Bishop speaks out against housing as a ‘commodity for profit’

HOUSING should not be used just as a commodity for “personal gain or profit”, but as places of “liveability and flourishing”, the Area Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Revd Rob Wickham, has said. Bishop Wickham became chair of Housing Justice in March. He said last week that he longed to “see a Britain where night shelters are not needed”, and praised the activism of Christians on homelessness. He argued: “When we see homelessness or substandard housing as something which is accepted in a society, we have missed the point.”

Ecclesiastical launches photography competition

THE church insurers Ecclesiastical launched “Parish Pixels”, a photography competition to celebrate churches across the UK, on Monday. Photographers are asked to “show us what makes your church special” by taking a single image, and submitting it with a one-sentence caption. The judges will assess the photos for visual impact, originality, and the interpretation of the theme. Nine regional winners will be selected by a panel of judges, and then an overall winner will be chosen by public vote. The first prize will be £5000, and the regional winners will receive £1500. The entry deadline is 31 October. www.ecclesiastical.com/churchcomp

Commissioners investments go to pot

A SELF-IMPOSED ban on investing in medical marijuana is to be lifted by the Church Commissioners, as they reconsider investing in the sector. The head of responsible investment, Edward Mason, told the Financial Times last weekend “We make a distinction between recreational cannabis and medicinal cannabis. We are content with it being used for proper medicinal purposes.” The use of medical cannabis became legal in the UK last November. On recreational cannabis, Mr Mason said: “As with all ethical issues, we look at all aspects, including reductions of crime associated with legalisation. But, on balance, we came down as an exclusion.”