MPs prepare to vote on abortion and assisted dying this week
MPs are expected to vote on Tuesday on an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would ensure women in England and Wales cannot be prosecuted for having an abortion. The move follows growing concern over recent cases where women have faced criminal charges for using abortion pills for late term pregnancies. Then on Friday, MPs will take a final vote on the Assisted Dying Bill, which has been the subject of intense debate and several amendments. Last night, 50 Labour MPs wrote to the leader of the Commons, Lucy Powell, asking the government to delay the final vote, saying it needs more scrutiny. The letter, seen by The Independent, says the bill is inadequate for legislation of such significance, altering the foundations of the NHS, the relationship between doctor and patient. The bill would allow terminally ill adults with less than six months to live, to end their lives with medical support.
Chief Rabbi says Israel has ‘roared like a lion and gone after its prey’
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has described the latest action by Israel against Iran as a nation that has woken like a lion. He and his wife were in Israel last Friday when they were woken in the night and warned to find shelter, and he recorded his reflection that day, in a film published on Twitter/X. He said the people of Israel were resilient and wanted peace, but there were some occasions when the nation needed to be “like a lion that rises and roars” and goes after its prey. He said: “That is exactly the situation we have found ourselves in overnight. Bravely and courageously, Israel has stood up. The IDF has roared and has protected the people of Israel in such an extraordinary manner”. He said Iran was not interested in negotiated peace, what it wanted to see “is the destruction of the Jewish state”. He continued: “There has been no choice whatsoever and that is why Israel has risen and is doing what is necessary for the saddest of reasons. At this time, we turn heavenwards and we pray to Almighty God that he will bless the state of Israel… The Jewish people will continue in great strength to live on”.
Muslim Council of Britain leader condemns Israel’s military strike as ‘act of genocidal regime’
The Muslim Council of Britain has condemned “in the strongest possible terms Israel’s latest military strikes on Tehran”. In a statement, Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: “This is the act of a genocidal regime dragging the world toward catastrophic war. Netanyahu, indicted for war crimes, unleashes terror with impunity while civilians burn – and Israel is handed a blank cheque. The UK Government’s silence is complicity”.The statementsays: “Instead of facing justice, Netanyahu has been emboldened expanding the conflict from Gaza and the West Bank to Damascus, Beirut, Sanaa, and now Tehran. Communities across Britain are horrified not only by the violence itself, but by the weak and equivocal response from UK officials – It is time for Britain to stop turning a blind eye. The MCB again calls on the UK Government to take decisive diplomatic and economic measures, hold Israel accountable under international law, and work urgently to de-escalate this spiralling crisis”.
Faith leaders take centre stage in ‘No Kings’ March against Trump
Religious leaders played a central role in Saturday’s “No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance”, in which protests took place in 2000 towns and cities across America, against President Trump’s policy of forcibly deporting illegal immigrants, using the military to make arrests. The Religion News Service reports that one of the largest demonstrations was in Philadelphia, where an estimated 100,000 people marched to the Museum of Art. Here they heard from the Rev. William Barber II, a prominent pastor and Yale Divinity School professor, who condemned Trump’s military parade in Washington as reminiscent of authoritarian regimes, contrasting it with Philadelphia’s revolutionary legacy. He called for unity, compassion, and resistance to fear. The RNS report says a wide spectrum of faith-based groups, from the Buddhist Coalition for Democracy to Mennonite Action, joined the demonstration, showing a broad spiritual coalition committed to nonviolence and justice. It quotes an evangelical Christian protester, Don O’Neill, who held a sign that read: “Jesus is my king! Trump? Never ever”, and expressed disappointment at evangelicals’ support for Trump, which helped get him elected.
Birthday honours for people of all faiths contributing to society
Among the King’s Birthday Honours List are the Rev Dr Malcolm Brown, former director of faith and public life at the Archbishops’ Council, awarded the OBE for services to the public witness of the Church of England. Church Times list here. The Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, Kenneth Nowakowski, has also been awarded the OBE for service to Ukrainians. World Jewish Relief CEO, Paul Anticoni, gets an OBE; and Community Security Trust head of policy, Dr Dave Rich, is made MBE. Jewish News article here. Among the Sikhs honoured, Captain Jay Singh Sohal who established the UK’s first memorial to Sikhs who served in both world wars, was awarded the OBE; and Indian classical musician Surdarshan Singh Chana gets the MBE for services to music and Sikh culture. NDTV lists 30 professionals of Indian origin, including Dr Richa Sinha, Chair of the Scottish Hindu Foundation, who receives an MBE for services to the Hindu community in Scotland and for tackling Hinduphobia. Muslims recognised in the honours included Zahrah Mahmood, president of Ramblers Scotland known as The Hillwalking Hijabi, who got an MBE for promoting diversity in the outdoors.
Christian singer Michael Tait confesses to a double life of drugs, alcohol and sex
The US Christian singer Michael Tait, known for his hit song “God’s Not Dead”, has confessed that for 20 years he has been leading a double life, drinking too much, using drugs and touching men in a sensual way. In his statement, on Instagram, he said he was ashamed of his life choices and explained that he left the “Newsboys” in January to seek help at a treatment centre. He says he has spent the past six months in a “state of utter brokenness”. The Guardian has published an investigation, following an article in The Roys Report .
Cheers, singing and prayer – the church in a pub in Bolton
Kaya Burgess, of The Times, reports on a Church of England congregation in Bolton that uses a pub “The Mosley Arms” as its church. They arrive on Sundays at 1030am, hold their service in the pub’s function room and end as the pub opens at noon. A baptismal pool is set up on the patio outside and Christmas karaoke sessions are held in the main bar. The church is part of the Fresh Expressions movement, where congregations are planted outside mainstream buildings. The congregation has its own vicar, the Rev Ben Woodfield, 43, who told The Times: “Pubs are where people experience life’s big moments — weddings, birthdays, wakes — so holding services and baptisms here is a perfect fit. It’s informal, people feel relaxed, they sing and pray. To have a church here is just beautiful”.
Highlights film of the Religion Media Festival 2025
The challenges, concerns and benefits of reporting religion in the media were on the agenda at the sixth Religion Media Festival, held at Methodist Central Hall in London on Monday. Sir Mark Thompson, chief executive of CNN, and Channel 4 journalist Cathy Newman were interviewed, there were panel discussions on British Muslims, British Jews, community relations, reporting religion and millennials producing stories about faith and belief to new audiences. Read our mega report here.
View our highlights film here.
We will be publishing films of each festival session in the forthcoming days. Keep an eye on our YouTube channel and daily newsletter.
