Sacking of woman at London School of Jewish Studies provokes resignation
Rabbi Michael Harris, a senior research fellow at the London School of Jewish Studies, has resigned in protest after a woman teacher was sacked for becoming a rabbi. The decision to remove Dr Lindsey Taylor-Guthartz came after she obtained a “rabba” qualification from New York’s Yeshiva Maharat. The Orthodox tradition does not recognise women rabbis. Rabbi Michael Harris, from Hampstead Synagogue, said her removal “seriously undermines LSJS’s credentials as an academic institution”.
Salisbury Cathedral wins environment award
Salisbury Cathedral has won an environment award after promising to be carbon-neutral by 2030, installing solar panels on the cloisters and initiating a number of projects to encourage care for nature. The award was presented by the charity A Rocha UK as part of the eco-church scheme, which encourages churches to take action on climate change. The retiring Bishop of Salisbury, Nicholas Holtam, was the Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment.
German army appoints Jewish counsellor — the first for 100 years
The German army has installed its first rabbi as a religious counsellor in 100 years, The Guardian reports. There are 300 Jewish soldiers and Rabbi Zsolt Balla said he wanted to make them feel “just as integral” to the armed forces as their counterparts in countries such as the United States, Britain and France.
Gospel churches produce resources to tackle abuse allegations
Evangelical gospel church leaders are developing booklets and films to help churches assess and respond to abuse allegations, Premier Christian News reports. The group has been drawn together by “Affinity”, a network of gospel churches, to help guide responses when allegations of pastoral malpractice are made. A spokesman told Premier that a middle course was needed between those who think their leaders are untouchable, and others who suspect they are always culpable. The resources will not just be about safeguarding but include biblical teaching and spiritual wisdom.
TV evangelist settles lawsuit for falsely claiming a cure for Covid-19
The televangelist Jim Bakker and his southwestern Missouri church will pay $156,000 to settle a lawsuit, after being accused of falsely claiming a health supplement could cure Covid-19 in the early stages of the pandemic. The settlement will refund people who obtained “Silver Solution”, a liquid with silver particles, which was said to cure coronavirus in 12 hours, the Associated Press reports. Experts say ingesting colloidal silver can have serious side-effects. The NCCIH federal scientific research agency says it can turn skin blue when silver builds up in the body’s tissue. Bakker immediately complied with orders to stop offering Silver Solution on his show and ministry website after receiving warning letters.
Trans priest receives Pride award
Canon Sarah Jones, an Anglican priest in Cardiff, has been given an Attitude Pride Award for embodying the spirit of LGBTQ+ Pride in the Christian community. She was the first trans priest to be ordained in the Church of England in 2004. After receiving the award, she said God is beyond gender: “God is not a ‘he’. I don’t suppose God is a ‘she’, either. I think God is beautifully non-binary.”
Skipping Sikh becomes MBE – and Prince Charles vows to copy him
The “Skipping Sikh” Rajinder Harzall, 74, has received his MBE insignia from Prince Charles, for services to health and fitness during Covid-19 after raising more than £14,000 for the NHS through sponsored skipping. And he won a promise. “I spoke with Prince Charles and he said he will try skipping,” he revealed. The award ceremony honoured 32 community heroes who inspired the country during the coronavirus lockdowns and was held at St James’s Palace in London.
The day Pope Francis met Spider-man
Pope Francis met Spider-Man at his weekly audience yesterday, encouraging the man inside the costume with his work visiting sick children in hospitals across the country. Mattia Villardita, 28, spent 19 years in hospital as a child after being born with a congenital malformation, and now he tries to alleviate suffering of others. He gave the Pope his own Spider-Man mask and the Pope told him to take a lot of selfies with the children in the square.
