Italy/EU: Protect migrants' human rights
Amnesty International is urging the authorities in Italy and the European Union to protect the human rights of thousands of migrants from Tunisia arriving on the Italian mainland and the island of Lampedusa. More than 4,000 people have arrived in Italy in recent days following political unrest in their country. There have previously been many reports of asylum-seekers rights being abused in Italy following their arrival from countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty International’s Europe Programme Director, said: ‘While we recognise the challenges of dealing with very large and mixed migration flows, the relevant authorities must ensure that previous instances of asylum-seekers rights being abused are not repeated. No one should be forcibly expelled to a place where they face serious human rights abuses, or without adequate consideration of their circumstances and needs for protection. Any decision to detain a person should be considered individually.’ Pray: for all those displaced by the unrest in Tunisia and across the Middle East. (Ps.12:7)
Christian GP ditched from drugs panel
The Christian GP who was appointed as a Government drugs adviser last month (See Prayer Alert 04-2011) has now been sacked because he co-wrote a study which linked homosexuality and child sex offences. Dr Hans-Christian Raabe, a respected GP, was appointed to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) by the Home Office last month. But because Dr Raabe didn’t declare his involvement in the 2005 scientific study his appointment has now been controversially revoked, a decision which has prompted considerable criticism. Dr Raabe said: ‘My appointment has been revoked based on the wrong perception that I could potentially discriminate against gay people – something I have never done, neither in my private nor professional life.’ He added: ‘My appointment has merely been revoked as a result of my views on matters completely unrelated to drugs policy.’ His concern was echoed by Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, who warned: ‘It looks like political correctness is alive and well at the Home Office.’ Pray: for Dr Raabe and pray against poor decision-making based on ill-informed political correctness. (Isa.26:13) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-gp-ditched-from-drugs-panel-over-gay-row/
Islamic sect in fight for 'mega-mosque'
Leaders of the Islamic sect Tablighi Jamaat want to overturn an enforcement order served by Newham council requiring them to leave their West Ham site where they want to create a 12,000 capacity megga mosque. Over the years Tablighi Jamaat have been denied permission by the council to erect a permanent mosque on the site and a five year permit for a temporary mosque ran out in 2006. Since then they continue to develop facilities without permission, acting unlawfully. Their track record since buying the site in 1996 demonstrates they don’t abide by planning regulations. Opposer to the Mega Mosque, Newham Concern, is calling two Muslim experts as specialist witnesses to highlight the fundamentalist and socially harmful nature of the sect - highlighting their promotion of hard-line separatism, intolerance, and refusal to open their facilities to women. This inquiry is a moment of truth. If the appeal fails, the temporary mosque will close down and their dreams for the mega-mosque will be over. Pray: for the Christians who intend to be present at the meetings from Tuesday to Thursday this week and next week. (Pr.1:20)
Clergy told to take on the 'new atheists'
The Church of England will this week vow to fight ‘new atheism’ in an attempt to combat the rise of secularism and defend Christianity in Britain. Clergy are to be urged to be more vocal in countering the arguments put forward by a more hard-line group of atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, who have campaigned for a less tolerant attitude towards religion. A report endorsed by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, warns that the Church faces a battle to prevent faith being seen as ‘a social problem’ and says the next five years are set to be a period of ‘exceptional challenge’. It expresses concern that Christians are facing hostility at work and says the Church could lose its place at the centre of public life unless it challenges attempts to marginalise religious belief. Pray: for a new vision to ensure a strong future for the Church. (Ac.18:9)
Church has ‘God-given duty’ to shape Britain’s moral order
Sentamu may not be welcomed or applauded for it, but the Archbishop of York said on Tuesday that the Church of England must continue to shape the debate on Britain’s moral order and proclaim the good news to the nation. In his presidential address to the General Synod in London, Dr Sentamu said the ‘urgent conviction’ of the Church’s calling to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God must underpin its work. He admitted that there was a ‘pressing need’ to equip the Church ‘confidently to discharge that calling’ in the face of the economic uncertainty, high levels of unemployment, the widening gap between rich and poor. The Archbishop spoke of the need to ‘assert the value and importance of the contribution of trust in God to our national life. We must actively continue to seek to influence the terms of the national debate on key issues affecting our society,’ he said. Pray: that the Church would claim the moral ground and proclaim the good news. (Pr.2)
Churches invited to celebrate lives of autistic adults and children
Autism Sunday takes place on February 13 this year and cathedrals and churches are being asked to get involved in the day. Also known as the International Day of Prayer for Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Sunday has received the support of Prime Minister David Cameron. He said: ‘I would like to express my support for Autism Sunday. As many as one in a hundred people could be affected by some form of autism and it is important that we recognise and raise awareness of the difficulties and challenges that they can face.’ Autism Sunday was founded in 2002 by Ivan and Charika Corea, whose 15-year-old son has autism. ‘We urge cathedrals and churches of all denominations to celebrate the lives of all children and adults with autism on Sunday 13 February.’ Pray: for those who are autistic and all with learning disabilities and for a positive response by church communities. (1Co.12:22)
CARE campaign to protect families online
The campaign coincides with the EU-wide Safer Internet Day and seeks to help families protect themselves from inappropriate content, including pornography, violence in video games, films, the promotion of alcohol or tobacco, and other age sensitive content. The campaign highlights the changing nature of technology from passive radio and TV to handheld mobile phones and the challenge of a new and largely unregulated environment in which content is increasingly consumed by users online. The Protecting Families Online campaign is calling for the introduction of measures to give parents greater parental control, including robust age verification to access age sensitive content and opt-in/opt-out filters that can stop certain content coming into the home via the internet. It is encouraging parents to make use of family protection resources and put into place the proper restrictions on computers, mobile phones, games consoles and other devices that have access to the internet. Pray: that this campaign will be effective in challenging parents to protect their children from inappropriate internet content. (Ps.5:11) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.campaign.to.protect.families.online/27489.htm
Marriage not dead, says work and pensions secretary
Marriage is not dead but a force for good in society, and something which churches should do their bit to support, according to the secretary of state for work and pensions. Speaking at the launch of Marriage Week UK on Tuesday, the Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP called marriage ‘our most basic institution’ and said it was now an important political topic not to be shied away from. He said: ‘The financial costs of family breakdown are incredibly high. But what is most painful to see is the human cost - the wasted potential, the anti-social behaviour, and the low self-esteem.’ Speaking at the launch at the House of Commons, Mr Duncan Smith added: ‘The commitment of two people to put selfish interest to one side for the sake of each other and the children they raise is simply the very best of us as human beings’. Pray: for all the activities promoting Christian marriage during this Marriage Week. (Heb.13:4)
EU to send expert team to Sudan
The EU is preparing to send a team of technical experts to Sudan in the coming weeks, with senior officials warning that Africa's largest and soon to be divided state continues to pose the greatest risk to the continent's security, despite recent competition from Egypt. ‘The mission will be sent to south Sudan to make a strategic assessment of what support the EU should provide for stability, building, development and security sector reform.’ Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU high representative Catherine Ashton, said on Tuesday. Final results from last month's referendum, released on Monday, showed that nearly 99 percent of the 3.9 million voters in south Sudan elected to separate form the Arab-led and Muslim north. A complete lack of development in southern Sudan for the past 25 years, security failings and a history of epidemics and floods are among the challenges facing the region, set to gain independence in July, said the official. Pray: for the teams of experts that they will be given God’s wisdom in ways to help this new nation. (Pr.2:6)
EU to send expert team to Sudan
The EU is preparing to send a team of technical experts to Sudan in the coming weeks, with senior officials warning that Africa's largest and soon to be divided state continues to pose the greatest risk to the continent's security, despite recent competition from Egypt. ‘The mission will be sent to south Sudan to make a strategic assessment of what support the EU should provide for stability, building, development and security sector reform.’ Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU high representative Catherine Ashton, said on Tuesday. Final results from last month's referendum, released on Monday, showed that nearly 99 percent of the 3.9 million voters in south Sudan elected to separate form the Arab-led and Muslim north. A complete lack of development in southern Sudan for the past 25 years, security failings and a history of epidemics and floods are among the challenges facing the region, set to gain independence in July, said the official. Pray: for the teams of experts that they will be given God’s wisdom in ways to help this new nation. (Pr.2:6)