Ireland church leaders call for help for the vulnerable
The Church Leaders Group in Ireland is calling for practical support for vulnerable people in the cost of living crisis. They say direct government initiatives and community partnerships north and south of the border hold the key. Too many people are already struggling to afford essentials like food and fuel and are in real danger of losing their homes, health or lives, they say. Government policies should deliver real and meaningful social justice and eliminate poverty across Ireland. The group includes the Church of Ireland, Roman Catholic archbishops, the Presbyterian moderator and the presidents of the Methodist Church and Irish Council of Churches.
Orthodox leader supports heroic Ukrainians defending their homeland
Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Orthodox church in Constantinople, which includes the Orthodox church of Ukraine, has issued a statement on Ukraine Independence Day, praying that no more “heroic sons and daughters” will die “defending their native land”. He describes the war as evil and ungodly, but it will end – evil will never overcome good, he says: “We offer heartfelt greetings and our paternal love to you all at this difficult time as you defend your homeland from a foreign invader”. The Ukraine Orthodox church broke away from the orthodox church owing allegiance to Moscow and was recognised by Constantinople in 2019.
Musical Tammy Faye prepares to open in London
The life of Tammy Faye Messner, televangelist, gay icon, and wife of two men convicted of financial crimes, is portrayed in a musical opening in London next month, with a score by Elton John. A review in the Guardian tells how Tammy, with her elaborate hairstyles, heavy makeup and warm personality, became a star with her televangelist husband Jim Bakker, propelling the PTL Club (short for praise the lord), to 13 million households in America. She embraced people suffering from HIV aids and became a gay icon, divorced her husband when he was jailed for fraud and conspiracy, married again to a man subsequently jailed for bankruptcy fraud, was diagnosed with colon cancer and died in 2007. The musical Tammy Faye is at the Almeida theatre from 13 October until 3 December.
Are woke social justice campaigners the new Puritans?
The Telegraph publishes a review of The Church of Social Justice, a Radio 4 programme presented by Helen Lewis, journalist now with The Atlantic. It charts the religious levels of zealotry found in political beliefs, in relation to wokeness and transgender issues, and among the followers of Jeremy Corbyn and Donald Trump. The programme asks whether social justice activists are the new Puritans, the elect bringing truth to sinners, and whether cancel culture is the modern equivalent of excommunication. Read our own analysis of woke and the new Puritans, by Andrew Brown, published in 2020 here
Archaeologists discover signs of the home of St Peter and St Andrew in Bethsaida
A team of archaeologists have uncovered a mosaic at a 5th century Byzantine basilica on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, which is inscribed with a petition that asks for the intercession of St. Peter, who is referred to as “the chief and commander of the heavenly apostles”. The Catholic News Agency says Byzantine Christian writers commonly referred to the Apostle Peter by this title and it lends to the theory that the church was built over the home of Saints Peter and Andrew in the lost city of Bethsaida.
Kidnapped Nigerian nuns released
Four Nigerian nuns of the Congregation of Sisters of Jesus the Saviour, who were kidnapped on their way to mass on Sunday, have been released. A statement says their release was unconditional and safe. It is reported that Christians are increasingly targeted by kidnappers seeking ransom payments
