Bishop regrets prison closures
The Bishop of Portsmouth has said he is 'uncomfortable' with the closure of two prisons in his diocese. The Right Reverend Christopher Foster has promised support for prisoners and staff at Kingston Prison in Portsmouth and Camp Hill Prison on the Isle of Wight. The government announced this week that Kingston, Camp Hill and several other prisons across England would be closing on economic grounds. The Ministry of Justice is planning to replace the facilities with a new 'super prison' holding more than 2,000 prisoners. Bishop Foster, who has visited the prisons in person, said: “I admit to feeling uncomfortable at closing prisons purely on ‘economic’ grounds.'For me, the bigger question is whether prisons are doing their job in terms of social justice. 'Are they able to rehabilitate prisoners so that they are better educated, understand the impact of their crimes and want to turn their lives around?
Pray: for the prison service, inmates and staff. Pray that any changes will support the criminal justice system and improve re-offending rates. (Ps.142:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/bishop.regrets.prison.closures/31434.htm
Contraceptive Culture usurps parental consent
As Britain continues to have the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe, school children under the age of consent are being given the pill without the consent of their parents. In hundreds of state secondary schools across the country condoms are also being offered to pupils under 16 years old (the legal age of consent). And if they express an interest, girls are referred for contraceptive injections and implants. School nurses providing advice and referrals — without the consent of parents — is seen as the only way to reach the most at-risk girls. In one case a 14 year old girl with a headache was refused an aspirin by the school nurse because parental consent was required, yet she was offered a confidential service on contraception. Policy is set in education authorities, but the confidential service is already offered in areas including Bristol, Berkshire, Peterborough, West Midlands, Northumbria and County Durham.
Pray: for authorities and parents to recognise their roles and for them to work together to support teenagers.. (Gal.5:19)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/education/contraceptive-culture-usurps-parental-consent
Unemployed not just statistics, says Justin Welby
Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham, described unemployment as a “tragedy” with parallels to losses on the battlefield, which wears down “all but the bravest and toughest”. His comments come amid controversy in some quarters over George Osborne’s depiction of some benefit claimants as people lying in bed while their “striver” neighbours go to work.
He also issued a series of stinging criticisms of Government policy, accusing it of giving the North East of England a “grossly unequal” share of some building funds in an 'out of sight out of mind' attitude. The comments came in highly unusual form for a bishop – as he took over as a newspaper editor for the day. Bishop Welby, who becomes Archbishop next month, spent the day guest editing the Northern Echo, which is based in his Durham diocese, focusing on efforts to combat unemployment.
Pray: for all those who face the devastating effects of unemployment. (Ecc.3:13)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9796906/Unemployed-not-just-statistics-says-Justin-Welby.html
Another Iranian Pastor Threatened with Execution
Pastor Saeed, an American citizen, is in grave danger in a brutal Iranian prison where he says he is experiencing "intense pains after beatings in interrogations" and has been told he "will hang." His trial before one of Iran's "hanging judges" is set to begin on Monday. His alleged “crime” – threatening national security, which translates to establishing house churches in Iran.
The regime plans to use evidence that dates back 13 years to when Pastor Saeed converted from Islam to Christianity. As we know from the case of Pastor Youcef, who is now free because thousands of people spoke out, charges related to converting from Islam can carry the death sentence in Iran. The ACLJ is calling on the U.S. State Department to demand that Iran release this U.S. citizen immediately. We cannot be silent while this American suffers for his faith.
Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Let us pray that Pastor Saeed will be exonerated and released. Pray for his protection from brutality, mistreatment and soon release from prison.
