UK & Ireland in Brief

Evangelical refugee campaigner and

en contributor, Dr Krish Kandiah, says

Britons should show the same hospitality to Sudanese refugees as they have done to Ukrainians.

Kandiah, Director of the Sanctuary Foundation, is appealing for UK hosts who are willing to house those fleeing the violence in the north African country (see page 11). He told The Guardian: ‘We’re not asking for unlimited numbers. We’re just asking … that the same opportunity that was given to Ukrainians if they find a sponsor and a host, can happen to a Sudanese person too. The Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Family scheme have been an incredible success, welcoming over 173,500 refugees. We need to show that same generosity of spirit and open hospitality to people from Sudan.’

Christian MP Danny Kruger has been reprimanded by the Prime Minister.

Kruger had told a Conservative event: ‘The normative family, the mother and father sticking together for the sake of the children, is the only basis for a safe and functioning society. Marriage is not only about you, it’s a public act to live for the sake of someone else.’ However, asked if Rishi Sunak agreed, a spokesperson said: ‘No.’

Spurgeon’s College, London, is welcoming US pastor Rick Warren as its first ‘honorary Chancellor’.

Warren is the author of The Purpose-Driven Church. The college said: ‘The ultimate aim of the College and Pastor Warren is to make Jesus known. In this way, their missions are aligned.’ It said he would play a ‘key role’ in supporting the institution.

Heidi Crowter, a 27-year-old woman with Down’s syndrome has announced she will take her landmark anti-discrimination case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Current UK law allows abortion up to birth for Down’s.

Christian charity the Trussell Trust says food banks are having to buy in food because of insufficient donations.

However, a new website – Donation Genie – will now let people know what goods are most required at their local foodbank. Software designer Paul McMurray told the BBC: ‘We want to use the simplicity of technology and kindness of people, then join them together.’

A Hebrew manuscript of Old Testament books more than 1,000 years old has sold for $38.1 million (about £30.6m). It is the most valuable document ever offered at auction.

The Times reported: ‘Set down on parchment in about the year 900, it is the earliest surviving example of an edition containing all 24 books of the Hebrew Bible or Torah.’ It is called the Codex Sassoon and was bought on behalf of a charity linked to the ANU Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.

FIEC congregation West Row Baptist Church in Bury St Edmunds says it is pleased to have hosted its second annual Ladies’ Conference.

Continuing with the ‘Anchored’ theme from last year, this year the focus was resting in the finished work of Christ. Led by Genevieve Jennings of Eden Baptist (Cambridge), 62 ladies from 14 different churches gathered to discuss God’s Word, worship His name in song and prayer, and encourage one another.

British people born since 1980 are more likely than older men and women to believe in hell, a survey says.

The research, reported by The Telegraph website, was carried out by King’s College London (KCL) Policy Institute. KCL professor Bobby Duffy said: ‘While the youngest generations continue to have lower attachment to formal religion, many of them have similar or even greater need to believe that there is “more than this”.’