Cardinal of Quebec accused of sexual assault
The Cardinal of Quebec, Marc Ouellet, has been accused of sexual assault in a class-action lawsuit against the archdiocese of Quebec. Formerly the Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada from 2002 to 2010, he is accused by a woman named as “F” of assaults between 2008-2010. She is among 101 people accusing 88 priests or diocesan staff of sexual assault. In a second lawsuit, 193 alleged victims have accused 116 members of the Brothers of the Christian Schools of francophone Canada, of sexual assault. Neither the Brothers nor the archdiocese of Quebec have commented. Canadian TV report here
EU “blocking” kosher products to Northern Ireland
The former Northern Ireland Secretary, Brandon Lewis, has accused the European Union of “trying to block the Jewish community of Northern Ireland from getting access to kosher products”. He was speaking in a Sky News interview after Liz Truss claimed there was widespread antisemitism in the civil service. His remarks have been criticised by Simon Myerson QC, who said: “There has been no such difficulty”. Baroness Sarah Ludford said he was falsely accusing the EU. Jewish News story here
New Gafcon diocese launched in Australia in protest at same sex drift
A new diocese in Australia has been launched by Gafcon, the Global Anglican Futures Conference, a conservative grouping of churches opposed to same sex practice and marriage. The Church Times reports that the Diocese of the Southern Cross was announced at the inaugural Gafcon Australasia Conference in Canberra on Monday. It was created after 12 Australian bishops refused to declare same-sex marriage and blessings contrary to the teaching of Christ.
Global South claims on level of support are questioned
Canon Dr Phil Groves, who was involved in the Anglican Communion’s preparation for the Lambeth Conference, has called into question the claims of the Global South Fellowship Association, another conservative group of churches, that it has support of 75 per cent of Anglican members. The GSFA has issued an open letter calling on all Provinces to abide by Lambeth 1:10, rejecting the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with scripture and saying same sex marriage cannot be advised. Dr Groves says not all bishops or churches in the global south support them and some Provinces listed as supporters did not sign the campaign letter. In any case, he says numbers are unreliable as a way to judge anything and the idea that judgments are made and imposed is un-Biblical. Dr Groves is Canon of Mpwapwa Cathedral in Tanzania and Director of Continuing Indaba, which promotes reconciliation. His comments are published in ViaMedia news here.
Election of the bishop of Florida was conducted improperly and may have to be run again
The Episcopal Church’s Court of Review has said the election of the Bishop of Florida, Charlie Holt, in May was not conducted properly. The diocese said it had to make a change allowing clergy to vote remotely, in order to reach a quorum, but the court said this was not the proper process. The Diocese will issue a statement in the coming days amidst suggestions that the election will have to be re-run. The Episcopalian News Service reports that the Rev Charlie Holt has been criticised on social media for past comments on race, LGBTQ+ people and for being involved with the Florida chapter of the conservative American Anglican Council. He has mounted a robust defence and apology in a video message.
Jesuits in America criticised for slow process in reparation for slavery
Descendants of slaves owned by the Jesuits in America have expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of raising $100 million in reparation. The money was promised last year, to pay for educational opportunities for current and future descendants. The Associated Press reports that Joseph Stewart, a leader of the descendants, says there has been a funding delay and proceeds from 2009 plantation land sales still need to go into the trust. He has set out a schedule for setting aside a $100 million deposit by July 2023 and a $1 billion addition by July 2029. In a statement, the Jesuits say the process is complex. They have hired companies to help sell land and are in negotiation over the sale of the Maryland plantation.
American bankruptcy deal founders between scouts and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Reuters reports that a judge has refused to approve a bankruptcy deal between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) involving a settlement over sex abuse claims. It involved BSA protecting the Mormon church from sexual abuse claims in exchange for a $250 million contribution to the BSA settlement fund. The judge said it went too far in attempting to protect the church from abuse claims that were only loosely connected to scouting activities. The BSA filed for bankruptcy in February 2020 after legal action involving multiple sex abuse claims. It is understood that compensation for 80,000 men claiming abuse by scout leaders could cost £2.3billion.
Designating Maori land in New Zealand turns into a religious dispute
In New Zealand, a dispute about whether part of a Hawke’s Bay farm should be classed as “wāhi taonga”, a site of significance to Maoris, has been described as cultural clash about religious views. In a hearing at the High Court in Wellington, the Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust said the area was a traditional mutton bird hunting site. But the owners, Peter and Caroline Raikes, said the proposal would inflict restrictions contrary to the Bible and against their “strongly held Christian beliefs”. Examples would be the traditional Māori idea of Ranginui (the Sky Father) and Papatuanuku (the Earth Mother). Judgment was reserved.
Thai Buddhist temple takes shape in family home in Edinburgh
Thai Buddhists in Edinburgh have created a temple in a converted family home on the city’s outskirts, where monks already live. A double garage has been converted into a prayer room and a gold-plated Buddha has been brought in from Thailand. The BBC reports that the former Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha had been behind a plan to relocate the temple to a bigger property in another part of Edinburgh, but following his tragic death in a helicopter accident, the community decided on a less ambitious project which they could maintain themselves. Story of The Dhammapadipa Temple here
