The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew will be present at the Middle East prayer for peace called by Pope Francis at the Vatican this Sunday (June 8), the Vatican Insider website reports today (June 3, 2014).
Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will also be attending the prayer for peace meeting.
Pope Francis invited Patriarch Bartholomew during the meeting held at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. The Patriarch of Constantinople accepted the invitation.
The presence of the Successor of the Apostle Andrew next to the Successor of the Apostle Peter, on the occasion of the arrival of the Israeli and Palestinian presidents at the Vatican, is an important sign of the commitment of Christians for Peace in the Holy Land. It testifies that the "Sister" Churches intend to continue along this path undertaken in Jerusalem.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Top 10 Anti-Christian Countries in Hall of Shame; Nigeria Named No. 1 on World Watch Violence List
The World Watch List (WWL) Research team of Open Doors International has released a Top 10 Violence List of countries in which Christians have experienced the most violent incidents for their faith in Jesus Christ, the Christian Newswire website reports today (June 3, 2014).
The World Watch Top 10 Violence List -- which is based on persecution incidents between November 1, 2012 and March 31, 2014 -- is topped by Nigeria.
The other nine nations -- in order of the most violent -- are: Syria, Egypt, Central African Republic (CAR), Mexico, Pakistan, Colombia, India, Kenya, and Iraq.
In all countries where Christians are persecuted, researchers recorded 3,641 churches and Christian properties destroyed and 13,120 other forms of violence against Christians such as beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages.
The World Watch Top 10 Violence List -- which is based on persecution incidents between November 1, 2012 and March 31, 2014 -- is topped by Nigeria.
The other nine nations -- in order of the most violent -- are: Syria, Egypt, Central African Republic (CAR), Mexico, Pakistan, Colombia, India, Kenya, and Iraq.
In all countries where Christians are persecuted, researchers recorded 3,641 churches and Christian properties destroyed and 13,120 other forms of violence against Christians such as beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, and forced marriages.
Monday, June 2, 2014
More Than 40 Feared Dead in Nigerian Explosion; Islamic Group Boko Haram Believed to Be Culprit
Authorities say an explosion in the northeastern Nigerian town of Mubi yesterday left at least 14 people dead, but locals say that number could grow to more than 40, the Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (June 2, 2014).
David Dauda -- who witnessed the blast -- said he saw at least 30 bodies following the explosion.
"The blast occurred shortly after people are dispersing from a football playing ground. People gathered there to watch a football competition and just few minutes after soldiers patrol vehicle left the place then we heard a blast," Dauda said.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but the extremist Islamic group Boko Haram is suspected to be behind the violence.
David Dauda -- who witnessed the blast -- said he saw at least 30 bodies following the explosion.
"The blast occurred shortly after people are dispersing from a football playing ground. People gathered there to watch a football competition and just few minutes after soldiers patrol vehicle left the place then we heard a blast," Dauda said.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but the extremist Islamic group Boko Haram is suspected to be behind the violence.
Romania Convicts 850 of Corruption in 12 Months; Ministers, Mayors, Judges Among Those Convicted
Romania's Anti-Corruption Department said in its latest progress report that 850 people -- including ministers, lawmakers, mayors, judges, and prosecutors -- were convicted of corruption over the past 12 months, the Balkan Insight website reports today (June 2, 2014).
Among those convicted in Romania -- the most corrupt country in all of Europe -- were four ministers or ex-ministers and five members of parliament. Former Prime Minister Adrian Nastase was convicted for a second time in January.
Eleven mayors, five judges, and three state prosecutors were also convicted, according to the Anti-Corruption Department.
Some 4,200 criminal investigations were registered at the Anti-Corruption Department between May 15, 2013 and May 15, 2014, the report said. Most of the cases involved bribery, trading in influence, tax evasion, and fraud related to European Union funds. The high number of convictions is a sign of an increased determination of the judiciary to tackle graft, experts say.
Among those convicted in Romania -- the most corrupt country in all of Europe -- were four ministers or ex-ministers and five members of parliament. Former Prime Minister Adrian Nastase was convicted for a second time in January.
Eleven mayors, five judges, and three state prosecutors were also convicted, according to the Anti-Corruption Department.
Some 4,200 criminal investigations were registered at the Anti-Corruption Department between May 15, 2013 and May 15, 2014, the report said. Most of the cases involved bribery, trading in influence, tax evasion, and fraud related to European Union funds. The high number of convictions is a sign of an increased determination of the judiciary to tackle graft, experts say.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Orth. Rel. Leaders Consecrate Church in Albania; Patriarch Bartholomew Leads Tirana Consecration
Leaders of Greek Orthodox churches in Europe and Asia consecrated the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana -- the capital of Albania -- today (June 1, 2014), the Greek Reporter website reports.
The consecration service -- a major event for all Orthodox Christian churches -- was led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Also taking part in the service were the patriarchs of Jerusalem and Serbia, the archbishops of Cyprus, Athens, Warsaw, and Tirana, as well as representatives of the Patriarchs of Moscow, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Syria.
The complex of the new Resurrection of Christ Cathedral -- situated in downtown Tirana -- includes the Chapel of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, a bell tower, and the Cathedral center that symbolizes the rebirth of the Autocephalous (self-governing) Albanian Orthodox Church.
The consecration service -- a major event for all Orthodox Christian churches -- was led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Also taking part in the service were the patriarchs of Jerusalem and Serbia, the archbishops of Cyprus, Athens, Warsaw, and Tirana, as well as representatives of the Patriarchs of Moscow, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Syria.
The complex of the new Resurrection of Christ Cathedral -- situated in downtown Tirana -- includes the Chapel of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, a bell tower, and the Cathedral center that symbolizes the rebirth of the Autocephalous (self-governing) Albanian Orthodox Church.
Lawmakers:Obama's Terrorist Deal Violated Law; Obama Says Pact Due to "Unique Circumstances"
Two Republican lawmakers -- who hold high-ranking positions in Congressional Armed Services Committees -- have accused President Barack Obama of breaking the law by approving the release of five Afghan terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in exchange for a U.S. soldier believed held by Islamist insurgents in Afghanistan for five years, the Yahoo News website reports today (June 1, 2014).
The White House agreed that it broke the law, but cited "unique and exigent circumstances" as justification for doing so.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, 28, of Hailey, Idaho, was handed over to U.S. special operations forces by the Taliban. In return, five Afghans -- who were held at the U.S. detention facility in Cuba -- were released to the custody of the government of Qatar which served as a go-between in negotiations for the trade.
Rep. Howard McKeon of California -- Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee -- and Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that Obama is required by law to notify Congress 30 days before any terrorists are transferred from the U.S. facility. They added that Obama also is required to explain how the threat posed by such terrorists has been substantially lessened.
The White House agreed that it broke the law, but cited "unique and exigent circumstances" as justification for doing so.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, 28, of Hailey, Idaho, was handed over to U.S. special operations forces by the Taliban. In return, five Afghans -- who were held at the U.S. detention facility in Cuba -- were released to the custody of the government of Qatar which served as a go-between in negotiations for the trade.
Rep. Howard McKeon of California -- Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee -- and Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that Obama is required by law to notify Congress 30 days before any terrorists are transferred from the U.S. facility. They added that Obama also is required to explain how the threat posed by such terrorists has been substantially lessened.
Philly Archdiocese to Merge 29 Parishes into 13; Due to Declines in Church Attendance, Cath. Pop.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today (June 1, 2014) that 29 parishes will be merged into a total of 13 parishes in Philadelphia and its suburbs, The Blaze website reports.
The closures reflect the latest efforts to cut costs at the archdiocese by closing schools and parishes and selling off real estate.
The archdiocese cited shifting Catholic populations, high density of parishes in small areas, and declines in Mass attendance and the number of available priests.
The announcement said parishioners will attend daily and Sunday Mass at the church of the new parish, with the old parish churches becoming worship sites.
The closures reflect the latest efforts to cut costs at the archdiocese by closing schools and parishes and selling off real estate.
The archdiocese cited shifting Catholic populations, high density of parishes in small areas, and declines in Mass attendance and the number of available priests.
The announcement said parishioners will attend daily and Sunday Mass at the church of the new parish, with the old parish churches becoming worship sites.
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