Latest news with #Christianity
BBC News
3 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
City feels like home, says new Bishop of Coventry Sophie Jelley
The new Bishop of Coventry has told how she wants to see congregations grow at churches in the area and how the city already feels like Right Reverend Sophie Jelley was officially installed as Coventry's first female bishop in February and moved to the Midlands in May. She began work two weeks ago."To see churches flourish and grow is something that I've been involved in since I became a Christian when I was a teenager." She said she had a strong commitment that all churches with the right support can grow," said Bishop Jelley. She took on the role after Dr Christopher Cocksworth left to become the Dean of Windsor. But Bishop Jelley added: "It's God who gives the growth and we can't always predict that."Speaking to BBC Radio CWR, she described how she was ordained in 1997 and in many of the roles she has taken on since, she has been the first woman in the post."I've been so warmly welcomed that it's been received as a good thing, I think, so far," she added: "Just the warmth of the people has been tremendous and I think that's not so much about gender but just the warmth of the Midlands people really." Before she became its bishop, she had been to Coventry once in her life, she 20th Century cathedral stands alongside the ruins of the original Cathedral of St Michael, which was built between the late 14th and 15th old cathedral was destroyed during the World War Two blitz, in said the first time she saw the cathedral, she was in "awe", adding: "Nothing can prepare you for the story as you walk through from the ruins to the new cathedral." Remembering how she stood in front of Coventry's brightly-coloured Baptistery Window, Bishop Jelley said it reminded her of a place of worship at Sussex University called The Meeting said her father, as a mature student, took her there regularly when she was aged five or six."I loved it in there and it had a similar feel," she said."It was very odd, as if God had been weaving the story of my life… As I stood in front of that window, I felt like I was home." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hans India
10 hours ago
- Hans India
Two held for alleged attempts at religious conversion
Chitradurga : The police have arrested two individuals on charges of attempting to convert people to Christianity by offering various inducements. The arrests were made following a complaint alleging that the accused were conducting meetings in a private residence in Prashant Nagar, Chitradurga, and actively trying to persuade individuals to switch their faith. The complaint, filed by Deepak Raj, accused the individuals of hurting Hindu religious sentiments and attempting to convert people to Christianity through various allurements. Based on this complaint, city police raided the premises and apprehended the two accused, identified as Dhananjaya (35) and Josheva Israel (20). A case has been registered at the Chitradurga City Police Station in connection with the incident. According to the complaint, the individuals were holding regular gatherings at a house in Prashant Nagar. During these meetings, it is alleged that they engaged in discussions that were hurtful to the sentiments of the Hindu faith.
Malaysiakini
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Group backs PN, urges Harapan to honour judicial reform pledge
The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has backed Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan's call to amend Article 121 of the Federal Constitution and restore its original form. MCCBCHST stressed the need to safeguard judicial independence at all times. The council urged the government to carry out the promised...
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
A Spiritual Journey in Qatar: Archbishop Makarios Bids Farewell After 21 Years of Service
Ashraf Siddiqui After more than two decades of dedicated spiritual leadership in Qatar, Archbishop Makarios of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem has stepped down from his post, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the country's religious and interfaith history. Talking exclusively to Qatar Tribune recently on the eve of his departure from Doha,Archbishop Makarios told that he landed in Qatar in 2003, and has served as the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Qatar for 21 years. During his tenure, he witnessed and contributed to the profound transformation of both Qatar as a nation and its Christian expatriate community. Reflecting on his time, he described Doha's dramatic evolution—from a modest city of around 600,000 inhabitants to a thriving metropolis with world-class infrastructure, dynamic interfaith relations, and a flourishing expatriate community. Refreshing his memories, when the Archbishop first arrived, worship services were held in schools, hotels, and makeshift locations. It wasn't until 2005 that the Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, then Amir of State of Qatar, allocated a dedicated plot of land in the Msheireb area for officially recognised Christian denominations. This move, Archbishop Makarios emphasised, was a turning point. It enabled the construction of purpose-built churches and formalised the presence of Christianity in Qatar. Over the years, Archbishop Makarios became a leading figure in interfaith dialogue. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) around 2007–2008, and remained an active participant in its annual conferences and roundtable discussions. These platforms brought together representatives of diverse faiths—Muslims, Christians, and others—to foster mutual understanding and respect in a multicultural society. His church community was equally diverse. Services were conducted in six languages—Greek, Arabic, English, Russian, Romanian, and Serbian—serving congregants from Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He noted that this multiethnic, multilingual environment not only enriched the religious fabric of Qatar, but also broadened his personal and spiritual horizons. Born in Greece and raised in Jerusalem from the age of 12, Archbishop Makarios pursued theological studies in Jerusalem, Serbia, and Jordan. Prior to his assignment in Qatar, he served as a priest in Gaza and various Jordanian cities, where he also learned Arabic. His journey as a spiritual leader was marked by deep immersion in local cultures and languages, enabling him to connect authentically with people across borders. Looking back, Archbishop Makarios described his experience in Qatar as one of the most fruitful periods of his life. As he prepares to take on a new role as Metropolitan of Acre in northern Israel, Archbishop Makarios said he will carry the memories and friendships formed in Qatar with him. Though his official duties will shift, he intends to maintain ties with Qatar, a place he now considers a second home. His departure marks not just the end of an era, but a legacy of faith, diplomacy, and cultural bridge-building that will continue to resonate in Qatar's vibrant religious landscape. Incoming Archbishop Aristovoulos of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has served in various significant locations throughout the Holy Land, including as a conductor at the Holy Sepulchre. He has ministered in Beyjala near Bethlehem, as well as in Madaba, Jordan. Prior to his current appointment, he was entrusted with the pastoral care of all Russian-speaking communities within the Patriarchate.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Adoni MLA draws flak over casteist remarks, tenders apology
Tirupati: Adoni BJP MLA Dr P Venkata Parthasarathi has tendered an apology after his casteist-remarks' video drew criticism from the Dalit and SC-ST communities and from various quarters as well. The Adoni MLA, who went to attend an official programme at Dhanapuram village on June 16, was addressing the villagers from a makeshift stage erected close to the local temple premises. In the video which is going viral, the MLA calls for local sarpanch Chandrasekhar to come onto the stage. But when he can't find the sarpanch, Parthasarathi asks the leaders on the stage if Chandrasekhar was a Christian. Then a local leader identified as Gudise Krishnamma tells the MLA that Chandrasekhar belongs to the SC community, and Chandrasekhar stops himself from going up onto the stage. Various pro-Dalit organisations and human rights forums strongly condemned the incident and demanded an apology from the ruling party legislator after the video of the incident went viral on various social media platforms since Wednesday. Meanwhile, Adoni MLA Parthasarathi clarified that he himself was from the BC community and had taken part in many Dalit movements in the past. "I had no intention to hurt anyone's sentiments on the caste or religious lines. The local sarpanch Chandrasekhar had recently joined the BJP from the YSRCP and when I called up his name to come onto the stage and he wasn't seen anywhere, I doubted if he belonged to Christianity and was reluctant to come onto the stage which was close to the temple premises," he said. Recalling his association with numerous groups fighting for Dalit rights, Parthasarathi stated that he was tendering an open apology if the incident had hurt the sentiments of the Dalit groups and others.
