Category: News affecting the Church

INTERNATIONAL: Criminal attack on Bangladeshi Catholic school

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AMY TURNER

On November 24, vandals attacked and looted the well-known Catholic institution, St. Gregory’s School and College in Old Dhaka.

A mob of 30 to 35 students executed the attack amidst ongoing street violence involving students from multiple colleges. The assault persisted for several hours, causing significant damage estimated at $100,000.

In response to the violence, school authorities have indefinitely suspended classes.

During the attack, the vandals severely damaged the school premises and office rooms. They assaulted two security guards and looted property. The attackers also set off crude bombs, causing panic among those present.

The violence is believed to have been triggered by clashes following the death of Abhijit Halder, a college student, on November 18. His death has been attributed to alleged negligence at Dhaka National Medical College and Hospital.

The interim government, led by the Yunus administration, has condemned the attacks, labelling them as politically motivated. Authorities have pledged to identify and arrest those responsible for the incident.

INTERNATIONAL: U.S. Church nearing end of restoration following arson

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AMY TURNER

A historic San Francisco, CA church, heavily damaged by a fire in March, is now just weeks away from reopening. However, recent heavy rains have presented new challenges, complicating the final stages of restoration.

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church caught fire earlier this year, with flames engulfing the building by the time firefighters arrived. The fire crews focused on battling the blaze from outside to safely control the flames and protect a neighbouring business. The church, a crucial community space, has been undergoing significant repairs ever since.

The fire, which is believed to be an act of arson, left the congregation without a worship space for over two months. During this time, services have taken place outdoors, despite unpredictable and often poor weather conditions.

In addition to its role as a place of worship, St. John the Evangelist serves as a daytime refuge for people experiencing homelessness. The fire temporarily disrupted this vital service, forcing those who rely on the church’s shelter to seek alternatives while repairs were underway.

Despite these setbacks, the church’s leaders remain optimistic. They are determined to finalize the restoration in the coming weeks, aiming to reopen just in time for Christmas.

INTERNATIONAL: Pastor T.D. Jakes Receives Medical Attention After Sermon

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AMY TURNER

Pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a “slight health incident” while delivering a sermon on Sunday at The Potter’s House, his megachurch.

The 67-year-old religious leader was seen pausing and shaking during his hour-long message, prompting several individuals to approach him on stage. Social media footage captured the moment.

The church posted a statement on X saying, “During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community.”

The Potter’s House, founded by Jakes in 1996 and boasting over 30,000 members, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and prayers.

Jakes, who is also an author, film producer, and was a speaker at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, leads a non-denominational church with campuses in Texas and Colorado.

INTERNATIONAL: Nigeria’s Oldest Catholic Priest Dies at Age 104

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JEFF TURNER

The Catholic Diocese of Auchi in Nigeria announced the death of Right Reverend Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, who passed away on November 24, 2024. At 104 years of age, Msgr. Oleghe held the distinction of being Nigeria’s most senior Catholic priest.

Bishop Gabriel Dunia of the Auchi Diocese confirmed that Msgr. Oleghe died in the early hours of Sunday morning at 2:30 a.m. The Diocese plans to hold funeral services for the late priest on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

The announcement came through an official statement from the Diocese of Auchi, located in Nigeria’s Edo State. Bishop Dunia shared the news with the Catholic community through both formal channels and social media.

The Diocese of Auchi made preparations to honour Msgr. Oleghe’s life through a funeral service, acknowledging his lengthy service to the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

This news marks a significant moment for the Catholic community in Nigeria, as Msgr. Oleghe’s age and position made him a notable figure in the country’s religious history.

Canadian Doctor’s COVID Comments Spark Legal Challenge

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

A Canadian family doctor recently lost her legal challenge against a warning she received from medical authorities over comments she made about COVID-19 and religious practices. The case began in 2020 when the doctor, who is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, publicly objected to her church’s decision to stop using a shared communion spoon during the pandemic.

The doctor wrote several online posts and letters about the issue, signing them with her medical credentials and identifying herself as a “front line physician.” In these communications, she argued that diseases had never been transmitted through communion in the church’s 2,000-year history and suggested that COVID-19 was being used as a pretext to change religious practices. She also compared COVID-19 to other diseases like HIV and SARS, noting that communion practices hadn’t changed during those outbreaks.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons received a complaint about these statements, leading to an investigation. While the College acknowledged that the doctor was expressing religious rather than medical views, they were concerned that her use of medical credentials could lead people to believe she was speaking with medical authority about public health measures. As a result, they issued her a caution to be more mindful of her tone and clarity when discussing public health-related information, given her position of trust as a physician.

The doctor appealed this decision to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB), arguing that it violated her right to express her religious beliefs. However, the Board upheld the original decision, noting that while the doctor was free to express her religious views, the concern was specifically about her identifying herself as a physician while making these statements about disease transmission during a pandemic.

Finally, the doctor took her case to court for judicial review, but the court dismissed her appeal. The judges found that the original decision to issue a caution was reasonable and appropriately balanced the doctor’s right to religious expression with the medical profession’s duty to protect public health. They emphasized that the caution was meant to be educational rather than punitive, and that it didn’t prevent her from expressing her religious views – it only addressed her use of medical credentials while doing so.