UK parliament condemns Russia over Aleppo
The House of Commons held a three-hour emergency debate on Tuesday on the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo and Syria. An emergency debate is usually called at short notice about an urgent internal matter, so it is unusual to have an emergency debate on international affairs. Politicians at home and abroad have called for a no-fly zone over Syria and the provision of safe havens for fleeing refugees. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told MPs that Russia's actions in Syria amount to 'war crimes’. Reportedly, sixteen people were killed by heavy bombing which targeted besieged rebel-held neighbourhoods, The former deputy supreme Allied commander of Nato said that the British should ‘absolutely’ be training other armed forces in the war-torn country and should occupy the skies to enforce a no-fly zone. See article 7 in the World section.
Church of England v freemasons
Freemason William Wilson was buried in a churchyard in Cumbria in 2012. His niece asked the Church of England for permission to have the freemasons’ square and compass emblem put on her uncle's stone. The church had no objections, but Geoffrey Tattersall QC, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Carlisle, in his capacity as a consistory court judge, said it would be inappropriate to allow it. He quoted a report on compatibility of freemasonry and Christianity, debated by the General Synod in 1987: ‘Christians have found Masonic rituals disturbing and a few perceive them as positively evil. Some believe Masonic rituals are blasphemous because God's name must not be taken in vain, or be replaced by an amalgam of the names of pagan deities.’ He added that the Synod's primary theological objections centred on freemasonry’s use of the word 'Jahbulon' - the name used for the Supreme Being in Masonic rituals - which is an amalgamation of Semitic, Hebrew and Egyptian titles for God.
Prayer points for Scotland
Pray for tolerance and integrity to be exercised by leaders during this time of heightened Brexit tension. Five current Scottish issues are: - 1. The number of homeless has been unchanged for 20 years. Pray for a new strategy to tackle this problem. 2. Nicola Sturgeon has told the SNP that she intends to call for a second referendum on Scottish independence if the Brexit negotiations are not in the country’s best interests. 3. Holyrood ministers were warned that centralising power in Edinburgh will only lead to growing inequality. Pray for the God of the nations to direct Scotland’s MPs in their decision-making. 4. Secondary teachers are to take industrial action over their ‘excessive workload’. Nine out of ten union members back the move. 5. Young people are highlighted in the justice system, as judges and sheriffs are given new guidelines in an attempt to ensure consistency in the sentences they pass. Pray for the Scottish youth of today.
PM urged to admit 'Jungle' children
Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders asked Theresa May to allow nearly 400 children in the Calais’ 'Jungle' camp to enter the UK, labelling the camp a ‘stain’ on the consciences of Britain and France. Francois Hollande announced that the camp would be bulldozed before Christmas, with 9,000 inhabitants dispersed around the country - a move welcomed by residents of Calais but causing disquiet elsewhere. The charity Care4Calais said, ‘Neither government has made any attempts to identify these children, make assessments, or even put in place the legal framework necessary to get them to safety in the UK.’ Demonstrators took to the streets in towns across France last weekend protesting against Hollande's plan. So far no children have been helped to leave the camp, despite changes to Britain's Immigration Act four months ago which were meant to assist them.
