Former Bishop says Danny Kruger’s ‘trumpeting’ of Christianity is counter productive
The former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, has criticised the recent speech by Danny Kruger MP, who said Britain has moved away from its Christian roots and must own its Christian heritage, the source of values such as freedom, tolerance, individual dignity and human rights. Writing in the Church Times, the Bishop said that to trumpet Christianity “in our present society would, I believe, be counter-productive. Not only would it fail to resonate with the majority: it would be misinterpreted to imply that Christians were seeking special privilege, or that they would like to enact repressive legislation. And his call for a “Christian politics”, glides over the fact that Christians do, in fact, disagree on a number of issues”. The article is here
Muslim YouTuber loses defamation claim against journalist Douglas Murray
Mohammed Hegab, a Muslim who posts films on YouTube under the name Mohammed Hijab, has lost a defamation claim he brought against journalist Douglas Murray, who reported on one of the films which followed the Leicester riots in 2022. The Telegraph reports that the article described a film in which Hegab ridiculed Hindus and their belief in reincarnation. Hegab argued that he had been referring only to followers of Hindutva, the Hindu nationalist ideology, and said the article led to him losing deals and an income. But a High Court judge ruled it was “substantially true” that Hegab had been referring to Hindus as a whole. He said: “I am satisfied that he lied on significant issues, with the consequence that his evidence, overall, is worthless”. Law Gazette report here
New Vatican Observatory director prioritises AI and climate change
Fr Richard D’Souza SJ, the new Director of the Vatican Observatory, has listed three scientific fields which he believes the church needs to engage with more actively. In a wide ranging interview with Indian Catholic Matters, Fr D’Souza, who is from Pune and Goa, reveals his special area of interest has been the merger of Milky Way galaxies. But as he takes on his new role, which includes scientific research, he lists priorities as advancements in protein structure through artificial intelligence which will speed up the development of drugs, climate change, and artificial intelligence itself. Pope Leo has identified developments in the field of artificial intelligence as “new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour” and is expected to publish a future encyclical on AI. Vatican Observatory interview here
New York Episcopal priest’s daughter released from ICE custody
Yeonsoo “Soo” Go, the daughter of an Episcopalian priest in the Diocese of New York, who was arrested and detained for allegedly overstaying her visa, has been released from custody after five days. She was reunited with her mother, the Rev. Kyrie Kim, after a campaign by faith leaders nationwide. Go moved to the US from South Korea in 2021 and was attending a routine visa hearing when she was arrested, even though her visa is valid until December. Episcopal News Service story here
Carpenter named Jesus detained by ICE in America
A carpenter named Jesus is among the latest asylum seekers arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officials in America. Jesus Teran, aged 35, is a Venezuelan asylum seeker, father of two, who has lived in the US with his family for four years. He has no criminal record and is a committed churchgoer who helped maintain a community garden for English and Spanish speaking churches. His parish priest, the Rev Jay Donahue, of St. Oscar Romero parish near Pittsburgh, said the detention was inhumane and the community is rallying round calling for his release and providing his family with money. He was first sent to a prison and is now is being held in a detention centre.
Report into extent of ICE raids on churches
Jack Jenkins, a reporter for the Religion News Service, reports that RNS “has identified at least 10 instances of apparent immigration enforcement activity conducted by ICE or other federal agents on or immediately near church grounds since Trump’s inauguration”. This has affected Catholic, evangelical, Cooperative Baptist and mainline Christian churches. The report outlines resistance by faith leaders and legal action to prevent detention at churches. Article is here.
Demonstration demanding UK witholds recognition of Palestine until all hostages are released
A demonstration backed by every major stream of Judaism in Britain, will take place in London on Sunday, to demand the UK government does not recognise a Palestinian state unless all hostages held by Hamas are released. Jewish News reports that of the approximately 250 people abducted on 7 October, around 50 remain in Gaza and fewer than half are believed to be alive. In the past week, Palestinian Islamic Jihad published a film showing one hostage crying and frail, and another showed Evyatar David emaciated and digging his own grave. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement saying: “Their only chance of survival is immediate release. This is not captivity but a slow execution. After 660 days, we march in London to demand the world stop looking away. This is the final hour.”
Investigation finds anonymous X accounts continuing to spread anti Muslim hate
Hyphen Online has investigated Twitter / X accounts linked to the riots in Southport and other cities last summer, which are continuing to spread hate. The report cites a disinformation expert who has identified two accounts spreading misleading claims and targeting prominent British Muslims. The investigation found interview clips taken out of context and posts inciting violence, one of which stayed up for nine months before being taken down. Experts warn X has not done enough to tackle the spread of Islamophobic disinformation and hate since last year’s riots, despite the UK’s Online Safety Act which instructs tech companies to take down illegal content, and there are calls for Ofcom to intervene. The former equalities minister Anneliese Dodds and the National Black Police Association have called for tougher regulation, amid warnings the UK is vulnerable to another disinformation-driven outbreak of unrest. Report by Lucas Cumiskey is here.
Exeter Cathedral new exhibition displays precious medieval books
A new “Treasures Exhibition” has been opened at Exeter Cathedral, showcasing more than 1,000 years of Cathedral history inside the 19th century Pearson Building, above Exeter Cathedral Shop. Exhibits include the cathedral’s foundation charter from 1050; Exon Domesday, the only surviving source for the Great Domesday Book; the only surviving examples of medieval wax votives in England, and the 10th century Exeter Book which is considered to be the oldest surviving book of English literature in the world. The new space has been created as part of a Development Appeal project, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and The Julia Rausing Trust. The Cathedral says that the project aims to connect visitors with their heritage while also making sure that the historic building is preserved for future generations.
7th century Hindu sculptures of gods found in Kashmir sacred spring
Fifteen well preserved stone sculptures of Hindu gods including representations of Shiva, known as Shivlings, have been found in restoration work at a sacred spring in the Karkoot Nag area of Aishmuqam, south Kashmir. Archaeologists believe the objects may date from the 7th and 8th centuries AD, and that the fund indicates this was the site of a temple, possibly a place of pilgrimage. The sculptures will be taken to a museum in Srinagar for further examination. Heritage Daily reports that this is the second such find – another representation of Shiva was found in the Jhulem river during sand extraction of the riverbed.
Bishop of Kingston runs the Pennine Way for charity
The Bishop of Kingston, Dr Martin Gainsborough, aims to raise £30,000 for children’s education in Zimbabwe, by running the 268 miles of the Pennine Way over ten days this summer. He’s already three quarters there with his financial appeal, and the Church Times reports he made rapid progress on the first few days, spurred on by his border collie, Jem, who is usually 50 or 100 metres ahead. His route from Derbyshire to the Scottish borders, includes stops in barns and pubs, and he carries a sleeping bag and food supplies so he can rest along the way.
