The Christian Church in China is experiencing tremendous growth like never before, the World Council of Churches (WCC) said today (August 3, 2010).
Matthews George Chunakara, Director of WCC's International Affairs and Public Witness, said there has been a "unique and explosive growth" of Christianity among the Chinese people.
In the early 1970s, there were an estimated three million Christians in China. Today, the number may be as high as 130 million.
Chunakara said, "Now being the fastest growing economy, the Chinese know the importance of a harmonious society. They are giving religion a special role."
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Serious Shortage of German Catholic Priests; Sex Abuse Scandals Discourage Young Prospects
A string of sex abuse scandals in the German Catholic Church has led to a dramatic fall in the number of young men wanting to become priests, according to Germany's top Catholic bishop.
Archbishop of Freiburg Robert Zollitsch, who is the Chairman of the German Episcopal Conference, said that the church is now suffering from a serious lack of manpower, the Worldwide Religion News website reports today (August 3, 2010).
"We are living through a great trauma -- indeed the greatest crisis of the Catholic Church in Germany since 1945," Zollitsch said.
He added that new applications to join the priesthood across Germany had fallen to 150 this year -- a record low.
Archbishop of Freiburg Robert Zollitsch, who is the Chairman of the German Episcopal Conference, said that the church is now suffering from a serious lack of manpower, the Worldwide Religion News website reports today (August 3, 2010).
"We are living through a great trauma -- indeed the greatest crisis of the Catholic Church in Germany since 1945," Zollitsch said.
He added that new applications to join the priesthood across Germany had fallen to 150 this year -- a record low.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Russian Orthodox Church Forms "Army" of Youth; Designed to Reconnect Young People to Religion
The Asia News website reports today (August 2, 2010) that Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All of Russia has launched an "army" of missionary specialists, in an effort to reconnect young people to religion.
The aim is to "distance young people from drugs, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity" and organize events to communicate to society the Church's position on contemporary issues, explains Vladimir Batrakov, a former soldier now "enrolled" in the Patriarchate course, which involves 100 young members.
The campaign -- promoted by Patriarch Kirill -- provides training for young adults who will then create youth groups throughout Russia.
The new youth group is intended to promote -- together with religious values -- an "anti-Western philosophy," politics, and patriotism.
The aim is to "distance young people from drugs, alcoholism, sexual promiscuity" and organize events to communicate to society the Church's position on contemporary issues, explains Vladimir Batrakov, a former soldier now "enrolled" in the Patriarchate course, which involves 100 young members.
The campaign -- promoted by Patriarch Kirill -- provides training for young adults who will then create youth groups throughout Russia.
The new youth group is intended to promote -- together with religious values -- an "anti-Western philosophy," politics, and patriotism.
LWF Leader Supports Palestinian Christians; Urges Them Not to Emigrate from Holy Land
At a time when many Christians worry about the future of fellow believers in the Holy Land, the first Arab elected as president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has highlighted their situation, and urged them not to emigrate.
Preaching the day after his election of LWF president, Jerusalem Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan called on those present to, "pray that Palestinian Christians may not lose faith and leave the country," the Ekklesia website reports today (August 2, 2010).
The LWF's highest governing board -- its assembly -- elected Younan at its July 20-27 meeting in Stuttgart, Germany. He took office at the end of the assembly.
Younan said, "I sometimes ponder the fact that there have been Christians in Palestine since the first Pentecost when Jesus had walked in the Holy Land. Now, we Palestinians are less than 1.5 percent of the population."
Preaching the day after his election of LWF president, Jerusalem Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan called on those present to, "pray that Palestinian Christians may not lose faith and leave the country," the Ekklesia website reports today (August 2, 2010).
The LWF's highest governing board -- its assembly -- elected Younan at its July 20-27 meeting in Stuttgart, Germany. He took office at the end of the assembly.
Younan said, "I sometimes ponder the fact that there have been Christians in Palestine since the first Pentecost when Jesus had walked in the Holy Land. Now, we Palestinians are less than 1.5 percent of the population."
Church Leader: Heat Reminds Us of Our Sins; Is No Excuse for Casual Clothes in Church
The Russian Orthodox Church does not recommend to see God's punishment in abnormal Russian heat, but believes it positive that environmental conditions make people think about their sins and eternal life.
"People start thinking if they live right, if they help each other," head of the Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said on July 30, 2010 at an Interfax-Religion press conference.
At the same time, he does not think that hot weather is a reasonable excuse for going to church with open shoulders, in shorts, and other casual clothes.
"If a person comes to communicate with God and affords a slipshod way of dressing, it means that something is wrong with his soul," Fr. Vsevolod said.
"People start thinking if they live right, if they help each other," head of the Synodal Department for Church and Society Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said on July 30, 2010 at an Interfax-Religion press conference.
At the same time, he does not think that hot weather is a reasonable excuse for going to church with open shoulders, in shorts, and other casual clothes.
"If a person comes to communicate with God and affords a slipshod way of dressing, it means that something is wrong with his soul," Fr. Vsevolod said.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Peres: Britain Deeply Pro-Arab, Anti-Israeli; His Remarks Cause Anger of Jews, Non-Jews
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) website reports today (August 1, 2010) that Israeli President Shimon Peres has caused a storm in England, after accusing the British establishment of being "deeply pro-Arab and anti-Israeli."
In a recent interview with the Jewish news website, Tablet, Peres also said that there is anti-Semitism among the British.
Peres, 86, said the British "abstained in the 1947 partition resolution...They maintained an arms embargo against us in the 1950s...They had a defense treaty with Jordan...They also worked against us."
Peres' comments generated angry reactions from Jewish and non-Jewish members of Parliament.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain of the Maidenhead Synagogue told the Telegraph of London newspaper, "Peres has provided a sweeping statement that is far too one-sided."
In a recent interview with the Jewish news website, Tablet, Peres also said that there is anti-Semitism among the British.
Peres, 86, said the British "abstained in the 1947 partition resolution...They maintained an arms embargo against us in the 1950s...They had a defense treaty with Jordan...They also worked against us."
Peres' comments generated angry reactions from Jewish and non-Jewish members of Parliament.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain of the Maidenhead Synagogue told the Telegraph of London newspaper, "Peres has provided a sweeping statement that is far too one-sided."
COMMENTARY: It Is Not Appropriate for Gays to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces
The Pentagon is currently reviewing its "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the armed forces.
It would behoove the Pentagon to rule that it will not accept gays to serve in the military.
In addition to making it uncomfortable for fellow members in the military, accepting gays would place military chaplains in an awkward situation.
Would military chaplains be allowed to tell gays that gay sex is a sin, according to the Bible? Would they be required to say that having gay sex is all right? Would they be allowed to try to convert gay personnel into becoming straight personnel?
The fact is that there is no need for the Pentagon to accept gays in the military. Since there is no longer a draft -- and joining the armed forces is voluntary -- the Pentagon has a duty to set high standards for prospective military personnel.
Refusing to accept gays in the military must be one of these Pentagon standards.
It would behoove the Pentagon to rule that it will not accept gays to serve in the military.
In addition to making it uncomfortable for fellow members in the military, accepting gays would place military chaplains in an awkward situation.
Would military chaplains be allowed to tell gays that gay sex is a sin, according to the Bible? Would they be required to say that having gay sex is all right? Would they be allowed to try to convert gay personnel into becoming straight personnel?
The fact is that there is no need for the Pentagon to accept gays in the military. Since there is no longer a draft -- and joining the armed forces is voluntary -- the Pentagon has a duty to set high standards for prospective military personnel.
Refusing to accept gays in the military must be one of these Pentagon standards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)