US and Vatican renew ties after Trump remarks
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spent almost three hours at the Vatican yesterday for talks following Trump’s social media broadsides against Pope Leo, over his consistent appeals for peace. The Vatican said the talks were “cordial” and “renewed the shared commitment to fostering sound bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America”. It described an exchange of views “regarding situations on the regional and international levels, with particular attention given to countries experiencing war, political tensions and difficult humanitarian situations as well as the need to work tirelessly for peace.” They discussed countries at war including Lebanon, Iran and others in Africa, and they also spoke about Cuba.
Vatican News published a story saying the Pope had used the word “peace” more than 400 times during the first year of his pontificate – an anniversary marked today. It began on his first day in office and continued during and after Trump’s aggressive social media posts describing him as weak and in favour of Iran having a nuclear weapon – immediately denied by the Pope and the Vatican. Pope Leo told reporters on his recent trip to Africa, that he was not afraid of the Trump administration and it was his job to preach peace.
Maro Rubio is a practising Catholic and his gift from the Pope was a pen made from the wood of an olive tree, which Pope Leo called “the plant of peace”. He gave the Pope a crystal American football paperweight.
Nick Squires, for The Times, says “The pontiff has found a voice – and fire in his belly – thanks to clashes with the US president” – article here.
Police investigate after car mounts pavement towards Jewish schoolboys
The Metropolitan Police are investigating reports that a car mounted a pavement, driven towards three 14 -year-old boys near Hasmonean High School for Boys in Finchley, in an incident regarded as a religiously aggravated assault. The school’s head teacher has written to parents saying police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened as children were leaving school for home on 20 April. A father of one of the boys told the BBC that they were together waiting on the pavement and jumped back when they saw the car come towards them, and were shaken but unhurt.
Settler charged after assault on nun in Jerusalem
Israel’s Ministry of Justice says that an Israeli settler will go on trial charged with assaulting a French Catholic nun in Jerusalem, motivated by hostility towards a religious group. The nun, aged 48, is a researcher at Jerusalem’s French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research. A film widely shared on social media, shows a man kicking a nun to the ground and kicking her before bystanders stepped in. It took place on Mount Zion, just outside the Old City, on 29 April and the suspect has been detained since then. The man charged is Yona Simcha Schreiber, 36, from a settlement in the occupied West Bank named Peduel.
Vatican report on same sex relations welcomed by campaigners
The Vatican has released a report from a study group on same sex relations, which took evidence from gay Christians and criticised conversion therapy. It says the church must address the impasse between doctrinal firmness and pastoral welcome, warning that polarised positions result in “profound suffering, personal lacerations, and experiences of marginalisation or ‘double lives’ for believers with same sex attractions”, while triggering “non-negotiable principles”. The report arose from the synodal process in the church, which encouraged lay involvement and wide consultation, but referred difficult issues to study groups. It suggests new approaches, including listening and using psychology to deepen understanding. The report also criticises the “devastating effects of reparative therapies aimed at recovering heterosexuality”. It has been welcomed by church LGBT campaigners for listening to gay Catholics and acknowledging harmful effect of conversion therapy. Report is here. Religion News Service article is here.
Inquiry launched to strengthen child safeguarding in faith settings
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities has launched an inquiry to improve the protection for children in faith settings. It is calling for evidence from peopleinvolved in the delivery of safeguarding and work with children in faith communities to share their experiences. The inquiry will look at rules around “regulated activity” where DBS checks are required, in order to identify gaps, loopholes, or complexities for faith communities and organisations. The inquiry is administered by the safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight and the deadline for submissions is Friday 10 July.
Archbishop who fled Mosul returns to lead Iraq’s Chaldean church
A decade after fleeing Mosul during the rise of ISIS in Iraq, Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona is returning to lead the country’s Chaldean Church. He told Aid to the Church in Need, that his time as Archbishop of Mosul was constantly dangerous, with someone killed every week or month. He was forced to flee the city and spent ten years as Archbishop in Australia and New Zealand, but is returning to Baghdad where he will be installed as Archbishop of Iraq on 29 May. He said persecution shaped his faith, and though Christians had suffered immensely, they had a “deep, unshakable belief” and a faith that has been a true anchor.
75 year old Methodist local preacher on cycle ride for Primitive Methodism
Methodist local preacher Geoff Dickinson, aged 75, is about to embark on a cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats, to raise money for of Englesea Brook Chapel and Museum of Primitive Methodism, in south Cheshire. He told a Methodist Church reporter that he’s “doubly bionic” having undergone his latest hip replacement operation last September, but got back on his bike a month later and has cycled a 1,000 miles already this year. He says the 874 mile journey will be “a significant physical challenge”, but he is passionate for the cause: “The museum is more than a museum – it is a place of community, a place of relevant storytelling, and a place where the outreach and justice emphases of the Methodist Church are presented and lived out”. He will start his cycle ride on Sunday, accompanied by his wife, Jane, and guided by the cycling company “Saddle Skedaddle”, aiming to reach their destination on 29 May.
