‘The Quiet Revival’: huge increase in young people attending church
Generation Z is leading a turnaround in the popularity of Christianity and a rise in church attendance in England and Wales, according to a survey by the Bible Society and YouGov. It says young people aged 18-34, which includes Gen Z and Millennials, are newly drawn to Christian beliefs, with interest not only in being part of a church but also in prayer, reading the Bible and social activism based on faith. The most dramatic increase in churchgoing, according to the research, is among young men and the key seems to be the attraction of community, with young members bringing new friends. It suggests church attendance has increased from 8 to 12 per cent since 2018 with the most significant upturn among the 18-24s (Gen Z) where the numbers attending church at least once a month have risen from 4 to 16 per cent. The survey, The Quiet Revival, was conducted by YouGov among 13,146 people in England and Wales and is an update on the Bible Society’s previous research conducted in 2018. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report with more detail here.
Our briefing today at 1200 looks in further detail at this report with a panel including the report authors Dr Rhiannon McAleer, Director of Research and Impact at Bible Society and Dr Rob Barward-Symmons, Head of Research, Theos. Other guests are: Dr Tim Hutchings, University of Nottingham; Christopher Gasson, author and commmissioner of OnePoll on “spiritual” young people; Jessie Paktiazay, Producer Director at Three Arrows Media; and Dr Peter Brierley, chruch statistician. Get the zoom link from [email protected]
Bishop of Manchester reveals cancer diagnosis
The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, has revealed that he is being treated for prostate cancer. He gave the news during his Thought for the Day contribution on BBC Radio 4 and said that being confronted by his illness had helped him feel ready to die, through cancer or otherwise. In a video message to people in the diocese, he confessed that he felt more tired and would undergo treatment for some time, but drew hope from the fact the cancer had been caught early. But until then, he would seek to be “a force for good in a world where the malignant cancers I need to fight are those of gross inequality, hatred and injustice”. Script and video message here
Women faith leaders say assisted dying bill lacks safeguards
More than 100 women of faith have written an open letter expressing concern that the Assisted Dying Bill currently being considered in the Commons, lacks safeguards to protect some of the most marginalised in society. The women, from Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh groups, say they are particularly concerned about women of faith subjected to gender–based violence and abuse by a partner, marginalised in their communities and without a voice. The letter says the proposed legislation could help such women to end their lives: “It is unclear to us how the legislation and its consultative process has taken account of the multiplicity of faiths, cultures, socio–economic and health backgrounds of our citizens and women who make up our country.” The letter, published on the Theos website and picked up by the Guardian, has as the top signatory the director of Theos, Chine McDonald. Others include the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullaly; Rabbi Debbie Young Somers and Dr Naomi Green, Assistant General Secretary MCB.
US Catholic bishops end partnership with government on refugees
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has announced that it is ending a 50 year partnership with the federal government to serve refugees and children, following the ending of funding for refugee resettlement, a project which the church has been engaged in for over 100 years. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, said the church could not sustain current levels of work with less money. Running fewer services would impact staff and refugees but alternative means of support are being sought for existing clients.
1:12 US Christians is associated with immigrants facing deportation
More than 10 million Christian immigrants in the United States are vulnerable to deportation according to a report from the US Catholic bishops and Protestant organisations. An estimated 1:12 Christians in the US is either vulnerable to deportation or lives with someone who is. The report “One Part of the Body” aims to highlight the extent of the issue affecting Catholics in America, and to raise the consequences of Trump’s immigration policy. The letter urges all Christians to examine their role regarding immigrants, and to pray, advocate, and act.
The mufti who is now on Ukraine’s front line in defence of his homeland
Said Ismagilov, a Ukrainian Muslim spiritual leader from Donbas in eastern Ukraine, has given an interview to Hyphen Online, explaining how he made the decision to join the military in defence of his country where he has served on the front line for two years. The report explains that he is the former mufti of Umma, a Muslim umbrella organisation for many of the country’s 600,000 Sunnis. Donbas had the largest Muslim population outside Crimea, including ethnic Tartars from Russia and Crimea and Turks from Georgia. His interview with Lily Hyde is here
Priest shot dead outside his home in Kansas
Fr Arul Carasala, a Catholic priest in the quiet town of Seneca, northeast Kansas, has been shot dead outside his rectory. The church said it appeared to be a senseless act of violence against a devoted well-liked priest. A man is said to have walked up to him and shot him three times. A suspect is in custody.
The Toronto Star takes an interest in the Wrestling Church in Shipley
An article about the “Wrestling Church” in Shipley, where a Christian message of right versus wrong, forgiveness and hope is played out with body slams by Christian wrestlers, has caught the eye of the Toronto Star. Jill Lawless, chief correspondent for the Associated Press in London, found that the sight of fighting under stained glass windows, with crowds whooping and cheering to the rafters of a Victorian parish church, and a newly converted Christian wrestler Gareth Thompson, otherwise known as “Angel” pitted against “Disciple”, was all too much to miss. She quotes the Rev Natasha Thomas, vicar of St. Peter’s Anglican church, saying that at a time of declining congregations, it’s important to take risks. Wrestling isn’t for everyone, she said, but it’s brought in a whole new community. The report is in the Toronto Star here
