EU to send expert team to Sudan
The EU is preparing to send a team of technical experts to Sudan in the coming weeks, with senior officials warning that Africa's largest and soon to be divided state continues to pose the greatest risk to the continent's security, despite recent competition from Egypt. ‘The mission will be sent to south Sudan to make a strategic assessment of what support the EU should provide for stability, building, development and security sector reform.’ Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for EU high representative Catherine Ashton, said on Tuesday. Final results from last month's referendum, released on Monday, showed that nearly 99 percent of the 3.9 million voters in south Sudan elected to separate form the Arab-led and Muslim north. A complete lack of development in southern Sudan for the past 25 years, security failings and a history of epidemics and floods are among the challenges facing the region, set to gain independence in July, said the official. Pray: for the teams of experts that they will be given God’s wisdom in ways to help this new nation. (Pr.2:6)
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)
