Around two-thirds of Europeans feel that Christian values are relevant to modern life and are ready to acknowledge Church efforts to promote them. A survey conducted in France, Britain, Italy, Germany and Spain for the Catholic La Croix newspaper found that ‘Christian anchorage’ among Europeans was still strong. Around half of Europeans also felt Christian values could promote dialogue with different cultures and religions and solidarity with the poor. Over half believed Christians were ‘sufficiently visible’ in society, but a quarter felt they were under-represented. However, only Italians felt the churches were doing a good job in communicating with young people.

Pray: for this underlying trust in Christian values to be strengthened by the work of the Church in Europe. (Ac.16:5)

More: http://www.thetablet.co.uk/

A Scottish court has fined a street preacher £1,000 after answering a question about homosexuality. Shawn Holes, who is American, was kept in a police cell overnight and then charged with a breach of the peace. The accusation was that he had used ‘homophobic remarks’ that were ‘aggravated by religious prejudice’. Freedom concerns have been raised that this case shows religious liberty is under threat. One commentator described the charges against the preacher as ‘grotesque’. Shawn Holes was in Scotland with a group of American colleagues preaching on a wide variety of topics. ‘I was talking generally about Christianity and sin’, he said. He continued: ‘I only talked about these other issues because I was specifically asked. Mr Holes later commented: ‘It felt like a set-up by gay campaigners.’ Mr Holes’ lawyer said: ‘This case raises important issues about the interface between the criminal law in Scotland, freedom of speech and religious freedom.’

Pray: against the progressive limitation on free speech and religious freedom as shown in this incident. (Ga.5:1)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-preacher-fined-for-speaking-on-homosexuality/

In the spring sunshine, sirens and bells marked the two minute silence at midday across Poland. At the church of St Stanislaw Kostka in a suburb of Warsaw, the silence was particularly poignant. It was here that Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria used to come to Sunday service. Their pews were kept empty during the service, draped in a huge red-and-white Polish flag and a black ribbon. The smiling pictures of the president and his wife were placed in front of the altar, together with the names of the other 94 people who died on board the presidential jet in Smolensk. Young children gathered around, eagerly putting their hands up when the priest asked them why Poland was in mourning. Outside the packed church, a
group of elderly people wiped their tears. Danuta Kaniewska, a former Solidarity activist sobbed ‘We've lost our elite. We're all in pain.’ The signs of mourning are everywhere.

Pray: for the people of Poland that they might be comforted in their huge loss. (Ps.119:50)

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8614290.stm

In the spring sunshine, sirens and bells marked the two minute silence at midday across Poland. At the church of St Stanislaw Kostka in a suburb of Warsaw, the silence was particularly poignant. It was here that Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria used to come to Sunday service. Their pews were kept empty during the service, draped in a huge red-and-white Polish flag and a black ribbon. The smiling pictures of the president and his wife were placed in front of the altar, together with the names of the other 94 people who died on board the presidential jet in Smolensk. Young children gathered around, eagerly putting their hands up when the priest asked them why Poland was in mourning. Outside the packed church, a
group of elderly people wiped their tears. Danuta Kaniewska, a former Solidarity activist sobbed ‘We've lost our elite. We're all in pain.’ The signs of mourning are everywhere.

Pray: for the people of Poland that they might be comforted in their huge loss. (Ps.119:50)

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8614290.stm