Churches “facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims”
The former Home Secretary Suella Braverman writing in The Telegraph, said she had become aware of churches around the country “facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims” for people who converted to Christianity and whose country of origin persecutes Christians. Her comments follow the story of Abdul Ezedi, an Afghan asylum seeker and Christian convert, wanted in connection with a chemical attack on a mother and her two daughters in London. He was allowed to stay in the UK after a priest vouched that he was “wholly committed” to his new religion. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle said they have no record of him becoming a Catholic there. A spokesperson for the Church of England said: “It is the role of the Home Office, and not the Church, to vet asylum seekers and judge the merits of their individual cases.”
Forty Christians on board the Bibby Stockholm
A church elder in Weymouth has revealed that there are 40 Christians on board the Bibby Stockholm, which houses asylum seekers in neighbouring Portland. In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme, Dave Rees, an elder of Weymouth Baptist church, vouched for recent converts. He said their faith was tested by an Iranian clergyman now living in London and their testimonies of faith were legitimate. His church is part of the Welcome Churches Network, including 2,000 churches which welcome refugees and asylum seekers.
Ordination of new Catholic bishop of Plymouth halted amid internal church investigation
The ordination of Canon Christopher Whitehead as the next Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth on 22 February will not take place as expected because a “canonical process” / investigation has been launched. A statement from the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales says: “A canonical process is currently underway, and no further comments will be made until this has been concluded. Canon Christopher Whitehead has stepped back from active ministry whilst this process is ongoing”. Catholic Herald story here
Catholic campaign to root out modern slavery in East Anglia
Volunteers are being sought by a Catholic campaign against modern slavery, to find and report people enslaved in East Anglia. A meeting of the Catholic charity Caritas, attended by Bishop Peter Colins, heard that in 2022, 746 people were found enslaved and rescued in the region, but there are an estimated further 4,500 people hidden. Campaigners say modern slaves have been found in domestic servitude, factories, restaurants, prostitution, organ harvesting, forced marriage, care home, farms, waste recycling, nail bars and car washes. They can sometimes stay in hiding for eight years. Mark Little, a former diocesan finance officer, and Simon John a retired local solicitor, are looking to recruit volunteers to spot the signs and safely report people to the Modern Slavery Helpline.
Pope laments increase in antisemitism, a sin against God
The Pope has lamented the “terrible increase in attacks” against Jews around the world since the war in Israel / Gaza broke out in October. In a letter addressed to “my Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel” he said the path the church has walked with “the ancient people of the covenant”, rejects anti Judaism and antisemitism “unequivocally condemning manifestations of hatred towards Jews and Judaism as a sin against God” . He said his heart was close to the Holy Land, to all the peoples who inhabit it, Israelis and Palestinians, and he prayed that “the desire for peace may prevail in all”. The letter was published the day after his private audience with the Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See, Raphael Schutz.
World Council of Churches sends six Christians to support communities in Israel and Palestine
Six Christians have been sent to Jerusalem by the World Council of Churches, to act as “ecumenical accompaniers” supporting local people and communities, advocating for justice and peace and “offering a protective presence, and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes”. They are part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel which was set up by the WCC in 2002 and sends usually around 25 people for periods of three months. The team was evacuated at the beginning of October 2023, when war broke out and they have been offering support online. Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for the Middle East, said: “The programme emphasises the importance of impartiality and non-violence in its operations and aims to contribute towards a future of coexistence and mutual respect between Palestinians and Israelis.”
Justin Welby launches schools project to encourage children to disagree well
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched an education programme designed to help children disagree well. Speaking at the Church of England Education Office’s National Conference in Hackney, he said many technological advances were like double edged swords in a polarised, divided world. There was an appalling lack of forgiveness in society, and social media was driving people further apart. The programme called “Difference” is about reconciliation and fostering community in schools. Another project launched is “Flourish”, which aims to connect worshipping communities in dioceses, schools and parishes.
Barrister conducting Soul Survivor safeguarding review appeals for information
Fiona Scolding KC, the Independent Reviewer appointed by the trustees of Soul Survivor Watford, Soul Survivor and Soul61 to carry out a review of evidence related to safeguarding issues against founder Mike Pilavachi, has appealed for people to come forward. In a filmed address, published on Soul Survivor’s website, she said she will consider allegations made to the separate Church of England investigation and the lessons to be learned about past, current and future culture, practice, governance, oversight and safeguarding arrangements. She is appealing to hear from people going back 30 years to the launch of Soul Survivor. Her report will be published in full and will be available on the Soul Survivor website. She assured people of confidentiality and said those who contribute to the report as complainants or as providers of information will be anonymised, unless they do not wish to be so.
Assisted dying petition wins support for parliamentary debate
A petition to hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying has reached 111,400 signatures, meaning it has passed the threshold to be considered for a Westminster Hall debate in parliament. The petition says terminally ill people who are mentally sound and near the end of their lives should not suffer unbearably against their will. “We believe dying people in the UK should have the option of requesting medical assistance to end their lives with dignity, through a safe and compassionate system with strict eligibility criteria and safeguards. Without this, too many are taking matters into their own hands with tragic consequences”. The petition is in the name of the health editor of The Express newspaper, Hannah Geissler. The wording says: “The Daily Express and Dignity in Dying support Dame Esther Rantzen’s call for a free vote. The time has come to Give Us Our Last Rights”.
UCCF humiliated staff and “ruined good people”
Nay Dawson, a former team leader with UCCF, the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, has written a long confession expressing shame at her part in HR practices which managed out staff, leaving them “ruined”. In an article for Premier Christianity, she says: “After traumatising meetings and email exchanges with the threat of a disciplinary or dismissal, staff decided to resign and some were immediately put on ‘gardening leave’ as they were deemed too ‘risky’. A potential cause of reputational damage for the fellowship. This meant they missed their final team training and a chance to process and say goodbye. I’m devastated to say that, in my opinion, we ruined good people. They were humiliated and shoved out the back door”. She continues: “I’m ashamed to say that it only really hit me, when it happened to me”. UCCF faced an internal investigation which reported back in October 2023, upholding a number of complaints on employment practices and contracts and trustees and directors apologised unreservedly. Last week UCCF appointed a new Director of People and two new trustees, Gareth Burns and Mark Childs, who is a former vice president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Baptist congregations shocked at £44,000 energy bill
The volunteer treasurer of Castleton Baptist Church near Newport received a massive shock when he went into the church accounts in the weeks before Christmas. Instead of the regular £300 energy payment to SSE, the church had been charged £44,000. Panic set in and the congregation was “astounded”, but the treasurer and minister were grateful for a recent generous legacy, which saved the church from going into the red. It took five weeks to get the money back. SSE has apologised and given £500 in compensation.
