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| If you receive an unsigned Valentine’s Day card, embrace the mystery – it’s fitting! No one knows the true identity of St. Valentine himself and yet he became the patron saint of love. Catherine Pepinster investigates >> The Church of England General Synod met in London this week: National safeguarding teams will move to an independent organisation, but local safeguarding officers stay employed by the church. More work will be done on a fully independent safeguarding process, a delay which deeply angered victims and survivors. Explainer here. New safeguarding processes were approved for reporting and dealing with complaints, the CofE’s version of “see it, say it, sorted” >> An overhaul of the disciplinary process for clergy was agreed, including the sack for serious misconduct. Changes follow criticism that the current system takes too long and treats all complaints as though they are serious misconduct cases >> The Church of England general synod has delayed a decision on allowing standalone services for same-sex blessings, to give time for more reports on theology and doctrine >> One fifth of bishop roles are vacant, and two recent appointment processes failed to agree a candidate. Deep divisions were on display as reforms were voted down one by one. Synod was told differences on sex blessings have been ‘weaponised to block bishops’ appointments’ >> Lord Boateng, who led the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice, let rip on the church’s “lack of cooperation” in supplying information to the commission >> Next week’s media briefing considers whether the general synod meeting has done anything to improve the standing of the Church of England in the country, or made it safer. The panel will include the journalists who reported on synod this week. Tuesday 18 Feb, 12 noon. Get the link from [email protected] King Charles received a group of Jews and Muslims at Buckingham Palace and was presented with a signed declaration between the two faiths, The Drumlanrig Accord, which outlines a framework for future collaboration >> Our reporter Maira Butt explains how the hijab is a symbol of piety, a bringer of joy and a target of prejudice. Mandated by the Quran, every Muslim woman who wears (or does not wear) it has a deeply personal journey with it >> Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Assisted Dying Bill, said cases would no longer have to be signed off by a High Court judge, but instead by a panel of experts, drawing criticism that safeguards are collapsing >> In a letter to US bishops, Pope Francis rebuked President Trump’s plans for mass deportation of migrants, saying it will “end badly” >> Faith groups take Trump to court over deporting immigrants and resettling refugees, with one case involving 27 denominations >> US congregations lock the doors in case officials deport their pastors >> Trump’s ‘train wreck’ appointment of televangelist Paula White >> Caritas warns of catastrophic consequences of Trump’s aid cut >> Father Alex Frost, a vicar from Burnley and one-time manager of a mega Argos store, told the general synod that the CofE should follow Jesus and appoint working-class apprentices. He won a standing ovation >> |
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| New Wine failings over Mike Pilavachi >> Christian school worker wins appeal against sacking over sex education posts >> King and Queen to visit the Pope in April for the 2025 Year of Jubilee >> Employment tribunal rules Voodooism is a religion >> Gen Zers: Why we have turned to God >> Conservative MP resigns from APPG on British Muslims, over criticism of Badenoch >> Renegade traditionalist Bishop Richard Williamson has died in Margate >> Methodist volunteers to ‘be a blessing’ at festivals across Britain >> Muslim career women say faith is a source of empowerment >> Jewish Labour Movement ‘appalled’ by Andrew Gwynne comments >> Golders Green eruv instituted this weekend >> Ukraine Catholic Cathedral holds interfaith prayer service >> Vatican conference on tax and global inequality >> Secular Ireland needs high religious affiliation to keep fertility rate growing >> Aga Khan buried in Egypt near his grandfather >> Vatican conference on tax and global inequality >> More on the CofE Only a quarter of the British public has a favourable view of the CofE >> Pain, anguish and anger to be expected at the General Synod this week >> Bishop of Warrington issues clarification on her study leave and safeguarding and says Archbishop of York should not resign Only a quarter of the British public has a favourable view of the CofE >> Justin Welby still living at Lambeth Palace >> Move to stop Archbishop of York giving presidential address at synod was defeated >> CofE parliament in shocked silence at its first meeting since Welby resigned >> Non-alcoholic wine and gluten-free bread OK for communion >> |
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