SCIAF’s new children’s book wins global Christian award
THE Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (SCIAF) development education officer, Elaine McGinlay, has been named a winner of the Christlit Book Award, it was announced Wednesday of last week. Ms McGinlay’s illustrated children’s book, The Wisdom of the River, follows a “choose your own adventure” format. Every RC primary school in Scotland has received a free copy, as part of SCIAF’s commitment to development education.
Liverpool Cathedral tower reopens after fire
THE tower of Liverpool Cathedral was reopened to the public on Tuesday after a fire on the top floor of the building, which was caused by an electrical fault, last Friday. A statement posted on the cathedral’s Facebook page denied claims made online that the fire was a “deliberate act”. The cathedral thanked Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and for the prayers and messages of support it received.
Klesch Collection acquires Botticelli painting following export bar
THE Klesch Collection has acquired The Virgin and Child Enthroned by the 15th-century Italian painter Sandro Botticelli, after an export bar was placed on the painting last year (News, 16 May 2025). The painting is due to go on display for the first time in more than 80 years at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. The director of the museum, Dr Xa Sturgis, said: “The Ashmolean warmly welcomes this acquisition of a painting by one of the most important artists in the western tradition, and we’re so pleased that it will remain in the UK.”
Bishop of Chelmsford announced as new president of the APR
THE Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, is to be the next president of the Association for Promoting Retreats (APR), it was announced on Wednesday of last week. She will succeed the former Bishop of Warwick, the Rt Revd John Stroyan, who has been president and acting president of the APR since 2017.
Conwy teenagers raise £2000 for church tower
TWO teenagers have raised nearly £2000 towards the restoration of the tower of St Mary’s, Conwy, in Bangor diocese, through organising fundraising events. Oliver Groves and Macauley Knight, both aged 15, planned an Easter fair and a Christmas fair to raise money for the tower, which is more than 800 years old. Work to make the tower safe and watertight is due to begin soon, supported by a £60,000 grant from the National Churches Trust. The boys said in a message shared at the Christmas fair: “We’re just two young lads who care deeply about our community and want to give people something special — something that not everyone is lucky enough to have.” They are planning a summer fair to take place in August.
Distinctive Deacons conference held in London
A CONFERENCE organised by the Church of England National Network of Distinctive Deacons was held at the Royal Foundation of St Katherine last month. There were 26 who attended in person, and 30 who tuned in online. Those who joined discussed “the calling to the distinctive diaconate, which is both distinctive and rich in all its diversity,” a statement from Distinctive Deacons said.
London Festival of Contemporary Church Music announces its first CEO
THE first chief executive of the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music is to be Leonora Dawson-Bowling, it was announced last month. The festival is in its 24th year. Each May, it presents a ten-day programme of more than 50 concerts, recitals, and services across London and beyond, where it showcases “new and recent liturgical music at the highest level”. Ms Dawson-Bowling, who previously led the classical music division at Amazon UK, is also a professional singer and performs regularly with leading ensembles and choirs, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral, as well as groups such as Philharmonia Voices, the BBC Singers, and the Sarum Consort.
Correction: the Analysis article last week by the Canon Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral, the Revd Dr Kenneth Padley, was given an incorrect byline. We apologise for the error.