Malta: Police Association calls for safeguards for officers' personal data
The Malta Police Association has appealed to the Home Affairs Minister and the Police Commissioner to continue to implement measures and effective controls to safeguard and protect officers’ personal information and data. In a statement issued following the Data Commissioner’s decision on personal information from an inspector’s file being passed on to the media with extracts from the same file being later exhibited in court in a libel case between the inspector and an editor, the association said it was concerned as this was not the first time when information or sensitive data had beenmade public in an abusive and unauthorised manner. This was undermining police work and damaging officers’ reputations. The association condemned the fact that some members of the media reported allegations on members of the force which were only aimed at destroying their integrity.
Macedonia: Hard spiritual ground with new young shoots
Historically, the Orthodox Church has had a strong influence in Macedonia. A harsh policy aimed at restricting religious groups (apart from Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims) was overturned in court in 1999, but some restrictions remain. There is a need for an unprecedented movement of the Holy Spirit in the Macedonian Orthodox church as well as among all churches in this country. There is a great spiritual battle going on for believers working to reach ethnic Albanians in the country. The opposition for the gospel is enormous and the soil of hearts is hard - yet God is doing amazing things in the universities. Pray that the ministry would see the first Albanian students come to Christ in the universities. Pray also that the believing students would not only be doing evangelism but making disciples and maturing spiritually.
Luxembourg: Pray for more missionary zeal
Among the expatriate community, followers of Christ tend to be very busy with demanding and time-consuming jobs and want to enjoy time with their families on weekends. Hence, readiness to invest themselves into Christian ministry is limited. Pray for a hunger to grow and a passion to serve. Many people live in a wealth bubble within Luxembourg with a focus on material possessions, and the country has an exceptionally liberal government. Important decisions for the future economic well-being of the nation have to be taken in this legislative period, and their leaders need wisdom. Pray for God-fearing men and woman to be placed in decision-making positions. There are three English-speaking churches, each with 150-250 members, and many small Portuguese, Brazilian, Luxembourgish and Scandinavian immigrant churches, but they do not have much in common.
Lithuania: A fragile Christian presence
Due to a strong Polish influence, Catholicism was politically dominant until the Soviet occupation when all faiths were repressed. Low-level discrimination against evangelical groups exists and religious freedom has facilitated the entry of cults and theological error. Relationships between denominations are better than in most former Soviet states. Agape Lithuania has a vision of seeing a ministry presence on every university campus in the country. Praise God for good relationships on the Agape team and the encouragement of healthy ministry funding. There is a Lithuanian internet evangelism ministry, ieskauDievo.lt (searching God). Their prayer is that their work would reach Lithuanians in the country and beyond. Also praise God for 24 e-coaches who are connected with seekers. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity as they interact with these seekers. There is a need for more student leaders to be raised up who would have a heart to see their fellow-classmates know Jesus. Pray for spiritually open students to get connected with the Vilnius campus ministry.
Liechtenstein: Evangelism and outreach needed
In Liechtenstein freedom of religion is guaranteed and the Catholic Church is effectively the State Church. The religious diversity breakdown is 69% Catholic, 7% Muslim, 14% Non-Religious, 0.7% Orthodox and 9% Protestant. Let us claim the scriptural promise in Philippians 2:10-11 for Liechtenstein! There does not appear to be much outreach by believers to members of the Muslim community, so let us seek the Lord for more labourers and an outpouring of His Spirit on this part of His vineyard. May they expand the work started thirty years ago.
Latvia: Spiritual temperature of Latvia
The churches were harshly persecuted under both the Nazis and the Communists. Religious freedom since 1988 has caused many to return to the Church, but has also opened the door to sects. The post-independence religious bubble has burst and, although many people are members of a church, only a small minority of the population attend regularly.
Kosovo: Prayer needs
Kosovo was declared independent from Serbia in February 2008. Its spiritual future at this time is uncertain. Muslim beliefs play an influential part in the traditions and cultures of the Albanians. There is a need for God to raise up a grass roots prayer movement in Kosovo with strong spiritual leaders in the Kosovan churches. Let us claim the scriptural promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 for Kosovo! During 2015 there will be a wave of small pockets of Christian outreach please pray for the Christian English clubs that have opened this Spring. Pray for the students to be excited and have open hearts for the Gospel. Pray for increased unity and humility among churches so that Christians will become a stronger witness for Christ. Pray for open doors to preach the Gospel boldly among Muslims in Kosovo. Pray also for the American Christian Summer Camps being run through 2015. Pray for unity as partnering American churches provide volunteers.
Italy: Pope asks forgiveness for historical persecution
Pope Francis asked forgiveness for the Catholic Church's persecution of members of a small evangelical church in Italy whose leader was excommunicated and followers branded as heretics during the Middle Ages. Francis made the appeal during the first-ever visit by a pope to a Waldensian house of worship. The Waldensian church was founded in the 12th century by a wealthy merchant from Lyon, France - Pierre Valdo, who gave up his belongings to preach a Gospel of simplicity and poverty that condemned papal excesses. He was excommunicated and his followers persecuted as heretics by Rome. The Waldensians today are united with the Methodist Church of Italy and claim 45,000 followers, mostly in Italy, Argentina and Uruguay. ‘On the part of the Catholic Church, I ask your forgiveness, I ask it for the non-Christian and even inhuman attitudes and behaviour that we have showed you,’ Francis said sombrely from the altar. ‘In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us!’
Ireland: Sinn Féin to support budget bill
MLA Martin McGuinness, of Sinn Féin, has stated that his party will support the budget bill. He said the bill will create the space to resolve the difficulties facing the Executive. He said, ‘We need to ensure that the Executive has the resources to continue to build a peaceful, inclusive and tolerant society.’ There remains a fundamental challenge for the Executive around welfare protections. But while we explore a way forward on this issue, the other important elements of the Stormont House Agreement, including the essential legacy mechanisms, should and must proceed. This budget bill does not involve any reduction in social security support for the most vulnerable in our society and it does not contain any reductions as a consequence of the £25 billion of further cuts announced by the Tories.’
Iceland: New fisheries executive training initiative
Reykjavik University is set to launch an international training programme aimed at fishery industry leaders and specialists, with organisations such as HB Grandi and Matis playing a key role. The university is working alongside Fisheries Iceland and Icelandic food and biotech company Matis as well as other university certified research groups. The initiative is targeting those who wish to expand their knowledge on ocean science and fisheries, marketing, fish processing, the latest developments in innovation and technology and how economics is impacting the industry. Starting in October this year, it is to be taught in three periods, with focus on industry management, operations and innovation. The next phase will be held in February next year, with emphasis on fishing and fish farming, while the third period will take place in May and focus on further processing and fish product marketing.