Vatican confirms that same sex blessings are pastoral and do not overturn doctrine
The Vatican has asserted that allowing the blessing of same-sex couples does not change the doctrine of marriage as between a man and a woman. The Pope approved the blessings last month, so long as they were not part of a ritual, but after criticism the Vatican has released a document clarifying the move. It says the blessings are not a justification of homosexuality or an endorsement of the life that couples lead. The document “offers a specific and innovative contribution to the pastoral meaning of blessings, permitting a broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding”. Priests can opt to give blessings on a case-by-case basis, but the Vatican acknowledges this would be “imprudent” in countries for example in Africa, where homosexuality is a crime punishable by prison or death.
Christian organisations urge politicians to halve poverty by 2030
Church leaders and charities including Church Action on Poverty, have published a statement calling on political leaders to make 2024 the year which marks the beginning of the end for poverty, at home and abroad. They say that in line with the UK’s existing commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UK should be setting out clear plans to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce overall poverty by at least half, in the UK and globally, by 2030. The campaign continues with a Lent Course “Act on Poverty” from Christian Aid in partnership with others. Further details in the Church Times
Calls for ex-Post Office CEO, an ordained priest, to hand back her CBE
The postal services minister, Kevin Hollinrake, has said that the former Post Office CEO, the Rev Paula Vennells, should hand back her CBE in the wake of the scandal when 700 sub postmasters were wrongly held liable for financial discrepancies based on information from the computerised accounting system Horizon. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Labour leader Keir Starmer have declined to back his call. The story has been re-told in a four-part ITV drama “Mr Bates vs The Post Office”, featuring the campaign for justice by former sub postmaster Alan Bates, whose contract was ended after he refused to accept liability for £1,200 worth of recorded losses and raised concerns. The Rev Paula Vennells was already ordained as a Church of England priest when she took up the position of CEO of the Post Office from 2012-2019. When the convictions were overturned in 2021, she stepped down from her role as a non-stipendiary minister at the Church of St Owen near Bedford, in the diocese of St Albans
Muslim Employment Charter created to help professionals at work
A trainee solicitor has created the “Muslim Employment Charter”, aiming to help employers accommodate needs of Muslim employees. Waqas Hussain, from the law firm Bird and Bird, told the Islam Channel that he wanted to create workplace environments where Muslim professionals can thrive without compromising their religious duties. The charter includes advice on workplace facilities, such as prayer rooms and washing facilities; policies around alcohol at social and networking events; and commitments to training and knowledge. Mr Hussain believes that by adopting the charter, employers can prove a commitment to diversity and attract and retain top talent.
Apology over pulled article on Jewish trauma at Hamas attack
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy says it is “deeply sorry” for removing a column from its magazine, reporting on the trauma felt by Jews in Manchester over the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October. The regular column “Workplace Matters”, by Dr Sandi Mann, explained how the community was struggling to come to terms with the attack but is reported to have been pulled because of concerns about possible ramifications. The decision led to furious protest and some Association members threatened to leave. The Association issued a statement saying it was the wrong decision and they were “deeply sorry for not publishing the article and for the hurt that decision has caused”. Jewish News story here
Catholic clergy arrested in Nicaragua over Christmas and the New Year
At least 14 priests, two seminarians and a bishop have been arrested in Nicaragua over Christmas and the New Year. They are reported to include Father Silvio Fonseca, an open critic of the government’s persecution of the church, and Bishop Isidro Mora and Father Pablo Villafranca, who had led prayers for Bishop Rolando Álvarez, already imprisoned. Fr. Gustavo Sandino, a priest of the Diocese of Jinotega, Nicaragua, was arrested following Mass on New Year’s Eve. Vatican News quotes a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights saying that Nicaragua is moving away from the rule of law by persecuting and arbitrarily detaining members of the Catholic Church and others. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said it is outraged that the Nicaraguan government has chosen to continue its brutal crackdown on members of the Catholic Church for speaking out about the religious freedom and human rights violations occurring in the country.”
US Episcopalians preparing giant Christmas bonfires to mark Epiphany
The Episcopal News Service reports that some US congregations hold a ritual on Epiphany, 6 January, piling up all their Christmas trees and green decorations and burning them in a tremendous blaze. Epiphany marks the visit of the wise men, the magi, to the baby Jesus, but this ritual is based on the Greek word for Epiphany, and is known as “the Feast of Lights”. One church also holds a liturgy and observes ancient customs by giving out chalk for attendees to mark their front doors with the initials of the wise men and eating Three Kings Cake with a figure of the baby Jesus inside. There’s no mention of another ancient custom, winter swimming, although one church is reported to be holding its bonfire on a beach. Report by David Paulsen, senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service, is here.
