Pope to promote peace with world religious leaders
Pope Benedict XVI has invited 300 religious leaders to a meeting in Assisi in Italy to repudiate ‘violence in the name of God’ amid growing tensions fuelled by fundamentalists across the world. The day of Inter-religious Council, which will be held today in St Francis of Assisi’s birthplace, is intended to be a ‘journey of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world,’ the Vatican said. Over 50 Islamic representatives are expected to attend the talks from several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. They will be joined by Rabbis, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, a Zoroastrian, a Bahai and representatives of Taoism and Confucianism as well as of other traditional religions from Africa and America. For the first time, four atheists will also attend the meeting, which is traditionally organised so as not to coincide with the Muslim day of prayer on Friday, the Jewish one on Saturday or the Christian one on Sunday.
Pray: as the religious leaders gather that God would bring unity and peace among them. (Ps.34:15)
Church ready to sell internet holdings unless companies curb online pornography
The Church of England may withdraw the millions it has invested in internet companies unless they take action to curb internet pornography. Senior officials are conducting a wide-ranging review of the Church’s holdings in Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which are worth tens of millions. A Church spokesman said that its Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) was considering new guidelines on pornography, which address the ease in which hardcore sexual images can be viewed through modern media. The review, which is expected to be concluded in the coming months, will recommend how part of the Church’s £5.3 billion portfolio should be invested in relation to Internet companies. The Church refuses to invest in firms that fuel problems against which Christians campaign. According to Church documents, the criteria for investing in media companies is that they have a ‘positive influence on society by educating, entertaining and uplifting individual experience’.
Pray: for the Church, through the EIAG, to bring its influence to combat the evil that pervades electronic media. (Ps.34:16)
Senior bishop criticises proposed changes to planning rules
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer, warned that the rules would allow developments when councils had not set out local plans, which would make clear where building can take place. His intervention is the first time that a senior cleric has entered the dispute over the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework. The framework distils 1,300 pages of planning guidance into as few as 52, and writes in a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’. Groups including the National Trust fear this will allow developers to build on large parts of the countryside. The bishop criticised the draft rules during a House of Lords debate. He said: ‘Just because no one has thought about a proposal before does not mean that it should automatically be granted. A default answer of 'yes’ seems to be dangerous in legislation and could well lead to problems in, for example, the proper provision of affordable housing.’
Pray: for the Government to build in safeguards to address the concerns of many who seek to protect townscapes and countryside. (Ps.72:3)
CAB dumps former SNP chief for traditional marriage views
Former leader of the Scottish National Party, Gordon Wilson, has been kicked off the board of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – because of his support for traditional marriage.
Earlier this month Mr Wilson responded to a Government consultation on redefining marriage, saying he was opposed to the idea. He said: ‘You attack the building block of society at your peril’ and he called for a referendum on the issue. But expressing his beliefs appear to have cost him his position at Dundee CAB – a group that offers free advice to the public about legal rights. At yesterday’s annual general meeting of Dundee CAB, members blocked his re-election as one of twelve directors. Mr Wilson was accused of being anti-equality and a total of 21 members voted against his re-election. At the meeting he pointed out the irony that CAB receives taxpayers money for tackling religious discrimination.
Pray: for Mr Wilson and his courage to speak out. Also pray for the CAB to recognise the double standards they are operating and to reconsider their action. (Dt.31:6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cab-dumps-former-snp-chief-for-traditional-marriage-views/
