“Mystifying and deeply alarming” failures of Justin Welby
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has given an interview to the BBC about his resignation in November, following a review which said he should have done more to stop the serial abuser John Smyth. In a comment which made the headlines, he said he would forgive John Smyth, if he were alive – Smyth died in 2018 a year after Channel 4 exposed his abuse of more than 100 young men, beaten until they bled in his garden shed. Dr Welby told Laura Kuenssberg that he failed to follow up abuse allegations because the scale of the problem was “absolutely overwhelming”, explaining this was “a reason not an excuse”. He apologised again, said he had a deep sense of personal failure and admitted he had “got it wrong”. Dr Welby said he was ashamed about his valedictory speech in the Lords when he appeared to make light of his resignation. After the interview, Laura Kuenssberg said Dr Welby’s admission was “baffling” and many would regard his confessed failures as “not just mystifying but deeply alarming”. A Church of England spokesperson said the BBC’s interview with Welby would be a “reminder to Smyth survivors of their awful abuse and its lifelong effects”. Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, a member of the now disbanded CofE Independent Safeguarding Board, said if Dr Welby felt overwhelmed, think how it must feel for the victims and survivors. On Twitter / X, Fr Alex Frost said he was “aghast” at the interview and others described it as Dr Welby’s “Andrew moment”. The Independent said his comment on forgiveness showed “a still further lack of judgement”.
Eid-Ul-Fitr: the feast that marks the end of Ramadan
Moon watchers have scanned the skies for the crescent moon, the sign that marks the end of Ramadan, one of the holiest months in Islam, and the feast of Eid -Ul-Fitr, translated as festival of breaking the fast. Saudi Arabia announced it was celebrating over the weekend and many Muslims in the UK followed this sighting, but dense low cloud means the crescent moon could be seen tonight instead, so there are days of celebrations in the UK. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of a period of fasting, contemplation and abstinence. A special congregational prayer is performed on Eid morning, and after a month of restraint and frugality, the day is also marked with a feast of sweet dishes, savoury mains, and lots of delicious treats. Decked out in their finest clothes, ready to enjoy their favourite meals, Muslims get ready to share a day of joy with their loved ones. Read Maira Butt’s account of how British Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr, here.
Ramadan ‘generates £1.3 billion to UK economy’
The research and public policy think tank “Equi”, suggests that Ramadan generates up to £1.3 billion a year for the UK economy. The report says more than 2.6 million Britons fast during Ramadan, which boosts retail spending, business investment, charitable giving and volunteering. It estimates 3.8 million free iftar meals, valued at £15million, are served by mosques across the UK; £642 million is spent on food, clothing, gifts and travel; £359 million is donated in charitable giving and volunteering. Iftar events in town centres and public spaces “bring together thousands of people from all backgrounds, turning Ramadan into one of the UK’s most significant community-cohesion building moments”. Launching the report, Professor Javed Khan OBE said: “The Ramadan economy is real, it is growing and it requires serious attention from policymakers and business leaders alike to realise its full transformative potential for strengthening social cohesion.”
Quakers demand an apology after Met Police raid on meeting house
Quakers in Britain have condemned a police raid on a meeting house in Westminster, when more than 20 officers broke down the front door and arrested six women from “Youth Demand”, meeting in a hired room, to discuss climate change and Gaza. In a statement, the Quakers said they have always supported the right to nonviolent public protest, with a history of direct action against slavery and in favour of women’s suffrage and prison reform. They act “from a deep moral imperative to stand up against injustice and for our planet”. But Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, called for an apology for damaging the building and the spiritual and emotional integrity of the place of worship. He said: “No-one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory. This aggressive violation of our place of worship and the forceful removal of young people holding a protest group meeting clearly shows what happens when a society criminalises protest.” The Sunday Times says the women, aged 18-35, were handcuffed and taken to a police station. The report quotes a Met spokesman saying six women had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – none have been charged. A statement says: “Youth Demand has stated an intention to ‘shut down’ London over the [coming] month. While we absolutely recognise the importance of the right to protest, we have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality. On Thursday, officers raided a Youth Demand planning meeting at an address in Westminster where those in attendance were plotting their April action.”
Faith based agencies launch emergency appeals for Myanmar
Several faith-based aid agencies already working in Myanmar and the surrounding countries, are assessing the humanitarian need and launching appeals to help the thousands injured and homeless after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the region. 1,700 people have died in Myanmar and 18 more killed in Bangkok, as buildings collapsed. CAFOD is working with the Catholic church in Myanmar, which has 700,000 members, and has launched an appeal. Christian Aid works with partners in the region and is appealing for donations to help an area which it says is already in great need, with low income, conflict and displacement. Islamic Relief is also appealing for funds for the emergency response, saying it works with partners in the region which are assessing need and the scale of the disaster. The Red Cross appeal for Myanmar is appealing for funds for search and rescue teams and emergency food, healthcare and aid for displaced people. Teams from the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) responded immediately.
Hybrid church, online and in person, here to stay
Churches and cathedrals across Britain have embraced a digital revolution, prompted by the Covid pandemic, which has seen thousands of services streamed in the past five years. Some online services have led people to convert to Christianity and even become priests. What began as an emergency became an opportunity. In 2020, streaming services were offered after the UK government announced a lockdown, including the closure of churches. Parishes and cathedrals then discovered new congregations that they barely knew existed until Covid. Hybrid worship has now become the norm, with online services particularly appealing to shift workers, the elderly, the housebound, the seriously ill, those in care homes and prisons, and people wanting to try out religion. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report here
“Miracle” survival of toddler credited to Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop Anthony Fisher, of Sydney in Australia, has credited the apparently miraculous survival of an Arizona toddler to the intercession of Cardinal George Pell. The 18-month-old boy named Vincent, had gone 52 minutes without breathing after falling into a pool. The boy’s uncle, a Catholic priest, contacted Pell’s former secretary in Rome, to ask for prayers while Vincent was in hospital. The boy’s parents prayed for the intercessions of Cardinal Pell and the boy survived without damage. Pell died in 2023, but it is usually five years before a person who has died can be considered for sainthood.
Nishkam charities in Birmingham celebrate 50th anniversary
The charitable organisation behind the Birmingham based Nishkam Centre, celebrated its 50th anniversary this weekend with an event including civic dignitaries and faith leaders. The organisation Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha developed into a group of charities providing education, healthcare, nutritious meals, young people’s work and a dynamic centre for celebrating the Sikh faith, all centred on Soho Road, Birmingham. The charities say they follow their faith obligation to serve, and promote community and economic wellbeing, social justice and community cohesion.
