Pope says “door is open” to his retirement
Pope Francis has told a TV interviewer that the “door is open” to retirement, and that he would like to stay in Rome or go back to his native Argentina where he could hear confession. Speaking to Mexican-American broadcaster TelevisaUnivision, the Pope who is 85 and suffering from mobility problems, said the retirement of his predecessor – Pope Emeritus Benedict – had gone “rather well” and that he could also retire if the time was right, but he had no intention of resigning for the moment.
Some charges dropped in car convoy antisemitic abuse case
The Jewish Chronicle reports that charges of stirring up racial hatred have been dropped against two men who were arrested after antisemitic abuse was hurled from a convoy of cars flying the Palestinian flag, as it drove through Jewish areas in north London in May 2021. The Crown Prosecution Service is continuing with its case against two other men also from Blackburn, charged with “using threatening, abusive or insulting words, or behaviour, with intent, likely to stir up racial hatred”.
New Ukrainian Orthodox churches created in the UK
New Ukrainian Orthodox parishes are being established in the United Kingdom, with their own customs, language, calendar, and traditions, while being part of the local Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain. Fr. Myroslav Pushkaruk is taking services at the Archdiocesan Chapel of the Annunciation in west London, and travelling throughout the United Kingdom offering spiritual, pastoral, and material support to the Ukrainian Orthodox faithful. The Ukrainian church is aligned to the Orthodox church based in Constantinople, which has pledged its support to the diaspora. The Primate of Ukraine’s independent Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, held talks at Lambeth Palace last week to discuss the war.
“Unlawful” focus on Christianity in Northern Ireland RE lessons could impact rest of UK
The recent High Court judgment that Christian focussed religious education in Northern Ireland primary schools is unlawful, could have implications for RE in the rest of the UK, according to Professor Russell Sandberg, whose expertise is law and religion. In a blog, he says the judgment that the NI curriculum does not approach religious education in an “objective, critical and pluralist manner” has much that will question whether the law in England and Wales is human rights compliant. The judgment arose from a complaint by a father and daughter, that the Christian focus, to the exclusion of all other faiths, violated education entitlements protected by the European Convention on Human Rights.
American Anglican bishops affirm abortion on demand
The American Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops has affirmed support for abortion on demand. At its 80th General Convention meeting in Baltimore, the bishops resolved that the Episcopal Church recognises that access to abortion is a key element in preserving the health, independence, and autonomy of those who can bear children; and affirms that all Episcopalians should be able to access abortion services and birth control with no restriction on movement, autonomy, type, or timing.
The work of abortion doulas in the United States
The Religion News Service reports on the increasing number of abortion doulas in America, people who accompany a woman through the abortion process, offering spiritual support through yoga, meditation, prayer, traditional medicine and Tarot readings. Lynsey Bourke was quoted saying abortion can be easy, but can provoke regrets, pain and lifelong shame. Practices which heal mind, body and spirit are important.
CofE synod calls for age verification on porn sites
The Church of England’s parliament, the general synod, is urging the government to compel age verification on pornography websites to protect children. A report in the Church Times says speakers warned that this could not be applied to websites hosted outside the UK, but the proposal was passed overwhelmingly.
Remarkable churches of Britain welcome visitors
The National Churches Trust is inviting entries for its first National Church Awards, to recognise building and maintenance projects as well as schemes to encourage visitors and volunteers. As the holiday season arrives, the Trust is drawing attention to its list of churches to visit, chosen because of their historical and architectural heritage. It says churches are remarkable sacred spaces, treasure houses of heritage, history and community.
