Kyrgyzstan: Christians press for probe after violence
An alliance of Christian humanitarian groups is pressing the government of Kyrgyzstan to launch an investigation into the recent civil conflict that left over a half-million people in immediate need of food, water, shelter, and medical care. ‘The civil conflict in southern Kyrgyzstan, which erupted in the first half of June, was characterized by extreme violence, hatred and cruelty,’ stated leaders of the ACT Alliance, http://www.actalliance.org/ including the heads of DanChurchAid, Christian Aid,and ICCO en Kerkinactie. Though the situation now reportedly appears calm and more stable since the constitutional referendum on June 27, tensions continue and violent acts – including killings and kidnappings – are still reported from southern Kyrgyzstan, according to ACT. Furthermore, in its statement Thursday, the global network of churches and related aid organizations emphasized that ‘there will not be reconciliation without justice, and that justice is based on all facts, which give an objective picture of what has happened. (See Prayer Alert 2510) Pray: that justice will prevail bringing healing and reconciliation. (Ps.106:3)
Nigeria: Eight Christians killed
Christians in two states of Nigeria were mourning the killings of at least eight Christian believers, after Muslim militants reportedly attacked several villages.‘On the night of July 3, several Muslims attacked Kizachi village in Kaduna State and killed five Christians. The Muslims also burned down five Christian homes,’ said International Christian Concern (ICC), a well-informed advocacy group. ICC quoted Nigerian sources as saying police had stopped protecting the village on July 2 as the government failed to pay their salaries. There was no immediate comment from Nigerian police. In the second attack, on the night of July 4, 200 Muslims armed with guns and machetes reportedly invaded Ganawuri community, near the town of Jos, which has been the scene of previous deadly sectarian clashes. Three Christians were feared dead in that violence. Rights activists said the latest violence came on the heels of a March 7 Islamic attack against Christians in Jos. (See Prayer Alert 0610, 0710, 1110, 1210, 1310 & 1510) Pray: for God’s life giving Spirit to invade the darkness hovering over the region and bring healing and reconciliation. (Is.42:16) More: http://www.worthynews.com/8499-eight-christians-killed-in-nigerian-muslim-attacks
Niger: Christians ‘starving’, group says
Christians in this vast, drought-prone country on the edge of the Sahara desert, were among those facing starvation after aid groups described the food situation in Niger as ‘extremely desperate’. Save the Children warned that up to 380,000 children under five are at risk of death by starvation. Christian aid and advocacy group Barnabas Fund told Worthy News that Christians are ‘particularly vulnerable during this time of crisis,’ as they comprise just 0.3 per cent of the predominantly Muslim population of over 15 million people. Aid workers in Islamic countries such as Niger have complained that government aid is often not reaching minority Christians. Barnabas Fund told Worthy News in a statement that it is already providing close to 700 Christian families each with ‘a 100 kilogram sack of either maize or millet and a 500 kilogram bag of rice.’ (See Prayer Alert 1310) Pray: that God would have mercy bringing rain to this parched land and aid from those who have plenty. (Ps.33:18-20) More: http://www.worthynews.com/8490-news-alert-niger-christians-starving-group-says
India: Extremists chop off Catholic’s hand
Suspected Islamic militants have chopped off a Catholic professor’s hand in Kerala for allegedly insulting Islam in an exam question paper. Professor T.J. Joseph was attacked on July 4 while returning home from Sunday mass with his mother and sister, a Catholic nun. Kochi inspector-general of police, B. Sandya, told ucanews.com that an Islamic extremist group is suspected of the crime and have arrested four people and impounded a vehicle. She said the attackers used the vehicle to block Joseph’s car before dragging the professor from his vehicle and chopping off his right hand. The attackers then threw the hand away before fleeing. Church-managed Newman College in Thodupuzha had suspended Joseph, its Malayalam professor, on March 25 for allegedly preparing a question paper with insulting references to the Prophet Muhammad. Pray: against the evil that fills the hearts and minds of those who perpetrate such crimes. (Ph.3:2) More: http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2010/07/06/muslim-extremists-chop-off-catholic%E2%80%99s-hand/
India: Hindu extremists victimize pastors
In India, Hindu extremists have continued to victimize pastors by using anti-conversion laws as an excuse to attack Christians, thereby limiting church activities. UK based Release International (RI) said in a recent report www.releaseinternational.org that pastors were beaten and cars burnt amid accusations of forced conversion. The RI report stated that on June 23, two pastors from Bethel Assembly of God Church were seriously injured when men attacked them with iron bars in Chandapura, Karnataka state, accusing them of converting people to Christianity by force. Before that attack some extremists burnt at least seven vehicles belonging to the Jesus with Us Pentecostal Church in Mathikere, Tamil Nadu. This attack followed efforts by Hindu extremists to prevent the church holding a four-day convention and that in the event, the gathering went ahead in a different location, under police protection. Eight Indian states have introduced anti-conversion laws however Tamil Nadu has since repealed them. Pray: that the church in India will remain steadfast in their faith and pray that politicians and law enforcers will take a tougher line on extremist elements. (2Th.1:4) More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2010/s10070026.htm
EU and bank supervision
Plans to set up new European supervisors which would see Brussels have more influence over the way banking is carried out have stalled. MEPs accused EU member states of ‘dragging their feet’ on a series of reforms that would allow Brussels-based supervisors to oversee, and in some cases overrule, their national counterparts. The European Parliament has agreed to postpone the planned vote on a package of reforms to establish the new EU supervisors until September as question marks hang over whether member states and MEPs will be able to broker a workable compromise. The disagreement on financial supervision spans a number of reforms but in short they all present member states with the same question: more or less EU intervention for Europe's banks? ‘The body taking decisions should be the national supervisor,’an EU diplomat argued. His argument is shared by at least seven member states including several Central and Eastern European countries as well as the UK. Pray: that enhanced EU bureaucratic oversight will not hamper countries’ efforts to reduce their national deficits. (Mk.12:17)
EU and bank supervision
Plans to set up new European supervisors which would see Brussels have more influence over the way banking is carried out have stalled. MEPs accused EU member states of ‘dragging their feet’ on a series of reforms that would allow Brussels-based supervisors to oversee, and in some cases overrule, their national counterparts. The European Parliament has agreed to postpone the planned vote on a package of reforms to establish the new EU supervisors until September as question marks hang over whether member states and MEPs will be able to broker a workable compromise. The disagreement on financial supervision spans a number of reforms but in short they all present member states with the same question: more or less EU intervention for Europe's banks? ‘The body taking decisions should be the national supervisor,’an EU diplomat argued. His argument is shared by at least seven member states including several Central and Eastern European countries as well as the UK. Pray: that enhanced EU bureaucratic oversight will not hamper countries’ efforts to reduce their national deficits. (Mk.12:17)
Labour leadership candidates compete for Christian support
The Methodist Central Hall in Westminster last week saw hustings where every candidate presented themselves as motivated by firm convictions. David Miliband explained, ‘I'm not a religious person but actually I'm a person of faith’ and that the Labour Party can learn from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. His brother Ed said hehad learnt ‘not a religious faith but a simple faith’ that ‘if you saw an injustice then you had to do something about it’. Andy Burnham, a Roman Catholic, emphasised the Christian origins of his politics insisting that ‘the basic tenets of the Labour Party and socialism are one and the same with those of Christianity’. Ed Balls had positive early memories of his parents' Anglican church and that his father's commitment to Labour had grown out of Christianity. Diane Abbott emphasised the values with which she had been brought up, saying ‘We could do worse than return to those values of faith, community and family’. Pray: for these candidates that they might gain a true understanding of Christian faith. (Jas.2:14)
Orange Order rejects draft parades proposals
The Orange Order has rejected draft legislation for new mechanisms to deal with contentious parades. The Grand Lodge met in County Tyrone on 6 July to consider the plans. The vote was 37 against and 32 for, with four abstentions. The proposals were drawn up after the Hillsborough Agreement and envisage a focus on dialogue and a code of conduct for both residents and marchers. The DUP said: ‘We are the only party to have put proposals on the table to deal with issues surrounding parading and protests, based upon upholding the fundamental right to freedom of public assembly’. The DUP and Sinn Fein set up a six-strong group to work on the matter to propose a new and improved framework to rule on controversial marches. One of those who sat on the working group, Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd, said that the vote showed the Orange Order needed to ‘wake up’. Pray: for reconciliation between the opposing parties in the province. (Lk.12:58) More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10534075.stm
The Pope’s visit
Regardless of their faith members of the public have been invited to see Pope Benedict XVI. It emerged that he will meet Nick Clegg, who is an atheist, and Harriet Harman, whose Equality Act has angered the Church. The Government is keen to portray the four-day state visit as a historic event that will enhance the country's standing worldwide and to highlight the pontiff's commitment to social justice in order to head off criticism over the costs and the child abuse scandal affecting the Vatican. Lord Patten is overseeing the visit’s planning. He said that the significance of the first-ever state visit by a Pope to Britain was greater than the potential costs. He told a press conference: ‘Even if we had known of the parlous state of the nation's finances, I'm sure that wouldn't have been a consideration because the importance of this visit makes its own claim upon modest public support.’ Pray: that God will use the Pope’s visit in a positive way for many communities. (Ro.8:28)