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Dalai Lama to JK Rowling

15th June 2020 By

What the papers said in the week ending June 13

A troubled week. The World-wide Covid-19 crisis rumbles on, but headlines have been drawn to matters of racial inequality and suppressed anger following the death of George Floyd who was killed by an arresting policeman in the USA

Religion

Within this time of turmoil the Dalai Lama is releasing a recording of his words called ‘Inner World’ July 6th in celebration of his 85th birthday and to support peace amongst people. Already ‘Compassion’ is available freely online:

https://www.lionsroar.com/listen-to-compassion-from-the-dalai-lamas-new-album-inner-world/

In other developments:

  • The return to normal patterns of worship is planned to proceed differently for different faiths, depending on the details of their routines

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/07/religious-leaders-split-over-reopening-places-of-worship-in-england

  • Rare ancient Islamic texts are being made available on line by the National Israeli Library

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/08/2500-rare-islamic-texts-go-online-free

  • The Archbishop of York is planning final sermons in this role as he nears retirement

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/5-june/news/uk/sentamu-to-preach-at-trinity-sunday-online-service-before-retiring

Covid-19 stories

There are many references to reflections that the delay in implementing lock-down in the UK has cost lives:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52955034

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/10/uk-coronavirus-lockdown-20000-lives-boris-johnson-neil-ferguson

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/11/british-clampdown-on-non-essential-travel-came-a-week-too-late

  • Some people feel it is right to take the government to court for mismanagement which has had lethal consequences for older people and others in vulnerable groups:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/bereaved-relatives-call-for-immediate-inquiry-into-covid-19-crisis

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/matt-hancock-faces-legal-action-from-daughter-of-covid-19-care-home-victim

  • Hazards have not been confined to the direct threat of the virus as resources have been sucked away from others in need

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/08/britons-life-threatening-conditions-denied-care-coronavirus-pandemic

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/11/cancer-patients-missed-out-on-tests-during-uk-coronavirus-lockdown

  • There is suspicion and continuing fury at the behaviour of some senior figures in government

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jun/12/chief-nurse-dropped-from-no-10-briefing-for-not-backing-cummings

  • Elsewhere there is encouragement that the virus, and the consequences of its presence, can be overcome: New Zealand feels confident that the virus has been banished from their shores:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/08/new-zealand-abandons-covid-19-restrictions-after-nation-declared-no-cases

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/09/a-beautiful-day-new-zealand-handshakes-and-hugs-its-way-back-to-pre-covid-19-life

  • Cuba is praised for its healthcare system which employs many doctors and they are active in local communities – managing potential problems by personal contacts and knowledge. Their performance in the Covid-19 situation has been impressive

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/07/cuba-coronavirus-success-contact-tracing-isolation

  • The spread of the virus in countries beyond Europe remains frightening, with many counties ill-equipped and ill-prepared to cope

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

 

Black Lives Matter

In the wake of the outrage at the killing of George Floyd and then the toppling of a statue in Bristol, we have become painfully aware of how many statues in this country celebrate men who made fortunes with trade in slaves. The fact that these men gave monies to what we look on as good works does not right the wrong

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/10/after-colston-figures-such-as-drake-and-peel-could-be-next

Meanwhile much more recent injustices still remain to be corrected:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/12/windrush-generation-justioce

 

Consequences of the Convid-19 crisis

  • Singing together on line is possible and popular

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/12/singing-together-nice-virtual-choirs-thrive-amid-lockdown-nhs

There is pressure to open public toilets

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/12/public-toilets-are-a-pressing-problem

  • People are enjoying home baking and traditional flour mills are responding to help

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/07/back-to-the-grind-ancient-mills-boosted-by-flour-shortage-during-covid-19-lockdown

  • But there is serious risk of establishment crashing: Local Authorities, already threadbare now talk of bankruptcy https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/11/covid-19-crisis-means-englands-local-authorities-could-go-bust-warn-mayors
  • Museums. Schools, art centres are fearing closure for lack of revenue: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/11/jane-austen-museum-under-threat-due-to-coronavirus

 

The world goes on despite Covid-19

  • We learn that the probation service is to return to public ownership – not because of Covid-19 but because its privatisation proved to be a disaster. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/11/probation-services-to-return-to-public-control-after-grayling-disasters
  • It seems possible that other essential services could follow this course, as the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic threaten the economic viability of several privatised services
  • Research suggests that people who think positively are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/08/negative-thought-can-raise-risk-dementia/
  • Questions on attitudes to sexual orientation are raising another area of concern and distress, with suggestions of differences based on age https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jun/12/jk-rowling-row-hints-at-generational-rift-on-transgender-rights

J.K. Rowling Writes about Her Reasons for Speaking out on Sex and Gender Issues – J.K. Rowling

 

David Jolley

Filed Under: NEWS

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Speaking Out

There are some things which just have to be said.  We have to speak out because at the heart of the Christian message is our belief that God is not silent.  God has spoken through creation itself and the evolving universe; through the human story; through the dwelling of Jesus Christ in time; through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each believer; through the inspiration of the scriptures; and through the wisdom and the teaching of the Church through the ages.

We use words all the time.  Words of welcome.  Words of wisdom.  Words of warmth.  Words of warning.  Words of wistfulness.  Our words are wasted if words are just words.   In the beginning was the Word.  And the Word was with God.  And the Word was God.  Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made things happen.

As Christians, as followers of the Word, we do something about what we have heard.  Our own best words are our actions.

Please tell us what you would like us to Speak Out about by contacting:  info@ccoa.org.uk

 

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Stressing times

A slow response to dire need

The fortunes of war and finance

Grim news on all fronts

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Reflect and Pray

Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with you. Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in your hand. Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.”

St Brendan the Navigator   484-577

Prayers and Reflections

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