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 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)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/18532-hungary-village-still-suffers-after-worst-chemical-disaster-special-feature

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/

In a move reminiscent of its Soviet Communist past, Hungary last night passed a restrictive religion law showing that its dictatorial mindset has not yet fully abated. Although Communism officially ended in Hungary over 20 years ago, the Hungarian Parliament Monday night after midnight, procured for the country the title of ‘Worst Religion Law in Europe’, when it adopted its new ‘Law on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and on Churches, Religions and Religious Communities'. I am both saddened and disappointed by the adoption of such a draconian law,’ said Joseph K. Grieboski, Founder and Chairman of The Institute on Religion and Public Policy ‘I have known and worked closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, most recently on the new constitution, and expected much more from him. The law is a danger to all Hungarian society and a terrible indication of the state of democracy in the country,’ Grieboski said in a media advisory.

Pray: for the Hungarian Parliament that they will reconsider this law. (Job.6:29)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11070072.htm

Survivors of one of Eastern Europe's deadliest wave of attacks against Roma since World War II received some justice Tuesday, August 6, as four Hungarian men were found guilty of killing six Roma people including a five-year-old child. Brothers Arpad and Istvan Kiss and Zsolt Peto received life imprisonment for attacking Roma villages with guns, grenades and firebombs. The men, who were between ages 28 and 42 during the violence, have denied wrongdoing. The fourth suspect István Csontos, who served as a driver to his accomplices, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. He admitted to cooperation but denied active involvement in the murders. At the time, BosNewsLife visited the village of Tatárszentgyörgy, where one of the most serious atrocities happened, and published this report.

Pray: for the Roma people that further persecution would cease. (Ps.5:11b)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/

Key non-governmental groups and officials have urged the Euopean Union to urgently tackle the ‘growing problem’ of street children moving from Eastern to Western Europe by improving cross-border co-operation and child protection. They made the appeal at the 'European Forum On Street Children 2009' in Budapest, amid concerns that the EU's open borders mean that ‘unaccompanied’ minors from poorer member states are increasingly roaming the streets of richer Western European cities. There are believed to be a quarter of a million street children in Europe, although officials cautioned that the figure may be higher because as many as 1.5 million young gypsies, also known as Roma, are ‘unregistered’. In a final declaration, delegates attending the Forum, urged the EU to realize the European Parliament's goal of ending ‘the phenomenon of street children’ by 2015.

Pray: that the governments and authorities will be able to tackle this problem speedily. (Job.14:21)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/27361-best-of-bosnewslife-massive-exodus-of-street-children-into-western-europe

Smaller evangelical congregations and other groups were weighing their options after Hungary's parliament introduced new rules on recognizing churches, despite the Constitutional Court’s annulment of several passages in a controversial church law. Criteria for recognized churches include a history of at least one hundred years or minimum two decades of activities in Hungary. Additionally, a church should count 0.1 percent or more of Hungary's 10-million population as its members or supporters. The adjusted law appeared to revive Communist-era rhetoric, demanding that recognized churches must ‘not pose a risk to national security’ and ‘cooperate with government agencies for community purposes’. The government-sponsored amendment demands that churches are those faith groups ‘recognized by parliament’. Other organizations that pursue religious activities must be registered by the Municipal Court. Formal recognition qualifies churches for government support and allows them to collect donations during services and do pastoral work in jails and hospitals of this heavily Catholic nation.

Pray: that the parliament will recognise churches and faith groups for their spiritual beliefs and not just historical criteria. (1Cor.16:18)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/29130-hungary-introduces-controversial-church-rules