Songs of Praise in Calais migrant camp
The crew of the BBC's flagship religious show Songs of Praise has arrived in the Calais migrant camp to shoot one of its most controversial episodes yet. They’re to film at a makeshift Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the centre of the Calais migrant camp. The decision to film there has provoked a mixed reaction from the public and the migrants. The Eritrean priest who runs the chapel feared that filming would endanger his family’s life if the images were seen in his home country, adding that the producers did not have permission to film in the camp. The BBC was accused of wading into a politically-sensitive issue. Meanwhile a blog by the so-called “Archbishop Cranmer” said that this is Christ’s church for the poor, weak, lonely, dispossessed, hurting, grieving and broken. It’s for the desperate and oppressed; destitute and dying. Hold your nose and avert your eyes: it’s the swarm of humanity in the cesspit of life. Songs of praise are to be sung to the Lord in the cardboard church of Calais. The Lord is there. His Spirit is with them. Glory to God in the lowest places. See: http://archbishopcranmer.com/songs-of-praise-and-the-cardboard-church-of-calais/
Fracking: councils told to fast-track decisions
Fracking has transformed the energy market in the US but has caused untold damage through fracking-related earthquakes. In the UK the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is to issue a first wave of licences for fracking. They will grant exclusive rights to explore for gas in a number of less controversial areas across the UK. A second wave relating to regions close to national parks or areas of outstanding natural beauty will come later this year. Once licences have been granted, planning permission is still required from local authorities for specific sites, and this week councils were told they must meet targets to fast-track 'fracking' applications through the planning system or face decisions being taken out of their hands. The Government is now poised to issue a swathe of licences in hope of a shale energy boom across the United Kingdom.
Christian teacher forgives boy who stabbed him in class
Schoolteacher Vincent Uzomah was attacked by a 14-year-old boy at Dixons Kings Academy in Bradford last June. After the assault the boy bragged about the stabbing on Facebook. A judge ordered him to be imprisoned for up to six years. Mr Uzomah said, ‘As a Christian, I have forgiven this boy who has inflicted trauma and pain on my family and myself. It was, however, important for the law to run its course and for a strong message to be sent out, especially to kids of similar tendencies, that violence is never acceptable. Our prayer for him is that he will make use of the opportunities and support provided for him to become a changed person, making positive contributions to society. ’ The court was told the boy was described by others as ‘disruptive and a bully’ and had always disliked the teacher.
Yarl's Wood removal centre of 'national concern'
The Prisons’ Watchdog says, ‘Conditions have deteriorated at Yarl's Wood, an immigration removal centre, to such an extent that it is a place of national concern. Yarl's Wood, in Bedfordshire, was failing vulnerable and pregnant women. It holds 350+ women waiting for their immigration status to be resolved. The report suggests that conditions have worsened since being inspected two years ago. More than half of the detainees said they felt unsafe. Of the 99 pregnant women who were held there last year only nine were removed. Fifteen detainees had been held for between six months and a year. Four were detained for more than a year. The report called for a ‘strict time limit’ on how long anyone can be detained. Jerome Phelps, of Detention Action, said ‘It is time for the Government to step away from the routine detention of migrants, and instead to work with them to resolve their immigration cases in the community wherever possible.’
