Senior Church of England clergy are attacking the ‘immorality’ of forcing housing associations to sell homes to tenants. The Bishop of Manchester David Walker who is passionate about social housing, condemned the Conservatives after David Cameron pledged to extend the right-to-buy to more than 1.3 million tenants of housing associations. The Conservative pledge to extend home ownership to thousands more social housing tenants, which is at the heart of the party's manifesto, has already prompted angry reactions from housing associations and there has even been a threat of a legal challenge under Europe's human rights legislation. Bishop Walker described the plans on Twitter as the ‘most blatant transfer of charity assets to private ownership since Henry VIII sold off the monasteries.’ He also said on Twitter that the plans were ‘economic nonsense’ and immoral.
Latvia: Spiritual temperature of Latvia
01 Jul 2015
The churches were harshly persecuted under both the Nazis and the Communists. Religious freedom since 1988 has caused many to return to the Church, but has also opened the door to sects. The post-independence religious bubble has burst and, although many people are members of a church, only a small minority of the population attend regularly.
Kosovo: Prayer needs
01 Jul 2015
Kosovo was declared independent from Serbia in February 2008. Its spiritual future at this time is uncertain. Muslim beliefs play an influential part in the traditions and cultures of the Albanians. There is a need for God to raise up a grass roots prayer movement in Kosovo with strong spiritual leaders in the Kosovan churches. Let us claim the scriptural promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 for Kosovo! During 2015 there will be a wave of small pockets of Christian outreach please pray for the Christian English clubs that have opened this Spring. Pray for the students to be excited and have open hearts for the Gospel. Pray for increased unity and humility among churches so that Christians will become a stronger witness for Christ. Pray for open doors to preach the Gospel boldly among Muslims in Kosovo. Pray also for the American Christian Summer Camps being run through 2015. Pray for unity as partnering American churches provide volunteers.
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’.