U-turn on ban of religious items at elderly home
Elderly residents living in a sheltered housing complex in Preston were left shocked when they were told to remove their religious items to promote ‘diversity’. But the housing company that manages the properties, Places for People, issued a swift apology today and lifted the ban. Residents in the 40 flats at St Paul’s Court were sent a letter warning them that religious items had to be removed from communal places, including letter boxes and number plates on doors. Some residents were left upset by the letter, which also called for volunteers to become ‘equality and diversity’ champions. The move was criticised by local religious leaders with one warning: ‘Political correctness is getting silly.’ But a statement from
Places for People, issued today, said: ‘We apologise for any insensitivity and concern this may have caused. It was a local decision not reflecting on the group’s national policy.’
Pray: that local ‘officials’ are not misled into imposing senseless and discriminatory rules in the name of political correctness. (Pr.3:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/diversity-bans-elderly-from-displaying-religious-items/
Church votes to recruit minorities
The Church of England has voted to tackle claims of a ‘pale, male and stale’ leadership with a new campaign to recruit more ethnic minority people. Members of the General Synod voted overwhelmingly in favour of positive action to recruit ethnic minority clergy into the church's leadership. The move came after a report by the Venerable Daniel Kajumba, Archdeacon of Reigate, showed only 1.1% of bishops, archdeacons and cathedral dean's posts are filled by ethnic minorities. The four ethnic minority clergy in these roles are Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, the Rt Rev David Hamid, Suffragan Bishop of Europe, The Very Rev Rogers Govender, Dean of Manchester Cathedral, and himself in his post as Archdeacon of Reigate, he said. 'This was in spite of congregations of up to 90% ethnic minorities in inner cities, he added, 'and a growing proportion of ethnic minority worshippers in rural and suburban areas'.
Pray: that the Lord will raise up church leaders to reflect and represent all groups in the church congregations. (Heb.5:1)
More: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/church-votes-to-recruit-minorities-2312024.html
Religious education in schools 'under threat'
Changes to GCSE league tables combined with moves to limit the role of local councils risks undermining the subject's place in the English education system, it is claimed. In a letter to The Daily Telegraph today, leading Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs call for urgent reforms to stop RE effectively disappearing from the classroom. The comments come just weeks after a major study revealed thousands of secondary schools were already axing lessons for older pupils – flouting legislation that demands all children should be taught RE until at least aged 16. A quarter of schools fail to provide the subject for 14 to 16-year-olds, it emerged, with around a third planning to drop it next year. In Monday’s letter, religious groups blamed the trend on the Coalition’s new ‘English Baccalaureate’ – a school-leaving certificate that rewards progress in traditional academic subjects. (See also Prayer Alert Issue 26-2011)
Pray: for the Government to recognise the importance of retaining RE in the schools' curriculum. (Dt.4:9)
Archbishop launches appeal for Christians in Holy Land
The Archbishop of Canterbury has launched an appeal in aid of suffering Christians in the Holy Land. Dr Rowan Williams appealed to Anglicans and others to give generously towards the fund that will be used to support community projects aimed at helping to sustain vulnerable Christian communities. ‘We know our brothers and sisters there are suffering, and we don't always ask ourselves often enough what our response needs to be,’ he said. The funds will support Christian communities in the West Bank in particular. The appeal has been launched ahead of a conference next week on Christians in the Holy Land that is being hosted jointly by Dr Williams and the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols. Around 200,000 Christians live in Israel and the Palestinian Territories but many have left their homeland for a more secure life abroad. (See World article 6 below)
Pray: for our Christian brothers and sisters and God’s anointing on their work in building the Kingdom. (1Ch.22;10)
CLC objects to sex club licence in Oxford
On Tuesday the Christian Legal Centre, along with other objectors including St Ebbe’s Church, asked Oxford City Council not to grant a sexual entertainment licence to a club called Coven II. The club is situated on one of the main roads running into Oxford City Centre, close to residential areas, a higher education college and the Oxford University Training Corps, making it a highly unsuitable area for a sex club. This is the second application for a sex club licence in Oxford in the space of eight months. (See Prayer Alert 10-2011 and 2710)
Pray: that the city council will listen to the objections and reject this application. (1Th.5:22)
Eurozone: Markets fall on crisis fears
European markets have fallen sharply as investors look to offload riskier assets amid fears that the eurozone debt crisis is spreading. Britain's FTSE-100 dropped 1.5 per cent while Germany's DAX-30 and Paris CAC-40 were both down more than two percent in mid-session trading on Tuesday. The euro also fell to a four-month low against the US dollar. Asian stocks also tumbled on Tuesday, with the Nikkei closing 1.43 per cent lower in Tokyo, Sydney losing 1.90 per cent, Hong Kong 2.19 per cent and Shanghai 1.48 per cent at the close of the day's trading. The losses come off the back of a steep sell-off on Monday. ’Things in Europe just seem to be going from bad to worse; you get the feeling that authorities are merely trying to plug the holes in a sinking ship. At the end of the day, they're just delaying the inevitable’, said Ben Potter, strategist at IG Markets.
Pray: for the financial situation within the eurozone that a solution will be found to halt the slide into further recession. (Pr.22:2-4)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/07/20117126241121921.html
Eurozone: Markets fall on crisis fears
European markets have fallen sharply as investors look to offload riskier assets amid fears that the eurozone debt crisis is spreading. Britain's FTSE-100 dropped 1.5 per cent while Germany's DAX-30 and Paris CAC-40 were both down more than two percent in mid-session trading on Tuesday. The euro also fell to a four-month low against the US dollar. Asian stocks also tumbled on Tuesday, with the Nikkei closing 1.43 per cent lower in Tokyo, Sydney losing 1.90 per cent, Hong Kong 2.19 per cent and Shanghai 1.48 per cent at the close of the day's trading. The losses come off the back of a steep sell-off on Monday. ’Things in Europe just seem to be going from bad to worse; you get the feeling that authorities are merely trying to plug the holes in a sinking ship. At the end of the day, they're just delaying the inevitable’, said Ben Potter, strategist at IG Markets.
Pray: for the financial situation within the eurozone that a solution will be found to halt the slide into further recession. (Pr.22:2-4)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/07/20117126241121921.html
Hungary: Parliament passes restrictive religion law
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)
Hungary: Parliament passes restrictive religion law
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)
The 10:10 Campaign now draws to a close, after two years of prayer, awareness raising, building working relationships and initiating action. The first year saw hundreds of people in the UK and the other countries praying for children accused of being ‘witches’, and praying for all levels of society to take action to put an end to these accusations and abuses. For many people, this was their first insight into the tragic scenario, present throughout the world, of children being called ‘witches’. The first year of the 10:10 Campaign had a significant impact in bringing the issue out into the open, encouraging people to acknowledge the problem, talk about it, and pray for an end to it. Another key result was the emergence of the RILPES network, with a determination from founding members to join forces in tackling the problem in DR Congo. Whilst continuing to pray, the second year moved more specifically into advocacy and action.
The 10:10 Petition enabled us to stand with RILPES in DR Congo, as they presented requests for action to their government—urging a national commitment to safeguarding children. 1,300 signatures were presented at a Public Forum in February, 2011. This was attended by representatives from government, large NGOs and small community organizations, church, local authority, the legal profession, and the media. RILPES is now following up on all the expressions of commitment and suggestions for action made at the Public Forum, and planning the most effective methods for ongoing action in the DR Congo. Action on behalf of children accused of so-called ‘witchcraft’ in Nigeria has continued, and those at the frontline of this work have been encouraged by the sense of support brought about by 10:10. In the UK, a number of church networks have introduced awareness of ‘child witch’ accusations into their child protection training and policies.
So, in summary, the two-year 10:10 Campaign has resulted in prayer, awareness, open discussion, networks and working, relationships, advocacy and the first steps of practical action to change attitudes, laws and procedures concerning the safety and well-being of children. Thank you for all that you have done thus far to help make children less vulnerable to accusation and abuse. But the story doesn’t end there…