Three CofE bishops say international community must protect Palestinians
Three Church of England bishops have called on the international community to “uphold its obligations under international law to protect Palestinians”. The bishops of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani; Gloucester, Rachel Treweek; and Norwich, Graham Usher, made their comments in a letter to the Guardian, after visiting Palestinian Christian communities in the occupied territory last week. They accused the UK government of helping to create a “culture of impunity” that has enabled Israel to accelerate the de facto annexation of the West Bank. Families unable to earn a living and living in fear, had no one to protect them, they said, and “many now feel they have no other choice but to leave or to die standing”. The bishops criticised the government for failing to publish its legal response to a 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion declaring Israel’s occupation unlawful, saying this inaction had emboldened settlement expansion and violence. Anglican Communion News Service article here.
British Muslims urged to engage in political campaigning to solve community issues
The Muslim Council of Britain is calling on Muslims to “make this Ramadan one of political activism, social justice and empowerment for British Muslims across the country”. Three months before local elections on 7 May, it has launched an election toolkit in a campaign called “Hungry for Change”, urging Muslims to take part in grassroots campaigning against issues affecting the community such as domestic violence, hate crime and poverty. It is calling on Muslims to register to vote and become politically engaged, in order to end a situation where they feel their voices are sidelined and they are disempowered. The campaign follows a six month project last year when thousands of Muslims attended “town hall” meetings identifying concerns in society. Read Maira Butt’s report here
US Episcopalian bishops urge immediate suspension of ICE operations in Minnesota
154 US Episcopalian bishops have called for the immediate suspension of ICE and border patrol operations in Minnesota “and in any community where enforcement has eroded public trust”. They’ve also called for “transparent, independent investigations of the people killed – investigations centred on truth, not politics”. Renee Good and Alex Pretti were “fatal victims of “state-sanctioned violence”, they said. The bishops pledged to “keep showing up — to pray, to speak, and to stand with every person working to make our communities just, safe, and whole.” The vision their faith called on them to live out was to “replace fear with compassion, violence with justice, and unchecked power with accountability”. Episcopalian New Service report here
CofE boosts racial justice funding in London
The Diocese of London has been awarded funding from the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit to expand its work on racial justice over the next three years. A statement from the Diocese of London says the money will go towards anti-racism training, new curriculum resources, leadership and projects on issues including youth safety, health inequality and the rights and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers. The Guardian says the funding totals £730,000 and quotes the lead bishop for racial justice, the Bishop of Edmonton Anderson Jeremiah, saying: “Whether it’s Bible studies, baptismal preparations, confirmation preparations or sermons, what we would like to actively promote is racial justice as one of the ways of engaging with the challenges of the church”.
Dalai Lama wins Grammy award for audiobook on meditation
The Dalai Lama has won a Grammy award in the narration and storytelling category, for his spoken word audiobook “Meditations: The Recollections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”. It features his message on peace, compassion and mindfulness, over music by the Indian classical sarod player, Amjad Ali Khan and his sons. The Dalai Lama, now aged 90, is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, and issued this response: “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility. I truly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings”. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson criticised the decision, saying it was “a tool for anti-China political manipulation”.
World Interfaith Harmony Week to encourage dialogue
This week, interfaith groups around the world are taking part in the “World Interfaith Harmony Week”, proposed in 2010 by King Abdullah II of Jordan, and then taken up and supported by the United Nations. More than one thousand events are planned, including dialogue, prayer and meditation, involving politicians, diplomats, young people and faith leaders. Its core is the “Common Word” initiative bringing together Abrahamic faiths over their common commandments of love of God and neighbour. It was then extended to include “love of good” and now includes all faiths and none. Many events are planned in New York and the Middle East, but few in the UK.
Ancient walkway to Temple Mount re-opened after 2000 years
The Jewish Chronicle reports that a 2,000-year-old road in Jerusalem, leading to Temple Mount, has been reopened to pedestrians after a 20-year excavation process. “Pilgrim’s Path” is believed to date from the first year of the Common Era and was buried in 70 CE when the Second Temple was destroyed. It was the direct link between the pool of Siloam and Temple Mount and is markedly well preserved, sealed under Jerusalem for thousands of years.
Michelangelo’s ‘Last Judgment’ to undergo major restoration
Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment”, the vast fresco of heaven and hell dominating the Sistine Chapel, is to undergo its first major restoration since 1994. A thin film of airborne microparticles causing a whitish haze, has built up due to movement of the sheer volume of visitors. The Sistine Chapel will remain open throughout the restoration, although scaffolding will partially obstruct views. More than six million people visit the Vatican Museums each year.
Inquiry after Basilica cherub restoration resembles Giorgia Meloni
Italy’s Culture Ministry and the diocese of Rome have opened investigations into recent restoration work at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, after photographs emerged of a cherub with remarkable similarity to the Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni. A photograph of it went viral and now visitors are flocking to the church disrupting mass. The PM squashed the rumour on social media with a post saying: “No, I definitely don’t look like an angel”. AP story here
Media briefing: Sarah Mullally taking the helm of a divided church
Our media briefing this week looks ahead to the next few years in the life of the Church of England, as incoming Archbishop Canterbury Sarah Mullaly, tackles a daunting in-tray and a deeply divided church. How will those divisions surface at the Church of England’s parliament, the General Synod, when it meets in London next week? Wednesday 4 February at 1300. Get the zoom link from [email protected]
