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An Austrian think tank and non-governmental organisation is warning that freedom of religious expression is ‘at risk’ in Europe from secularist intolerance on the left. Public expressions of religious belief by Christians are growing in Western Europe, the cradle of Christendom. Gudrun Kugler, a lawyer and director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe says that ‘Europe Christianity is hated because it is the last obstacle to a new vision of secularity which is so politically correct that it verges on totalitarianism. Christians are increasingly marginalized and are appearing more often in courts over matters related to faith. So I think that we are heading for a bloodless persecution.’ Dr Massimo Introvigne, of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe, said this week that European Christians are not being ‘oversensitive.’ Discrimination against Christians in Europe, he said, ‘is more subtle’ than in countries where they are outright persecuted, but it is real. Pray: for all Christians as they battle secularism and anti-Christian persecution across Europe. (Ac.4:29)
SAT-7 says its financial difficulties have been ‘aggravated’ by the banking crisis affecting Cyprus. The Christian satellite channel's international office is based in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, where the banks are only just reopening after nearly two weeks of forced closure. The organisation admitted to supporters at its Network 2013 conference last week that it is exploring new strategies for income generation as a result of increasing financial challenges. Dr Terence Ascott, SAT-7's Chief Executive, says ‘For four years we've operated with a flat budget which has been very challenging. Now if we don't significantly increase our support we will be unable to sustain our programmes at their current levels.’ Despite the financial struggles, supporters heard how the channel is being used to promote reconciliation and strengthen the faith of suffering Christians at a time of unprecedented upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa.
Pray: for a speedy resolution to this financial crisis and that alternative funding will be found for SAT-7 (Ps.119:153)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.satellite.tv.hit.by.cyprus.banking.crisis/31992.htm
A documentary by SAT-7, a Christian satellite television service to the Middle East and North Africa, has been chosen for screening at the European Television Festival of Religious Programmes in Berlin, along with programmes from the BBC, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF, German national television) and other TV stations across Europe. Lasting from June 2-6, the festival will show 23 programmes from a total of 70 entered in the competition. Entries came from 36 stations throughout Europe, Canada and the Middle East. Held every three years, the festival shows off and rewards programmes which touch on values in religion, faith and ethics.
Pray: that the SAT-7 programme will receive Godly recognition in this mainly secular sector. (1Cor.16:18)
From May 9 to 12, 2013 the First Congress of Christian Doctors of Eastern Europe conference titled ‘Unity in the ministry, love in the action!’ will be conducted near Kiev at the recreation centre ‘Zhuravushka’, reports press centre of Medical service of Russia Christian Association, according to the Medical Christian Centre ‘Colleagues’. The event planners emphasize that such a representative forum of Christian doctors of CIS has never happened. The goal of this Congress is to unite Christian Doctors to create co-ministry in order to support each other and discuss some difficulties of medical and ethical issues from a professional and Biblical point of view. ‘We are the people to whom God has entrusted the important and significant task to heal the body and soul of patients. We all are aware of the responsibility and the importance of our work or service.'
Pray: that this significant gathering will bring Christian doctors together to encourage each other. (Ps.13:1-2)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue18750.html
Europe is behaving in a dangerously two-faced way when it comes to protecting the world’s climate, Christian Aid warned as the UN climate talks drew to a close in Bonn last week. ‘European Union leaders claim they still support the only existing climate deal that has legal teeth, the Kyoto Protocol, but their actions tell a different story,’ said Dr Alison Doig, Christian Aid’s Senior Adviser on Climate Change. ‘By not giving the Protocol their strongest possible support and by allowing other rich countries to abandon Kyoto and instead make weak, non-binding pledges through the Copenhagen Accord, they are condemning Kyoto to death. Since many other rich countries want to let the Protocol expire, only enthusiastic backing from the European Union will save it now. We urge European leaders to seize the remaining opportunity in Bonn to show leadership on climate change.’ Under the Copenhagen Accord, countries would merely pledge the emissions cuts which they feel are politically expedient. Pray: for the Lord’s wise guidance to those in authority. (Job 12:13)
The European Commission is considering setting up an age-based authentication system that limits where children can visit online. The system is part of a series of proposals Brussels has put forward to make the net safer for children. It says children are in danger of finding inappropriate material because ways to control where they can go are ‘fragmented’. More details of the authentication scheme will be published on 30 May. In its draft proposals, the commission warns that neglecting protections for children could have a ‘profound impact’ on European societies. It says children's particular needs and vulnerabilities must be addressed so the net becomes a place of opportunities for them. It also notes that a uniform set of protections would help European businesses aiming services at children. (See Prayer Alert 17-2012)
Pray: that these proposals will lead to a system that would protect our young people. (Ps.5:11)
Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic are dealing with record levels of flooding. Cities in southern and eastern Germany have been on high alert as heavy floodwaters swell rivers including the Elbe which has been rising since Monday lunchtime. In Halle an appeal went out to residents asking for help to reinforce flood defences while Dresden was preparing for water levels 5m higher than normal. By Tuesday afternoon river levels in Prague had begun to fall as floodwaters moved north. Overnight flood barriers on the River Vltava in the south of the country were raised releasing a torrent of water, which had implications on the Elbe. The city of Regensburg has declared a state of emergency. Hungary has also declared a state of emergency. Floodwaters on the Danube are expected to peak there on Thursday. Germany has drafted in the army to help with flood defences. In the Bavarian town of Passau, floodwaters reached a level not seen since the 16th Century, but have now begun to recede.
Pray: for the thousands who have been forced to leave their homes, particularly the farmers, the frail and elderly; pray also for governments and NGO’s bringing relief where roads and bridges have been destroyed. (Ps.18:6)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22752544
Thousands of Spanish families have been forced to turn to aid agency Caritas for help in the midst of Spain's economic crisis. The annual report for the Almeria Branch of Caritas revealed that Spanish families receiving food aid in 2012 outnumbered immigrant families - 4,652 compared to 3,844. Details of the 38-page report were published by the Fides news agency and showed that together, Spanish and immigrant families received more than a million kilos in food aid in 2012. Spain's fortunes could be about to turn a corner after the Bank of Spain estimated recently that the economy contracted by just 0.1% in the second quarter, the slowest rate of decline in nearly two years. But the financial crisis triggered record levels of unemployment and although the number of registered jobless has fallen in the last five months, the unemployment rate is expected to remain above 25% for the next five years.
Pray: for the Spanish government that they will master their financial situation. Thank God for Caritas and the support they have provided for those in need. (Ps.132.15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/caritas.aiding.spains.new.poor/33657.htm
The Vatican launched a major conference today on business ethics, aimed at discussing whether or not unethical practices were at the root of the economic crisis and if ethics can prevent a future collapse, reports Catholic News Agency. ‘As we know from other sectors of society - and also in our own lives - we often ask ourselves questions and make resolutions to do things differently during and after a crisis,’ Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, commented to CNA. The three-day gathering is the co-creation of the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum and the Fidelis International Institute for Business Ethics, and is aimed at promoting ethical business practices that accord with Catholic social principles. In all, around 100 key figures from business, academia and the Church are present for the ‘Executive Summit on Ethics for the Business World.’
Pray: for all those attending that their ideas will lead to wider use of ethical practices in the business world. (Ex.23:24)
Belgian police have cuffed members of a radical Islamist group connected with Al Qaeda, local media reported. One of the arrested is of Algerian origin. This spring he visited Bulgaria, police said. The detainees are members of Ash Shabaab, a Somali Islamist group responsible for terrorist attacks in Somalia and kidnapping of foreigners. Their task was to recruit new members for Ash Shabaab and send them to Somalia for organizing new terror strikes. Investigating officers said that one of the arrested travelled from Belgium, where he had asylum, to Bulgaria this spring. In Bulgaria he met with one of his fellow members from Ash Shabaab. The media do not specify whether this person was a Bulgarian or came to the country from abroad. There is no information about terrorist acts being prepared on the territory of Bulgaria. The group numbering seven terrorists was busted in Brussels and Paris during the last week.
Pray: that the authorities will continue to succeed in arresting radicals and stopping Ash Shabaab from increasing its influence. (Job.6:23)
More: http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2012-09-23&article=40094