Campaign for women’s ordination in the Catholic church continues
The many groups campaigning for women to be ordained in the Catholic church have vowed to continue despite disappointment that the Rome synod shelved discussion on this controversial issue and shunted it into a workshop for further consideration. Kate McElwee, the executive director of Women’s Ordination Worldwide, told CNN: “Women are looking for concrete changes and reforms that urgently recognise their equality. How much longer must women wait?” Other campaigns including the Root and Branch group and the Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research, which had organised a petition signed by 53 international Catholic organisations urging change, also agreed to press on. There was some encouragement from the wording of the final document which said the question of allowing women to be deacons remains open, and stated clearly that there is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the church. Read Catherine Pepinster’s explainer on what happened at the Rome synod and what is likely to happen next, here.
Six women ordained on a barge near the Vatican
The news agency AFP reports that Bridget Mary Meehan, aged 76, an American and self-styled bishop in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, conducted an ordination ceremony for six women on a barge on the River Tiber in Rome, near the Vatican. The ceremony took place on Thursday, a matter of days before the synod ended. It followed traditional liturgy but was illegal and leads to excommunication. Her group says it has performed 270 ordinations of women in 14 countries since its creation in 2002. France 24 report here.
NATRE urges government to bring back grants for RE teacher training
The National Association for the Teachers of RE, NATRE, is calling on the government to reverse its decision to cut “subject knowledge enhancement grants” for those applying to train as secondary teachers of RE in 2025-2026. These grants enable graduates from other disciplines to enhance their knowledge in a named subject by doing a six-week course. They are available for chemistry, computing, modern languages, mathematics and physics but were axed from RE in April and are not going to be re-instated, a decision NATRE says is both illogical and short sighted. Only one third of trainee RE teachers has a Theology and Religious Studies degree, but NATRE says the grants boosted recruitment by a third and the cutbacks will not help a recruitment shortfall which has been experienced for 11 of the last 12 years. NATRE urges a letter writing campaign to MPs to quickly reverse this decision.
MP seeks to make Freedom of Religion and Belief envoy a permanent role
Jim Shannon, MP for Strangford and a member of Christians in Parliament, has tabled a private members bill to make the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief a permanent position. The role was occupied by the former Conservative MP Fiona Bruce, who had campaigned for the same thing before parliament was abruptly dissolved, and an election was called in which she lost her seat. Labour has not filled the position since winning power. The bill will be debated on Friday 29 November, the same day as the assisted dying bill.
Community Security Trust charts rise in antisemitism in 2023
The Community Security Trust has released a report charting Antisemitic Discourse in Britian 2023. Since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, it says “the Guardian and GB News, had to deal with allegations of antisemitism by staff or contributors … and the BBC faced numerous accusations of antisemitism or bias in its news coverage”. Social media platforms saw antisemitic and hate speech increase dramatically. The report outlines allegations of antisemitism against students and the government response, and there is an account of antisemitism directed against healthcare professionals. Finally it includes the Shawcross review of Prevent with calls to better understand and tackle antisemitism.
900 hours of non-stop prayer for peace in the Middle East
The Christian aid charity Tear Fund has organised a month of non-stop prayer for an end to the conflict and for peace in the Middle East. Hosted by the organisation “24/7 Prayer”, people can sign up on a timetable to ensure every hour is covered. Graeme McMeekin, Head of Church and Supporter Engagement at Tearfund, said the prayers would be for protection and provision for displaced people in Gaza, Lebanon and across the region, comfort for the bereaved, support for churches and aid organisations and reconciliation in the region.
12,000 march for Jesus in Dublin
An estimated 12,000 people joined a march for Jesus in Dublin last weekend, an event started by Graham Kendrick in London in 1987 which has grown to a worldwide phenomenon. The march was promoted by the Catholic Bishop of Waterford, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, and supported by Pastor John Ahern from All Nations Church Dublin, who told Premier Christian News that the numbers were a sign the nation was in the early days of revival. Premier report is here
Diwali celebrations across Britain
Diwali celebrations are taking place in towns and cities across the UK. Bright lights and carnival processions marked the festivities in London, Northampton, Rugby, Manchester, Liverpool and Poole. Charities distributed 5,000 “goodie bags” of festive food in in London, Birmingham, Leicester and Manchester. Leicester, which is said to have the largest Diwali festival in Britain and one of the largest outside India, is holding the event tomorrow, 31 October, with fireworks, music, street parties and parades.
