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More than 50 aftershocks struck northern Italy overnight as thousands slept in tents or out in the open fearing to return to their homes a day after 16 people lost their lives and more than 300 were injured by a powerful earthquake. The aftershocks rattled the nerves of the 14,000 people who have been left homeless by the earthquake which hit Emilia-Romagna on Tuesday and a previous one which battered the area on May 20th. Experts said aftershocks could continue for days or even weeks, compounding the fear and uncertainty of the tens of thousands of people affected by the natural disaster in a triangle between the cities of Bologna, Ferrara and Modena. Many residents said they could understand why centuries-old buildings collapsed but modern buildings should have withstood the quake. There are suspicions that some were shoddily built with cheap materials. The government called for an investigation into why the damage to modern structures was so extensive.
Pray: for rapid responses from those with expertise and proven skills to meet the needs of all those affected by this disaster. (Ps.40:1,2)
Amnesty International is urging the authorities in Italy and the European Union to protect the human rights of thousands of migrants from Tunisia arriving on the Italian mainland and the island of Lampedusa. More than 4,000 people have arrived in Italy in recent days following political unrest in their country. There have previously been many reports of asylum-seekers rights being abused in Italy following their arrival from countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty International’s Europe Programme Director, said: ‘While we recognise the challenges of dealing with very large and mixed migration flows, the relevant authorities must ensure that previous instances of asylum-seekers rights being abused are not repeated. No one should be forcibly expelled to a place where they face serious human rights abuses, or without adequate consideration of their circumstances and needs for protection. Any decision to detain a person should be considered individually.’ Pray: for all those displaced by the unrest in Tunisia and across the Middle East. (Ps.12:7)
taly is stepping up sea and air patrols following the deaths of hundreds of migrants sailing in overcrowded boats from North Africa. Prime Minister Enrico Letta said an ‘air and naval package’ would start on Monday south of Sicily. On Friday at least 33 people died when their boat capsized between Malta and the Italian island of Lampedusa. Earlier on Friday, at least 500 other migrants travelling in separate boats were rescued in coastguard operations near the Italian island of Sicily. A week earlier, more than 350 migrants died in another shipwreck off Lampedusa. Italy has previously called for EU help in dealing with the thousands of desperate migrants who wash up on its beaches every year. Many are families fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East who hope for a better life in Europe. But the recent loss of life has led to further calls for EU action.
Pray: that the authorities will take action to safeguard the needs of migrants on unsafe boats.
Catholicism stopped being the state religion in Italy in 1984 The Italian government is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn a ban on classroom crucifixes. The case against crucifixes was brought by a woman who argued that her children had a right to a secular education under Italy's constitution. Last year the court agreed with the mother, saying parents should be able to bring up children as they saw fit. Her victory caused uproar in Italy, where 90% of the population describe themselves as Christian. Italy started its appeal against the court's ruling - which was widely interpreted as interference in the country's culture, history and religion - on Wednesday. If the government loses, it would mean that all religious artefacts in classrooms across the European Union could be outlawed. A government minister said the ruling was ‘shameful’ while Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a ‘symbol of our tradition’, and not a mark of Catholicism. Pray: that secularism is countered in this important case. (Ps.31:23)
The words ‘Italy ungovernable’ appear in large black letters on the front of one of the country's bigger newspapers. The headline pretty much sums up the mood in the aftermath of this inconclusive election. Centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani says Italy is in a ‘dramatic situation’ after election results that leave the country in political stalemate. Stock markets and the euro have fallen amid concerns the deadlock could re-ignite the eurozone debt crisis. But Mr Bersani, whose coalition won most seats in parliament, did not identify a preferred partner in government. He said all political parties should take responsibility for the country. Centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi said earlier that fresh elections should be avoided, and called for a period of reflection. Other European countries have urged Italian politicians to create a stable government as soon as possible - with France and Germany urging continued reform and Spain describing the result as a ‘jump to nowhere’.
Pray: for a speedy resolution to this political deadlock. (Mal.2:2)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21594836
A major new report into the increasing levels of discrimination faced by Christians in Europe has been launched in Vienna. The report, produced by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe highlights the growing trend towards marginalising Christians from the public square. The paper gives examples of attacks on freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, including moves in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to force doctors to perform abortions against their conscience. The launch coincided with a conference sponsored by The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on freedom of conscience and religion. The document also refers to attacks on freedom of expression, such as the Spanish Government imposing a €100,000 fine on a Christian TV network for running a series of advertisements in favour of the family and opposing the homosexual lifestyle.
Pray: that this report's findings will lead to understanding and acceptance of Christian values. (Ps.147:5)
Yusuf al-Qaradawi, a popular Sunni Muslim cleric said, 'Islam entered Europe twice and left it. Perhaps the next conquest, Allah willing, will be by means of preaching and ideology. The conquest need not necessarily be by the sword. Perhaps we will conquer these lands without armies. We want an army of preachers and teachers who will present Islam in all languages and in all dialects'. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali speaking in a BBC interview on Islamism of Europe said There can never be sufficient appeasement and new demands will continue to be made by Muslims for changes in our society. A Barnabasfund call for prayer reported, ’The increasing power of Islamisation (political Islam) has affected European communities and radical Muslims are seeking to create dramatic changes in their host societies; wanting Islam to gain social, cultural, economic and political power. In response the West is gradually changing structures, laws and customs to suit Muslim communities. This week’s INSIGHT ARTICLE focus is on an Islamic subtle invasion of Europe Pray: that Christian values and the Christian message will gain popularity as Islam becomes more visible in Europe. (Gal.5:5) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Apeacefulinvasionofeurope1.pdf
A painted portrait and empty child stroller is all that remains of 14-months-old Angyalka, who drowned in the village of Kolonttar in the burning sludge flood of the nearby aluminium plant on October 4, 2010, in Hungary's worst ever chemical disaster on record. Some villagers pause to remember, or pray, around a memorial to those who died when 180 million gallons of red sludge flooded the village of Kolonttar and nearby towns, 150 kilometres west of Budapest. The town’s struggling farmers have only just started working their lands again, after removing most of the sludge. Local authorities provided them with new fields to plant their crops. Environmentalists remain concerned about the long term impact of the disaster. Hard working residents who lost their loved ones say it's little satisfaction that the owner of the Ajka Alumina plant was fined nearly 650 million dollars because of the disaster. They say nothing in the world can ever compensate for the lives that were lost.
Pray: that, as the land is slowly being restored, emotions and spirits will also be healed. (Ps.34:17,18)
What is the best way to reach out to youngsters, to encourage them to go to church and to live a Catholic life? Parish priest Zsolt Kovesdy from Kunszentmárton, Hungary, has an idea. He is planning to start a radio show playing rap and hip-hop music. The station would, obviously, avoid music containing swearing and inappropriate topics, but his plan is to offer honest words and thoughts about life and the world. Kovesdy believes that the Catholic Church can only reach young people if it modernises its methods and he believes a social radio with modern music and interactive talk-shows could be a good solution. He is already very popular in his parish having organised a range of activities including horse and cart rides and climbing. According to a Hungarian newspaper he even made a skateboard track and let the children use their boardsin the church’s courtyard.
Pray: that Kovesdy will see a growth in the church through these initiatives.
More: http://www.euronews.com/2013/10/07/rapping-parish-priest-would-modernise-church-in-hungary/
The Hungarian President Pal Schnitt has signed a new Constitution which defines marriage as being exclusively between a man and a woman. The new document also acknowledges the right to life of the unborn child from conception and affirms the role of Christianity in Hungary’s history. The new Constitution was passed last week in the Hungarian parliament by a majority of 262 votes to 44 against and one abstention. The margin reflected the two-thirds majority enjoyed by the governing Fidesz-Christian Democrat Party, which proposed the document. The document has been criticised by a number of groups, including the German government and various European secular organisations. However the Hungarian foreign ministry rejected the criticism as ‘unacceptable’, accusing Germany of interfering publicly in Hungary’s internal affairs instead of using bilateral talks to air concerns.
Pray: for the way He has been leading the Government to uphold marriage and the rights of the unborn child.
More: http://www.ionainstitute.ie/index.php?id=1434