Poland: Holocaust denier tours Nazi sites
Prosecutors in Poland say a British historian who denies the Holocaust is touring World War II sites including former Nazi death camps. Author David Irving is leading a group on a visit to the camps and other World War II sites but is not releasing his exact itinerary. Poland's National Remembrance Institute said on 22 September that its prosecutors know where Irving is. The Institute's spokesman Andrzej Arseniuk said prosecutors are watching his public statements for any violations of the law that forbids the denial of the Holocaust. Violations are prosecuted and can lead to prison terms of up to three years. Irving was convicted under a similar law in Austria in 2006 and served 13 months in prison. Pray: that sceptics about the horrors of the ungodly Holocaust are saved by the Holy Spirit from the path they have taken. (Gal.4:11)
Bulgaria: 166 children die of neglect
Children in state-run homes were tied to their beds or wheelchairs, or ‘chemically immobilised', amid claims of sexual abuse, according to a report by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC). The report was based on investigations by prosecutors and human rights experts at all the country's 26 social care homes, which shelter 1,350 disabled children. Of 238 deaths, three-quarters could have been prevented, the report said. Preliminary findings concluded that 166 deaths resulted from ‘lack of care’ by personnel at the institutions. Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev said most of the deaths were never reported to police or subject to autopsies. According to the report, 31 deaths were due to malnutrition, 84 to neglect, 13 to poor hygiene, six to accidents such as drowning or freezing, 36 to pneumonia and two to abuse. In 15 cases, the experts could not determine the cause of death. ‘We are determined to conclude the investigations and punish those responsible,’ Velchev said. Pray: for all children in care, that they may be lovingly nourished in body and spirit rather than neglected. (La.3:33)
Bulgaria: 166 children die of neglect
Children in state-run homes were tied to their beds or wheelchairs, or ‘chemically immobilised', amid claims of sexual abuse, according to a report by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC). The report was based on investigations by prosecutors and human rights experts at all the country's 26 social care homes, which shelter 1,350 disabled children. Of 238 deaths, three-quarters could have been prevented, the report said. Preliminary findings concluded that 166 deaths resulted from ‘lack of care’ by personnel at the institutions. Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor Boris Velchev said most of the deaths were never reported to police or subject to autopsies. According to the report, 31 deaths were due to malnutrition, 84 to neglect, 13 to poor hygiene, six to accidents such as drowning or freezing, 36 to pneumonia and two to abuse. In 15 cases, the experts could not determine the cause of death. ‘We are determined to conclude the investigations and punish those responsible,’ Velchev said. Pray: for all children in care, that they may be lovingly nourished in body and spirit rather than neglected. (La.3:33)
All Christians to back Pope’s visit
The Evangelical Alliance has called on Christians of all denominations to support the Pope’s visit to Britain. The organisation, which represents around a million evangelical Christians, believes the papal visit is especially timely as Christians face growing hostility from a small but influential secular wing. It acknowledges that the visit is taking place amid anger over the Church’s handling of child abuse cases and strong opposition to its stance on issues like homosexuality, women and abortion, but says there are ‘other critical issues at stake’ that will affect Britain’s future as a whole.The Alliance is urging all Christians to support the Pope’s address. The Evangelical Alliance said it hoped the Pope’s visit would ‘act as a catalyst’ for society to protect religious freedom in Britain and overseas. Pray: for the Pope and his message of religious freedom as he continues his visit to the UK. (Ga.5:1) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/evangelicals.urge.all.christians.to.back.pope.visit/26703.htm
Peacemaking Sunday
Churches are being encouraged to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on 19 September - Peacemaking Sunday - using ecumenical worship resources provided by the Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. The United Nations’ International Day of Peace is celebrated on 21 September and provides an opportunity for individuals, communities and nations to focus on peace and peacemaking in the world and within their own lives. The three denominations have compiled a selection of art, prayers, a sermon guide, meditation and a commissioned hymn designed to help congregations focus on peace this coming Sunday. Mrs Val Morrison, moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, says 'Peacemaking Sunday and the United Nations’ Day of Peace highlight our need to pray for peace in the many areas of conflict across the globe, but also, in our own lives and relationships.’ (See also World/Africa below) Pray: for God’s peace to be upon us all. (Mi.4:3) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=461
Children exposed to inappropriate TV
Two thirds of parents in the UK believe children are exposed to unsuitable content on television before the watershed, a survey has shown. An online survey of 1,004 parents of children under the age of 18 revealed that 67 per cent thought inappropriate content was broadcast before 9pm. A further 80 per cent said they felt films and video games with violent or sexual themes can be accessed too easily by children. The research, conducted for The Mothers’ Union, also showed that most parents think television, films, magazines and the Internet make children sexually aware at a younger age. The charity has called for a ban on marketing and selling sexualising products to children under 16 and put in place safeguards to protect children under 16 from viewing displays of goods of a sexual nature. Pray: for the media to recognise their responsibility in protecting children and young people. (Dt.5:29)
Head’s job in peril
Council bosses are investigating a head teacher who urged school girls to show more modesty in how they wear their uniform. Robert Kelly, rector at Berwickshire High School in the Scottish town of Duns, said flouting uniform rules by wearing short skirts and half-buttoned blouses would encourage inappropriate thoughts among boys. But some parents thought he was blaming girls for unwanted male attention, and he is now under investigation by the Scottish Borders Council. Union leader Ken Cunningham said: ‘There will be a lot of sympathy for Mr Kelly as it’s a difficult issue that affects schools around the country – there’s no way he should lose his job and I hope common sense will prevail. ‘I’m very worried about sexualisation, particularly of young girls, which I think has got worse. Parents and schools have a duty to ensure that dress is sensible – common sense is the key factor.’ Pray: for God’s guidance to all involved in this matter and for common sense to prevail. (1Ti.2:9)
Clergy battle against sham marriages
Rev Tim Codling, Rector of St John the Baptist, Tilbury Docks, in Essex, has said his church has been ‘violated’ by fraudsters targeting it for sham marriages. The diocese has admitted that the problem has become unmanageable. Mr Codling has referred 64 marriages in the past three years to the Police and Immigration Authorities, after becoming suspicious. Once married, non-European nationals can apply for British citizenship. Mr Codling said that he has undoubtedly married bogus couples. On four occasions he interrupted wedding ceremonies and escorted couples from the building. On one occasion he inserted the names of railway stations into the vows to catch out a bride who failed to notice the interpolation. His church may have been targeted because of its good links to Stansted and London City airports. ‘When a couple come with a bishop’s licence you’re in a difficult position. You assume everything is in order.’ Pray:for divine protection for vicars and their families from dangerous criminal gangs orchestrating sham marriages.
Archbishop Rowan Williams responds to Hawking
Belief in God is not about plugging a gap in explaining how one thing relates to another within the universe, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, responding to Professor Stephen Hawking’s assertion, in his new book, that there is no place for God in theories of the creation of the universe. Professor Hawking contends: ‘Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist’. Dr Williams told The Times that belief in God: ‘is the belief that there is an intelligent, living agent on whose activity everything depends for its existence. Physics on its own will not settle the question’. Former Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, said that it was right to ask where the laws of the universe came from. ‘As I understand him, the professor claims that gravity brought everything into existence. But again, where did that come from? On what was it acting? Nothing plus nothing cannot equal something.’ (See Prayer Alert 3610) Pray: that the Church’s voice is strengthened and empowered to overcome doubting messages. (Job11:4)
Real IRA says it will target UK bankers
Banks and bankers are now potential targets for the Real IRA, its leaders have warned in an interview with the Guardian. Despite having only 100 activists they also said that targets in England remained a high priority. One element in the Real IRA's recent activity has been a wave of so-called ‘punishment’ shootings and beatings of those they deem ‘antisocial elements’ in nationalist working class areas. In Derry alone they have shot around two dozen men over the last 18 months. Its leadership was unapologetic over what its critics have described as ‘rough justice’. The group believes such attacks are popular and can garner support in areas where the communities were previously alienated from the police. They dismissed Sinn Féin's claims that its electoral strategy would ultimately yield a united Ireland despite the majority of nationalists in Northern Ireland still voting for Sinn Féin and an overwhelming majority backing the peace process. Pray: for the forces of law to defeat criminals operating as self-appointed community leaders. (2Co.6:14) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/sep/14/real-ira-targets-banks-bankers?dbk