The pope has called for an Easter truce in Ukraine and, in an apparent reference to Russia, questioned the value of planting a victory flag “on a heap of rubble”.He spoke at the end of a Palm Sunday service for about 50,000 people in St Peter’s Square, the first time since 2019 that the public was allowed to attend following two years of scaled back services because of Covid restrictions.“Put the weapons down! Let an Easter truce start. But not to rearm and resume combat but a truce to reach peace through real negotiations open to some sacrifices for the good of the people,” the pope said.“In fact, what kind of victory would be one that plants a flag on a heap of rubble?”A flare-up of pain in his knee forced the pope, 85, to miss the traditional procession from the obelisk at the centre of the square to the altar on the steps of St Peter’s basilica.Instead he watched on seated at the altar and limped as he said the Mass.He evoked the horrors of war in his homily, speaking of “mothers who mourn the unjust death of husbands and sons … refugees who flee from bombs with children in their arms … young people deprived of a future … soldiers sent to kill their brothers and sisters”.Since the war began in Ukraine, the pope has only mentioned Russia specifically in prayers, such as during a special global event for peace on 25 March. But he has referred to Russia by using terms such as “invasion” and “aggression”.Moscow describes the action it launched on 24 February a “special military operation”. The pope has rejected that terminology, calling it a war.Some people in the crowd put small Ukrainian flags at the tip of their olive branches and a woman who read one of the prayers near the altar was dressed in blue and yellow.
Palm Sunday is a landmark day in Jesus's life and mission. It is also a significant day in the church's calendar. And we have special reason to mark it this weekend.On Sunday Reverend Rutton Viccajee will be formally installed as our new interim minister by Archdeacon Paul Davies, accompanied by area dean Canon Roy Woodhams.Our service on Sunday is at St Peter's Church, Hascombe. Rutton will lead the intercessions within the joint parish Holy Communion that will include his installation.We hope as many people from Dunsfold will attend the Service and declare their support for Rutton's ministry in our parish.
This Sunday, Palm Sunday, we celebrate our joint parish Holy Communion service at St Peter's Church, Hascombe at 10am.It's at this service that Reverend Rutton Viccajee will be formally installed as our Interim Minister by Archdeacon Paul Davies. Our Area Dean, Canon Roy Woodhams will also be in attendance. We hope you can be part of an important day for our parishes and Reverend Rutton.
Five years ago today, the two-child limit became part of our social security system. Since then, a child born into a family that already has two children has been ineligible for the child allowances in universal credit and tax credits, with very limited exceptions. The consequences of the policy continue to be devastating for the estimated 400,000 affected families and 1.4 million children.Parents affected by the policy who responded to a survey in the last year describe having to go without essentials like food, heating, toilet paper and shampoo. They also report having to cancel their children’s sports and extra-curricular activities like school trips. It’s clear from the 2,500-plus survey responses so far – the largest survey of its kind ever conducted – that parents do their best to shield their children but the impact is often unavoidable. Not being able to provide for their children and seeing the effect this has on their wellbeing takes a heavy toll on parent’s mental health too.The government says parents receiving social security should face the same financial considerations when planning their family as those supporting themselves solely through work. But what about families who had a third child during prosperous times only to hit unforeseen financial difficulty – job loss, bereavement or another of life’s hurdles? And what about children who are happy ‘accidents’, unplanned yet loved all the same? In reality, no one can fully guarantee their financial security for the first 18 years of their child’s life. The majority of families subject to the two-child limit are in work, and many non-working parents aren’t expected to because they have young children to look after.The government appears to have no answers for these inconsistencies in its logic – and children in larger families are suffering the consequences.With living costs now rising at the fastest rate in over 30 years and energy bills soaring, we can only expect these families’ circumstances to deteriorate further. Many simply have nothing left to cut back, and every additional pound spent on energy can mean a pound less on other essentials.Parents are all too aware of the consequences of these impossible decisions for their child’s wellbeing today and their development for the future. As one survey respondent put it: “I feel like [I] fail my children. I want them to have all of the opportunities possible to become successful in their lives but it feels that in order to do this you need money.”Six months ago, the chancellor said: “I passionately believe that we have a duty to give young families and their children the best possible start in life”. The two-child limit is incompatible with the fulfilment of that duty. The policy must be lifted to allow all children to thrive.
