Pope says pushing back migrants is “a grave sin”
Pope Francis has denounced people who “push back migrants”, saying it is a grave sin. Speaking at the General Audience yesterday, he drew attention to the plight of migrants who seek peace and security by crossing seas and desert, which he described as “places of suffering, fear, and despair” and no place for migrants. He said that stopping this exodus cannot be done by stricter laws or border militarisation: “We will achieve it by expanding safe and regular pathways for migrants, facilitating refuge for those fleeing wars, violence, persecution, and various disasters. We will achieve it by promoting in every way a global governance of migration based on justice, fraternity, and solidarity.” He praised the people who work with refugees, saying they are courageous and not “infected by the harmful throwaway culture of indifference”.
Call for next Conservative leader to act decisively on Islamophobia
Hyphen Online reports on how the Conservative party can regain trust of Muslim voters, after a poll showed only 12 per cent said they would vote Tory in the general election. Only three Muslim politicians agreed to speak to the reporter, which is interpreted as a sign of anxiety in the ranks. One said several people had resigned from the party, disappointed at the last government’s stand on Gaza, saying the biggest issue is whether the party puts out “a strong message out against the genocide in Gaza”. Another issue is rising Islamophobia and the perception that the Conservatives had not taken this seriously. One said he was disappointed with Robert Jenrick’s comments about arresting protesters who shout the words “Allahu Akbar”. Another said the recent riots where Muslims and mosques were targeted didn’t happen overnight and divisive language had fuelled tensions. They want to see the next leader act decisively on Islamophobia. The article, by Hyphen’s commissioning editor Samir Jeraj, is here
Bishop says Dagenham tower block fire is a warning
The fire in a tower block in Dagenham, where unsafe cladding was being removed, has infuriated the Bishop of Barking, Lynne Cullens, who is responsible for CofE work in housing estates across the country. The cladding on the 5th and 6th floors was known to be “non-compliant”, and was being removed after the Grenfell Tower disaster, when unsafe cladding caught fire, killing 72 people and destroying the lives of hundreds of people. The bishop told Premier Christian News that the government’s response to remedial work was “deeply unsatisfactory” and called for more to be done. The final report on the Grenfell Tower fire is due to be published Wednesday next week.
Nearer to the heavens: half a million people climb to cathedral rooftops
More than half a million people have explored English cathedrals this summer, climbing to high walkways in order to see intricate carved ceilings, vaulting and bell towers, with magnificent views of the English countryside from the rooftops. The Association of English Cathedrals says its summer campaign aimed to illustrate “the very best feats of engineering”, offering the chance to highlight historic architecture and art, which many miss unless they look up. Angela Youngman’s report is here.
Hillsong founder Brian Houston launches new online church
The disgraced Hillsong founder, Brian Houston, and his wife, Bobbie, have launched a new online church called Jesus Followers TV. Houston stepped back from leadership roles in 2022, after breaching the church’s “moral code” with two women, and for allegedly concealing the sexual abuse of a child by his father, a charge of which he was eventually cleared in court. The couple sold their multi-million dollar homes in Australia and are now asking for money for an online global faith ministry, “believing God” for a TV studio, camera, production crew and a “big, powerful group of partners”. In a launch video for his new venture, he said it would be a new church community and “a trustworthy voice of hope and inspiration in the days ahead”. It has already streamed three Sunday sermons, but the channel so far has under a thousand subscribers. Hillsong continued without the couple and still has churches across the globe. Story is on Religion Unplugged here.
US Episcopal church offers training on bridging election divides
The Episcopal Church of the United States of America is launching a series of training webinars on how to bridge divides within their churches and wider society ahead of the presidential election on 5 November, and beyond. The series includes tips on how to use conversation to understand another point of view and gives the opportunity for people to name the most contentious issues in their community, from the Israel-Gaza war, to IVF and immigration. Resources include ways of recognising and addressing misinformation, disinformation and political violence. There is also information on voter registration and engagement in the political process. ECUSA has a Government Relations Office which regularly meets government officials to discuss issues of the day. The panel discussion on Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern time, will explore “the meaning behind voting from a theological perspective that centres this civic action as one expression of caring for one another and God’s creation.” Episcopal News Service report here
Dalai Lama returns home two months after surgery
The Dalai Lama has returned home to Dharamshala after undergoing knee replacement surgery in New York on 28 June. He is 89 and recovery is expected to take up to 12 months. The Associated Press reports that the Dalai Lama made the hillside town in northern India, his headquarters since fleeing Tibet in 1959. He handed political responsibilities to the community’s elected leadership there in 2011, but he remains the spiritual leader of the Tibetan community.
Neolithic burial ground in Spain a “unique example of creative genius”
Researchers studying the Dolmen de Menga, a “megalithic burial mound” in southern Spain, similar in appearance to Stonehenge, say its construction is a unique example of creative genius and early science among Neolithic societies. The research, published in Science Advances, says the monument was built around 3700 BC. Its stones are heavier than those used in Stonehenge and the pillars embedded in rock, with precisely angled uprights for stability to support a ceiling, form a construction not seen elsewhere. “It was designed as a completely original engineering project,” they said. Megalithic monuments have been found in France and Spain, dating from around 4,000 BC and were places of deep social significance and cultural memory. It has long been thought that Stonehenge was a place of religious ritual, honouring the ancestors and nature. Stones were positioned to align with the sun allowing solstices to be seen and celebrated. Independent story here
