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Representatives of European theological faculties and church theological institutes have warned against universities dropping the teaching of theology in favour of religious studies that are seen as a more general approach, reports Ecumenical News International. ‘Theology has a major role to play within the university by countering stereotypes, demonstrating ways of dealing with religious conflict, and working out its own unique specificity in dialogue with other disciplines,’ said Orthodox Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, the president of the Conference of European Churches. Pray: that the full message of the Gospel will not be hidden from those who study the scriptures. (Ecc1:13)
Same-sex marriages are not a human right, European judges have ruled. Their decision shreds the claim by ministers that gay marriage is a universal human right and that same-sex couples have a right to marry because their mutual commitment is just as strong as that of husbands and wives. The ruling was made by judges of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg following a case involving a lesbian couple in a civil partnership who complained the French courts would not allow them to adopt a child as a couple. The ruling also says that if gay couples are allowed to marry, any church that offers weddings will be guilty of discrimination if it declines to marry same-sex couples. The ruling comes just days after the Government published a consultation paper which promised marriage to same-sex couples and made clear that Britain is only catching up with other countries.
Pray: thanking God for this ruling from the EU and pray that the UK Government would listen. (Ps.119:126)
Al-Qaeda is plotting attacks on Europe’s high-speed rail network, a German newspaper reported, citing intelligence sources. The extremist group could plant explosives on trains and tunnels or sabotage tracks and electrical cabling, said Bild, Europe’s most widely read daily. While Germany said its threat level had not changed and Austria said no additional security measures had been taken, a Czech rail official said authorities there had implemented new, unspecified security measures. Bild said the information came from the National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States, which had listened in to a conference call involving top al-Qaeda operatives. The attacks on Europe’s rail network were a ‘central topic’ of this call, Bild said. German authorities had responded to the threat with discreet measures such as deploying plain-clothed police officers at key stations and on main routes.
Pray: against terrorist attacks and pray that those involved in such acts will be captured. (Is.8:15)
More: http://freepressjournal.in/european-rail-network-now-on-qaeda-hit-list/
An initiative to propose to the European Parliament a ban on the funding of embryo-destructive policies has gained one million signatures, ensuring the proposal will be received at the legislature, reports Catholic News Agency. The initiative, ‘One of Us,’ seeks to protect the ‘dignity, the right to life and the integrity of every human being’ for all human persons at all stages of development, according to the organizers' website. The proposal is a European citizens’ initiative, which is a means for EU citizens to introduce proposed legislation to the EU Parliament. In announcing this legislative proposal process, the European Commission has stated that in order to be introduced to the parliament, citizens’ initiatives must receive more than one million signatures from EU citizens, and a minimum number of signatures from at least seven of the 27 countries in the EU within a year of their introduction.
Pray: that the success of this initiative will just be a beginning leading to right to life legislation.
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue21089.html
The Global Charter of Conscience, a declaration reaffirming and supporting Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (about ‘freedom of thought, conscience and religion’), was launched officially in the European Parliament in an event hosted by Finnish MEP Sari Essayah. The Charter underpins many of the other human rights that we all enjoy. The right to express our belief is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However this freedom is being marginalised. A Global Charter of Conscience would bring religious tolerance back to the centre of public debate, and help future generations engage freely in the public life of their nation. The proposed Charter has been drafted by people of many faiths and none, politicians of many persuasions, academics and NGOs. It calls for the cultivation of civility and the construction of a civil public square that maximises freedom for everyone; providing a framework for communities to discuss and resolve present problems.
Pray: for this project to gain momentum and pave the way for peace and safety amongst the diverse cultures of Europe. (Ps.4:8)
The European Parliament has adopted, by an overwhelming majority, a new resolution condemning the role of European states in the CIA's secret detention and torture programme. The Parliament criticises member states for failing to fulfil their obligation to investigate serious human rights violations connected with the CIA programme, pointing out that previous investigations have been hampered by lack of transparency, prevalence of political interests, restriction of victims' right to effective participation, and lack of rigorous investigative techniques. The Parliament calls on Romania and Lithuania, in particular, to reopen investigations in the light of new evidence produced by Reprieve. In Poland, where a prosecutorial investigation is still ongoing after several years, the Parliament has deplored the lack of official communication on the scope, conduct and state of play of the investigation.
Pray: that this new resolution will result in the member states investigating any human rights violations and not hold back. (Pr.31:9)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17046
he European Parliament passed a resolution last week condemning violence and persecution against Christians in Syria, Pakistan and Iran. MEPs voiced particular concern over the attacks on Christians in Maaloula, Syria, and the suicide attack on All Saints Church, Peshawar, Pakistan, which killed at least 80 people. The MEPs called for ‘immediate support and humanitarian assistance’ to a group of around 40 nuns and orphans still trapped in the Convent of St Tekla. They also spoke of their ‘deep concern’ about the general situation of religious minorities in Pakistan and the Christian churches in particular. They urged the Pakistani authorities to overhaul the blasphemy laws and their current application ‘thoroughly’, noting that the laws were open to misuse against people of faith. Concerning Iran, they said the fate of imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini was also a matter of ‘deep concern’.
Pray: for God’s protection over His people. (Ps.5:11)
This shocking figure was disclosed by Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne, representative of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians, at the ‘International Conference on Inter-religious dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims.’ The conference on peaceful coexistence between religions was hosted by the Hungarian government as a highlight of its EU presidency of the European Union. ‘Every five minutes’, Introvigne said in his speech, ‘a Christian is killed for his faith.’ The figure does not include the victims of civil wars, or wars between nations, but only the people put to death because they are Christians. ‘If these figures are not cried out to the world, if this massacre is not stopped,’ Introvigne continued; ‘if it is not recognized that the persecution against Christians is the first worldwide emergency with regard to religious discrimination and violence, dialogue between religions will only produce wonderful symposia but no concrete results.’
Pray: for Christians worldwide that God would protect and uphold them in times of persecution. (Ps.91:11)
More: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=10555
Tuesday’s judgments on religious liberty have sent out the wrong message about the position of religious faith in Britain today, Theos, the religion and society think tank, has said. Of the four discrimination cases, only one, Nadeia Eweida, was ruled for the Christian in question. The other three – nurse, Shirley Chaplin; marriage counsellor, Gary McFarlane; and registrar Lillian Ladele – all lost. Although each case has mitigating details, and there was a dissenting judgment in Ladele’s case, the general impression is that the default position is a narrow interpretation of the right to manifest religion. Elizabeth Oldfield, Director of Theos said: ‘Disputes around freedom of religious belief and manifestation are an inevitable part of living in a free and diverse society. However, it seems as if the courts are erring on the side of limiting rather than accommodating religious freedom’
Pray: that, with the results of these cases sending mixed messages, God will give us wisdom on how to pray. (Eph.3:12)
At its 14th Assembly, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) was praised by Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) for its contributions to European church unity and its ‘prevailing vision for justice and peace’ in the region and beyond. ‘The European churches must together seek and ask for new expressions of solidarity, fellowship and love in a Europe experiencing growing economic disparities, rapidly growing secularization, new challenges between peoples on the move, and a much-changed landscape of different faith communities,’ he added. Tveit mentioned other assemblies held this year by regional ecumenical organizations in the Pacific, Latin America and Africa. ‘These assemblies should strengthen us in our joint pilgrimage, which has unity, justice and peace as its goal, making us ready and able to go to the places and the people where we are most needed,’ he said.
Pray: for the church assemblies to take up the challenge of bringing justice and peace. (Ps.140:12)
More: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/european-churches-urged-to-continue-working-