic people living out the faiths that I teach.” Listen back to all the episodes here
