Two Christian teachers gang raped and murdered in Burma

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Two Christian teachers gang raped and murdered in Burma

Two Kachin teachers were gang raped then killed by Burmy Army soldiers on January 19 after an Kawng Hka Shabuk Village, Muse District, Northern Shan State.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is condemning the injustices committed against the two women, identified as Maran Lu Ra, aged 20 and Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin, 21, who were teachers from Myitkyina working with the Kachin Baptist Convention.

CSW is calling for the Burmese government to immediately stop the military offensive in ethnic areas, and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.

“Burma Army troops came into the church ground where the girls were sleeping and raped and then beat them to death. Villagers nearby heard the girls screaming and when they went to check they saw Burma Army boot prints and the raped and bloodied bodies of the dead girls,” a source told CSW.

“The church members went to the Burma police in this area, but the police have taken no action.”

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW lamented the ongoing violations against human rights in Burma. “This tragic rape and murder of two young Christian Kachin teachers is yet another example of the continuing severe violations of human rights in Burma, the prevailing culture of impunity for the military, and the persistent and widespread use of rape and sexual violence by the Burma Army,” he said.

The CSW is also calling on the British government to assist by sending a team of experts to Burma to investigate the attack.

“We urge the international community to act to uphold the provisions of the Declaration to End Sexual Violence in Conflict and the UK’s own Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, and we call on the government of Burma to end the war against the Kachin people and engage in a genuine political dialogue and peace process,” added Thomas.

The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) has already recorded over 70 number of gang-rape, rape and attempted sexual violence cases by Burma Army troops in Kachin and northern Shan states ever since the Burma Army broke the 17-year ceasefire with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in June 2011.

Source: Christian Today

Iraqi Christians would really like the Pope to visit

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Iraqi Christians would really like the Pope to visit

Pope Francis can expect a warm reception from the Christians living in war-torn Iraq, the Vatican’s top diplomat there says.

In an interview with the Catholic charitable organisation Aid to the Church in Need, Vatican diplomat to Iraq Archbishop Giorgio Lingua said that the Christians in Iraq would really like the Holy Father to visit.

“The Holy Father is expected in Iraq both by the Church and the political powers, and even by non-Christians such as the Shiite leadership,” Archbishop Lingua revealed. “I am impressed how great the consensus is concerning the figure of the Pope.”

However, Archbishop Lingua said that there would need to be proper planning for the Papal Visit to Iraq to become a reality. There are security issues specifically that need to be addressed.

The papal envoy named two areas that are of immediate concern and could affect the future of Christianity in Iraq. These areas are Mosul and the Nineveh Plain, both of which are currently under the control of the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Christians have lived in these areas of Iraq for two thousand years and survived through the rule of Saddam Hussein.

“If the government manages to regain control there and implements a campaign of national reconciliation, then there will be a place for Christians in Iraq,” Archbishop Lingua told ACN.

He remains optimistic about the government’s ability to take care of security issues to make the papal visit possible. “I’m no expert in such matters. But everybody says that they would do everything to make the visit a success,” the papal envoy said.

For his part, Archbishop Lingua told ACN that he would want to spend more time in organising a Papal Visit. He said that a Papal Visit should include Abraham’s birthplace in Ur, the seat of government in Baghdad and the Christian refugees now living in Erbil.

Source: Christian Today

Two Christians kidnapped by Militiamen in Central African Republic

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Two Christians kidnapped by Militiamen in Central African Republic

Two Christians were kidnapped on January 19 near Bangui in the Central African Republic by anti-balaka militiamen who demanded the release of their imprisoned leader.

The anti-balakas are Christian vigilantes who are violently pursuing the remnants of the disbanded Seleka coalition. The Seleka coalition was the previous ruling coalition in the Central African Republic and was responsible for the wave of violence that targeted mostly Christians from March 2013 to early 2014. They were formally disbanded when a new president was elected last year but the violence continued as former members carried out attacks, and the anti-balakas kept up their retaliations.

The two victims were identified only as Gustave, a worker at CODIS, and French national Claudia Priest.

CODIS is a diocesan organisation that is dedicated to providing health care and education in the CAR, while Claudia Priest heads a charitable organisation and is a frequent traveller to the CAR.

According to the World Watch Monitor, Gustave and Priest were returning to Bangui from a trip to Damara. They arrived at a church in the city’s 4th district at 8 a.m on January 19 but were waylaid by four armed men in the entrance of the church. The pair, together with another congregation member identified only as Elkana, were forced to exit the vehicle at gunpoint.

The militiamen then took away their personal possessions including cellphones and cash. The militiamen confiscated their vehicle, which was loaded with medicine.

Elkana managed to extricate himself from the situation and escaped. Gustave and Priest were kidnapped and taken to anti-Balaka stronghold Boy Rab.

The World Watch Monitor said that the militiamen demanded the release of Rodrigue Ngaibona, an anti-Balaka militia leader that was arrested by United Nations peacekeepers on January 18.

Two members of the Christians and Muslims Platform in the CAR, Bangui Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga and Evangelical Alliance President and Rev. Nicolas Guérékoyamé Gbangou, are spearheading negotiations for the victims’ release.

The French government has condemned the kidnapping, calling it “an act contrary to humanitarian law.”

Source: Christian Today

India: Bishops urge goverment to end conversion of Christians to Hinduism

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India: Bishops urge goverment to end conversion of Christians to Hinduism

India’s Catholic bishops have urged the government to stop attempts to convert Christians and others to Hinduism.

A special consultation presided over by Cardinal Baselios Cleemis was called in New Delhi aimed at responding to a series of incidents in which mass conversion or ‘ghar wapsi’ programmes had been carried out or threatened by nationalist Hindu parties.

A statement from the bishops addressed to the prime minister, Narendra Modi, said: “India is a land where different religious faiths have long since flourished and our founding fathers made special efforts to ensure that the rights of all are safeguarded, irrespective of our religious beliefs, gender or caste.”

It said that the conversions or ‘reconversions’, as the instigators call them, had “hurt the sentiments of the Christian community” and “shaken the faith in the secular fabric of our nation”. It warned that “Communal polarisation and the bid to homogenise India are posing a threat to all minorities – women, dalits, and all linguistic, cultural and religious minorities.”

The statement said that “Conversions of a religious nature are an exercise of one’s free will and one’s constitutional/fundamental rights and freedom of conscience and of religion. Ghar Wapsi is a political process, carried out by the powerful exponents of religious nationalism – much against the principle of secularism.”

The bishops asked for “assurance from the Government that we are protected and secure and safe in our motherland”. They called on Modi to “urgently intervene and take appropriate action to stop incidents that pose a big threat to the unity of this secular nation”.

A planned mass Christmas Day conversion ceremony in India’s Uttar Pradesh state was banned by the state’s police force.

Organised by an offshoot of the nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) group, the ghar wapsi ceremony for the Muslim-majority city of Aligarh was set to convert at least 1,000 Muslim and 4,000 Christian families from the Valmiki Dalit group, which the group claims to have identified already.

However, according to the Times of India, police spokesman Amit Agarwal said there were public order considerations and announced that the ceremony would not be given permission. “Under no circumstances will we allow the proposed mass conversation programme slated for December 25,” he said, adding: “The so-called ‘ghar waapsi’ programme organised by the Dharam Jagran Samiti can become a law and order issue for the state and irrespective of the finer details of this event it cannot be allowed to be held.”

Source: Christian Today

Tens of Thousands join annual March for Life in Washington

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Tens of Thousands join annual March for Life in Washington

WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of people from across the United States and abroad gathered at National Mall for the annual March for Life. The large gathering calling for the advancement of the pro-life cause in America took place as the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives gave the demonstrators a mixed message.

While the lower House of Congress passed a bill to strip abortion providers of taxpayer funds, called the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act, they delayed a vote on a ban for abortions performed twenty weeks after fertilization, known as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

Rick Santorum, former Republican member of the U.S. Senate and participant in the March for Life, told The Christian Post that he was happy with the vote to approve the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act.

“Well, they’re going to pass a good bill today; a good pro-life bill,” said Santorum, who noted the march was “disproportionately young and disproportionately women.”

“And they promised to bring the other bill up as soon as they can work out what I think are technically minor problems from what I hear,” he added.

Santorum’s remarks came at the March for Life, a major pro-life event that falls on the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe vs. Wade.

While no confirmed exact number of attendees is available, local media estimated that “tens of thousands” were in attendance on a day considerably warmer than last year.

Throngs of people from various denominations, Catholic schools, Catholic dioceses and Archdioceses, as well as several states crowded the muddy ground of the National Mall.

Many attendees held signs including, “Defend Life,” “Women do Regret Abortion,” “Life Counts,” “I Am The Pro-Life Generation,” and its Spanish equivalent, “Yo Soy la Generacion Pro-Vida.”

Several speakers addressed the audience, including U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, U.S. Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop President the Rev. Joseph Kurtz, and Rev. Samuel Rodriquez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.

There was also a social media element. Attendees for the March were encouraged to post photos from the rally with hashtags like #WhyWeMarch and #MarchforLife.

A historically Catholic event, Pope Francis tweeted his support for the event, posting the message “Every Life is a Gift #MarchforLife.”

Within hours of the Pontiff’s online endorsement, the tweet received over 14,500 retweets and nearly 20,000 favorites.

Lila Rose, president and founder of the prolife group Live Action, told The Christian Post that the March was one of many events and efforts in the movement.

“The march is obviously commemorating the lives of the lost after Roe and so it’s important that we do that, but at the same time the march is just one event,” said Rose.

Several other events were held nationwide in the days leading up to the Roe anniversary, as well as many events hosted this week by The March for Life Education & Defense Fund at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown Hotel.

As with past years, marchers went from the National Mall to the Supreme Court building, with demonstrators flanking the large column of supporters as they made their way.

Outside the Supreme Court, the March encountered a small but vocal group of counter-protesters, holding signs that read “Abortion on Demand & Without Apology” and photos of women who reportedly died due to being denied an abortion for a dangerous pregnancy.

Originally, the Republican-dominated House was going to vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act on the anniversary of Roe, but the effort was delayed.

The delay caused outrage among some pro-life Christian leaders including Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore.

“This decision is a severe breach of trust that we cannot let go unchallenged,” said Moore, noting in another statement that the delay was an “act of moral cowardice.”

“If the House Republicans cannot pass something as basic as restricting the abortion of five-month, pain-capable unborn children, what can they get done?” continued Moore.

Regarding the so-called “vote swap” of the two pro-life bills, Rose of Live Action told CP that she felt the first objective of the political efforts of the pro-life movement should be to remove taxpayer funding of abortions.

“I think that the first step to ending abortion in our country and the first responsibility especially the House … is to cut taxpayer funding of the abortion industry,” said Rose.

“So I applaud any steps in that direction and I think there needs to be more force of will and commitment to that end.”

While the Pain-Capable Child Protection Act is expected to eventually be voted on and passed by Congress, President Barack Obama is on record as having said he will veto the legislation.

Source: Christian Post

Iraq: ISIS executed three young men for breeding pigeons

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Iraq: ISIS executed three young men for breeding pigeons

Three young men have lost their lives at the hands of executioners of the Islamic State this week allegedly for breeding pigeons.

NBC News reported that armed gunmen from ISIS abducted 15 boys and young men. An unnamed security official informed NBC News that three people in the group have already been executed for pursuing the hobby, which ISIS views as “un-Islamic.”

The 21-year-old son of farmer Abu Abdullah was taken by ISIS fighters last week, NBC News said. The farmer revealed that six armed gunmen dragged his son away at gunpoint after invading their home.

Abdullah questioned the fighters on their reason for taking his son away. “He is not following the real Islam, he must be punished for being a pigeon breeder. This habit is taking him away from worshiping Allah,” the ISIS fighters answered.

According to NBC News, the hobby is viewed in an unfavorable light because of the schedule for feeding the birds. Pigeons are typically fed at the same time that the first of the five Islamic prayers of the day are to be recited. Clerics have already issued fatwas in the past against pigeon breeding.

The unnamed security official also told NBC News that the ISIS is cracking down on bird breeders because it is attempting to recruit more fighters into its military. “ISIS is looking to get more people to join them, they are trying to force men to do that,” he said.

None of this matters to Abu, who expressed his hopelessness about his son’s plight.

“We are helpless and hopeless. I know they will kill him sooner or later,” the farmer said. “I’m waiting for someone to tell me he was killed, and the only thing I will do is to take his body and bury it.”

source: Christian Today

RHOBH star Yolanda Foater is believing God for a miracle cure for lyme disease

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RHOBH star Yolanda Foater is believing God for a miracle cure for lyme disease

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Yolanda Foster opened up about her struggle with Lyme disease in a blog post published on the Bravo website last week.

Foster revealed that her condition has taken a turn for the worst, and her ability to read and write is impaired.

“Most of you know I have been battling Lyme disease for the past three years,” she explained. “I wasted the first year trying to get diagnosed and spent the next two trying to find a cure. I have gone from the conventional long-term antibiotics to about every holistic protocol there is to offer.

“Unfortunatly [sic], I was only able to get to about a 60% recovery until I relapsed in early December and have not been able to find my way back.

“I have lost the ability to read, write, or even watch TV, because I can’t process information or any stimulation for that matter,” she continued.

“It feels like someone came in and confiscated my brain and tied my hands behind my back to just watch and see life go by without me participating in it.”

While faced a devastating situation, Foster maintained a positive outlook, and expressed faith in God to see her through her storm.

“As tired and hopeless as I feel at times, I have an undeniable spirit that will continue to fight and travel the world until I have the proper answers,” she asserted.

“I keep reminding myself that I was given this task for a greater purpose, which keeps me driven and motivated to think outside the box to make a difference not only for myself but for all my fellow Lymies suffering some form of this debilitating disease that we know so little about.

“I am a firm believer that God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling, so even though I have not found a cure, I have faith that I will.

“I am blessed with the unwavering support of my husband, my children, and a handful of true friends, and I would like to thank you for all your sweet messages and support on social media.

“As a human being battling this everyday invisible disability, I ask you to join me in making a kind gesture to someone every day, because everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so your kindness goes a long way, and together we can make a real difference in someone’s day.

Source: Christian Today

Niger: Bishops suspend Catholic activities due to ongoing Charlie Hebdo protests

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Niger: Bishops suspend Catholic activities due to ongoing Charlie Hebdo protests

Protests triggered by the latest Charlie Hebdo magazine cover have led to Catholic masses and activities being cancelled throughout Niger.

The bishops of Niger have been forced to suspend activities at Catholic schools, health care facilities and charities, Catholic News Agency reports. Dozens of churches have been the subject of arson attacks following the publication of cartoons mocking the prophet Muhammad in satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo. At least 10 people have been killed.

The violence erupted in the city of Zinder, Niger’s second largest city, last week. It then spread throughout other regions, with demonstrators setting fire to churches, Christian schools and shops.

“They offended our Prophet Mohammad, that’s what we didn’t like,” said Amadou Abdoul Ouahab, who took part in the demonstrations in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

Archbishop Michel Cartateguy of Niamey told Vatican Radio that Christians in Niger are “in a state of shock”. Almost all of the churches in his diocese have been “completely plundered,” he said.

“Nothing remains, they were totally burned. Only the cathedral is still standing.”

The Archbishop added that he doesn’t understand why Christians in particular are being targeted by the Muslim protestors, though he suspects that those perpetuating the violence “are being manipulated from abroad”.

“It’s obvious that the millions of copies of the Mohammed cartoons being distributed are saying to the people here that the Christians of the West are the ones who have done this!” he said.

“But why keep going down this road? Where is the respect for the faith of others?”

Bishops Laurent Lompo, Ambroise Quedraogo and Michel Cartateguy have released a statement in light of the attacks. They said the suspension of activities will give space for increased prayer, and allow the Christian community to reflect on “the painful events” of the past few days.

“We cordially thank all those who have expressed their solidarity at this difficult time,” the bishops said.

Pope Francis earlier this week condemned the violence in Niger. “One cannot make war in God’s name,” he said during his weekly audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday.

“Religious sentiments are never an occasion for violence, oppression and destruction,” the pope added, calling for prayer for “reconciliation and peace” and a “climate of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence for the good of all.”

Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou has also condemned the protests. “Those who pillage religious sites and profane them, those who persecute and kill their Christian compatriots or foreigners who live on our soil, have understood nothing of Islam,” he said in a televised address last week.

17 journalists were killed by jihadists at the offices of Charlie Hebdo on 7 January in Paris. The murders sparked debate about the freedom of speech and the right to satirise religion.

Source: Christian Today

Church of England seeks ‘online pastor’ to connect with young ones across digital media

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Church of England seeks ‘online pastor’ to connect with young ones across digital media

A diocese in the Church of England has become the first to reach out for an “online pastor” to engage with young people in particular across digital media.

Lichfield Diocese is advertising for a lay or ordained pastor to connect online.

Bishop of Stafford Geoff Annas described it as “a brave new role” to enable teenagers and young people to “build up and nurture each other in the Christian faith.”

Speaking on the Church of England’s weekly podcast he said it was “not a substitute for face-to-face contact” but would help the church meet the needs of young people.

“A lot of young people nowadays don’t see themselves even in denominational terms, they see themselves as young Christians and the way they live out their faith is very different from traditional ways. It’s all part of reimagining of what it means to be ‘church’ in the coming years.

“I think where we’ve got problems is that young people see church in a totally different way. We’re not going to get them to sign up to endless meetings…the Church of England particularly is at an interesting moment. It’s at a turning point.”

Archdeacon of Stoke on Trent, Matthew Parker, said success in the role “will look like more of our young people feeling that they are involved, connected. Relating not just to one another, not just to the wider church, but ultimately relating to God in a way that feels appropriate to them and speaks to where they are.”

The advertisement says: “To reach new generations we recognise that we must learn to relate more effectively to the world and the experience of young people and young adults. Increasingly, this generation inhabits a virtual environment sustained by an array of social media applications and digital devices.”

The aim is to help young people become Christians through hearing the gospel in the language of digital media and to grow in their faith and discipleship if they are already Christians.

In Australia, Rev Mark Brown was ordained to a digital ministry by the Anglican Church of Australia more than a decade ago and, among other things, set up an Anglican Cathedral in the online virtual world Second Life.

In a recent strategy paper written by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in the run-up to General Synod next month, the Church was urged to reach out to the world through digital and social media.

Source: Christian Today

King Abdullah II of Jordan praises Pope Francis comment about limits to freedom of sp

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King Abdullah II of Jordan praises Pope Francis comment about limits to freedom of sp

King Abdullah II of Jordan has praised Pope Francis’ much-debated remarks about the limits to free speech, and insisted that religious beliefs must not be offended.

“King Abdullah made explicit reference to the words expressed by the pope on the fact that freedom of expression is a right, and in some cases even a duty, but at the same time it has limits, and cannot offend the religious beliefs of others. The monarch defined these considerations positive,” said Archbishop Maroun Lahham, patriarchal vicar for Jordan of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as reported by Fides News Agency on Thursday.

Pope Francis said last week that freedom of speech must be protected, but there should be limits when it comes to causing offense to religions.

His comments reflected on the controversy surrounding French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which suffered a deadly shooting where 12 people were killed earlier in January for publishing drawings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

“There are so many people who speak badly about religions or other religions, who make fun of them, who make a game out of the religions of others,” Francis said.

To illustrate his point, the Vatican leader jokingly said that he would punch his aid, Alberto Gasparri, if he were to insult his mother.

“They are provocateurs. And what happens to them is what would happen to Dr. Gasparri if he says a curse word against my mother. There is a limit.”

Francis’ comments were criticized by some in the Christian community, including former CNN host Piers Morgan, who said it was difficult to believe that the Roman Catholic Church leader suggested he would punch someone out of retaliation.

British Prime Minister David Cameron added that while he would feel offended if someone insults Jesus, the right to do so is defended by free speech laws.

“If someone says something offensive about Jesus, I might find that offensive, but in a free society I don’t have a right to wreak my vengeance upon them,” Cameron said.

“We have to accept that newspapers, magazines can publish things that are offensive to some as long as it’s within the law.”

King Abdullah has condemned Islamic extremism, and said that people who carry out attacks, such as the one at the news office of Charlie Hebdo, do not represent true Islam. At the same time, he has said that the reputations of Muslims must be defended and protected. The King of Jordan was one of 40 world leaders who marched in Paris to show solidarity against terrorism. President Barack Obama did not join the march in Paris.

After Charlie Hebdo featured a drawing of Muhammad in its first edition after the terror attack, King Abdullah slammed the decision as “an insult to the feelings of Muslims everywhere.”

It was an “irresponsible, reckless and thoughtless act,” he added, and said that one of the fundamental principles of freedom of expression was “respect for religions instead of deliberate insults.”

Other political leaders from Muslim nations have echoed these sentiments, including Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. He said following the Paris attacks that drawings of Muhammad would not be tolerated in his country.

“Freedom of the press does not mean freedom to insult,” Davutoglu said, though he clarified that he condemns terrorism.

“We do not allow any insult to the prophet in this country,” he added. “As the government, we cannot put side-by-side the freedom of press and the lowness to insult.”

 Source: Christian Post
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