Bishop of Salisbury faces disciplinary complaint
The Church of England has announced that the Bishop of Salisbury, Stephen Lake, is facing a disciplinary complaint. The statement says: “An investigation into allegations of financial misconduct by the Bishop of Salisbury Stephen Lake has concluded. A disciplinary complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure has now been brought against him. Subsequent to these allegations, concerns relating to Bishop Stephen’s conduct were raised with the National Safeguarding Team. These have been taken very seriously and responded to according to House of Bishops Code of Practice. A second and separate disciplinary complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure has been brought against Bishop Stephen in relation to these concerns. Bishop Stephen remains stepped back from ministry.”
Churches have ‘crucial role’ in delivering essential community services
Research by the Gather Movement, which mapped the contribution of churches to communities across England, highlights their crucial role in providing essential services. The survey covered 1,632 churches across 25 local authority areas and identified 12,840 instances of community provision each year, including food support, debt advice, mental health and wellbeing projects, youth activities, and initiatives tackling loneliness and isolation. Scaled up nationally, the figures suggest that England’s 33,000 churches could provide around 250,000 instances of community provision. The Heart of the Neighbourhood report says mapping what is already available enables local leaders to identify gaps and work more effectively with councils, health services and other organisations. It recommends extending the project across all faith traditions to build a comprehensive picture of community assets and strengthen collaboration. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report here.
The legacy of 9/11 on British Muslims
Friday marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and its legacy continues to shape the lives of British Muslims. The attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon, killed 2,977 people, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in history, and led to the “Global War on Terror”, with invasions of Afghanistan and then Iraq. Dr H. A. Hellyer, a geopolitics and security analyst, told our reporter Maira Butt, that 9/11 did not create Islamophobia, which had a centuries-long history, but it profoundly changed the context in which Muslims were discussed and perceived. Security policy changed substantially in Britain, with the focus first on foreign threats and then after the London bomb attacks on 7/7, attention increasingly turned towards questions of radicalisation, extremism and security within Britain itself. Read Maira Butt’s report here
Chris Brain, founder of Nine O’Clock Service, back in court
Chris Brain, a former Church of England priest and founder of the Nine O’Clock Service in Sheffield in the 1980s and 90s, is back in court for a retrial on five charges on which the jury was previously unable to reach verdicts. Last year he was found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. The jury could not agree on five remaining charges – four counts of indecent assault and one of rape, and he is back at Inner London Crown Court for a trial expected to last five weeks. The Nine O’Clock Service was worship in an Anglican church with a nightclub vibe, dance music and scantily clad women dancing. The court was told last year that he sexually abused women from his church including some who cared for him at home. The Diocese of Sheffield has issued a statement saying the retrial proceedings may cause significant distress, and they are committed to supporting those who come forward. A specialist helpline and support services have been set up.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain’s advice to William and Harry
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, has shared his thoughts on the relationship between the Prince of Wales and his brother Harry, saying he does not advise William “to offer the hand of peace to his brother. Sometimes a wound is best left untouched”. Writing in the Daily Mail, he explains that his advice is borne of his own family experience, where he has been estranged from his brother for eight years and was not informed of his mother’s death or her funeral. He says that “as a minister of religion I have frequently met with warring families and my usual response has been that they should err on the side of generosity. But I also know that some hurts cannot be forgotten and some misdeeds cannot be undone”. The article is here.
Bishop still haunted by Hillsborough tragedy four decades on
The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, has welcomed measures in the “Hillsborough Law”, that will make it a legal duty for public officials to tell the truth and make misleading an inquiry a criminal offence. During the second reading of the bill in the House of Lords, the Bishop said the legislation would “go a long way towards strengthening the principles of moral leadership and trust that empower our public officers to serve the people effectively”. He said he was a young priest in Rotherham at the time, and deployed to the Hillsborough stadium and it still haunts him decades later. He prayed the bill would be enacted as swiftly as possible. Hansard report here,
Phil Rosenberg to stand for second term as Board of Deputies president
The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Phil Rosenberg, has announced that he will stand for a second term. He was elected in May 2024 for a three year term, becoming the youngest person to hold the post at 38. Jewish News reports that an anonymous email was sent to all Deputies ahead of Sunday’s plenary meeting, with a list of questions for him to answer, including about alleged conflicts of interest and proposals to make the presidency a paid appointment. Rosenberg provided written answers to all the questions, while several Deputies criticised the anonymous email and defended his record. Report here
