Oxford Catholic chaplain’s inappropriate behaviour ‘reported to police’
Jesuits in Britain have issued a statement concerning Fr Damian Howard SJ, who was asked to step down as Senior Chaplain at Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy in August 2025 “due to professional misconduct, following a complaint that was investigated and substantiated”. He has been out of ministry ever since. The Catholic Herald reports there were allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” with a student, whom it has spoken to. It says the complaint was made on 30 July last year and “he has also reported the matter to the police”. Fr Howard was formerly the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in Britain from 2017 – 2023, when he took up the role in Oxford. He was an honorary fellow of Campion Hall, the Jesuit Hall at Oxford, but this position has now been terminated. The statement from Jesuits in Britain says it is committed to the safety and wellbeing of everyone in its communities and the complaint was addressed immediately when it came to its attention: “We have commissioned an independent review by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, which is currently underway, and we are awaiting its recommendations. The matter has also been reported to the Charity Commission and to the relevant authorities.”
£92 million fund to repair heritage churches, but VAT will be charged
The government has announced the creation of a new £92 million “Places of Worship Renewal Fund”, replacing the previous £23 million “Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme”, which will benefit listed churches in need of urgent repair. It is part of a £230 million injection of cash for preserving heritage buildings and the government says it will give churches the same level of financial support as historic houses, monuments and other heritage sites. The heritage spend is within a total £1.5 billion fund to support cultural organisations. However, the National Churches Trust warns that under the new scheme, churches will have to pay 20 per cent VAT on repairs. Chairman Sir Philip Rutnam said there is an anomaly in that “museums and galleries offering free admission don’t have to pay VAT on repairs, but in future churches will. We call on the government to end this unfairness”. The Trust had campaigned to extend a scheme allowing VAT to be reclaimed up to a cap of £25,000. That scheme is now gone.
£11.5 million fund announced for Civil Society Covenant scheme
The government has announced an £11.59 million Local Covenant Partnerships Fund, enabling civil society organisations and local authorities to work together to deliver support in areas including mental health, adult social care, women’s refuges and child poverty. The funding will support a three year package. The Civil Society Covenant scheme will involve charities, faith groups, social enterprises and investors coming together to deliver services in the community. It builds on the Faith Covenant scheme, pioneered by Faith Action, which set out guidance for faith groups to work with local authorities on community projects. The fund will support 15 areas across England, which will be announced later this year. Now the government is seeking organisations to deliver the scheme, with an applications deadline of 23 February. More details here
Sajid Javid pledges to increase Holocaust education in schools
Sajid Javid, former Conservative minister and now chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, has given an interview to Jewish News pledging to increase the number of schools engaged in marking Holocaust Memorial Day, on 27 January. He said participation had fallen sharply since the 7 October Hamas attacks, blaming the “weaponisation” of the word genocide as the single biggest factor discouraging schools from taking part. It’s reported that more than 2,000 secondary schools signed up in 2023, but numbers dropped to fewer than 1,200 in 2024 and 854 in 2025, a decline of 60 per cent. Mr Javid said there were signs the decline had stabilised, but stressed this was “not good enough”. While stabilisation was welcome, he said, the Trust’s ambition was to drive participation decisively upwards again. Story is here
Commons speaker hosts Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony
A special ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day has been held in parliament, ahead of the official date, with notable guests and the lighting of candles for remembrance. Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich, told how she and her brother were the only family members to survive the Holocaust, and she said “remembrance, education, and vigilance matter.” Jewish News reports that the House of Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said in his address: “Eighty years on from the Holocaust, Jewish people around the world are once again being murdered – simply for being Jewish. Antisemitism is not confined to the past. This Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us that remembrance alone is not enough. At a time when our society can feel increasingly divided, Parliament has a vital role to play in bringing people together – challenging hatred and reaffirming the principles upon which our democracy is built”.
National Day of Mourning for victims and survivors of Bondi Beach massacre
Australians have taken part in a National Day of Mourning for the victims and survivors of the Bondi Beach massacre. Fifteen people died when two gunmen targeted Jews celebrating the first day of the Hanukkah festival of lights. Forty people were injured. Yesterday, flags flew at half-mast on government buildings and on Sydney Harbour Bridge, and a memorial of stones was laid near the site of the attack. Hundreds of people attended a memorial event at Sydney Opera House, entitled “Light Will Win – A Gathering of Unity and Remembrance”, with speeches from Australian leaders, representatives of the Jewish community and relatives of the victims. A minute’s silence was observed and the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, addressed the people, apologising for letting Jewish Australians down and not protecting them. He said: “We cherish the promise of Australia. That this country is a safe harbour. But sadly, that promise was broken”. ABC report here with pics.
Three arrested after Minnesota church service disrupted by protesters
At least three people have been arrested following the disruption of a Southern Baptist church service in Minnesota last weekend, when demonstrators against ICE anti immgrant action, shouted protests and stopped the service for 20 minutes. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests on X, naming them as a civil rights lawyer, community organiser and known activist. Two have been charged with conspiracy to deprive rights. The Baptist Press reports that a federal magistrate judge declined to issue charges against former CNN host Don Lemon, who attended the protest and was filmed interviewing the protesters as well as Pastor Jonathan Parnell. The report says the magistrate indicated to Parnell that the protestors’ actions are protected by the First Amendment.
Catholic bishops warn Gaza is a ‘catastrophic crisis’ and urge pressure on Israel
Thirteen Catholic bishops from across Europe, North America, and South Africa, in the Holy Land Co-ordination group, have issued a statement after their visit to the region over the past four days. They say: “Gaza remains a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The people of the West Bank we encountered are demoralised and fearful. The courageous Israeli voices which speak out for human and civil rights are increasingly threatened; advocating for marginalised voices is a costly solidarity. We fear that soon, they too will be silenced.” Christians have a duty to speak for the voiceless and work for justice and compassion, while upholding human rights, they say, and they “urge our governments to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the rules-based international order and to revive meaningful negotiations toward a two-state solution for the benefit and security of all.”
Long standing Vatican reporter John Allen has died aged 61
The American journalist John Allen Jr., a Vatican reporter of long standing, has died from cancer aged 61. He worked for the National Catholic Reporter for 17 years from 1997-2014, and then joined “Crux”, an independent Catholic news website, rising from associate editor to CEO and editor-in-chief. His wife Elise Ann Allen is the senior correspondent for Crux in Rome. Among the many obits, colleagues say he was highly regarded as “a consummate newsman”, and “a force of nature”, who contributed to dynamic business leadership. They write: “Keenly as we feel his absence in the newsroom, we also mourn the loss of a man who had been our dear friend for the better part of three decades.” Crux article here
