UK religious leaders call for action in Hong Kong

RELIGIOUS leaders, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams, have called for “concrete action” from the Government on Hong Kong, as pro-democracy protests continue (News, 6 December). The letter, which is also signed by the Bishop of Buckingham, Dr Alan Wilson, reads: “We strive to uphold human rights, individual liberty, protection from violence and the rule of law: the fundamental principles that Hongkongers face losing in their fight for freedom.” It argues that “the government should consider expanding the rights of British National (Overseas) passport holders, offering safe refuge in the UK to Hongkongers, and sanctioning individuals from China and Hong Kong who are responsible for or complicit in human rights violations during this political crisis.”

Sermon of the Year 2020 competition launched

ENTRIES are being welcomed to Preach magazine’s Sermon of the Year competition on the theme “Made by God”. People over the age of 18 are invited to submit sermons by 23 February. The top four sermons will be judged at a live event at St Paul’s, Hammersmith, in June. www.preachweb.org/sermonoftheyear

Thieves ransack church on Christmas Day

THOUSANDS of pounds’ worth of damage was caused to St Wulfram’s, Grantham, after thieves broke in on Christmas Day, Richard Vamplew writes. The church’s Rector, the Revd Stuart Cradduck, said that they had “run amok”. Lincolnshire Police said that two men, aged 34 and 37, had been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail. A safe was taken which contained about £800, a bank card, and documents. Mr Cradduck said: “Christmas is still Christmas and we still had our celebrations. It is upsetting — it is frustrating, but worse things could have happened.”