40 mile-long convoy of Russian armour advances on Kyiv; Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine break down without agreement; Dozens of people are reported killed and many more wounded in Russian airstrikes and rocket attacks on the city of Kharkiv; Russian rouble collapses 30 per cent in value, interest rates rise to 20 per cent; UN says 500,000 people have crossed the borders fleeing to places of safety; Ukraine president applies for EU membership; FIFA announces Russia is banned from the World Cup and all Russian teams are excluded from international competition;
Vatican ready to facilitate peace talks
The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has said the Vatican is ready to facilitate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking to four Italian newspaper journalists, he repeated the invitation which the Pope offered to the Russian ambassador to the Vatican last week, to stop the fighting and return to negotiations. The Cardinal warned that the spread of the Ukrainian conflict into the rest of Europe would be a “gigantic catastrophe” and the military attack must be stopped immediately.
Prayers for peace across Anglican communion
The Anglican Bishop of Europe Robert Innes is calling for prayers across Europe for peace in Ukraine, at 1800 UK time this evening. He will be joined by the Rev Canon Malcolm Rogers, chaplain of St Andrew’s Moscow and area dean of Russia and Ukraine, and representatives of Christ Church, Kyiv. In an open letter to the church, the bishop said: “The situation in Ukraine is very deeply troubling. President Putin is leading a completely unjustified and aggressive war against Ukraine, a war which many ordinary Russians deeply deplore”. The call to prayer was prompted by the churchwarden in Kyiv, who told him that the battle was fierce and intensive and appealed: “Pray for us”. The event has been publicised in the Church of England and across the global Anglican communion.
Putin’s “de-nazification” justification for war trivialised the holocaust
The Board of Deputies has issued a statement saying Putin’s claim that the military action was for the demilitarisation and de-nazification of Ukraine, was trivialisation and distortion of the historical facts of the holocaust. The senseless aggression flies in the face of justice and decency, it said. The Board’s thoughts were with all those caught up in this conflict – the Ukrainian people, including many Ukrainian Jews. The statement is reported by Jewish News here
Jewish philanthropist and chair of rabbinical alliance comes out against war
Dr. Boris Mints, Russian Jewish businessman, philanthropist and chairman of the main Orthodox rabbinical alliance in Europe, has come out “categorically” against the war in Ukraine. The Jewish Times reports his statement that the West must stop being afraid and “all believers in a civilised world must do their utmost to stop aggression and hold the ones who instigated it responsible”, warning that to remain passive bystanders risked the same fate as witnessed in World War II.
Faith leaders urge changes to nationality bill in light of war in Europe
More than 1,000 faith leaders have signed a letter to the prime minister urging him to reconsider the controversial nationality and borders bill. The Guardian reports that their demands include abandoning the criminalisation of people arriving in the UK outside pre-arranged schemes – for example by boat or lorry over the channel; and opening schemes for family reunion and resettlement, with routes for unaccompanied refugee children in Europe. The letter, coordinated by the Joint Public Issues Team representing four major denominations, was signed by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed, and the senior rabbi of Masorti Judaism, Jonathan Wittenberg. The bill goes through the report stage in the House of Lords on Monday.
Other news
Cambridge students’ campaign against ‘racist’ department
Students in the faculty of divinity at Cambridge university have launched a campaign “Divine Dissent” against what they claim is racist, alt-right influence in the department. The Church Times reports that it follows speaking invitations to Professor Jordan Peterson, known for opposition to political correctness, and to Dr Charles Murray, who wrote about race and intelligence. Their petition has attracted 226 signatures.
Twelve year old in Bedford memorises the Qu’ran
Twelve year old Sharjeel Naveed, from Bedford, has memorised the entire Qur’an, becoming the youngest person in the town to do so. Bedford Muslims have awarded him a £100 gift, a £70 JD Sports voucher and food vouchers.
