Religion news 10 August 2022

Image credit: Adaje Associates

Liz Truss commits to building a Holocaust memorial next to the Houses of Parliament

Tory leadership contender Liz Truss has committed to ensuring that a Holocaust memorial will be built next to the Houses of Parliament, if she is elected leader and becomes prime minister. The Jewish Chronicle reports that she was asked to comment during a Conservative Friends of Israel hustings on the proposals for the memorial that won planning approval but were blocked by the Supreme Court. MPs are suggesting a parliamentary “three -clause bill” that would get round a law protecting the site in Victoria Gardens. She said she had supported the project from the beginning and would “definitely look at the bill and make sure that we get it done”.

Former Diocese of London official appears in court charged with £5.2m fraud

Martin Sargeant, formerly the London Diocesan “head of operations in the two cities”, has appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court charged with defrauding the London Diocesan Fund of £5.2m between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2019. The case was referred to Southwark Crown Court, where Sargeant will appear on 2 September. He was granted bail on condition that he does not leave the UK, resides at his address, and does not contact any employee of the Diocese of London.

Muslim charities face increasing difficulty in banking services

The chief executive of the Muslim Charities Forum has warned that Muslim charities in the UK are facing increasing difficulties in accessing banking services, transferring money overseas or accessing services. In an interview with Civil Society News, Fadi Itani said many mainstream banks consider non-governmental organisations to be at risk of money-laundering if they operate in places such as Syria or Palestine. Problems persist despite the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2018, which aimed to help charities bank without having their accounts frozen. Itani will chair the Civil Society’s Faith Charities Forum, looking at issues affecting specifically faith-based groups, on 14 September.

Man arrested after Muslims murdered in New Mexico

A man has been arrested in connection with the murders of four Muslims in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Three men were shot within the past fortnight, and the fourth in November last year. Police had been searching for a car linked to all four incidents and announced yesterday that they had found the car and arrested the driver. His identity has not been disclosed.

13,000 Ukrainian refugees cared for in a monastery in Banchen

A delegation from the World Council of Churches has visited Banchen monastery in south west Ukraine to see the work of the monks who have cared for 13,000 refugees since war broke out in February. A report says monks left their rooms so refugees could have a bed, and monks in other monasteries in the region did the same. Bishop Kleopa of Novoselytsya, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is quoted saying some people left for other countries, but many did not have the means to do so and are staying long term — some displaced in earlier conflicts have been there three years already. The monastery is also housing refugees who have lost their home twice — first, in the Donetsk or Luhansk region where Russian aggression started in 2014, and, more recently, in cities such as Kherson, which was destroyed in February. The Holy Ascension monastery in Banchenalso has a hotel which hosts 600-800 refugees.

First cardinal of the Amazon ‘shows Pope’s concern for indigenous people’

Pope Francis will install the first cardinal of the Amazon region in Brazil later this month. He is Dom Leonardo Steiner, archbishop of the Brazilian city of Manaus, and he says his appointment reflects the Pope’s concern for indigenous people and their environment at risk from climate change. Reuters reports that yesterday (9 August) was the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, established by the United Nations. The Pope has spoken of the debt owed to indigenous people as a result of European colonisation, and on a recent trip to Canada, apologised for the harm done by Catholic leaders and institutions in their abuse of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in the country.

Blackpool Tower lights up for Hindu spiritual leader

 Blackpool Tower is being lit in red and white to mark the centenary of the birth of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj who inspired the creation of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Preston and Neasden Temple in London. The Blackpool Gazette reports that the lighting up ceremony followed a procession with chanting, singing and dancing. It is believed to be the first time that the tower has been used to reflect a spiritual leader in this way.

Church organist for 75 years honoured by Prince Charles

Mary Edmondson, 89, who has been playing the church organ for 75 years, has been honoured by Prince Charles. He is staying this summer at the Castle of Mey, near John O’Groats, and while there attends Canisbay Parish Church on the far north coast of Scotland. Last Sunday, he presented Mary with a basket of flowers and commended her for dedication to her role.

Tags:

Sign up for our news bulletin