Profound shame of CofE as hundreds of new sex abuse cases come to light
A review of 75,000 past cases of abuse in the Church of England has uncovered 383 new cases, including some not dealt with to today’s safeguarding standards. Most were against children and vulnerable adults, 242 involved clergy as perpetrators and most of these were sexual. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell, sincerely apologised for the “pain and misery endured”. They said they came face to face with the failings of the church “always with great sadness and profound shame”. The report made 26 recommendations including a charter to ensure children are heard. But it cautioned that the story is not over. The church remained open to deal with new and past revelations – the agenda is never closed or concluded. Church Times report here; Thinking Anglican links here
Church of England “risks disestablishment” in stand over lesbian and gay people
Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter and former Culture Secretary, has warned that the Church of England risks disestablishment if it continues to discriminate against lesbian and gay people. In an interview with the Guardian, he said the CofE must move swiftly to welcome lesbian and gay people and embrace same-sex marriage or face mounting questions in parliament about its role as the established church. Patience was wearing thin and it was unsustainable to exclude a significant minority of the population, while claiming a role as the church for England. Proposals to allow same sex marriage come before the church’s governing body, the General Synod, early next year, but the church is deeply divided.
Thérèse Coffey, deputy PM and practising Catholic who takes faith seriously
Thérèse Coffey, the new deputy prime minister and health secretary, is a practising Catholic who takes her faith seriously. Christopher Lamb charts how her faith has flowed through her life from a childhood in the north west of England to power at Westminster. While she has stood against abortion and same-sex marriage, the government she serves in appears at odds with Pope Francis regarding economics and the environment, he says. But her well documented “enjoyment of karaoke, cigars, and champagne suggests she instinctively understands that a Catholic understanding of the world seeks to affirm the good things in life as fruits of divine abundance”. Read Christopher Lamb’s full report here
Violence escalates in third week of Iran hijab protests
The Telegraph reports that violence is escalating in Iran as protests continue for a third week at the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for violating rules about wearing the hijab, and died in custody. The Telegraph shows a film of schoolgirls shaking their headscarves and shouting in protest in front of the leader of a paramilitary group. In Strasbourg, Abir Al-Sahlani, the MEP for the Swedish Centre Party, cut her hair while at the podium of the European Parliament. On Monday, the Foreign Office summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires in protest at the “shocking use of violence” by the security forces, and in retaliation, Iran summoned the British ambassador in Tehran, rejecting British interference and provocative interpretations.
Charity Commission opens inquiry into Brighton mosque
The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into Brighton Mosque and Muslim Community Centre and has appointed a new interim manager. Earlier this year, the regulator issued the mosque with an official warning after a former trustee was convicted of encouraging terrorism in a speech given on the charity’s premises. The Commission said the trustees knew or ought to have known the risk posed, but an ongoing dispute at the charity meant it was not certain that appropriate actions would be taken to protect the charity from further undue risk of harm. The new manager will appoint new trustees and the inquiry will review the administration, financial affairs, governance and management of the charity.
Lawyer seeks survivors of Jesus Army abuse who are entitled to compensation
The Northampton Chronicle reports that a solicitor acting for survivors of the Jesus Army is appealing for them to come forward for compensation. The group was disbanded in 2020 after sexual, financial and emotional abuse claims were made against leaders. Malcolm Johnson, head of Lime Solicitors’ abuse department, says 70 people have become known to them, but he believes there are thousands more who are entitled to the compensation scheme, published last month, which could mean they receive £80,000 each. The Jesus Army was based in Northampton and had an estimated 5,000 members at its height. It was charismatic and evangelical, but regarded as a cult, with members sometimes living in communes and known for travelling round town centres in a bus, evangelising people on the streets.
Apology after Cardinal said German church using Nazi thinking in reforms
The Vatican Cardinal overseeing Christian Unity has apologised for any offence caused, after comparing the German Catholic Church’s reform process to the thinking that sustained the Nazis. The Associated Press reports that Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch suggested that the German church was introducing new sources of divine revelation, beyond Scripture and Christian tradition, to justify theological change. This, he said, was the same thing some pro-Nazi Protestants did when they “saw God’s new revelation in blood and soil and in the rise of Hitler.” German bishops demanded a retraction and Koch apologised to anyone who felt offended. The German church is opening debates on issues such as priestly celibacy, women’s role in the church and homosexuality.
Swift action called for after football fans made Nazi salutes in Sydney
Representatives from the Jewish community in Australia are calling for further action for football authorities after fans were shown doing a Nazi salute at the weekend’s cup final between Sydney and McCarthur FC. ABC reports that one lifetime ban has been issued and police were continuing their investigation to identify other individuals who may have been involved. ABC quotes the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies chief, Darren Bark, saying it was clear more were involved and they looked forward to “swift and heavy penalties to be enforced by Football Australia as these fans are identified.”
