Devastating impact of clerical sex abuse in the Catholic church
Catholic bishops of England and Wales have said that they recognise the damage done to their church by the clerical abuse scandal and the concerns about power in the Church. The impact was clear from a consultation among church members conducted as part of the global synodical process. Church members reported feeling “shame and anger” over the crisis which led to many keeping their faith private of leaving the church. The consultation has been written up in the “National Synthesis for England and Wales” and will go forward to a synod of bishops in Rome next year. Its publication coincides with a report from the children’s charity, Barnardo’s, on the case of Fr Joseph Quigley, who was jailed last year for abuse only after a victim had contacted the police. It is a devastating account of how abuse was handled in the Archdiocese of Birmingham over 30 years.
Tory leadership candidates kick off campaigns with pledges on antisemitism
Hours after going through to the final stage of the Tory leadership contest, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss have vowed to do more to tackle rising cases of antisemitism if they become prime minister. Jewish News carries exclusive columns from both candidates. Liz Truss said she recognised many felt it was too difficult to prosecute antisemitic actions but would ensure that Jew hatred would be prosecuted quickly. Rishi Sunak wrote that Jewish communities fearing for their safety in their place of worship should concern everyone and it was a sobering thought that security guards are required outside synagogues and faith schools.
Medieval church stands unscathed as village is destroyed by fire
The medieval parish church of St Mary and St Peter in Wennington, east London, withstood the ravages of fire on the hottest day ever recorded in the UK. Dramatic pictures show it standing unscathed surrounded by a fire scorched graveyard and next to 41 houses destroyed in the flames, including that of the churchwarden, Tim Stock. He told The Times that he opened the church for people escaping the fire, but it gradually filled with smoke, so they had to escape again. The blaze is believed to have started in a garden compost heap and spread rapidly to adjoining properties. His family has lost everything.
American Muslim civil liberties leader says only armed guards can protect vulnerable groups
A senior official with America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has advocated that vulnerable institutions should consider hiring armed security guards to combat the growing threat of a heavily armed mass shooters. Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, says “Muslims, African Americans, Latinos, Jews, Sikhs and others who have been repeatedly attacked by mass shooters cannot wait. We have to defend our houses of worship, schools and community centers from this clear-and-present danger”. He supports measures to limit the danger but says these are only effective in rational society, and are not enough to protect against racist mass murderers with access to millions of weapons.
Two Methodist ministers murdered in Tennessee and Atlanta
The Religion News Service reports that United Methodist minister, the Rev. Autura Eason-Williams, was shot dead this week in a carjacking outside her home in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the superintendent for the Metro District and pastor of Memphis’ Capleville United Methodist Church. She was the second minister to be killed this year. The Rev. Marita Harrell, senior pastor at Connections at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Atlanta, was fatally stabbed in May while ministering to a man who is now a suspect in the crime.
Gay chaplain “hounded out” by anti LGBT members of the General Synod
The Telegraph reports that the Rev Andrew Hammond has resigned as chaplain to the General Synod of the Church of England, after his pro-Pride speech led to complaints. Mr Hammond is openly gay and spoke in response to a Private Member’s Motion calling for the Archbishops’ Council to prohibit the flying of the Pride rainbow flag on church buildings. The Telegraph reports allegations that he was hounded out by anti-LGBT members of the Synod. He continues as chaplain at St John’s College, Cambridge.
CofE nurturing young people’s faith through singing
Church choirs are to be set up in Anglican parishes in an attempt to attract young people and their families, with Blackburn and east London first to be involved. The project is among a series of initiatives for the church to connect with young people and children, nurturing faith through singing. £1.7 million has been awarded in Innovation Funding for youth ministry.
