Stabbed Christian teacher forgives his attacker
A TEACHER stabbed in the classroom has spoken of his forgiveness for his attacker. Vincent Uzomah (above) was stabbed at Dixons Kings Academy, Bradford, on 11 June. His 14-year-old attacker, who racially abused him before stabbing him, was given an 11-year sentence, including six years’ detention, at Bradford Crown Court on Monday. Speaking outside the court, Mr Uzomah said: “As a Christian, I have forgiven this boy who has inflicted this trauma and pain on to me and my family. Our prayer for him is that he will make use of the opportunities and . . . become a changed person.”
Dr Brown attacks Sunday trading proposals
THE Church of England’s director of mission and public affairs, Dr Malcolm Brown, has criticised the Government’s plans to relax restrictions on Sunday trading. In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, which was also signed by the leader of a shop-workers’ trade union, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, and the campaign group Keep Sunday Special, Dr Brown argued that allowing councils to make their own Sunday trading rules would be a “recipe for chaos” and undermine family life.
First British woman awarded Oxford DD
AN OLD TESTAMENT theologian has become the first British woman to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity at the University of Oxford. Professor Sue Gillingham, who is Fellow and Tutor in Theology at Worcester College, Oxford, has specialised in the study of the Psalms. She received her degree on 1 August.
Chief executive of Church in Wales to retire
THE chief executive of the Church in Wales, John Shirley, is to retire next year. Mr Shirley, who has served the Church as Provincial Secretary for the past 16 years, will step down in April. During his career he has worked in the Anglican Church in a variety of posts for 36 years.
Dr Sookhdeo drops plans to appeal
THE international director of Barnabas Aid International, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, will not appeal against his convictions for sexual assault and intimidating two witnesses, it was confirmed last week. He had earlier pledged to appeal (News, 8 May), but a statement from the Patron of Barnabas Fund, the Marquess of Reading, said that this would not now proceed. Dr Sookhdeo would continue his work for the charity, he said.
The Government abolishes post of Faith Minister
THE position of faith minister has been abolished, the Government confirmed to Premier Radio this week. The post was created in 2012 and given to Baroness Warsi who, as a Foreign Office minister, was able to attend Cabinet meetings. After her resignation last year, she was replaced by Eric Pickles, but the post was not filled after the General Election in May. The Government announced this week that a brief to “work with religious and community leaders to promote faith, religious tolerance and stronger communities within the UK” had been passed to Baroness Williams of Trafford, a parliamentary under-secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Corrections: The land shown in the photo accompanying last week’s story about proposed construction near St Peter’s, Willersey, is not that on which building is proposed.
The Chaplain to the Channel Tunnel, David Slater, is not ordained, as was incorrectly reported last week.