Russia: Clergy may run for office
The Russian Orthodox Church has ruled that hierarchs (church leaders) and clergy can run for office in exceptional cases when their presence is needed to fight ‘forces striving to use electoral power to fight the Orthodox Church.’ A document passed on 2 February by the Bishops' Council, which was meeting in Moscow, describes potential opponents of the church as forces ‘including schismatics and those of other religions,’ without naming any specifically, and says the church has the right to pass moral judgment on political programs and statements when they touch on issues including moral relativism, family values, historical monuments and the environment. The document also makes clear that it is referring not just to clergy within Russia’s borders but extends across the former Soviet Union. In another document, passed on 4 February, the Bishops' Council said clergy and lay people must use all legal means to fight ‘blasphemy and slander’ against the church in modern society. Pray: that God will speak through His chosen leaders into the political arena. (Pr.10:2) More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4704
Russia: Clergy may run for office
The Russian Orthodox Church has ruled that hierarchs (church leaders) and clergy can run for office in exceptional cases when their presence is needed to fight ‘forces striving to use electoral power to fight the Orthodox Church.’ A document passed on 2 February by the Bishops' Council, which was meeting in Moscow, describes potential opponents of the church as forces ‘including schismatics and those of other religions,’ without naming any specifically, and says the church has the right to pass moral judgment on political programs and statements when they touch on issues including moral relativism, family values, historical monuments and the environment. The document also makes clear that it is referring not just to clergy within Russia’s borders but extends across the former Soviet Union. In another document, passed on 4 February, the Bishops' Council said clergy and lay people must use all legal means to fight ‘blasphemy and slander’ against the church in modern society. Pray: that God will speak through His chosen leaders into the political arena. (Pr.10:2) More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4704
B&B owners: Targeted by homosexuals
Following the award of damages against Peter and Hazelmary Bulls, (See Prayer Alert 02-2011) who refused to allow a homosexual couple to share a double bed in their guesthouse, another Christian B&B owner is now being taken to court. Michael Black and John Morgan, are claiming that they were discriminated against after being turned away from a B&B in Cookham, Berkshire. They have launched legal proceedings against Susanne Wilkinson, the Christian owner of the B&B. This follows the experience of the Bulls, who have suffered many abusive phone calls from homosexuals following the ruling and have even had fake and damaging reviews of their B&B posted online. The Wilkinsons have also been subjected to abusive phone calls, text messages and emails since the facts of their story emerged in the media. Mr Wilkinson told the police: ‘There must have been 900 emails, and I would say half of them are really abusive and threatening’. Pray: for the Wilkinsons and Bulls at this time of great challenge and distress in their lives. (2Sa.22:7)
Re-establishing relationships in the Anglican Communion will be a ‘long task’
The Archbishop of Canterbury has acknowledged the ‘critical’ situation facing the Anglican Communion at the end of a six-day meeting of Primates in Dublin. Around 10 Primates from the Global South were absent from the meeting out of opposition to the attendance of Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church in the US. The Church has angered large parts of the Anglican Communion by continuing to bless same-sex unions and consecrate partnered same-sex bishops. Dr Rowan Williams said the absence of the Primates had been ‘felt and noted every day’, and that the names of the missing Primates had been placed on seats in the meeting and candles lit for them. In spite of their absence, Dr Williams said there was still a lot of solidarity between churches in the Communion on a broad range of issues and that the meeting had met his hope of clarifying the role of the Primates standing committee. Pray: for healing and unity so that the Church can focus on delivering the Gospel message. (Ep.4:3)
