Statues and slavery.

After a 40 year non-violent campaign mostly led by the black community to have Colston's statue moved to a museum, a campaign that got absolutely nowhere, frustration and anger and a global anti-racist mood finally brought about the statue's downfall. It didn't have to be this way. If those with the power to do so had simply listened sensitively to a hurting community and just moved the statue in the first place, this would not now be on our news feeds. 

For those who don't know, Edward Colston was a Tory businessman and 'philanthropist' from the late 17th and early 18th Century who made his money shipping almost 100,000 men women and children from their homes into slavery and into an early and brutish death on the plantations of the British colonies. 

During his time in control of the company, at least 19,000 Black people were dumped into the sea if they got sick or died on the journey from Africa to the plantations. That is why the statue got symbolically dumped into the harbour. 

The layout of a slave ship in the pictures below should be a help to those who are struggling to work out how they feel about all that has taken place. As should the picture of a slave, a person, being tossed into the ocean to drown.

The debate about whether the removal of a statue is a violent act or not is dwarfed by the sheer evil and violence of slavery.

I'm no fan of the failure of social distancing that a minority of the Black Lives Matter protests have shown - but I would say that most protesters in most cities have stuck to the rules and worn masks and kept their distance. But none of the complaints about protesting during a pandemic is a justification for allowing statues of mass murderers to simply be an acceptable part of our landscape, no matter how 'philanthropic' the people they represent may appear. As has often been said, a statue of Jimmy Saville would have soon been torn down in Leeds despite all his 'Jim'll fix it' philanthropy. People should not have to see their abusers glorified.

As in all abuse, the effects of that violation are still to be felt long after the event. Not just in the modern repercussions of racism in heath issues, housing policy, education and employment, but in the actual memory of slavery and the idea that one group of people are inferior to another. For those who are interested, it was only in 2015 that we finally finished paying the debt borrowed by the UK state to pay off the slave owners after the abolition of slavery act in 1833. It was the biggest payment in our history, more than the bankers bailout in 2008. It was 40% of our entire GDP. Not a penny went to slaves who still had to work as interns for free for a further 5 years.

I hope the statue is a replaced by something that stands for hope and kindness, or at the very least, remembers the horrors of all those dumped mercilessly in the sea whilst making huge profits for our elites.

Sorry seems to be the hardest word.

I'm sorry, Dominic Cummings is not a 'victim' in all this. We were told to stay at home if we displayed symptoms. Not drive 260 miles to the North East.

He travelled to the North East knowing he probably had a deadly virus, knowing that on a 260 mile car journey he could have given that virus to his wife (who was already sick) and a vulnerable 4 year old child. He should of self isolated in his own home and sort help if it was needed.

If the family were worried about his eyesight for driving home, why did they go for a 60 mile round trip drive to Barnard Castle with his wife and a child in the back seat, putting everyone in danger? It simply beggars belief.

Mr Cummings is simply not able to say: 'Sorry, in the difficult and stressful situation I found myself in, I may have made mistakes'. If he had said; 'I was worried about my wife and child, and I just tried to do what was best for them, and I may have made mistakes', public opinion may have moved on.

However, he cannot bring himself to say sorry. I have met people like this on many occasions. They are arrogant and detached, and they often get away with whatever they want. They are entitled, and believe they can justify everything that they do.

He will not go. Cummings and Johnson have let down the nation, but they will hold onto power at whatever cost. We can only hope there will be much, much greater scrutiny of everything he and Johnson get up to from this day forward.

Why Dominic Cummings might get away with murder

I'm pretty sure that they will defend Dominic Cummings till the bitter end, despite it being pretty clear that he broke the government guidelines over his journey to his family's home up here in the North East. 

He may have had good reason to. Getting family members to help look after his 5 year old child is a strong public defence that many will accept and some may even applaud. It's just that nobody else was able to do that. We all stayed at home and isolated ourselves - especially if we were ill. 

To travel, and to knowingly realise you may spread the virus from one end of the country to another, and even perhaps infect relatives is actually morally reprehensible. Anyone else may quickly be disposed of, sacked or simply forced to resign and move on to cause havoc elsewhere.

Not so with Cummings. He believes he can do whatever he likes, and get away with it. And he is right. He knows that if he goes, the whole gang of them will have to go; that he has built an empire that depends on him getting away with it. Without him, Johnson must go, without Johnson, the whole Tory party project, Brexit and all, would unravel.

So I think he'll stay. My only hope is that his political and personal credibility is so weakened by his selfish actions, that even he will pay a price in the end. With at least 55,000 deaths out there, many due to the incompetence of this government, maybe I don't want him to slink away in disgrace. Maybe I want him and Johnson held accountable for their failings.

Jesus warned us about folk like him. The hired hand who does not care about the flock, but flees in terror when danger lurks, regardless of the cost to others. The quicker he is out of the picture, the safer it will be for all of us.

The Covid-19 Time line that needs to be remembered

I saw this timeline and thought it needs to be remembered (it doesn't even get us to the current advice fiasco and the real death toll) We will need to hold people to account one day:

December 31st China alerts WHO to new virus.

January 23rd Study reveals a third of China’s patients require intensive care.

January 24th Boris Johnson misses first Cobra meeting.

January 29th Boris Johnson misses second Cobra meeting.

January 31st The NHS declares first ever ‘Level 4 critical incident’ Meanwhile, the government declines to join European scheme to source PPE.

February 5th Boris Johnson misses third Cobra meeting.

February 12th Boris Johnson misses fourth Cobra meeting. Exeter University published study warning Coronavirus could infect 45 million people in the UK if left unchallenged.

February 13th Boris Johnson misses conference call with European leaders.

February 14th Boris Johnson goes away on holiday. Aides are told keeps Johnson’s briefing notes short or he will not read them.

February 18th Johnson misses fifth cobra meeting.

February 26th Boris Johnson announces ‘Herd Immunity’ strategy, announcing some people will lose loved ones. Government document is leaked, predicting half a million Brits could die in ‘worse case scenario’

February 29th Boris Johnson retreats to his country manor. NHS warns of ‘PPE shortage nightmare’ Stockpiles have dwindled or expired after years of austerity cuts.

March 2nd Boris Johnson attends his first Cobra meeting, declining another opportunity to join European PPE scheme. Government’s own scientists say over half a million Brit’s could die if virus left unrestrained. Johnson tells country “We are very, very well prepared.”

March 3rd Scientists urge Government to advise public not to shake hands. Boris Johnson brags about shaking hands of Coronavirus patients.

March 4th Government stops providing daily updates on virus following a 70% spike in UK cases. They will later U-turn on this amid accusations they are withholding vital information.

March 5th Boris Johnson tells public to ‘wash their hands and business as usual’

March 7th Boris Johnson joins 82,000 people at Six Nations match.

March 9th After Ireland cancels St Patrick’s day parades, the government says there’s “No Rationale” for cancelling sporting events.

March 10th - 13th Cheltenham takes place, more than a quarter of a million people attend.

March 11th 3,000 Atletico Madrid fans fly to Liverpool.

March 12th Boris Johnson states banning events such as Cheltenham will have little effect. The Imperial College study finds the government’s plan is projected to kill half a million people.

March 13th The FA suspends the Premier League, citing an absence of Government guidance. Britain is invited to join European scheme for joint purchase of ventilators, and refuses. Boris Johnson lifts restrictions of those arriving from Coronavirus hot spots.

March 14th Government is still allowing mass gatherings, as Stereophonics play to 5,000 people in Cardiff.

March 16th Boris Johnson asks Britons not to go to pubs, but allows them to stay open. During a conference call, Johnson jokes that push to build new ventilators should be called ‘Operation Last Gasp’

March 19th Hospital patients with Coronavirus are returned to care homes in a bid to free up hospital space. What follows is a boom of virus cases in care homes.

March 20th The Government states that PPE shortage crisis is “Completely resolved” Less than two weeks later, the British Medical Association reports an acute shortage in PPE.

March 23rd UK goes into lockdown.

March 26th Boris Johnson is accused of putting ‘Brexit over Breathing’ by not joining EU ventilator scheme. The government then state they had not joined the scheme because they had ‘missed the email’

April 1st The Evening Standard publishes that just 0.17% of NHS staff have been tested for the virus.

April 3rd The UK death toll overtakes China.

April 5th 17.5 million Antibody tests, ordered by the government and described by Boris Johnson as a ‘game changer’ are found to be a failure.

April 7th Boris Johnson is moved to intensive care with Coronavirus.

April 16th Flights bring 15,000 people a day into the UK - without virus testing.

April 17th Health Secretary Matt Hancock says “I would love to be able to wave a magic wand and have PPE fall from the sky.” The UK has now missed four opportunities to join the EU’s PPE scheme.

April 21st The Government fails to reach its target of face masks for the NHS, as it is revealed manufactures offers of help were met with silence. Instead millions of pieces of PPE are being shipped from the UK to Europe.

April 23rd - 24th Government announces testing kits for 10 million key workers. Orders run out within minutes as only 5,000 are made available.

April 25th UK death toll from Coronavirus overtakes that of The Blitz.

April 30th Boris Johnson announces the UK has succeeded in avoiding a tragedy that had engulfed other parts of the world - At this point, The UK has the 3rd highest death toll in the world.

May 1st The Government announces it has reached its target of 100,000 tests - They haven’t conducted the tests, but posted the testing kits.

May 5th The UK death toll becomes the highest in Europe.

May 6th Boris Johnson announces the UK could start to lift lockdown restrictions by next week.

May 10th Johnson abandons the slogan 'Stay at home' and begins to use 'Stay Alert'. There follows days of confusion as to who should be going back to work, whether masks should be worn in certain situations, whether public transport ought to be used and whether schools would be reopening. Scotland keeps the 'Stay at home' slogan

May 19th The office of National Statistics announce that the excess deaths in the UK for the same period over the average for the last 5 years is over 55,000. The best estimate so far of the true cost in lives of the pandemic in the UK 

Liberation Theology in a time of a pandemic

Well, firstly - I want to say that I love you. The first act of a liberating theology is to declare God's love for the whole of creation. You are loved, and God wants us to love each other whatever happens. This planet and all that live on it are made for love. Thank you for the love you share with all around you.

It may be hard to feel this love in the beginning of a Pandemic. When I say 'beginning', I do not refer to 'peaks' or death rates. Here in the UK, we are hopefully well over our 'peak' (I write this blog in mid-May, the latest daily death toll is below 200 people) I say beginning, because we have such a long way to go. The pandemic is being contained in Europe, but elsewhere there are worrying signs of the spread of contagion, especially in parts of South America. Until affordable and workable vaccines are available to everyone, we are in uncertain territory.

Of course the real cost of the pandemic in terms of lives will perhaps never be determined. Speaking from Sunderland, a region in the North East of England that has suffered some of the highest death rates per head in the world so far, I'm horrified at the human cost. Perhaps as many as 1 in every 1000 people have died here as a result of the virus.

We are only beginning to see the real cost in people's lives. In terms of mental health, those costs will clearly be high. In terms of finances - we are only at the beginning of realising the economic cost on our society. Youth employment is about to soar; small businesses will be hit very hard; universities will lose staff and pay a heavy price. In the UK we were all expecting cuts due to the impact of Brexit on the economy, now we face much deeper impacts on public finances than we could ever have imagined.

What does liberation theology have to say into all this? Firstly, it must be said that liberationists mostly believe that theology is a reaction to communities, not individuals. These are my own personal views, but a real reaction will come out of listening and sharing our experiences in community. The virus has curtailed those communications, especially with the most marginalised. 'Stay at home' policies mean that communication is limited to those with good access to technology and is largely dictated by mainstream media or by our limited social networks. Who we listen and talk to is often those least affected by such a crisis. It will take time to work out our community response to the pandemic for these reasons, but some things are clear.

One. Pandemics do not affect everyone equally. Pandemics openly display the fault lines in our societies. It exposes the gaps that blatantly exist between the powerful and the powerless, between the rich and the poor, between the black and white, between men and women. The virus can hit anyone, and our Prime Ministers hospitalisation showed that, but the real socio-economic impacts between different communities couldn't be more obvious. The poorer you are, the more exposed you are to overcrowded housing; the more likely you are to be in low paid 'key worker' professions; the health of your community and the resources available to your community all affect your chances of survival.

Early on in Pandemic, it became clear that BAME communities were hit hardest in London, ministers made remarks about checking to see if there was a 'genetic' reason for this, rather than easily admitting that our BAME communities had faced systematic healthcare and economic inequalities throughout our country's history. Then the worse death rates began to occur here in the North East, among poor white working class communities, and it became obvious that the dangers of exposure and chances of survival were clearly down to poverty, not genetics.

Liberation Theology points out those inequalities, and shouts out 'that is not what God wants!' This not how it is meant to be. In the Kingdom of God, no community is left behind. God's abundance is designed for all.

Two. Isolation is not how we are meant to live. Humans are collective in nature and design; we all matter to each other. The Ubuntu theology of Africa sums this up perfectly when it says that 'I am who I am because you are what you are'. Our interconnectivity is God designed. Of course we must all separate to stop infection rates, but this has only highlighted how much we all depend on each other, and how our own wellbeing is connected to our neighbours. The longing for community is expressed beautifully in the weekly clapping for our health care heroes. It is an act of community; it is an act of deep solidarity.

Three. Church is about solidarity and mutual aid. The buildings have become redundant. And though some of us clamour for the security of the familiar surroundings, the architecture and rituals that we are so familiar with, we all realise that 'church' is actually people. We break bread together when we share our resources. The Eucharist, the breaking of bread, takes on a new meaning when my neighbour brings round a loaf that he has made, when we take our offering down to the local foodbank. Churches at their best have served their local communities, especially the most vulnerable. Even at a safe social distance they have 'washed the feet' of their neighbours. Churches have been models of 'mutual aid', systems of looking after communities, whether they are members or not. Mosques have fed the hungry. Sikh temples have turned their kitchens over to the needs of the whole community. It is a beautiful insight into what the reign of God's love can look like.

Four. The reign of God turns our world upside down. It is the lowly who have been lifted up. It is the key workers, the healthcare workers, the shelf stackers, the cooks and cleaners who have become the heroes. And the rich have been brought low - with their failure to act with compassion or to organise Personal Protection Equipment for those on the frontline. Scripture points endlessly to this as God's reality, God's desire for humanity - that we should see a world where the powerful are brought low and the powerless lifted up.

Five. Another world is possible. A greener, fairer world is not just a fantasy - we could have it. People could fly less, could cycle more. Nature could heal itself if we stopped buggering it all up. The lockdown has exposed in our minds the possibilities of a new world to come. We cannot pretend we are anywhere near that yet, or that capitalism will not relentlessly go back to business as usual as soon as it can (and indeed, looking at the logging rates in Brazil, will actually try to do its worst even during a pandemic) but we are finally exposed to the reality that the world can be different. Liberation theologians and all progressive people must hold on to those possibilities and work to make them a reality.

That's enough for now. There is too much to do to spend too much time writing about the situation. Liberation theologians must never merely interpret the world. The point, as ever, is to change it.

Liberation Theology article for Student Christian Movement

Exploring Liberation Theology

By Chris Howson

When was the last time you did an act of solidarity with the poor? What do you do with your time and resources and does it help liberate yourself and others from oppressions such as racism, poverty and sexism? Do you reflect on issues of power and wealth in the light of scripture and the teachings of Jesus?

Liberation theology burst into the world in the 1970s and 80s when it was seen as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, made visible through the struggles of poor communities  in some of the most deprived parts of the world.  In Latin America priests and lay people were killed in their tens of thousands for advocating an ‘option for the poor’. The death of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador in 1980 brought these struggles into the homes of North America and Europe. In the context of Apartheid in South Africa, Priests such as Desmond Tutu used Liberation Theology to help articulate the way people of faith must struggle for freedom.

Liberation Theology has a much longer history, and is rooted in scripture that states that Christ has come “to preach good news to the poor...proclaim freedom for the prisoners...release the oppressed...proclaim the year of Jubilee” (release from debts) from Luke 4 v 18-19.

Jesus is born into the world on the margins of society, and sought though his ministry to support those also on the margins. He was brought up on the knee of a Jewish peasant woman who sang songs such as “God has brought down rulers from their thrones and has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1 v 52).

For Liberation theologians, the killing of Jesus by powerful political elites was overturned by the resurrection, proof that God was on the side of the victims of oppression. Jesus’ teachings and way of discipleship encourages us to live out non-violent resistance to injustices and gives us new ways of living in community which herald ‘The Kingdom of God’.

In the 20th Century, the work of the civil rights movement, embodied by people such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, began the process of developing a theology actively linked to issues of freedom and liberation. The experience of the poor in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America forced Christians to re-evaluate many aspects of traditional Western theology. Most of the debates within the Church seemed irrelevant in the wake of crushing poverty and hunger, as well as unjust political systems that stifled democracy and murdered opponents. Especially in Latin America, theologians such as Gustavo Gutierrez (Peru) Leonardo Boff (Brazil) Jose Segundo (Uruguay) Elsa Tamez (Costa Rica) articulated scriptural and philosophical issues raised in ‘Base Ecclesial Communities’ and developed a form of Church that proved relevant to the experience of the people.

By understanding the economic and political contexts of people’s struggles, liberation theology birthed ‘liberated theologies’ that responded to the real life situation of people, often groups previously marginalised and silenced. Feminist, Black, Dalit (India), Minjung (Korea), Womanist (Black women) Disabled, and LGBT theologies are all related to Liberation Theology.  Within the UK, Liberation Theology has been associated with urban poverty, peace movements, human rights and development organisations, alongside those both within and outside the church who are resisting capitalist austerity programs and various forms of oppression.

Liberation Theology ultimately demands us to answer the difficult questions: In the face of global poverty, massive inequality and environmental destruction, how does our theology help build up God’s vision of a better world? If it doesn’t liberate, is it really theology?

Revd Chris Howson is Chaplain to the University of Sunderland and author of ‘A Just Church: 21st Century Liberation Theology in Action’

For Further Reading and Exploration:

You could start of by looking at Leonardo Boff, Gustavo Gutierrez, Kathy Galloway, Elsa Tamez, Ched Myers or even reading ‘A Just Church’ exploring UK liberation theology. However, Liberation Theology asks that you engage with the people’s struggles first, and then reflect on them in the light of scripture and tradition. So why not go out there and get stuck in, there is plenty to do!

Be-attitude-for-mothers-day.

Blessed are mums who are living in poverty - for they still manage to create heaven on earth for their kids. 

Blessed are mums whose children have died - we will comfort all who feel lost this day. 

Blessed are the mums who are homeless - we shall fight for their right to shelter and safety. 

Blessed are the mums who hunger and thirst for what is right - we will be victorious together! Blessed are the merciful mothers - for they teach us how to forgive. 

Blessed are mums who, despite all they have suffered, have pure hearts - they have helped us to see God in everything. Blessed are the women who are peacemakers in our families and communities - for they have created children who are peacemakers. 

Blessed are women and mums who are persecuted for the cause of justice - the future will be yours. 

Blessed are the women who are victims of violence and endure sexism because they follow the call of feminism and equality - this is how people treated the suffragettes and all the great prophets who have gone before us to bring equality and freedom for all.

Be-attitude-for-mothers-day.

Blame it on Fidel

As millions of Cubans gather today on the streets of every corner of their small nation, the war on Castro continues in the West. According to the media of North America and Europe, Fidel was the world's longest lived dictator - a scourge on human rights, an authoritarian leader who allowed no dissent from his path of communism.

Yet for 100's of millions of people across the globe, especially in Latin America, Africa and Asia, he will be viewed very differently. He will be seen as a great leader, who liberated his people from a US backed dictator, who then stood up to half a century of US aggression whilst at the same time developing one of the most egalitarian regimes the world has ever seen.

What cannot be denied is that Cuba has punched well beyond its weight. In comparison to similar nations, its health care and education systems are indeed remarkable, and have benefited the lives of more than just the Cuban people. A Caribbean student who stayed with us recently got their first degree in Cuba. It was free. Completely. Including accommodation and food. And compared to the levels of teaching in the Yorkshire University she was then studying at - the Cuban model outshone by far, despite the thousands of pounds it was costing her to study in the UK.

In terms of Health, Cuba still sends out more doctors abroad than MSF, Red Cross and the World Health Organisation combined. When the Ebola virus took hold, the Cubans responded first, in greater numbers than any other country, and stayed as long as was needed to curb the threat. Watch the Michael Moore film 'Sicko' if you want to see the Cuban health care system in operation.

I met Cuban doctors in Montevideo who were working with the poorest people in the city, people living with HIV and AIDs, The doctors were remarkably dedicated, and though critical of many of the problems Cuba faced, they remained genuinely loyal to the system that had educated them and encouraged them to go out and 'heal the nations'

I constantly meet churches in the UK who are praying for the persecuted Christians in Cuba. US backed 'Human Rights Organisations' claimed that Christianity was viciously oppressed in Cuba. When I tell them that I had been ordained by the Bishop of Cuba they are shocked to hear a different story. Christianity has thrived alongside socialist Cuba. In the early days of the revolution, the Church was still embedded to those who had benefited from Batista's regime, and there was open hostility for several decades. But things improved. The only Christians who are in danger in Cuba were those that happily accepted millions of dollars from the US to help destabilise the Cuban government.

But surely, Cuba should tolerate such dissent? Surely it should allow Western style democracy to exist? I think that while that hope of democratic socialism should be striven for, we cannot ignore the context of US aggression towards Cuba. Nearly 1000 attempts on Castro's life over 5 decades. 4000 Cubans killed in terrorist attacks launched from US soil (In the US there are countless folk who roam free despite having bombed innocent people in Cuba) The economic blockade of Cuba is well known, but what is not so well known is the US backed attempts to introduce diseases such a Swine fever onto the Island to completely destabilise the economy and cause mass poverty and illness. With all this going on (and a US backed attempt to invade Cuba in 1961) it is easy to understand why it has been hard to build a Western style democracy in Cuba.

Of course there are things that have needed to be corrected. Attitudes to the LGBT community have had to change since the 80's and 90's when it was mistakenly believed that HIV and AIDs was being introduced to Cuba by the US in an attempt to destroy the economy. But attitudes to LGBT issues have had to improve worldwide, it would be hard to convince anyone that Cuba had been especially homophobic as has been suggested by some of the western media.

The film 'Blame it on Fidel' is a great movie set in the world of European socialism, see it if you can. but far from blame, we owe Fidel a debt of gratitude. The Cuban model is a counterweight to the disastrous policies that Western style Capitalism has brought the world. Castro's work to encourage socialism around the globe, the Cuban people's struggle against Apartheid in the 80's and against Western Imperialism throughout the world  - these are achievements to be amazed at and celebrated.

So, at the risk of complaints from good friends, (My book 'A Just Church' received some criticism for its segments on Cuba and Venezuela)  I say a fond farewell to Fidel. Thank you for your example and commitment to a better world. Your flaws are out weighed by your enormous achievements. May you rest in peace, and rise to witness an egalitarian regime that you could only dream of.

Remembering Romero

It is 36 years since Archbishop Oscar Romero was brutally gunned down in the small chapel at the hospital beside where he lived in the San Salvador.

Today is Maundy Thursday, and as I took part in the Eucharistic service in the Minster, I could not help but recall the pictures of his bloodied body, pictures used to make up a 'stations of the cross' event a few years ago at a previous Romero memorial event.

Why do we choose to remember this horrific event, the assassination of a religious leader in a country very few people have ever visited?

Romero was the epitome of someone who was so moved by the plight of the poor and the oppressed that he gave every aspect of his life to the pursuit of challenging those oppressions. He, like most of the church, like most of those who can afford to, could have easily avoided clashing with the brutality of living with militarism. He could of accepted protection from the very state that was killing his country folk. He could of lived in a nice house, been comfortable and not upset the status quo. In fact, that was what everyone expected of him.

Instead, he spoke out about every injustice he encountered. He refused to stay silent or accept the bribe of a safe and comfortable life. He risked his life endlessly in the 3 years of his Archbishopric, and became a true champion of the poor.

In an era increasingly polarised between rich and poor, in a society constantly brutalised, we need to remember the Romero's of this world. Those who are prepared to stand in solidarity with the persecuted, holding on to our common humanity and dignity.

Maundy Thursday holds up the image of the 'servant king' washing the feet of his followers, serving them right up to the end, to his own murder at the hands of a repressive government.  This is the ideal day to remember Romero.  

Taize Againt The Tanks

This year sees the return of the DSEi (Defence, Security Equipment International) weapons fair down in London. Held at the Excel exhibition centre in the docklands area, it is said to be the biggest arms fair of its kind in the world.

30,000 delegates from 150 countries will view and buy the latest military equipment from the worlds arms manufacturers. Britain is now the second biggest exporter of 'defence' equipment, with over £8 billion sales in 2014, and over £3 billion in 'security' equipment.

Unfortunately, so much of this weaponry ends up in the hands of countries who have appalling human rights records, or happily use the weapons to attack other nations. Worse still, these weapons end up being the ones used in the in conflict zones such as Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

The arms trade is one of the root causes of our current refugee crisis. We fuel the conflicts of tomorrow right here in London.

So we tried to highlight the madness of the arms trade, by attempting to disrupt the preparation for the fair. This meant teams of people getting in front of trucks and military vehicles entering the Excel centre. Each day, different groups took turns to cause mayhem. I joined in on the 'Stop arming Israel' and the 'No faith in war' days.

It was inspirational to watch so many different groups take it in turns to block the entrance, using dancing, painting and even funeral processions.

My own contribution was to hold a service in the road using Taize style chants. Taize (an ecumenical community in France) is a place of peace and reconciliation, so it seemed to make sense to use the simple singling style as a way of pursuing Non Violent Direct Action.

As we sang in the road - a truck carrying a 'Thales Bushmaster' turned up - so we keep singing as we stepped in front of it. It was extraordinary to watch the truck forced into reversing by the power of prayer and direct action!

As I write this, there is still a week of direct action planned - so why not pop down to Excel and do your bit to disrupt the arms trade!

A gentle summer

Just a note of thanks to loyal readers who have contacted me and made sure I am alright! After a disappointing election in the UK, a brutal first Tory budget and watching the continued attacks on the left in Greece, I must admit, it's hard to be optimistic about the state of the world.

So I've taken a bit of time off from blogging while I concentrate on family and my local church. Refugee work is continually important and takes time and energy, leaving little space for creative blogging. I have a retreat in Taize coming up next week, but I hope that gives rise to a gentle summer of rest and restoration.

I'll need it, September will not only see the return of the students, but the continued struggle against the world's biggest arms fair down in London - I do hope you can join me in some of the activities planned by 'Stop the Arms Fair' and the SPEAK network.

So I hope you are taking some time out with friends and family. Look after yourself, so that we can be renewed in the struggle for a better world. Many blessings my friends.

The Liberation Theology Gathering

Well, the third 'Victor Jara Liberation Library' is over, and what a treat it was! 25 delegates from across the UK gathered to share ideas and actions relating to a liberative theology.

A bit of social justice singing and worship from both the Iona and Taize communities was followed by a Bible study shared in a participative framework.

Then I presented a short piece on the issues facing Liberation Theology today (Inequalities of power and wealth, Climate Change, discrimination, war, attacks on the poor, poverty of education) before we spent a bit of time sharing our own contexts, and the groups of folk who had encouraged and enabled us.

We had an update from two members who had visited Kabul earlier in the year to meet with a Peace community in the thick of the harsh life in Afghanistan

One of the folk then shared about the work of SPEAK and the upcoming proposed direct action against the weapons fair down in London in September

at lunchtime, some of us went and lobbied the local Parliamentary candidates over the NHS as part of the 38' campaign.- there should always be a bit of 'action' a part of these conferences!

Sue Richardson then did a great bible study in a Liberation Theology format, emphasising our own experiences that we bring to the story from scripture.

We ended with Dr David Golding giving his take on why Liberationists need to take climate change seriously. Then we wound around a 'Labyrinth of Liberation' before preparing for the Ceilidh!

The Ceilidh against the Cuts was the most inspired bit of the conference. Many of the sanctuary seekers I work with were invited, so seeing Eritreans, Iraqis, Syrians, Iranians etc. getting to grips with the niceties of Scottish dancing was something to behold. It was a surprisingly moving event - and so much fun.

Strangely enough, 'Liberation Theology' needs to be 'liberating' - that means that as well as good theology, it should be fun and involve good dancing. I recall a great quote that says something like 'Its not my revolution if I can't dance to it!'

Caroline Lucas set to become PM in secret deal

A secret deal to make Caroline Lucas Prime Minister in event of hung parliament is a logical and welcome breakthrough for British politics.

Rumours of secret talks between SNP and Labour have been denied by both parties, but investigative reporting by the Morning Star has revealed that plans are well under way to forge a SNP/Labour/Green/Plaid Cymru coalition in the event of a hung parliament on May 7^th.

The mutual loathing between Ed Miliband and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has been a log jam in talks by senior officials, but the secret deal that has been hammered out is seen as the only workable solution. In the event of a hung parliament, Green MP Caroline Lucas is to be announced as Prime Minister. She is seen as the only MP to command enough respect among both SNP and Labour party members of parliament.

This ground breaking decision will cement a Labour/SNP/Plaid Cymru/Green coalition that may be on the only way to shut out another Conservative/Lib Dem coalition.

The Green party are also denying that these talks have taken place, but will be delighted that Mrs Lucas could play such a role in a future government.

‘Caroline has worked so hard to gain such support, not only during 5 years in in the House of Commons, but also whilst serving the country as a Member of the European Parliament’ a senior Labour politician admitted yesterday. ‘She has spent years building credible coalitions across Westminster, and is seen as the only person who could hold a Labour/Nationalist/Green coalition together’.

A poll of Labour MP’s shows that if they cannot achieve an outright victory in the general election, Ed Miliband will not have enough support to continue as prime minister of a coalition government. He is likely to accept the role as deputy prime minister with Nicola Sturgeon becoming the Minister for Scotland. The costly Trident Nuclear programme will almost certainly be the first casualty of such a coalition.

Jim Murphy is said to be furious at news of the deal, having been left out of the loop by senior Labour Party officials. He is said to be considering crossing the floor and joining the Conservative Party if such a deal takes place after 7^th May. ‘Good riddance’ claimed outspoken Labour MEP Lora Ploif, ‘He’s been stinking up the place with his Blairite politics since becoming leader in December, haemorrhaging working class support for the Scottish Labour Party.’

All this is great news for the British Left/Green community. Let’s all hope for a breath of fresh air in the British Political System this May!

Clarkson to front UKIP Party Political Broadcast

In a major coup for Nigel Farage, Jeremy Clarkson is set to be the new face of UKIP in their first Party Political Broadcast to be aired today. All of the parties have be keen to show their celebrity support, with Labour using Martin Freeman and Broadchurch star David Tennant in their first Broadcast on Thursday. The Tory Party have garnered support from big names such as Phil Collins and Pippa Middleton and are set to even use Ant and Dec in a comedy skit representing Cameron and Clegg.

The use of Clarkson is set to be a big boost for UKIP, after 1 million people signed an online petition to have him reinstated as a presenter on popular BBC show ‘Top Gear’

Jeremy Clarkson was dropped by the BBC earlier this month following a "fracas" with a Top Gear producer.

 ‘UKIP is the only party to represent decent ordinary British people’ said Clarkson, who will appear with Farage in the broadcast, chatting over a pint in a traditional British Pub. ‘I used to support the Tories, but they have allowed the country to be overrun by Bulgarians. They also allow the BBC to be run by a bunch of pansies. UKIP is the only party with a decent track record of defending our national interests’

At the request of Clarkson, the broadcast is to be aired today at 12 noon on all digital channels with the exception of the BBC. He made the deal to exclude the BBC a condition of appearing in UKIP’s publicity, reportedly saying ‘That’ll teach the bastards’

There is no news yet as to whether fellow presenters James May and Richard Hammond will also appear on the broadcast.

Labyrinth of our Times

Yesterday we installed the 'Labyrinth of our Times' in Sunderland Minster, and I really must commend it to you if you are able to visit during Holy Week.

Labyrinths are nothing new in Churches, the most famous being at Chartres Cathedral and the most recent being installed in the refit of Wakefield Cathedral. They are ways of encouraging a prayerful journeying inward and outward, and often have a surprising impact on participants (Iranian Christians visiting the Labyrinth last night were moved to tears at their first ever encounter with such a thing)

This Labyrinth is something both old and new though - as we are building it up out of donations to foodbanks, which we will pass on at the end of the week. The intention is to move the Labyrinth from simply a place for personal reflection to one with a more overtly political dimension. Of course our prayers are at one level internal and individual, but faith encourages an essentially social spiritual life.

The daily prayer Jesus gave us is completely communal: 'Give US this day OUR daily bread', and yet 20th Century Western forms of Christianity became increasingly influenced by the individuality encouraged by modern day capitalism.

The result of the rampant belief in individualism and free market capitalism has been the fragmentation of our spiritual lives and of our society. The economic crash in 2008 caused by the banking industry ended up with the state handing out billions of pounds to the very group in society that caused the disaster. At the same time governments were increasingly scapegoating those who were forced to live on welfare. Since the banking crisis, almost incredibly, the rich have engorged themselves and have been able to increase their personal fortunes. Their allies in the state have actually enabled rich individuals and large companies to get away with large scale tax avoidance whist public services have been dramatically cut.

At the same time, increasing numbers of people have been forced to go to foodbanks to feed themselves and their families. This has been exacerbated by the Government's use of punitive benefits 'sanctions' which penalise the most vulnerable in society.

The 'Labyrinth of our Times' encourages us to respond to this situation. As we enter it, we are asked to prayerfully work out our own response to a world of increasing inequality. As we emerge from it - we are challenged to lead lives of faith that resist poverty and challenge the inequalities inherent within Capitalism.

Liberating Theologies Conference; 25th April, Sunderland Minster

If you have a hope that people of faith can be a force for good in the world, and can challenge the duel problems of capitalism and discrimination - then the 'Liberating Theologies conference' in Sunderland, Saturday 25th of April is the place to be.

This is the third conference hosted by the 'Victor Jara Liberation Theology Library', a library that shares the depth of practical theology from around the world that challenges unjust inequalities and structures. The library hold books on Black, Feminist, Gay, Eco theology as well as thousands of books from Africa and Latin American contexts.

The conference is small and beautiful with workshops from acclaimed Black Theologian Anthony Reddie, Sue Richardson (of Christian Aid) and Chris Howson (that's me! Author of 'A Just Church, 21st Century Liberation Theology in Action')

We are trying to give a space for those interested in a radical faith to share ideas and enjoy solidarity. And we want you to join us! Its free (but donations are welcome!)

On the Friday night we'll be showing several films about liberation theology (White Elephant & Romero) held in the impressive University of Sunderland David Puttnam Cinema - and people are welcome to stay over before workshops begin from 10am in Sunderland Minster, mostly in the famous Sunderland Minster Yurt!

Do contact me chaplain@sunderland.ac.uk or find us on facebook if you want more information

4 years on, have the lights gone out in Syria?

This week marked the 4th anniversary of the beginning of the bitter conflict in Syria. The situation, already one of worse in Middle Eastern history, has horrifically deteriorated in the last year. 12 months have seen over 70,000 people killed, the highest death rate in the world, and the highest death toll since the start of the conflict. With over 100,000 injured and millions displaced it is hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.

On the eve of the anniversary, a coalition of human rights groups posted an image of the country taken by satellite. It shows that 83% of the lights in Syria have gone out since 2011. That means no schools, no hospitals, none of the basic needed to survive in most of the nation.

As in all wars, it is the civilians now who carry the cost of conflict, with the vast majority of those killed being unarmed people just trying to survive.

The press might have you believe that the horror is all the result of the so called 'Islamic State', but the reality is that Assad's regime is mostly responsible - dropping barrel bombs and
high impact munitions on heavily populated towns and cities. IS certainly has the brutality, but the state still has mass of weaponry used to crush its opposition.

So have the lights on gone out on this once proud nation, which boasts the oldest city in the world, Damascus?

I was privileged on Wednesday to host a meal in my home for two Syrian Sanctuary seekers. Both have tough tales to tell, one a great writer. They both articulated that the main issue facing Syria is Assad. They believed he has fuelled IS because while the opposition fight among themselves, they pose no real threat to his regime. My guest argued that many fight with IS not because of Islamic Ideology but because Assad has killed their families and destroyed their homes. When Assad is gone, my guests were convinced that Syria could return to some kind of normality and IS would be quickly dismembered.

The articulate and strong reasoning of these two men gave me some kind of hope. One day Assad will be gone, and these intelligent and skilled Syrians will return with millions of others to rebuild their homeland. There will be lights and parties and poetry back in Syria one day. Until that time comes, we need to stand with the Syrian people and never let the light of hope fade away.

Film reviews: from 'Selma' to 'Jupiter Ascending'

I've been lucky enough to have had space to watch a number of movies over the last few weeks, and I just wanted to recommend and review some of them.

Selma: This is the must see at the moment. The performances are great (there certainly should have been at least an Oscar nomination for David Oyelowo for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr) and the direction by Ava DuVernay tells the story of 'the voting rights marches' in a way that doesn't over romanticise the struggle for civil rights.

It is not perfect, and it doesn't delve deeply enough into Martin and Coretta's strained relationship, making the flow between them a little less credible. However, the main thrust of the story has to be about the march from Selma to Montgomery and the reasons for it. This is addressed clearly, and the importance of this struggle is made visible by this film.

It is an affirming film, that should make you weep, and should remind us all of the bravery needed to overcome injustice.

This brings me on to 'We Are The Giant' Greg Barker's documentary about the Arab Spring. It focuses on the lives of people caught up in the struggle for change in the Middle East, focusing on Libya, Bahrain and Syria.

It is difficult to watch (I watched it alongside several Syrian refugees, and it was very upsetting, they testified to the truthfulness of the horrific scenes we witnessed) but is probably the most powerful documentary I've seen on the subject. Primarily because it does not give any easy solutions. It shows the dilemmas faced by those who want to change injustices non-violently. In the official webpage for the film, we learn about those who died in the making of it, and the struggle to get the footage that was produced. All I can say is - watch this movie. It will change how you see the ongoing trauma in the Middle East and perhaps encourage you to support those who are suffering as a result.

Of the other films I've seen recently 'Ex-Machina' is recommended. It is beautiful to watch, and the tension builds perfectly. It uses the premise of 'AI' technology to explore much about the human condition. It looks at abuse, power and control from both a corporate and human perspective. I don't want to give away any of the plot twists, so just go and see the film and enjoy.

Finally - I went to see 'Jupiter Ascending', and couldn't believe that the makers of the brilliant 'Cloud Atlas' and the 'Matrix' could produce such a heap of steaming crap. So many fantastic effects, and it was crammed with excellent ideas - but the whole movie did not hold together well at all. Even the unsubtle homages to my favourite film 'Brazil' only went to demonstrate what a poor movie it was.

But three great movies out of four is a good enough success rate for me!

NHS Valentines weekend

A friend texted me with a very special message. She was so pleased to have taken part in the nation wide protest in support of the NHS on Valentines Day. Mostly because later that evening, her mum was taken ill and ended up in hospital.

The NHS saved her mum's life.

And that is how it is, most do not realise how important and incredible it is until we are faced with a crisis. For us, it was last year, when our daughter was diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome. We were in and out of hospital, and they were fantastic at the Children's Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

But 1000's of nurses jobs have been lost over the last few years. The creeping privatisation of the NHS, hastened by the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, has meant that £13 billion of our tax payers money has already been syphoned off into the hands of the private sector.

The Tories are set to be the big winners - with 24 ministers who voted for the act in 2012 being financially involved with 15 private health care companies who have benefited from the changes.

Slowly and by stealth, the NHS is being degraded and sold off in little chunks. Staff moral is low, and 76% of GPs are saying that health care rationing is already happening.

It is our NHS, and we are not prepared to lose it without a fight. In Sunderland, in Durham, in hundreds of towns and cities up and down the country we shouted 'Hands off our NHS!'

It belongs to the people, not to the privateers. Let us not be the first generation since 1948 to lose such a life giving institution. The NHS is not safe in this governments hands.