world news brief

Vatican withdraws ‘colonial’ stamps

stamp Holy See To commemorate World Youth Day 2023 in Portugal (a Roman Catholic The festival, which runs from Aug. 1-6), was withdrawn after criticism for depicting a 20th-century monument “reminiscent of the colonial past,” Vatican News reported. stamp, more thanshow Francis Lead a group of kids up to the Lisbon Monument of Discoveries, erected in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Portuguese explorer Henri the Navigator. The idea of ​​the stamp was to represent the pope leading children into the future; however, it was withdrawn by the provincial government of the Vatican City State because it was “far removed from Pope Francis’ message of universal love”.

WCC regrets G7 communiqué on climate

six faith-based organizations, led by world council of churches (WCC), has written an open letter to G7 leaders meeting this week in Hiroshima, expressing disappointment at their lack of progress on phasing out fossil fuels and funding Climate-related loss and damage. WCC, Green Anglicans, Green Faith, Global Islamic Relief, Si Laudato Si’ Movement and Soka Gakkai International wrote: “Like many of the world’s wealthiest nations, your governments continue to support new Fossil fuel projects.” In a communiqué, G7 leaders called public investment in fossil fuels “appropriate,” called for expansion of the gas sector and blocked efforts to phase out domestic coal by 2030. Director of Public Witness and Diakonia at WCC, the Reverend Dr Kenneth Mtata said: “Fossil fuels are by far the largest contributor to climate change and the fossil fuel economy must stop now for the sake of the most vulnerable future generations.”

Primate lists tasks for new Nigerian government

Primates Anglican Church of NigeriaThe most respected Henry Ndukuba laid out a nine-point plan for the incoming government. President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, incoming governor and member of the 10th National Assembly will take office on Monday. In his address to the president of the 12th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, Archbishop Ndukuba said the new government “has a sense of mission and opportunity to make a difference in the service of God and humanity”. Tinubu, the Governor, and national and state legislators should do their due diligence on: safety of life and property; education; health care; economy; rule of law and law enforcement; all-encompassing government; addressing infrastructure neglect; getting key industries up and running; s country.

U.S. Navy urged to close polluting fuel facilities

Episcopalians and interfaith partners in Hawaii have begun writing letters to President Biden and his secretary of defense calling for the permanent closure of the Red Mountain World War II-era underground military storage facility on Oahu, Hawaii, ENS reports. The facility has a history of leaks and ongoing leaks and is located 100 feet below the water supply from the aquifer on which the islanders depend. The Reverend Jenn Latham, vice chancellor of the Nativity Episcopal Church and co-chair of the Diocese of Hawaii Environmental Justice and Creation Conservation Task Force, complained that the U.S. Navy “has been talking about not being able to pump oil until the summer of 2024, and then shutting down completely in 2027. . . In order for Oahu to continue to sustain human, animal and plant life, we need clean water.” The letters called for a civilian task force, oversight and transparency. The closure order was approved in March last year. “Until Red Hill is completely closed, our land and our people are at great risk,” the letter said.

Anglican virologist chairs scientific committee

Revd Professor Kwamena Sagoe will co-chair Anglican Church Scientific Council (ACSC), with bishop of oxford, Dr. Steven Croft, made the announcement this week. Professor Sagoe has been a member of the ACSC since its inception in 2021. He is the Head of the Virology Department, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana. His research interests include genetic variability and impact on viral function, vaccine development and therapeutics, and blood-borne viruses. “Technological advances, environmental degradation, climate change, and several other issues make it critical for the church to actively address issues related to the connection between science and faith,” he said.