Religion news 18 March 2022

Image credit: Diocese of Sourozh

Ukraine news

53 people killed in assault on Chernihiv; Mariupol is 80 per cent destroyed, 30,000 residents have fled and search continues for survivors after shelling of the city’s theatre; Kharkiv has been razed to the ground; attacks continue on residential areas of Kyiv; attacks from the sea are expected on the historic city of Odessa;  Western intelligence says the Russian advance has stalled.

Archbishop of Canterbury has online conference with Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby held a video call with Patriarch Kirill, leader of the  Orthodox church of Moscow and All Russia to discuss the war in Ukraine.  The Archbishop expressed his grave concern about the war and stressed the need for an end to the violence. He said the church must be peacemakers, enabling politicians to establish the freedom and rights of all people in Ukraine and he urged the Patriarch to join him in speaking for peace in public. A statement from the Russian Orthodox diocese of Sourokh in the UK said the discussion  “underscored” the need to achieve a lasting peace based on justice as soon as possible. They disucssed the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, including church aid to refugees. The leaders agreed to continue their conversation. Yesterday, it was reported that the Pope also had a video call with Patriarch Kirill and conveyed similar messages.

Religious leaders call on Patriarch Kirill to work for peace in Ukraine

Dozens of Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders will gather near the Russian compound in Jerusalem on Monday, to call for peace in Ukraine. The Rabbi organising the event, Yonatan Neril, said it is a key time for religious figures worldwide to advocate for peace and no one can assume that political and military leaders alone will be able to defuse the crisis. The Jerusalem Post reports that the clergy will call on the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia to use his position for peacemaking.

Mayor invites the Pope to Kyiv

Reuters reports that Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv has invited Pope Francis to visit the city, or give an online conference, believing this would pave a path for peace. Earlier he invited all the world’s religious leaders to visit the city and assert their appeal for peace.

Ireland church leaders urge UK to waive visas for people fleeing Ukraine

The all-Ireland primates of the Catholic Church and Church of Ireland are urging the UK government to follow the lead of EU nations and waive visas for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.  The Evening Standard reports that Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin and Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell issued a public message on St Patrick’s Day, encouraging people across Ireland to consider welcoming Ukrainians into their homes. They also appealed to the government to consider how people arriving south of the border may wish to travel north, saying it would be terrible if bureaucracy were another barrier to people already traumatised.

Other news:

Jewish activists dress as Muslims to enter Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque compound

Al Jazeera reports that Israeli Jewish activists are dressing as Muslims in order to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. They are trying to circumvent a ban on non-Muslims praying at the compound, which is also the historical site of the Jewish Temple. The activists believe their actions will pave the way for full Jewish sovereignty over the Temple Mount and the building of a Jewish temple over the Dome of the Rock.

Harvey Thomas dies aged 82

Harvey Thomas, former Billy Graham Crusade Director and Margaret Thatcher’s communications consultant, has died aged 82. From 1960-1975, he produced Billy Graham’s rallies around the world and from 1978-1991 he was communications director for Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party. In 1990, he was awarded a CBE for Services to the Prime Minister and travelled the world teaching on communications and PR.

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