By Tony Wilson2024-01-05T16:20:00
The dramatisation of what has been called “the UK’s most widespread miscarriage of justice” should be a warning to the Church and Christians everywhere that truth is more important than reputation. We must fight for it at all costs
Anyone who watched ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office this week may have felt like throwing the remote control at the screen, such was the travesty of justice that unfolded in this excellently-told true story.
Based on events over the last 20 years, we witness the systematic undoing of hardworking sub-postmasters due to a fault in Horizon, the Post Office computing system, which created false negative cash balances.
Aware that books weren’t balancing, staff reached out to the Horizon helpline or the Post Office audit team only to be told that the loss of cash must be their fault. Demands for repayment followed, often for sums over £10,000. Isolated, and with no means to defend themselves, many sub-postmasters had to borrow money to repay the cash. Many lost their homes, health, families and businesses. Some attempted suicide. A few were sent to prison.
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2023-12-14T12:51:00Z By Gavin Drake
Following the furore caused by the CofE’s decision to disband the Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) this summer, a review into what went wrong has now been published. But until the Church accepts that it has lost the trust of survivors and victims, there can be no moving forward, says Gavin Drake
2023-10-19T14:40:00Z By George Pitcher
The BBC’s four-part drama-documentary about Jimmy Savile, The Reckoning, concluded this week. Is it TV titillation asks George Pitcher, or a reminder that we do not have the moral option of looking away from such crimes?
2023-09-20T10:41:00Z By Megan Cornwell
The Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team has said Mike Pilavachi used his spiritual authority to “control” people, and this led to inappropriate relationships, including “massaging of young male interns”. But questions remain, and more investigations are set to take place. Megan Cornwell reports on what’s likely to happen next
2024-10-18T12:00:00Z By Paul Valler
Rupert Shortt’s new book offers a solid critique of today’s secular culture and a penetrating analysis of the problems facing Christian faith today. But it’s also deeply hopeful about the future, says Paul Valler
2024-10-11T14:31:00Z By Krish Kandiah
Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot is the awe-inspiring true story of one small church who adopted 77 children in two years. It’s a realistic look at Christian love in action says Krish Kandiah
2024-09-27T15:07:00Z By Agape UK
The Agapé UK team share their favourite worship songs written and sung in Hebrew, Spanish, English and more
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