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Vatican
endorses criticism of Islamic expansion
Rome, November 11th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
Where mortals fear to
tread, the Vatican at least has the guts to speak out. Articles
in one of its leading magazines, the Jesuit 'Civiltà
Cattolica', have attacked the bitter persecution being endured
by Christians in many Moslem countries.
Articles have to be approved high up in the Vatican if they
touch on certain subjects and, since the magazine's launch in
1850, the OK from the Vatican's Secretary of State. Therefore
the 'Civiltà Cattolica' is considered an official organ
of the Roman See. If a controversial subject is dealt with on
its pages, it is because the Vatican wants to give an opinion
or, at the very least, not prevent such an opinion being publicised.
The latest issue of the magazine has an article by Giuseppe
de Rosa, entitled 'Christians in Moslem countries', which adopts
a belligerent tone towards Islamic expansionism. In principle,
the Vatican considers Islam to be a religion of peace, perverted
by fundamentalists, especially those who practise terrorism.
Yet de Rosa shows that wherever Islam has established itself,
it has been through military force, and that Christianity -
which once flourished in these countries - has all but disappeared.
Not that the only cause is violence. "It was not due to
forms of violent religious persecution, but the conditions in
which Christians had to live within the organisation of an Islamic
state." The author goes on to show how these conditions
derive from principles expressed in the Koran. The fact that
Christians are considered inferior in the eyes of the society
in which they live, with fewer rights, leads many of them to
emigrate, or convert to Islam in order to prosper. This in time
has led to their virtual extinction.
In recent decades, around 3 million Christians have left Egypt,
Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, which accounts for about
a third of the total Christian population of these countries.
For those who remain, the situation varies from the 'inferior
conditions' de Rosa speaks about, to outright persecution.
Source: ESD. Editing: ACPress.net
New film
on Luther has its German première
Berlin, November 11th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
The film 'Luther: the
man who changed the world for ever', with Joseph Fiennes playing
the lead role, had its première in German cinemas on
Reformation Day, October 31st.
The film, a joint German-American project directed by Eric Till,
offers a biographical study of Luther from the moment in 1505
when he promised to enter 'holy orders' if God saved him from
a storm in which he found himself. It was shot on location in
Italy, the Czech Republic and Germany, including Wittemberg,
the town where Luther nailed his 95 theses against indulgences
to the church door.
The script was written by Camille Thomasson and Bart Gavigan,
and covers the rise of Protestantism against a background of
political dispute in medieval Europe. The film lasts 113 minutes.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Evangelical
growth across the world offers encouragement
Stuttgart, November 11th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
Evangelicalism is growing
rapidly around the world and the World Evangelical Alliance
(WEA) now represents more than 200 million members in local
churches in 123 countries.
Two years ago, the WEA had around 150 million members, but rapid
growth is being seen in Latin America where every year millions
of Catholics leave their church and join evangelical churches.
In some parts of Brazil, evangelicals make up 40% of the population.
Russia and other parts of the ex-Soviet Union is also a growth
area; in Kazakhstan the number of Christians has gone up from
just 40 to 12,000 in twelve years. A similar pattern can be
seen in Kirgizistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and the Ukraine.
Ex-communists and atheists are accepting biblical faith as an
alternative to Marxism.
South-east Asia is also seeing growth. A new church opens every
week in Bangladesh, and Christians in northern India are anticipating
similarly good things in the coming years. The WEA says in countries
which traditionally have been difficult for Christianity, there
is a spiritual awakening. Believers in Algeria are dreaming
of a church in every city and village.
The most effective evangelistic tools are the Bible and personal
lifestyle. In an atmosphere dominated by covetousness, envy
and competition, Christians are respected because they treat
others with love and kindness. Gary Edmonds, WEA Chairman, believes
the two biggest challenges facing Christianity today are Aids
and Islam. In Uganda, churches have discovered that Aids can
be combatted by spreading information and encouraging marital
faithfulness. Yet they need the help of rich countries to be
able to give aid to victims.
Meanwhile, radical Islam is trying to take over political power
in nations like Indonesia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. If they
succeed, this will lead to a drastic reduction in religious
tolerance. Hindu nationalism is also on the rise in India. Back
in Europe, Edmonds called on the 1.3 million evangelicals in
Germany to stand firm on ethical issues, and he criticised those
churches which have introduced blessing services for same-sex
couples, as this confuses Christians across the world, he said.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Pope
says Catholics must pray for the dead
Rome, November 12th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
Reactionary to the bitter
end, Pope John Paul II reminded Catholics on All Saints' Day
that praying for the dead is "a duty", especially
for those who tend to get forgotten.
In a fragile voice which was sometimes difficult to understand,
the Pope led a prayer to Mary for the thousands of pilgrims
who had gathered in St Peter's Square in Vatican City, Rome.
"It is important and it is a duty to pray for the dead
because, even though they died in the grace and friendship of
God, they perhaps still need a last purification before entering
the glory of heaven", 'explained' the Catholic Bishop of
Rome. "The sacrifice for them may be expressed in different
ways, including a visit to the cemetery."
Obviously the death of Christ is not enough for the Roman Catholic
Church.
Source: ZENIT. Editing: ACPress.net
German
Catholic Church financing clinics which advise abortion
Berlin, November 12th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
More than half the Catholic
diocese in Germany help finance the network of pregnancy clinics
which offer abortion as an option, according to a television
documentary.
Despite the Pope's personal plea to the German Catholic Church
not to finance the 'Donum Vitae' Association, 15 out of the
26 diocese give 10,000 euros a year each to the network of clinics.
The programme did not say which diocese they were, in order
to protect their informant. Cardinal Ratzinger, the Chairman
of the Doctrine and Faith Commission at the Vatican, and himself
a German, appealed to German bishops to distance themselves
from the Association. His appeal seems to have fallen on deaf
ears. 'Donum Vitae' was set up at a lay level to fill a void
in Catholic advice to pregnant women.
Source: EFE. Editing: ACPress.net
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Moltmann
Conference in Nicaragua looking at social issues
Managua, November 7th, 2003
(ACPress.net).
German and American theologians
and philosophers, as well as Nicaraguan economists and theologians,
are going to participate in the II International Jürgen
Moltmann Conference later this month in the Nicaraguan capital.
This year's theme is the Protestant Reformation, and the Conference
will examine how men like Martin Luther fought corruption and
injustice in their day, to see what lessons may be learned for
today. Sounds as if Liberation Theology may be somewhere on
the agenda. Around 250 people have been invited to the event
and William González, one of the organisers, said the
objective was to promote peace, human rights and environmental
protection, as well as proposing specific action to provide
solutions to some of these problems. One wonders what the theologians
will be doing.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Reformation legacy discussed
in Peru
Lima, November 9th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
In commemoration of the
486th anniversary of the Reformation, 64 church leaders in Peru
met to analyse the relationship between Church and state at
the Reformation, the impact this had on the process of democracy
in those countries which embraced the Reformation, and the challenges
it throws up for society today.
The event was organised by the 'John Mackay Institute' in the
Peruvian capital, and headed up by Pedro Arana, the Institute's
Director, and Jeffrey Klaiber, a Jesuit lecturer and historian
who has studied evangelical growth in South America. They commented
on the Reformation's influence in separating political and religious
power. The rise of a non-Catholic Christianity which did not
stress holding earthly power opened the way for the consolidation
of the later nation states of Western Europe.
The Protestant Reformation also led to social democracy, religious
tolerance and education for the masses. Calvinism's form of
church government led to independent government and representative
democracy, with its system of concentric circles of power. Concerned
to live at peace they promoted religious tolerance, and their
desire to spread the Bible led to the opening of schools, especially
among the poor, so that illiteracy would not be a hindrance
to familiarity with the Word of God.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Christian wins crime reporting
prize in Brazil
Sao Paulo, November 9th, 2003
(ACPress.net).
A Protestant journalist
from Brazil has won an important prize for an article condemning
the narcotics trade and the Mafia. The 25th Vladimir Herzog
Prize, awarded by Amnesty and Human Rights 2003, gave a Special
Mention to Percival de Souza for his work 'Drugs dictatorship:
the case of Tim López, organised crime and investigative
journalism in Brazil.'
The award goes to the best pieces of reporting on issues relating
to human rights and other social issues. It was handed out by
a committee of journalists in Sao Paulo. Souza has 35 years'
experience of crime reporting and has written more than 10 books.
He is an active member of Lapa Methodist Church in Sao Paulo,
and works both on television and for a newspaper, 'Jornal da
Tarde'. He is also on the Board of the Methodist Theology Faculty.
Souza wrote 'Drugs dictatorship' in 45 days and in it gives
an account of the death of reporter-friend Tim Lopez, condemning
the sub-world of organised crime and police collusion which
allows crime bosses to act with impunity.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Prison Bible distribution includes Governor's testimony
Caracas, November 10th, 2003
(ACPress.net).
More than 2,000 Bibles
have been distributed to inmates of Western Prison in Santa
Ana, Táchira Province, Venezuela.
The distribution was organised by Fundapenta, a Trust dedicated
to helping prisoners in Táchira which is run by a lawyer,
Liliana Zambrano. The Bibles were bought with money donated
by the various members of the state government, as well as 100
copies which were given free by the Venezuelan Bible Society.
As well as a Bible, each prisoner received a personal letter
from Táchira's Governor, Ronald La Cruz, in which he
recounted how he came to know Christ - in prison. La Cruz was
converted while serving a sentence in Yare Prison, and in the
letter he urged the prisoners to turn to the Lord.
The police chief in Táchira attended the distribution,
as well as several other local authority figures including the
General Secretary of the government.
Source: ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
It's Christmas
already for the Maradonians
Buenos Aires, November 10th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
A Christmas tree, a rosary
laden with 33 black footballs and a boot instead of a cross.
What group uses such a liturgy and celebrates 'Christmas' at
midnight on October 30th? The so-called 'Maradona Church', created
in Argentina by adoring fans of the ex-captain of their national
football team, Diego Maradona.
The date was the occasion of their idol's 43rd birthday, and
for his followers marks the arrival of Year 43 A.D. (After Diego).
The 33 footballs and one boot symbolise the 34 goals Maradona
scored for his country. In 2001, a group of Maradona fans decided
to found their own cult, with its own rules and baptisms.
Every year on the eve of October 30th, the group celebrates
its equivalent of Christmas, really Maradona-mas. This year
the man who 'discovered' Maradona, Francis Cornejo, as well
as other footballers from Maradona's time, attended the ceremony.
The man himself was not there, but celebrated his birthday in
Cuba, where he now lives. One of his daughters, Dalma, did attend,
and commented that her father "does not know them but falls
around laughing when he hears the things they get up to with
candles, a rosary and all."
Acute observers will have noted the resonance with the Roman
religion, and Alejandro Verón, one of the co-founders
of the 'Maradonian Church', says: "We are all Roman Catholics.
We have a God of reason, who is Christ, and a god of the heart,
who is Diego." Verón says they have thousands of
supporters, gained through the group's website.
Source: IBLNEWS. Editing: ACPress.net
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Homosexual
bishop sworn into American church
Washington DC, USA. November
12th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
Accompanied by his ex-wife,
their two daughters and his homosexual partner, Gene Robinson
was consecrated Bishop in the American Episcopal Church in one
of the saddest moments for the Christian Church for many a long
year.
The ceremony, marked by demonstrations for and against the new
incumbent, was held in a sports centre on New Hampshire University
campus in northern USA. It may also have spelt the end of the
unity of the worldwide Anglican communion. Such is the antagonism
Robinson's appointment has created that he has been given 24-hour
FBI protection.
Robinson has been in an active gay partnership with a government
official for the last 14 years, yet this has proved no barrier
to his nomination as Bishop in a church which claims to preach
the Bible. The Archbishop of Canterbury came out with the vague
hope that it all might work out alright in the end, "sharing
with each other what we have learned separately." Whatever
that might mean.
However, all the other leading Anglican Bishops representing
the Communion round the world have reiterated their opposition
to homosexual behaviour, and especially to the appointment of
practising homosexuals to clerical posts. Prophecies of doom
and gloom are rife, and only the leader of the American Episcopalian
Church, Frank Griswold, is flying into the wind. He rather ingenuously
says that Robinson's opponents are committed to staying within
the Church. The whole point is that it should be Robinson and
his supporters who are leaving it.
Source: ABC. Editing: ACPress.net.net
Ignore
Halloween and the devil, says Puerto Rican pastor
San José, Puerto Rico.
November 12th, 2003 (ACPress.net).
The rise in popularity
of Halloween is making many churches and Christians consider
how they should respond to this festivity of obviously pagan
origin.
The history of Halloween goes back beyond the time of Christ
to the Celts and ancient Britons. It was later taken by colonists
to the United States, from where the latest boom is being re-exported
to the old continent. Halloween certainly had religious and
superstitious elements, with a decidedly anti-Christian and
devilish meaning.
The Catholic Church tried to suppress it by turning November
1st into 'All Saints' Day' when the faithful remembered their
dead. The term 'Halloween' simply means the eve of a holy day,
so the church tried to replace Halloween with Hallowmass. Harold
Segura, a pastor in Puerto Rico, wonders whether by opposing
the festival so vigorously, evangelicals are not actually giving
Halloween more publicity, and so playing into the hands of those
who want to commercialise it or promote spiritism through it.
Segura reminds Christians that Halloween-mania - for or against
- is making us forget that October 31st is Bible Day and Reformation
Day, in honour of that date in 1517 which was when Martin Luther
nailed his 95 theses against indulgences on Wittemberg Church
door and so set the Reformation in motion. Are we more interested
in combatting Halloween and finding out about its pagan origins
in England and Ireland, than in promoting the Bible and studying
the spiritual revival of the 16th century?, asks Segura.
Luther himself used to say: "The best way to get rid of
the devil is to laugh at him and ignore him, because he cannot
bear being despised." Segura warns us that we are guilty
of giving him far too much attention over Halloween.
Source: Harold Segura, Apuntes
pastorales, ALC. Editing: ACPress.net
Kenyan
Anglicans are the first to break with Americans over gay bishop
Nairobi, November 12th, 2003
(ACPress.net).
The Anglican Church of
Kenya has severed its links with the American Episcopal Church
in the wake of the latter's appointment of a practising homosexual
to the post of bishop.
"As a Church, we do not support homosexuality in the church.
To start with, it is a sin. Therefore, we have broken off our
relations with the American Anglican Church", said the
Kenyan Bishop of Eldoret, Thomas Kogo. He added that he was
speaking on behalf of the whole Church and that all the Kenyan
bishops would formalise the decision at a meeting in two weeks'
time. The Archbishop of Canterbury was informed of the decision.
Source: AFP. Editing: ACPress.net
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