War threatens 32 million, 32 million metres by bus, Trump’s $32 million deportees, and 32 million blog readers

La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the capital of Catalunya (Catalonia), which has a land area of 32,000 sq km or 32 million sq metres (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

The viewing and reading figures for this blog continue to surprise me. These figures have passed the million mark twice this month, reaching the 32 million mark very early today (19 April 2026), soon after midnight, having passed the 31 million mark earlier in the month (8 April 2026).

This blog passed the million figure in readership numbers no less than five times last month, reaching the 30 million mark by 29 March, 29 million four days earlier (25 March), 28 million on 20 March, 27 million on 12 March, and 26 million at the beginning of that month (1 March). The number of hits on two days last month were the highest daily figures I have ever recorded: 323,156 on 27 March 2026 and 318,307 on 1 March.

This year so far has seen a phenomenal amount of traffic on this blog, reaching a volume of readers that I never have expected when I first started blogging 16 years ago. Half the total hits (16 million) have been within little more than seven months, since 6 September 2025. The total hits last month were the highest monthly total ever (4,523,648), following on the heels of the previous month’s record total of 3,386,504 in February 2026.

At the end of last year, this blog had 21 million hits (31 December 2025). So far this year, there have been more than 11 million hits or visitors in 2026, with more than 1.7 million hits so far in April.

I first began blogging in 2010, and it took almost two years until July 2012 to reach half a million readers. Throughout this year and last, the daily figures continue to be overwhelming on many occasions. Of the 12 days of busiest traffic on this blog, six were last month alone, three were in February, one was in January, and two were in January 2025:

• 323,156 (27 March 2026)
• 318,307 (1 March 2026)
• 314,018 (28 February 2026)
• 301,449 (2 March 2026)
• 289,076 (11 January 2025)
• 285,366 (12 January 2025)

• 280,802 (26 February 2026)
• 273,022 (27 February 2026)
• 270,983 (25 March 2026)
• 261,422 (13 January 2026)
• 256,384 (18 April 2026)
• 234,737 (26 March 2026)

The number of readers continues to be overpowering and the daily averages are running at more than 91,000 or more hits a day so far this month. Ten years ago, the daily average was around 1,000.

To put today’s figure of 32 million in context:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned last week that a potential ‘triple shock’ of energy, food, and economic issues stemming from an Iran war could push 32 million people into poverty, with developing nations most affected.

The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in the US and one of the largest in the world, spending more than $3.6 billion a year and assisting more than 32 million people in the US alone.

The Trump administration has spent more than $1 million per person to deport some migrants to countries they have no connection to, only to see many sent back to their home nations at further taxpayer expense, according to a new congressional investigation. A 30-page report from Senate foreign relations committee Democrats released in February revealed the US government paid more than $32 million to five foreign governments – including some of the world’s most corrupt regimes – to accept about 300 third-country nationals deported from the US.

The report also detailed how the administration had struck a deal with Iran to deport 400 Iranian nationals, including Christian converts, ethnic minorities and political dissidents. According to a detailed report in the Guardian, at least eight people on the first flight begged not to be sent because they feared for their lives.

About 32 million people live in both Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. Compare this figure with Chongqing in China, widely cited as the world’s largest city proper with over 32 million residents. However, this figure represents the entire administrative municipality – an area as large as Austria containing substantial rural, mountainous, and agricultural regions, and not just the dense urban core.

Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in terms of population with about 32 million Sikhs around the globe.

32 million square metres is 32,000 sq km and 32 million metres is 32,000 km. 32,000 sq km is the land area of the State of Maryland in the US and the autonomous region of Catalunya (Catalonia) in Spain.

Asteroid (99942) Apophis will pass within 32,000 km of the Earth’s surface on 13 April 2029, and should be visible to the naked eye without telescope or binoculars. NASA says the ‘potentially hazardous asteroid’ will come closer than many orbiting satellites. It is named Apophis after an Egyptian deity known as the god of chaos and eternal darkness. However, there is no risk of it hitting Planet Earth for the next 100 years.

The London to Calcutta bus service was a long-distance international bus route that operated between London and Calcutta from 1957 to 1976. It was the longest bus route in the world in its day, covering about 16,000 km (10,000 miles) one way, and over 32,700 km on the round trip, taking about 50 days to complete each leg. The route passed through several countries and became associated with the overland ‘Hippie Trail’ of the 1960s and 1970s.

32 million minutes is about 60 years, 10 months and 2 days. In other words, if this blog was getting only one hit a minute, it would take almost 61 years, from June 1965, to reach today’s latest figure of 32 million.

It is now more than four years since I retired from active parish ministry on 30 March 2022. These days, though, about 120-140 people on average are reading my daily prayer diary posted on this blog each morning. A similar number are reading my current series of postings on churches in the Rugeley and Stafford areas, and were reading my recent series of postings on the churches and chapels of Walsingham. I imagine many of my priest-colleagues would be prayerfully thankful if the congregations in their churches totalled 800-1,000 or more people each week.

This afternoon, I am very grateful to the real readers among those 32 million hits on this blog to date, and in particular I remain thankful to the faithful core group of about 100-120 people who join me in prayer, reading and reflections each day.

The Gurdwara Sahib in Kuching … there are an estimated 32 million Sikhs globally (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Saint Augustine’s Church, built by Underwood in Rugeley in the 1820s, is ‘remarkable for its date’

Inside Saint Augustine’s Church, Rugeley, facing east … the church was built in 1822-1823 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

Patrick Comerford

In recent days, I have been visiting a number of churches in the Rugeley area that I first got to know when I was about 19 or 20, including the old and new Saint Augustine’s Church, the ruins of the early mediaeval parish church, now known as the ‘Old Chancel’, and the early 19th century church across the street that replaced it in the 1820s; Saint Joseph and Saint Etheldreda Church; Saint Michael’s Church in Brereton; and Hawkesyard Hall and Spode House in Armitage, where the Dominicans once had a priory.

Saint Augustine’s Church, the parish church of Rugeley, is dedicated to Saint Augustine of Canterbury, first Archbishop of Canterbury, and is a Grade II* listed building. It was built in 1822-1823 to replace the mediaeval parish church and what remains of the former church – the tower and chancel – is now a Grade II listed building known as the Old Chancel.

The parish decided about 1818 that a new parish church was needed because the population of Rugeley was growing rapidly and because the chancel of the old parish church seemed to be beyond repair. A site across the street from the old church, large enough for a new burial ground, was given in 1819 by Thomas William Anson (1795-1854), 2nd Viscount Anson, later 1st Earl of Lichfield (1831).

Saint Augustine’s Church, Rugeley, was built in 1822-1823 to replace the mediaeval parish church, now known as the ‘Old Chancel’ (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

The architectural historian Sir Niklaus Pevsner describes the church as ‘remarkable for its date’. The church was built in stone in 1822-1823 and is an early example of the simplified perpendicular Gothic Revival style of the builder and architect Charles Underwood (1791-1883).

Underwood designed the church in Rugeley early in his career after he had moved to Oxford, where ‘Survivalist Gothic’ had lingered on in the grounds of some of the colleges and institutions.

The church originally consisted of a rectangular nave of five bays with aisles and clerestory, a shallow chancel, and a tall west tower. It was consecrated on 21 January 1823.

The building cost £6,501 17s 2d, which was partly met through the sale of materials from the original church. The new church was consecrated on 1 January 1823 by George Henry Law (1761–1845), Bishop of Chester (1812-1824).

The high altar and reredos in Saint Augustine’s Church, Rugeley (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

Internally the nave arcades have lofty shafted piers and four-centred arches, and the aisles are occupied by the north and south galleries. The base of the tower forms an entrance lobby, and there is a large gallery across the west end of the church. Below this gallery are tables of parish charities.

The fittings were altered In 1867-1868 and the box pews were cut down to form open seats. The marble font dates from 1874.

By 1894, great dissatisfaction was being expressed with the building. It was said to be in bad structural repair and to be ‘inconveniently arranged and unsuited for purposes of public worship’. Some parishioners complained that it was impossible to preserve due order in the galleries and ‘to prevent the young people who crowd into them at an evening service from behaving in an irreverent and unseemly manner’.

Sarah Hopkins had left a bequest in her will in 1844 for the improvement of the church and over half a century this had accumulated to about £3,000.

The reredos was carved in an Alpine village in Northern Italy (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

After various schemes were discussed, it was agreed to enlarge the existing church and a new chancel with north and south aisles, including a Lady Chapel, were built in 1905-1906 and dedicated on 29 June 1906. The stone was given by Thomas Francis Anson (1856-1918), 3rd Earl of Lichfield.

The design is a scholarly example of Perpendicular architecture by Frank Loughborough Pearson (1864-1947), son of the Gothic Revival architect John Loughborough Pearson (1817-1897), renowned for his work on churches and cathedrals.

The reredos was carved in an Alpine village in Northern Italy, with the gilding and colour added in London.in North Italy. The reredos and the panelling in the sanctuary were presented in 1930 by WJ Stanton in memory of his wife.The central panel depicts the the Risen Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene on Easter morning. On either side of this panel are three angels who recall the Preface and the Sanctus at the Eucharist. On either side are figures of the Blessed Virgin, Saint Ann, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, together with smaller figures on either side of Saint Stephen, Saint Matthew, Saint George and Saint Mark; these saints all represent stages in the life of Mrs Stanton who was, for example, baptised in Saint Stephen’s Church, South Kensington.

The reredos is incribed with the words, ‘In thy presence is fullness of joy’.

The East Window above the high altar and reredos is by Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907). It depicts the crucifixion and as well as the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Divine, the saints depicted include Saint Augustine of Canterbury and Saint Chad of Lichfield.

The East Window in the chancel (above) and the window in the Lady Chapel (below) by CE Kempe (Photographs: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

The north aisle forms a Lady Chapel, where the East Window is also by Kempe. The south aisle has a vestry and organ loft. The west end of the church remains as it was built in 1822, but the start of a proposed new nave arcade is visible near the chancel arch. The east window of the Lady Chapel was given in 1906 in memory of Fanny Louise Slade by her sister.

Other stained glass windows in the chapel date from 1907 and commemorate Gilbert Woolland and Thomas and Mary Ann James. The carved organ screen was given in memory of Emma O Litler (d 1908).

The pulpit was made in 1907 in memory ofthe parish benefactor Sarah Hopkins who died in 1844 and has a simple but expressive oak carving of Saint Augustine. The font at the west end of the church is made of the finest alabaster and was given in 1874 by Ralph Armishaw.

The pulpit, made in 1907, has an oak carving of Saint Augustine (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

The wall tablets in the church commemorate Rebecca Simpson (1849), Mary and William Landor (1860), Robert W Nuttall (1904), John AB Burrough (1918), and Robert Landor and members of his family (1914-1951).

The church plate includes a silver chalice and paten, a copper cross, two pewter candlesticks, a silver viaticum and a latten censer dating from 16th century, a silver cup and flagon given by Mary Chetwynd in 1704, and two silver-gilt chalices, two silver-gilt patens and a silver-gilt flagon given by William Bamford in 1855.

The peal of bells includes six from the old church dating from 1706-1708. They were renovated for the millennium. A special peal was rung out over the town in 2007 to mark the bells’ 300th anniversary.

The octagonal chuurch hall was added in 1972.

The organ loft in the south aisle of Saint Augustine’s Church (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

Saint Augustine’s initiated a number of missions and chapels in the Rugeley and Brereton area, including Saint John the Baptist, Slitting Mill), which closed in 2025; Saint Michael’s Church, Brereton; the Church of the Holy Spirit, Etching Hill (1881); the Church of the Good Shepherd, Pear Street Estate; and missions in Horse Fair (ca 1875-1881), Saint Mary’s mission in Rugeley (ca 1880-1916), and a misson chapel at Fairoak (ca 1882-1894).

Saint Augustine’s churchyard has been reconfigured due to the risk of subsidence and many of the grave stones now lie around the edge.

The graves and monuments in the churchyard include the headstone to Christina Collins who was murdered on a canal boat in 1839 and the grave of John Parsons Cook, the final victim of Dr William Palmer, the ‘Rugeley Poisoner’, who was convicted of murder at the Old Bailey and hanged at Stafford in 1856. But more about these stories in the days to come, perhaps, when I recall some grisly murders in Rugeley.

The marble font in Saint Augustine’s dates from 1874 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

• The Revd Cath Leighton is the Team Rector of the Benefice of Brereton and Rugeley and Armitage with Handsacre, with five churches serving 25,000 people. The Sunday services at 10:30 am in Saint Augustine’s Church alternate between Sung Worship (first and third Sundays) and Holy Communion (second and fourth Sundays), and there is Holy Communion on Thursdays at 10 am. Saint Augustine’s Day is celebrated on 26 May.

The west end of Saint Augustine’s Church, Rugeley, seen from the chancel (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2026)

Daily prayer in Easter 2026: 15, Sunday 19 April 2026, Third Sunday of Easter

The Supper at Emmaus … a window by Daniel Bell of Bell and Almond in Holy Trinity Church, Old Wolverton (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

The Easter celebrations continue in the Church Calendar, and today is Third Sunday of Easter. Later this morning, I hope to take part in the Parish Eucharist in Saint Mary and Saint Giles Church, Stony Stratford.

Meanwhile, before this day begins, I am taking some quiet time this morning to give thanks, to reflect, to pray and to read in these ways:

1, reading today’s Gospel reading;

2, a short reflection;

3, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary;

4, the Collects and Post-Communion prayer of the day.

‘The Road to Emmaus’, an icon by Sister Marie Paul Farran OSB (1930-2019) of the Mount of Olives Monastery, Jerusalem (1990)

Luke 24: 13-35 (NRSVA):

13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ 19 He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ 25 Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Supper at Emmaus … a mosaic in the Church of the Holy Name, Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Today’s Reflections:

This morning’s Gospel reading at the Eucharist (Luke 24: 13-35) is the reading we had 11 days ago (8 April 2026), the Wednesday in Easter week.

This is the much-loved Easter story of the Risen Christ travelling on the road to Emmaus with two disciples, who return to Jerusalem and proclaim ‘how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread’ (verse 35). This is a story that is a rich one and one that offers a model for Christian life and mission.

After seeing all their hopes shattered on Good Friday, two disciples – Cleopas and another unnamed disciple – head out of Jerusalem, and are walking and talking on the road as their make their way together.

Emmaus was about 11 km (seven miles) from Jerusalem, so it would have taken them two hours, perhaps, to get there, maybe more if they were my age.

Somewhere along the way, they are joined by a third person, ‘but their eyes were kept from recognising him’ (verse 16, NRSV), or to be more precise, as the Greek text says, ‘but their eyes were being held so that they did not recognise him.’

They cannot make sense of what has happened over the last few days, and they cannot make sense of the questions their new companion puts to them. When Jesus asks them a straight question, they look sad and downcast.

I get the feeling that Cleopas is a bit cynical, treating Jesus as one of the visitors to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover, and asking him if he really does not know what has happened in the city. In his cynicism, Cleopas almost sounds like Simon the Pharisee asking his visitor Jesus whether he really knows who the woman with the alabaster jar is.

Like Simon, Cleopas and his friend – perhaps one of the many unnamed women in the Gospels – thought that Jesus was a Prophet. But now they doubt it. And the sort of Messiah they hoped for was not the sort of Messiah Jesus had been preparing them for, was he?

And they have heard the report of the women visiting the tomb, and finding it empty. Hearing is not believing. Seeing is not believing. And believing is not the same as faith.

When I find myself disagreeing fundamentally with people, I wonder do I listen to them even half as patiently as Jesus did with these two.

There are no interruptions, no corrections, no upbraiding. Jesus listens passively and patiently, like all good counsellors should, and only speaks when they have finished speaking.

And then, despite their cynicism, despite their failure to understand, despite their lack of faith, these two disciples do something extraordinary. They press the stranger in their company not to continue on his journey. It is late in the evening, and they invite him to join them.

On re-reading this story I found myself comparing their action and their hospitality with the Good Samaritan who comes across the bruised and battered stranger on the side of the road, and offers him healing hospitality, offering to pay for his meals and his accommodation in the inn.

These two have also come across a bruised and battered stranger on the road, which provides some parallels with the story of the Good Samaritan. They see the marks and wounds inflicted on his body and like the Good Samaritan they offer him healing hospitality, offering him a meal and accommodation in the inn.

Jesus had once imposed himself on Zacchaeus and presumes on his hospitality. Now Cleopas and his friend insist on imposing their hospitality on Jesus. The guest becomes the host and the host becomes the guest, once again.

He goes in to stay with them. And it is not just a matter of finding him a room for the night. They dine together. And so, in a manner that is typical of the way Saint Luke tells his stories, the story of the road to Emmaus ends with a meal with Jesus.

And at the meal – as he did with the multitude on the hillside, and with the disciples in the Upper Room – Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to those at the table with him (verse 30).

Their time in the wilderness is over, the Lenten preparation has been completed, the one who has received their hospitality now invites them to receive the hospitality of God, and to join him at the Heavenly Banquet.

Their journey continues. Our journey continues. Christ is not physically present with us on the road. But we recognise him in the breaking of the bread. And we, being many, become one body, for we all share in the one bread.

Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!
Christ is Risen!

He was made ‘known to them in the breaking of the bread’ (Luke 24: 35) … bread baked for the Easter Eucharist at Mount Athos (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Today’s Prayers (Sunday 19 April 2026, Third Sunday of Easter, Easter III):

‘Turning Waste into Wonder’ provides the theme this week (19-25 April 2026) in ‘Pray With the World Church’, the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), pp 48-49. This theme is introduced today with a Programme Update from Linet Musasa, team member of the Partners in the Gospel Comprehensive Climate Change initiative of the Anglican Council of Zimbabwe:

In a time when climate change poses an increasingly significant threat to our planet, innovative solutions are emerging from the unexpected places.

One remarkable story of creativity and possibility comes from Angela Manomana, a 62-year-old widow in the Diocese of Central Zimbabwe, Gweru. Angela has turned what most see as waste into treasure.

With vision and determination, she transforms discarded plastic waste into handbags, mats, hats, and household containers. What begins as discarded bottles and packaging becomes beautiful, functional products which are especially popular at church fairs.

For the past 15 years, Angela has been breathing new life into waste while simultaneously cleaning the environment. But she isn’t stopping there – she’s mentoring five young advocates in Gweru, to pass on her skills and show them how to see potential in what others throw away. Her innovative work does not only address environmental concerns but also empowers communities, particularly women to take charge of issues they face.

USPG supports the Waste Smart, We Care campaign, uniting churches across 47 dioceses in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Tanzania. It empowers communities to tackle climate change through practical action and sustainable living. Find out more at uspg.org.uk

The USPG Prayer Diary today (Sunday 19 April 2026, the Third Sunday of Easter, Easter III, Earth Day) invites us to pray:

Merciful God, we lament the harm caused to your creation, especially through our actions. Forgive our neglect and greed, and help us take responsibility. Guide us to care for the earth, act justly, and protect your creation for all people and creatures.

The Collect:

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Post-Communion Prayer:

Living God,
your Son made himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of bread:
open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see him in all his redeeming work;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Additional Collect:

Risen Christ,
you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

Yesterday’s Reflections

Continued Tomorrow

The Emmaus window by Catherine O’Brien in Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Ballsbridge, Dublin, commemorates a former vicar, Bishop Harry Vere White (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org