Courage and hope on the 20th anniversary of the London Bomb attacks
Commemorative events were held across London to remember the victims of the London bomb attacks 20 years ago, when explosives were detonated on three underground trains and a bus. Relatives of the 52 people who died, and representatives of the 700 people injured, were joined by emergency services, politicians and faith leaders for special services. There were moments of remembrance at each site of the attacks, and another at the Hyde Park 7/7 memorial where the Prime Minister laid a wreath. He said: “Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now — against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law”. The main service was at St Paul’s Cathedral, where the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullaly, gave the address saying: “My prayer for us all is that we practise living in hope, that we learn to love the future, to strive for reconciliation and peace, and that, as our wings strengthen, we may know that underneath us all and those that we love is life and eternity, and there are the everlasting arms of God, who brings hope.” Guardian reporter Geneva Abdul, writes that the feelings of suspicion, isolation and hostility experienced by Muslims in the aftermath of the attacks “have, for some, only worsened after decades of UK counter-terrorism policies, and a political landscape they say has allowed Islamophobia to flourish”. The Muslim Women’s Network UK issued a statement saying the attacks were “a betrayal of the core values of Islam and our shared humanity. In the years that followed, many Muslims have taken active steps to challenge the fringe extremist ideologies and to amplify the voices of the unacknowledged majority who are committed to peace, coexistence, and active participation in wider society”.
MP says there’s a witch hunt against Catholic MPs who voted for assisted dying or abortion
Chris Coghlan, Liberal Democrat MP for Dorking and Horley in Surrey, and a practising Catholic, has told The Times that he believes there is a witch hunt against Catholic MPs who, like him, voted in favour of assisted dying. Catholic bishops had consistently argued against the bill, but he said he knew of “at least 13 other Catholic MPs who voted either for assisted dying or to decriminalise abortion, and there appears to be a public witch hunt”. Mr Coughlan’s decision was publicly denounced by his local parish priest, but he says MPs are not in the Commons as Catholic MPs, they are there to represent their constituents, and this “is a clear attempt to meddle with the political process by the church”. He told The Times that MPs should be forced to declare their membership of a faith before discussing life issues like abortion and assisted dying. He is quoted saying: “I think it’s a major problem for parliament in that we have this bill going through right now and the actions of Catholic parliamentarians could have a material impact on that”.
Nine O’Clock Service trial hears of kissing and massage
Inner London Crown Court has been shown a video recorded interview of a woman telling her story of being kissed and massaged by Christopher Brain, formerly the leader of the Nine O’Clock Service in Sheffield. He faces 36 counts of indecent assault and one count of rape, sexual abuse against 13 women between 1986 and 1995 while he was leader. The Nine O’Clock Service put on nightclub style worship within an Anglican church, attracting large numbers of people. The woman, interviewed in 2021, said she thought the alleged attack was “some sort of healing” by Mr Brain, whom she had gone to for counselling. She felt she didn’t have a choice to question him because he was regarded as a man of God. Yorkshire Live court report here. LBC report here.
Statutory inquiry opened into The Outreach Ministry
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into The Outreach Ministry, a charity based in northwest London, which “works to advance the Christian faith through ministry and events”, predominantly in London. In a statement, the Commission says it opened a “regulatory compliance case into The Outreach Ministry in November 2024 after concerns were raised about its financial controls and use of charity funds. On inspection of the charity’s bank account, the Commission noted several payments referencing the trustees and potentially related parties that cannot be adequately explained. Additionally, there were payments referenced that may not be furthering the charity’s stated purpose”. As a temporary measure, the Commission has restricted the trustees from certain financial transactions without its prior approval”. Full statement here
Ukraine strips Orthodox leader of citizenship over alleged Russian ties
Ukrainian authorities have revoked the citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), accusing him of ties to Moscow and opposition to Ukraine’s independent Orthodox Church. The UOC, historically linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, says it severed those ties in 2022. However, Ukraine’s security service alleges Onufriy supported Russian aggression and Patriarch Kirill, a Kremlin ally. He is the most senior cleric to face such action, amid ongoing investigations into pro-Russian activities by UOC leaders. The move has drawn international concern, including from Pope Francis, who called for religious freedom in Ukraine.
Pope Leo carries on tradition of papal summer holidays in picturesque town near Rome
Pope Leo has gone on holiday to the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, 15 miles southeast of Rome, taking up a centuries old tradition of Popes holidaying there in the summer. The residence overlooks Lake Albano, and includes private apartments, gardens, a working farm, and a small observatory. It has been used by Popes since the 16th century, but Pope Francis broke with this tradition, preferring to stay at the Vatican, while opening up the Palace as a museum. It’s not entirely a complete break for Pope Leo, who met various dignitaries, nuns, clerics and local people who came to greet him as he arrived.
Religion Media Festival: Millennials, Faith and the Digital Space
The media landscape is changing at speed, and in this panel discussion at the Religion Media Festival, millennials who are talking about religion in podcasts, film and online, explained why and how they do it. They said their audience wants to ask questions in a safe space and that millennials (aged 29 – 44) accept that society is pluralist. They all grew up and went to school with people of all faiths, so it was ridiculous not to take faith seriously. Their audience is not just attracted by knowledge-seeking, or rational argument, but by stories and feeling that the media is relatable. Hosted by TV producer Jessie Paktiazay, the guests are: Swarzy Shire, BBC 1Xtra presenter; Indy and Dr Jaz, Sikh content creators with a weekly Desi podcast; Islah Abdur-Rahman, Muslim founder of The Corner Shop Network creating viral clips; Lamorna Ash, award-winning author of “Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever – a new generation’s search for religion”; Daisy Scalchi, BBC commissioning editor, specialist factual. View the film of the panel discussion here
