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Tue, 05 Jun 2018
Plans for Muslim faith school in Derby rejected due to flood risk
Planning councillors in Derby have rejected plans to build a new Muslim faith school in an area at risk of flooding.
Derby Telegraph
New Spanish PM first to avoid using religious symbols during swearing-in
On Saturday, Pedro Sánchez became the seventh head of government in modern Spanish democracy to take the oath of office, and the first one to do so with no religious symbols present.
El Pais (in English)
‘More radical change is needed to tackle religious control of Ireland’s schools’
This editorial says Ireland has a 19th-century-schools system which is radically out of step with the needs of a 21st-century society, and no child should feel isolated because of their religion or non-religion.
The Irish Times
EU court defends doctor who worked in Catholic hospital’s right to divorce
A Catholic hospital in Germany was not entitled to fire a surgeon because he divorced and remarried in a civil ceremony, the European Court of Justice has been advised.
The Irish Times
Mon, 04 Jun 2018
MPs step up pressure for Northern Ireland abortion reform
MPs are being canvassed to back a plan to force through measures liberalising abortion in Northern Ireland, it has emerged. The group believes they can force all parts of the UK to reconsider their abortion laws by repealing sections of the 1861 Offences against the Person Act.
The Observer
Thousands march in Belfast to demand marriage equality in NI
Thousands of people took to the streets of Northern Ireland on Saturday to demand marriage equality.
Belfast Telegraph
NI same-sex couples marry in Ireland and Great Britain
Dozens of same-sex couples have side-stepped NI's strict marriage laws by getting married elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, BBC News NI has learnt.
BBC
Inside Britain's secretive sharia courts
Reporter David Jones spends a day inside the sharia court at Birmingham Central Mosque as he investigates the workings of Britain's sharia courts.
Daily Mail
Sajid Javid says Muslim Council of Britain is unrepresentative amid Tory anti-Muslim claims
The home secretary has said the government does not deal with the Muslim Council of Britain because "too many of their members have had favourable comments on extremists". The comments come as the MCB calls for an independent inquiry into 'Islamophobia' in the Conservative party.
Sky News
Minute's silence for London Bridge terror attack victims
A minute's silence has been honoured and a church service held in memory of those murdered in the London Bridge terror attack a year ago. The prime minister and members of the emergency services attended a service at Southwark Cathedral.
BBC
Police facing surge in extremists released from jail, analysis finds
Police and security services face a surge in the number of convicted terrorists released from prison, Guardian analysis has shown.
The Guardian
Jonathan Aitken plans to become a prison chaplain
The former Conservative cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, who served seven months in prison for perjury, is to become a Church of England minister later this month. He plans to become a prison chaplain.
The Telegraph
Danish parliament to consider ban on cutting boys’ genitals
The Danish parliament is to consider whether to become the first country to ban boys being circumcised after a petition forced lawmakers to debate the issue. The measure is unlikely to pass owing to opposition among the major parties.
The Independent
New rule will allow doctors and care-givers to speak out about FGM in Belgium
A new rule to make it possible for doctors and other care-givers to speak out in cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) has been unanimously agreed by MPs in Brussels.
The Brussels Times
‘Denmark’s ban on face coverings isn’t the mark of a secular society’
Sunny Hundal says a secular society should give people the freedom to leave their religion, the freedom to criticise and satirise religion and the freedom to practice their religion.
The Independent
Six rules on laicité from new French manual for schools
An outline of six of the main rules from the French government's new guidance on laicité in shools.
The Local (France)
Fri, 01 Jun 2018
Thousands to call on prime minister for marriage equality in Northern Ireland
Thousands of people are expected to descend on the streets of Belfast tomorrow to call on Theresa May to legislate for marriage equality in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Telegraph
Abortion pills handed over to police at Belfast pro-choice rally
Organisers of a pro-choice rally in Belfast have handed over abortion pills to the police.
BBC
Portugal's parliament rejects euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide
A proposal to make Portugal one of only a handful of countries allowing euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide has narrowly been rejected by lawmakers.
NBC News
School 'baptism barrier' gone for 2019 entry in Ireland
Radical changes to admission rules, approved this week, mean schools in Ireland will no longer be able to use religion as a criterion for prioritising entry.
The Independent (Ireland)
EU’s top court rules Flanders had right to limit ritual slaughter to approved slaughterhouses
The European Court of Justice has upheld a policy of the Flemish regional government to restrict ritual slaughter to pre-approved abattoirs.
Politico
Arkansas abortion pill restriction seen as major rights setback
The US Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging an Arkansas law that effectively prohibits medical abortions in the state.
The Washington Post
Fears Trump's anti-choice picks could set back US abortion fight for a generation
The Trump administration's push for judges opposed to choice has already emboldened campaigners who have helped pass restrictive laws at state level.
The Guardian
‘What happens when abortion is banned?’
Michelle Oberman, the author of a new book, says criminalising abortion merely creates new ways in which the state can intensify the misery of the poorest.
The New York Times
‘The Catholic centre moves south’
This editorial says the Catholic Church looks tired and jaded in Europe after Ireland's vote on abortion – but elsewhere it is in rude health.
The Irish Times
Abortion does not cause depression, new study finds
Abortions don't cause depression, although women who have depression and anxiety may be more likely to have abortions, researchers have said. The study is the latest to show no evidence that abortion causes depression.
NBC News
‘The Islamic State attacks Indonesia – and its “middle way”’
Ilan Berman and James Clad say Indonesia is a working model of political Islam capable of coexisting with the West. That makes it a target for the terrorist group.
Weekly Standard
Danish parliament bans the wearing of face veils in public
Denmark has banned the wearing of face veils in public.
Reuters
Thu, 31 May 2018
Christians told not to confess sex abuse secrets to Church of England clergy because they will tell the police
Christians have been told not to confess sexual abuse secrets to Church of England clergy because they will tell the police.
The Telegraph
Taking abortion pills distributed at Belfast pro-choice rally may lead to arrest, warn police
Pregnant women who take abortion pills delivered by a pro-choice organisation's 'abortion robot' in Belfast this afternoon could face charges, police in Northern Ireland have warned.
Belfast Telegraph
Faith-based groups ‘increasingly used in NHS’
Faith-based organisations are increasingly being used to plug gaps in the NHS, research has found.
The Guardian
Church of England fends off sexuality debate
Any proposed motions calling for a shift in the Church of England's stance on gay marriage will not be debated at its general synod for the foreseeable future. Bishops are working on a major review of their teaching on sexuality, which is not expected until 2020.
Christian Today
Tory deputy chair attacks MPs over Northern Ireland abortion law
Conservative party deputy chair James Cleverly has hit out at MPs campaigning for a change in Northern Irish abortion law, accusing Labour of exploiting the issue for party political gain.
The Guardian
Girl was 'raped by priest after complaining nun had abused her at Catholic orphanage'
A former resident at a Catholic-run orphanage was raped by a priest and repeatedly abused by a nun, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has heard.
Daily Mirror
Forced marriage victim speaks of threats from family
A woman from Leeds said her father "would rather go to jail with me dead" after she refused to marry her cousin.
Leeds Live
Muslim group asks Tories to launch inquiry into ‘Islamophobia’
The Conservative party has said it takes "all such incidents seriously" after the Muslim Council of Britain called on it to launch an independent inquiry into 'Islamophobia' within the party.
BBC
Outgoing Jewish group leader accuses Corbyn of having anti-Semitic views
One of Britain's most senior Jewish leaders has accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of holding "anti-Semitic views". Labour has described his comments as "unfounded and outrageous".
The Telegraph
Bavaria cross decision sparks debates over religion and culture
Bavaria is preparing to hang crosses on the entrance to every state building. Religion is in decline in Germany, but religious symbols are making a powerful comeback as part of its simmering culture wars.
The New York Times
French schools encouraged to respond firmly when pupils seek religious opt-outs
An 83-page handbook from France's education ministry has told schools to adopt a tough response to those who challenge their religious neutrality. For example it recommends sending home girls who refuse to take part in mixed sports classes for religious reasons.
The Times (£)
Ghana to consider bill to criminalise homosexuality
Ghana's parliament will soon consider a bill to criminalise homosexuality.
Ghana Web
Wed, 30 May 2018
Tories must have free vote on abortion in NI, says committee chair
Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, who chairs the Commons health and social care committee, has called on the prime minister to give Conservative MPs a free vote over reform of Northern Ireland's abortion laws.
Belfast Telegraph
‘How Northern Irish women suffer under restrictive abortion laws’
Kirstie McCrum says women in Northern Ireland are still subject to restrictive laws – and heavy penalties – should they wish to have autonomy over their own bodies.
New Statesman
‘A debate on abortion would divide the Tory party’
Katy Balls says Theresa May's reluctance to look at abortion reform in Northern Ireland is partly driven by her fear of socially conservative backbenchers.
iNews
NI women may be able to have abortions in Republic once new laws are passed, says Varadkar
Women from Northern Ireland could be able to have abortions in the Republic when its new laws are introduced, Ireland's prime minister has said.
Belfast Telegraph
Gun attack in Belgium may be terror-related, say officials
Two police officers and a civilian have been shot dead in an attack in the Belgian city of Liege. A senior official at the federal prosecutor's office has said "there are indications it could be a terror attack", but Belgium's crisis centre has said there is no reason to raise the anti-terror alert for now.
Sky News
Girl 'jumped to her death after beating by nun at Nazareth House'
A former children's home resident has told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry a child leapt to her death after being "battered" by a nun.
BBC
Christians in Europe more likely to express anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish views than religious 'nones'
A major new survey has found a strong link between religion and nationalist sentiments.
Christian Today
Tommy Robinson jailed for contempt of court
The former leader of the English Defence League, Tommy Robinson, has been jailed for 13 months after flouting court orders for a second time. Robinson was arrested on Friday after using social media to broadcast details of a current trial which is subject to blanket reporting restrictions.
Sky News
Irish Labour party calls for removal of link between church and state in education
Ireland's Labour party has said removing the link between church and state in education is the next big constitutional question that needs to be addressed after last week's referendum on reproductive rights.
Evening Echo
Iceland still considering bill to end infant genital cutting
Reports that Iceland's parliament had scrapped a proposal to ban the circumcision of boys are apparently false.
Aleteia
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