Hindu temple prayers for victims of the Ahmedabad air crash
Hindu temples have held prayer services for the victims of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives, including crew members, 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The BBC reports a spokesperson for Neasden Temple saying the crash has a particular impact on the Gujarati communities in London, mainly Harrow, Brent and Hounslow. Around 100 people gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London to offer collective prayers. Some victims are known to have been connected to a temple in Harrow. There are also large Gujarati communities in Leicester and the local MP Shivani Raja believes there are “a handful” of Leicester residents who were on board the flight. The Sikh Federation said few if any Sikhs were on board, as they mainly travel to Delhi or Amritsar.
MPs debate legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales
MPs took part in a Westminster Hall debate on humanist marriages, appealing for a change in the law to allow humanist weddings to be legally recognised. They are legal in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey, but not in England and Wales, despite the law being under review since 2013. In the debate MPs gave personal stories of travelling to Scotland to enable a humanist wedding to take place, or others who had to book two ceremonies – one legal civil ceremony and another humanist celebration a few days apart. Government Minister Alex Davies-Jonessaid that the “strength of feeling and frustration” was very clear, but she was against piecemeal reform. The government is actively considering humanist weddings and working at pace, but wants to consider the Law Commission’s review before enacting change.
Christian Aid marks 80th anniversary
A service to mark the 80th anniversary of Christian Aid, was held at Westminster Abbey yesterday, with the address given by Rev Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches. The aid agency started in 1945 to help refugees and has since provided humanitarian relief and development support worldwide. It says it aims to tackle the root causes of poverty, campaigning against injustice and for human rights.
Islamic Relief reports trebling of severe malnutrition in Darfur
Islamic Relief health workers in Sudan’s Darfur region say severe malnutrition cases among young children have trebled as families flee the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, where attacks have killed hundreds of civilians and cut off humanitarian aid. It reports that cases of moderate acute malnutrition have also almost doubled. More than 24 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are experiencing high levels of food shortages after two years of war, with the risk of malnutrition and starvation.
Bishop seeks more money to save clergy jobs
The Bishop of Hereford, Richard Jackson, has criticised the way money is given for mission and ministry grants, instead of for general purposes in a diocese. He told the Church Times that bishops would prefer to have more funds to afford clergy and prevent post closures and pastoral reorganisation.
‘Brutal’ cut to CofE racial justice programme
The bishops leading the racial justice programme in the Church of England say it is bewildering that their allocation of money has been more than halved in a new budget allocation. The Bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, and the Bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemarie Mallett said they were deeply concerned at the cut from £26.7million in the last three years, to £12million for the next. Bishop Arora told the Church Times that the church’s Anti-Racism Task Force report, “From lament to action”, had identified long term investment rather than short term boosts and the decision to make a “brutal cut” to the funding had been made without any consultation. Church Times report here.
Los Angeles Archbishop calls for unity amid deportation protests
The Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, José Gomez, has led a “Mass for Peace and Unity” at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. It followed a week of demonstrations sparked by immigration raids on 6 June. The archbishop spoke of the “tension, uncertainty, and violence” in the streets and offered prayers for affected families, law enforcement, and community safety. In his homily, he said: “Jesus loves us no matter what countries we come from, or the language that we speak.” Meanwhile, the Mexican bishops’ conference expressed “pain and concern” over the situation, calling for immigration reform and affirming that most undocumented migrants contribute positively to society.
Failed proposal to ban women pastors in US Southern Baptist churches
For the second year, a move to ban Southern Baptist churches with women pastors from joining the Southern Baptist Convention, has failed. But the majority was slim – 60.74 per cent at the Convention voted for the ban, citing scripture, just short of the two thirds majority needed. Bob Smietana, writing for the Religion News Service, explains that some Baptist churches engage women as children’s, women’s or worship pastors, saying this is different to a senior pastor role and therefore legitimate. In 2023, Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the SBC, was expelled for having women pastors on its staff.
New twist in village row over campaign to oust the Rector
The Times has an update on the unholy row in the village of Malpas, in Cheshire, where parishioners are campaigning for the removal of the Rector after rows over the choir and bellringers. The Times report says it has seen a letter from the bishop to a local man alleged to be behind the campaign, which he denies. Story is here
