Daily media briefing
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Thu, 22 Feb 2024
UK regulator to apologise to gay doctors struck off because of sexuality
GMC 'truly sorry' for investigations and sanctions even after homophobic laws were repealed.
The Guardian
Former Bishop of Broome charged with rape in Australia
The 74-year-old was arrested in Broome on Wednesday, after parallel investigations ordered by Western Australian police and the Pope.
BBC
Former nuns call on pope to launch inquiry into priest they say sexually abused them
Mirjiam Kovac and Gloria Branciani want independent inquiry into Marko Rupnik, who was expelled from Jesuit order in 2023.
The Guardian
Trump allies prepare to infuse ‘Christian nationalism’ in second administration
Spearheading the effort is Russell Vought, president of The Center for Renewing America, part of a conservative consortium preparing for Trump's return to power.
Politico
Wed, 21 Feb 2024
CofE told to urgently outsource safeguarding as it's 'currently below' standard of secular organisations
The Church of England has been told to relinquish its responsibility for safeguarding, as it currently falls below that of secular organisations.
Premier Christian News
Rishi Sunak commits to introducing assisted dying laws if MPs want change
Rishi Sunak told a leading campaigner for assisted dying that he will change the law if that is what MPs want.
Express
Darlington's muslim community fearing for safety after racism rise
Members of the Darlington Muslim and Palestinian community say they fear for their safety after an increase in racist attacks following the outbreak of violence in Gaza.
The Northern Echo
Lib Dem councillor who called Jewish people 'evil' arrested for 'stirring up racial hatred'
In one post, the grandmother-of-six said 'the world is silent, the Jews pay for that' while in another she wrote 'I hope you Jews out there feel proud of yourselves. For a so-called Religious Group you are evil'.
Daily Mail
Survivors group challenges Synod briefing paper: ‘Our cases have not progressed’
The 11 survivors of church-related abuse who were awaiting reviews from the Independent Safeguarding Board when it was disbanded last year say that they are no closer to receiving a review into their cases.
Church Times*
'Don't worry about declining numbers, resurrection is our story' says vicar as CofE Sunday congregations dwindle
Sunday church attendance has fallen by 20 per cent since 2019, according to analysis of Church of England data by The Telegraph.
Premier Christian News
Lyle's Golden Syrup attacked by Christians over logo change
Church of England members have attacked Lyle's Golden Syrup over a rebrand that "eradicates" the Christian messaging in its logo.
The Telegraph*
Bangladesh: Child dies during circumcision, two doctors held
This is the second known child death in Dhaka related to a circumcision procedure since December, when five-year-old Ayaan died at the United Medical College Hospital in Badda.
Dhaka Tribune
‘The 17th century heretic we could really use now’
"Spinoza, a Sephardic Jew born in Amsterdam in 1632, was a passionate and outspoken defender of freedom, tolerance and moderation", writes Ian Buruma.
The New York Times*
Nigeria: School helps girls to heal after Boko Haram
Like Usman, whose father was killed and family held captive by the militant jihadist group Boko Haram, all 100 women and girls at the school have either witnessed a parent's murder or been kidnapped themselves.
The Guardian
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
Christian charity blasted for 'anti-women' sermon compared to 'The Handmaid’s Tale' – NSS quoted
Reverend Chris Demetriou told worshippers a wife "should submit to her husband's leadership" because "that's the Lord's pattern for us".
The Mirror
Charity blasted for 'misogynistic' sermon calling for women to 'submit to their husbands because it's God's will' – NSS quoted
The National Secular Society claimed the sermon was 'misogynistic, discriminatory against women and perpetuates sexist tropes'.
The Daily Mail
Opinion: There is no place in Scotland for 'Dark Ages' religious beliefs
Following NSS concerns over Rosyth Baptist Church, Record View says churches putting a lower status for women at the heart of teachings is something that is destructive and damaging for any female who might enter such a congregation.
Daily Record
'Don't force our primary to become a faith school', say campaigners as hundreds sign petition
A campaign has been launched to stop a primary school in Southwark from being forced to become a faith school.
The Standard
Celebration or desecration? England’s cathedrals open doors to silent discos
Events can help cover cathedrals' huge daily running costs, but they have faced strong opposition from some Christians.
The Guardian
Tim Davie warns staff about ‘antisemitic behaviour’ at the BBC
Tim Davie called on the organisation's 21,000 staff to treat each other with "consideration and respect" as he indicated his discomfort with a number of antisemitic incidents that have beset the BBC.
The Times*
Campaign launched to protect UK religious broadcasting
A campaign has been launched to protect religious programmes from potential cuts in a new Media Bill going through Parliament.
Christian Today
How China stifles dissent without a KGB or Stasi of its own
Police stations also watch millions more "key individuals", a group that includes rights activists, religious believers and people petitioning the government for legal redress.
The Economist*
Mon, 19 Feb 2024
Doctor who leads proscribed terrorist organisation could damage faith in profession, admits medical regulator – NSS quoted
The medical regulator has admitted that a doctor who is still free to see patients, despite leading an Islamist group until its ban last month, could damage public faith in the profession.
The Telegraph*
Christian charity blasted for sermons 'telling women to submit to their man' – NSS quoted
A Christian charity has been blasted for preaching anti-women views that are "straight out of The Handmaid's Tale".
Daily Record
Woman who handed over British girl, 3, for FGM in Kenya given seven years
A woman who was found guilty of handing over a three-year-old British girl for female genital mutilation (FGM) during a trip to Kenya has been jailed for seven years.
The Guardian
‘Putting my name to my story’
Church of England officials failed to act when Janet Fife told them how Brandon Jackson treated her
Church Times*
UK Sikh activist fears for life after being named on Indian 'hit list'
Kulwant Singh Mothada supports a Sikh homeland, separate from India, called Khalistan. He is one of several activists - some of whom are dead - accused of violating terror laws by India's counter-terror department.
Sky News
Italian town in turmoil after far-right mayor bans Muslim prayers
Bangladeshi residents and others in Monfalcone say decisions to prohibit worship at cultural centres and banning burkinis at the beach is part of anti-Islam agenda.
The Guardian
Hindu nationalists go to court over lion named after Muslim emperor in India
An Indian Hindu nationalist organisation has launched a court petition to stop two lions named after a Hindu deity and a 16th-century Muslim emperor from sharing a zoo enclosure.
The Guardian
Chinese Christians face increasing surveillance and repression, say analysts
Christians in China are facing increasing repression, with digital surveillance now monitoring their every move, analysts have warned.
Church Times*
Fri, 16 Feb 2024
Manchester Arena families slam Charity Commission for refusing to reveal post-bomb action plan for Didsbury Mosque
A senior lawyer who represents the largest group of families affected by the Manchester Arena terror attack has criticised the Charity Commission for refusing to reveal details of a post-bomb action plan it drew up for a mosque attended by suicide bomber and his family.
Manchester Evening News
Tory councillor Atiqul Hoque expelled for alleged antisemitic comments
A councillor has been kicked out of the Conservative Party over alleged antisemitic remarks, the BBC understands.
BBC
C of E insurer will not take part in redress scheme for victims of church-related abuse
Ecclesiastical Insurance, one of the main insurers for Church of England bodies, will not participate in the National Redress Scheme for victims of church-based abuse, it was confirmed this week.
Church Times*
CPS may seek judicial review after judge spared parachute image trio jail
The Crown Prosecution Service is considering seeking a judicial review of a judge's decision not to jail three women who displayed "paraglider" images at a protest after pressure from the former home secretary.
The Times*
Top human rights court backs Belgian religious slaughter bans
Regional bans in Belgium on the ritual slaughter of animals without prior stunning don't breach the European Convention on Human Rights, a top court in Strasbourg ruled on Tuesday.
Politico
Greece legalises same-sex marriage in historic move, despite opposition from Church
Greece has become the first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex civil marriage, despite opposition from Church officials.
Evening Standard*
Canada: Catholic Church settles lawsuit with B.C. man abused by priest
The lawyer for a man who claims he was sexually assaulted decades ago by a priest and teacher at a Catholic elementary school says a settlement in the case is proof of the need for a public inquiry into abuse within the church.
CBC
Seychelles drops witchcraft charges against opposition's Patrick Herminie
Seychelles' main opposition leader Patrick Herminie is no longer facing witchcraft charges after prosecutors dropped the case against him.
BBC
UN Relief Chief says Hamas is ‘not a terrorist group’
UN Relief Chief Martin Griffiths has told Sky News that he does not see Hamas as a terrorist group but "a political movement".
The Jewish Chronicle
US: Proposed Bill Would Allow Faith-Based Chaplains To Replace School Counselors
A Republican-backed bill in the Georgia senate would allow faith-based chaplains to work alongside or in lieu of school counselors in public schools.
Cobb County Courier
Thu, 15 Feb 2024
Barrister urges more witnesses to come forward in Soul Survivor safeguarding report
UK barrister Fiona Scolding KC is urging more individuals to come forward and share their experiences in the ongoing investigation into safeguarding failures related to Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor Watford, which she is leading.
Premier Christian News
Humza Yousaf ‘naive’ about links to evangelical Christian donor, say rights groups
Civil rights groups have accused Humza Yousaf of being "naive" about his links to Sir Brian Souter, the millionaire who funds a network of conservative Christian groups that campaign against gay and women's rights.
The Guardian
Forced marriage cases will stay 'underground' after law change
Survivors of forced marriage fear cases will remain underground, despite a new minimum-age law designed to crack down on children being married.
BBC
Van driver ‘threatened to ram’ Jewish students who were on their way to prayers
Police are investigating threats made to Jewish students at the University of Leeds, who said they feared a van would ram them as they walked to prayer services.
Daily Telegraph*
Abortion clinic buffer zone law needed 'quickly' - Gray
A law to ensure buffer zones around abortion clinics is needed "quickly", the health secretary has said.
BBC
Regulator opens statutory inquiry into charity following ‘significant concerns’ over third-party event
The Charity Commission will investigate the Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust after reviewing video footage of an event that praised an Iranian general who was subject to terrorism sanctions.
Third Sector
Music teacher who sang for the Pope sentenced for sexual communication with a child
A former music teacher who once sang for the Pope in Rome has been spared immediate custody for having sexual communication with a child.
Irish News
Men’s Catholic order gave secret millions to ‘deceptive’ anti-abortion centres
A multi-billion-dollar all-male Catholic order in the US has handed at least $10.8m to hundreds of anti-abortion centres in six years, openDemocracy can reveal – several times what was previously known.
Open Democracy
Greek PM confronts Orthodox Church over gay marriage — and is set to win
Couples dare to dream as Kyriakos Mitsotakis gathers cross-party support for bill extending parental rights to same-sex couples.
The Times*
Wed, 14 Feb 2024
Campaigners back plans to decouple school spring break from Easter – NSS quoted
Campaigners have supported proposals to decouple the school spring break from the Easter public holiday in Wales.
Nation Cymru
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