Ramadan and Lent due to start tomorrow, depending on the moon
The holy month of Ramadan starts when the first crescent moon is sighted, which this year is expected to be tomorrow evening, Wednesday 18 February. In a rare occurrence, the Christian season of Lent also begins tomorrow, 18 February, and its timing is linked to Easter, the full moon and the Jewish festival of Passover. Muslims in Britain look for the crescent moon, but the official sighting which determines the date comes from other countries including Morocco, South Africa, Turkey or Saudi Arabia. This sometimes means the festival starts on different days in Britain, according to the tradition people belong to. This confusion has led to a movement to create an official mechanism for sighting the moon in the UK – more difficult here than warmer countries, due to the grey cloudy skies at this time of year. The New Crescent Society is the first network of amateur astronomers in Britain, trying to “bring the moon sighting home”. Over the next two days, they will work alongside the Royal Observatory Greenwich, looking into the skies and reporting results back, in the hope that, one day, there will be a united calendar based on UK sightings. Report by Catherine Pepinster for The Times here. Factsheet on Ramadan here. Factsheet on Lent here. Eastern Orthodox Easter dates are different – explained here.
Man who burned Quran prepared to flee to the US if convicted again
The High Court will hear the case today of Hamit Coskun, a Turkish-born man of Kurdish and Armenian heritage who burned a Quran outside the Turkish consulate in London last year. Coskun was initially convicted under public order legislation, but that ruling was later quashed on appeal. The CPS is now seeking to challenge that reversal. If they win, the Telegraph is reporting that Coskun says he will be “forced to flee” the UK and seek protection in the United States. The article says that State department officials have held talks with him and are preparing to welcome him as a refugee. Coskun is quoted saying that if he the case goes against him, “the UK will have effectively fallen to Islamism and the speech codes that it wishes to impose on the non-Muslim world.”
Caribbean archbishop backs CofE’s ‘Project Spire’ reparations for slavery
The Anglican mission agency USPG has defended Project Spire, the Church of England’s £100m project to address its historic links to the slave trade, which has been criticised as “virtue signalling”. Conservative MPs and several members of the church’s parliament, the general synod, have said the money should instead be spent on the church’s core activities. But the Archbishop in the West Indies, Philip Wright, told a USPG conference in Manila that the Anglican Church must move towards an active involvement in reparative justice “if it is to maintain credibility in its witness to the gospel”. The conference “Breaking the Chains of Injustice”, explored the legacy of colonialism on indigenous cultures, language and land. USPG says slavery is widely acknowledged to be one of the leading causes of intergenerational economic disparity and inequality, environmental degradation, and social challenges facing the region today. Its general secretary, Duncan Dormor, said the church is called to the “work of repair and reconciliation .. and we should grasp this opportunity to work together to build a more just future”.
De-programmer warns sects are increasing in a fragmented society
The Telegraph features an interview with Rick Ross, in his 70s and said to be the most famous cult deprogrammer and investigator in the United States. The article says that since 1982, he’s “deprogrammed more than 500 people, testified in court cases in 13 states, and lectured at more than 30 colleges and universities”. His technique dealing with one medical student who fell under the spell of an Indian guru, become withdrawn and talked about dropping out of college, was to speak to him for 10 hours a day over five days, using research and films to give information on the sect, which the student eventually left. Mr Ross has had lawsuits and death threats and testified in court against cult leaders. He says there are an estimated 500-2,000 sects in the UK, and more than 10,000 in the United States, a growing feature of a society where people lack purpose and sense of belonging, where sects promise a new dawn. Article is here
Armenian church leader prevented from attending conference in deepening conflict with the state
Lawyers representing Catholicos Karekin II, leader of Armenia’s Apostolic Church, say he has been charged with obstructing the enforcement of a judicial act and prevented from attending a major synod in Vienna. It was moved to this location outside Armenia following concerns about government interference with bishops fearing they would be detained. Catholicos Karekin will now have to attend via zoom. The lawyers, London based Amsterdam & Partners, say many of Armenia’s bishops have been arrested, assets confiscated and clergy rounded up. The Armenian Prime Minister has said that the government will take over the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and replace it with a “real, pure, and state-centred Church” that would not be allowed to oppose the state interest. The church’s lawyers say: “the silence of Europe and the West is shameful” and now is the moment to defend the values of freedom of religion and conscience.
Cwm Rhondda chapel saved
Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd, the chapel where Cwm Rhondda, or Bread of Heaven, was first sung, has been saved as a community space after a fund raising campaign raised £70,000. The composer John Hughes wrote the hymn in 1907 to celebrate a new organ at the chapel, but dwindling congregations meant the Baptist Union put it up for sale last year. It was at risk of being bought by developers until the community stepped in. Wales Online reports that the Welsh government gave £10,000 towards repairs and the chapel was the first to benefit from the Perthyn grant scheme, supporting community initiatives focussing on the Welsh language.
Traitors star Harry Clark presents documentary on visit to Rome
The Traitors UK star, Harry Clark, is presenting a BBC 2 documentary this Easter, about his visit to Rome to try see the Pope. “Harry Clark Goes to Rome” features his journey and conversations along the way where he explores his faith and beliefs. Since the Traitors show in 2014, he has become known for speaking openly about his Catholic upbringing and faith. Last year, he was one of the pilgrims in the BBC series The Pilgrimage, travelling through the Alps over 12 days. He said the experience changed him ”massively”, deepening his faith. Months later, he brought out his autobiography, telling the story of his family life, time in the army, sudden fame through The Traitors show and how his faith has carried him through. In this latest TV appearance, he visits pilgrimage sites on the way to Rome and tries all available routes to get an audience with Pope Leo. BBC story here
