Pope undergoes three-hour hernia operation
The Pope has had a three-hour operation to remove an incisional laparocele (hernia) caused by scarring from old surgeries. It was not an emergency procedure but needed to be done as the injury was causing frequent pain. His surgeon at the Gemelli hospital in Rome, Dr Sergio Alfieri, said there were no complications and the Pope had talked and joked with him after coming round. He said patients usually stay in hospital for seven days as they recover. All papal audiences have been suspended until 18 June.
More than 100 people bring allegations of abuse against Mike Pilavachi
The Telegraph reports that more than 100 people have come forward with allegations of physical, emotional and spiritual abuse against the Soul Survivor founder, Mike Pilavachi. The report, by Gabriella Swerling, says the cases go back to the 1980s. One survivor is quoted saying it would be no surprise if the number of allegations increased, as followers in other countries hear about the Church of England investigation currently underway. The CofE has confirmed people are coming forward with information.
Christian Aid appeal for Ukraine’s flooded region
Christian Aid has renewed its emergency appeal for Ukraine after floods forced by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam forced thousands of people to leave their homes. The water is rising on both sides of the Dnipro River and there are fears of an environmental disaster. At least 37 towns and villages have been flooded and 16,000 people have left their homes since the dam was blown up. Christian Aid’s partner organisation is helping to supply food, water and shelter.
Church in Uganda is ‘backbone of anti-gay legislation’
Uganda has just brought in an anti-homosexuality act, among the harshest legislation in the world against gay people. Anyone convicted for gay sexual acts faces a 20-year prison term, an underage person convicted of gay sexual acts can be jailed for three years, and the death penalty applies in “aggravated cases” such as the rape of a young person or transmission of HIV. In Rosie Dawson’s report on the RMC website, she speaks to Edward Mutebi founder of Let’s Walk Uganda, who fled the country in fear of his life in 2018, who says: “The church in Uganda is the backbone of the legislation. If the church hadn’t pushed for this law so much we would not be where we are right now.” The report also outlines how the Core Issues Trust, based in the UK, is planning to help Uganda’s clergy to talk to people conflicted over their sexuality and give them an alternative community away from LGBT groups.
Opponents of Wales new sex education curriculum lose legal fight
Opponents of a new sex education curriculum for children in Wales have lost their latest legal challenge and have no more avenues left to resist the change. The new lessons are part of a redesigned RE course, renamed religion, values and ethics, and include teaching about gender identity and sex. But opponents say this is inappropriate for primary school children and promotes sexual lifestyles in a way that amounts to indoctrination, so they took their case to the High Court. The case was dismissed and now they have been refused leave to appeal, with Lord Justice Males telling the Court of Appeal that the code and guidance did not indoctrinate nor amount to a breach of common law or the Human Rights Act. The campaign was led by Public Child Protection Wales and opponents included the Christian Institute and the Association of Christian Teachers.
60 per cent oppose socially conservative evangelical or Muslim politicians
An analysis of recently collected data suggests that 60 per cent of the public are opposed to a political candidate with socially conservative religious views, either Muslim or conservative evangelical. Among young people up to the age of 30, the proportion is even higher at around 70 per cent. The analysis is of data collected by the Theos think tank in February this year after SNP leadership candidate and wee free Christian, Kate Forbes faced a storm of protest over her opposition to same sex marriage. Academics Philip Cowley and Alan Wage of Queen Mary, University of London, say their analysis shows that “religious politicians with socially conservative views will face significant headwinds, particularly in parties which see themselves as progressive. They won’t just face pressure from party or media elites, but also ..from voters in general. In the future, religious politicians will have to work harder to articulate what the political implications of their faith positions are, and why these can or should be supported by the general public”.
Royals offer to replace food stolen from church foodbank
The Prince and Princess of Wales have offered to replace all the food stolen from a foodbank based at St Thomas Church in Swansea, which they had visited last year. The Rev Steve Bunting told ITV news that the royal couple called him when they heard about the overnight burglary. He believes it is likely that the thief was a former foodbank user who had become desperate. Police are investigating.
Jewish News searches for young tech titans
Jewish News is launching awards for “young tech titans” and creative geniuses. Forty people will be identified in each category for their inventions and impact beyond the UK. Their stories will be told in Jewish News in the autumn. Later, two further categories will added, property and business services.
