Christian Legal Centre accused of “preying upon the most vulnerable”
Open Democracy reports sharp criticism of the Christian Legal Centre, part of Christian Concern, which supported the parents of 12 year old Archie Battersbee through months of legal argument to stop his life support system from being switched off. It quotes Neena Modi, professor of neonatal medicine at Imperial College London, saying that the organisation “preys upon the most vulnerable”, behaving appallingly and adding to the grief and distress of families because “they try and break down the trust that should exist between the medical team and the family”. Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, has given a lengthy defence of their actions, saying they are a voice “for those who stand for life, family and freedom as set out in the Bible”. She said “In the following rounds of cases the courts imposed their secular, utilitarian beliefs about life and death on to Archie’s case”, employing “the logic of euthanasia”.
PM refuses faith groups’ pleas for emergency measures in cost of living crisis
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has ruled out taking emergency measures to address the cost of living crisis that will start hitting hard in the autumn. Fifty-six groups including churches and faith based charities joined the former PM Gordon Brown in calling for immediate action. The CBI amplified that call today saying the country cannot afford a summer of inactivity while anticipating the economic situation to come. Johnson’s spokespeople said it would be for either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak to work out a plan when the new prime minister is in post in a month’s time.
Biden condemns killing of four Muslim men in New Mexico
Four Muslim men have been shot dead in Alberquerque New Mexico, in separate incidents which are believed to be motivated by race and hate. Police believe all four are linked and have appealed for help to trace a car connected to all incidents. President Joe Biden has condemned the killings saying such crimes have no place in America.
Safeguarding Board chair steps aside after data breach
The Church of England has issued a statement saying that a complaint has been made about a data and confidentiality breach by the chair of the Independent Safeguarding Board , Professor Maggie Atkinson. The Information Commissioner’s Office and the Archbishops’ Council have been notified of a serious incident. The Church Times says Dame Maggie has been asked to step aside from her role during the investigation.
Christianity Today’s new editor known for opposition to Trump
Russell Moore, the former Southern Baptist president of ethics and religious liberty commission, has been appointed editor in chief at Christianity Today. The Religion News Service reports that his time with the Southern Baptists was controversial because of his opposition to Donald Trump and for advocating sexual abuse reforms. It reports that Christianity Today is considered the premier publication for evangelicals, founded in 1956 by Billy Graham.
The young priest from Zimbabwe who took Lambeth by storm
Cathrine Ngangira, a young priest from Zimbabwe, took the Lambeth Conference by storm with impressive presentations on a global stage in front of 650 Anglican bishops. She was spotted by Anglican leaders at a conference in Lusaka in 2016, came to England to be part of the St Anselm’s community, trained for the priesthood in Durham and was chosen to be on a crucial committee designing the content of the conference. On stage, she impressed with a calm authority that belied her 30 years, with some bishops suggesting she is tipped for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s job in time. In a profile by Leo Devine, she is self effacing when asked how it came to be that she was thrust into the limelight. She said: “I think God has a sense of humour, or maybe people saw something in me that I can’t see.” Read the profile here
“Carry on Up Salisbury Cathedral Close” drama unearthed by the archivist
The criminal antics at Salisbury Cathedral down the centuries are being collated by an archivist for a forthcoming exhibition. Emily Naish, cathedral archivist and collections manager, has found stories of smuggling, pilfering of the larder and a crime of passion where the 16th century dean escaped with his life. The cathedral was a separate legal entity in its history, and a pair of handcuffs and truncheon have been unearthed. The story in the Guardian quotes the current dean, Nicholas Papadopulos, a former criminal barrister, re-telling a “Carry On Up the Close” story of 1634, when a family dispute ended with a jail sentence.
