Thousands are paying their respects to Pope Francis
Ten of thousands of people are paying their respects to Pope Francis, whose body is lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica until the funeral on Saturday. His open coffin was carried from the chapel at the Saint Marta guest house, in a procession through St Peter’s Square, as bells tolled, andcrowds broke into applause. Cardinals who will assemble in Rome for the conclave to elect his successor, joined the procession. At the end of the Mass on Saturday, the late Pope’s body will be taken to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he will be buried.
Pope Francis’ changes ‘very difficult to put back in the box’
Catholic commentators, academics and journalists discussed the initiatives of Pope Fracis and whether they would last. Overall, the panel spoke of the immense affection with which he is held across the world, even by those who disagree with him doctrinally. Fr Christopher Jamison said his changes would be “very difficult to put back in the box”. The panel; agreed that Pope Francis’ emphasis on caring for people on the margins of society shifted perception of the church and encouraged it to emphasise the care for people, whether or not doctrine changed as a result. There was disappointment that his actions to elevate women into positions of authority, fell short of allowing women to be deacons. But his commitment to tackling climate change through the encyclical Laudato Si, is thought to have made a fundamental change in attitude which is now embedded in the church. The panel included Professor Tina Beattie, Catherine Pepinster, Sr Dr Gemma Simmonds, Fr Christopher Jamison, Prof Brendan Gallaher, Prof Anna Rowlands, Dr Lorna Gold and Kerry Weber. Recordings of the briefing on YouTube and as a podcast are here
“Meet the British cardinals who will help choose the next Pope”, article in The Independent by Catherine Pepinster
“How will the next pope change the Catholic Church?”, article by Joel Mathis in The Week
Protests at killing of 200 Christians in Nigeria
A week of brutal attacks on Christians in Nigeria has left around 200 dead – including 56 killed in a Palm Sunday massacre in Zikke, Plateau State. Premier Christian News reports that Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto said this was “a worsening pattern of targeted violence against Christian communities”. There have been attacks on five villages south of Jos, and assaults on Christian communities in Ukum and Benue State. Thousands of people marched in protest to Government House in Jos. Catholic Herald story here
Offensive graffiti at Lancashire parish church over Easter weekend ‘deeply shocking’
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has written a message of support to the vicar and people ofSt James’ Church in Leyland, Lancashire, after its walls and 40 gravestones were daubed with offensive graffiti, on Good Friday, including the words “God is a lie.” He said: “For this precious holy ground to be so appallingly desecrated is deeply shocking.” The congregation and a local window cleaning firm turned out to remove the graffiti so services could resume. The Rev Marc Wolverson said it was the worst thing he had to deal with as a vicar: “But, in the days since, the way we have seen the people of Leyland rally round to help has been so uplifting. The wedding we had planned on Saturday was able to go ahead and we have continued with all our services across the Easter weekend … one of the holiest periods in the Christian calendar.”
Eve Kugler, Holocaust survivor, has died aged 94
Eve Kugler, a Holocaust survivor who became a journalist in the US and later settled in England, has died aged 94. She fled from Germany with her family to Paris in 1939 and two years later, she and her sister travelled to the US where she lived in three foster homes. The Jewish Chronicle reports that her parents endured four French concentration camps and were twice narrowly spared deportation to Auschwitz. The family was reunited in 1946. Eve worked as a journalist and in 1991, married Simon Kugler and moved to London. She became a regular speaker on the Holocaust, addressing schools, synagogues and civic groups, continuing into her 90s.
First Indian Hindu temple in Stoke-on-Trent officially opens
ITV reports that the first Hindu temple in Stoke on Trent has been opened at the site of the Hindu Community Centre in Hanley. It quotes Dr Chandra Cheruvu, chair of Hindu Cultural Society in Stoke-on-Trent saying it’s been a dream for the community to have a temple, since Indian Hindus moved to the Staffordshire area approximately 50 years ago. The building was bought in 2016 with money raised by members of the congregation. The domes and structures in the temple were made in India and shipped to the UK. The temple will be a place for rituals and social events for birthdays and weddings, capable of holding up to 1,000 people. Story and pics here
