‘God’s architect’ Antoni Gaudi on path towards sainthood
Antoni Gaudi, the Catalan artist known as “God’s architect” for his elaborate designs, could be made a saint, after the Pope approved the first step towards canonisation. He was behind Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, which was started in 1882 but after bureaucratic and funding delays, it is not expected to be completed until 2026, the centenary of his death. Before he can be beatified, a miracle would need to be attributed to him and verified. It is reported that he was a pious man, his Catholic faith deepened during his life, and he included religious images in many of his works.
CofE bishops ‘outraged’ at attack on Al Ahli hospital in Gaza
Church of England bishops have issued a strongly worded statement expressing outrage at Israel’s bombing of the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. It calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the attack and the alleged misuse of the hospital by Hamas. It says: “There is no justification under international humanitarian law for targeting hospitals, healthcare infrastructure and medical personnel.” The bishops appeal to the British Government to urge Israel’s government to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law, saying no state can place themselves above that.
Baptist minister appointed as US ambassador for religious freedom
A former US congressional leader and Southern Baptist minister has been appointed as the new US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. The Rev Mark Walker, aged 55, of North Carolina, was in Congress from 2015 to 2021, unsuccessfully stood for the Senate and joined Trump’s presidential campaign. In his new role, he takes over from Rashad Hussain, a Muslim lawyer, diplomat, and professor. He took to Twitter / X and said he was “open-eyed to the bad actors and regions committing these atrocities against people of faith. I know President Trump is a defender of faith evidenced by his bold statement on religious liberty at the United Nations”.
Two years of crisis in Sudan, ‘largely ignored’ by the world
Today marks two years of the Sudan conflict, and the Christian charity World Vision warns that 600,000 people are at risk of dying within weeks, after foreign aid cuts reduced the level of humanitarian assistance. It says 300,000 children are at immediate risk of cholera, with escalating hunger, sexual violence, and mental health needs creating a humanitarian emergency affecting 30 million people. The Catholic aid organisation CAFOD says the crisis is largely ignored by the international community, but millions are displaced, starving, facing disease and insecurity. Food, water, sanitation and mental health provision is urgently needed.
‘Net zero targets are killing off the Church of England’
The Daily Telegraph reports that net zero targets are killing off the Church of England, with parish churches unable to afford to fit green technology heating systems in order to meet a CofE commitment to reach net zero by 2030. The report says access to new oil or gas boilers is restricted, but alternative heat pumps, electric boilers, solar panels and low-energy options like under-pew heaters are not suited to older, poorly insulated stone churches. They are also prohibitively expensive, with quotes from £70,000 to £400,000 while central grants are insufficient to pay for all upgrades necessary. The result is that churches are freezing cold. The Rev Marcus Walker told the paper it was a ridiculous situation: “Some people would rather our churches were empty so long as they were more green”.
Buddhist lama missing after speaking out on China
The Times reports that there are calls for an inquiry after a Buddhist lama who spoke in China on the preservation of Tibetan culture went missing and was reported to have died in Vietnam. Tulku Hungkar Dorje, 56, the abbot of Lung Ngon Monastery in the Golog Tibetan prefecture in China, was said to have gone on a “spiritual retreat” after a speech in July last year. His supporters believe he fled to Vietnam after being interrogated in China and died in custody. Tibetan activists are calling for the Vietnamese government to hold an inquiry.
Apprentice interviewer Claude Littner says he is ‘proud to be Jewish’
The Jewish Chronicle carries an interview with Claude Littner, forensic interviewer on The Apprentice, former chairman of Lord Sugar’s business empire and proud to be Jewish. He tells how his mother and father, who survived the Holocaust, moved from New York to Golders Green soon after his birth in 1949 and lived life to the full. Golders Green synagogue has “The Harry Littner Hall”, named after his father, who attended the synagogue for almost 50 years. Claude said: “I’ve got a real, a strong feeling about being Jewish. I would never not claim to be Jewish. I’m proud.” He told the interviewer that he had been on the receiving end of the odd antisemitic remark throughout his life, but this is nothing in comparison to what he thinks his grandchildren today are facing. He said: “It’s a problem I wish would go away. It’s a problem I wish we never had. But it is a problem that has followed the family for generations”. The Apprentice ends this Thursday on BBC-1. The JC interview is here
Cathedral Volunteer of the Year Awards launched
The Association of English Cathedrals is launching a new award to honour the role of volunteers, listing their various duties as tomb-dusters, embroiderers, flower-arrangers, stewards, welcomers, cake-makers, tea-servers, gardeners, bee-keepers, tour guides and more. There will be two awards – an individual award and a team award – with two cash prizes and a trophy each, as well as monies for the winning cathedrals to host an event to say thank you to all their volunteers. Each cathedral will be invited to submit up to two nominations only. The scheme is in partnership with Newgate Motoring solutions, which offers affordable car schemes for clergy and cathedral workers. More details here
Science partnership for Anglican communion
The worldwide Anglican church is partnering with ECLAS, a science-faith engagement project, to help church members engage with scientific developments and ethical debate. The Anglican Communion Science Commission aims to “celebrate science as a God-given resource and to promote collaboration between faith and science communities for the betterment of people and planet”.
Former Jersey priest guilty of gross indecency with a child
A Catholic bishop has apologised after a former priest on Jersey, Piotr Antoni Glas, was found guilty of three counts of gross indecency with a child between 2004 and 2007. He will be sentenced in June. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Philip Egan, whose area includes Jersey, expressed “deep sorrow” and “profound apologies” for the abuse and pain the victim suffered and said thoughts and prayers are with them and their family. He said there are now robust safeguarding standards, policies and procedures in operation within the church which is committed to provide safe places for everyone.
