Modi victory would harm India, artists and academics warn
Sculptor Anish Kapoor and writer Salman Rushdie are among those who have signed a letter to the Guardian warning that, if Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, “it would bode ill for India's future”. The chief minister of Gujarat belongs to the far-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Archbishop of Canterbury, equal marriage and safety of Africans
Letting same-sex couples marry in the Church of England would be catastrophic for Christians in countries such as South Sudan, Nigeria and Pakistan, claimed Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. He also has “real hesitations” about equal marriage because of the Bible and tradition.
Church in Wales considers issue of same-sex partnerships
A pastoral response is vital when considering same-sex partnerships, according to a thought-provoking report by the Standing Doctrinal Commission of the Church in Wales. The Church in Wales and same-sex partnerships may also be useful to other churches grappling with sexual ethics.
Equal marriage is a cause for celebration
Celebrations are taking place across England and Wales for newly-married same-sex as well as opposite-sex couples. Soon equal marriage will be in place in Scotland too. This is cause for rejoicing not only for the newly-weds, their families and friends but also the wider community.
Budget is not friendly to all pensioners
The budget announced by UK chancellor George Osborne has been widely reported as appealing to pensioners and savers. Some measures, such as pensioner bonds, will indeed help sizeable numbers of older people. Yet for many people over retirement age, it is will not be good news overall.
The social security budget cap and social justice
Budget measures announced by UK chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne include a cap on the overall amount spent on a range of social security measures. People who become severely ill or injured, or face other unexpected needs, may find their already low standard of living forced down, regardless of how much they have contributed to society.
Benefit fraud: Prime Minister threatens to take computers and cars
UK Prime Minister David Cameron is threatening to seize computers and cars from people supposedly guilty of benefit fraud, according to media reports. This could reduce their chances of getting work and access to everyday activities, harming families and communities.
Church of England faction urges punishment of partnered parishioners
A group opposed to inclusion has praised Church of England bishops for being negative towards clergy wanting to marry same-sex partners, and urged them to go further. The Evangelical Group of the General Synod (EGGS) committee wants laypeople in same-sex relationships to be disciplined too.
Twelve years on, why justice for Gujarat matters
Saeed and Sakil Dawood were friendly, sports-loving Yorkshiremen on holiday in India, returning from a trip to the Taj Mahal. 73-year-old Ehsan Jafri, a former trade unionist and MP, lived in Ahmedabad. When horrific violence engulfed Gujarat in 2002, they were among those brutally murdered.
Bishops face searching questions on same-sex marriage guidance
In an open letter, the LGBTI Anglican Coalition has asked the Church of England’s House of Bishops some searching questions regarding Pastoral Guidance on Same Sex Marriage. Criticism of the bishops’ guidance, which ruled out clergy being married same-sex partners and services of blessing, has been widespread.
