Survey suggests gap in expertise on child abuse
ONLY one third of professionals and members of community- and faith-based organisations are confident that they could identify signs of faith- or belief-linked child abuse, a new study by Manchester Metropolitan University suggests. The survey, completed by more than 1300 people, was commissioned by the National Working Group on Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief. In total, 61 per cent said that they could define this form of abuse, and just over half the respondents were confident that they would know how to respond professionally. One quarter had received related training, and 12 per cent were familiar with the National Action Plan produced by the Department of Education.
New Dean of Blackburn announced
THE next Dean of Blackburn will be Canon Peter Howell-Jones, since 2011 Vice-Dean of Chester Cathedral, where he is credited with having improved the cathedral’s financial and administrative state. He was previously a Canon Residentiary and Acting Dean of Birmingham, where he was also Bishop’s Adviser for Mission. Aged 54, he is married to Sian, and they have four grown-up children. He will be installed on 25 March.
Online editor joins Lambeth Palace team
THE editor of the website Christian Today, Ruth Mawhinney, has been appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s head of media. Jonathan Petre of the Mail on Sunday was originally offered this position, but has withdrawn, owing to personal family reasons.
James Purnell to lead BBC religious broadcasting
JAMES PURNELL, a former Labour minister, is to take responsibility for the BBC’s religious-affairs programming, in addition to his current post as head of radio and education, it was announced last week. The separate post of Head of Religion and Ethics is being abolished (News, 18 November).
Children’s financial-education project launched
A NETWORK of savings clubs and financial education in primary schools — LifeSavers — was launched this week, with the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury. A partnership between Archbishop Welby’s Just Finance Foundation and Young Enterprise, a financial-education charity, it is on course to reach 30,000 children by the end of 2018. The Bishops of Newcastle and Huddersfield were present at the launch in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Odeon cinemas to open on Christmas Day
TWENTY of the 121 Odeon cinemas will be open on Christmas Day, the chain announced this week. A spokesman said that watching a film together was a “popular activity on Christmas Day” and that a selection of “Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters” would be shown. “Alongside many other businesses in the hospitality industry, we are happy to be open in areas where there is both demand from guests, and willingness from colleagues who have volunteered to work.”
