Passing the Holocaust memorial flame to the next generation
The solemn commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day at the Guildhall in London was a moment, The Times describes, when “the future king and queen took the memorial flame from those who had experienced these horrors and passed it to a generation who will carry it into the 22nd century”. But there is concern at the gaps in knowledge among the next generation about the Holocaust. A survey by a Jewish organisation has found 33 per cent of young adults in the UK and 48 per cent in the US were unable to name any concentration camps, many did not know six million Jewish people were killed, and around a third of people surveyed in Europe said they had encountered Holocaust denial on social media. However, the memorial events yesterday were covered extensively by the media, including live coverage of the main global commemorative event at Auschwit. World leaders, including King Charles, marked the 80th anniversary of its liberation with a moving ceremony of music, testimony and the ritual lighting of candles. It was perhaps the last time survivors would meet for such a landmark occasion. Four survivors, aged between 86 and 99, spoke of the danger of present day antisemitism and warned that the atrocities of the Holocaust must never happen again. At 8pm, people across Britain placed candles in their windows and public buildings were lit in purple, to remember those who died.
Persecuted Christians affected by US halt of refugee admissions programme
The US Christian humanitarian organisation “World Relief” has urged President Trump to reconsider his decision to halt for 90 days the refugee admissions program that resettled 100,000 people fleeing persecution in 2024, including nearly 30,000 Christians. The Baptist Press reports its comment that at a time of more global refugees than ever before, the US should be doing more not less. The report quotes Matthew Soerens, World Relief’s vice president of advocacy and policy, saying 71 percent of evangelical Christians believed that the US had a moral responsibility to receive refugees: “Most evangelical Christians voted for President Trump in 2016, in 2020 and again in 2024. They did so heartened by pledges that he would secure our borders and protect Christians from persecution, but most did not anticipate that he would halt a longstanding, legal immigration program that offers refuge to those persecuted for their Christian faith.” The Religion News Service reports concerns of support workers that that the decision will adversely affect persecuted Christians fleeing to the US to start a new life.
Christian agencies warn of serious humanitarian situation in Goma
The Catholic aid agency Cafod is highlighting the” very serious” situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where rebels have taken control of parts of Goma and hundreds of thousands of displaced people are displaced and arriving in the city. It says water and electricity are cut off, food prices are soaring and people are begging on the streets amidst heavy fighting and shooting. Humanitarian needs are vast and Cafod will be scaling up its operation as soon as possible. Another aid agency Tear Fund said the situation was critical and those who have been displaced have become targets for violence: “Only yesterday a bomb landed on the IDP site where Tearfund has been providing water and latrines for the past 18 months”. Staff have been told to stay at home while the situation is monitored.
Government’s failure to engage with Muslim Council of Britain is ‘appalling’
Four Labour MPs attended the Muslim Council of Leadership dinner in London which marked the conclusion of Zara Mohammed’s four-year term as MCB Secretary General. Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, Naz Shah, Afzal Khan and Abtisam Mohamed were guests among 300 Muslim community leaders, and The Times reports their presence was controversial, because the Labour government has not lifted its ban on engagement with the MCB, dating back to 2009. Speakers included Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who addressed the “difficult political environment” for British Muslims and criticised the government’s treatment of the MCB as “appalling”. MCB report with pics here
CofE proposals to help cash starved dioceses
The Church Times reports that the Church of England’s General Synod is to be asked to back a proposal to transfer £2.6 billion transfer of assets from the Church Commissioners to diocesan stipend funds, to be used to support parish ministry. The plan is from the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Dr Michael Beesley, who says the assets are not at present supporting parishes or dioceses “in their current situation of destructive and destabilising financial deficit”. The Church Times also reports another initiative to divert £200 million over the next nine years to dioceses, many of which are in deficit, with churches experiencing lower attendance.
Legal tussle in Delhi over ‘offensive’ paintings of Hindu gods
The High Court in Delhi has ordered the seizure of two paintings from a gallery in the city, whcih are by the late artist Maqbool Fida Husain and depict the Hindu deities Ganesha and Hanuman alongside nude female figures. The decision followed a complaint by a lawyer who said the paintings were offensive and hurt religious sentiments. But the gallery has given a statement to The Independent saying the allegations were unfounded and it is taking legal action against the complainant.
Council forced to apologise for killing moles in a church graveyard
Tadley town council, north of Basingstoke, has apologised for poisoning moles in the graveyard of St Peter’s church, after residents complained. Dead moles were said to have been left strewn on the ground, upsetting mourners and causing a trip hazard to people visiting the graves. Council chair, Avril Burdett, said the decision to kill the moles was very difficult and she was sorry people were upset. The church has made clear this is nothing to do with them as the graveyard is managed by the council. Telegraph story here
