Welby says high standards put on Harry and Meghan are ‘absurd’

Most Rev Justin Welby told The Sunday Times: “Every personal action is scrutinised. Every statement is over-interpreted, over-read.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are going to take a couple of months away from royal duties . . . If you look at it as a job, they didn’t take the full allowance of leave that you’re entitled to; every person is entitled to.

“I don’t know why it should be a point of criticism that they take leave to spend time with a new baby in the way that the law provides for every single employee in this country.”

 

Archbishop Justin’s comment comes after Prince Harry and Meghan opened up candidly about their struggles in the ITV documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.

Meghan admitted to feeling vulnerable, and spoke of the pressures of royal life amid intense tabloid interest, saying: “It’s not enough to just survive something, that’s not the point of life. You have got to thrive.”

Prince Harry also told of the pressure he felt trying to protect his family from unwanted media attention.

The archbishop, who is close friends with the royal couple, told The Sunday Times that people should view the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as real people, saying it was “absurd” and “completely unjust” to demand that the royal family set a higher moral example.

“They’re not superhuman,” he said. “They’re a very remarkable group…

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Jordanian House of Representative Says Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty Is ‘Under Threat’

Jordanian House of Representative Says Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty Is ‘Under Threat’



A 1994 peace treaty between the countries of Jordan and Israel is “under threat” according to the speaker of the Jordanian House of Representatives and president of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, Atef Tarawneh.


The Jerusalem Post reported that the speaker believes Israel has violated several provisions in their treaty.


“We in Jordan, who are signatory to a peace treaty with the Israeli occupation government, see today that this peace is under threat, in light of the blatant violation of its terms, especially with the issue of Jerusalem,” Tarawneh said.


Tarawneh also targeted America in his comments, claiming that Israel’s actions have been encouraged by a “clear bias” from the United States. He also challenged other countries to not move their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem.


Some of the violations stem from two Jordanian nationals Abdurrahman Marei and Heba Al-labadi, who were arrested and held prisoner in Israel. Jordan has attempted to release the prisoners with no alleged cooperation from Israel.


The two citizens were crossing Allenby Bridge to the West Bank separately, according to Haaretz.


Al-labadi was held on suspicion of cooperation with the terrorist group Hezbollah.


“She was interrogated intensively for 35 days, and in the end, there was no basis for indicting her, so she was slapped with an administrative…

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William Barr’s statement at Notre Dame: My perspective and God’s call to courage

US Attorney General William Barr speaks to Notre Dame Law School students and faculty on Oct. 11, 2019, inside Notre Dame’s Eck Hall of Law in South Bend, IN.

Attorney General William Barr is making headlines for a speech he delivered at Notre Dame University’s law school last Friday. Barr, a devout Catholic, told faculty and students that “the problem is not that religion is being forced on others, the problem is that irreligion is being forced—secular values are being forced on people of faith.”

Barr adds: “Among the militant secularists are many so-called progressives. But where is the progress? We are told we are living in a post-Christian era, but what has replaced the Judeo-Christian moral system? What is it that can fill the spiritual void in the heart of the individual person? And what is the system of values that can sustain human social life?” 

The attorney general said of the moral problems we are facing, “This is not decay. This is organized destruction. Secular forces and their allies have marshaled all the forces of mass communication, popular culture, the entertainment industry, and academia, in an unremitting assault on religion and traditional values.” 

I believe Attorney General Barr is absolutely right. 

Here’s why we are here: Many in our culture believe the lie that all truth claims are subjective impositions of personal power on others. Tolerance of all viewpoints must therefore be mandated, except, of course, for viewpoints deemed intolerant. 

According to this agenda, the freedom to express religious beliefs ends where such freedom is deemed harmful to or by another person. Any person. Of course, the harm done to the person expressing his or her religious beliefs is ignored. 

How to “experience the strongest opposition” 

In such times, answering God’s call to be culture-changing Christians requires both urgency and…

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Life slowly returning to normal after protests, food shortages and seven deaths in Ecuador

Protests started two weeks ago when the Government announced they would no longer subsidise fuel, causing it to rise dramatically overnight and leaving thousands of Ecuadorians facing financial difficulty.

It was part of an austerity package that aimed to reduce Ecuador’s deficit but protests have led to the plan being scrapped, after talks with indigenous communities, encouraged by the UN and the Catholic Church.

In the capital, Quito, schools were closed, shops boarded up and streets blocked with burning tyres.

  

When people did manage to get to a shop, it has been described as ‘mayhem’.

Curfews were introduced, leaving people stuck in their homes without knowing when they would be able to go out and get more supplies.

 

 

James Freeman, a Christian who lives in Quito with his wife, told Premier he had risked going out and was then locked in a supermarket.

Speaking on Premier’s News Hour, Mr Freeman said: “Historically, for about 40 years, subsidies have been in place to basically keep the fuel prices down and over the recent years, particularly last decade, the government have noticed that annually this is something that they couldn’t keep up and it’s been costing the Ecuadorian government a lot – estimates of around $1 billion annually.

“So it was decided by the current government to withdraw the subsidies through a…

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Questions to Consider If a Staff Member Becomes a Candidate for Pastor

Podcast Episode #580

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Thom and Sam discuss the possible scenarios in which a staff member can transition into a lead pastor role. The discussion considers several perspectives including the internal candidate, external candidate, and potential impact on the church.

The six questions from today’s podcast:

  1. Will the staff member have a highly visible role in the interim?
  2. Should staff members resign if they don’t become the pastor?
  3. Does such a move allow for a better transition?
  4. Is a known better than an unknown?
  5. Are alliances formed with the possibility of disappointment?
  6. Do you communicate the possibility to other candidates?

Other highlights:

  • Be very cautious in a season of change. It’s hard to keep being an internal candidate a secret.
  • In most scenarios the internal candidate will have to resign, so be prepared to resign.
  • If you have an internal candidate then alliances will be formed.
  • Talk and pray with your spouse because change is going to happen.
  • Do not side step the search process as an internal candidate.
  • An external candidate should be made aware of an internal candidate.

 


Episode Sponsors

Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at…

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Pope’s chief bodyguard quits over leak of police flyer in corruption probe

The Vatican said on Monday that Vatican police chief Domenico Giano bore no responsibility for the leaked flyer but resigned so as not to disrupt the investigation and “out of love for the church and faithfulness” to the pope.

The person who leaked the document to Italian newsweekly L’Espresso remains unknown.

 

Mr Giano has stood by Francis’ side and jogged alongside his popemobile during hundreds of public appearances and foreign trips.

The police chief signed the October 2 flyer after his agents raided two Vatican offices in the investigation of financial irregularities surrounding a London property deal.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

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New California Law Forces Colleges to Carry Abortion Pills So Students Can ‘Stay on Track’

New California Law Forces Colleges to Carry Abortion Pills So Students Can ‘Stay on Track’



California became the first state to require public universities to provide female students abortion pills when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a controversial bill into law Friday.


His predecessor, Jerry Brown, had vetoed a similar bill. Both are Democrats. 


The new law, SB 24, requires “each student health care services clinic” on a California State University or University of California campus to “offer abortion by medication techniques” by Jan. 1, 2023. The bill impacts 34 universities, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 


It further says abortion is a “constitutional right” and an “integral part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care.”


“The state has an interest in ensuring that every pregnant person in California who wants to have an abortion can obtain access to that care as easily and as early in pregnancy as possible,” it says. “When pregnant young people decide that abortion is the best option for them, having early, accessible care can help them stay on track to achieve their educational and other aspirational life plans.”


The abortion pill includes two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, causing the lining of the uterus to break down and kill the unborn baby. Misoprostol sparks contractions and delivery of the dead child. They can be taken only…

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American Christians Are More Likely to Call Their Pastor a ‘Friend,’ Barna Survey Finds

American Christians Are More Likely to Call Their Pastor a ‘Friend,’ Barna Survey Finds



A new study found that American Christians are more likely to consider the lead pastor of their church to be a “friend” rather than a “mentor.”


The Barna Group report, released earlier this month, was called “Do Christians Consider Their Pastors to Be Friends?”


The study revealed that 20 percent of participants said they spoke or regularly met with their pastor outside of weekly worship services and other church events, the Christian Post reports


That 20 percent was then asked to describe the relationship to the pastor with 50 percent of respondents calling the pastor a “friend.”


Nineteen percent said they called the pastor a “mentor,” while 13 percent called the pastor a “counselor” and 11 percent called the pastor a “teacher.”


“Though most congregants surveyed admitted to not interacting with the lead pastor or other church staff outside of church, there is a small, yet significant number of constituents who do—and even regard their pastor as a friend,” noted Barna.


“Exactly half of Christian respondents and churched adults (50% each) call their pastor ‘friend,’ as do 46% of practicing Christians. The lack of difference in percentages across these groups suggests that, while church attendance or faith practice increases the likelihood of getting to meet and know one’s pastor in the first place,…

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Trump, Congress Threaten Economic Sanctions on Turkey for Endangering Religious Minorities

Trump, Congress Threaten Economic Sanctions on Turkey for Endangering Religious Minorities



After Turkey launched several attacks against Syria over the weekend, several members of Congress have voiced bipartisan support for launching sanctions against Turkey.


Over the weekend, Trump first mentioned the sanctions threat at the Values Voter Summit.


“I have made clear to Turkey that if they do not meet their commitments, including the protection of religious minorities … we will impose very swift, strong, and severe economic sanctions,” Trump said, according to the Washington Examiner.


After the President announced last week the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, many leaders across the political spectrum believed the move would endanger Christians and other religious minorities in the country. Turkey has launched several attacks on northern Syria since the removal, prompting Christian villages to evacuate and American leaders to grow concerned.


On Monday, Newsweek reported that after the President’s promise over the weekend, Senator Lindsey Graham, who initially voiced his disapproval over the President’s decision, said on Fox and Friends that the President will respond to Turkey’s attacks in Northern Syria.


“I blame Turkey,” he said. “There is going to be crippling sanctions imposed by the Congress to supplement what President Trump’s administration has done. We are going to send a signal to Turkey…

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Gal Gadot to Star in, Produce Movie about Christian Who Saved Thousands of Jews from Nazis

Gal Gadot to Star in, Produce Movie about Christian Who Saved Thousands of Jews from Nazis



Gal Gadot, who found fame as Wonder Woman, will produce and star in a new movie featuring a Polish woman who saved over 2,000 Jewish lives during World War II.


Teaming up with her husband, Jaron Varsano, Gadot has started a production company called Pilot Wave. Their first movie will feature Gadot as Irena Sendler, an activist who smuggled thousands of Jewish children away from the Warsaw ghetto.


“As producers, we want to help bring stories that have inspired us to life,” Gadot told Deadline. “Pilot Wave will create content that promotes the perspectives and experiences of unique people and produce impactful stories aimed at igniting the imagination.”


According to CBN, the historical thriller Irena Sendler will document the woman’s harrowing efforts to save the children. Disguised as a nurse, she entered the ghetto to administer aid and medical care to the Jewish prisoners. But when she discovered that the children would be sent off to a concentration camp, she and her team smuggled as many people as possible out of the ghetto in coffins, suitcases, ambulances, sacks and even the sewage system.


Once the children had escaped, Sendler established them in Christian homes and nun convents. In time, however, the Gestapo discovered her efforts and she was captured and tortured.


Though the Gestapo attempted to uncover the identities of…

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