Blog

Image: How much further can we fall?

14/05/2021

Danny Sweeney is the Social Justice Coordinator at Justice & Peace Scotland and in our latest blog he reflects on the UK government's policy announcements at this week's opening of parliament.


“How many gifts God has bestowed upon us!” This declaration is part of the Passover Seder and is followed by a series of statements; “Had He brought us out of Egypt and not divided the Sea for us”, “Had He divided the Sea and not permitted us to cross on dry land”, “Had He permitted us to cross on dry land and not sustained us for forty years in the desert”. The seder continues asking the same question around being fed with manna, given the Torah, built the Temple. To each act those gathered respond “Even that would have been enough!”

I was reminded of this litany whilst watching the State Opening of Parliament. Whilst the pomp and ceremony was pared down due to COVID-19 this is still the time for the Westminster government to put its’ agenda “on show”. Sadly, we have seen far too much of that agenda in recent months, briefed out to the press ahead of today’s spectacle and the acclamation is not “that would have been enough”; but “how much further can we fall?” as we see the government set itself on a course which has no regard for the poor and vulnerable, no concern for justice and peace.

The abolition of the Department for International Development and abandoning the commitment to 0.7% of Gross National Income to be spent on international aid has seen a series of programmes committed to serving the poorest and most vulnerable globally slashed. How much further can we fall?

A “Policing” Bill which targets the rights of Traveller communities, along with seeking to outlaw protest and make a single person making “too much noise” against the law. A “Borders” Bill which involved consultation on a clumsy website which required those responding to accept a series of “false premises” about migration; framing asylum seekers as criminals and those being exploited by traffickers as the guilty party. The consultation was targeted to government supporters rather than to those who work with asylum seekers and refugees and no effort made to engage with those who have lived or current experience of the asylum system. Condemned already by all, from grassroots campaigners to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. How much further can we fall?

A Justice Bill which seeks to limit the ability of the courts to hold the government to account, a stated intention to break international obligations to disarmament and increase the size of the nuclear stockpile. Seeking to put democracy behind the paywall of either a passport or a driving license; targeting disproportionately the young and the poor who don’t have such things. Voter suppression in no uncertain terms. How much further can we fall?

At the end of the Seder there is Kos Hartza-ah (the cup of acceptance) which speaks of “the preservation and affirmation of hope”. For me there is very little hope with this government, and I hope like many others; I don’t plan to just accept it!



Image: Priest, Theologian, Promoter of Inter-religious Dialogue & Prophet

07/05/2021
Vale, Fr Hans Küng

Dr Duncan MacLaren is a member of the Scottish Bishops’ Committee on Inter-religious Dialogue and in this week's blog he gives his personal reflection on the life and legacy of Fr Hans Kung.


The Swiss theologian, Fr Hans Küng, author of On Being a Christian, a magisterial attempt to ‘sell’ Christianity to the modern world and Infallible?, where he cast doubt on papal infallibility just before the reign of Saint John Paul II, died recently at the age of 93. These two books in a way encapsulate the man. On the one hand, he was a priest in good standing with the Church who railed against those priests who were messy around the altar and were not true to their vows, and, on the other, in his search for truth, he was often regarded as an irritant, to put it mildly, by the Vatican. 

Infallible? cost him his professorial chair in Catholic theology at Tübingen University in Germany though they made him a Professor in the Institute for Ecumenical Research instead. The case against him pursued by the Holy Office was led by a man whom he had made, years earlier, a professor at Tübingen, Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, the then Prefect of what became the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. They made up soon after Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 at a lunch together in the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Sangolfo. They corresponded afterwards but never met again to discuss their disparate visions of the Church.

For the readers of this blog, their main interest in Hans Küng lies in his search for a Global Ethic, launched by the publication of his Global Responsibility: In Search of a New World Ethic in 1991. Ten years later shortly after the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York, he addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations with his vision of a global ethic that could lead the planet to peace with the world’s religions as major protagonists. He said,

"Globalization needs a global ethos, not as an additional burden, but as a basis and help for people, for civil society. Some political scientists predict a ‘clash of civilizations’ for the 21st century. Against this we set our different vision of the future; not simply an optimistic ideal, but a realistic vision of hope: the religions and cultures of the world, in interaction with all people of good will, can help to avoid such a clash, provided they realize the following insights: No peace among nations without peace among religions. No peace among religions without dialogue among religions. No dialogue among religions without global ethical standards. No survival of our globe in peace and justice without a new paradigm of international relations based on global ethical standards.” 

This is precisely why inter-religious dialogue, in which Küng participated passionately for many years, is so important for all of us in the Church. In the Global Ethic Institute at his beloved Tübingen University, he leaves a magnificent legacy, one which continues his search for a global common good found in the moral values of all great religious traditions in order to realign our world along ethical, more person-oriented and more compassionate lines. May Hans Küng, priest and prophet, rest in God’s peace.

------------------------------

[1] Hans Küng, On the Dialogue of Civilizations, Address on 9th November 2001 at the United Nations General Assembly.   Retrieved from   One of the Greatest Visionaries of Our Time - We Mourn the Death of Hans Küng. The Global Ethic Project lives on. - Weltethos Institut Tübingen (weltethos-institut.org)

 



Image: Christians Against Poverty

30/04/2021

National Director of Christians Against Poverty (CAP), Emma Jackson, writes our latest blog.  CAP is an anti poverty charity who offer hope to those struggling with debt, read about the work they do and the inspiring story of how one life turned around.  


Jesus said to his host - “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends or family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favour. Invite some people who never get invited out -the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”
 
As we move out of lockdown and begin to come round tables again, these words from Jesus are a real challenge. Who do we share our time and tables with? A poignant question as we reflect on the economic impacts of COVID, knowing how hard it has hit communities that were already facing the rising tide of poverty. For families carrying the burden of debt, unemployment and many facing issues of isolation, relationship breakdown and loss, life is tough. 
 
Christians Against Poverty is a UK debt counselling and anti-poverty charity that, at its heart, seeks to connect the local Church with those in most need, regardless of background. Our unique partnership between individual Churches, across a wide range of denominations, who know their local communities and our highly trained, FCA regulated, Head Office teams, work to enable families to journey out of debt. 
 
Debt can be all consuming. Shame and embarrassment rob people of dignity. Before CAP’s help, almost 1/5 miss meals daily. Over 35% of clients say that they have seriously considered or attempted suicide because of debt before CAP got involved. 
 
Here in Scotland, our network of 24 community based debt centres offers hope to those in the most difficult situations. Through over 20 years of providing free debt advice locally, we know that there is always a solution. Lives can be rebuilt. 
 
At CAP, we know debt isn’t just a financial issue. We strive to offer people the very best support that goes the extra mile as standard. We are interested in whole person transformation. Our army of volunteers never shy to provide kindness and compassion, a friendly face, a listening ear, electric top ups or a cooked meal. Bringing families round their tables, just like Jesus called us to do. 
 
One client, Andy, was at rock bottom when he called CAP. Broken relationship, mounting debts, alcohol misuse, anger. We took the burden of his debt and showed him a way forward. This created space for him to heal, to rebuild his relationship, his well-being and his life. Andy is now debt free, he paid it all back, married and working as a local debt centre manager, helping others find freedom. 
 
Debt is not exclusive to people of a certain age or of a specific household make-up. Unexpected circumstances mean that no-one is immune to finding themselves in a financial crisis. Debt is not something to be ashamed of and no one should feel embarrassed about seeking help. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem debt, now is the time to seek help. CAP is here to help. 
 
The last 12 months have reinforced that community and connection matter to us all. Even more so when you’re facing the most challenging circumstances. While we can’t all be debt experts, we can all reflect on Jesus’s words - who’s around our tables? Who we could reach out to, offer dinner to? Who are you going to invite? 
 
To find out more about debt help from Christians Against Poverty go to capscotland.org or call 0800 328 006 for free, confidential help. 
 

Emma Jackson, National Director Scotland
Emma is the Scotland Director for Christian’s Against Poverty (CAP) overseeing the work in Scotland of this UK wide debt and anti-poverty charity, which helps around 22,000 people each year. Emma has worked for CAP for 8 years, previously working in senior leadership in disability and Higher Education. Emma speaks widely on the subject of debt, money management and how we can serve those in most need in our communities.  Emma is married to Niall and they have three children. They all live in the rural Scottish Borders enjoying outdoor life. Emma is also a contributor for BBC Radio Scotland’s Thought for the Day and a board member of the Poverty Alliance. 




Page 8 of 87First   Previous   3  4  5  6  7  [8]  9  10  11  12  Next   Last