Archbishop of Wales: Respect public servants
THE Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, has called on the public to respect politicians for their readiness to serve. The First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, stepped down this week after four of his ministers resigned, saying that they were unable to continue under his leadership after a lost vote of confidence in the Senedd last month. Archbishop John said: “People who are prepared to take on the responsibilities, and the risks, of political life deserve our respect for their readiness to serve the public. While criticism may sometimes be necessary, compassion is always essential, and it is in that spirit that we assure all those involved in this painful experience of our prayers as they seek to serve the people of Wales.”
Explorations of science and faith supported
SEVEN churches in England and Wales have been awarded funding of almost £70,000 to explore the relationship between science and faith through the programme Scientists in Congregations. Established in 2015 (News, 20 March 2015), the programme is run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS). Recipients of the grants of up to £10,000 each, to deliver a project over the next year, include St Mark’s, Wrexham, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich.
Diocese of Truro funds Cornwall poverty research
THE diocese of Truro is funding new research into the Government’s official measure for experiences of deprivation in England to see whether it is appropriate for people living in rural Cornwall. The Cornwall Rurality Matters research, which is being carried out by Plymouth Marjon University in Cornwall, has received £27,078 from the diocese through the Lower Income Communities Fund. The diocesan social-responsibility officer, Joel Dougan-Davies, said: “Many people around Cornwall are living in great need.” The diocesan secretary, Canon Simon Cade, said: “Often the scale of the deprivation is not understood and issues are missed.”
Music-outreach programme receives £1m donation
THE Julia Rausing Trust has made a £1-million donation towards the refurbishment of the organ at Gloucester Cathedral, which, the cathedral says, will be central to its new music-outreach programme. The money, donated in memory of the philanthropist, will also fund an organ scholarship. The organ was built by Thomas Harris in 1666 and has the only complete 17th-century cathedral organ case in the country. The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust supported the conservation of the 14th-century cathedral cloister in 2022 (News, 5 August 2022).
Woman raped in Hereford Cathedral precincts
A 31-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with rape after a woman was attacked in Hereford Cathedral grounds, in the early hours of last Friday. West Mercia police said that officers were alerted shortly before 4 a.m. and believe that the victim met her attacker while out on Thursday evening. The Cathedral had given police access to CCTV. Christopher Filbrandt, of Eign Mill Road, Hereford, appeared before magistrates at Kidderminster, on Monday, and the case was sent to Worcester Crown Court, where Mr Filbrandt will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 12 August.
WTC to launch theology course for prisoners
A CERTIFICATE of Higher Education in Kingdom Theology course is to be launched by the Westminster Theological Centre (WTC) for men at HM Prison the Mount, in Hertfordshire. The course, to start in 2026, is, the WTC said on Tuesday, “in response to learning that many people are finding faith in prison, and are keen to take their journey with God to the next level by training at a theological college”. WTC’s Principal, Dr Lucy Peppiatt, said: “For years we have managed a bursary fund for men and women from offending and addiction backgrounds, and have seen the benefits of an education in theology for job opportunities, ministry opportunities, and raising self-esteem and confidence.” The programme requires £38,000 for the first year and £45,000 for the second. Sarah Coppin, who is to lead the programme, said: “This sounds like a lot of money, but we could easily reach our first-year goal if 100 people signed up to give £32 per month.” wtctheology.org.uk