Pope is stable in hospital receiving treatment for bronchitis
Pope Francis is said to be stable at the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was admitted on Friday suffering from bronchitis. An update issued by the Vatican last night said he had rested well and his clinical condition was stable. On Sunday morning, he received the Eucharist and followed the Holy Mass on television. In the afternoon, he alternated between reading and resting.” The Vatican said the Pope has not experienced more episodes of fever and has been ordered to take “complete rest”, so cancelled the Jubilee Audience for Artists and the World of Culture on Saturday, and Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonca celebrated Holy Mass on his behalf on Sunday morning. His address was published by the Vatican, where he called for peace in war-torn countries across the world and expressed gratitude for the medical care he is receiving. Pope Francis is 88 and has experienced several health problems in the past five years, including respiratory illness.
JD Vance: ‘Basic liberties of religious Britons under threat‘
The US vice-president JD Vance launched a blistering attack against Britain, claiming “basic liberties of religious Britons, in particular” are under threat. Addressing the Munich security conference, he singled out the story of Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an Army veteran, who was fined for silently praying in a buffer zone near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth. He gave this as an example of free speech “in retreat” and said that the greatest danger to Europe was the threat from within. His comments were praised by Alliance Defending Freedom UK, a Christian legal organisation, which is representing Connor Smith in his appeal. A spokesman said: “The policing of people’s very thoughts in “buffer zones” is the most extreme example of censorship across the West”. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, a Christian, disagrees: “No one faces state enforcement for praying. This is about access to healthcare free from harassment.” And Labour MP Stella Creasy said: “This isn’t about prayer. It’s about their power to shame those having abortions”.
Hope and caution surround the ‘Reconciliation Accords‘
A note of caution has been expressed in relation to the Muslim Jewish Reconciliation Accords, which were signed by 12 Jewish and Muslim leaders in Britain and presented to the King. One of the leaders, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, told the BBC’s Sunday programme that the Accords set out the topics the leaders will start discussing, such as how to encourage dialogue among young people or engage in social justice programmes, issues affecting communities in Britain in order not to import foreign policy from the middle east into the UK. But Dr H A Hellyer, of the Royal United Services Institute, said there had been “pop up initiatives” like this before which broke down because they didn’t focus on issues creating a chasm between the communities, such as the war in Gaza. Rabbi Charley said you have to start somewhere, and this was a structure to allow those conversations. A more positive reflection has been offered in a blog by Rick Sopher, convener of the Woolf Institute’s Qur’an and Bible Reading Group. He said the Accords, also known as the Drumlanrig Accords, illustrated the deep connections between the two religions and their scriptures, and noted that texts were included which were a foundational principle of reconciliation.
Report says Jewish schools need radical intervention
Jewish News reports the contents of a review of 33 Jewish schools, launched by the Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis. It reports that Jewish schools require “radical and unprecedented” interventions, tackling financial pressure, staffing levels and Jewish knowledge. Details are given of a shortfall in voluntary contributions from parents, six figure deficits in 11 schools, decline in primary school enrolment, difficulty attracting and retaining Jewish studies teachers and “falling short” in fostering Jewish literacy. However, many schools are ranked outstanding by Ofsted and remain attractive due to strong academic performances. Jewish News story is here
CofE ‘faces biggest upheaval since the Reformation‘
Cathy Newman, the Channel 4 journalist who has exposed stories of sex abuse in the Church of England which have led ultimately to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and retirement of the Bishop of Liverpool, has written in The Times about the damage and likely outcome for the church of the sheer weight of allegations against it and its bitter internal divisions. She suggests the Church of England faces the biggest upheaval since the Reformation. There are already moves to replace the Archbishop of Canterbury as the leader of the worldwide Anglican communion and Cathy Newman suggests this will diminish the power of a future Archbishop of Canterbury and could see a break-up of the church. She quotes the Bishop of Birkenhead Julie Conalty, and synod member the Rev Robert Thompson, favouring disestablishment, and the Rev Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch saying of bishops in the Lords: “Just chuck ‘em out”. But she goes on to quote the Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, saying: “If you kick the bishops out then you have called into question the constitutional role of the monarch. If you pull one thread the whole thing begins to unravel.” Article is here
Clive Billenness, CofE synod member and safeguarding champion, has died
Clive Billenness, a key member of the Church of England’s parliament, the general synod, has died suddenly on his way home from the synod meeting in London last week. He was a regular contributor to debates, an advocate for independent safeguarding and an ally of victims and survivors. He was also a regular and much appreciated contributor to Religion Media Centre briefings. The news has shocked all who knew him. The Diocese in Europe has printed an appreciation of his life and synod members have paid tribute to him on Twitter/X. Condolences have been expressed to his family and friends.
