We are not simply the custodians of holy sites; we are living witnesses to God’s light

Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem, The Times, 8 January

Being more deeply connected will not take away the fragility of our condition, but it will help us see that it is worth parking the obsessions of tribes and echo chambers so that we can actually learn from and with each other; that it is worth making what local difference can be made, so as to let the dignity of the human person be seen with greater clarity

Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Guardian, 7 January

I would like to invert the order on tonight’s BBC News. Lead story: last 7 years hottest the world has ever known. This cannot go on. Closing story: unvaccinated man doesn’t think the rules apply to him because he’s rich and famous

James Walters, director of LSE Faith Centre, Twitter, 10 January

Couples who choose not to have children and prefer pets instead are selfish, said the Pope. Which is quite the statement from a man who chose not to have children. And a religion that demands priests don’t procreate. Renouncing parenthood, he said, “takes away our humanity”. Blimey. Is he actually trolling his own staff? Still, it’s a spectacular addition to the bulging folder marked “Man proclaims on something about which he knows nothing.” And it’s a pity really, because the Pope might find that getting a cat suits him. As he would quickly discover, it’s like living with a small god

Carol Midgley, The Times, 8 January

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