Czech Republic: Controversial homeless plan
Organizations working with the homeless, the country's largest opposition party, the political party likely to lead Prague after autumn elections and homeless people themselves are all speaking out against the plans by City Hall to build an ‘integrated assistance centre’ for the homeless on the outskirts of the city. Plans approved by the City Council last week will see a new centre being built within six months in Malešice, an industrial area on the eastern edge of the capital. Facilities planned for the centre are described as ‘an oasis’ for the homeless. Homeless people would be registered but would not be required to live in the new space but would be encouraged to go there. Ilja Hradecký, chairman of a Christian charity that works with the homeless, described the idea as ‘absolutely misconceived’ and would either see people leaving the camp each day after being taken there against their will or being ‘interned’, something that he termed a violation of human rights. Pray: for wisdom to result from the debate over Prague’s homeless. (2Cor.8:9) More: http://www.praguepost.com/news/5501-outcry-as-city-approves-controversial-homeless-plan.html
Muslims lobbying to worship in Spanish Cathedral
While the dispute over the proposed Cordoba House near New York City’s Ground Zero has been highly publicised over the past few months, less known is the debate over Spain’s Cordoba Cathedral, which was formerly the Great Mosque of Cordoba. For some time now, Muslim groups have been trying to convince leaders of the Cathedral of Cordoba in southern Spain to allow the Catholic Church to be used for both Muslim and Christian worship as the site still remains significant for many Muslims. The Bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernandez, says sharing the space with Muslims would be like a man sharing his wife with another man. Built in the 8th century after the Moorish invasion of Spain, the Cordoba house of worship was transformed from a mosque into a cathedral in 1236 when King Ferdinand III captured the city of Cordoba from the Moors. Pray: for Christians everywhere that they will hold fast to the ground that God has given and be wise in their deliberations. (Ps.107:43)
Muslims lobbying to worship in Spanish Cathedral
While the dispute over the proposed Cordoba House near New York City’s Ground Zero has been highly publicised over the past few months, less known is the debate over Spain’s Cordoba Cathedral, which was formerly the Great Mosque of Cordoba. For some time now, Muslim groups have been trying to convince leaders of the Cathedral of Cordoba in southern Spain to allow the Catholic Church to be used for both Muslim and Christian worship as the site still remains significant for many Muslims. The Bishop of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernandez, says sharing the space with Muslims would be like a man sharing his wife with another man. Built in the 8th century after the Moorish invasion of Spain, the Cordoba house of worship was transformed from a mosque into a cathedral in 1236 when King Ferdinand III captured the city of Cordoba from the Moors. Pray: for Christians everywhere that they will hold fast to the ground that God has given and be wise in their deliberations. (Ps.107:43)
Cross is point of contention in Poland
Supporters of the late president Lech Kaczynski of Poland are refusing to take down a cross they placed outside the presidential palace in Warsaw, a move that is igniting political tensions between secularists and nationalists. The 13 feet high cross was put up soon after the crash on April 10 of the presidential plane killing the president, his wife and 94 others. Calling themselves Defenders of the Cross, many who have gathered around the cross belong to the nationalist Law and Justice party. The party is led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the twin brother of the late president. With important local government elections due in the autumn, analysts say, Law and Justice is trying to recover its popularity. The church has refused to be dragged into the controversy. On Thursday, it took the unusual step of calling on all sides to find a compromise in a dispute it claimed was being exploited for political reasons. Pray: that the Cross might unify rather than divide. (Mt.5:9) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/world/europe/14poland.html?_r=1&ref=europe
