A few links I found interesting for one reason or another:
Storied Theology – Incomplete Praise, Until…
Clayboy – Jesus and the big “if”
Bishop Nick Baines – Stripping away the nonsense
What’s Wrong with the World – Double Trouble, or Double Effect?
Reuters – Exorcism, charlatans flourish in impoverished Gaza
Let’s celebrate the positive where we can:
Egypt’s army will on Sunday begin rebuilding a church that was set ablaze last week, sparking deadly clashes between Muslims and Christians, a senior officer said.
“The Egyptian armed forces will on Sunday start to rebuild the church in Sol in the province of Helwan,” south of Cairo, General Adel al-Qorashi said.
He was speaking at a rally attended by religious figures and residents of the town of Sol, where a romantic liaison between a young Christian and Muslim led to a family feud that left two people dead.
The subsequent torching of the Shahedein church in Sol sparked protests by Coptic Christians across Cairo and clashes in the poor working class district of Moqattam, killing 13 people on Tuesday.
The ruling military council “will rebuild the church at its expense and (the work) will be carried out by the army’s engineering body at the exact same site,” as the burned church, Qorashi said.
It’s always encouraging to share some positive news, especially when it relates to God’s timely intervention in dire circumstances.
A few nights ago Gene – Rucksack Revolution – found himself homeless, living in his car, with $9 to his name. He was pretty much suicidal and at the end of himself.
The reasons precipitating this crisis are complicated and Gene – by his own admission – had been somewhat hypomanic.
Suffice it to say that I was somewhat worried for Gene.
Anyway, Gene has posted today on God’s remarkable intervention through fellow Christians – and Twitter – which is well worth a read and is a testimony to God’s faithfulness in impossible circumstances:
Here’s the link:
Thoughts from Lucy Mills – Looking Deeper – on the current tragedy in Japan, entitled: “Little Words”.
I confess: I always struggle to write any kind of blog response to disasters such as the one currently taking place in Japan. Words seem rather belittling coming from me, not threatened by rubble, waves or radiation. It’s now I rely on the intercession of the Spirit with groans that words cannot express. I cannot comprehend it; part of me feels that it would be condescending for me even to try.
Lord, have mercy.
Amen. Lord, have mercy.
As is traditional on the first Saturday of Lent, today I underwent the ‘Rite of Election’ at the 60′s style Clifton Cathedral in Bristol.
Clifton Cathedral is the Catholic mother church of the Diocese of Clifton, [Sounds like a spacecraft and looks like a spacecraft] covering a large area including: the counties of North Somerset, Bath, North and South Gloucester, Wiltshire, South Somerset, and the City and County of Bristol.
For those of you who don’t know, the Rite of Election is a celebration of the journey toward being received into full communion with the Catholic Church.
I underwent the Combined Right as a ‘Candidate’ which is for those folk who have already undergone a recognised trinitarian baptism, such as I have, within the Anglican tradition.
Interestingly, this group was by far the largest going through the Rite of Election today, with some 91 candidates by my count.
The second largest group (53 by my count) were the Catechumens, which are those seeking baptism as well as confirmation and first communion.
Much to my surprise, there was also an Ordinariate group – comprising 32 by my count – which is those seeking to swim the Tiber and join in full Catholic communion from Anglicanism.
Members of each group had their name called out and then proceeded to the front to sign their name in the ‘Book of the Elect’ and to be met and greeted by the Bishop.
In my mind the ‘Book of the Elect’ echoed the ‘Book of Life’ referenced in Revelation and elsewhere. I did ask a couple of priests who were round and about, but they couldn’t verify if this were so. If anyone can offer clarification on this point I’d be most interested.
All in all it was a lovely service, albeit rather long with the number of folk participating in the rite, but one can’t complain at that. For me personally, I’m rather emotionally flat right now and at times not really in the room, but it was still a thoroughly edifying experience.
Although it’s interesting to note the large size of the ‘candidates’ group, for many, the more poignant and emotionally rewarding sight were the 53 Catechumen seeking believer’s baptism.
All of this is leading up to the Easter Vigil, in which I will be formally received into the Catholic Church, confirmed, and take first communion – God willing. The Catechumen will additionally undergo baptism.
I’ve deleted all previous entries to begin this update afresh, with the first from:
The International Atomic Energy Agency as of 13:40 (CET) – 12th March
Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has informed the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) that there has been an explosion at the Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, and that they are assessing the condition of the reactor core. The explosion was reported to NISA by the plant operator, TEPCO, at 0730 CET. Further details were not immediately available.
Japanese authorities have extended the evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi plant to a 20-kilometre radius from the previous 10 kilometres. At the nearby Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant, the evacuation zone has been extended to a 10-kilometre radius from the previous three kilometres.
The authorities also say they are making preparations to distribute iodine to residents in the area of both the plants.
The IAEA has reiterated its offer of technical assistance to Japan, should the government request this.
The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities, and is in full response mode to monitor the situation closely around the clock as it evolves.
The BBC has footage and details of the explosion.
I will of course continue to update as news breaks.
New update from the IAEA as of 21:10 (CET) – 12th March:
Japanese authorities have informed the IAEA that the explosion at Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant occurred outside the primary containment vessel (PCV), not inside. The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has confirmed that the integrity of the primary containment vessel remains intact.
As a countermeasure to limit damage to the reactor core, TEPCO proposed that sea water mixed with boron be injected into the primary containment vessel. This measure was approved by Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) and the injection procedure began at 20:20 local Japan time.
Japan has reported that four workers at Fukushima Daiichi were injured by the explosion.
NISA have confirmed the presence of caesium-137 and iodine-131 in the vicinity of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1. NISA reported an initial increase in levels of radioactivity around the plant earlier today, but these levels have been observed to lessen in recent hours.
Containment remains intact at Fukushima Daiichi Units 1, 2 and 3.
Evacuations around both affected nuclear plants have begun. In the 20-kilometre radius around Fukushima Daiichi an estimated 110000 people have been evacuated. In the 10-kilometre radius around Fukushima Daini an estimated 30000 people have been evacuated. Full evacuation measures have not been completed.
The Japanese authorities have classified the event at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 as a level 4 ‘Accident with Local Consequences’ on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). The INES scale is used to promptly and consistently communicate to the public the safety significance of events associated with sources of radiation. The scale runs from 0 (deviation) to 7 (major accident).
Japan has also confirmed the safety of all its nuclear research reactors.
The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities and is monitoring the situation as it evolves.
New update from the IAEA as of 13:55 (CET) – 13th March:
Japanese authorities have informed the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) that venting of the containment of reactor Unit 3 of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant started at 9:20AM local Japan time of 13 March through a controlled release of vapour. The operation is intended to lower pressure inside the reactor containment.
Subsequently, following the failure of the high pressure injection system and other attempts of cooling the plant, injection of water first and sea water afterwards started. The authorities have informed the IAEA that accumulation of hydrogen is possible.
Japanese authorities have also informed the IAEA that the first (i.e., lowest) state of emergency at the Onagawa nuclear power plant has been reported by Tohoku Electric Power Company. The authorities have informed the IAEA that the three reactor units at the Onagawa nuclear power plant are under control.
As defined in Article 10 of Japan’s Act on Special Measures Concerning Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, the alert was declared as a consequence of radioactivity readings exceeding allowed levels in the area surrounding the plant. Japanese authorities are investigating the source of radiation.
The IAEA has offered its “Good Offices” to Japan to support the nation’s response to the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. One IAEA capability intended to help member states during crises is the Response and Assistance Network (RANET). The network consists of nations that can offer specialized assistance after a radiation incident or emergency. Such assistance is coordinated by the IAEA within the framework of the Assistance Convention.
Before reading the below it’s worth bearing in mind that Romania is somewhere in the region of 97.5% Christian.
I spent a little time there a few years ago and the Romanians used to giggle at US and UK evangelical evangelists handing out Christian tracts, in such an overwhelmingly Christian nation. Of course the irony is that the country of origin of these evangelists is more in need of proselytising than Romania.
Vlad the Impaler – or Count Dracula as he is more popularly known – is Romania’s favourite and most famous son, and I enjoyed visiting “Dracula’s Castle”, or more properly, “Bran Castle” in Transylvania.
But I enjoyed more the retelling of the stories of Vlad by the local Romanian people.
Interestingly, far from being the blood sucking monster portrayed in books and movies he is held up as the exemplar Christian, fearlessly holding back the marauding Muslims from Europe, whilst the other European nations did nothing to assist. This probably has reference to his resistance against the Ottoman Empire.
There was a particular relish in recounting the fact that if a Muslim entered Vlad’s court with his turban on, then that turban would be nailed to his brain.
Whilst in Romania I also spent a little time drinking beer and dancing with some chaps affiliated with the Russian mafia, and yes, it was Russian style dancing. But that’s another story….
The parliament in Bucharest has just approved a law that will allow the state to reimburse officially recognised churches in Romania up to 80 per cent for their spending on social welfare projects.
As a result, the churches will have to attract from donations or their own sources only 20 per cent of any cost related to the construction of orphanages, homes for the elderly and schools for children, and other such programmes.
There are eighteen officially recognised religious denominations in Romania, with the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, respectively, the largest. More than 85 per cent of Romania’s population of 21.5 million belong to the Orthodox Church.
“Such a law will enable the church to perform their traditional role of helping the poor and people in need. The state will only support such projects in the beginning,” MP Raluca Turcan, who backed the law, said.
Meanwhile, many civic rights advocates oppose the law, saying it allows religious groups, primarily the dominant Orthodox Church, to be excessively involved in public life.
Just started on a new book entitled: Addiction & Grace – Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addiction by Gerald G. May.
Here’s a small excerpt from page 20:
Like Paul, it is possible that at some point on the journey with addiction and grace, we might even come to see addiction as a kind of gift. Some of the greatest spiritual authorities on addictions, the spiritual fathers and mothers of the Christian desert tradition, were emphatic about this. “Whoever has not experienced temptation cannot enter into the Reign of Heaven,” said Abba Anthony. “Take away temptations and no one will be saved,” said Evagrius. Addiction teaches us not to be too proud. Sooner or later, addiction will prove to us that we are not gods.
Then we will realize that we are our own worst enemies; we cannot beat ourselves. At this point, when we have exhausted all the available false repositories for our hope, it is possible that we will turn to God with a true sense of who we are, with an integrity that is both humble and confident, with a dignity that knows itself because it has met its limits.
Whilst viewing addiction through the prism of temptation, I must say that I’d not thought of this as a prerequisite of turning to God. And further, as a prerequisite to salvation itself?
Interestingly, whilst posting this, Nick Norelli reminded me that in order for Jesus to exhibit, or demonstrate, or even experience, being fully human, he himself had to undergo the experience of temptation:
Someone at Bible study last night asked why Jesus had to be tempted if he was the Son of God. My initial response was to point to Hebrews 4:15: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus was truly human and temptation has been a part of the human experience for as long as there have been humans.
It’s intriguing to consider temptation – and addiction – as such a universal human experience that it has potentially paramount importance in the salvation journey, and of the journey of Jesus himself.
I’ve been out most of the day and upon scanning my feeds on my return, there is one particular event that has prompted much ink to be spilt. This relates to comments made by Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday.
Apparently, the Prime Minister was asked his thoughts on the outcome of the recent court case involving the Christian foster carers Eunice and Owen Johns, Derby City Council, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
It’s fair to say that his comments have irked a good many folk.
As I’ve nothing further to add on this issue, I’m going to provide a small collection of links to those who have commented, should you wish to peruse:
Cranmer – Are Eunice and Owen Johns fit to be Conservative Party candidates?
Marmalade Sandwich – Did I hear that correctly?
Roger Pearse -Very bad things happening in Britain to Christians
Protect the Pope – David Cameron supports judgement against Christian foster parents
The Christian Institute – Cameron wades into Christian foster row
If I’ve missed any, feel free to let me know.
The Turkish police have prevented another assassination attempt on Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, according to the Austrian catholic news agency.
The Turkish police have arrested two suspects aged 17-18. The assassination attempt was planned in the Fanar district, where the residence of the Patriarch is located.
According to representative of the department for foreign church relations at the Russian Orthodox Church Igor Yakimchuk, Turkey is a huge country and there are extremists.
Expert of Carnegie Moscow Center, professor Alexey Malashenko believes that, most likely, Islamists are engaged in the assassination attempt, who are much more radical compared to incumbent Prime Minister of Turkey Erdogan.
With respect to the assassination attempt, several Turkish papers referred to a Catholic priest, Armenian journalist Hrant Dink and three protestants, including a German missioner, who were killed by young people aged 16-20, Sedmitsa.ru reported.
