Archbishop ‘ashamed’ after claims of abuse at children’s homes run by nuns

Archbishop Mario Conti said he had been “blindly satisfied” in the past that youngsters were being properly cared for at Nazareth House in Aberdeen, the city where he became a bishop in 1977.

The 84-year-old clergyman expressed his “pain and sorrow” to those who have suffered mistreatment and later issued a statement saying he stands with “all those who have been abused”.

 

And the former church leader – who has faced criticism from some survivors for past comments about the allegations – asked for their forgiveness “if they feel I was insensitive to their pain”.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was also told he believes allegations of a cover-up by the Catholic Church are unfair.

Over the last eight weeks, the probe has been looking specifically at the now-defunct children’s homes run by the Catholic congregation the Sisters of Nazareth in Scotland, including one in Aberdeen.

The inquiry has been told of a string of alleged abuses by nuns at those institutions decades ago.

On Tuesday, the probe was shown a BBC documentary from 1998 on the allegations of Nazareth House survivors.

Archbishop Conti said he was “horrified” by some of the claims.

He told the inquiry: “I am deeply ashamed of what has been revealed and I express my pain and sorrow to those who were abused.

“Clearly all we are doing (in the inquiry) is an attempt to get to the truth and provide an opportunity…

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Joyce Meyer’s Daily 27 June 2018 Devotional — Lord, Teach Me to Pray

Topic: Lord, Teach Me to Pray [Joyce Meyer’s Devotional Wednesday June 27, 2018]

Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish. — Proverbs 29:18 (AMPC)

One of the most important, life-changing prayers a person can ever utter is: “Lord, teach me to pray.” It’s not simply, “Lord, teach me to pray,” but “Lord, teach me to pray.” You see, simply knowing about prayer is not enough; we have to know how to pray—to talk and listen to God—as individuals who are in an intimate, dynamic personal relationship with the God to Whom we pray. Although there are principles of prayer that apply to everyone, we are individuals and God will lead each of us to pray and communicate with Him in uniquely personal ways.

There was a time when I attended many “prayer seminars,” and then attempted to duplicate in my prayer experience what I heard others say about the way they prayed. Eventually, though, I realized God had a personalized prayer plan for me—a way for me to talk to Him and listen to Him most effectively—and I needed to find out what that was. I started by saying, “Lord, teach me to pray.” God answered me in a powerful way and brought wonderful improvements to my prayer life.

If you want to enjoy a deeper, intimate, powerful relationship with God through prayer, I encourage you to say, “Lord, teach me to pray.” He’ll do it, and you’ll soon find greater freedom and effectiveness in your prayer life. God will lead you in a unique, fresh plan that works wonderfully for you.

Prayer Starter: Father, thank You that I can freely and confidently come to You and pray about anything. Teach me to pray. Help me to learn and enjoy the unique, personalized prayer plan You have for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional HERE’’

From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

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Missing Thai Soccer Team Known for Adventures Together – Urban Christian News

The members of the Wild Boars are a team on and off the soccer field, traveling to competitions, cycling mountain roads and swimming in waterfalls together. Now, 12 of the boys and their coach are lost, together, in a flooded cave in northern Thailand.

The boys, ranging in age from 11 to 16 and hailing from schools across Chiang Rai province’s northern reaches, have been missing since they entered the sprawling Tham Luang Nang Non cave on Saturday afternoon, after a morning intrasquad match on a nearby field.

Leading the way as always was Ekapol “Aek” Chanthawong, their 25-year-old coach.

“Coach Aek is very dedicated to the team,” said Noppadon Kanthawong, whose 13-year-old son plays on the Wild Boars but decided to skip Saturday’s cave trip. “He would be there at the field waiting for kids to show up after school. It is a great way to keep healthy, away from screens and have friends. I can tell that they are very close to each other.”

Noppadon and his son were huddled Tuesday with other teammates and anguished relatives at the entrance to the cave awaiting any word from the navy SEAL divers and other rescuers working inside. Divers have been seeking a way forward through the cave complex’s chambers, but flooding and low visibility has hindered their progress.

Relatives performed a morning ritual in which they called out for the missing. They played drums and gongs and two relatives held fishing nets as a symbolic way to fish out lost spirits from the cave.

The cave complex extends several kilometers (miles) and has wide chambers and narrow passageways with rocky…

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Teens Open Heavens 27 June 2018 – Tasting The Word

Topic: Tasting The Word [Teens Open Heavens 27, June 2018]

Memorise: How sweet are thy words unto my table! Yeah, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

Read: Psalm 119:103-104 (KJV)

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Bible In One Year: Job 10-12, Acts 8:1-25

MESSAGE:

Your spiritual level of placement determines how you taste God’s Word. For instance, if you hunger and taste after God’s Word so much, even the unpleasant aspects will taste sweet to you. You need to spend more time with it. Leave other things and just be alone with your Bible.

Study the Word of God regularly, over a period of time, your bitter taste buds will release a deep sweetness. When you get to the level when the Word of God is sweeter than honey to you, the Word will become your greatest companion. You will then find that grace is available to obey the Word no matter how difficult, even when everyone else is complaining. How does the Word taste to you today?

Prayer Point: Father, give me the grace to study Your Word regularly.

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Teen Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye’’ 

Hymn 9
1. I am so glad that our Father in heaven
Tells of His love in the book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see;
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Chorus
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus love me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

2. Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3. Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus Loves me!”

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

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Migrants Meet Hostile Reception on Both Sides of Atlantic – Urban Christian News

On both sides of the Atlantic, migrants flooding across borders by the hundreds each day have met a hostile reception and governments unable to agree on how to cope with the arrivals. In Europe, where far-right parties have joined the governments in Italy and Austria and made gains elsewhere, even the most basic decision of which port would accept a ship filled with migrants has been fraught.

On Tuesday, yet another rescue boat loaded with migrants struggled to find safe harbor in the Mediterranean, while in Austria police cadets playing the role of desperate refugees rattled a chain-link fence demanding to be let in as part of a high-profile training exercise to test the mettle of a new border force charged with preventing an influx of migrants.

“We have had migratory crises in the past, but that is not what we are going through now. What we are living through now is a European political crisis,” French President Emmanuel Macron said after a daylong meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican during which they discussed the issue.

The European crisis mirrors the one in the United States, where a broad-ranging Republican immigration bill was set for a vote Wednesday, with little certainty that it would survive. With legislation in disarray and a global uproar over the separation of more than 2,300 migrant children from their parents, the Trump administration abruptly reversed a key element of its zero-tolerance immigration policy last week, halting the practice of separating immigrant families caught illegally crossing the border, but leaving more than 2,000 separated children in…

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Commitment In Marriage (Part 4) by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Commitment In Marriage (Part 4)

Dear Reader,

May the peace of God be with you in Jesus name! There is no doubt you have been blessed by this subject of commitment ever since we started this month. Give God a chance by putting to work the things you are reading in this article. Our God is a God of liberation and another chance; He will give you a new beginning, if you let Him! Today, I shall be teaching on the subject: The Place of Voice and Action in Commitment to Your Spouse.

A commitment to love your spouse is not complete until you give voice and action to it. Men can never understand what these three simple words, “I love you” can do to a woman. Surprisingly, some men find it difficult to give voice to their commitment.

A man testified during one of our annual conventions that for a long time, he found it extremely difficult to give voice to his commitment by expressing his love to his wife. He obeyed the instruction to do so, and things began to change positively in his home.

Expressing love to your legitimate wife or children should not be a difficult thing to do! For some who think it is an unrighteous thing to do. Was Jesus unrighteous? Thrice He asked Peter if he loved Him. Remember that Jesus was never married, but His disciples represented His earthly wife in a figure. So, in essence, He was saying to His “wife”, “I love you; do you love me?”

Don’t read this article without putting the contents to work. Husbands, if you have not been giving voice to your commitment, it is time to get started. If you already have, there is still room for improvement. Learn to look straight into her eyes and tell her how much you love her, and you will see the change in her countenance.

No matter how spiritual a woman is, she still wants to be told that she is loved. I can tell you this as a woman. I want to hear my husband give voice to his commitment by telling me how much he loves me; and he does! These are some of the things that hold our home together.

It is important as a woman that you put action to your commitment to your spouse. The woman’s part also demands that she respects her husband. I am yet to find a man who hates to be respected! Lack of respect for the husband is what makes some men engage in physical combat with their wives (although this is not to justify such an action). How some women address their husbands show they lack an understanding of family government as ordained by God.

Woman, respect is reciprocal; it is give-and-take. If you give respect, you will earn respect. For instance, some wives are too “modern” to greet their husbands. He wakes up in the morning, and she’s staring at him; no word of greetings. But she greets everyone else outside, with a smile for that matter. First, get committed to the success of your marriage, and then you will get God committed to your affairs. To get God committed to your marriage, you need to first of all be committed to God; and you get committed to God by being born again. If, peradventure, you are not born again and you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and personal Saviour, then say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.

Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)

“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.

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Have You Asked Him? – By David Ibiyeomie

Topic: Have You Asked Him?

If you are tired of ups and downs in your life, today’s blog offers you a blank cheque to change your story

Matt.7:7-8 -Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

You may have been concerned about that challenge in your life but have you asked God? Things are not going the way that they should go but have you asked HIM? You have told your family and friends but have you told God?

John 16:24 -Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

You need a job and you have told your uncles and relatives in high places but nothing is yet to come; have you asked God? That issue has been disturbing you for a while now but have you asked HIM? That challenge is harassing and upsetting you; have you told HIM?

Henceforth, as you go to God in prayer regarding that issue, fullness of joy will be your portion in the name of Jesus! Whatever is tampering with your joy comes to an end now! From the altar of prayers, God shall supernaturally alter everything in your favour in the name of Jesus!

1Sam. 30:8 – And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

Whatever has caused you a great grief and concern will come to an end today in the name of Jesus! Take courage for you will recover whatever you have lost in the past in Jesus mighty name!

1Sam.30:18-19 – And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. 19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

Our God is a prayer answering God and this day, HE will prove it beyond every doubt in your life! Before this week is over, you shall have a testimony to show for it in the name of Jesus the Christ –Amen!

God bless you

Click HERE to read other Inspiring Messages by Pastor David Ibiyeomie

Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

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DCLM Daily Manna 27 June, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Edifying The Body Of Christ

Topic: Edifying The Body Of Christ [DCLM Daily Manna Wednesday June 27, 2018]

Text: Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)

Key Verse: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

MESSAGE:

Apostle Paul revealed that when Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave some believers ministry gifts to function as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.

These gifts are different from personal spiritual gifts. They are referred to as the five-fold ministry gifts for ministers. These gifts, in the church, are for the purposes of edification, equipping, growing and maturing believers from spiritual babes to mature believers. They also foster unity among believers.

An Apostle refers to certain men called directly by Jesus Christ and given special authority to lay doctrinal foundation in the Church. The prophet is gifted to speak unto men’s edification, exhortation and comfort. He also has the supernatural ability to receive and declare revelation from God about future events. The evangelist is specially gifted to point sinners to Christ and challenge fellow believers to win souls. The pastor/teacher is endowed with the supernatural ability to communicate and clarify the details of God’s word and lead the flock to God. He combines the qualities of a shepherd and extraordinary skills of a trainer. All teachers may not necessarily be pastors, but all pastors must be teachers.

God wants His people to grow and come to unity and perfection in Christ. The goal is that all believers in Christ must attain the full stature of Christlikeness and become productive. Pray through to receive and experience great revival and blessings, and be a co-labourer with Christ. Do not be like the proverbial fool who went and hid his talent rather than profit with it.

Thought For The Day: The saved is gifted to serve the Body.

Bible Reading In One Year: 1 Kings 17-19

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read Deeper Christian Life Ministry, DCLM Daily Manna HERE

DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

Flatimes’ Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to [email protected], 07026385437 OR 08141320204.

The post DCLM Daily Manna 27 June, 2018 by Pastor Kumuyi – Edifying The Body Of Christ appeared first on Flatimes.

TREM Devotional 27 June 2018 by Dr. Mike Okonkwo – Don’t Jump The Process

Topic: Don’t Jump The Process [TREM Devotional Wednesday June 27, 2018]

“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” Mark 4:28

Everything about life is a process. No child is born fully developed. Everyone comes, with all the parts complete but all the parts, though complete are not all fully formed. As the child grows in age, the various organs also develop alongside. All truth is parallel, if we understand that in the natural, how then do we not understand it in the spiritual?

The same is true when you join an organization. Though you are professionally qualified, when you are employed, you go through an induction process and every day, you are exposed to the culture of the organization. Even though you are a professional with many years of experience, acculturation must still happen because you are new to the environment.

If you understand this, how then are you adverse to being taught in the Word. Yes, you are born again; yes, you pray in the Spirit, but you still need to be trained. You need to sit down and learn the basics of the new birth. While you can read English all by yourself, there are certain truths you will never know until you are taught. That is why God has placed in the Church Pastors and Teachers to equip you and open your eyes to certain truths in the Word.

No matter the level you are in, growth is a process. Don’t think you have arrived. Don’t think there is nothing new to learn. Be open. Whenever anyone is ministering, no matter the age of the person, be attentive. God has a word for you. Also like the Berean Christians, don’t just listen, on your own also search the scriptures. In the words of Apostle Paul in 2 Tim. 2:15 “Study to show yourself approved unto God….”. There is so much to learn. God is too big to know all about Him at once. Be open and let God, through His Spirit, build you up.

Further Reading: Mark 4:26-29; Acts 17:10-12

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Job 8-10; Evening- Acts 8:26-40

“If you missed yesterday devotional click HERE to read TREM Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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Large Protests by Chinese Army Veterans Pose Challenge for President Xi – Urban Christian News

On Chinese state television broadcasts, President Xi Jinping is often shown clad in battle fatigues inspecting troops, praising their service, and hailing the People’s Liberation Army as key to the country’s rising global power.

But the nationalist drumbeat rings hollow for retired soldiers who feel left behind and who have taken to the streets in droves to complain about having to fend for themselves with meager pensions and little support. The unrest poses a delicate political challenge for Xi, who has made his affinity for the military one of the pillars of his folksy image.

“It can only irritate veterans that on the one hand they hear propaganda that China is now a wealthy, powerful country that reveres its military, yet on the other hand they feel they have to fight for scraps,” said Neil Diamant, a professor of Dickinson University and expert on Chinese veteran issues.

Such grievances came to a head last week when more than 1,000 retired soldiers, including locals and many others who rushed in from around the country, descended on local government offices in the eastern city of Zhenjiang, in Jiangsu province. For four days, they occupied a public plaza and a street, singing and chanting as they demanded answers over the alleged beating of a fellow veteran by government-hired thugs after he petitioned for better benefits, supporters said.

Police cleared the square in the early hours of Sunday with relatively little violence. But scenes of paramilitary police and armored vehicles lining Zhenjiang’s streets further exacerbated the fraught relationship between the…

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