Religion News April 26, 2024

Bishop: The Rwanda bill is a dark moment in the history of our country

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani has described the passage of the Rwanda Security Bill as a “dark moment in the history of our country”. In a commentary piece in the ‘i’, she said this goes against our long-standing tradition of welcoming and supporting refugees in Britain. She herself fled to England as a refugee from Iran at the age of 14, after her father, an Anglican bishop, survived an assassination attempt and her brother was murdered. She said: “The Bill worryingly takes us one step closer to completely abdicating our moral and legal responsibility for the protection of refugees, by outsourcing that duty to a country that our own courts have not yet declared safe for refugees.” She urged the government to wait until security measures were in place and pleaded with authorities to act with compassion toward those it decides to deport. “I still believe that the Rwanda Bill does not reflect who we are and does not embrace the values ​​I see at work in our communities, where people from all backgrounds come together to serve, worship, work and live together.”

Jewish groups call for revision of the 1986 Public Order Act to improve monitoring of demonstrations

A delegation of Jewish community groups yesterday met Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, to discuss the policing of pro-Palestinian marches, days after an incident in London where Gideon Falter, CEO of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, blocked the path of a march tried to cross and an officer warned him of risks as he was “openly Jewish”. The delegation represented the Council of Delegates, the Community Security Trust and the Jewish Leadership Council. A statement from the Council of Deputies said the meeting raised concerns that the Public Order Act 1986 needed to be revised. The president of the Council of Representatives, Marie van der Zyl, said it must reflect the reality of the 21st century.^st century and was not intended “to contemplate a concentrated campaign designed to bring central London to a standstill at weekends with repeated marches for months”. Jewish News separately reports on a telephone meeting between Home Secretary James Cleverley and Ms Van der Zyl, where they expressed deep concern about some police actions and officers’ responses to “disturbing incidents.” Mr. Cleverley responded that the Jewish community should feel safe on the streets of London, and that hiding their Judaism from Jews is a red line that should not be crossed.

Seder in the Street in New York combines Passover and protest

About 300 people were arrested in New York after a Seder in the Street, another Jewish protest against the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza. They sat across the main road praying and loudly protesting the end of US military aid to Israel. Rabbis and activists in Brooklyn told the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and linked it to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Religion News Service reports that Rabbi Miriam Grossman, spiritual leader of the Kolot Chayeinu Jewish Congregation in Brooklyn, prayed for the people of Gaza and performed the kiddush, the Seder blessing over wine. Syrian Rabbi Esther Azar broke bread that she said echoed the rubble of Gaza and the “brokenness” of the war’s victims. Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace, said politicians talk about the Jewish community because they all support the Israeli government, but her organization disconnects Jewish identity from Zionism. The Seder as protest was inspired by the 1969 Freedom Seder, which Jews and African Americans joined to denounce the war in Vietnam. This time it takes place against the backdrop of university protests against Palestine that have spread across the country, involving riot police, tent cities and fear among Jewish students.

CofE is working with housing groups to campaign for Homes For All

The Archbishop of Canterbury has backed the ‘Homes For All’ report, which calls for an independent body to review and transform housing policy. Justin Welby said that temporary, insecure or unhealthy housing is destroying the lives of millions of people, and that there is a moral responsibility to put this right: “Everyone should have a home that is comfortable and safe, and in a thriving community where they can flourish. ”. Homes For All is a coalition of the Church of England, Housing Justice, Nationwide Foundation and several other housing and construction groups. The report contains 25 recommendations for a good housing system and calls on all political parties to endorse this for a long-term strategy.

CofE’s parallel leadership system for opponents of female bishops “an error of judgement”

The Church Times reports on a speech by the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, at a conference organized by WATCH (Women and the Church). She said it was an error of judgment to introduce a parallel system of bishops and clergy for people who disagreed with the ordination of women as bishops, which was voted on in 2014. of trust within the church when making decisions. It had led some women in the church to feel that their wings had been clipped and their feet tied to structures and procedures that were unequal and unanglican. She was particularly critical of the way the system eroded the role of bishops, once seen as a focal point of unity. It had led to current factions demanding their own personalized bishops with whom they could identify.

Former Soul Survivor pastor joins Edinburgh church

Former senior Soul Survivor pastor Rev. Andy Croft, who was briefly suspended following an investigation into Mike Pilavachi’s conduct, has been announced as deputy rector of St. Paul’s and St. George’s Church in Edinburgh. Premier Christian News reports that a church spokesperson said the appointment followed a rigorous process. Andy Croft was found to have failed to act on three occasions when allegations were made and apologized. But he explained that two of the three cases did not reach the threshold for filing a disciplinary complaint and in the third case a disciplinary complaint was filed but has now been dismissed. He was allowed to return to the ministry, but chose to resign from Soul Survivor in Watford, saying his family was coping with the whole experience.

“Planet Lead” appointed by church commissioners

The Church Commissioners have appointed a “Planet Lead” to lead their work in managing £10.3 billion of investment in environmental care. Laura Moss-Bromage is currently a senior manager in the climate change and sustainability services team at Ernst and Young. She will advise on climate-related stewardship initiatives, biodiversity strategy and engage with companies and policymakers.

Witnessing the launch of the world’s first Sikh court

Reporter Liz Harris observes the remarkable sight of 46 Sikh magistrates and judges taking an oath to open the world’s first Sikh court, in the vicinity of the 15th-century Old Hall at Lincoln’s Inn. They pledged to “uphold the principles of justice, equality and integrity” as prescribed by their Scriptures and faith. Most of them were women. The court will deal with family and civil disputes, fearing that secular courts do not have the necessary religious and cultural expertise. Her report includes comments from a law academic who is not convinced of the need. This eyewitness account is here