Pope’s autobiography ‘Hope’ in a life of tension
“Hope – the autobiography”, the first book of its kind written by a reigning pope, is published across the world today (Tuesday). It gives insights into the life of Pope Francis, his beliefs, the challenges of working in a resistant Vatican, dealing with ongoing stories of sex abuse and responding to political opposition from critics especially in the US. He recounts how he came to be elected Pope in 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI, who shocked the world by becoming the first pope to resign since the 13th century. Pope Francis rules out following in his footsteps, unless ill-health seriously impedes his work as pope. But the 88 year old admits: “These years of my papacy have been a life of tension…..But old age is always a time of grace and even of growth”. His publishers say the Pope originally intended the book to appear only after his death, but “the needs of our times and the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope have moved him to make this precious legacy available now”. “Hope – the autobiography” is published by Penguin Viking. Read Catherine Pepinster’s review here.
National consultation on the future of Inter Faith Week
The Faith and Belief Forum has launched a nationwide consultation to shape the future of Inter Faith Week, which used to be run by the Inter Faith Network until it closed a year ago. It was usually held in November, with events aimed at fostering understanding between faith groups and raising public awareness about the diversity of faith communities in local areas. Activities included discussions, public speeches, community events such as gardening or walks, cultural festivals and educational activities. A loose coalition of interfaith groups organised another week in November 2024, but the F&B Forum says there remains uncertainty about the future of Inter Faith Week and the consultation seeks to gather views through workshops and an online questionnaire, to present to government and policy makers for consideration. The consultation is funded by the Department of Communities, Housing and Local Government. There are many interfaith organisations, and the consultation will be led by the Faith & Belief Forum, in partnership with United Religions Initiative UK, Council of Christians and Jews, National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on RE, Mitzvah Day, Religions for Peace UK and All Faiths Network. Further details here
Holocaust reception at Buckingham Palace
The King has met Holocaust survivor 94-year-old survivor Manfred Goldberg, at a reception at Buckingham Palace, starting the UK’s commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, marked on 27 January. Jewish News reports that the King said he “couldn’t bear that survivors were becoming fewer in number and described Manfred as extraordinary for continuing with his work in reaching young people about the lessons of the Holocaust”. Manfred, who survived concentration camps and a death march, replied that “It was nice to hear that from the King”. King Charles told him that he felt compelled to join other world leaders at Auschwitz on the anniversary later this month.
Peterborough Cathedral’s financial crisis may force part closure
Peterborough cathedral is in a financial crisis and warns that it may have to close on certain days, charge visitors and cut community programmes unless it raises £300,000 by the end of March. The Times suggests this could make it England’s first part time cathedral. At present, it is open for prayer seven days a week but the Dean, Chris Dalliston, says the building costs £2million to stay open and costs are rising faster than income, with Covid, the cost of living crisis and rising costs of utilities a huge challenge. It receives 15 percent of its income from the Church of England and the rest from donations, hiring the space and events.
Italian Catholic Church allows celibate gay men to be priests
Gay men will now be allowed to train as priests within the Catholic Church in Italy, provided they commit to celibacy, according to new guidelines issued by the Italian Bishops Conference. The guidelines, set out in the document “Guidelines and Norms for Seminaries”, say men coming forward for ordination should be regarded for their capacity to live celibately rather than solely on their sexual orientation. Chastity should be embraced as a gift, it says, and a future priest should be inspired by a sincere community and missionary zeal, “in line with the peculiar needs of contemporary time”. There have been mixed messages on gay priests from the Vatican. Pope Francis was once asked his opinion on gay priests and said: “Who am I to judge”. He also approved the blessing of same sex couples and encouraged a young gay man to train for the priesthood. But the Vatican has released instructions barring men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” from the priesthood. And Pope Francis was forced to apologise after using explicit language when expressing concerns about gay behaviour in seminaries.
Sikh organisation in dispute over grooming gangs
The Network of Sikh Organisations has complained to the BBC about an interview with Nazir Afzal on the story of grooming gangs, which we wrote about in yesterday’s bulletin. When asked about Hindu and Sikh objections to the description of gangs as “Asian”, Mr. Afzal said the Hindu community and Sikh communities needed to have a look at themselves as well. And he referred to a report by Sikh Women’s Aid on abuse which he said was “really bad”. The Network of Sikh Organisations said the report in question was not about grooming gangs but about domestic abuse, which affects all communities. It added that Hindu and Sikh communities had themselves been targeted by men from within the Pakistani Muslim community. Full statement is here
Bright colours, rituals and prayer at the world’s largest religious gathering
Millions of people travelled to the city of Prayagraj in north India yesterday, at the start of the largest religious gathering of people on earth. The Maha Kumbh festival is expected to attract 400 million people, who will bathe in the holy rivers – the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati – seeking forgiveness and ending the process of re-incarnation. This is the largest of the Kumbh festivals and is held every 12 years, spanning six weeks. The festivals are of grand scale and colour, with holy men in bright garments and garlands, naked monks smeared in ash and bright colours bathing at sunrise, ascetic dancers, meditation and blessings and millions of pilgrims in a tent city on the river banks. India Today article with colour here
Exorcists warned of wrong practices – told to trust God not psychics
The International Association of Exorcists has released a set of 10 clarifications on how to perform exorcisms correctly. The association said it was concerned that its 900 members, both clergy and lay, should avoid wrong attitudes and practices and was particularly concerned about untrained people carrying out the rituals. It explained that in recent years, the number of people believing they were victims of the devil and then seeking out exorcisms, had increased. It warned against improvisation and sensationalism, focusing on the devil instead of Christ, discernment based on new age ideas not church rites, diagnosing evil by touching objects like photos or clothes, collaborating with psychics, ignoring medical and psychological sciences, recklessly attributing events to the devil, regarding witchcraft as the root of all evil and healing family trees. The exorcist should not be fearful but live in deep joy and peace. Full explanation here
