Religion and faith the key to solving political and climate crises
The leader of R20, a new G20 global forum for religious leaders, says religion and faith must be part of the solution to global political crises, including climate change. Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League, and co-host of the R20, said the world needed a climate preservation culture connected to the moral compass of people around the world through their religious values. In an interview with the Religion Media Centre, he said that with many of the world’s conflicts connected to religious identity, conflict resolution and peace building, must involve moral and faith leadership. Interview is here
Call for global alliance of religious leaders
The R20 ended with a final communiqué calling for a global alliance to build bridges between nations, stop hatred, promote respect and foster a harmonious world order. It said the wisdom of spiritual ecology in world religions should be harnessed to ensure respect and preservation of the environment. And it called on all world leaders “to ensure that religion functions as a genuine and dynamic source of solutions, rather than problems”. In a sign it will continue, the organisation looked forward to India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023.
Pope’s series of encounters in Bahrain
On his four-day visit to Bahrain, the Pope met senior Muslim and other religious leaders, academics, young people and a small Catholic community. He told journalists on the way back to Rome that it was a series of encounters, its purpose was to be in interfaith dialogue with Islam and in ecumenical dialogue. He had been struck by hearing the thoughts of Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, who emphasised intra-Islamic dialogue, something he acknowledged the church had not been good at. He also met Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, an authority on ecumenism. He had noticed many Christians in Bahrain were Filipinos and Indians from Kerala.
Welby says Cop27 should act urgently as world is near point of no return
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for urgent action from world leaders gathering in Sharm El Sheikh for the Cop27 climate summit. In a statement, he says the climate emergency is “an existential global threat that requires a global response, with radical action, imagination and justice”. He cites catastrophic flooding, drought, heatwaves and storms during the past year and says this is “a world already in crisis. A world which knows that we are perilously near the point of no return” There was an obligation for Christians to seek justice for people who already feel the effect of climate change with food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition.
Church of England same sex marriage differences could lead to parallel bishops and structures
A total of six Church of England bishops have now come out in favour of same sex marriage, following a meeting of the bishops last week, when they spoke of little else. Over three days, they discussed the outcome of a lengthy consultation with all church members called “Living in Love and Faith”, with a view to finding a resolution to put before the General Synod in February. The Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, was the first to break cover, followed by Dudley, Worcester, Dorchester, Reading and Portsmouth. Reaction was swift, with a refusal to change registered by the Church of England Evangelical Council, which suggested those who object need alternative bishops, Oxford Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship, Peter Lynas from the Evangelical Alliance, Canon Vaughan Roberts of the Latimer Trust, Rev Dr Ian Paul freelance writer and speaker.
Lib Dem candidate faces deselection for Christian views
David Campanale, the prospective Lib Dem parliamentary candidate in Sutton and Cheam, says he faces deselection because of his Christian views. In interviews with GB news and Premier Christian radio, he said he was shocked some activists want him removed, as the party is meant to be inclusive. A former BBC journalist and former director of TearFund, he told Premier: “I will not surrender my conscience as a Bible believing Christian, I will not surrender my conscience on matters that are protected in Parliament.” Party chiefs are trying to mediate. Premier quotes a Lib Dem spokesman saying the matter rests with the constituency party, but it has not responded yet to media requests for a statement.
Pope says women know how to get things done
Pope Francis has told journalists that every time a woman is given a position of responsibility in the Vatican, things improve. On his return flight from Bahrain, he said there was too much male chauvinism in the Roman Catholic Church and society at large. He said since Sister Raffaella Petrini had been appointed the deputy governor of Vatican City, “things have changed for the better”. And the five women appointed to oversee the Vatican finances “know how to find the right way to go forward”, he said.
