Speculation mounts over the next Archbishop of Canterbury
There is growing speculation over the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury. The Crown Nominations Commission, a group of 17 people who will select a candidate for the King to approve and Downing Street to announce, promised to make their choice by the end of September. We have heard the final interviews are early this week. Cathy Newman, at Channel 4 news, has been told the person will, for the first time, probably be a woman. She speculates that the Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek is a possible front runner because she failed to host a major conference last week, without explanation. The most frequently discussed candidates are the Bishops of London, Chelmsford and Bath & Wells. Lord Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford, told the Sunday programme on BBC Radio 4, that he knew the last seven Archbishops of Canterbury and he hoped a woman would be appointed this time.
Three former Archbishops of Canterbury give advice to their impending successor
The Times has interviewed three former Archbishops of Canterbury to seek their advice for whoever gets the job. Justin Welby said: “You answer to God rather than the commentariat or the opinion polls.”George Carey advised them to observe a judicious silence on some issues “You are here to lead a team of bishops, clergy and laity — to encourage, empower them and back them to the hilt.” Rowan Williams advised them to keep non-church friends “in hailing distance” and said: “Before anyone else mentions it, try to make a better job of all this than I did. Bless you.”
Two killed and eight injured in shooting at US Mormon church service
At least two people have been killed and several injured after a shooting and fire at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worship service in Michigan yesterday. Police say a man aged 40 rammed his vehicle through the front door of the church while hundreds of people were gathered for the Sunday morning service. Then he got out and started firing using an assault rifle, while setting fire to the building. He was killed after an exchange of fire with police. Church spokesperson Doug Andersen said: “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peace making, prayer and connection. We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”
World’s oldest religious leader has died aged 101
Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died aged 101. He became an “apostle”, one of 12 leaders on the administrative council of the church, in 1984, and then president on 14 January 2018. In this time, he visited 32 countries and US territories, announced 200 new temples, and instituted changes such as allowing children of same sex couples to be baptised, making Temples more inclusive of women, including non-white men as apostles and phasing out the name “Mormons” to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Warm tributes describe him as a dynamic man who changed the church.
Communities Secretary will ‘overrule Islamophobia definition’ if it restricts free speech
The Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, has told The Telegraph that he will overrule the working group deciding on a new definition of Islamophobia, if they come up with a definition that would restrict legitimate free speech. In 2018, the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims defined the term as: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” The government did not adopt the definition mainly due to the way it incorporated the idea of race. But a new definition was called for due to a spike in anti-Muslim hate crime. Some have criticised any wording that would afford Muslims special protections, arguing that it could ban criticism of Islam and introduce something akin to a blasphemy law, restricting free speech. The working group, chaired by Dominic Grieve, was due to publish its recommendation this September. Read our factfile on the UK government’s Islamophobia working group here
King and Queen to meet Pope Leo on state visit in October
King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet Pope Leo XIV on a state visit to the Vatican in late October. Their previous official visit to the Vatican to see Pope Francis, was postponed because of his ill health. Instead, they paid him a brief private visit in April on their 20th wedding anniversary, days before he died. Their re-arranged official visit falls in this specially designated Jubilee Year, a time of forgiveness and reconciliation marked by the church every 25 years, this time on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. This is another marker that the King is determined to build ecumenical links between the Church of England, of which he is supreme governor, and the Catholic church. Earlier this month, he visited the Oratory founded by St John Henry Newman, an Anglican who converted to Catholicism in 1845, and then he became the first monarch to attend a Catholic mass in this country since the Reformation, when he attended the requiem mass for the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral.
National Secular Society report on ‘misogyny in churches and mosques’
The Times reports that the National Secular Society has compiled a list of charities including churches and mosques, which it says have promoted misogynistic attitudes, such as saying women should obey their husbands, or must cover up if leaving the house. The NSS report outlines times when these views have been put forward in YouTube films, sermons and websites. It says these groups should have their charitable status revoked and is calling for a government review of the charitable purpose of religion with a “view to its removal”. The NSS says charitable status allows groups to receive public grants and tax relief, which “amounts to indirect state support of misogyny through public money.” The NSS is calling for an overhaul of the law and more action by regulators.
The UK’s oldest witch has died aged 97
Patricia Crowther, a high priestess regarded as the person who rejuvenated witchcraft, has died aged 97. She was an entertainer and dancer from Sheffield, whose husband introduced her to Gerald Gardner, the founder of modern Wicca. She and her husband, magician Arnold Corwther, created a series on BBC Radio Sheffield in the 1970s called “A Spell of Witchcraft”, aiming to dispel myths. She said on air: “Witchcraft simply means the craft of the wise people – nothing sensational or horrific in that.” The series described the history and rituals of Wicca, including a local coven. The pagan publication Wild Hunt said: “As high priestess, author, and teacher, Patricia Crowther leaves a profound legacy. Her work ensured that witchcraft remained vibrant, accessible, and present in modern times.”
New research uncovers Betjeman’s bitter battle with CS Lewis
The Times reports research by a professor at Magdalen College Oxford, on clashes and animosity between Sir John Betjeman and his tutor, CS Lewis. At a symposium earlier this month, Prof Simon Horobin said CS Lewis refused to support Betjeman progressing to an honours degree and that Betjeman was the only student in his year to be awarded the lowest pass degree grade – delta – in 1928. CS Lewis’s diaries record clashes with Betjeman whom he described as “very conceited” and “an idle prig”. Betjeman wrote that while Lewis had regarded their conflict as a “purely literary battle … it started on my side as a rather malicious personal battle”. In a 1935 letter to a friend Betjeman wrote that he “must get [Lewis] psycho-analysed out of me”.
Three nuns break out of a care home and back into their old Salzburg convent
Three Austrian nuns aged 82, 86 and 88, removed to a care home two years ago, have broken back into their old convent, the 15th century castle Schloss Goldenstein outside Salzburg, to the fury of local church officials. The story is told in The Guardian. Sisters Bernadetta, Regina and Rita had lived there for 60 years and for the past 20, they were the only nuns in residence. They were persuaded to go into a care home because of their age and frailty, and the church insists they signed a contract after lengthy talks. But the nuns say this was against their will, as they always believed they would stay at the Convent until they died. Around 200 supporters, generally people they have taught over the years, helped them get back in, unlocking the doors and reconnecting electricity and plumbing, with a team offering care, meals and medical help. Local people joined them to say the rosary in their chapel but the only priest to offer mass is a retired 94 year old. The nuns’ superior, Provost Markus Grasl, has accused them of “breaking the vow of obedience” by illegally occupying the Convent. But the nuns’ story on social media has garnered a further 50,000 supporters and the church has taken on PR help to deal with the flak.
