South Sudanese Archbishop Peter Munde Yacob dies

THE Episcopal Church of South Sudan  is in mourning after the death of the Archbishop of Western Equatoria, the Most Revd Peter Munde Yacob. He was Acting Primate earlier this year before the installation of Archbishop Justin Badi Arama. Archbishop Munde Yacob died in hospital in Nairobi this week after he fell ill over the summer, ACNS reported. Archbishop Badi Arama said that he was deeply saddened by the news. It is the latest event in a turbulent year for the country (News, 26 October).

Pope Francis sends condolences after Indonesian plane crash

THE POPE has offered his condolences after an aircraft crashed off the coast of Indonesia on Monday. There were 198 people on board when it crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from Jakarta. It is not believed that there were any survivors. The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent a mesage: “Having learned with sadness of the recent plane crash in Jakarta, His Holiness Pope Francis conveys his condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.” Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Second Australian diocese calls for same-sex blessings

A SECOND diocese in Australia has called for services of blessing for same-sex marriages, writes Muriel Porter. At its annual synod meeting last week, the diocese of Ballarat in regional Victoria called on the Bishop to allow clergy to bless same-sex couples after civil weddings. Canon Peter Treloar, who moved the motion, asked why they should not “bless two members of our congregation who want to stand before God and commit themselves in love to one another for the rest of their lives”. The diocese of Wangaratta passed a similar resolution at its synod meeting in June. The decisions come despite a resolution earlier this year by the Australian bishops to bar Anglican clergy from any involvement with same-sex weddings (News, 11 May).

REUTERSThe Rt Revd Gene Robinson carries the ashes of Matthew Shepard at a memorial service for the interment of the ashes at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC, last Friday. See gallery for a photo of Mr Shephard