Inter Religion Community faces closure as authorities fails to decide to funding
The Inter Religion Community is going through closure after the federal government failed to offer funding to March 2024, regardless of a letter in July saying a grant could be given, topic to “grant funding agreements and different situations”. The story was raised within the Commons on 10 January by Holly Lynch MP, who stated the charity’s crew of 4 had been issued redundancy notices and the organisation was on life assist. A number of MPs lined as much as reward the IFN for its work. Stephen Timms stated interfaith dialogue was particularly wanted in the meanwhile and it could be a tragedy if the IFN had been to shut. The minister for religion, Simon Hoare, was requested to decide to funding on the spot, however he declined: “The work of the community is known and the significance of that work could be very clear. The community isn’t the one physique that gives boards and organisations to ship inter-community and inter-faith discussions. There are others, however we hope to have the ability to make an announcement in the end”. Telegraph story right here
Nicaragua frees bishop and 18 clergy
Nicaragua has launched Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 Catholic clergy who had been imprisoned greater than a 12 months in the past in a crackdown on opposition to the regime. President Daniel Ortega had accused them of supporting protests in 2018 , which he stated had been making an attempt to oust him from energy. The Related Press studies that the group is anticipated to be moved swiftly to the Vatican. Bishop Álvarez was an outspoken critic, convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to 26 years. He had refused to be despatched to america and be stripped of his citizenship in a deal accepted by 222 different prisoners.
Pope Francis hopes to go to Argentina this 12 months and has no plans to resign
Pope Francis has stated that whereas resignation is “a risk”, it’s at the moment not one thing in his plans. He was talking in an interview with the Italian TV Channel Nove. The Pope is 87 and dogged by in poor health well being, with hypothesis that he might resign like his predecessor. However within the TV interview, he stated: “It’s neither a thought nor a priority nor even a want. It’s a risk, open to all Popes, however for the second it isn’t on the centre of my ideas.” He additionally stated that he hoped to go to Argentina within the latter half of this 12 months. Two days earlier, President Javier Milei had formally invited him, saying: “I do know time is brief”. Milei, a far-right libertarian, has prior to now stated the Pope was an “imbecile” for his emphasis on social justice. However within the invitation, he had a remodeled view: “I reiterate to your holiness the assurances of my highest consideration and respect on your work and individual”.
Romanian Orthodox order of monks transfer into Iona
The Occasions studies that monks have returned to the island of Iona, on the west coast of Scotland, marking the top of 500 12 months absence following the Reformation. 5 monks from the Orthodox Monastery of All Celtic Saints, a Romanian order and charity registered in Scotland, purchased a £1.2 million former vacation let and moved in final 12 months. Iona is an historic centre of Christianity, relationship from 563, when St Columba got here from Eire and based a monastery. Now it’s the dwelling of the Iona neighborhood, an ecumenical order, and lots of of pilgrims go to annually for retreats and worship. The brand new monks are in an order based by an Oxford College educated monk, Father Seraphim Aldea, who was impressed by the panorama. Nuns from one other Romanian Orthodox order, on the neighbouring island of Mull, joined the monks for Christmas and held their providers within the chapel of St Oran.
Affect of Black, African, British Christians on faith in Britain
The affect of Britain’s black African communities on religion and perception is examined in a BBC Radio 4 programme Black, African and British in Perception at 1100 at this time. It explores the best way black majority church buildings in addition to congregations of established denominations, have grown with members from Africa. There are “reverse missionaries” despatched from Africa to plant church buildings right here, and organisations to encourage “inter-cultural church buildings” the place all nationalities collect. The Rev Dr Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, Director of One Folks Fee on the Evangelical Alliance, instructed the Sunday programme on Radio 4 that African Christians “see the necessity” to evangelise in a secular society. He stated the western church is declining in numbers, whereas the African church buildings develop: “Christianity is not from the west to the remainder of the world, however truly from the bulk world to the west. And so we have to take note of the facility dynamics in that”.
Instructing assistant sacked after avenue preaching accepts compensation
A 65-year-old instructing assistant has accepted compensation after being sacked following his arrest for avenue preaching in Leeds metropolis centre, when the dialog turned to LGBTQ points. Andy Nix and a colleague had been arrested, however public order prices towards him had been dropped. The Christian Authorized Centre, which took up his case, stated he was sacked after complaints that college students felt unsafe and his views didn’t align with the college on inclusion. He lodged a declare with the Employment Tribunal, however settled for £7,000 in compensation. The Centre’s CEO, Andrea Williams, stated: “No Christian staff have to be discriminated towards for expressing their Christian religion in public in their very own time.”
Russian priest expelled for refusing to learn prayer supporting conflict
Aleksiy Uminsky, a priest within the Russian Orthodox church, is going through expulsion from holy orders for refusing to learn out a prayer asking God to information Russia to victory over Ukraine. Reuters studies {that a} church courtroom stated he had violated his priestly oath by refusing to learn the “Prayer for Holy Rus” which Patriarch Kirill, who helps Putin, has made obligatory in providers.
“God Made Trump” movie attracts evangelicals’ wrath
Evangelicals are stated to make up two thirds of the Iowa Republican caucus, who will vote at this time on their alternative of candidate to run as president of america. However their conventional assist of Donald Trump has been thrown into query due to a movie he has produced which depicts him because the Messiah. In “God Made Trump”, the narrator explains “God regarded down on his deliberate paradise and stated, ‘I want a caretaker,’ so God gave us Trump”, who’s a “shepherd to mankind who gained’t ever go away nor forsake them.” It was posted on Reality Social and has amassed tens of millions of views, but it surely has additionally enraged pastors, with the BBC quoting one: “He’s not the saviour. Our allegiance as evangelicals is to Jesus, to not the Republican Get together or to Donald Trump.”
