Daily media briefing
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Tue, 12 Mar 2024
Victims of Catholic nuns rely on each other after being overlooked in the clergy sex abuse crisis
"On Wednesdays, the support group meets over Zoom. The members talk about their lives, their religious families and their old parochial schools. But mostly, they are there to talk about the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Catholic nuns."
Associated Press
US delegation leaves Saudi Arabia early after member told to remove kippah
A US delegation on religious freedom said Monday it cut short its visit to Saudi Arabia after one of its members was asked to remove his Jewish head covering, or kippah.
The Guardian
Mon, 11 Mar 2024
Blasphemy demos ‘are growing in radicalism’
Britain faces an alarming rise in intimidation and threats of violence against those perceived to have insulted Islam, a new report will warn.
The Times*
Michael Gove’s ‘hate tsar’ quits with parting shot at government
The adviser said to have been chosen by Michael Gove to tackle Islamophobia has questioned the government's commitment to the issue, after quitting the role before it had even begun.
The Times*
‘Stop anti-blasphemy extremists from taking hold’
'As is so often the case with Islamic terrorism and violence, it is Muslims who are the main victims'.
The Times*
Prevent counter-extremism programme budget to be slashed in London
Budgets for the Home Office's Prevent counter-extremism programme in London are set to be cut by half in two years, contradicting Rishi Sunak's personal call for a crackdown on radicalisation outside Downing Street less than two weeks ago.
The Guardian
Legal fears over Michael Gove’s new definition of ‘extremism’
Michael Gove is set to announce a controversial plan this week to ban individuals and groups who "undermine the UK's system of liberal democracy" from public life, despite fears inside government that the scheme is at risk of a legal challenge, leaked documents reveal.
The Guardian
'Seven years on and still no answers' - review into John Smyth delayed again as survivor withdraws evidence
The review into abuse by John Smyth has received a further setback after a survivor withdrew consent for his data to be used.
Premier Christian News
Pope accepts resignation of Polish bishop for negligence over abuse
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Polish bishop for negligence in handling cases of sexual abuse committed by some clergy against minors, his representatives in the country said on Saturday.
Reuters
Pope provokes outrage by saying Ukraine should ‘raise white flag’ and end war with Russia
The Ukrainian government has responded angrily and vowed never to surrender after Pope Francis said the country should have "the courage to raise the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
The Guardian
Pakistan court sentences student to death and imprisons teen for life for ‘blasphemy’
A court in Pakistan awarded the death penalty to a 22-year-old student and a life term to a teenager accused of blasphemy, according to reports.
Independent*
Fri, 8 Mar 2024
Regulator investigating charity for posting video that ‘could suggest support for Hamas’
It has opened a statutory inquiry into the Wales-based charity, Al-Manar Centre Trust, over its social media use and protocols.
Civil Society*
‘Extremist acts have been normalised in Britain’
"Evidence that the state works with or funds extremists has appeared in independent reviews or government strategies dating back over a decade", writes Robin Simcox, the Commissioner for Countering Extremism.
The Telegraph*
Guernsey survey finds majority support assisted dying law
More than 80% of people surveyed strongly or somewhat support a change to the law in assisted dying.
BBC
Fowey priest: 'No animosity' over block on women
Local residents criticised the ban as sexist and "profoundly wrong". The PCC insisted the move was "not sexist", adding there was "debate over the roles women play within a church".
BBC
Rabbi warns of battle to keep non-stun slaughter in Europe after court ruling
His warning follows a ruling at the European Court of Human Rights that a ban on religious slaughter without pre-stunning did not infringe human rights.
The Jewish Chronicle
Dramatic rise in women and girls being cut, new FGM data reveals
Progress to prevent female genital mutilation needs to be '27 times faster', says UN.
The Guardian
What is Hindutva, the ideology of India’s ruling party?
It seeks to equate Indianness with Hinduism.
The Economist*
Top official from China's Xinjiang says 'Sinicisation' of Islam 'inevitable'
Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly called for the "Sinicisation" of religions including Islam, Buddhism and Christianity, urging followers to pledge loyalty to the Communist Party above all else.
Reuters
US: Liberty University will pay $14m, largest fine ever levied under the Clery Act
Liberty University will pay a $14m fine for the Christian school's failure to disclose information about crimes on its campus and for its treatment of sexual assault survivors.
AP News
Thu, 7 Mar 2024
Justin Welby: why shouldn’t bishops be political?
Welby knew that sexuality was 'one of the reefs ahead' when he became Archbishop, along with women bishops, money and church attendance.
The Spectator*
Foreign diplomats exempt from new definition of extremism
Michael Gove will clarify the government's definition so that Foreign Office officials will be permitted to meet terrorist groups without being implicated.
The Times*
Hunt announces £1m war memorial for Muslims who died in the world wars
He said it would honour those lost 'in the service of freedom and democracy'.
Daily Mail
Alabama enacts fast-tracked law to protect IVF services
The state's supreme court last month ruled that frozen embryos had the same rights as children, and people could be held liable for destroying them.
BBC
Mormons hoping to build first new temple in UK for 30 years
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeking permission to build temple in Sutton Coldfield.
The Guardian
Ghana's LGBT terror: 'We live in fear of snitches'
A new bill, passed by MPs last week, will impose a jail term of up to three years for simply identifying as LGBTQ+ and five years for promoting their activities.
BBC
Nigeria: Dozens of women feared abducted by Boko Haram
Dozens of displaced people are feared to have been abducted by Boko Haram jihadists in north-eastern Nigeria.
BBC
Floggings, fines and confiscated cars — how Iran has intensified its ‘morality war’
Iran's morality police have confiscated cars from tens of thousands of women for removing their headscarves, a report has suggested.
The Times*
Wed, 6 Mar 2024
Letters: Discord over new definition of extremism
Even defining extremism as "the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on intolerance, hatred or violence that aims to undermine the rights or freedoms of others" raises several questions.
The Times*
Bishops challenge Government on Media Bill
The Bishop of Leeds said: "Guaranteeing space for religion is not about propaganda for any particular faith or religion."
Church Times*
100 MPs sign letter backing powers to block sale of Telegraph to UAE-funded firm
The letter asks Lucy Frazer to accept the amendment to the Digital Markets Bill tabled in the House of Lords.
Independent
Scotland: Orange march cancelled over safety fears
The lodge insisted it would appeal against the unanimous decision, claimed it was a victim of "anti-Orange and [anti] Protestant" bigotry and said it had reported "hate crimes" to Police Scotland.
The Times*
Greece: Church authorities slap ban on politicians who backed same-sex marriage
A regional bishopric has imposed a religious ban on two local lawmakers who backed the reform.
AP News
Gambian parliament mulls lifting ban on female genital mutilation
The Gambia's parliament on Monday began examining a highly controversial bill on lifting a ban on FGM in force since 2015.
Times of India
US: Rabbi sues after crew 'refused to allow him to switch seats for religious reasons'
Rabbi Abraham Lunger was removed from the flight after he informed crew that he is 'unable to sit next to a woman unless she is a blood relative or his wife'.
Daily Mail
I left the UK to join a Nigerian cult with 3am meetings and routine nudity
Rae joined the church of TB Joshua hoping her homosexuality could be 'fixed'. It was the start of 13 years of alleged sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
iNews
The ‘spiritual Ponzi schemes’ bringing exponential wealth to African prophets
Zimbabwe's evangelist pastors wield more influence than politicians – but do their promises of riches ever materialise for devout followers?
The Telegraph*
Tue, 5 Mar 2024
What were the achievements of Charles Bradlaugh MP?
He became involved in radical politics and was active in promoting secularism, advocating for the separation of church and state. He co-founded the National Secular Society in 1866.
Daily Mail
Tories divided over new definition of extremism
A government plan for a new definition of extremism has sparked concerns in cabinet that it could inadvertently penalise groups opposed to gay marriage, abortion or new transgender rights.
The Times*
Church of England minister jailed for historic sex crimes
The court heard how De Lacey was a trainee Church of England minister when he twice indecently assaulted a girl who was visiting his house in Preston to help with a church matter.
Lancashire Telegraph
British Muslims believe more should be done to improve interfaith relations
Majority think Britain is a good place for opportunities and freedom to practise their faith, poll finds.
The Guardian
France makes abortion a constitutional right
France has become the first country in the world to explicitly include the right to abortion in its constitution.
BBC
UN team says Hamas likely carried out sexual violence in Israel on 7 October
A UN team has concluded there are "reasonable grounds to believe" sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, was committed during the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October.
BBC
Pakistan: Police officer who saved woman from blasphemy mob honoured
The Pakistani police officer was hailed as "fearless", after "putting her life in danger" to save a woman from an angry mob.
Sky News
Mon, 4 Mar 2024
Review urged amid claims Scots charity law helps spread "religiously inspired misogyny" – NSS quoted
A call has been made for a review of Scottish charity law to remove 'the advancement of religion' as a charitable purpose.
TFN
Anti-abortion protest sparks student anger – NSS quoted
Cambridge students have condemned anti-abortion group Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform UK, which also picketed a National Secular Society event on the history of contraception.
Varsity
Groups ‘undermining’ British values to be guilty of extremism
Ministers are to broaden the government's definition of extremism as part of a crackdown on people and groups "undermining" Britain's institutions and values.
The Times*
Two-thirds of Alliance members believe that single-religion schools shouldn’t be allowed in NI
Two-thirds of Alliance members believe that single-religion schools shouldn't be allowed in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Telegraph
‘Blurring the line between criticism and bigotry fuels hatred of Muslims and Jews’
Racists often dismiss the charge of prejudice as an attempt to prevent debate
The Guardian
Banning Gaza protests could lead to terror attacks, says ex police chief
Suppressing pro-Palestinian protests will increase the risk of a terrorist attack in Britain, a former police chief has warned.
The Times*
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