Former Cornwall Methodist leader charged with sexual assault
The former Chairman of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Methodist District, the Rev Steven Wild, is due to appear in court later this month to face seven counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police issued a statement saying: “Steven Wild, aged 70, from St Ives, is due to appear at TruroMagistrates’ Court on September 15 to face charges. Wild has been postal requisitioned in connection with seven counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault. We would urge people not to speculate on this case, especially on social media, and risk prejudicing proceedings.” Mr Wild served as president of the Methodist Conference from 2015-16, and Chairman of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly District from 2008 – 2022. Times report here
The church responds to the flag waving frenzy
The Church Times reports the reactions of Church of England priests as they see the Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags appear on streetlamps, and symbols painted on roads and buildings amid rising community tension around the political debate on immigration. The report finds a church in Luton responding with multiple flags from different nations displayed in the nave, a vicar delivering flowers to a nearby hotel housing asylum seekers, and a vicar whose church was spray-painted with the St George’s flag saying it was “an attempt to intimidate”. A Bishop has also spoken out. The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, deplored the painting of the flag on the South Essex Islamic Trust’s building near Basildon, saying: “The use of Christian language and symbols as a justification for hatred and intimidation is scandalous and profoundly misguided.” The report pulling together recent reaction is here
King Charles visits Birmingham Oratory, former home of St John Henry Newman
King Charles has visited the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Birmingham, which opened in 1909 in memory of St. John Henry Newman, a 19th century theologian and cleric who became both a Cardinal and a Saint. The Birmingham Oratory, a community of priests and brothers founded by Newman in 1848 and inspired by St Philip Neri’s 16th-century Oratory in Rome, was given its present building in 1909 as a memorial to Newman. He was an Anglican priest who became a Catholic and was created a cardinal in 1879. He chose to stay at the Birmingham Oratory until his death in 1890, which was a time of writing, preaching and pastoral work. In 2019, he was made a saint, and the King, when he was Prince of Wales, attended his canonisation at an open air mass at the Vatican. King Charles toured the building and viewed the sacristy, where some of Cardinal Newman’s vestments are on display, and the library where he saw The Polyglot Bible (1657) with a dedication to King Charles II, and the handwritten manuscript of ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ from 1474. The Cardinal’s room has remained untouched since his death in 1890 and has no heating or electricity, but still displays his books, possessions including a viola, Rosaries, and items of clothing. The King met the Archbishop of Birmingham and the Provost of the Birmingham Oratory, Father Ignatius Harrison, with members of the Oratory community and staff, and unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit.
Warning of ‘messy revolution’ unless older Muslims give way to younger leaders
The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Dr Wajid Akhter, has warned that the older generation of leaders should step aside and make way for young Muslims “who are frustrated that things are not changing fast enough and feel that they are being denied the opportunity to lead”. Writing in the latest edition of the MCB newsletter, he said that since taking on the role in January, he has become “acutely aware of two different worlds” – the older generation that built the communities and institutions, who are overworked, and the much larger younger generation who are frustrated. He advises that the previous generation must adjust to allow new leaders, so that “the vital experiences, tarbiyyah (nurturing) and wisdom of our predecessors would be slowly and surely inculcated in the new generation of leaders who would need to step up”. He then warns that this change is some distance away: “Will this situation end in a messy and painful revolution where the youth try to overthrow or bypass the legacy organisations and individuals or in a more gradual, but slower evolution where the previous generation start transitioning into coaching the new leaders on the block? The answer depends on the choices we make, but the clock is ticking.”
US study suggests Gen Z and Millennials are now the most regular churchgoers
Research by the US based Barna Group and the technology company Gloo, has revealed that the frequency of churchgoing for Millennials and Gen Z in America, has nearly doubled in five years, rising from approximately one weekend per month in 2020 to nearly two weekends in 2025. A study based on 3,579 responses from January to July this year, found these younger adults were among the most regular churchgoers, surpassing older generations who have traditionally led in church attendance. People aged over 80 who attended about 2.3 times per month in 2000 now attend around 1.4 times, and Boomers’ attendance has dropped from 2.0 to 1.4 times per month. David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, said: “While churchgoing alone doesn’t form disciples, churches that offer relational connection, volunteer engagement, and clear discipleship pathways that resonate with younger generations can help them build a resilient and lasting faith.” The Barna Group has tracked the role of faith in America for 40 years. Press release here.
Baptists awarded honours by Ukraine for their help during the war
The Baptist World Alliance General Secretary, Elijah Brown, and European Baptist Federation General Secretary, Alan Donaldson, have been presented with national honours by Ukraine, in recognition of the Baptist community’s role in providing humanitarian aid and spiritual care to millions affected by the war. The presentation took place in Kyiv, as Ukraine marked the 34th anniversary of the restoration of its independence, in a ceremony where President Zelenskyy recognised the “contributions of Ukraine’s friends around the world.” The Baptists, including the Baptist Union of Great Britain, have worked alongside Ukrainian Baptists, to help an estimated two million people with temporary shelter, food, hygiene items, medical care, multipurpose cash assistance, psychosocial support, summer camps for children, and mobile kitchens to serve those near the front lines.
Five members of the Crown Nominations Commission speak to The Times
The Times has spoken to five of the 17-strong Crown Nominations Commission, which has been meeting for several months to decide who will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury. They interviewed a shortlist over the summer and their final meeting to choose the name will be held this month. The selection process is fiercely secretive and the five did not give much away: The Rev Canon Claire Lording, one of six General Synod members with a vote, told The Times there was a lot of reading involved. The Rev Canon Paul Cartwright, another General Synod member, said: “I don’t think you can get too much information”. The Rev Canon Isaac Beach, a Maori priest, said the discernment process had to start with “wananga” – prayerful meditation. The Rev Grace Nkansa Asante, an economics professor from Ghana, said they were looking for a spiritual leader. The Most Rev Hosam Naoum, the Archbishop of Jerusalem, said he was glad “to represent voices outside the Church of England.” Times report here
