The Dutch and legalisation of drugs
The Netherlands is learning that establishing red light districts and cannabis-selling coffee shops may not have been a great idea after all. For Paul Schnabel, director of the Social and Cultural Planning Office, a government advisory board, the move reflects a growing view that the tolerance policies have not controlled the ills associated with drugs and prostitution, rather a recasting of Dutch liberalism. The circumstances that led to the tolerance policies have changed in the past decade, as large-scale crime around coffee shops and the legal sex trade became more visible. In particular, the absence of legal means for coffee shops to obtain cannabis has highlighted their association with organized crime. The open-minded instincts that helped foster the policies are also being questioned. And it is not just the far-right opposing these coffee shops. The traditional parties of power on the centre-right, the Christian Democrats and the Liberal VVD, have also moved against the policies they once promoted. Pray: that Netherlands’ politicians arrive at sensible decisions regarding drugs. (Jer. 44:8)
New Serbian Patriarch crosses border
On 10.10.10 the new leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irenjy, was enthroned at the Patriarchate in Pec. The two-and-a-half-hour service was a unique blend of a highly formal and informal Orthodox liturgy. Three hundred people gathered in the church, which holds only 100 comfortably. Patriarchates from all over the Orthodox world were represented, from Moscow, Athens, Jerusalem, and elsewhere, alongside invited Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders, three Serbian Islamic muftis, and two Anglicans: Canon Jonathan Goodall, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ecumenical Secretary, and Canon Donald Reeves. The Pec Patriarchate, seat of the Patriarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church since 1217, is regarded as its spiritual centre. However Pec is in the independent Republic of Kosovo, not Serbia. No Kosovo Albanians had been invited to the service. To have done so would have been to acknowledge Kosovo as an independent state, no longer part of Serbia. Pray: for reconciliation between the Serbs and Kosovans through the Church in the Balkans. (Ac.7:26)
New Serbian Patriarch crosses border
On 10.10.10 the new leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irenjy, was enthroned at the Patriarchate in Pec. The two-and-a-half-hour service was a unique blend of a highly formal and informal Orthodox liturgy. Three hundred people gathered in the church, which holds only 100 comfortably. Patriarchates from all over the Orthodox world were represented, from Moscow, Athens, Jerusalem, and elsewhere, alongside invited Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders, three Serbian Islamic muftis, and two Anglicans: Canon Jonathan Goodall, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ecumenical Secretary, and Canon Donald Reeves. The Pec Patriarchate, seat of the Patriarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church since 1217, is regarded as its spiritual centre. However Pec is in the independent Republic of Kosovo, not Serbia. No Kosovo Albanians had been invited to the service. To have done so would have been to acknowledge Kosovo as an independent state, no longer part of Serbia. Pray: for reconciliation between the Serbs and Kosovans through the Church in the Balkans. (Ac.7:26)
Algeria: Christians face court
As in many Muslim democracies, hard-line Islamic fundamentalists in Algeria have secured the balance of power and are skilful politicians armed with Korans to achieve political gain and influence policies. Decades of Islamic terror have left many Algerians traumatised and disillusioned, and now Christianity is growing especially in the Kabylie region. This is attracting the attention of the Islamists. While persecution of Christians has escalated the Church is not alone for many Kabylie citizens and rights groups are equally concerned about advancing Islamisation, declining liberty, escalating intolerance and state repression. A new struggle for Algeria is heating up. In the Kabylie region four Protestant leaders will face court on the 10th October for 'practising non-Muslim worship without authorisation'. The fellowship is affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria a nationally accredited denomination with 30,000 believers, mainly in Kabylie. The Pastor who owns the property where the Church meets will also be tried for 'hosting a foreigner' (a French pastor). Pray: for the court's courage to uphold justice despite Government and Islamist pressure. (Mt.12:18)
