Coptic Archbishop preaches at Twenty-One Martyrs evensong
THE Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya, killed by Islamic State in 2015, were remembered at choral evensong in St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield, on Sunday, after the General Synod agreed last summer to add their commemoration to the Common Worship calendar (Synod, 1 August 2025). The Coptic Orthodox Bishop of London, Archbishop Angaelos, preached. Music included Coptic chant and hymns, the second of which was a translation, with the refrain “O my Lord Jesus”, described by the Church as the last words uttered by the men before their deaths.
Dr Makgoba to chair Christian Aid
THE Archbishop of Cape Town, Dr Thabo Makgoba, is to be the next chair of Christian Aid, succeeding the Archbishop of Canterbury, it was announced on Monday. He has previously worked with Christian Aid on climate and economic justice, and brings “a strong track record of working on poverty and injustice in South Africa and globally”, the charity says. “Throughout his ministry he has walked alongside people who are poor and marginalised, and strived for a just world in which everyone has life before death,” the charity’s chief executive, Patrick Watt, said. “Archbishop Thabo’s leadership will be invaluable as we work with partners across the world to tackle the root causes of poverty, in a fast-changing landscape.”
Canon Ward received into Roman Catholic Church
CANON Robin Ward, who stepped down as Principal of St Stephen’s House, Oxford, last year after 19 years in post (News, 17 January 2025), was received into the Roman Catholic Church at Farnborough Abbey last weekend.
Bishop Gibbs to provide oversight for Dr Munro
THE Archbishop of Canterbury, under the Five Guiding Principles, has commissioned the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, to offer pastoral oversight to the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Dr Rob Munro, it has been announced. Bishop Gibbs will also provide pastoral and sacramental oversight for two parishes in Canterbury diocese, St James’s, Westgate, in Margate, and All Saints’, Loose, near Maidstone, last week’s announcement says.
High Court overturns proscription of Palestine Action
THE arrests of nearly 3000 people who had held signs reading “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action” across the UK have been ruled unlawful after the High Court overturned the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation last week. Three judges found that banning Palestine Action under terrorism legislation was unlawful, but ruled that the ban must remain until another hearing today. Arrests of those charged under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2002 as part of the Lift the Ban campaign will also be deemed unlawful. A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: “Thousands of people of conscience saw that branding protest as terrorism was a move straight out of the dictator’s playbook.”
Scripture Union makes awards for children’s ministry
TWO clergy with a combined 85 years of ministry to children and young people have received awards from the Scripture Union, whose national director, Dave Newton, commended the commitment of the two “good and faithful servants”: the Revd Steve Hutchinson (Lifetime Achevement Award) and the Revd Wayne Dixon (Long Service Award). The awards were presented this month at Hand in Hand, the UK’s largest children’s and family ministry conference.