Trump: ‘God saved me to make America great again’
Donald Trump, inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States, said God had saved him from assassination in order to make America great again. In his inaugural address, he said the country “would not forget their God” and would be respected throughout the world, including by people of religion, faith and good will. In a departure from tradition, he did not place his hand on the Bible to be sworn in, despite it being held next to him. Prayers were said by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the US evangelist Billy Graham, who praised God for saving Trump’s life and “raising him with strength and power”. Over the past four years, he was sure Trump had been through dark times: “But look what God has done”, he said. Rabbi Ari Berman, Pastor Lorenzo Sewell and the Rev Frank Mann led the benediction prayers, but Imam Husham Al-Husainy was unexpectedly missing. Earlier Trump, his family, advisers and the leaders of Meta, Google, Amazon and X, attended a service for the incoming president. Report by Jack Jenkins from the Religion News Service, here.
In his inauguration speech Trump declared national emergencies on energy and immigration, promised to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, vowed to take back the Panama Canal, promised to end diversity programmes and said only two genders will be recognised – male and female. Last night he signed 78 presidential executive orders, undoing Biden policies.
Pope invokes blessings on President Trump
Pope Francis offered prayers and invoked “an abundance of divine blessings” on President Trump, his family and “the beloved American people”. In a message sent to the President on his inauguration, he said: “I offer cordial greetings and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom, strength, and protection in the exercise of your high duties. Inspired by your nation’s ideals of being a land of opportunity and welcome for all, it is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion. At the same time, as our human family faces numerous challenges, not to mention the scourge of war, I also ask God to guide your efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation among peoples. With these sentiments, I invoke upon you, your family, and the beloved American people an abundance of divine blessings.”
British Muslim anxiety at impact of Trump / Musk on far right
Donald Trump’s presidency is being met with anxiety among British Muslims, according to Zara Mohammed, the outgoing Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain. She told The Telegraph they were waiting to see how much the election would embolden the far right and were concerned at the “normalisation of figures” on that wing. She said young British Muslims were worried about the influence of Elon Musk, owner of Twitter/X and soon to lead the US Department of Government Efficiency. Many Muslims were staying away from X: “It’s so hostile. It’s so disgusting, I would say, the kind of vitriol we’re seeing”. She hoped the government would engage with the MCB, which has been frozen out since 2009.
Muslim Hands report ‘glimmer of relief’ in Gaza
The aid charity Muslim Hands says the ceasefire in Gaza “offers a glimmer of relief”, but there are acute humanitarian needs. It says 2.2 million people face acute food insecurity and have limited access to water, so it is progressing a project to build safe water supplies and is delivering hot meals, clean water, and essential supplies. A statement says: “We pray this marks the beginning of lasting peace for Palestinians, who continue to face immense challenges”. Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, the only Catholic Church in Gaza, told Vatican News that humanitarian aid is essential, listing food, clean water and diesel for generators and electricity. He said there is uncertainty and a ceasefire does not mean immediate peace, but people are now beginning to believe there is real hope and thinking about how to rebuild their homes and restart their lives. Pope Francis has called Fr Romanelli every evening during the conflict.
CofE services for same sex blessings face another delay
Church of England bishops are delaying the timetable for bringing in services of blessing for same sex couples, saying a decision is unlikely in July as planned. The issue has torn the church apart, with evangelicals threatening schism and talk of a parallel structure for those who disagree. A statement issued after the bishops’ first meeting this year said: “The House reviewed detailed updates from the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) working groups presented by Bishop Martyn Snow. After considered reflection on the complexity and depth of the proposed changes, it became clear that bishops with views across the range of different perspectives agreed that it was unlikely all elements of the proposals would be sufficiently developed in time for Synod to make a decision in July. They agreed to extend the timetable to ensure that all elements of the proposals are sufficiently developed for a decision to be taken on them as a whole. The intention is still to update General Synod in February, and bring further proposals to General Synod in July, but it is likely these will not be able to be formally put to a vote until a subsequent Synod. This will also give further time for consultations with Diocesan Synods and other networks”.
CofE independent safeguarding proposals need more work
CofE bishops also discussed proposals for independent safeguarding, which are due to be voted upon at the synod in London in three weeks time. The proposals follow two reports into safeguarding failures, which recommended an independent system. Change has been made more urgent by the Makin review, identifying a cover up and lack of action dealing with John Smyth’s vicious abuse of young men and boys after grooming them at a Christian summer camp. The review was so shocking it led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A statement says: “The House discussed the continued actions being undertaken in response to the Makin review and the proposals on independent safeguarding and the revised Clergy Conduct Measure being brought to General Synod in February. The Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London discussed the importance of increased transparency, accountability and responsibility and the opportunities offered by the different proposals being brought to Synod. In a lengthy and detailed discussion about the challenges faced, the House acknowledged the work that still needed to be done and looked forward to meeting other Episcopal colleagues imminently to work on this further.”
Radical ‘Sea of Faith’ theologian, Don Cupitt, has died
The Rev Don Cupitt, Anglican priest and philosopher of religion, famous for his radical theology expressed in the TV series and book “The Sea of Faith”, has died aged 90. In his writings and broadcasts, he proposed the idea that a metaphysical God out there had no objective reality and was an invented idea. Instead he saw religion as a way of living an ethical life with a humanitarian vision for the world. He remained a priest until the end, saying his purpose was religious, to “rescue Jesus from dogmatic captivity and God from metaphysical captivity”. He was Dean and fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge for 30 years, writing 50 books and inspiring the Sea of Faith Network, which “shares the understanding that religions and religious faith are creations of the human imagination” and explores how this affects moral, spiritual, and social values. Gladstone library appreciation here
Assisted Dying bill Commons committee stage meets for first time today
Twenty-three MPs selected to sit on a committee considering the assisted dying bill line by line, will meet for the first time today (Tuesday). The Standard reports that the first session is likely to agree meeting dates over the next few months as well as who will give evidence to the committee. One of the leading opponents of the bill, committee member and Tory MP Danny Kruger, told the Press Association that the bill needs to be tightened at every stage. The bill has been introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and will allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live, to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge. On Wednesday, the Commission on Palliative and End of Life Care holds its first evidence session looking into palliative and end-of-life care in England.
The next generation needs to re-tell the story of Auschwitz
Next Monday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp. And as the number of survivors dwindles with age, there is an appeal for the younger generation to find new ways of remembering this dark moment in history. Young British composer conductor Leo Geyer, who has pieced together fragments of lost musical scores he found at Auschwitz, and performed them, told a Religion Media Centre briefing: “We are at the stage where we as the next generation need to take this history onward. I am not Jewish, Polish or Romani, but I am human, and I feel that the Holocaust was the greatest tragedy humanity unleashed upon itself. My aspiration is that with this music, we all come together to commemorate and to learn, so that together, we can do better”. View the interview with Leo Geyer and other guests Laura Marks, chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and survivor Joan Slater, hosted by Richard Allen Greene, via links here
