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Roman Catholics have a new leader, and the wider world has a new ministry to watch. The direction the new Pope takes his flock is important for committed Catholics. The pope wields vast influence as the world’s most powerful moral leader and the public face of Christianity. The Orthodox Union lauded Pope Francis for his solidarity with the Argentine Jewish community and expressed hope that the Pope ‘will be an active force in the battle against those who would use religion as a justification for violence and intolerance.’ New Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby was formally installed two days after Francis’ official installation on March 19th and said he will keep his Catholic counterpart in prayer.
Pray: for these two men as they take up the most visible Christian leadership roles. (Nu.6:23-25)
More: http://www.religionnews.com/2013/03/14/non-catholics-greet-pope-francis-with-guarded-optimism
Faithworks’ founder Steve Chalke is calling upon the next Prime Minister to acknowledge the indispensible contribution to the economy made by the Christian voluntary sector. Chalke said that such recognition from the incoming Prime Minister would be a vote of confidence that would drive Christians to serve their local communities even more. ‘The Christian contribution to society is hugely significant,’ he said. ‘Local churches contribute millions to regional economies across the country and if Westminster more openly acknowledged this, the encouragement it would bring to the unsung army of volunteers and paid staff in churches and other Christian groups would release a tsunami of care which would help compensate for the inevitable forthcoming public spending cuts.’ According to the group, an estimated 370,000 Christian volunteers contribute services to the value of around £486 million each year in England alone, donating around 65 million hours of their time.
Pray: for recognition and encouragement of the Christian voluntary sector by the incoming government. (Is.61:9)
There has been a drop in the number of people in Britain identifying themselves as Christians, according to new data released from the 2011 Census. The statistics reveal that the number of Christians has fallen from 37 million to 33 million since 2001. Christians now make up 59% of the population, as opposed to 72% in 2001. The number of Muslims has risen from 1.5 million to 2.7 million - or 5% of the population - while the number of people describing themselves as having no religion rose by 10% to 25% of the population. Obviously the fall in those choosing to identify themselves as Christians is a challenge. Knowsley had the highest percentage of Christians, while Norwich registered the highest number of people with ‘no religion’. Newham, Haringey, Brent, Boston and Lambeth all showed increases in the number of Christians. There has also been a fall in the number of people who are married, from 50.9% in 2001 to 46.6% - or 21.1 million - today.
Pray: for the Church to take up the challenge by raising God’s standard across the nation in all areas where we have influence. (1Sam.2:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/census.reveals.fall.in.number.of.christians/31225.htm
Two Roman Catholic nurses have won the right not to work in an abortion clinic after they accused the NHS of breaching equality laws. The case is believed to be the first in which the Equality Act has been used successfully to defend a ‘pro-life’ position as a philosophical belief and could have implications for other Christian medical staff. The nurses were moved from their normal nursing duties at a London hospital to work once a week at an abortion clinic. When the nurses discovered that they were participating in abortions they objected but were told by managers that they must continue with the work. One hospital manager allegedly told the pair: ‘What would happen if we allowed all the Christian nurses to refuse?’ The case marks a rare example of equality laws being used to protect the rights of Christians. Previously judges have been criticised for interpreting equality and human rights legislation in ways that allegedly ‘marginalise’ religious beliefs.
Pray: that this is a turning point and that the Equality act will, in future, protect the rights of Christians. (Dt.12:28)
The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales is to call upon churchgoers to take a stand against the Government’s plans to legalise gay marriage. Archbishop Vincent Nichols has outlined his opposition in a pastoral letter to be read out during mass this Sunday. It warns that the proposal ‘threatens the true meaning of a sacred union’ and signals a ‘profoundly radical step’ that will strip marriage of its ‘distinctive nature’. The letter is co-signed by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Rev Peter Smith. It argues that marriage as a union between a man and a woman should remain the ‘foundation of our society’. The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, was more scathing in his attack on the Government’s plans at the weekend. He said it was clear that the proposal was ‘not
about rights but rather is an attempt to redefine marriage at the behest of a small minority of activists’. See ‘Coalition for Marriage’ petition http://c4m.org.uk/ and last week’s Prayer Alert.
Pray: that this pastoral letter will challenge its church members to take a stand and pray that the wider church will also take up the challenge. (Heb.13:4)
The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has launched its first outreach campaign to get people back into church, with its lapsed membership thought to number as many as five million. It started at the weekend in York with Crossing the Threshold, a national tour of talks and workshops to help clergy and parishioners re-evangelise friends and family. Around a million people regularly attend mass on Sundays, but church leaders say there are many more who are baptised but do not go. Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, said ‘There are probably people out there who would like to come back but don't know how to go about it. There is a fear of standing out, of doing the wrong thing.’ Churches could be intimidating places, said Conry, and it was important for those taking part to offer a personal invitation to lapsed Catholics to return. The tour will also take in Birmingham, Crawley and Cardiff.
Pray: for all those who have drifted away from church of any denomination that they may once again find fellowship there. (Mal.3:6)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/13/catholic-church-reevangelise-campaign
The last remaining Roman Catholic adoption agency to resist Labour’s equality laws is facing closure, after the charity watchdog ruled that it could not avoid considering same-sex couples as potential parents. Catholic Care had been given hope earlier this year that it could get around the controversial anti-discrimination rules that forced other agencies either to close down or sever their links with the church. In March a High Court judge had ordered that the Charity Commission consider whether to allow the agency's request to continue refusing to consider same-sex parents, thanks to a loophole intended to protect homosexual charities. Catholic Care had argued that a clause inserted to ensure gay organisations could not be sued for discrimination, entitled it to change its ‘charitable objects’. But in a judgement published on Thursday, the quango has ruled that it will still not allow Catholic Care to restrict its services to heterosexuals only. (See also Prayer Alert 1110 & 2010) Pray: that even at this late stage the authorities would reconsider. (Pr.21:30)
Catholic Care, a Catholic adoption agency operating in the diocese of Leeds, has appealed a ruling made by a Tribunal last month that they must offer their adoption services to homosexual couples. The charity has long refused to place children with homosexual couples, stating that such a practice goes against the teaching of the Catholic Church and would result in a significant loss of funding, since most donors are Catholics themselves. Benjamin James, the lawyer representing Catholic Care, said that he had identified a number of errors with the judgment. Catholic Care had previously argued that the Equality Act 2010 allows for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation if it is 'a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'. If ‘leave to appeal’ is granted, it will be the eighth stage of what has been a lengthy case. (See Prayer Alert 3410, 2010 & 1110) Pray: that ‘leave to appeal’ is granted and will lead to a successful conclusion. (Pr.21:30)
Manchester Cathedral is to host a controversial new age festival in May which is set to include card readings, mysticism, dream interpretations and a fire breathing vicar. The Christian Spirituality fair is also expected to include a workshop on ‘Meditating on icons as doors into the mystic realm’. Its location in the historic Church of England building is likely to alarm many Christians. ‘Explore’ The fair is set to include Jesus Deck readings, a type of Bible study based on a card drawn from a pack of cards. The ‘Christian symbolism of gem stones’ and an exploration of the ‘relationship between the Goddess and Christian tradition to uncover the divine feminine in Christianity’ are also expected to feature at the event. The Bishop of Manchester, Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch said: ‘The event is a chance to discover and explore old and new Christian spiritual traditions.’ Pray: for the Church authorities as they allow the exploration of alternative faiths and spirituality that God would intervene and bring His revelation and truth. (Gal.1:12) More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=8413&this=Church_of_England_cathedral_to_host_
A Schizophrenia Commission report said care for people with schizophrenia requires a major overhaul. Patients spend too long in ‘demoralised and dysfunctional’ hospital wards costing £12bn a year. Schizophrenia affects thinking, feeling and behaviour. There is a need for more early intervention teams to help people before their hallucinations or delusions become severe. Teams are being cut or diluted at the moment and secure care took 19% of the 2011 mental health budget with many people staying too long in expensive units. In inner cities secure units were compared to mental institutions with nurses often overwhelmed. Better use of ‘recovery houses’ providing an alternative to hospital admission are needed. Schizophrenia affects 1 in every 100 people. Schizophrenia is believed to make people violent, but people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violence by others. Pray for people with mental health problems to have the same dignified care as anyone else.
Pray: that the Government would consider mental health a priority and improve out-patient care and in-patient units. (Is.32:4, 17-18)