Prayer at Ukrainian Catholic cathedral marking third anniversary of Russian invasion
The Ukrainian Catholic cathedral in Mayfair, London, is planning a service of prayer today, to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, and says it will be a day of thanksgiving for the work, charity and kindness that British people have given to those who fled Ukraine. It will also be a time to express hope that peace will come. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme, Bishop Kenneth Novakowski who leads the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London, warned that a temporary ceasefire that does not include peace with justice, cannot last, and there will then be a repeat of history. He said: “Russia will regroup. Russia will invade its neighbours”, adding that those who have perpetrated acts of war crimes need to be brought to justice, and Russia needs to pay damages to Ukraine, making clear:: “Ukraine did not start this war”.
Orthodox leader says Ukraine’s sovereignty is not up for debate
The Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who is head of the breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox church, has declared “Ukraine’s sovereignty is not up for debate, nor can it be negotiated under the guise of diplomacy”. The Associated Press reports that he was speaking as he celebrated Mass in Istanbul on the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s war in Ukraine. He said any future peace agreement “must include Ukraine as an equal participant” and praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his “tireless effort” to defend the country’s independence.
Pope still critically ill, with kidney problem
Pope Francis is still in a critical condition, but he has not experienced any further respiratory crisis which caused such concern at the weekend. In its latest bulletin, the Vatican said some blood tests show early, mild renal insufficiency, which is currently under control. He is still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy, following double pneumonia and breathing difficulties. The bulletin said “The Holy Father remains alert and well-oriented. The complexity of the clinical situation and the necessary time for the pharmacological treatments to show results, require that the prognosis remains reserved.” This morning, he participated in the Mass, with those who have been taking care of him. He will be in hospital for the rest of this week. Find a list of commentators on the Catholic church and the Pope on our website here
From his hospital bed, Pope Francis expresses solidarity with “martyred Ukraine”
The Pope’s trusted officials continue to run the Vatican, and this Associated Press report explains what happens when a Pope becomes sick, stressing that he remains in charge. From his hospital bed, he asked the Vatican to release his Angelus address, while he continued his treatment. In it, he said the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine was a “painful and shameful occasion for all humanity,” and he renewed his solidarity with “martyred Ukraine” and for all victims of armed conflicts. He thanked everyone for their prayers, especially children: “I have been particularly moved by the letters and drawings from children. Thank you for this closeness and for the comforting prayers I have received from all over the world! .. May we transform evil into goodness and build a fraternal world. Do not be afraid to take risks for love!”.
German bishops’ leader says election shows voters want a strong democratic centre
The Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing, responded to the election outcome, saying it was clear the majority of voters want the democratic centre to be strengthened, and he looked forward to a stable government. The conservative CDU/CSU party is set to be the largest party, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) second and the Social Democratic Party heading for a historically low result with just 16 per cent of the vote. Bishop Bätzing said on Twitter: “Democratic forces must work together for fair solutions and be prepared to compromise. Germany must be integrated into a democratic Europe, as a constitutional, liberal, cosmopolitan and solidarity-based country. Extremist forces and those who sympathize with Putin’s Russia despite the attack on Ukraine, which violates international law, must not set the tone. Especially in view of the international situation, I very much hope that Europe will be strengthened by this election and the new government.”
Church leaders in Jerusalem speak out against Trump’s plan for Gaza
The Patriarchs and Heads of the churches in Jerusalem have issued a statement against Trump’s latest idea for Gaza, that the people should be moved to Jordan and Egypt and the land should be turned, with American money, into a riviera. They say: “We are compelled to speak against the grave threat of mass displacement, an injustice that strikes at the very heart of human dignity. The people of Gaza, families who have lived for generations in the land of their ancestors, must not be forced into exile, stripped of whatever is left of their homes, their heritage, and their right to remain in the land that forms the essence of their identity”. They praise King Abdullah II of Jordan, President El-Sisi of Egypt, and others, who have rejected the idea, they call for the release of all captives from both sides and “immediate unfettered humanitarian access to those in desperate need”. Statement is here.
Humanists UK helpline helps 500 people to leave controlling religious groups
Humanists UK say its “Faith to Faithless” helpline has supported 500 people leaving high control religious groups. It says “the largest single group of callers to the helpline were ex-evangelical Christians experiencing abuse or shunning from within their own families or the wider evangelical community, but other callers frequently included ex-Muslims, ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, ex-Charedi Jews, and former members of smaller cults and other religions”. Trained volunteers, many of whom have themselves left such groups, offer advice on dealing with emotional and psychological abuse, including manipulation and coercion, which has led to distress, anxiety, and long-term trauma.
UK could be ‘global hub for Islamic pensions’
The Pensions Panel of the UK Islamic Finance & Halal Economy Hybrid Group has prepared a consultation paper on opportunities for providing Shariah-compliant pension solutions within the UK’s financial system. A report by Islam TV, says there is “a lack of Shariah-compliant pension options, with low pension savings compared to the wider public, and a lack of understanding when it comes to pension tax benefits and employer contributions.. Many employers and pension providers do not have suitable options, forcing Muslims to either avoid pensions or compromise their beliefs. This gap leaves many Muslims to face financial insecurity in retirement, which can lead to broader social issues.” The paper’s author, Ajmal Bhatty, says the UK is in a great position to establish itself as a global hub for Islamic pensions and suggests the government could take further action, such as tax incentives for pension providers to develop schemes, as well as regulatory changes. Article is here
High Court rejects fraud complaint against Vatican financier but says he failed to act in good faith
A High court judgment in the case of a London-based financier who advised the Vatican on a €350million investment in a London property, has resulted in both sides claiming victory. Raffaele Mincione had sought the ruling from the High Court in a bid to clear his name, after he, along with eight others including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, were convicted of fraud in a Vatican trial in December 2023. The Vatican claimed Mr Mincione committed fraud by inflating the price when his companies sold the property to convert it into luxury apartments. All those convicted are appealing. Mr Justice Robin Knowles rejected the Vatican’s allegations of fraud, dishonesty and conspiracy against the claimants but criticised Mr Mincione for failing to act in good faith in communications with the Vatican, saying he had not been frank about the valuation and “was misleading by reference to the sources available to him and in context”. Both sides said they had won. Vatican state media said the decision “represents a significant vindication of the Secretariat of State’s position,” and Mincione said the ruling found that he wasn’t dishonest and did nothing illegal. Associated Press report here. Telegraph report here
More sinister acts at churches near the New Forest
A severed deer head has been left outside St Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic church in Totton, Hampshire, five miles away from another incident in the village of Burley, in the New Forest, where a deer’s head and inverted cross were left on a gravestone in July last year. Two years ago, in December 2022, a dead cat was found hanging from a flagpole and a dead fox on the doorstep of the 12th century parish church of St Peter in Bramshaw, also in the New Forest. Three years before that, vandals spray painted the Bramshaw church walls with phallic and Satanic symbols and sheep and cattle were found stabbed and sprayed with occult markings. The vicar of St Peter’s, the Rev David Bacon, said in 2022: “Living where we do, the New Forest has always been known for witchcraft, but this seems a bit more sinister.” In this latest incident in Totton, Canon Simon Treloar laughed it off as a disturbing incident, telling the BBC: “If they really want to impress me, leave a couple of venison sausages”.
