Daily media briefing
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Mon, 22 Jan 2024
Mike Pilavachi receives written warning after alleged misconduct
The founder of Soul Survivor, the Revd Mike Pilavachi, has received a written warning after disciplinary proceedings relating to a specific safeguarding complaint during his time in ordained ministry, it was announced on Thursday.
Church Times*
Israel-Gaza war behind surge in Islamist activity, says UK counter-terror head
The conflict in the Middle East has led to a surge in Islamist activity, with online terrorist propaganda rocketing and new individuals feared to have been radicalised, the head of counter-terrorism policing has said.
The Guardian
Ayodhya Ram Mandir: India PM Modi inaugurates Hindu temple on razed Babri mosque site
India's PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated a grand temple to Hindu god Ram in the flashpoint city of Ayodhya.
BBC
Fri, 19 Jan 2024
Primary school embroiled in Palestine row may be forced to close
Barclay Primary School, in east London, may switch to online learning after 'arson and bomb threats' over Islamophobia accusations.
The Telegraph*
School prayer ban challenge being funded by legal aid
A student who is suing Britain's "strictest" school over a "prayer ban" is being funded by tens of thousands of pounds of public money.
The Times*
GMC urged to suspend GP leader of UK Islamist group
Dr Abdul Wahid, UK chair of Hizb ut-Tahrir, remains an NHS doctor in Harrow despite the group soon-to-be banned in the UK.
Jewish News
Letters: Prince William’s role as Defender of the Faith
"However right in principle, removing the restriction on the monarch's freedom of belief would in practice raise questions about the new changed constitutional status of the Church of England together with the roles of parliament and the monarchy towards religion at large."
Prince William told to abdicate if he snubs Church of England role
The late Queen Elizabeth's former chaplain made a stark warning against the Prince of Wales after the latest bombshell claims in a new royal book.
Express
Religion and diversity in NI schools: ‘Very limited, if any, success’, says report
The study by Queen's University Belfast has looked at the religious make-up of schools in the north and compares it to around the time of the Agreement in 1998.
Irish News
Nuns jailed over 'cruel and unnatural' abuse of vulnerable youngsters at notorious orphanage
Sisters Sarah McDermott and Eileen Igoe, along with care worker Margaret Hughes were sentenced to three years each.
Daily Mail
Jehovah’s Witnesses go to trial against Norway after state registration is revoked
The trial will determine whether some practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses violate Norway's Religious Communities Act.
Religion News Service
Thu, 18 Jan 2024
Psychologist reports ‘significant harm’ after closure of Independent Safeguarding Board
David Glasgow published a report based on interviews with victims of abuse awaiting a review of their case when two members of the ISB were sacked.
Church Times*
Child sex abuse inquiry chair ‘frustrated’ at lack of action on recommendations
Professor Alexis Jay cited the lack of an 'in-built follow-up' requirement to check on progress by Government as a weakness of public inquiries.
Shrophsire Star
Katharine Birbalsingh defends ban on school prayers in high court
Headteacher of London school Michaela says policy is vital to ensure 'children of all races and religions can thrive'.
The Guardian
‘Would King William really break with the Church of England?’
"William, a 41 year old man, is thought to be one of life's casual Christians at best", writes Alexander Larman.
The Spectator*
Letters: Assisted dying debate
"In 2021 the BMA dropped its opposition to assisted dying, instead adopting a neutral position. It is not only inside parliament where views on assisted dying have shifted."
The Times*
Should Australian parliaments axe the Lord’s Prayer? In Victoria it’s up for debate
Every parliament, except the ACT, features the Christian prayer. But it hasn't always been the case, and some say it's time to change.
The Guardian
Malaysia court charges filmmakers for 'wounding religious feelings'
The director and producer of local film, "Mentega Terbang", were charged under the penal code and face a one-year jail sentence and fines if convicted.
Reuters
El Salvador woman freed after abortion conviction
A Salvadoran woman has been freed from prison more than seven years after she was convicted for having an abortion.
BBC
Polish MP who doused Hanukkah candles loses immunity
After extinguishing the candles, the politician described Hanukkah as "satanic" and said he was restoring "normality".
BBC
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
‘Assisted dying law is closer than you think’
"The Conservatives would be foolish to ignore voter support for a new bill and let Sir Keir Starmer steal the initiative", writes Daniel Finkelstein.
The Times*
Pupil takes school to court over alleged prayer ban
A school led by former government social mobility tsar Katharine Birbalsingh is being challenged in the High Court over a policy allegedly amounting to a "prayer ban".
BBC
Could Prince William be first monarch in five centuries not to be head of the Church of England?
Future King isn't a regular churchgoer and 'is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment'.
Daily Mail
Abortion clinic protest laws to be watered down by James Cleverly
Home Office draft guidance would allow protesters to engage in 'silent prayer' and approach women with leaflets inside 150m-wide buffer zones, despite MPs voting to block such activity.
iNews
‘I will do whatever is necessary to vanquish terrorism. That’s why we are proscribing Hizb ut-Tahrir’
"The Government will not let extremist groups abuse our freedom of speech to radicalise in Britain", writes James Cleverly.
The Telegraph*
‘Are Indian agents targeting British Sikhs?’
"The question has arisen after it was revealed that some Sikhs have been issued with 'threat to life' warnings by West Midlands police", writes Jawad Iqbal.
The Spectator*
Suspected Kenyan cult leader to be charged with terrorism after 400 deaths
Prosecutors say they intend to charge Paul Nthenge Mackenzie and dozens of other suspects with murder and terrorism.
The Guardian
US: The three-decade saga that led to the Crown Heights tunnels
How a group of anti-establishment yeshiva students from the Israeli city of Tzfat took control of the Chabad-Lubavitch synagogue in Brooklyn and started digging.
The Guardian
Benzema files defamation suit against French interior minister
Gérald Darmanin said in October that Mr Benzema "has a notorious link" with the Muslim Brotherhood.
BBC
Tue, 16 Jan 2024
Home Office to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir as terror group
One of the most controversial Islamist groups in the UK, Hizb ut-Tahrir, is to be banned as a terrorist organisation, accused of praising the Hamas attacks.
BBC
Welby ‘should quit’ over claims he backed Paula Vennells to be Bishop of London
Late Queen's chaplain calls for Archbishop of Canterbury to resign over alleged support for disgraced former Post Office boss.
The Telegraph*
Pope Francis: I feel lonely and isolated over gay blessings
Conservative bishops say they will boycott the Vatican's decision to allow the blessing of same-sex couples.
The Times*
Iran sentences Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi to additional prison term
Iran's Revolutionary Court has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi to an additional 15 months in prison.
BBC
India: Transforming a flashpoint holy city into the ‘Hindu Vatican’
A multi-billion dollar makeover has seen swathes of the city bulldozed to turn it into what some Hindu nationalist leaders are calling a "Hindu Vatican".
BBC
Australia: Child abuse detectives reportedly search home of former bishop
Christopher Saunders denies allegations he sexually assaulted and groomed young Aboriginal men.
The Guardian
Kenya: Former PM criticises FGM and circumcision
Raila Odinga has sparked a fervent debate by voicing his strong opposition to the practices of circumcision and Female Genital Mutilation.
BNN Breaking
Mon, 15 Jan 2024
Sikhs given ‘threat to life’ notices fear link to India
Sikhs living in Britain have been warned by police that their lives are in danger amid increased tensions over the separatist movement in India and claims of intimidation by Narendra Modi’s regime.
The Times*
‘What has Christianity to do with Western values?’
Nick Cohen on Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s conversion to Christianity and the problem with seeing Western values as inherently ‘Christian’.
The Freethinker
Palestine protesters chant in support of Houthi rebels
A group of protesters in central London reportedly chanted in support of Houthi militants on Saturday.
The Jewish Chronicle
Spanish bishops publish sex abuse report after disputing previous inquiry's findings
Spain's bishops have disputed the findings of a report which they commissioned almost two years ago on sex abuse in the Spanish Church. They have now published their own report which is notably more favourable to the Church than the previous report.
The Tablet
A Denmark terror case has ‘links’ to Hamas, a prosecutor tells local media
A Danish prosecutor said Friday that an investigation that led to the arrests of three suspects in Denmark last month on suspicion of plotting to carry out “an act of terror” was linked to Hamas, according to a local media report.
Associated Press
Italy’s justice minister blocks extradition of priest sought by Argentina in murder-torture cases
Italy’s justice minister has ruled against the extradition of a former chaplain sought in Argentina on charges of murder and torture during the South American country’s last military dictatorship, human rights advocates said Friday.
Associated Press
TB Joshua exposé: How the disgraced pastor faked his miracles
How late Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua faked the miracles that drew millions of people to his church has been revealed.
BBC
Priest in Moscow faces expulsion for refusing to pray for war victory
A prominent liberal priest in Moscow faces expulsion from the Russian Orthodox Church for refusing to read out a prayer asking God to guide Russia to victory over Ukraine.
Premier Christian News
Protest in Georgian capital amid anger over 'desecration' of Stalin icon
A large protest was held in Tbilisi on Saturday to demand harsh punishment for a woman accused of defacing a religious icon depicting Soviet dictator Josef Stalin which was recently-installed in the Georgian capital.
Reuters
Australia: Catholic bishop accused of child sexual abuse stripped of charity control
The Catholic bishop Christopher Saunders, who is accused of sexually assaulting and grooming young Aboriginal men, has been removed as the person responsible for nine Broome diocese charities, records show.
The Guardian
Iran frees Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, jailed for covering Mahsa Amini death
Iran has freed two female journalists jailed for more than a year for covering the death of Mahsa Amini, which triggered nationwide protests.
BBC
Fri, 12 Jan 2024
Chair of Church of England evangelical group says it opposes conversion therapy, after social-media furore
The Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) is opposed to conversion therapy, it says, in response to criticism of a statement on the charity's website which refers to same-sex relations.
Church Times*
Georgian Orthodox Church calls for Stalin religious icon to be changed
The Georgian Orthodox Church has called for changes to an icon depicting Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin hung in a cathedral in the capital, Tbilisi.
BBC
Taliban arresting women protesting education ban under pretext of ‘bad hijab’ law, say Afghan activists
Activists in Kabul say the Taliban is rounding up and detaining women and girls under the pretext a draconian law on improperly worn headscarves.
The Independent*
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