Wales ‘in danger of losing its religious identity’
The study of religion is in danger of being erased in Wales, with the nation’s last remaining full theology department facing closure and increasing numbers of schools cutting religious education. Cardiff University’s announcement that it is considering cutting its theology department, has caused alarm across the churches, with a warning that it would be a “disaster” if closure goes ahead. Meanwhile the directors of the National Centre for Religious Education have said religious education in Welsh schools is becoming marginalised following recent curriculum changes with a new subject called religion, values and ethics. Disillusioned RE teachers are quitting, some have abandoned the profession altogether and others are crossing the border to work in England. Churches Together in Wales says this is a watershed moment”. Catherine Pepinster’s report is here
Bishop of Norwich on selection panel for next Archbishop of Canterbury
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, has been elected as a member of the Crown Nominations Commission, the group that will decide on who will become the next Archbishop of Canterbury. He had been regarded as a possible candidate for the job, but The Times suggests he put his own name forward to join the Commission, ruling out any chance he would be chosen. He joins the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as the two bishops on the panel. Other members representing the global Anglican communion, the diocese of Canterbury and the national Church of England will be announced at the beginning of April. They are scheduled to meet in May, July and September to create a job specification, agree a long list and conduct interviews on a shortlist, so a name can be put forward to the Prime Minister and the King for approval.
Government’s welfare reforms criticised by CofE leaders
The government’s decision to cut benefits by £5bn a year by 2030, including changes to Personal Independence Payment disability payments, freezing incapacity benefit and stopping universal credit health payments to people under 22, have been criticised by Church of England leaders. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said it was important to address the underlying causes of ill health and worklessness, the increased reliance on foodbanks and struggles to heat homes, and warned that the consequences should not be borne by the most vulnerable. The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, the lead bishop for welfare, agreed that “the burden of these decisions should not fall on those already struggling”, highlighting the disproportionate effect on disabled people already in poverty. Canon Alice Kemp, a member of General Synod and the Disability Task Group, criticized the proposed restrictions to PIPs and said there was a Christian obligation to advocate for the most disadvantaged. Full quotes here
Faith groups condemn Israel’s attack on Gaza
The Muslim Council of Britain has condemned Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza, which killed 300 people on one night. It pointed to minimal international outcry at the escalation of violence, including on the West Bank, and said empty words and inaction emboldened Netanyahu’s administration. Tearfund’s regional director for the Middle East, Safa Hijazeen, said they were heartbroken at the renewal of violence and urgently appealed for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. CAFOD called on the UK government to condemn the atrocities and urged a ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid. The general secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Revd Professor Jerry Pillay, also called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities and a renewed commitment to dialogue and diplomatic solutions.”
RE teacher organisations welcome report on value of RE
The National Association of Teachers of RE and the RE Council have welcomed the government’s curriculum and assessment review interim report, which they say recognises the value of teaching high-quality religious education. NATRE says the report reflects their concerns at the differences in both the quality and availability of RE across the country, and highlights that the lack of agreed standards has led to national disparities in provision. It says teachers must be part of future discussions to address the challenges. The Religious Education Council of England and Wales also welcomes the report and says it is a crucial step towards transformative RE provision. The REC is “pleased that the work of the panel concluded that, evidence suggests that a lack of national agreed content standards has led to national disparities in the quality of provision.” The final report is due to be published in the autumn.
National survey of religious leaders in America – career, politics, theology
A national survey of 1,600 religious leaders in America has been conducted by academics at Duke University, who say religion in America cannot be understood without also understanding the leaders. The sample was from a representative number of Christian denominations. 66 per cent entered ministry as a second career; the number of women leaders is under 30 per cent and likely to stay that way; 78 per cent of evangelical Protestant clergy reject climate change; almost all clergy endorsed a medical approach to treating depression; more Catholic and mainline Protestants would encourage palliative care rather than hope for a miracle, but for Black and evangelical Protestants, it’s the opposite; 53 per cent of mainline Protestant clergy say they are more liberal than their congregations.
New Bishop of Wakefield
The Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham, Malcolm Chamberlain, is to be the new Bishop of Wakefield in the Diocese of Leeds. He has spent most of his ministry in Liverpool, as university chaplain, parish priest and Area Dean. He is a member of the College of Archbishops’ Evangelists and has served on the Church of England’s General Synod since 2015 and Mission and Public Affairs Council since 2016.
Bishop of Chester on an Easter motorbike parade
The Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, will swap vestments for a leather jacket this Easter, by leading a Palm Sunday motorbike parade to St Catherine’s church, Birtles. Premier Christian News reports that on Easter Saturday, he will lead another ride out to raise funds for the Biking Bishop’s Mission Fund, which is supporting Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo by supplying them with motorbikes. Bishop Tanner is quoted saying: “I love it when I get to combine biking and faith: there is something about the open road and the sense of freedom… This will be a new way for me to journey through Holy Week, and I hope it enables folk who wouldn’t normally engage to experience something of the joy of Easter for themselves.” Premier Christian News story here
