The Pope’s visit
Regardless of their faith members of the public have been invited to see Pope Benedict XVI. It emerged that he will meet Nick Clegg, who is an atheist, and Harriet Harman, whose Equality Act has angered the Church. The Government is keen to portray the four-day state visit as a historic event that will enhance the country's standing worldwide and to highlight the pontiff's commitment to social justice in order to head off criticism over the costs and the child abuse scandal affecting the Vatican. Lord Patten is overseeing the visit’s planning. He said that the significance of the first-ever state visit by a Pope to Britain was greater than the potential costs. He told a press conference: ‘Even if we had known of the parlous state of the nation's finances, I'm sure that wouldn't have been a consideration because the importance of this visit makes its own claim upon modest public support.’ Pray: that God will use the Pope’s visit in a positive way for many communities. (Ro.8:28)
Increases in crime documented
The statistics set out in Crimestoppers website are shocking in their summaries of the growth over recent years of all types of crime. Crimestoppers is an independent charity working to fight crime and well worth supporting in our view. It has nothing to do with the BBC’s Crimewatch programme. Anonymous information passed to Crimestoppers has led to 100,000 criminals being arrested and charged. This milestone was reached 22 years after the charity was formed in 1988. Anonymity is assured for those offering information about crimes in their area. An example of a local initiative is shown by the well known boxer, Ricky Hatton. He has joined up with Crimestoppers to encourage people in Greater Manchester to rid their community of crime by passing on information to Crimestoppers anonymously. Pray: that Christ’s light will shine into dark places so that justice may be delivered and peace prevail. (Eph.5:8-10) More: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/latest-crime-statistics
Christians must not be sidelined
A senior Government official has said that Christians should not be sidelined for their faith and that Christianity has a valued and important role to play. Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said that the Government is keen to look at the church’s role in communities for inspiration. He knows the flawed logic of the view that the state can solve society’s ills does not work. In an interview with the Sunday Express, he said: ‘One of the things I want to do is to use the pastoral experience of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in getting out there into the community. Religious tolerance is immensely important. Religion has a valued and important role in binding our society together and is a vital part of the cultural fabric of the English and British nations.’ It is reported that there are 22,000 Christian charities in Britain providing more than 23 million hours of voluntary service. Pray: for recognition of the vital role that the church plays in the life of the nation. (Mt.5:3)
We must do more on knife crime
David Cameron hinted at tougher sentences for knife crime in the wake of the latest ‘absolutely horrific’ death of a 15-year-old in London. The fatal stabbing of Zac Olumegbon outside his school in West Norwood on 2 July was raised in Parliament by MP Chuka Umunna. In his response, the Prime Minister referred to a review of sentencing, saying: ‘I'm very clear we do need to have the strongest possible signal about how carrying a knife is just unacceptable. We need to send out a signal that it is not a defensive measure, it's not a cool thing to do. It should not happen and the punishment will be tough’. Mr Cameron said the long-term solution was ‘to give people an alternative to the gangs they are drawn towards, because they don't have other networks and help and hope in their lives. (See 4th item) Three teenagers, aged 16 and 17, have been charged with Zac's murder. Pray: for the Lord to effect changes to the youngsters’ role models. (Mt.18:3)
