Decline in number of students taking A level Religious Studies
The number of students taking an A level in Religious Studies in England and Wales has fallen by 447, a 2.7per cent decrease on last year. There were 15,520 A level entries this year, but the decline follows a 20 year period when Religious Studies had one of the fastest growth rates for A levels in the humanities, beating Law, Geography and History. The National Association of Teachers of RE and the Religious Education Council of England and Wales warn that growth is under threat from a five year funding gap. Sarah Lane Cawte, Chair of the REC, said they fear the brightest and best students attracted to A level RS will be let down by a lack of specialist teachers “as a result of government inaction over funding and teacher recruitment.”
Church prepares for the final IICSA report on child sex abuse
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has announced that its final report will be published on 20 October, following 325 days of evidence over seven years. The Church of England was among many organisations giving evidence and the lead bishop for safeguarding, Jonathan Gibbs, said the church had much more work to do to get safeguarding right. “While there has been improvement in recent years, we wholeheartedly regret that in some areas, especially support for victims and survivors, progress has been too slow”. The Bishop said the Church of England will respond further following its publication. The inquiry has already made 87 recommendations.
Former SNP MP admits attending church despite being told to self-isolate
The former SNP MP, Margaret Ferrier, has admitted attending a service at St Mungo’s church in Glasgow, despite having symptoms of Covid while waiting for test results. The Scottish Daily Express says she pleaded guilty in court yesterday, to wilfully exposing people to the risk of infection, illness and death, by visiting various places in Glasgow and London in September 2020, after being told to self-isolate. The report says she sat through a mass and gave a Bible reading in front of a congregation of 45. A Catholic church spokesperson said that “it was disappointing to learn that anyone would knowingly disregard” the guidance, especially when the church went to significant lengths to abide by it. Margaret Ferrier has been suspended by the SNP and is facing renewed calls to resign.
Escalation in Jewish emigration from Russia to Israel
Reuters reports that 20,246 Russians emigrated to Israel between January and July 2022, in contrast to 15,930 for the whole of 2019. It cites the example of a Russian oncologist who proved his Jewish ancestry and moved because he opposed the war in Ukraine. At least one Jewish grandparent is needed for immediate citizenship and an estimated 600,000 Russians qualify. The report explains that in July, the Russian Justice Ministry requested the liquidation of the Moscow branch of the Jewish Agency for Israel, which helps foreign Jews move to Israel. The reason given was violations of Russian data protection laws, but an Israeli government minister accused Russia of trying to punish Israel for its position on Ukraine, to whom it has offered humanitarian aid.
Israeli TV talent show sensation moved from England after years of antisemitic abuse
Josh Brennan, the 27 year old star of an Israeli TV talent show, has revealed that he left his home in London for Israel after experiencing antisemitism in England from the age of 11. He told the Jewish Chronicle that he was spat at, abused in the street, saw his schoolfriend assaulted on a bus and had graffiti daubed on his door while a student. In one random attack in North Finchley, a man barged into him and said: “you and your family belong in the chambers” and then just walked off, he said. As he researched his faith, he started “falling in love” with Israel. “When you realise you are indigenous to a place, the connection just grows stronger”. Full interview here.
Re-imagining St Joan of Arc as non-binary is not “posthumously changing her gender”
Isobel Thom, who will play Joan of Arc in the controversial new production “I Joan” at the Globe theatre in London, says that re-imagining Joan of Arc as a non-binary hero is “art, exploration, imagination and fiction” and no one is posthumously changing the gender of Joan. The Globe issued a statement saying “We are not the first to present Joan in this way, and we will not be the last”. Joan of Arc believed that God had chosen her to lead France to victory against England. She was pious, had visions of archangels and saints, was burned at the stake as a martyr in 1431 and was made a saint in 1920. The production, which starts on 25 August, has sparked anger from Catholic and secular feminists who say the portrayal cancels women . Professor Abigail Favale, University of Notre Dame, said on Twitter: “Please stop saying amazing women aren’t really women”.
Statue of Mary sails on a pilgrimage against pollution down the River Wye
A wooden sculpture of Mary, “Our Lady of the Waters and the Wye”, is being rowed on canoes down the river Wye to draw attention to pollution from chicken factories along its banks, causing green algae and affecting fish, birds and plants. The Guardian reports that the week long trip from Hay-on-Wye to Monmouth, was the idea of artist Philip Chatfield and Father Richard Williams, of St Mary’s church, who said Mary is a symbol of purity, cleanliness and fruitfulness, floating down the river. Local residents played music and scattered rose petals on the canoes as they went under bridges and it’s expected church bells will ring out along its 75 mile journey.
