A Polish priest has been removed from a Vatican position at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, after telling an Italian newspaper that he is gay, the Euro News website reports today (October 3, 2015).
Krzystof Charamsa, 43, says it is time for the Catholic Church to "open its eyes" and change its stance on homosexuality.
It comes as bishops arrive in Rome for a synod -- which begins tomorrow -- focusing on family issues, with homosexuality expected to be on the agenda. Charamsa and gay activists had planned a demonstration outside the Vatican, but changed the venue hours before.
"My decision to 'come out' is a very personal decision in the homophobic world of the Catholic Church. It has been very difficult and very hard," said Charamsa.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Bldg. Begins on World's 1st Underwater Church; Greek Orth.Church Off Crimea to Woo Tourists
Construction of the world's first-ever underwater church -- a Greek Orthodox Church -- has begun off Russia's Crimean coast in the Black Sea, the Christian Headlines website reports today (October 3, 2015).
The church will be built around 20 meters under the water, 100 meters off the coast of Cape Fiolent which is near the Crimean seaport city of Sevastopol. Archimandrite Tikhon has authorized the project and hopes it will become a tourist attraction.
A three-meter tall cross with an anchor design has already been erected underneath the waves and is the first piece of the church in place. Divers also plan to install a table and massive concrete candle holders soon.
"Inside there will be images, icons -- everything that you would find in a church," Tikhon stated. The church will be named St. Nicholas, who is the patron saint of sailors.
The church will be built around 20 meters under the water, 100 meters off the coast of Cape Fiolent which is near the Crimean seaport city of Sevastopol. Archimandrite Tikhon has authorized the project and hopes it will become a tourist attraction.
A three-meter tall cross with an anchor design has already been erected underneath the waves and is the first piece of the church in place. Divers also plan to install a table and massive concrete candle holders soon.
"Inside there will be images, icons -- everything that you would find in a church," Tikhon stated. The church will be named St. Nicholas, who is the patron saint of sailors.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Hungarian Church Thanks God for Migrant Help; Views Protection from Migrants as a Task by God
The church in a southern Hungarian diocese -- heavily affected by an influx of migrants from Asia and Africa -- has thanked the right-wing government for regarding its efforts to seal Hungary's borders against further migration as "a task given by God," the Religion News website reports today (October 2, 2015).
Hungary -- a landlocked country whose government has been criticized by EU (European Union) peers for its anti-foreign stance -- has become a main transit route for hundreds of thousands of migrants arriving via the Balkans to the south.
More than 280,000 migrants -- fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa -- have passed through Hungary in central Europe this year so far, with most of them seeking sanctuary in wealthier countries of the western EU.
"We are thankful to God that our country has a government now which regards the protection of our country and people as a task given by God... while it promotes and practices brotherly love towards those arriving in our homeland," the Reformed Church of Csongrad diocese said in a statement this week. Csongrad county lies on the border with Serbia -- the border in which Hungary recently erected a razor fence over 100 miles long, in order to prevent migrants from entering its territory.
Hungary -- a landlocked country whose government has been criticized by EU (European Union) peers for its anti-foreign stance -- has become a main transit route for hundreds of thousands of migrants arriving via the Balkans to the south.
More than 280,000 migrants -- fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa -- have passed through Hungary in central Europe this year so far, with most of them seeking sanctuary in wealthier countries of the western EU.
"We are thankful to God that our country has a government now which regards the protection of our country and people as a task given by God... while it promotes and practices brotherly love towards those arriving in our homeland," the Reformed Church of Csongrad diocese said in a statement this week. Csongrad county lies on the border with Serbia -- the border in which Hungary recently erected a razor fence over 100 miles long, in order to prevent migrants from entering its territory.
Regret Imbues Vatican Over Pope-Davis Meeting; Vatican Tries to Ease Controversy,Makes It Worse
A senior Vatican official, who declined to be named, said today (October 2, 2015) that a "sense of regret" now pervades the Holy See over Pope Francis's secret meeting with Kim Davis -- the Kentucky clerk who had been jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples -- as that meeting has overshadowed almost all other aspects of the pope's U.S. visit, according to the Raw Story website.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi -- seeking to eliminate controversy resulting from the secret meeting -- said Davis was one of "several dozen" people who had been invited by the Vatican ambassador to see Francis. But Davis's lawyer -- who informed the press of the secret meeting after the pope returned to Rome -- said that Davis and Pope Francis met alone behind closed doors in the embassy, while all the other guests remained in open areas.
The Vatican also claimed today that it did not ask Davis to meet with the pope, but Davis's lawyer said the Vatican contacted Davis shortly after she was released from jail and requested that she meet with Pope Francis during his U.S. visit. Davis's lawyer also said that Vatican security personnel picked up Davis and her husband from their Washington, D.C. hotel and drove them to the Vatican Embassy to attend the private meeting.
Indeed, in trying to minimize the controversy that has resulted from Pope Francis's secret meeting with Kim Davis, the Vatican has instead made this scenario worse with its half-truths, distortions, and even lies.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi -- seeking to eliminate controversy resulting from the secret meeting -- said Davis was one of "several dozen" people who had been invited by the Vatican ambassador to see Francis. But Davis's lawyer -- who informed the press of the secret meeting after the pope returned to Rome -- said that Davis and Pope Francis met alone behind closed doors in the embassy, while all the other guests remained in open areas.
The Vatican also claimed today that it did not ask Davis to meet with the pope, but Davis's lawyer said the Vatican contacted Davis shortly after she was released from jail and requested that she meet with Pope Francis during his U.S. visit. Davis's lawyer also said that Vatican security personnel picked up Davis and her husband from their Washington, D.C. hotel and drove them to the Vatican Embassy to attend the private meeting.
Indeed, in trying to minimize the controversy that has resulted from Pope Francis's secret meeting with Kim Davis, the Vatican has instead made this scenario worse with its half-truths, distortions, and even lies.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Russian Orth. Church Praises Syrian Air Strikes; Sees Strikes as a "Holy Battle" against Terrorists
Russia's air strikes in Syria against ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) -- which began this week -- have been praised as a "holy battle" by the Russian Orthodox Church, the Christian Today website reports today (October 1, 2015).
"The fight with terrorism is a holy battle and today our country is perhaps the most active force in the world fighting it," said Vsevolod Chaplin, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church's public affairs department.
An official statement from the Church's Patriarch Kirill states: "Russia took a responsible decision to use military forces to protect the Syrian people from the woes brought on by the tyranny of terrorists."
Patriarch Kirill -- who often speaks out on political issues in support of the Kremlin -- added that armed intervention was necessary in Syria because "the political process has not led to any noticeable improvement in the lives of people, and they need military protection."
"The fight with terrorism is a holy battle and today our country is perhaps the most active force in the world fighting it," said Vsevolod Chaplin, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church's public affairs department.
An official statement from the Church's Patriarch Kirill states: "Russia took a responsible decision to use military forces to protect the Syrian people from the woes brought on by the tyranny of terrorists."
Patriarch Kirill -- who often speaks out on political issues in support of the Kremlin -- added that armed intervention was necessary in Syria because "the political process has not led to any noticeable improvement in the lives of people, and they need military protection."
Oregon Bakers Won't Pay a Lesbian Couple $135K; Cite Econ. Hardship, Appeal Ruling of Labor Head
The owners of a Portland, Oregon bakery are refusing to pay $135,000 in emotional damages to a lesbian couple who they denied service, the Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (October 1, 2015).
Oregon labor commissioner Brad Avakian awarded the damages in July, saying that when owners Melissa and Aaron Klein refused to bake a wedding cake for the couple that they violated their civil rights by discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.
The lesbians originally sought just $400, the price of one of the Kleins' custom cakes.
The Kleins have appealed Avakian's ruling and are citing financial hardship. Since the ruling, they've had to close their business. However, a Labor Bureau spokesman claims that the Kleins have raised nearly half a million dollars in crowd-funding efforts and should be able to pay.
Oregon labor commissioner Brad Avakian awarded the damages in July, saying that when owners Melissa and Aaron Klein refused to bake a wedding cake for the couple that they violated their civil rights by discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.
The lesbians originally sought just $400, the price of one of the Kleins' custom cakes.
The Kleins have appealed Avakian's ruling and are citing financial hardship. Since the ruling, they've had to close their business. However, a Labor Bureau spokesman claims that the Kleins have raised nearly half a million dollars in crowd-funding efforts and should be able to pay.
Israeli Parents of Four Shot to Death in Samaria; Killed in Seconds by Palestinian Terrorists' Shots
Two Israeli parents were shot to death shortly before 9 o'clock last night when terrorists opened fire at their vehicle traveling on the road between the Jewish communities of Itamar and Elon Moreh in Samaria, the Jewish Press website reports today (October 1, 2015).
At least two terrorists targeted the vehicle as a husband and wife in their thirties with their four children drove past the Arab village of Beit Furik.
Military sources said bullets were found at the scene from two different firearms -- a rifle and a handgun.
The children -- a four-month-old baby, and four-year-old, seven-year-old, and nine-year-old boys -- were physically uninjured.
At least two terrorists targeted the vehicle as a husband and wife in their thirties with their four children drove past the Arab village of Beit Furik.
Military sources said bullets were found at the scene from two different firearms -- a rifle and a handgun.
The children -- a four-month-old baby, and four-year-old, seven-year-old, and nine-year-old boys -- were physically uninjured.
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