CofE clergy will be trained to deal with mental health
Church of England clergy will be offered new training in how to deal with people with mental health issues who come to them for help. NHS stats show that 22.6 per cent of adults aged 16 – 64 have anxiety or depression, up from 18.9 per cent in 2014. And among children and young people, one in five have a probable mental disorder, compared with one in ten before the Covid pandemic. Clergy told the general synod they were frequently asked to offer advice but had not received formal training, and they asked for more help especially to deal with young people. Clergy themselves are also suffering, with a recent survey suggesting 35 per cent are showing signs of possible, mild or clinical depression. One speaker suggested this may be due to extra work because of clergy shortages. The synod agreed to ensure that appropriate counselling and therapy for clergy is available.
Synod agrees new CofE safeguarding structure, with new charity and leader
The general synod was assured that the church authorities are “working at pace” to change the structure of safeguarding in the Church of England. The church has been criticised by the Charity Commission for being too slow to bring in changes, and told to “rapidly accelerate the delivery of safeguarding improvements”. The synod approved a new structure to change the whole system, including the creation of a new safeguarding charity which will operate independently of the church. A new safeguarding officer will oversee decisions independently of church leadership, accountable to an external regulatory body. Details here. Church Times report here
Tighter governance rules for spin off CofE church communities
The General Synod agreed new governance rules for Church of England congregations that spin off as new worshipping communities, following the Scolding review into Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi. The review found “unhealthy patterns of power, personality cult and unaccountability” and a report to the synod recommended stronger governance especially on leadership, culture and safeguarding, for groups started under “Bishops’ Mission Orders”. These emerging communities operate as independent charities outside parish structures, but with a vicar and oversight from an archdeacon. The report makes clear that these communities remain fully within the Church of England and must follow its policies, particularly on safeguarding. Story here
Synod lasts all week, and today there will be a debate on ending the Living in Love and Faith project, where differing views on same sex relationships threatened to split the church. The project is being wound up but questions remain and debates will continue to come back to future synod meetings, on stand-alone services of blessing for same sex couples, and permission for same sex clergy be allowed to marry in civil ceremonies.
Other news
Catholic bishop of New Orleans resigns after multi-million child abuse claims
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New Orleans, Gregory Aymond, aged 76, who has been dealing with multi-million dollar compensation pay outs to 600 survivors of clerical abuse. It’s reported that he anticipated the cases could be resolved with $7 million, but the number of claims increased after the Louisiana legislature ended limitations for civil claims of abuse. In 2020, his diocese filed for filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, due to the overwhelming number of cases and claims, and the need to manage financial liabilities. In December last year, the archdiocese and its insurers agreed to pay about $305 million. Part of the settlement agreement was for Archbishop Aymond to meet survivors, which he did over the last five days, and then he resigned. His successor is James Checchio, the former bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey. More in The Guardian here
Pew Research finds white evangelicals constant in support of Trump
The latest Pew Research suggests that one year into President Donald Trump’s second term, white evangelical Protestants remain among his strongest supporters. 69 per cent approve of the way Trump is handling his job and a majority (58 per cent) say they support all or most of his plans and policies. Their view of him is less positive than a year ago, with 15-point drop in their confidence that Trump acts ethically in office. Pew finds that support for Trump and his policies has declined across the broad spectrum of religious affiliation and non-religion. The report is here
Launch of Reform Jewish Alliance raised in the Commons
The launch of the Reform party’s “Reform Jewish Alliance”, held in a synagogue in central London, has been raised in the Commons. The local MP, Rachel Blake, raised a point of order saying the fact that Reform UK MPs Nigel Farage and Richard Tice had visited the synagogue for a political reason without notifying her, was a “a breach of the usual courtesy expected between MPs, especially at a time when cooperation was needed to tackle antisemitism”, which she called “a terrible form of hate”. The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, confirmed that MPs are expected to notify the local constituent MP before visiting another MP’s constituency for a political event. The visit had “breached the usual courtesy and parliamentary practice expected of all MPs.
Hindus ‘devastated’ as council sells only temple in East Anglia
Members of Peterborough’s Hindu community said they are “devastated” after the city council upheld its decision to sell the Bharat Hindu Samaj temple, which serves around 13,000 Hindus across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire. It is the only Hindu temple in East Anglia and is based in a former school hall, which was rescued and repaired in 1995, serving as a centre of worship and a hub for social and community events. Trustees had believed a purchase price was agreed, but the council put the site on the open market. Despite being referred back to the cabinet, the sale was confirmed. Community leaders described the decision as heartbreaking, with councillors acknowledging it was a “painful” choice amid financial pressures.
Unification church leader released from detention for hospital treatment
Han Hak‑ja, the leader of the Unification Church known as The Moonies, has been released from detention in South Korea on health grounds after suffering a number of falls, and has been taken to hospital for treatment. She is 82 years old and is being detained while waiting for a court case on charges including bribery of the former first lady, Kim Keon Hee. She denies the allegations. Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts for political favours. The case is among a number of prosecutions into alleged collusion between the Unification Church and political figures, where bribes were offered for influence. The former president, Yoon Suk‑yeol, was ousted from office following political turmoil and an attempt at imposing martial law. He is already serving five years for multiple charges and there are more cases to come.
