King to protect ‘faith within the multi-faith nation’
A NEW aspect of the King’s duties states that he will protect “faith within the multi-faith nation”. The description appeared in the Sovereign Grant report 2025-26 — the annual review of the royal family’s finances — published this week. “His Majesty is Supreme Governor of the Church of England and protects the space for faith within the multi-faith nation,” the document from Buckingham Palace says in its description of the “official duties of the sovereign”. The document continues: “His Majesty also has a special role in bringing communities and faiths together, engaging with them across the regions and nations of the UK.” This was to foster “a sense of pride, continuity and stability, whilst strengthening the UK’s social fabric and cohesion”, Buckingham Palace said.
Tenth Faith Minister appointed in ten years
A NEW Faith Minister, Lord Lemos, a Roman Catholic, has been appointed, to succeed Nesil Caliskan MP, who took up the post only a month ago, after the resignation of Miatta Fahnbulleh. Lord Lemos has become the tenth holder of the post in ten years, the Religion Media Centre says. He received a peerage in January of last year, and was appointed a Minister in the Department of Housing Communities and Local Government on 12 June.
MINORITY CONCERN (UK)The Archbishop of Canterbury with the delegation from Minority Report (UK) (see below)
Mullally meets Pakistani Christians
THE Archbishop of Canterbury met a delegation from Minority Concern, a UK-based advocacy organisation that works to promote the rights of religious minorities, including Christians in Pakistan, last month. The delegation, led by the organisation’s director, Aftab Alexander Mughal, said that it was invited to Lambeth Palace to attend a prayer service for Pakistani Christians, as well as for churches in the diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf. “We seek your prayers and support for our ongoing advocacy work for justice, peace, and human dignity,” Mr Mughal said.
Dyson supports C of E school
THE British investor and entrepreneur Sir James Dyson has donated £1.8 million to fund the expansion of Malmesbury C of E Primary School, in the diocese of Bristol. He donated £6 million to the school in 2024 (News, 9 February 2024). The school said that it was “so grateful” for his latest pledge, which would allow it to increase school places from 420 to 630 and create a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) centre. Sir James said that he hoped that the expansion would “blend the arts and sciences with real-world problem-solving, innovation, and creativity”.
Grant for Derbyshire church devastated by fire
FIVE-and-a-half years after a fire devastated All Saints’, Mackworth, in Derbyshire (News, 12 December, 2025), the church has been awarded a £229,751 grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the £429,751 estimated as necessary to restore the tower and spire. The project lead at All Saints’, Don McLure, said that the congregation were “thrilled” to receive the grant. After the fire, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Libby Lane, described seeing the ruined building as “absolutely heart-breaking”.
New town’s faith-based hub gets go-ahead
NORTHSTOWE Church Network, in Cambridgeshire, has been awarded a 999-year lease by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet, to build a faith-based community hub, designed to bring together faith, education, well-being, and community life (News, 19 June). When it is completed, Northstowe is expected to be the largest new town in the UK since Milton Keynes. The first residents moved in in 2017, when there were just 150 houses. The current population is more than 4,000 and could eventually reach 25,000.