India: Unique film released in Hindi
A six hour Hindi film, ‘Christayan’ (the journey of Christ) was released in Indore Madhya Pradesh in early December. It was directed by Father George, a Catholic priest, who worked seven years on it with a team of 200 amateur actors, scientists, technical staff, professors, doctors, teachers, social activists, farmers, atheists, students, media persons, priests and religious sisters. They visited 10 states including the north-eastern part of India. Ankit Sharma, a Hindu young man, acted as Jesus. Over 80% of the team were ‘friends of Jesus’. ‘Christayan’ has an eastern flavor with Indian socio-cultural backgrounds and aesthetics interwoven with various genres of Indian music by some of the best Asian singers and musicians of our time. Father George wrote the script, lyrics and also supervised makeup and costumes. He was a missionary in the interior villages of the state, and believes ‘Jesus, the living and loving God, is present with us and within us.’
Praise: God for this film; may it spread throughout India. May peoples' spiritual eyes be opened to see Jesus the Son of the Living God. (Ps.24:5)
More: http://persecutedchurch.info/2012/12/05/six-hour-long-hindi-film-on-jesus-released/
Survey of deaths in police custody
The total deaths of people in police custody or following contact with the police in England and Wales since 1990 is 955 and all deaths including pursuit and shooting is 1,447 according to research carried out by INQUEST(United Campaigns for Justice and Accountability) The Human Rights Act guarantees everyone the right to life. In practice this is interpreted as requiring the state to investigate deaths linked to the authorities and hold accountable those responsible for unlawful killings. In spite of this guarantee it has proved almost impossible to hold anyone accountable. No police officer has been convicted of manslaughter for a crime committed while on duty since 1986, though since then hundreds have died in police custody or after contact with the police. Time and again, the Crown Prosecution Service has been unwilling to prosecute police officers, and in only one case, in 1969, has a police officer been convicted. See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/19/simon-harwood-police-officer-not-guilty
Pray: that authorities would honour their ‘duty to protect’ people in their custody, pray also for a ‘much discussed’ national enquiry into these statistics to be a reality in 2013. May all that is hidden be revealed. (Ps.103:6)
More: http://inquest.gn.apc.org/website/statistics/deaths-in-police-custody
Liverpool Care Pathway – nine points to consider
The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) has nine key points it wants the Government to consider in its recently announced review of the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway. It suggests that only those who are in the last few days of life should be placed on the LCP and that placing someone on the LCP should be discussed with the relative or carer. Latest figures suggest that around 130,000 people a year are dying on the LCP, amounting to about a third of annual deaths in the UK. Writing in a review for CMF’s Journal, Dr Jeff Stephenson, a Devon-based consultant in palliative care says: ‘The LCP represents a pragmatic and effective response to some of the suffering experienced by many in the last days of life. There is always potential for misuse and abuse and there are undoubtedly instances where this occurs.’
Pray: that the CMF’s points will be considered seriously in the coming review. (Lev.19:32)
Young 'cannot cope with daily life'
One in 10 young people feel they cannot cope with day-to-day life - with those not in work, education or training more than twice as likely to feel this way - according to a Prince's Trust survey. The annual Youth Index report questioned 2,136 16 to 25-year-olds. A total of 27% of respondents in work feel down or depressed always or often, compared with 48% who were not in education, employment or training. It also found 22% did not have someone to talk to about their problems. The 2012 report discovered 52% of so-called NEETs said they often or always felt depressed. The index, now in its fifth year, gauges young people's happiness across a range of areas, from family life to physical and mental health. Despite the pressures many are facing, it only shows relatively slight changes in overall confidence and happiness amongst young people, says BBC social affairs correspondent Alison Holt.
Pray: that our young people will not succumb to the pressures of this current time.
