Pope starts visit to Turkey with warning of third world war
Pope Leo XIV has begun the first apostolic journey of his papacy, arriving first in the Turkish capital of Ankara at the start of a five day visit to Turkey and Lebanon. The Pope visited the memorial to Atatürk, the founding father of the Republic of Turkey, and was then received by President Erdoğan in the presidential palace. In his address, he encouraged Turkey to be a source of stability and dialogue in a world riven by conflict. He said there was “a heightened level of conflict on the global level, fuelled by prevailing strategies of economic and military power… a third world war is being fought piecemeal .. The future of humanity is at stake.” He had two private meetings with the President of Religious Affairs, a government role promoting Sunni Islam, and then with the Apostolic Nunciature before his flight to Istanbul. This afternoon, in the highlight of his trip, he will attend an ecumenical prayer service in Iznik, once the ancient city of Nicaea, to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which gave the church the foundational Nicene Creed. Read Catherine Pepinster’s explainer on the background to the visit and itinerary here.
UK interfaith leaders chart the future of multi-faith collaboration
More than 40 leaders and representatives from diverse faith and belief organisations and interfaith bodies across England, have met to discuss establishing a new national structure for interfaith engagement. It follows the closure of the Inter Faith Network in April 2024, when the Conservative government withdrew funding. The representatives discussed the need for an overarching structure or process like the Inter Faith Network; they identified common ethical and spiritual ground across the traditions to strengthen collaboration; and they looked at practical ways to strengthen multi-faith social action. A consultation will take place over possibly launching a working group to oversee the future, and this will be considered at the next meeting early next year. The chair was Canon Hilary Barber, the former co-chair of the Inter Faith Network, who said: “Interfaith dialogue and multi-faith social action are at a vulnerable stage in this country, with the Inter Faith Network closed and conflicts abroad impacting seriously on community relations here. We need a new way forward urgently and the meeting was about starting on that journey.” The meeting was facilitated by Faith in Society.
Police arrest a man on suspicion of involvement in the Manchester synagogue attack
Police have arrested a man on suspicion of involvement in the Heaton Park synagogue attack last month that left two people dead. Greater Manchester Police said a 31-year-old man was detained at Manchester Airport on suspicion of “commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism” after arriving on an inbound flight. The attacker, Jihad Al-Shamie, who slashed people with a knife and rammed a car into pedestrians, was shot dead by police outside the synagogue. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, from Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said the loved ones of the two men who died and the survivors who were seriously injured, have been updated on the latest developments. A 30-year-old man arrested on 9 October on suspicion of failing to disclose information contrary to S38B of the Terrorism Act 2000, remains on bail.
Bishop of Chelmsford ‘bitterly regrets’ that LGBTQ+ people have been failed by the church
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, has said she bitterly regrets that LGBTQ+ people in the church have been failed through the long discussions over same sex relationships and the recent decision by the bishops to pause the conversation. Speaking to her diocesan synod, she said: “Regarding where we seem to have arrived in relation to the use of the Prayers of Love and Faith, let me say plainly that, although I understand why, I’m still dismayed and disappointed and I regret profoundly the ongoing pain and hurt caused especially to LGBT+ people, and I recognise that it is for them that the cost is greatest.” The church is deeply divided on allowing standalone services for blessing same-sex couples, and in allowing same sex clergy to marry, with opponents demanding their own bishops, in effect schism. The bishops have pulled back, saying same sex services of blessing would have to be approved by a two thirds majority in Synod and new proposals on clergy in same sex marriage would have to start all over again. The Church Times reports the Bishop of Chelmsford’s presidential address at her diocesan synod last weekend, where she said LGBT+ people have been failed: “I’m sorry about that, and I regret it bitterly.” She couldn’t see any theological difference between Prayers of Love and Faith being offered in scheduled services and in bespoke services. She believed it would also be possible to make pastoral provision for same sex couples in committed relationships, “because people matter and because it seems untenable to recognise the goods in faithful, committed same-sex relationships”. She said it was healthy for bishops to share their views openly without fear and acknowledged some in the church would disagree with her profoundly. The full text is here
Government reviewing new Charity Commission powers to take action on hate crimes
The government is looking at ways to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle abuse of charities by extremists. Baroness Twycross, junior minister in the Department of Culture Media and Sport, told the Lords that the government will consult on new powers for the Charity Commission to automatically ban individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers. It will make it easier for the Commission to take regulatory action against people promoting violence, terrorism or hatred. In the debate on charity regulation, the Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, praised the idea of covenants between local authorities and faith groups enabling better co-ordination to benefit the city, and the minister said she wanted to hear more about the scheme. Hansard account here
John Cleese apologises for inadvertently sharing antisemitic posts
John Cleese has apologised to Jewish News for inadvertently sharing false, antisemitic posts online, saying he was “extremely sorry” for not checking fabricated material, including a fake quote from Tzipi Hotovely and claims that Israel “controls global finance.” The posts angered many British Jews and Israelis and preceded his cancellation of three sold-out shows in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In an exclusive interview, he said anxiety, not politics, drove the decision. He had feared being asked political questions and giving the wrong answer. The 86-year-old admitted he had been “naïve” about online misinformation and plans to stop commenting on Israel, saying, “I don’t understand the internet.” He condemned Hamas and affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence, while expressing concern about some actions of the Israeli government, and expressed distress over rising antisemitism in the UK. He said he hopes to rebuild trust and intends to perform in Israel “when it feels safe” — adding he will do so for free.
Diocese of Bristol launches Advent calendar with an appeal
The Diocese of Bristol has launched its first ever Advent Appeal, combined with an interactive Advent calendar sharing daily stories of “licensed lay ministers”, who offer a wide range of work but are not ordained as priests. They are trained and licensed by the bishop to lead certain services and preach, and to offer pastoral care for example in care homes, youth work, in community action projects or as chaplains. The diocese currently has more than 200 LLMs and in the past five years, the number has grown by 15 per cent. The appeal is for funds to pay for their training and support. Meanwhile, the Methodist Church has produced a suite of resources under the title “Gifted”, for services and small groups for the whole Advent and Christmas season. And the Association of English Cathedrals is running the “Divine Light” campaign, featuring stained glass windows in daily posts across social media during the season. Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, starts this Sunday.
