Our culture has its foundations in historic Christian values. We must respect them as we negotiate our future, says the Rt Rev James Jones. Rebuilding Britain rests on the six pillars of family, freedom, friendship, faith, fairness and the future of the earth. These are the columns that need strengthening if the edifice of our society is to withstand the winds of change. They have their foundations in the historic Christian values of our society. We are in danger of cutting ourselves adrift. And, as Lord Hailsham once warned, ‘cut flowers never produce seed or fruit’. The Rt Rev Jones, writing in the Telegraph says ‘The failure of public policy on the family is that it has focused mainly on child poverty, when the biggest problem facing children is not economic hardship but emotional deprivation.’ He goes on to outline his ‘Six Pillars’ based on Christian values. Pray: for our nation and its new government that we will, by God’s Grace, seek a future taking heed of Rt Rev Jones suggestions. (Ps.37:37) More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7744426/Rebuilding-Britain-six-pillars-to-strengthen-our-society.html
Real IRA says it will target UK bankers
21 Sep 2010
Banks and bankers are now potential targets for the Real IRA, its leaders have warned in an interview with the Guardian. Despite having only 100 activists they also said that targets in England remained a high priority. One element in the Real IRA's recent activity has been a wave of so-called ‘punishment’ shootings and beatings of those they deem ‘antisocial elements’ in nationalist working class areas. In Derry alone they have shot around two dozen men over the last 18 months. Its leadership was unapologetic over what its critics have described as ‘rough justice’. The group believes such attacks are popular and can garner support in areas where the communities were previously alienated from the police. They dismissed Sinn Féin's claims that its electoral strategy would ultimately yield a united Ireland despite the majority of nationalists in Northern Ireland still voting for Sinn Féin and an overwhelming majority backing the peace process. Pray: for the forces of law to defeat criminals operating as self-appointed community leaders. (2Co.6:14) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/14/real-ira-targets-banks-bankers?dbk
The dissident republican group, the Real IRA, which has threatened to kill more PSNI officers, has refused an offer from a Londonderry priest to hold talks with him. The group said police officers would be targeted ‘regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation’. The threat was made in a statement at a rally in Derry on Monday. Fr Michael Canny said he hoped talks would happen in the future. ‘On Wednesday evening I heard through a source that I would consider to be reliable that they didn't want to meet,’ he said. ‘I certainly wasn't surprised but neither was I totally disappointed because the statement said 'at this time'. I consider that they obviously carefully considered what they were saying and the use of the phrase 'at this time' doesn't rule out the possibility of talking, not necessarily to me but to somebody else in the weeks or indeed in the months ahead.'
Pray: for the work of potential mediators like Fr Canny and that the Lord will soften the hearts of the dissidents in Ireland. (Job.9:33)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13223754
The Archbishop of Canterbury has acknowledged the ‘critical’ situation facing the Anglican Communion at the end of a six-day meeting of Primates in Dublin. Around 10 Primates from the Global South were absent from the meeting out of opposition to the attendance of Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church in the US. The Church has angered large parts of the Anglican Communion by continuing to bless same-sex unions and consecrate partnered same-sex bishops. Dr Rowan Williams said the absence of the Primates had been ‘felt and noted every day’, and that the names of the missing Primates had been placed on seats in the meeting and candles lit for them. In spite of their absence, Dr Williams said there was still a lot of solidarity between churches in the Communion on a broad range of issues and that the meeting had met his hope of clarifying the role of the Primates standing committee. Pray: for healing and unity so that the Church can focus on delivering the Gospel message. (Ep.4:3)
RE is being 'killed off' in schools - report
30 Jun 2011
The future of religious education in schools looks ‘bleak’ unless the Government takes remedial action, a new report has warned. The report by the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) says that RE was already being marginalised as a result of Education Secretary Michael Gove's decision to leave it out of the English Baccalaureate (EBac). RE has been a core subject for all pupils since 1870, but NATRE warned that it is ‘set to disappear’ from the curriculum of many secondary schools. Its survey of nearly 2,000 state maintained secondary schools found that a quarter are not providing statutory RE for 14 to 16-year-olds, a statistic that is expected to rise during the 2011/2012 academic year. The report stated that entries to GCSE level RE have dropped by more than a third in academies and community schools in the last year. In schools where entry levels fell, more than half attributed the drop to RE being excluded from the EBac. (See Prayer Alert 11-2011)
Pray: that this report will lead the Government to take action to encourage the return of RE as a core subject. (Dt.4:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/re.is.being.killed.off.in.schools.report/28218.htm
RE in sharp decline
11 Oct 2012Religious Education in secondary schools is in sharp decline, according to the National Association of RE Teachers (NATRE), – and the much-heralded English Baccalaurate (EBacc) is a major factor. The EBacc is awarded to students achieving grades A*-C in English, mathematics, two sciences, a foreign language and history or geography at GCSE level. It is also the title of new qualifications designed to replace GCSEs. However, according to NATRE, it is narrowing the scope for other subjects, including RE, as schools concentrate on the EBacc subjects. A poll of schools show a rise in the number saying they do not or cannot teach the subject to the legally required standard. In the poll of 625 secondary schools, NATRE found that 24 per cent planned to reduce the number of specialist RE teaching staff in the next academic year, while only 11 per cent planned an increase. Of those planning a decrease, 82 per cent cited the introduction of the EBacc as a factor.
Pray: that the importance of Religious Education would not be ignored by the educational authorities. (Ex.3313)
More: http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/mrhlines.htm
Two Roman Catholic midwives with conscientious objections to abortion who won their case against the NHS may now face a further legal challenge. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has announced it will appeal Scotland’s supreme civil court ruling that Mary Doogan and Connie Wood would not have to delegate, supervise or support staff involved in abortions. Pro-life group the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) backed the midwives’ legal fight. SPUC’s General Secretary Paul Tully said: ‘We are disappointed, particularly for Connie and Mary, as this means prolonging this lengthy case even further’. (See Prayer Alert 18-2013)
Pray: that this challenge to the nurses' objections will be stopped and the previous result upheld. (Job.5:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/rc-midwives-to-face-abortion-objection-ruling-challenge/
Rape prevention work needed
02 Dec 2013Police in England and Wales are being urged to be more proactive in their efforts to prevent rapes. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said forces have been too "reactive" up until now. He wants police to focus on people who are vulnerable to abuse and institutions where intelligence suggests abuse is taking place. His comments come at the start of a week-long campaign to encourage rape victims to come forward. Mr Hewitt said debate on the issue was "far too often" restricted to investigation and prosecution and called for a "challenging debate about prevention as well. Most rape involves the coming together of some form of power and some type of vulnerability; either permanent or temporary," he said. "We need to be utilising all our powers and tactics to understand how this happens, to mitigate the vulnerability and reduce the opportunities for that power to be abused."
Pray: for all victims of rape but pray that this fresh approach will make a real difference. (Ps.9:9)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25176554