Narendra Modi inaugurates grand Hindu temple Ram Mandir in Ayodhya
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has inaugurated the Ram Mandir, a grand Hindu temple in the northern town of Ayodhya, in a lavish ceremony beamed to millions of people worldwide. Around 8,000 people attended the unveiling, alongside Bollywood and cricket stars. The massive complex, nicknamed the Hindu Vatican, marks the birthplace of the deity Ram and is expected to attract millions of faithful Hindus. But it has been a controversial project, standing on the site of a mosque dating from the 16th-century which was destroyed by Hindu mobs in 1992 sparking nationwide violence in which thousands died. Modi’s key role in the inauguration has been criticised as a publicity stunt ahead of the April / May elections. Addressing the crowds, he said the temple was a symbol of “peace, patience, mutual harmony and coordination of Indian society”. Read Amardeep Bassey’s explainer here.
Pope thanks Vatican journalists for “delicacy” when covering lurid scandals
Pope Francis has told the journalists working out of the Vatican that journalism is a vocation, akin to being a doctor, “who chooses to love humanity by caring for its illnesses… choosing to personally touch the wounds of society and the world”. He thanked them for their “delicacy” in speaking about the scandals of the Church, in respecting victims and in the silence full of shame in the more lurid details. He said their task was not to create unnecessary noise, but to strive to capture the essential nature of the Church. The meeting was with journalists who are members of the International Association of Journalists, accredited by the Vatican, and this was its first formal audience with a pope. They listened to Pope Francis speaking and he then greeted each journalist in turn.
Bishops urge unity in Wales as debate continues over governance
Bishops in the Church in Wales have entered the national debate on future governance by calling for unity despite differences over how the country is run. They issued a statement soon after the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales reported back, finding significant problems with government in Wales under devolution and suggesting three options: independence, enhanced devolution and a federal UK. The bishops say they hope all sides “will recognise that different views can be sincerely held in good faith, and that all of Welsh society must strive to identify the common values and the shared vision which make for a healthy, prosperous, caring and inclusive society”.
Sunak says zero tolerance for appalling rise in antisemitism
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said there is zero tolerance for “those who promote or glorify terrorism or peddle antisemitism on our streets.” Speaking to 700 people at the Conservative Friends of Israel business lunch in London, he said the appalling rise in antisemitism was a painful reminder that “anti-Zionism all too often morphs into antisemitism”. Jewish News reports the story saying he also backed efforts for an immediate pause in the conflict, leading to a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza with more access to humanitarian aid.
Dutch Catholic bishops opt to bless individuals in same sex relationships
Dutch Catholic bishops have rejected the new provision by the Vatican for non-liturgical blessings to same-sex couples. A statement issued by the Bishops’ Conference of the Netherlands recommends that simple prayers are offered to individuals within an “irregular relationship”. It said: “The Dutch bishops do not wish to deprive anyone of the support and power of God”.
Bishop unconvinced by assurances of safety for asylum seekers in Rwanda
The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, criticised the Rwanda bill in the Lords yesterday, saying it was not right to argue that asylum seekers would be protected in Rwanda, on the basis of a few sheets of paper, referring to the international agreement signed by the government. She said both the committee and the High Court question Rwanda’s ability to fulfil its commitments in the short term because of the deficiencies of the asylum system in Rwanda and future assurances were not a strong enough basis to legislate a country as safe. The Lords backed a motion to delay the treaty until Kigali improves its asylum procedures. The motion is not binding on the government.
Man sentenced to prison for amending record to become Knight of Malta
The Telegraph reports that a man from Valencia who tore pages from a church record book to hide evidence of his low born ancestors in order to rise up the ranks to join the Knights of Malta, has been sentenced to two years in prison, which could be suspended. The knights are the highest rank in the ancient Catholic order, and have to prove “nobility, lineage and Christianity” to enter. The man, who remains anonymous, removed some records so he could claim to be a direct heir of a high-standing knight in his family history. He was caught after the Order’s office in Rome became suspicious and examined the records.
