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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-
Netherlands: ‘If it'd said 'Allah Akbar', the council wouldn't have dared to try and remove it,’ says Marianne Bons, a member of the Dutch Reformed Protestant Church talking about a farm roof on which 'Jesus saves' is painted in enormous letters. The council says the text has to go. The farm's owner, a Christian, is refusing to obey. ‘You're allowed to believe in anything in this country, as long as it's nothing to do with Christians or the Church,’ says Ms Bons, describing the Dutch attitude to religion. http://www.rnw.nl/english/video/christians-defensive France: Friday in Paris. A hidden camera shows streets blocked by huge crowds of Muslim worshippers and enforced by a private security force. This is all illegal in France: the public worship, the blocked streets, and the private security. But the police have been ordered not to intervene. The Muslims in the street have been granted unofficial rights that no Christian group is likely to get under France's ‘Laicite', or secularism law. A French citizen watching the Islamization of Paris decided that the world needed to see what was happening. Using a hidden camera he posted videos on YouTube. See link: http://www.youtube.com/user/ciceropicas Pray: that the Church in Europe would speak boldly against these Islamic incursions. (Ps.138:3) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/August/Islamization-of-Paris-a-Warning-to-the-West/
The European Baptist Federation (EBF) and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) have signed an agreement committing the two organisations to closer collaboration. The agreement was signed at a meeting of the EBF near Rome last week by its General Secretary, Tony Peck, and the General Secretary of the CPCE, Michael Buenker. The two organisations are now ‘mutually cooperating bodies’ and will attend each other’s council meetings and general assemblies. The agreement also binds them to regular joint meetings and consultations to explore points of common interest and concern. Peck welcomed the agreement as a ‘clear sign of closer cooperation. Both branches of the Reformation have much to give to each other and much to receive from each other,’ he said. Formal and informal relations already exist between many CPCE churches and EBF unions in several European countries, including Britain. Pray: for this move of cooperation will be a step towards bringing unity in God’s Church. (Jn.17:23) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/european.baptists.and.protestants.sign.agreement.of.cooperation/26815.htm
Negotiations between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are advancing over the creation of a Eurasian Union, which would abolish customs duties and unify economic policies amongst participating countries. In February a Eurasian Economic Commission was established, with the fully ratified economic union expected to enter into force by 2015. The lengthy process of legal codification and harmonisation is under way. The Russian Permanent Mission to the EU held an informal presentation on Thursday 5th July aimed at clarifying the details of the union and reassuring EU businesses, concerned that the new union could become a ‘Soviet empire through the backdoor’. Representatives from the Economic Commission did not respond to questions over whether the Eurasian Union could be used by the EU to put political pressure on its members, especially Belarus, considered to be the 'last dictatorship in Europe'. The common economic space will see EU-style reforms, such as subsidies and state support for agriculture and handling of monopolies.
Pray: for a Eurasian Economic Union to be built on fair, honest and just trading, with consideration for the poorer communities. (Lev.19:15)
More: http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/russia-pushing-forward-eurasian-news-513780
Coptic Church leaders across Europe have revealed they have been the target of threats in the wake of the New Year's Day bomb attack in Egypt. (See World article) A priest in Paris has made a complaint to police which has led to an inquiry by the anti-terror squad, reports say. A senior official in the UK says threats have been ‘outlined’ against two churches, and a bishop in Germany has called for government protection. The security concerns in Europe come days before Coptic communities celebrate Christmas on 7 January. Girguis Lucas, a priest at the Coptic Church of St Mary and St Mark in Paris, told AFP news agency that a member of his congregation had spoken of internet threats ‘from Islamic mujahideen who announced more attacks in Europe and especially in France and mentioned our church’. Bishop Anba Damian told German radio that his community had been warned by police about online threats by Islamists.
Pray: against these attacks on the Coptic Church as they celebrate Christmas and that God would confuse the enemy. (Ps.60:11)