Faith organisations urge Chancellor to tax the super-rich
A coalition of 18 faith organisations is calling on the Chancellor to tax the super-rich, make capital gains tax the same rate as income tax, and resource HMRC to close the tax gap, when she delivers the budget on Wednesday. The statement co-ordinated by JustMoney Movement, including Christian Aid, Faith for the Climate, and Muslim Aid, argues that bold action is needed to tackle poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis. It says the measures outlined could raise tens of billions of pounds to support public services, invest in a fairer and greener society, and make the tax system more equitable. Shanon Shah, Director of Faith for the Climate said: “Extreme wealth continues to grow for the super-rich and dirty industries such as coal, oil and gas, yet ordinary people struggle, our public services are under strain, and climate disasters are getting worse in Britain. People of faith do not regard these problems as economic or political issues, but as part of a larger spiritual and moral crisis. The budget is a powerful instrument to address this crisis.”
Catholic bishop ‘disappointed’ with outcome of COP30
The Catholic Bishop of Salford, John Arnold, who is also lead bishop on the environment, says the outcome of the global climate change conference COP30 is disappointing. The meeting ended with an appeal for countries to voluntarily reduce their use of fossil fuels, despite 80 countries including the UK and those within the EU, wanting to end to the use of oil, coal and gas at a faster pace. Consensus has broken down, with oil-producing nations saying they should be allowed to use fossil fuels to grow their economies, and with the USA boycotting the meeting. In a statement, Bishop John said political will is failing to protect the planet: “It is disappointing that references to phasing out fossil fuels and action on deforestation were not included in the COP30 draft agreement. These issues are at the heart of the climate crisis and affect the poorest and most vulnerable communities. The time has passed for scepticism or delay on climate change. We are already seeing its effects in this country and around the world – and they will only worsen.”
Protests outside Jewish synagogue in London anger the local community
Anti-Zionist protesters rallied outside St John’s Wood Synagogue on Sunday evening, to the anger of Jews who were assembling for meetings. The demonstration coincided with pro-Israel events, including an “aliyah fair” with information on moving to Israel. Jewish News reports that protesters chanted for the destruction of Israel and against Zionism. The Met Police said they had no legal power to ban the protest but imposed Public Order Act conditions to keep demonstrators away from the synagogue’s immediate vicinity. Angry members of the Jewish community shouted back “go home, Jew haters” and counter protesters joined in. Saul Taylor, president of the United Synagogue, said: “It cannot be that in modern Britain it is seen as acceptable to protest outside a place of worship, where Jews come together to pray and to attend community events”. Telegraph report here. Jewish News report here
Record Bible sales in USA 2025
Circana, a US data company which tracks book sales, says that Bible sales were up 11 per cent this year over 2024, including 2.4 million sold in September 2025, the month when Charlie Kirk was killed. In total, more than 18 million Bibles have been sold so far this year. Sales have been increasing year in year since 2022 but this year surpasses those levels. Top sellers are an economy version of the English Standard Bible, a pink large King James version gift Bible, the Adventure Bible for kids and the She Reads Truth Bible, named for an online community of Bible-reading women. The Associated Press reports that a Donald Trump endorsed “Patriotic Bible” earned more than $1.3 million last year in royalties.
Christian street preacher cleared of hate crime against Muslims
A Christian street preacher in Swindon has been cleared of religiously aggravated harassment after allegedly saying to a group of Muslims: “We love the Jews”, “Jew haters,” and “Palestine lovers”. Shaun O’Sullivan, 36, was found not guilty by a jury at Swindon Crown Court, saying the case showed “how vital it is to protect freedom of speech and Christian freedom.” His case was backed by Christian Concern, which says that his defence claimed that any remarks were part of a broader message, not personal abuse, and warned that prosecuting public debates risks criminalising protected speech. It said CCTV footage showed a brief encounter with no prolonged confrontation, and witness recollections were inconsistent.
Pope urges return to basics of Christian faith in Nicene Creed
Pope Leo has issued an Apostolic Letter “In unitate fidei “, urging Christians to renew their faith by returning to the Nicene Creed. This familiar statement of faith includes the words: “We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.” The Pope’s comments come days before he is due to embark on his first visit outside Rome, to Lebanon and Turkey, including the city of Iznik, the modern city that occupies the site of Nicaea, where an early church council 1700 years ago, approved the wording of the Nicene Creed. Pope Leo has said in a written statement that the Nicene Creed “remains the heart of the Christian faith, a touchstone for believers amid so many concerns and fears, threats of war and violence, natural disasters, grave injustices and imbalances”.
US fascination with British stone circles
The US based Religion News Service carries a feature on the enduring interest and fascination in ancient religious rites and stone circles in Britain. Yonat Shimron reports on 19 people gathered outside the Church of St. Buryan in Cornwall in a typically English scene, wearing raincoats and boots, preparing for a pilgrimage walk to a stone circle, Boscawen-Ûn, to see the full moon. They were hoping to see the moon rising opposite the sun, but it was overcast and nothing could be seen. Such group encounters are common in Britain, the report says, pointing to the group Stone Club where 3,000 members share a fascination with stone circles, of which there are 800 in Britain, dating back to as early as 10,000 BCE. Walkers tell of a sense of spirituality at these sites, and the report asks how this spiritual quest is expanding in Britain, with fewer people affiliated to Christianity. In the 2021 census, only 74,000 said they were Pagan and most were gathered in Ceredigion, Cornwall and Somerset. RNS story here
Drunk priest crashed bishop’s car into Archers actress’s partner’s vehicle
A parish priest in Lincoln, who crashed the bishop’s car while three times the limit, faces a disciplinary hearing for behaviour falling short of the “high standards expected” of clergy. Father Sion Hughes Carew had been celebrating his birthday with the Bishop of Lincoln, Stephen Conway, when he borrowed the car, drove barefoot, hit a Skoda owned by the partner of Heather Bell, the Archer’s actress who plays Clarrie Grundy, drove up a hill, stalled and rolled back down crashing into a garden wall. At Lincoln magistrates court, he pleaded guilty to drink driving and was banned for two years and fined £873. The CofE said: “The Bishop of Lincoln had no knowledge of the car being taken and did not give permission.” Heather Bell is quoted in The Times saying: “It was a hell of an accident”.
[email protected]
+44 (0) 203 970 0709