King and Queen arrive in Rome for historic meeting with Pope Leo
The King and Queen have arrived in Rome for a state visit, with the King set to pray with Pope Leo in the Sistine Chapel, the first time a Pope and a British monarch will have prayed together since the Reformation. Although it is a state visit, journalist and author Catherine Pepinster notes that Buckingham Palace is emphasising the religious aspect, publicly acknowledging warmer relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics. The King, supreme governor of the Church of England, is known to be deeply interested in broad Christian and faith traditions, while remaining a committed, traditional Anglican. The ecumenical significance of today’s visit was unpacked in a Religion Media Centre briefing, where the Rev Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey, said the theological dialogue between the churches over the past 50 years meant that “the age of mutual suspicion is really over” and this is a unique moment. Francis Campbell, former ambassador to the Holy See and a Catholic originally from Northern Ireland, said “the symbols in this rapprochement cannot be overstated”. And the biographer of Pope Leo, Christopher White, said the visit is highly significant and Pope Leo would emphasise its theological importance. View the briefing again or listen to the podcast via links here. Catherine has written about the visit with a timeline of relations between the churches here, and reviewed the King’s public journey of faith here. The RMC has produced a list of commentators here
Volunteers plead for renewal of church repair grant scheme amid ‘unfolding crisis’
Volunteers who are devoted to maintaining their local churches are appealing to the government to maintain the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme, where the government gives grants to pay for VAT on vital church repairs. The government has capped the fee available and only guaranteed it until March next year, but volunteers looking after centuries old St Grada and Holy Cross church in Cornwall, say the uncertainty is “absolutely desperate”. The church needs repairs to the roof and tower estimated at £450,000 and Brian Keeley told a Religion Media Centre briefing that if the scheme folds, they will need to raise a further £100,000 more quickly. He said: “It’s had a colossal impact on our fundraising”, because they have to rush to get the project done before the scheme runs out. The chair of the National Churches Trust, Sir Philip Rutnam, said churches are a vital part of the country’s social infrastructure, enabling community activities, but one in 20 face closure in five years. He appealed for the scheme to be renewed: “There is a crisis unfolding before our eyes affecting these buildings, and at the moment, I don’t think the government seems to get that”. View the briefing or listen to the podcast via links on our website here
Met police deny arresting Jewish lawyer over Star of David pendant
The Telegraph reports that the Metropolitan Police is facing accusations of misleading the public over the arrest of a Jewish lawyer who was detained after allegedly “antagonising” pro-Palestine protesters by wearing a Star of David necklace. The man, in his 40s, was handcuffed, held for ten hours and remains under investigation following protests outside the Israeli embassy in August. The Met insists he was not arrested for wearing the symbol, but video footage obtained by The Telegraph shows detectives questioning him about the pendant, suggesting it could cause “offence”. The lawyer called the police statement “misleading” and said it erodes Jewish confidence in the police. Senior Conservatives have demanded an apology, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp calling the incident “sickening”. Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said that after two years of protests in the wake of the Oct 7 attacks on Israel, the Met “still has everything upside down”. He called for Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, to resign and accused the force “of an institutional failure to tackle extremists and anti-Semites”.
Chicago clergy protest ‘Jesus is being tear gassed at Broadview‘
A letter entitled “Jesus is Being Tear Gassed at Broadview”, signed by 210 clergy in Chicago, is calling on the Trump administration and ICE agents, to repent of indifference and cruelty in their “hunting and terrorizing of immigrant communities” in the city. The Religion News Service reports that it was made public on the day a Methodist minister, the Rev Hannah Kardon, was arrested after taking part in a protest outside Broadview detention centre, where clergy gathered to protest and sought permission to give communion to people detained there. Videos have been published on social media of her arrest when she was beaten on the legs and pushed to the ground, and of another minister being shot with pepper balls as he prayed outside. The letter cites the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., arguing that clergy are compelled by their faith to advocate for immigrants, even amid threats of violence. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the Department of Homeland Security, carries out arrests, detention, and deportation of undocumented immigrants, targeting communities and individuals for removal under US immigration law. Jack Jenkins report for the Religion News Service is here
Lords select committee starts hearing evidence on assisted dying bill
A House of Lords select committee has begun taking oral evidence on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would allow assisted dying for terminally ill adults under strict safeguards. The committee said it would not be accepting written evidence except from a few invited witnesses, citing a short timeframe for its inquiry, a decision criticised by opponents who say this will limit scrutiny of major legislative change. Instead, it is scheduled to hold six sessions where it will hear oral evidence. At its first hearing yesterday, it heard oral evidence from the Bill’s sponsors and several Royal Colleges, who take a neutral stance and spoke of the importance of patient autonomy. Today it will hear evidence on the workability of the panel to decide whether cases can go ahead. The committee will publish transcripts of its evidence by 7 November, before detailed line-by-line scrutiny begins at the Committee stage.
Three men arrested after arson attack on mosque in Peacehaven, Sussex
Three men have been arrested by police investigating the arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven, on the Sussex coast, when accelerant was sprayed on the front door while two people were inside the building. Noone was hurt. This is the second round of arrests – earlier four men were detained but released with no further action. The three men arrested, a 34-year-old and a 42-year-old, from Peacehaven, and a 38-year-old, from Seaford, remain in custody. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore, of the Major Crime Team, told Brighton and Hove News: “This has been a rigorous, thorough investigation, recognising the significant distress the incident caused to the victims and wider community. We are continuing to gather any available evidence and are exploring multiple lines of inquiry. Our officers are continuing to engage with the community to offer reassurance and support”. The police are continuing to appeal for information. Brighton and Hove News report here
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