Notices for Sunday 2nd August

THE WORLD THIS WEEK 

​

https://sunderlandcatholic.com/news/the-word-this-week-2-august-2026

​

​

History has shown time and again what can happen when a minority is persistently stereotyped, maligned and treated as the “other”. A mosque is now attacked in Britain every five days, according to new figures released by the British Muslim Trust, the government’s partner for monitoring anti-Muslim hatred. 

On social media, deepfake images and disinformation can be spread by malicious actors, amplified by algorithms. Pope Leo XIV’s visits to mosques and his clarion call for Europeans to be less fearful of their Muslim neighbours after his visit to Turkey and Lebanon last December provoked a huge social media backlash. This makes it more important for the Church at every level to reject all religious hatred and to advocate unwaveringly for peaceful coexistence among faiths.  

Christians who lament the shrinking influence of the Church in the West may be tempted to scapegoat other faiths. This is a mistake: British Muslims’ aspiration to love God and love their neighbour should be a source of inspiration. A survey of British Muslims earlier this year demonstrated that they are notably more likely to support democracy and religious tolerance and to be more be proudly British than the population at large. A community feeling despised and unwelcome is disincentivised to integrate, so Islamophobia risks becoming a vicious circle. Extremism among any religious group is best countered by seeking trust and dialogue and, when necessary, the force of law. The three Abrahamic faiths can all benefit by coming together in witness to the value of faith in the public square.

​

​