480 Church of South India priests on retreat charged for Covid-19 violations
There are reports that 480 priests belonging to the Church of South India in Kerala, have been charged with allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions by organising and participating in a retreat at Munnar last month. More than 100 contracted the coronavirus and two have died. They had travelled there in a bus despite appeals to postpone the event amid press reports that they had been warned of disciplinary action if they failed to attend. The event is in breach of government Covid-19 restrictions and Inspector K R Manoj, who is investigating the case, said they are collecting photographs and videos as evidence. He believes the church authorities do not seem to have sought permission to hold the event.
The number of covid cases in India has risen to over 2 million, with 412,000 reported yesterday alone. 230,000 people have died.
Open Doors, the charity campaigning against Christian persecution, says its Indian partners are calling for a day of prayer and fasting today, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to tear through the country. One partner, wishing to be anonymous, said that the virus has been spreading rapidly in rural areas where medical facilities are negligible and this leads to high mortality rates.
Muslim Council of Britain says today should be one of service to frontline workers
The Muslim Council of Britain is calling on its members – mosques, charities and community-led organisations – to take part in a day of action today, thanking key workers for their role in the pandemic. It says workers across sectors – such as teachers, supermarket assistants, transport staff – have worked tirelessly in service to their communities, sustaining vital services, keeping people safe and the country functioning through crisis. It suggests Muslims should provide an act of service to front line workers by providing hot food, refreshments or other acts of kindness.
Reform Judaism leads campaign to stop the government’s immigration bill
The Movement for Reform Judaism is behind a coalition of faith groups opposed to the Home Secretary’s ‘New Plan for Immigration’ bill which is expected to be announced in next Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech. It believes the bill will violate the Geneva Refugee Convention, ‘that human beings shall enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination’. It says that if this bill had been in place in the 1930s, Jewish refugees would not have been able to flee to the UK from mainland Europe. Rabbi Sybil Sheridan says the government’s proposals lack humanity and respect for human dignity and the Home Secretary should stop the bill.
Ultra orthodox school fails to provide required lessons on sexuality
The Jewish Chronicle reports that the ultra orthodox Talmud Torah Yetev Lev school for boys aged 2 – 12 in Stamford Hill, London, has been found to be failing to meet requirements in its teaching about sexual orientation and transgender issues. Ofsted inspectors found improvements after the school was ranked inadequate two years ago. But it says parents are unequivocal that sexual orientation and gender reassignment issues are not appropriate for primary aged pupils. It is compulsory to teach this in year seven, but the school is failing to do so.
The Christian Institute joins campaign against prayer ban for conversion therapy
Premier Christian News reports that the Christian Institute has vowed to take legal action if the government outlaws prayer as part of a ban on conversion therapy, an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation. It quotes human rights lawyer, Jason Coppel QC, that ‘the definitions of conversion therapy proposed by activists would criminalise the legitimate expression of religious beliefs’. Evangelism, church membership, baptism, communion, and even private prayer, could all fall foul of a broad conversion therapy law, he says. The Christian Institute has written to the Equalities Minister, Liz Truss, saying any attempts to widen the ban to include “everyday activities of churches” would be a breach of human rights law.
Buddhist Temples targeted in burglary spree across five US states
Police in the United States have arrested six people over a speight of burglaries from south Asian Buddhist Temples across five states. The pattern is similar – women enter the Temple to ask for prayer and distract the monks or worshippers inside, while accomplices steal cash and valuables. The crimes have been reported in Arkansas, Southern California, Arizona, Oklahoma and North Carolina in the last month.
World’s longest serving bishop dies aged 103
Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostom, the world’s longest serving bishop and Metropolitan Emeritus of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in south India, has died at the age of 103. He was ordained in 1944 and consecrated a Bishop in 1953, rising to become the Metropolitan – the equivalent of Archbishop – in 1999. In total he was a bishop for 68 years and known for his work with the poor.
Non Muslims allowed on road to the Prophet’s Mosque
The Middle East Monitor reports that Saudi Arabian authorities have replaced the “Muslims only” phrase from traffic signs leading to the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Islam’s second holiest site after Mecca. Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the vicinity of the holy sites. In the absence of official explanations, observers suggest this shows a growing tolerance towards non Muslims, an effort to promote Saudi as a popular tourist destination and a nod towards encouraging new communications and technology business development.
Restored medieval shrine includes replacement sculpture complete with mask
The medieval shrine of St Amphibalus in St Albans cathedral, has been restored to its former glory, but now includes a new carving of a figure wearing a mask. St Amphibalus was a priest who converted Alban, but both were eventually martyred for their faith. Their shrines are near each other, making the cathedral unique in hosting two medieval pedestal shrines. Restoration included preserving surviving 14th century carvings and re-creating missing sections, but the carvers from Skillington’s, followed the medieval craftsmens’ tradition of using their imagination, commemorating the reconstruction work undertaken during the pandemic, by adding the flourishing touch of a mask.
