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| Statements after Middle East ceasefire announcement: Board of Deputies hopes for peace and security to all; Zara Mohammed, Muslim Council of Britain, felt undeniable sadness for those killed and suffering and hoped for healing; Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said the ceasefire is “the necessary turning point we needed”; the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said “now is the time for unfettered aid to reach the people of Gaza … it must not be a false dawn”. Eighteen charities demanded UK government ensures justice for Palestinians >> The impact of a ceasefire in the Middle East tops stories about religion likely to make headlines in 2025. Panelists on our briefing also listed the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury and the volatile state of the Church of England, community relations, refugees; the new presidency of Donald Trump and populism on social media. View the briefing again or listen to the podcast, via links here. A young British musician, Leo Geyer, has discovered fragments of musical scores at Auschwitz and pieced them together so they could be completed and performed. The story is told in The Lost Music of Auschwitz, on Sky Arts next Monday. Read Lianne Kolirin’s report here. Leo Geyer is a guest in our media briefing on Monday 20 January 1200, on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, with Holocaust survivor Joan Slater and Laura Marks, chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Hosted by Richard Allen Greene, formerly CNN’s Jerusalem Bureau Chief, now training to be a Rabbi. Request the link from: [email protected] The Home Secretary announced a national audit of grooming gangs after an inflammatory public debate leaving victims feeling “angry and exploited” and faith groups offended at the way gangs are described. A debate descended into anger in the Welsh Senedd >> One in seven Christians – 380 million people – are persecuted around the world, according to the charity Open Doors in its annual World Watch List. The worst countries are North Korea, followed by Somalia and Yemen >> Pope Francis published “Hope – The Autobiography”, the first book of its kind written by a reigning pope, in which he spoke of battles against abuse, a love of football and the tango … and Benedict’s box of scandals given to him when he took office. Read Catherine Pepinster’s article here. 400 million pilgrims began a six-week celebration of the Maha Kumbh Mela Hindu festival in northern India – the largest gathering on earth. Bright colours, prayer and bathing in the rivers for cleansing all feature >> The Faith and Belief Forum has launched a nationwide consultation to shape the future of Inter Faith Week, which used to be run by the Inter Faith Network until it closed a year ago. It was usually held in November, with events all over the country. Further details here. |
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| Peterborough Cathedral’s financial crisis may force part closure >> Exorcists warned of wrong practices – told to trust God not psychics >> Decision on changes to church repair scheme announced soon >> Meeting discussing the ‘people poor, cash rich’ future of the United Reformed Church >> Just Stop Oil campaigners deface Darwin’s grave with orange paint >> Redress for church abuse victims will be delayed >> Welby ‘a failure and destructive force’ >> Hopes for the future of the St Anselm community >> Plan for 54-storey office block next to St Ethelburga’s peace centre >> Panel appointed to decide on response to clergy criticised in Makin review >> Acting on Makin review a “watershed moment” for CofE >> Place of the Archbsihop of Canterbury in post colonial Anglican communion structure >> Tearfund CEO leaving after nine years >> Spain proposes repeal of blasphemy law >> Plans for prayers and worship on Trump’s Inauguration Day >> Trump nominee vows to stop government “weaponisation” against Catholics >> Pope awarded US Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction >> 21 children baptised in the Sistine chapel >> Italian Catholic Church allows celibate gay men to be priests >> Pope gives monthly bonus to Vatican families with three children >> Sister Clare Crockett, Would be children’s TV presenter turned nun, in line for sainthood >> “Muslim Leadership Council” the government can engage with >> Massive impact of war in Gaza led to discussions over new Muslim leadership group >> The ‘jihadi lioness’ running Muslim charity in London >> Global survey suggests 12 per cent of UK adults – 6.7million people – are antisemitic >> Holocaust reception at Buckingham Palace >> “Massive escalation” of antisemitism in Australia >> Details of Kindertransport children uncovered in archive >> The rabbi on £100,000 in a central London synagogue >> |
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