'Dancing with the Missing'
The Archbishop of York reflected on Sting's lyrics 'They Dance Alone' on BBC Radio 2 last week. He explained that during the Pinochet rule Chilean women pinned, on their dresses or blouses, photographs of disappeared loved ones. Sting’s lyrics and music of the song, ‘They Dance Alone’, captured their pain vividly. He went on to talk about how he spoke to Kate, the mother of Madeleine McCann, recently at a vigil in York Minster for another ‘disappeared’ daughter, Claudia Lawrence. She told me that it was only after Madeleine was taken from them that she and her husband Gerry learned how many children go missing each year from all around the world. The scale of the problem is so huge; it’s surprising we don’t hear more about it. The Bishop said, ‘For four years I have prayed regularly for Madeleine McCann, and for all other missing children that they may be safe, free from fear and anxiety.’ Pray: on this fourth anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction, for her and all missing children in our global village. (Je.23:4) More: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2020/pause-for-thought-on-dancing-with-the-missing
Humanists angry over £6m contract Salvation Army win
The Salvation Army has won a government contract to oversee help for victims of trafficking, but humanists have hit out at the move. The £6m contract went to the Christian group because it had put in a stronger bid than a secular group which had held the contract, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said. But the British Humanist Association (BHA) attacked the move, calling it ‘deeply concerning’. The Salvation Army will oversee support and accommodation for male and female victims of all types of trafficking, including sex trafficking. It said its aim was simple: ‘To ensure that every woman and man who is identified as trafficked will receive a quality support package that is tailored to their individual needs.’ The MoJ said the previous group, Eaves Housing, ‘had done a very good job’ in recent years but Salvation Army had put in a stronger bid for the contract.
Pray: that the Salvation Army through this contract will be enabled to make a huge difference in this area. (Ep.4:16)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/humanists-angry-over-6m-contract-salvation-army-win/
West's reticence on Christian persecution
Writing in the latest edition of Standpoint magazine, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said the United Nations had taken the necessary steps to protect people in Libya from attacks by their own government, but questioned why the United Nations or the West was ‘unable to tackle the widespread and growing persecution of Christians?’ He voiced particular concern over Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the Christian communities face regular attacks and harassment at the hands of Muslims. ‘In the case of Iraq, why is there so much resistance to a declaration that Christians, Mandaeans, Yazidis and other minorities need to be protected and that, where necessary, their safety in certain zones will be guaranteed by the international community?’ he said. The bishop suggested that international guarantees would give Christians in Iraq greater confidence concerning their future in the country. Pray:that the persecution of the church would be recognised and not ignored. (Ro.8:35)
Rome braces for 'prophet-predicted quake'
Thousands of people are reported to be staying out of Rome for the next few days, over fears the city will be hit by a huge earthquake. The panic was sparked by rumours that seismologist Raffaele Bendandi, who died in 1979, predicted the city would be devastated by a quake on 11 May. Officials have insisted quakes cannot be predicted and special programmes have run on state TV calling for calm. Experts also say there is no evidence Bendandi even made the prediction. But many people said they were leaving the city to be on the safe side. There are reports of an 18% increase in the number of city employees planning to stay away from work. Other people were more sceptical, or said they would make the most of the capital being slightly quieter.
Pray: that fear would not rule the people and that God would give them true revelation. (Ex.20:20)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13354988
