Government announces national audit of grooming gangs
The government has announced a three-month national audit of grooming gangs, and a series of local grooming inquiries, after an inflamed public debate following Elon Musk’s posts on Twitter /X when he called for a national inquiry. It will examine ethnicity data and the demographics of the gangs and rape gangs. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has appointed Baroness Louise Casey to carry out a rapid assessment of the scale and nature of gang-based exploitation, and to look at cultural and societal drivers. Thousands of young girls were groomed and raped by gangs in towns and cities across Britain over the past two decades, including Rochdale and Rotherham, with more than 400 men jailed for their crimes.
Eighteen charities demand UK government ensures justice for Palestinians
Eighteen NGOs, including UK Christian, Muslim and secular agencies, have welcomed the ceasefire and appeal to the government to do its part to ensure the pause “turns rapidly into a permanent ceasefire”. They call on the UK government “to take immediate action to ensure accountability and justice for Palestinians” including the suspension of arms supplies to Israel and the “end of Israel’s occupation of Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem”. It says the UK must ensure that UNWRA leads Gaza’s aid efforts and continues: “Unrestricted humanitarian access must be facilitated to avert the risk of famine. A comprehensive rebuilding effort must follow, led by Palestinians and with Palestinian self-determination at its core”. Full statement here
Ceasefire is “necessary turning point”
Despite uncertainty over Israel’s final approval of the ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza, faith leaders have remained optimistic that it will be passed and come into effect on Sunday. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, said the ceasefire is “the necessary turning point we needed.” He told Vatican Media that people are happy because the war “has worn us down, exhausted us, and wounded everyone’s lives.” The process of peace would be long and arduous because “the end of the war is not the end of the conflict” but the ceasefire must last. He said: “The only thing that matters now is to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza”. The highest organisation of Catholic leaders in the Holy Land, welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, and expressed its hope that the truce will put a permanent end to the “immeasurable suffering” caused by 15 months of war. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, welcomed the ceasefire and said “now is the time for unfettered aid to reach the people of Gaza, and for the indispensable role of UNRWA to be respected and protected by all parties. May this deal be a precursor to a wider, more durable and just settlement in the region: it must not be a false dawn”.
Global survey suggests 12 per cent of UK adults – 6.7million people – are antisemitic
A global survey by the Anti Defamation League suggests 46 per cent of the world’s adult population – an estimated 2.2 billion people – have deeply entrenched antisemitic attitudes, more than double the figure ten years ago. The 2024 Global 100 Survey also found that 12 per cent of UK adults, 6.7 million people, hold antisemitic attitudes. The stats are from a survey of 58,000 people worldwide, in 103 countries. The survey also found that 20 percent of respondents worldwide have not heard about the Holocaust. ADL’s chief executive, Jonathan A. Greenblatt, said: “Antisemitism is nothing short of a global emergency, especially in a post-October 7 world. We are seeing these trends play out from the Middle East to Asia, from Europe to North and South America”.
Panel appointed to decide on response to clergy criticised in Makin review
The Church of England has announced that three people will form the disciplinary panel deciding on response to clergy named in the Makin review, which charted the abuse by John Smyth and subsequent church cover up. They are former prosecutor Nazir Afzal, also chair of the CofE ’s National Safeguarding Panel; Alexander Kubeyinje, CofE’s National Director of Safeguarding; and Barbara Peacock, former Director of People at Croydon Council. The panel will be advised by church lawyers and the National Safeguarding Team, on whether to bring cases under the Clergy Discipline Measure against the clergy. The Revs Hugh Palmer, Sue Colman and Rico Tice have had their permission to officiate withdrawn pending investigation. The Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, and the Bishop for Episcopal Ministry, Dr Jo Bailey Wells, were among those criticised in the report. Church Times article here
Acting on Makin review a “watershed moment” for CofE
In the Commons, Tory MP Sir Gavin Williamson, called for those mentioned in the Makin review to be cleared out of their jobs, criticising the fact that few people have been held to account. In reply, Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, said it was important “for the church to view this moment as the chance to really turn a corner and make this a watershed moment because we need change”. Answering another question on the possible end to VAT relief for repairs to listed places of worship, she said she had raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and hoped the government would want to continue “with this vital and essential scheme”.
Trump nominee vows to stop government “weaponisation” against Catholics
President Trump’s nominee to be Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has said she would stop governmental “weaponisation” against Catholics, pro-life activists and parents concerned about school policies. Her role includes leading the FBI and during her confirmation hearing she was asked about an FBI memo on an investigation into radical-traditionalist Catholics with potential ties to “the far-right white nationalist movement”. The Catholic News Agency reports that she promised to stop “abuses” such as the memo and said “this should not be happening in the United States of America”.
Pope gives monthly bonus to Vatican families with three children
The Pope has asked the Vatican to pay a monthly bonus of €300 euros to employees with three or more children. He has previously expressed concern at the low birth rate and supports large families. The bonus is for employees of the Governorate of the Vatican City State and will be paid until the child is 18, or 24 if they go to university. Paid parental leave will be five days in future, not three.
