Manchester synagogue attack: ‘Antisemitic hatred is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it’
The Prime Minister has pledged to guarantee security to the Jewish community in Britain, after a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester killed two and injured three more on the holiest day of the Jewish year. Keir Starmer said: “This was a vile terrorist attack that attacked Jews, because they are Jews. Antisemitism is a hatred that is rising, once again. Britain must defeat it, once again”. The attacker, named by police as Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed a car into people outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue at 9.30am yesterday morning as people were observing Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. Then he got out and stabbed people with a knife, and was prevented from entering the synagogue by Rabbi Daniel Walker, who barricaded the doors. Armed police were called and shot dead the attacker. Police say two people have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Shock, fear, anger and anxiety from attack ‘on the values and soul’ of the city
In the multiple statements that followed, condemning the attack, the Manchester Evening News said it was an attack “on the very values and the soul of our city”, but pledged: “ We are with you. We see you. We are by your side.,, It wasn’t a case of ‘if’ this should happen, more a case of ‘when’. That alone should shame us.” King Charles said in a statement that he and Queen Camilla were “deeply shocked and saddened” to hear about the attack. The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester said it was shocked and horrified. “That this happened on our own doorstep has shaken us all to the core. There can never be any justification for a murderous attack of this kind. The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, issued a statement saying his heart was shattered by the attack: “For so long we have witnessed an unrelenting wave of Jew hatred on our streets, on campuses, on social media and elsewhere – this is the tragic result. This not only an assault on the Jewish community, but an attack on the very foundations of humanity and the values of compassion, dignity and respect which we all share.” Story with compilation of quotes and links here
Name of next Archbishop of Canterbury announced this morning
The 10 month process to appoint a new Archbishop of Canterbury finally concludes this morning, when Number Ten Downing Street announces the name. Seventeen members of the Crown Nomination Commission have met three times and held a series of interviews, to consider candidates who have the skills to lead the Church of England which is deeply divided over same sex blessings, amid repeated threats of schism. The church has also been rocked by sex abuse scandals and criticised for inadequate safeguarding, while many dioceses face bankruptcy and congregations continue to shrink. These crises are debated openly through synods and statements. Yet the appointment process itself remains cloaked in secrecy. There have been determined efforts to identify the front runners, but speculation has fuelled questions, not answers. The Rev Marcus Walker observed that the system is holding up: “Love the fact that I have had three conversations today with “people in the know” who have each told me authoritatively who the new Archbishop is and the result is… a different name from each!” The announcement will be published from Number Ten. Watch the Archbishop of Canterbury’s website for more here and watch our website for background information on the successful candidate.
Government plans for wedding law reform will be ‘major boost to economy’
The Ministry of Justice has announced a further consultation on proposals to amend the law on weddings in England and Wales, allowing couples to be married at a wider range of venues than at present. In a press statement, it says: “The reforms will give couples more choice in how they get married, making the process simpler, fairer and less costly, while ensuring the dignity and integrity of marriage is protected.” Frank Cranmer, writing for Law and Religion UK, says that under the reforms, couples will be able to marry in a wider range of locations provided venues meet strict standards of being appropriate and dignified. He says these changes will mean marriage law reflects modern Britain, making it more straightforward for couples to have legally binding religious ceremonies – including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings – and allow non-religious groups, such as Humanists, to conduct legally binding ceremonies for the first time. Humanists UK says it is disappointed this is yet another review and is appealing for legal recognition for humanist weddings without delay. The Ministry of Justice says the change is part of the government’s plan for growth. It could add 12,000 jobs and bring in more than £100million to the public purse. It estimates it will lead to a three per cent increase in weddings in England and Wales, adding £535 million to the economy over the next 10 years, supporting 1,800 more businesses and delivering on the Plan for Change to kickstart growth.
Pope says ‘pro-life’ should be applied to treatment of migrants, not just restricted to abortion
Pope Leo has given an interview to EWTN, the Catholic television network, questioning whether people can be pro-life if they support the “inhuman” treatment of migrants. He said the phrase “pro-life”, usually applied to being opposed to abortion, extended beyond that. The Telegraph reports that he said the issues were complex: “Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion’ but is in favour of the death penalty is not really pro-life. Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.” The Pope also responded to the change of name from the Department of Defence, to the Department of War: “This wording, going from minister of defense to minister of war, let’s hope it’s just a figure of speech. Of course, there you have a style of governance meaning to show strength, so as to pile up pressure. Let’s hope this works and that there isn’t war. One always needs to work toward peace.” In response, President Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is Catholic, said she rejected “there is inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States under this administration”, but argued there was inhumane treatment of illegal immigrants in the previous administration as they were being trafficked, raped and beaten.
US megachurch founder jailed for sexually abusing 12-year-old girl
Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, will spend six months in prison as part of a 10-year suspended sentence for sexually abusing a girl aged 12 in 1982. The church is the 9th largest in the US, with a congregation of 25,805. His lawyer said he was genuinely apologetic and accepted responsibility. Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child over a period of four and a half years. Last November, the church removed multiple elders who had some knowledge of the abuse but failed to inquire further. The girl is now aged 55 and she and her father are suing for more than $1 million damages. Morris will also have to pay $270,000 in restitution and register as a sex offender.
US Supreme Court hears conversion therapy case
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments next week on a conversion therapy case. A counsellor and practising Christian from Colorado, Kaley Chiles, is challenging the state’s 2019 ban on conversion therapy for minors. She says the law restricts her free speech when adolescents seek guidance on same-sex attraction or gender identity in relation to their faith and the law effectively gags her from sharing a faith-based perspective. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ban, while US Solicitor General D. John Sauer has filed a brief supporting Chiles, saying the law targets “disfavoured viewpoints”. Miles Mullin of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission called the case “significant,” saying that Colorado’s 2019 law blocks counsellors from helping minors align their sexuality or gender identity with biblical teaching, even when requested, violating free speech and religious freedom. Chiles’ lawyers say she risks losing her license if she supports clients who wish to accept their biological sex.
