Christians in parliament protest over welfare bill
Labour MP Rachel Maskell, known in parliament for her evangelical Christian faith, is one of the prime movers against the government’s Welfare Bill which is being voted upon by MPs today amid mounting controversy. Official government stats say the bill, even with concessions, would push up to 150,000 more people into poverty. In a statement, Ms Maskell has said that to introduce a system which leaves sick and disabled people in the future in poverty, is unacceptable. The government has announced concessions saying existing claimants would face no change, and announcing the setting up a review of disability benefits, led by another Christian MP, Sir Stephen Timms. But the concessions have not gone far enough and now The Guardian reports that Ms Maskell has tabled a new amendment raising concerns about the impact on disabled people, a move backed by 138 disability groups and 35 Labour MPs. Ms Maskell is one of three MPs who are trustees of the Parliamentary Christian Trust, alongside Tim Farron and Ruth Jones, both of whom are against the bill.
Communications manager takes top job at Church Action on Poverty
The ecumenical charity Church Action on Poverty has appointed a new chief executive. Liam Purcell, currently the Communications manager, steps into the new role from 1 July and says that he wants Church Action on Poverty to speak truth to power and be a catalyst for change in communities. He replaces Niall Cooper, who was Chief Executive of Church Action on Poverty from 1997 until this summer. The charity educates the public on the causes of poverty, encouraging churches to make a difference in their community and setting up food “pantries” supporting 60,000 people.
Act on Glastonbury, or admit ‘Britain is becoming unsafe for Jews’
The Campaign Against Antisemitism is calling for the BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie, to be sacked after Bob Vylan’s session at the Glastonbury festival was allowed to be broadcast live. They said if the event was “not met with the firmest condemnation and recourse, then it is the surest sign yet that Britain is becoming a haven for hatred and unsafe for Jews”. In a statement, the BBC accepted that it should have done better, saying: “The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.” Avon and Somerset Police says: “video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday has been reviewed. Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation. This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.”
Mamdani’s NY victory shows ‘appalling undercurrent of racism’
Nesrine Malik, Guardian columnist, writes that Ohran Mamdani’s win in New York’s mayoral primary has exposed an appalling undercurrent of racism and Islamophobia. While some see a progressive triumph, others have called him a jihadist, a Hamas sympathiser, even demanding his deportation. She says that the hate, amplified by public figures and politicians, has gone largely unchallenged, even by leaders in his own party. Mamdani’s real “crime” isn’t his faith – it’s his unapologetically leftwing stance on capitalism, Israel, and economic justice. He’s answered hate with clarity, rejecting antisemitism and standing for affordability, fairness, and inclusion. Nesrine Malik asserts: “There is no degree to which Mamdani could have become acceptably Muslim while holding these opinions .. He cannot be secular enough, American enough, or elite enough, as the son of a film-maker and a professor, to hold politics that will not be reducible to his inherently suspect identity”. Her article is here
Syria Church Massacre sparks blame game as Christians live in fear
One week on from the terror attack at Saint Elias church in Damascus, when a gunman shot at the congregation and detonated his suicide vest, killing 24 people, there is widespread speculation as to who was responsible. The day after the attack, the Syrian government announced they had dismantled a cell of Islamic State in a rural area of Damascus, arresting its members. Islamic State have not admitted responsibility or denied involvement. At the funeral of nine of the victims last week, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, said the government bears full responsibility for the attack. That day a jihadist group named ‘Saraya Ansar al-Sunna’ (translated ‘Brigade of Supporters of the Sunnis) admitted responsibility for the attack, on Telegram. Open Doors article here
Dalai Lama says successor will be from a free country
The Dalai Lama attended a celebration of his 90th birthday yesterday at the Tsuglagkhang temple complex in Dharamshala, India. Attendees included senior Buddhist monks, dignitaries including Richard Gere, and representatives of various faiths and cultures. During the event, the Dalai Lama reflected on a life of service, saying that he remains “physically healthy and well,” and committed to benefiting Tibetans, the wider world, and the Dharma. He also outlined plans for his spiritual succession, insisting that his next incarnation will emerge from a “free country,” and a formal framework for the process will be discussed at a three day meeting starting on Thursday
Lambeth Palace renovation project complete
The £40 million, three-year renovation project at the Grade 1 listed Lambeth Palace has finished. Wright & Wright Architects say the work has “enhanced the safety, accessibility, and sustainability of the site, while carefully preserving the Palace’s heritage”. Energy consumption has been reduced by 63 per cent, with three air source heat pumps, solar panels. 235 upgraded double-glazed windows, roof and floor insulation and rainwater harvesting. There are new lifts, accessible toilets and ramps up to the main door. Stonework and floorboards have been cleaned and restored, the woodwork in the great hall was repaired. Site excavations found archaeology dating back to the 12th century. Full account with pics here
New Methodist president and vice-president for 2025-2026
The Methodist Church has inducted a new president and vice president for 2025-2026. The president is the Rev Richard Andrew, currently chair of the Darlington District, and the vice-president is Matthew Forsyth, a local preacher and steward in the Northampton Methodist District. In their address to the Methodist conference in Telford, they shared the same aim, the renewal and refreshing of the Methodist Church and the rediscovery of its identity as a “growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice-seeking church.
Old English reading of the Nicene Creed goes viral
A Church of England social media video of Alexandra Zhirnova reading the Nicene Creed in Old English, has racked up almost half a million impressions. In it, she explains that the oldest English translation of the Nicene Creed from 992, was by a monk called Ælfric. who translated parts of the Bible and the creed into Old English. The CofE is clearly amazed by the response, saying it was the second most viewed video on TikTok, and has helped achieve a 583 per cent increase in new followers across its social media platforms. Alexandra Zhirnova completed a PhD in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge, making her uniquely placed to read the text. This year, the church is marking the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, a cornerstone of Christian belief since AD 325, which starts: “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible”.
