The Pope has double pneumonia and a ‘complex treatment plan’
Pope Francis has double pneumonia, the Vatican announced last night. The Pope’s laboratory tests, chest x-ray and general clinical conditions “continue to present a complex picture”, a statement said. Francis, aged 88, who developed pleurisy as a young man and had part of a lung removed, was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Friday with bronchitis but on Monday was said to be suffering from a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract”. Last night’s statement said the infection arose “in the context of bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis” and required the use of antibiotic cortisone therapy, making the Pope’s treatment plan “more complex”. A chest scan yesterday afternoon “demonstrated the onset of bilateral pneumonia that required further pharmacological therapy”. The Vatican said he was “in good spirits” and spent his day resting, praying and reading. Francis developed pleurisy as a young man and had part of a lung removed when he was 21.
Cottrell: I’m praying for his swift recovery
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has written to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, saying he is praying for the Pope’s health. He said: “We are praying for a good and swift recovery, for his comfort and peace and also for all those who tend to him and minster to him”. Cardinal Nichols thanked the archbishop and said the Pope was “strengthened by the prayerful support of so many”.
How the Church of England’s parliament responded to a crisis
The Church of England’s General Synod has met for the first time since the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned and the Bishop of Liverpool retired, over events related to safeguarding which have shocked the church. In the Religion Media Centre briefing this week, journalists who reported on the synod reflect on how it dealt with the crisis – fudging a vote on making safeguarding independent; tightening rules on clergy conduct which allow clerics to be sacked; refusing to back a suite of ideas to reform the way bishops are appointed; and applauding proposals to appoint more working-class people. Our panel saw signs of a move away from a centralised machine in the church, little sign that the synod made any impact on the CofE’s national standing, and more responsibility for local churches to just carry on. Our guests were Francis Martin from the Church Times, Susie Leafe from Anglican Futures and Andrew Carey from the Church of England newspaper. You can see the briefing again or listen to the podcast via links here.
Hindus call for fight against all religious hatred
British Hindus have spoken out about government plans to set up a body to fight Islamophobia, saying its remit should be extended to include hatred of all religions. Dipen Rajyaguru, director of diversity and equality at the UK Hindu Council, said it had long called for recognition of “Hindumisia”, a term describing hatred of those who follow the faith. He added: “The selective focus on protecting one religious group over others disregards the historical injustices, threats and discrimination faced by Hindus and other communities,” the Times of India reports. A government spokesman said it was “firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim hatred. That’s why we regularly engage with a wide variety of faith communities to foster strong working relationships and understand the issues they face.”
Judge upholds Anglican school’s sacking of Catholic teacher
Claims of discrimination by a Catholic teacher sacked by an Anglican school for expressing views on same-sex marriage, abortion and Sharia have been rejected by an employment tribunal. Ben Dybowski was dismissed from the Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School in Cardiff, in March, 2023, after he aired his views during a diversity training day. He complained of religious discrimination, but Judge Samantha Moore ruled that the school had been entitled to regulate how Christian beliefs were expressed within its premises. She said Dybowski had the right to hold his beliefs, but while employed by the school he was “under the same prohibitions as the rest of society to not discriminate or harass others”. Telegraph report here
Breakaway group hands back Pugin masterpiece church
The future of a Grade II listed church in Lancashire is in doubt, after it was handed back to the Catholic Diocese of Lancaster by a breakaway group that says it cannot afford the upkeep, The Tablet reports. The Church of St Thomas of Canterbury and English Martyrs in Preston, an example of Victorian Gothic Revival, was saved from closure eight years ago when the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest took over its management. The group also looks after a Grade I Victorian church in the town, where its congregation celebrates mass in the “extraordinary form”. English Martyrs, described as one of the finest works by architect Edward Pugin, was built on the site of the gallows where the leaders of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion were executed after their defeat in the Battle of Preston.
Another listed church will have a new life, after being given permission to open as an education centre for neurodivergent young people aged from 16 to 24. The Bethesda Chapel in Stoke on Trent, built in 1819, is known as “The Cathedral of the Potteries” and made national headlines in 2003 when it was voted fourth in the BBC’s Restoration TV series for needing grants and repairs.
Cuts to grants put ancient churches at risk
A grim picture of ancient churches across the UK falling into permanent decay through lack of money has been painted by Sir Philip Rutnam, chairman of the National Churches Trust. He says government plans to cut grants under the Listed Places of Worship scheme will leave many parishes fighting for the survival of their church buildings. Writing in the Express, Sir Philip says the decision to cap payments from the fund at £25,000 will force congregations to raise an extra 20 per cent more to cover the cost of VAT on repairs. He warns: “Nearly 1,000 historic churches in England need repairs so urgently they’ve officially been designated as at risk. To see how serious things can get, look north of the border, where the Church of Scotland is planning to close 30-40 per cent of its churches, or Wales, where up to half of them could close.” The trust provides grants to more than 250 churches.
Eco campaigners urge cathedrals to switch banks
Christian campaigners are holdings a series of vigils at cathedrals, urging them to switch banks away from those investing in fossil fuels. Cathedrals at Worcester, Durham, Truro, and Southwark Cathedrals have moved their banking. They join Sheffield, Chelmsford, and Derby, who either already bank with alternative providers, or are in the process of moving. Over the next few months, Christian Climate Action is carrying out a series of vigils at cathedrals across the UK. Starting on the second Sunday of Lent, Christians will be urging cathedral finance departments to switch from one of the big five banks — Barclays, HSBC, Santander, NatWest, and Lloyds — to a bank that does not invest in fossil fuels. Church Times report here
Farage: Britons must have more children to save Judeo-Christian culture
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, says Britons should restore the country’s traditional “Judeo-Christian” culture by producing more children. Speaking at a right-wing conference in London, Farage said: “We’ve kind of forgotten that what underpins everything is our Judeo-Christian culture … Family matters enormously. Of course we need higher birth rates, but we’re not going to get higher birth rates in this country until we can get some sense of optimism. We need a complete 180 shift in attitudes.” The conference host, Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, raised cheers from the audience when he suggested that that gay people, divorcees and single mothers were “deviations from the norm”, The Times reports
France considers ban on headscarves in sports
French legislators are debating a bill that would prohibit headscarves and other “ostensibly religious” attire in sporting events. The proposal, supported by right-wing senators, aims to enforce neutrality in sports. Amnesty International has criticised the bill as discriminatory, particularly against Muslim women and girls. The legislation faces a lengthy process and requires substantial support in the lower house of parliament to pass. AP report here
Nicole Kidman considered becoming a nun
Actress Nicole Kidman has revealed that she once contemplated becoming a Catholic nun before pursuing her career in Hollywood. The Australian-American actress was raised in an Irish Catholic family and was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. Report here
Bakery violated civil rights over wedding cake
Seven Catholic schools to shut in New York
Ancient Hindu sects return in India
