New Religion Media Centre podcast explores “abuse of trust, hypocrisy and contradiction” in Number Ten parties
The continuing anger and distress caused by the story about Number Ten parties is discussed in the Religion Media Centre’s first podcast, which is just published. Professor Liz David-Barrett, Director of the Centre for the Study of Corruption at the University of Sussex, explains that there was a contract between the people and government during lockdowns, that everyone had to trust one another to take collective responsibility. It was the hypocrisy and contradiction which was now called into question: “If they abuse that trust, they’re basically cheating on the contract. And that’s why the definition of corruption actually is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”. Listen to the interview between the Professor, Chine McDonald from Theos and Hannah Scott Joynt, which is the first item in our podcast.
Our podcast also includes interviews on the “ongoing virus” of antisemitism; what is “non religion” and who are the “nones”?; how Kaya Burgess of The Times got the story on the government’s failure to progress work on Islamophobia; why it’s so important that 2022 brings the hope of travel; and we introduce the new cricket mad Bishop of Loughborough, Saju Muthalaly: “I love cricket. I love watching it. I love thinking about it. I love talking to people about it. Cricket is one of the greatest contributions that the English have made to the world”. Our brand new podcast is here
Sir Gary Streeter, chair of Christians in Parliament, submits letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister
Sir Gary Streeter, chair of Christians in Parliament and Conservative MP for South West Devon, has submitted a letter seeking a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister. In a statement, he said “I cannot reconcile the pain and sacrifice of the vast majority of the British public during lockdown, with the attitude and activities of those working in Downing Street… I have not come to this decision lightly”. He was one of three Conservative MPs to submit letters yesterday to the chairman of the 1922 backbench committee, who needs to receive 54 before calling a vote of no confidence.
Faith organisations missing from Levelling Up proposals
The National Executive Director of Faith Action, Daniel Singleton, has expressed public disappointment that the government’s white paper on Levelling Up makes no mention of the contribution of faith groups. Faith Action is a network of faith based and community organisations which serve communities on the front line and he is one of many religious leaders engaged by the government to help serve some of the most vulnerable people in society during the pandemic. He tweeted that there was very little mention of faith or community and this “seems a big miss after #covid response showed both essential for #resilience #recovery and #reach”. While welcoming the White Paper’s focus on economics, education, transport and technical innovation, he said “we believe it is as important to acknowledge the essential importance of creating social bonds. Faith organisations connect with people at grass roots level and are key agencies for building strong communities which are crucial to levelling up.”
(Faith group involvement in Levelling Up is the subject of our next media briefing on Tuesday 8 Feb 1200)
Bishops in Ghana say bill criminalising homosexuality must be reviewed
The Church Times reports that Anglican bishops in Ghana have said the controversial bill criminalising homosexuality is “severe and must be reviewed”. It has seen a statement signed by the Ghanaian Archbishop, Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith on behalf of the bishops, which affirms support for family values and says that “Ghanaian citizens must not use the bill as an avenue to assault persons with homosexual orientation but show love to them … Acts of harassment, intimidation, and hostilities against LGBTQ+ people should be condemned”.
Court hearing to move marble monument from Jesus College chapel
A four day church court hearing has begun in Cambridge into an application by Jesus College to remove a marble memorial to benefactor Tobias Rustat, from its place on the west wall of the Grade I listed college chapel. According to Jesus College’s website, Rustat (1608-1694) had financial and other involvement in a slave trading company over a substantial period of time. In 1671, he gave £2,000 to Jesus College for scholarships for orphan sons of Anglican clergymen. The dean of the chapel, the Rev James Crockford, told the consistory court that some undergraduates were “disturbed and upset” by the monument as it appeared to celebrate Rustat’s life. Opponents dispute that Rustat gained much of his wealth from the Royal African Company and insist there was no document indicating he was a slave trader. The case follows a Jesus College inquiry reviewing the college’s historical links to slavery. Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College and the first black master of any Oxbridge college, has said that moving the memorial to an exhibition space was the right solution for the college. The case continues.
Prince of Wales visits icon exhibition
The Prince of Wales has toured the “Metamorphosis” Icon Exhibition by Dr Irina Bradley at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street, Mayfair. Dr Bradley explained that Prince Charles had maintained an interest in her work since attending a graduates’ exhibition at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in 2015. He is known to have an interest in eastern Orthodoxy and to have visited Mount Athos several times.
New Dawn funding for refugee entrepreneurs in Bradford
The National Zakat Foundation is launching an entrepreneurship programme “New Dawn” to help 18 refugees start up their own small businesses. The project, in partnership with Mercy Mission and the University of Bradford, will support resettled refugees to develop business ideas, followed by a period of mentoring and then a further workshop leading to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ investor forum. New Dawn will be making £60,000 of seed funding available to support new ventures.
Social justice hymn collection by Jubilate
The Christian liturgy group Jubilate, has produced a new hymn collection Until Your Earth is Whole, with contemporary hymns about social justice issues, including refugees and the environment. Roger Peach, Jubilate’s editorial co-ordinator , said they were “beautiful and challenging new hymns”. For example: “We pray for those adrift, afraid; for refugees abused, betrayed, who yearn for somewhere safe to stay: look down, O Lord, and see” and “You made a universe so full of wonder, gave us a world to cherish and to hold. But we have treated it as ours to plunder: what you gave freely, we have bought and sold”.
