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        <title>Christian Today | Church</title>
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            <title>Christian Today | Church</title>
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                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Church of Scotland issues slavery apology]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-scotland-issues-slavery-apology</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-scotland-issues-slavery-apology</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church of Scotland General Assembly 2026]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Church of Scotland) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 22:03:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Church of Scotland General Assembly said it was “grieved beyond telling” for the suffering inflicted.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Church of Scotland on Saturday issued a formal apology for historical links to chattel slavery, saying it was “grieved beyond telling” for the suffering inflicted, and pledging to take forward work on reparative next steps.
The apology, adopted at the Church’s General Assembly meeting in Edinburgh, said that the institution had both directly and indirectly benefited from slavery and that some of its members had previously offered theological justifications for the system before abolition in the British Empire in the 1830s.
“We repent, committing ourselves to changing course and bearing fruit worthy of repentance,” the apology stated.
The Church plans to establish a new working group in partnership with communities still apparently affected by the legacies of slavery. The group will be tasked with recommending next steps.
Presenting the apology to the Assembly, the Very Rev Sally Foster-Fulton described the move as “a humbling moment” and “a gracious opportunity to say we are sorry”.
"The history we consider today continues to shape our world in ways we cannot ignore. Its consequences touch communities near and far, influencing the structures, attitudes and inequalities that persist around us," she said. 
"The legacy of slavery stretches like a shadow over our local, national and global landscape.
"Naming that is not about blame, but about faithfulness – about recognizing that healing begins where truth is spoken."
The apology said the Church of Scotland was "grieved beyond telling by the extraordinary suffering we have inflicted – through our actions and our inaction – on our brothers and sisters".
The Church said it believed that the effects of slavery continue to shape racial inequality and lived experience today.
Delegates from Africa and the Caribbean were present during the Assembly debate and responded to the apology, offering both support and calls for concrete action.
Rose Wedderburn, General Secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, praised the Church for its “courage” in acknowledging its past.
"For many in the Church of Scotland, this report has been an eye opener," she said.
"While the process has understandably evoked deep emotions – the effort invested in truth-telling and honest engagement is worthwhile. And we pray it will continue to bear fruit in greater understanding, healing, justice and reconciliation."
Rev Dr Victor Okoe of Abbey Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ghana said, “I pray the Church and its members will be bold and continue to be committed to walk the talk and implement the demands of its apology,."
His Eminence Dr Ekpenyong Akpanika, Prelate and Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, gave a cautious welcome to the direction of travel.
"Real acknowledgement should lead to real repair and better relationships," he said.
"For this to happen churches in the global north and the global south need to move past all patterns of control and build a partnership of respect, shared leadership, justice and equality. True reconciliation takes more than just words."
The apology and report followed consultations with church members, ministers, and people of African heritage, as well as international engagement including a pilgrimage to Jamaica and dialogue with partner churches in the Caribbean.
The Church said the process had informed its understanding of how slavery’s legacy continues to influence institutions, attitudes and inequality in modern society.
The General Assembly said the new working group would engage with affected communities to identify appropriate forms of response and action in the coming period. ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Church of England releases prayer for national unity]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-england-releases-prayer-for-national-unity</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-england-releases-prayer-for-national-unity</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98850.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church of England prayer]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 10:16:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Bishops in the Church of England have issued a prayer for unity in the UK that asks God's protection from "the perils of division and hatred". ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Bishops in the Church of England have issued a prayer for unity in the UK that asks God's protection from "the perils of division and hatred". 
The prayer was published by the newly established Bishops’ Working Group for Promoting Unity in our Nation just before a major rally organised by far-Right leader Tommy Robinson in London over the weekend. It gives thanks for all those who “build up our common life”.
Bishop Martyn Snow, who leads the working group, said: “We know that these are anxious and fearful times for many in our country, which makes the Church’s calling for peace and reconciliation all the more pressing.
“I believe that we have much, as a country, for which we can be proud; much for which we can be grateful; and much to look forward to, if we learn from one another, respect one another, and work together for our shared future.”
Around 60,000 attended Robinson's march, at the same time as a parallel pro-Palestine march. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said both marches had "proceeded largely without significant incident", with only a few dozen arrests. 
Some marchers carried wooden crosses and chanted “Christ is king”. Christians were expected to be among the crowds as a recent snap poll by Premier Christian News found that around a quarter of UK Christians identify as nationalists or are sympathetic to nationalist ideas.
Robinson raised concerns about the plight of persecuted Nigerian Christians in his speech at the rally and told his supporters to get political: “Are you ready for the battle of Britain? 2029 we have an election. We’re not asking anyone to go out and fight, but this is the most important moment in our generation.
“If we don’t send a message in our next election, if you don’t register to vote, if you don’t get involved, if you don’t become activists, we are going to lose our country for ever.
“We have to get political, we have to get involved. I’m not going to tell you which political party you need to join. We’re a cultural movement. I’m going to tell you that you have to join a political party.
"I don’t care if it’s Reform, if it’s Advance, or it’s Restore, or it’s the Conservative party. We have to locally get involved in politics.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Archbishop of Canterbury pledges solidarity with Britain's Jews]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/archbishop-of-canterbury-pledges-solidarity-with-britain-s-jews</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/archbishop-of-canterbury-pledges-solidarity-with-britain-s-jews</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/87/98711.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Neil Turner) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 08:18:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Antisemitic incidents have increased in frequency and deadliness.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has said that she and the Church of England are standing in solidarity with Jews in Britain in the face of violent antisemitic incidents.
Since the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East, violent actions against Jews in Britain have become more prominent. In October last year two Jews were killed in a car and knife attack on a synagogue in Manchester.
Last month two Jews were stabbed in Golders Green. In addition to this, there were numerous reports of arson attacks at locations associated with the Jewish community. In March four ambulances belonging to a volunteer emergency service run by Jews were destroyed by fire in an arson attack.
The Archbishop made her comments while visiting Jewish centres and schools in Finchley.
“From charity work and healthcare, to education and the arts, your flourishing community enriches society and embodies the best values of this country," she said. 
On the issue of antisemitism, Mullally said, “This is not a problem for the Jewish community to solve. It’s on all of us – every single member of our society – to call out antisemitism whenever we see it, and to oppose it without hesitation or qualification.”
Mullaly was hosted by Rabbi Josh and Rabbi Charley, who welcomed the Archbishop’s comments.
They said, “We are living through a time when loud voices are trying to deepen divisions between communities, and especially between faith communities.
"To have the Archbishop of Canterbury with us at such a moment was a powerful act of solidarity and care. Her presence meant a great deal at a time of rising antisemitism, and we are grateful for her clear support and willingness to stand with our community."
The rabbis added that they hoped Mullally’s visit would serve as an example of people of different faiths respecting each other and working together for the common good.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Church of Scotland sees some signs of growth despite fall in membership]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-scotland-sees-some-signs-of-growth-despite-fall-in-membership</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-scotland-sees-some-signs-of-growth-despite-fall-in-membership</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church of Scotland]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Church of Scotland) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ St Paul's Church in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire is one of many congregations that has welcomed new members. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 07:37:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Church is prioritising students in its plans for growth and renewal.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Church of Scotland has seen a fall in membership while seeing some signs of growth, with over a quarter of congregations saying they welcomed new members last year. 
A report to the General Assembly meeting in Edinburgh showed that as of 31 December 2025, the Church of Scotland had 229,000 members across its congregations, a 5% drop on 2024 figures. The Church said the primary cause of this fall was death.
At the same time, the number of people professing faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour has also nearly doubled since the pandemic - from 428 in 2021 to 820 last year. Overall, there were 3,292 professions of faith between 2021 and 2025. 
Some 27% of congregations reported welcoming new members last year.
St Paul's Church in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, is one of the churches seeing growth, with average weekly attendance at around 200. It welcomed 14 new members and had three baptisms in March. 
Rev David Cameron, convener of the Assembly Trustees, said it was "very encouraging" to see professions of faith on the rise again across the Church of Scotland. 
"I believe this growth reflects the fact that even in uncertain times there remains a deep spiritual hunger within our parishes," he said. 
"The increase across a variety of congregations is the fruit of welcome through relationships, faithful worship, and acts of care." 
He also recognised a need for targeted investment. 
The General Assembly opens in Edinburgh on Friday and will be asked to back two new programmes aimed at making disciples and reaching students. Under the proposals, worshipping communities will be planted in areas close to universities where the Church of Scotland currently has limited reach. 
"The challenge is not simply to celebrate growth but to nurture it well," said Rev Cameron. 
"We need to continue investing in discipleship and intergenerational ministry by creating spaces where younger people can explore faith honestly and belong meaningfully.
"If we are willing to remain outward looking and bold in our mission in Christ's name, then I believe this upward trend can become part of a deeper renewal in the life of the Church."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Churches urged to help address UK fostering shortage]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/churches-urged-to-help-address-uk-fostering-shortage</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/churches-urged-to-help-address-uk-fostering-shortage</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[family, parenting, children]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 08:43:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christian charities Home for Good and Safe Families UK are calling on churches across Britain to play a greater role in supporting vulnerable children.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian charities Home for Good and Safe Families UK are calling on churches across Britain to play a greater role in supporting vulnerable children. The call follows the start of Foster Care Fortnight on Monday. 
The annual awareness campaign highlights the importance of fostering and the growing pressures facing the care system, with this year’s theme - “This is Fostering” - focusing on the realities of caring for children and young people, including both the rewards and challenges involved.
The appeal comes alongside the issue of a new joint report, Growing Together: Insights to Shape the Future of Fostering and Support, by the two organisations, which explores the experiences of foster carers and the support they need to continue providing stable homes for children in care.
The report arrives as the Government seeks to expand the fostering network by 10,000 households in response to a nationwide shortage of carers.
Researchers found that practising Christians appear significantly more open to fostering than the wider public, with just over half (51%) expressing willingness to become foster carers, compared to fewer than three in ten (28%) in the general population. 
The organisations say the findings highlight the unique role churches can play both in encouraging more people to foster and in supporting existing foster families through friendship, meals, childcare, prayer and community, while also helping provide safe and stable environments for vulnerable children.
One foster couple, Tom and Christina, described fostering as deeply demanding but profoundly worthwhile.
“Our testimony, a year into fostering, is this: we have stepped into stories containing pain, and we have witnessed God bring life and joy to His precious and beloved children,” they said. “A year in, we can honestly say that there is nothing we would rather be doing with our lives.” 
The report found that most foster carers are motivated by a desire to positively change a child’s life, with 79% saying this was their primary reason for fostering.
However, the research also highlighted growing strain within the system, particularly a shortage of carers willing to look after older teenagers. 
While young people aged 16 to 18 consist of more than a quarter (27%) of children in care in England, only a small proportion (14%) of carers currently support that age group.
The findings also suggest many foster carers are struggling under pressure. 
Respondents pointed to the importance of reliable social worker relationships, therapeutic support, financial stability and opportunities for respite care. Balancing fostering responsibilities alongside employment was also identified as a major challenge.
Support networks emerged as another crucial factor. Friends, family and peer support groups were consistently identified as key sources of emotional encouragement and practical advice. 
Many carers said support groups helped them feel understood (84%), emotionally supported (52%) and less isolated.
The report also includes testimony from care-experienced adults reflecting on the long-term impact of stable foster homes.
“My carers stuck with me,” said Zara, who grew up in care. “I just needed stability and safety. They made such a difference to my life. It’s honestly not worth thinking about where I’d be without my foster carers.”
The organisations say the findings reveal a fostering system sustained by compassion but increasingly stretched by rising pressures and shortages of carers. 
They hope Foster Care Fortnight will encourage churches and communities to take renewed action in supporting vulnerable children and the families caring for them.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Many churches unconcerned about food ethics, survey suggests]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/many-churches-unconcerned-about-food-ethics-survey-suggests</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/many-churches-unconcerned-about-food-ethics-survey-suggests</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[coffee]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 08:34:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A survey conducted on behalf of environmental charity Green Christian has suggested that only a minority of churches take into account ethical concerns when serving food and drink.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A survey conducted on behalf of environmental charity Green Christian has suggested that only a minority of churches take into account ethical concerns when serving food and drink.
The survey of more than 600 churchgoers found that just 12 per cent said their church “always” considered ethical issues in the serving of food and drink, while 35 per cent indicated their church did so “sometimes, depending on cost, convenience and / or who is planning the meal”.
Nearly a quarter (22 per cent) said that ethical concerns were not considered, while 31 per cent said they did not know if such concerns were considered.
Among the ethical concerns raised by the survey were the use of Fairtrade, organic or local products and the provision of vegetarian and vegan options.
Unsurprisingly, the survey found that many churches offer refreshments after their Sunday services and at other events like weddings and baptisms. Snacks for more informal events, like Bible studies, might also be provided. The survey suggested that just over two-thirds (67 per cent) of churches are involved in running food banks.
In many churches food preparation is done on an individual basis by church members in their home and hence there is often no direct church input into what is served.
The survey was led by Tim Cooper, a trustee of Green Christian and Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Design and Consumption at Nottingham Trent University
Cooper said, “Our survey confirms the important role of food in the life of churches, whether refreshments after services, celebratory events, or supporting the poor and needy.
"Sadly, it found that too few churches address ethical concerns about the food system in these ministries. It is time for every local church to develop and apply an ethical food policy. “There may be different outcomes when churches and churchgoers discuss food. Some will favour plant-based diets to address climate change, while others may prefer to focus on organic produce or animal welfare.
"But complexity does not justify disregarding these important concerns. Nor does cost. Although we recognise genuine economic constraints, too often cost is used as an excuse not to make more ethical purchases.”
Interestingly, the survey found a significant difference in the food culture of different denominations. Church of England churches regularly provide food after events, while Roman Catholic churches rarely do. Meanwhile, Pentecostals are the most likely to provide churchgoers with snacks and sweets.  Despite what he called a "lack of engagement from many churches”, Professor Cooper said there were "signs of hope", with thousands of local churches registered with the Eco Church initiative, which encourages them to apply the LOAF principles promoted by Green Christian – food which is Locally produced, Organically grown, Animal friendly and Fairly traded.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Church of England celebrates continued post-pandemic growth]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-england-celebrates-continued-post-pandemic-growth</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-england-celebrates-continued-post-pandemic-growth</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church of England]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Church of England) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 10:40:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Church said it was encouraged by five years in a row of growth while acknowledging that growth, attendance and participation remain below pre-pandemic levels.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Church of England attendance has grown for a fifth year in a row, according to an early snapshot of official figures published today. 
Last year, Church of England congregations were attended by an estimated 1.023 million regular worshippers. In 2019, before the outbreak of the pandemic, regular worshippers stood at 1.11 million. 
It is the fifth year in a row that attendance on Sunday and across the week has risen - and the first time that the Church has enjoyed five years of unbroken growth in attendance since current records began. 
These are the preliminary findings of the annual Statistics for Mission report. The full report will be published in the autumn. 
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said: "It is so encouraging to see the ways that God is at work in our Church.
"With more people coming to services on Sundays and throughout the week, as well as during Advent, Christmas and Easter, it shows a yearning for meaning and connection in our often busy and fractured world.
"I give thanks for the clergy, lay people and volunteers who each week make people feel welcome in every parish across our country."
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services last year enjoyed strong attendance numbers, with 1.96 million joining in services on these days - up 5.5%. The rest of the Advent period also enjoyed a rise of 2.0 per cent to 4.8 million in attendance. 
Similarly, Easter attendance rose 7.8 per cent to 1.03 million. 
Weekly attendance at Church of England services saw a slight increase of 0.7 per cent on the previous year to an estimated 707,000.
This is still below the 854,000 people who attended Church of England services and acts of worship each week in October 2019, before the pandemic started. It is however a 15.5% increase on 2021 figures when the country was starting to emerge from Covid. 
Average Sunday service attendance stood at 590,000 last year – up 1.6 per cent on 2024 but still below the 690,000 attending in 2019.
Debbie Clinton, the Church of England's Director for Vision and Strategy, said: “Each of these numbers represents an individual journey of faith in Christ, and we celebrate another year that shows more and more people gathering to worship in local churches, including many for the first time.
“From our rural villages to our post-industrial towns, in parishes across the country, churches are reaching out to their communities and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our 2025 statistics are a testament to their hospitality and faithfulness."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Jonathan Fletcher found to have indecently assaulted man]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/jonathan-fletcher-found-to-have-indecently-assaulted-man</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/jonathan-fletcher-found-to-have-indecently-assaulted-man</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Jonathan Fletcher]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Jonathan Fletcher ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 13:33:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Fletcher was unable to stand trial due to dementia.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A jury has concluded that Jonathan Fletcher, a former minister at Emmanuel Church Wimbledon, indecently assaulted a man over approximately 25 years, with incidents occurring between 1973 and 1999.
The assaults primarily involved beating the man’s bare buttocks with a gym shoe. Fletcher often referred to these beatings as “six of the best.”
The two-day hearing ended with the jury finding that Fletcher had committed the acts. The final assault is believed to have been particularly brutal and took place in the 1990s. The final beating was allegedly so bad that the victim considered suicide.
Fletcher, now in his mid-80s, was not present at the hearing and will not face a conventional criminal trial or sentence. In late 2025, a judge ruled him unfit to plead due to his health – Fletcher has dementia. As a result, the full trial on eight counts of indecent assault (and one charge of grievous bodily harm with intent) was replaced by an examination-of-the-facts process. The legal procedure allows a jury to determine whether the alleged acts occurred, without resulting in a conviction or punishment.
Fletcher served as minister at Emmanuel Church Wimbledon from 1982 until his retirement in 2012. He was a prominent figure in conservative evangelical Anglican circles. Earlier independent reports and investigations had raised concerns about his conduct, including allegations of inappropriate physical “discipline,” naked massages, and abuse of power over a period of years.
The complainant's police interview was shown in court. During the interview the man described Fletchers’ demeanour throughout the ordeal: “He would just get it over with. Always six strokes. He gave the impression he found it distasteful … regrettable but necessary.” The beatings were “spiritual discipline, promoting holiness in life”.
For his part, Fletcher did not deny beating the man’s bare buttocks, but claimed the acts had no sexual intent.
The beatings were often characterised as a punishment or discipline due to masturbation. The victim alleged that as well as beatings, Fletcher asked him to masturbate in front of him as a way of demonstrating the shamefulness of the act. In a somewhat disturbing twist however, when the victim did not do so in front of him, Fletcher reportedly did so himself.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Church of England publishes report on mission funding impact]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-england-publishes-report-on-mission-funding-impact</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-england-publishes-report-on-mission-funding-impact</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[St Luke’s Blackburn]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Church of England) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ St Luke’s Blackburn ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 06:45:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Over £100m went to Church of England dioceses and mission partners.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Church of England’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) has published its annual review for 2025, outlining the results of its investment into mission and church growth activities.
The SMMIB said it had distributed £98 million to Church of England dioceses and £5.9 million to mission partners in a bid to “revitalise” parish churches and fund ministry, youth work, renovation and other mission projects.
As a result of the funding the Church says it expects to train 6,000 new leaders, 100 of whom will be curates.
The church pointed to a number of case studies, showing the impact of its funding.
One such was All Saints Hove in the Diocese of Chichester. Five years ago the church had just five children coming for Sunday worship. Additional funding allowed the church to support a children’s and youth minister and to keep the church open for mission activities during the week.
The church now has a playgroup and a community café and has gone from just five children to 140 children, parents and carers. Last year 17 children were baptised, the highest figure for more than a decade.
Another example was St Luke’s Blackburn, which has gone from a small aging congregation to a gathering of over 100 worshippers every Sunday.
The SMMIB said that to date programmes supported by national funding for strategic investment have led to the creation of 7,600 new leaders and the launching 1,500 new worshipping communities. It is believed such programmes have also accounted for 46,000 people joining the Church.
Carl Hughes, Chairman of the SMMIB, said, “We are delighted to share our annual review for 2025, and to see that strategic investment in local ministry is bearing fruit. There is much to celebrate and praise God for in the stories of thousands coming to know the love of Jesus Christ, and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with parishes, dioceses and mission organisations.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[The Protestant faith is losing people in the UK]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/the-protestant-faith-is-losing-people-in-the-uk</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/the-protestant-faith-is-losing-people-in-the-uk</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98814.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Bible, christianity, church, church attendance]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 06:14:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The UK, Sweden and Germany are among the countries with the largest net losses of Protestants, according to a new study into religious switching.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Protestant churches are experiencing a complex pattern of growth and decline across the world, with Western nations - particularly the UK - emerging as key areas of concern, according to new findings from the Pew Research Center.
The data, drawn from surveys conducted in 24 countries in 2024, highlights how “religious switching” - when someone adopts a different faith from the one they were raised in - continues to reshape Christianity globally.
In the UK, Protestantism has been notably affected by this trend, with more people leaving than joining it. 
Pew found that while about 51% of UK adults say they were brought up Protestant, only around 28% continue to identify with the faith as adults. 
By contrast, roughly 23% of those raised in the faith say they have moved away from it, while just 3% have joined it as adults.
The UK joins countries such as Sweden and Germany in recording some of the most significant net losses among Protestant populations.
Across the study, former Protestants make up at least 10% of the population in 9 of the 24 countries analysed, underlining the scale of movement away from the tradition.
A key driver behind this shift is the rise in religious disaffiliation. 
Many individuals raised in Protestant households are not converting to other Christian traditions or religions but are instead choosing to identify with no religion. 
This mirrors a broader pattern seen across Western societies, where secularisation continues to influence religious identity.
“Adults who leave Protestantism tend to become religiously unaffiliated,” said Pew. 
Australia reflects a similar trajectory, where 15% of adults are former Protestants who are now religiously unaffiliated, while only around 1% have become Catholic and another 1% have converted to other religions.
Despite these losses, the global picture is not entirely negative for Protestantism. 
In several regions, particularly in Latin America, the movement is gaining ground through conversion. 
Brazil stands out as a notable example, where 15% of adults have joined Protestantism after being raised outside the faith, compared with 6% who have left it - resulting in a net gain of 9 percentage points. 
Most of those switching into Protestant churches in Brazil were previously Catholic.
Overall, Protestantism shows a more balanced global pattern than other Christian traditions, with gains in some regions offsetting declines in others. 
In the majority of the countries studied - 16 out of 24 - however, Protestants still make up no more than about 25% of the population. 
Only two countries, Ghana (62%) and Kenya (55%), have Protestant majorities.
This relative balance sharply contrasts with developments in Catholicism, which has seen widespread losses due to religious switching across most surveyed countries.
In 12 of the 24 countries studied, a majority of the population was brought up Catholic, with figures varying from 59% in Hungary to as high as 96% in Poland. 
While many remain in the Church - 92% of Polish adults, for example, still identify as lifelong Catholics - significant numbers have left.
In fact, former Catholics account for at least 10% of the population in 15 of the countries surveyed, although Catholics still form a majority in 8 of the 24 places studied. 
Across the full dataset, Catholicism recorded a net decline through religious switching in 21 of the 24 countries studied.
Italy provides a striking example: 22% of adults report that they were brought up Catholic but currently do not belong to the denomination, while only around 1% were raised outside the Catholic faith but later became part of it. 
This results in an overall decline of 21 percentage points linked to religious switching. 
Hungary is the exception, being the only country where Catholicism recorded a net gain, with 5% joining the Church compared to 2% leaving. 
In Kenya and South Korea, entry and exit levels are roughly equal.
In Europe and parts of Latin America, many Catholics become religiously unaffiliated, joining the growing number of people who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic, or having no particular religion.
Chile illustrates this trend clearly, where nearly one in five adults (19%) were raised Catholic but now describe themselves as having no religious affiliation.
Elsewhere, particularly in countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana and the Philippines, people who leave Catholicism tend, in many cases, to move into Protestant denominations. 
This dynamic has contributed to Protestant growth in those regions.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Tributes paid to Richard Harries, former bishop of Oxford]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/tributes-paid-to-richard-harries-former-bishop-of-oxford</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/tributes-paid-to-richard-harries-former-bishop-of-oxford</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98817.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Richard Harries]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Diocese of Southwark) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Richard Harries ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 23:33:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Archbishop of Canterbury described Harries’ death as a “great loss” for the church and the nation.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The late Richard Harries, the former bishop of Oxford, has been honoured following his passing earlier this week.
Born in 1936 and ordained as a priest in 1964, Harries served as Bishop of Oxford from 1993 until his retirement in 2006. Harries was a prolific author, with 26 books to his name, and was considered something of a liberal within the Church of England.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, described Harries’ death as a “great loss” for both the Church of England and the nation as a whole.
Writing on X, she said, “His wisdom, compassion and profound commitment to the common good will be missed in the Church, the House of Lords and beyond. As I pray for his family and all who mourn, I give thanks to God for a life so well lived in service to Jesus Christ. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
In a tribute to Harries, the Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, described Harries as “a rare example of a humane, intelligent and compassionate Anglicanism, serving the Church of England and the nation with great distinction”.
Following his retirement as bishop, Harries was granted a life peerage, meaning he could continue to serve in the House of Lords, albeit as a temporal rather than spiritual lord.
Chessun added that Harries “was a distinguished member of the House of Lords - I was present when he spoke for the last time at the end of March on the Assisted Dying Bill which he did with great authority and without a single note. His writings explored the implications of the Faith with searching conviction that was credible yet humble. I give thanks for his life and witness, and commend him as well as Jo and their family to your prayers at this time of loss.”
The Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough, said it had “been a privilege” to have Harries and his wife in a Kingston parish.
“I was conscious how we had in Bishop Richard one of the greats of Church of England bishops with such a distinguished episcopal and academic career. And yet I was struck by the humility with which he wore it. I give thanks for his life, witness and public service and pray for all who mourn his passing.”
Labour MP and former priest Chris Bryant shared his own personal experience of Harries, writing on X, “I’m very sorry to hear that Richard Harries has died. He was a lovely kind intelligent and spiritual man who served as Bishop of Oxford and a member of the House of Lords. Many will know his books or his radio appearances. But I knew him as the man who ordained me. RIP”.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Church leaders welcome dismissal of charges against pro-life grandmother]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-leaders-welcome-dismissal-of-charges-against-pro-life-grandmother</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-leaders-welcome-dismissal-of-charges-against-pro-life-grandmother</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/88/98801.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rose Docherty]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Alliance Defending Freedom) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Rose Docherty outside court in Glasgow. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 06:22:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Rose Docherty was the first person criminally charged under the Scottish buffer zone law.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Catholic Church in Scotland has welcomed the dismissal of all charges against a 75-year-old grandmother accused of breaching an abortion clinic “buffer zone”.
Rose Docherty was arrested in September for standing silently in a zone with a sign that read "Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want".
Under Scotland's controversial buffer zone law, it is illegal to “influence” a person seeking to make use of abortion facilities within 200 metres of the site. The MSP who proposed the law confirmed in a radio interview that even silent prayer by the window inside a private home could be a breach of the law depending on who is walking past the window at the time.
Docherty was the first person to be criminally charged under the buffer zone law. The dismissal of all charges has been welcomed by many.
Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said, “The ruling is an important reminder that peaceful, consensual conversation in a public place is protected, and that criminal offences must be clearly and properly made out on the evidence.
"This case should prompt a careful and thorough review of how ‘safe access zone’ powers are applied so that they do not infringe fundamental rights.”
Jeremiah Igunnubole, barrister and legal counsel for ADF International, which supported Docherty in her case, said the ruling was a “significant victory for freedom of expression in the United Kingdom” and called for the repeal of all buffer zone laws.
There have been a number of other high profile cases against people accused of breaching the 'safe access zones'.
Army veteran Adam Smith-Connor was convicted in October 2024 for silently praying within an abortion zone, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, the Director of March For Life UK, has been arrested and acquitted multiple times, although she again faces a trial in October for another alleged breach.
In Northern Ireland, Pastor Clive Johnston recently stood trial for holding an open air service within the zone, which made no mention of abortion at all. He is awaiting judgment.
Although theoretically the law is meant to stop any kind of influence at all on a woman considering an abortion, it has only ever been used against those perceived to be discouraging abortion. Pro-life campaigners have discovered evidence of abortion providers using high pressure sales tactics, even on women who have decided not to have an abortion. No arrests have been made for influencing a woman to have an abortion within the zones.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/sarah-mullally-prays-with-pope-leo-xiv</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/sarah-mullally-prays-with-pope-leo-xiv</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/87/98798.jpeg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Archbishop Sarah Mullally and Pope Leo XIV.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Vatican Media) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Archbishop Sarah Mullally and Pope Leo XIV. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:36:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Sarah Mullally referred to previous ecumenical meetings between Anglican and Catholic heads.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Archbishop of Canterbury has continued her pilgrimage to Rome with a visit to St Paul's Within the Walls, the first non-Catholic church to be built in the city since the Reformation.
On the second day of her visit to the city, Sarah Mullally gave a homily during Evensong at St Paul's, which is one of just a handful of Anglican churches in Rome.
Before the service Mullally prayed at the Papal Basilica and the Cathedral of St John Lateran, and the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major, where she prayed at the tomb of the late Pope Francis. 
During her sermon Mullally noted the important role St Paul's Within the Walls had played in serving as a monument to positive ecumenical relations between the Catholic Church and Anglicanism.
The church, which this year is celebrating 150 years since its consecration, features bronze doors designed in 1966 to commemorate the 1960 meeting between the then pope, John XXIII and the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher.
Mullally said that “the very doors of this church speak of Christian unity". 
"That meeting marked a watershed moment in ecumenical relations," she said.
"This relationship was deepened in 1966 by the encounter between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, which helped give rise to the modern ecumenical dialogue.”
The doors, she argued, represent a “theological statement … that unity is not merely an idea, but a calling: a calling to reconciliation, to deeper communion, and to a shared life in Christ that reaches beyond our divisions.”
Following in the footsteps of her predecessors, Mullally also met with the pope during her visit and joined him in prayer.
At the meeting Mullally told Pope Leo XIV, “I will remain united with you in prayer: prayer for peace in our world; prayer for justice; and prayer that every person may come to discover the fullness of life that God offers. We are united in prayer because we pray to the Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Both Mullally and Pope Leo XIV used their Easter messages this year to call for peace. During her sermon Mullally echoed that call and urged a return to Christian love.
“And yet, we look at our world today and often we see something very different: instead of making justice and peace a priority, we see terrible violence inflicted on innocent people in conflicts across the globe," she said. 
“In such a world, the Church cannot lose confidence in the Gospel. For the Gospel is precisely this: that life, not death, has the final word; that Christ has broken the power of violence, not by greater force, but by self-giving love.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/documentary-celebrates-women-in-church-ministry</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/documentary-celebrates-women-in-church-ministry</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anita Laryea]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/87/98796.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[living loving serving]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:52:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Living Loving Serving: Women Leaders in the Church is the debut documentary film from Keep the Faith, Britain’s leading magazine about the black Christian community.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Living Loving Serving: Women Leaders in the Church is the debut documentary film from Keep the Faith, Britain’s leading magazine about the black Christian community.
The film features five women - Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, Tanya Hughes OBE, Pastor Marjorie Esomowei, Pastor Rhona Mplogomo-Tackie and Pastor Yvonne Brooks, who share personal insights about their faith, ministry work and experiences as leaders.
Speaking at an online screening event for the documentary, Marcia Dixon, publisher and editor of Keep the Faith Magazine described the project as a “labour of love” and a film to “encourage women in the Church”.  
“It was in my heart to make this documentary to pay homage to the fantastic roles that women play within the Church,” she said.
The film, produced and directed by Laurelle Jones, was sponsored by the Pentecostal Community Bank and producer and director Abigail Otchere, who said, “When Marcia announced this phenomenal documentary I was thinking 30, 50 years down the line this would be a legacy.”
Otchere added: “In the next three or four generations to come, people can look at anointed, prophetic women in ministry who have all made an instrumental contribution to our church ministry context.”
The ministry of Pastor Yvonne Brooks, a leader at the New Jerusalem Community Church in Birmingham, was profiled in the documentary. She reflected on how much has changed for women in the Church.
“Growing up, women were not in ministry. You could not aspire to those positions and we didn’t really think about it because it was like a closed door,” she said.
“I learnt that you can serve without a title. I served for many years having no title, I supported my husband as he was moving into pastoring.”
She continued: “I would have to say that being able to impact other people’s lives positively in ministry has been the highlight of my life. It wasn’t trying to make a name for myself, or trying to get a position.”
Also spotlighted in the documentary is Tanya Hughes OBE, HR Deputy Director in the Treasury, and a trustee of Women on the Frontline, a charity that works with vulnerable women, including sex workers. Hughes did not grow up in Church and had no understanding of the meaning of titles within the Church setting. 
“I just knew that Jesus loved me and that I now had a hope in my life that I didn’t have before. I had this burning desire in me to reach out to people,” she said.
Hughes started her journey into ministry through street outreach and “loved it”. 
“When I got more involved in church, it was really interesting because for me it was about going outside the walls of church,” she said.  
She continued: “Within church I now know there are structures and people have roles and responsibilities, but for me I wanted to be able to signpost hope in their lives.”
The screening also included a panel discussion of ministry leaders who expressed their passion for preparing the next generation of church leaders. Hughes would like to see women of “all ages” within the leadership space. 
“Not only can they learn from me and others, but I can learn from them,” she said.
She added: “I think it is imperative for any leader, particularly women in leadership, to pave the way for others to be able to come through and stand on their shoulders.”
Asking God to send people is the approach Pastor Brooks advocates. “Look for these people around you that God will send to you and deposit in them, then nurture what you have deposited in them to help to bring them to a place of maturity,” she said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[London College of Bishops denounces antisemitic incidents]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/london-college-of-bishops-denounces-antisemitic-incidents</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/london-college-of-bishops-denounces-antisemitic-incidents</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/87/98789.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Diocese of London]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:16:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The London College of Bishops has said it “unequivocally” condemns a number of apparently antisemitic attacks aimed at synagogues, charities and shops.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The London College of Bishops has said it “unequivocally” condemns a number of apparently antisemitic attacks aimed at synagogues, charities and shops.
Counter terrorism police have said that they are investigating recent incidents, including an arson attack on a synagogue in Finchley last week, other suspected arson attacks on a building linked to a Jewish charity, and another synagogue in Harrow.
 The rise in hostilities is believed to be linked with discontent about Israel’s military conflicts in the Middle East. 
In their statement, the London bishops described antisemitic acts as “abhorrent”, adding that they are designed to intimidate Londoners in general and Jews in particular.
“When any religious or faith community is targeted, it damages the life of our city as a whole," the bishops said.
"In speaking out, we do so as bishops and as leaders with responsibility for communities across London. Violence, hatred and intimidation directed at people of any faith undermine trust, fracture relationships, and corrode the foundations of a diverse and peaceful society.”
They added that they stood “in solidarity” with the Jewish community and all those impacted by the attacks.
“Antisemitism does not exist in isolation. It sits within a wider pattern of religious hate and racism," they said.
"No form of prejudice should be normalised, excused or left unchallenged. We call on those with responsibility in public life to act decisively to protect all places of worship, to challenge hatred wherever it appears, and to give clear reassurance to communities who feel increasingly vulnerable.
“Our Christian faith teaches us that every person is made in the image of God. That conviction calls us to stand alongside our Jewish neighbours today, and to work for a London tomorrow in which fear has no authority and hatred finds no shelter.”
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the government’s response to antisemitism would be “unflinching”.
“We will work relentlessly to ensure antisemites and those who threaten the Jewish community here have nowhere to hide. And to show British Jews that we stand with them, and will do everything in our power to keep them safe," he said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Church of Scotland to consider apology for alleged slavery links]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-scotland-to-consider-apology-for-alleged-slavery-links</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/church-of-scotland-to-consider-apology-for-alleged-slavery-links</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church of Scotland General Assembly]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Church of Scotland) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Church of Scotland General Assembly ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:27:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly will next month consider a report detailing historic links to the transatlantic slave trade and proposals for an official institutional apology.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly will next month consider a report detailing historic links to the transatlantic slave trade and proposals for an official institutional apology.
The report details ways in which the Church of Scotland believes it profited from the involvement of some of its members in the slave trade. Furthermore, evidence that the Church of Scotland justified slavery on theological grounds will also be presented.
The report urges the Church to make a formal apology and to explore a range of options that would promote repentance, justice and reconciliation.
The apology contains a number of confessions, including that "theological justification was offered for race-based slavery" and that it was "defended on moral grounds".
It states that even after slavery was outlawed in Scotland, some members and office-holders of the Church of Scotland "continued to own slaves overseas" or lobbied against emancipation, and that "for years many of our office-holders and other members derived their income directly or indirectly from slave labour".
The General Assembly will consider the report at a meeting on 16 May.
The report says at one point that slavery was based on “the invention of race” and that while some may question why the Church is apologising now after centuries have passed, "the passage of time does not diminish moral responsibility, nor does it render suffering irrelevant where its consequences endure."
Another paragraph reads, “It is neither just nor appropriate for those most harmed – particularly members of African descent within the Church and wider community – to bear the primary burden of explaining its significance to a largely White membership. Responsibility for understanding, naming, and responding to this legacy rests with the institution and, in practice, with its White majority.”
The proposed apology states that the Church is sorry for how it “collectively and individually, contributed to and benefitted from the enslavement of people of African descent”.
It continues, “We are grieved beyond telling by the extraordinary suffering we have inflicted – through our actions and our inaction – on our brothers and sisters. As bearers of God's image loved by God, they should have been loved by us. Not only did we fail to love them, we failed to treat them with basic human respect. 
“We repent, committing ourselves to changing course and bearing fruit worthy of repentance.”
Similar moves have been taken by the Church of England, which has committed to providing £100 million in funding towards reparations, after its own investigations concluded that the Church had benefited from slavery. “Project Spire”, as the scheme is called, has proved controversial however, with some historians questioning  whether the evidence suggesting complicity with slavery is as strong as claimed.]]></content:encoded>
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