Pope Francis asked forgiveness for the Catholic Church's persecution of members of a small evangelical church in Italy whose leader was excommunicated and followers branded as heretics during the Middle Ages. Francis made the appeal during the first-ever visit by a pope to a Waldensian house of worship. The Waldensian church was founded in the 12th century by a wealthy merchant from Lyon, France - Pierre Valdo, who gave up his belongings to preach a Gospel of simplicity and poverty that condemned papal excesses. He was excommunicated and his followers persecuted as heretics by Rome. The Waldensians today are united with the Methodist Church of Italy and claim 45,000 followers, mostly in Italy, Argentina and Uruguay. ‘On the part of the Catholic Church, I ask your forgiveness, I ask it for the non-Christian and even inhuman attitudes and behaviour that we have showed you,’ Francis said sombrely from the altar. ‘In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us!’
Ireland: Sinn Féin to support budget bill
01 Jul 2015
MLA Martin McGuinness, of Sinn Féin, has stated that his party will support the budget bill. He said the bill will create the space to resolve the difficulties facing the Executive. He said, ‘We need to ensure that the Executive has the resources to continue to build a peaceful, inclusive and tolerant society.’ There remains a fundamental challenge for the Executive around welfare protections. But while we explore a way forward on this issue, the other important elements of the Stormont House Agreement, including the essential legacy mechanisms, should and must proceed. This budget bill does not involve any reduction in social security support for the most vulnerable in our society and it does not contain any reductions as a consequence of the £25 billion of further cuts announced by the Tories.’
Reykjavik University is set to launch an international training programme aimed at fishery industry leaders and specialists, with organisations such as HB Grandi and Matis playing a key role. The university is working alongside Fisheries Iceland and Icelandic food and biotech company Matis as well as other university certified research groups. The initiative is targeting those who wish to expand their knowledge on ocean science and fisheries, marketing, fish processing, the latest developments in innovation and technology and how economics is impacting the industry. Starting in October this year, it is to be taught in three periods, with focus on industry management, operations and innovation. The next phase will be held in February next year, with emphasis on fishing and fish farming, while the third period will take place in May and focus on further processing and fish product marketing.
Hungary: Completely overrun by refugees
01 Jul 2015
Serbia has responded angrily to Hungary’s plan to build a 175 kilometre border fence between the countries. Details of the four-metre high barrier were released on Wednesday. Budapest says it can wait no longer for an EU solution to immigration management. ‘I believe the last time a wall like this was built, it was 1961,’ said Serbian prime minister Aleksander Vucic. Speaking directly to his Hungarian counterpart, he added, ‘That was a long time ago, amid problems and for reasons I well understand, but this has nothing to do with us. Building a barrier like this cannot and will not happen.’ There is currently a strong flow of migration towards Western Europe from the east. There has been a sharp rise in the number of migrants and asylum-seekers entering Hungary in 2015. Figures suggest Kosovan nationals are by far the largest group of refugees using Serbia as a staging post on their journey.
Anti-gay marriage forces inside the Abbott government are circulating election polling surveys claiming that at least three Senate seats, and potentially five, would be at risk if MPs were allowed a conscience vote and that the Coalition would face a backlash from ethnic communities. The information is being used to fight back against a growing view that it is inevitable same-sex marriage will become law. The Senate seats could be lost if the preferences of the family and Christian parties, which are strongly against gay marriage, were redirected away from the Liberal Party. Supporters of same-sex marriage blasted the figures as propaganda and said it was too simplistic whilst acknowledging there could be ‘some potential impact at the margins’.
Pakistan: Searing heatwave
25 Jun 2015
224 people are believed to have died so far during Pakistan's heatwave in southern Sindh province (nearly 1,700 people died in a similar heatwave in India last month). Most of the deaths have been in Karachi, with temperatures of 45C (113F) in recent days. The city has seen power cuts caused partly by increased electricity demand for air-conditioning. Many of Pakistan’s victims are elderly people who have been suffering from fever, dehydration and gastric problems. The morgue reports an increased number of bodies being brought in. Hundreds of patients suffering from the heatwave effects are being treated at government hospitals. The body's normal core temperature is 37-38C. If it heats to 39-40C, the brain tells the muscles to slow down and fatigue sets in. At 40-41C, heat exhaustion is likely - and above 41C, the body shuts down. Chemical processes start to be affected, body cells deteriorate and there is a risk of multiple organ failure.
Lebanon: Prayer for government, help to refugees
25 Jun 2015
As Muslims fast and pray during Ramadan, we pray for them. ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.’ Christians in Lebanon are asking us to pray Psalm 92:12-13 with them. Lebanon still does not have a president. This could lead to bigger issues. Pray for a strong godly leader to move Lebanon forward. Pray for the local churches reaching out to Syrian refugees. Pray for them to grow deeper in Jesus, pray for them to have strength to continue to reach out and to be bright lights in this darkness. Without a central ruling government, the refugee camps and the large population create an economic burden for the country. In the midst of this, Christians are trying to bring physical care and support to the poor. Pray for Christian brothers and sisters as they minister to the suffering.
Vatican State: Pope speaks out on climate change
25 Jun 2015
On 18 June Pope Francis called for a radical transformation of politics, economics and individual lifestyles to confront environmental degradation and climate change, criticising consumerism and irresponsible development and calling for swift and unified global action. The vision he outlined in a 184-page papal encyclical is sweeping in ambition and scope: he describes relentless exploitation and destruction of the environment and says apathy, reckless pursuit of profits, excessive faith in technology and political shortsightedness are to blame. The most vulnerable victims are the world’s poorest people, who are being dislocated and disregarded. He places blame on overuse of fossil fuels and human activity, while warning of an ‘unprecedented destruction of ecosystems’ with ‘serious consequences for all of us’ if swift corrective action is not taken. Developed countries are mostly responsible and are obligated to help poorer nations confront the crisis. See also article below and read the full encyclical at: