Three killed as Israeli strikes hit Gaza’s only Catholic church
The Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, the last remaining and only Catholic church in Gaza, has been hit by the Israeli army, killing three people and injuring nine, including the priest. Two of those killed were identified by Caritas Jerusalem as Saad Salameh, the 60-year-old parish janitor, and Fumayya Ayyad, an 84-year-old woman. Film reports show the roof was hit close to the cross, windows were broken and shrapnel was strewn across the site. Israel said it was a shooting error. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the circumstances of the incident are under review and it regrets any damage caused. The priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, has kept the church open as a place of sanctuary for displaced families throughout the war. He was phoned by Pope Francis every evening to check on the community’s strength and health. Pope Leo said he is deeply saddened by the strike and called for an immediate ceasefire. Cardinal Vincent Nichols said: “I condemn this appalling strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, pray for the dead and injured, and stand in solidarity with Fr Gabriel Romanelli and the people sheltering in the compound – Christians and Muslims alike”.
US Episcopal Church urges action after Gaza plea from Archbishop
The US Episcopal Church has pledged support for Christians in the Middle East following a powerful address at the Church of England’s General Synod in York by Archbishop Hosam Naoum, who gave a harrowing account of life in Gaza. His speech prompted the Presiding Bishop of the US Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe, to issue an open letter urging American Episcopalians to “answer the call” and take action. He said that because US policy “plays an outsized role in this conflict”, US Episcopalians have a particular responsibility to support the church, by urging the US government to support a permanent ceasefire and a just and lasting peace. “Most of all,” he wrote, “we must decry in the strongest possible terms any US or Israeli proposal for ethnic cleansing or the removal of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.” The letter calls for an immediate end to the Israeli bombing of hospitals and the siege of Gaza, an end to the targeting of civilians, the restoration of humanitarian aid under UN supervision, and the release of Israeli hostages. Bishop Rowe also expressed grief and outrage over the recent attack on Taybeh, the last all-Christian village in the West Bank, where “extremist Israeli settlers” destroyed crops, buildings and water systems, and attempted to burn its ancient Byzantine cemetery and fifth-century Church of St George. He concluded by urging Episcopalians to donate to the Diocese of Jerusalem, supporting its work in peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Church leaders demand accountability for settler violence against Christians
The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have called for the people responsible for violence in Taybeh to be held accountable for their actions. In a statement they say there should be “an immediate and transparent investigation into why the Israeli police did not respond to emergency calls from the local community and why these abhorrent actions continue to go unpunished”. They say the attacks by settlers against Christians must stop: “This is clearly part of the systematic attacks against Christians that we see unfolding throughout the region.” Statement here
King opens new wing at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
King Charles has opened a new wing named after him, at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, which will host the “King Charles III Programme”, an initiative reflecting his long-standing commitment to promoting deeper understanding between cultures and faiths. He praised the Centre, of which he is Patron, as a “beacon of Islamic scholarship” and said the world needs to better respect and understand the Muslim faith at a time of fractured global relations: “The centre’s ongoing commitment to objective scholarship and international cooperation, underpinned by principles of dialogue, deep understanding and mutual respect, is more imperative than ever in today’s world. I need hardly say I am extremely heartened that the centre continues to play such a significant role in that globally critical endeavour”. The official opening and reception marked the 40th anniversary of the centre, co-founded by Dr. Farhan Nizami. BBC report here
Survey reveals unease over religion, race and free speech
A new report Freedom of Expression, based on a survey commissioned by the Commission for Countering Extremism, reveals nuanced public attitudes toward religion and free speech in Britain today. Half of respondents believe that Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism receive the right level of protection, but a larger proportion feel that Islam is overprotected. This perception is most commonly held by people who are economically right-leaning, more authoritarian in their views, and concerned about the pace of social change. When it comes to speaking freely about religion, people feel most comfortable discussing Christianity, but are more hesitant about Islam. Reasons include a fear of causing offence, lack of knowledge, or wanting to avoid confrontation. Notably, one in four people say they have held back from expressing views on religion due to safety concerns. The survey also identifies a significant subgroup – about 37 per cent of respondents – who are particularly anxious about rapid social change. This group expresses heightened concern over freedom to discuss topics such as race, immigration, asylum, and religious extremism. They tend to be male, over 55, predominantly white, and more likely to identify as Christian. The report notes: “Whilst their views do not represent the majority, they may be of particular interest to the Commission for Countering Extremism.” Report is here
Diane Abbott suspended for the second time on comments about racism
The MP Diane Abbott has been suspended by the Labour Party for the second time, pending an investigation into comments she made in a BBC interview about racism. Interviewed by James Naughtie, she was asked about the controversy which led to her first suspension in 2023, when she said Irish, Jewish and Traveller people “undoubtedly experience prejudice” that is “similar to racism”. In the BBC interview, she said she had no regrets: “Clearly there must be a difference between racism that is about colour and other types of racism. I just think that it’s silly to try and claim that racism which is about skin colour is the same as other types of racism”. Asked if she would condemn antisemitism, she said “Of course. I do get weary of people trying to pin the antisemitic label on me, because I have spent a lifetime fighting racism of all kinds”. She has become the fifth MP to be suspended this week. The Campaign Against Antisemitism said she must be expelled.
Website launches today in CofE’s redress scheme for sexual abuse survivors
A public website will open from today, Friday 18 July, enabling people who have been harmed by Church of England related abuse to register for redress. The website will start bringing in applications and those who apply will be notified of the date when the scheme officially opens. Redress means not just financial compensation, but a formal apology, acknowledgment, therapeutic support, and other forms of bespoke help. The scheme was approved by the general synod meeting in York last weekend, following four years of work in conjunction with survivors. The Church Commissioners have already committed £150 million to the redress fund.
Hildegard of Bingen’s music inspires experimental artists today
The Guardian publishes a feature on the music of the 12th century Abbess and Saint, Hildegard of Bingen, explaining that her music is influencing experimental and feminist artists. The modern interest in Hildegard’s work appears to have started in 1985 when a recording of “A Feather on the Breath of God”, won a Gramophone award. Music journalist, Jennifer Lucy Allan, lists a wide variety of musicians in Hildegard’s thrall including “alt-popper Julia Holter, ambient experimentalists Larum, Catalan duo Tarta Relena and jazz duo Noah Preminger and Rob Garcia”. Neo-medieval musician Laura Cannell said she found darkness and light in the music, “a perfect accompaniment to life”.
