The church experience of long covid, with emergency online worship now a fixture
Churches and cathedrals across Britain have embraced a digital revolution, accelerated by the Covid pandemic, and have broadcast thousands of online services which have developed into church prayer groups, pastoral counselling and theological debates. A Religion Media Centre briefing heard that this hybrid model of churches, where people meet in person but also online, is here to stay, described as the church’s experience of long covid. Online worship is sometimes an iphone on a tripod at the back of the church, or a produced programmes with recorded hymns and prayers. Among the stats: CofE online services were viewed 21 million times in 2024, a third of all churches have an online presence and seven per cent of the total internet church audience only worship online. Extensive research has been undertaken in the US and UK on how this is changing church life. Online audiences are not just spectators, but bespoke communities and the challenge is how online and in person commmunities develop together. The point was made however that online services make church buildings even more important as the location for the worship and the hub where the community comes together. The briefing is on You Tube and available as a podcast – links on our website here
New police powers to prevent protests near mosques and synagogues
The government plans to give police in England and Wales powers to prevent intimidating protests outside places of worship so that people can pray in peace. The conditions may change the route and the timing of a protest, as police balance the right to freedom of expression with the right to be free from intimidation and serious disruption. The Guardian reports that the new powers will come in amendments to the crime and policing bill, after concerns were raised about protests near synagogues and mosques.
Yorkshire villagers outraged that 15th century church tower has been painted white
The community in Askrigg, a picturesque village in the Yorkshire Dales, is in uproar over building work on the 15th century parish church, which has left the tower painted in brilliant white. Local villagers have written outraged posts on social media saying: “’It has disfigured the church, changed the face of the village and it is quite horrendous” an abomination, an eyesore, a disgrace, looking like a lighthouse. The Daily Mail reports that the work was to stop water leaking through the brickwork and the vicar of St Oswald’s church, the Rev Dave Clark, said it would appear as a soft honey colour in keeping with the building. He is now the focus of complaints and accusations that he lied, with the community perplexed as to how permission was granted on this Grade 1 listed building. He’s quoted saying: “’We are not diminishing anyone’s distress over this, but I feel there would have been greater distress if the tower had fallen down or if the bells came loose and fell through the floor”.
Catholic bishop urges continuing campaign against the assisted dying bill
Bishop John Sherrington, the lead Catholic bishop on life issues, is urging people to continue to speak out against the assisted dying bill, which passed the committee stage in the Commons this week. He said people should continue to write to their MP making known their concerns. The bill is due to be voted on again in a month’s time. If passed, it would allow people who are terminally ill with less than six months to live, to be given medication to end their lives. The Muslim Council of Britain is holding a briefing on 3 April, on collective action needed to resist assisted suicide being legalised, with speakers including three Muslim doctors
Celebrations planned for the end of Ramadan this weekend
The end of Ramadan is in sight, ending with Eid on either Sunday 30 March or Monday 31 March, depending on the sighting of the moon. Public celebrations are being planned in parks and public spaces. The FA ‘Faith & Football Series’ is organising Eid 2025 at Wembley on 4 April, an event that has sold out. See our article on the importance of the moon setting dates for religious festivals here
Unification church in Japan will fight court decision dissolving its organisation
The head of the Unification Church in Japan has denounced a court decision to dissolve the church following a scandal over fundraising practices and links to the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Reuters reports that Tomihiro Tanaka, the Japanese president of the group, vowed to fight the court order, which he described as an attack on religious freedom. The church was founded by Sun Myung Moon in Seoul in 1954 and known as The Moonies. The organisation runs the conservative Washington Times newspaper and has traditionally been a supporter of Republican politicians in the US.
Controversial prior at Franco’s mausoleum is removed, but monks remain
The Spanish government has given up trying to expel a community of Benedictine monks from the Valley of the Fallen mausoleum outside Madrid, on condition that the prior, Father Santiago Cantera, is removed. The mausoleum was built by dictator Francisco Franco, and holds his remains, those of 34,000 soldiers from the 1936-39 civil war and the bodies of left-wing Republicans murdered as political prisoners. The Times reports that Fr Cantera clashed repeatedly with the Spanish government, unsuccessfully opposing the exhumation of the dictator’s remains, which was finally achieved in 2019.
South Korea fires engulf 7th century temple
A historic 7th century Buddhist temple in South Korea has been reduced to ash in the wildfires that have swept the country. The fire is the biggest single forest fire in South Korea’s history, surpassing the 24,000-hectare blaze of March 2000. At least 27 people have died and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed.
Methodist bishop attacked in Nigeria
A United Methodist Church bishop has been attacked while engaging in ministry work in Nigeria, and a vehicle used as part of his entourage was damaged. Bishop Ande Emmanuel and other UMC members traveling with him in the Nigerian Episcopal Area were attacked by people who have not been identified or apprehended.
Centre for Media Monitoring AI tool
The Centre for Media Monitoring, which is part of the Muslim Council of Britain, intends to use an AI tool to assess news articles which are deemed to be Islamophobic and then ask for corrections. In a post on Twitter / X it said: “Now we taking media accountability to the next level. With our AI-DRIVEN MONITORING TOOL, we can challenge misinformation in real time. But we need your support to make it happen. Donate today and help us hold the media to account”.
