Latest news with #MuvijaM
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Church of England votes to remove outdated document on sexuality from clergy selection
By Muvija M LONDON (Reuters) -The Church of England's governing body voted on Tuesday to do away with requiring those who want to become clergy to agree to a 1991 document on sexuality, saying some of the assumptions in the paper now appeared prejudicial and offensive. The document, titled "Issues in Human Sexuality," described "homosexual practice as especially dishonourable" and called on homosexual Christians to lead a life of abstinence. The mother church of 85 million Anglicans worldwide said the decision, which marks another step towards making the Anglican faith more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community, was independent of the ongoing "Living in Love and Faith" process that is exploring sexuality and marriage. The CoE's decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples in 2023 deepened divisions both at home, where it is the established church, and in Anglican strongholds in Africa and Asia, where homosexuality remains illegal in some countries. The motion to change the vocations process was passed overwhelmingly at a meeting of the General Synod, made up of bishops, clergy and laity, the CoE said. It added that the move does not alter the Church's doctrine. The paper was originally intended as a teaching document, but had assumed a more definitive role to set out expected conduct within the Church's discernment and vocations process. The 48-page document states that "homophile orientation and its expression in sexual activity do not constitute a parallel and alternative form of human sexuality as complete within the terms of the created order as the heterosexual." "A paper introducing the item to Synod members noted that the tone, language, and some of the assumptions in 'Issues' are now contextually inappropriate, and appear prejudicial and offensive to many people," the CoE statement said. Charles Bączyk-Bell, an openly gay Anglican priest from London, said the document was dated even at the time of publication, and that it had been used to screen people out of the ordination pathway. "Now it has gone ... it opens the way for liberalisation of the church's policy on same sex relationships and means we can stop using it as a kind of reference text,' he told Reuters.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Church of England votes to remove outdated document on sexuality from clergy selection
LONDON (Reuters) -The Church of England's governing body voted on Tuesday to do away with requiring those who want to become clergy to agree to a 1991 document on sexuality, saying some of the assumptions in the paper now appeared prejudicial and offensive. The document, titled "Issues in Human Sexuality," described "homosexual practice as especially dishonourable" and called on homosexual Christians to lead a life of abstinence. The mother church of 85 million Anglicans worldwide said the decision, which marks another step towards making the Anglican faith more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community, was independent of the ongoing "Living in Love and Faith" process that is exploring sexuality and marriage. The CoE's decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples in 2023 deepened divisions both at home, where it is the established church, and in Anglican strongholds in Africa and Asia, where homosexuality remains illegal in some countries. The motion to change the vocations process was passed overwhelmingly at a meeting of the General Synod, made up of bishops, clergy and laity, the CoE said. It added that the move does not alter the Church's doctrine. The paper was originally intended as a teaching document, but had assumed a more definitive role to set out expected conduct within the Church's discernment and vocations process. The 48-page document states that "homophile orientation and its expression in sexual activity do not constitute a parallel and alternative form of human sexuality as complete within the terms of the created order as the heterosexual." "A paper introducing the item to Synod members noted that the tone, language, and some of the assumptions in 'Issues' are now contextually inappropriate, and appear prejudicial and offensive to many people," the CoE statement said. Charles Bączyk-Bell, an openly gay Anglican priest from London, said the document was dated even at the time of publication, and that it had been used to screen people out of the ordination pathway. "Now it has gone ... it opens the way for liberalisation of the church's policy on same sex relationships and means we can stop using it as a kind of reference text,' he told Reuters. (Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK resets ties with Syria as foreign minister visits Damascus
By Muvija M LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Saturday it was reestablishing diplomatic relations with Syria after the country's years-long civil war, as foreign minister David Lammy visited its capital Damascus, pledging 94.5 million pounds ($129 million) in support. "There is renewed hope for the Syrian people," Lammy said in a statement. "It is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians." The West has been slowly resetting its approach to Syria since insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Bashar al-Assad as president in December following more than 13 years of war. Lammy's visit, the first by a British minister in 14 years, comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating a U.S. sanctions program on Syria, ending its isolation from the international financial system and helping it rebuild after the war. Britain also eased its sanctions in April, unfreezing the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities, including banks and oil companies to encourage investments, though it kept in place those targeting members of the former regime. The financial support package announced on Saturday will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syria and support the country's longer-term recovery through developing areas such as education, the government statement said. A stable Syria will reduce the risk of "irregular migration", ensure chemical weapons are destroyed, and tackle the threat of terrorism, Lammy said, after he met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and President Ahmed al-Sharaa. In those meetings, Lammy reiterated the importance of an "inclusive and representative political transition" in Syria and offered Britain's continued support, the statement said. Lammy is also due to travel to Kuwait, where regional security and strengthening bilateral relations will be top of the agenda. He is also expected to announce a new partnership with the Gulf monarchy to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. ($1 = 0.7325 pounds)
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
UK says new car, aerospace tariffs with US to start by end of June
Britain said on Wednesday it expected new tariff arrangements with the United States on cars and aerospace to come into force by the end of the month, following the signing of an agreement two days ago. (Reporting by Muvija M, writing by Sarah Young; editing by William James)
Zawya
11-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UK's Reeves says police spending power will grow by more than $2.7bln
British finance minister Rachel Reeves said that she would increase police spending power by more than 2 billion pounds ($2.70 billion) over the course of a spending review announced on Wednesday. "I am increasing police spending power by an average 2.3% per year in real terms over the spending review period," Reeves told lawmakers "That is more than 2 billion pounds." Reeves had earlier announced that the overall growth in departmental budgets would also be 2.3% in real terms. ($1 = 0.7413 pounds) (Reporting by David Milliken and Muvija M, writing by Alistair Smout, editing by Sarah Young)
