Italy seeks an end to crucifix ban
Catholicism stopped being the state religion in Italy in 1984 The Italian government is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn a ban on classroom crucifixes. The case against crucifixes was brought by a woman who argued that her children had a right to a secular education under Italy's constitution. Last year the court agreed with the mother, saying parents should be able to bring up children as they saw fit. Her victory caused uproar in Italy, where 90% of the population describe themselves as Christian. Italy started its appeal against the court's ruling - which was widely interpreted as interference in the country's culture, history and religion - on Wednesday. If the government loses, it would mean that all religious artefacts in classrooms across the European Union could be outlawed. A government minister said the ruling was ‘shameful’ while Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a ‘symbol of our tradition’, and not a mark of Catholicism. Pray: that secularism is countered in this important case. (Ps.31:23)
Italy seeks an end to crucifix ban
Catholicism stopped being the state religion in Italy in 1984 The Italian government is appealing to the European Court of Human Rights to overturn a ban on classroom crucifixes. The case against crucifixes was brought by a woman who argued that her children had a right to a secular education under Italy's constitution. Last year the court agreed with the mother, saying parents should be able to bring up children as they saw fit. Her victory caused uproar in Italy, where 90% of the population describe themselves as Christian. Italy started its appeal against the court's ruling - which was widely interpreted as interference in the country's culture, history and religion - on Wednesday. If the government loses, it would mean that all religious artefacts in classrooms across the European Union could be outlawed. A government minister said the ruling was ‘shameful’ while Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said the crucifix was a ‘symbol of our tradition’, and not a mark of Catholicism. Pray: that secularism is countered in this important case. (Ps.31:23)
Cortege of seven servicemen
The families of seven servicemen killed in Afghanistan joined thousands of well-wishers yesterday evening as their coffins were driven through Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire. It was the largest single repatriation since the bodies of eight soldiers were returned to RAF Lyneham last July. Family members placed flowers on top of the hearses as they paused for a minute's silence next to Wootton Bassett's War Memorial. Many relatives wore T-shirts bearing the name of their family member. The hearses carried on to a hospital in Oxford, where post-mortems are due to take place. Among the many former service personnel attending was Lance Corporal Mark Barber, 22, of the Household Cavalry, who knewtwo of the dead soldiers, Isaac and Halliday. ‘The way they died was just terrible. We've come here to pay our respects,’ he said. Pray: for the families of those who have died in this conflict and for those who place their lives at risk daily. (Mt.5:4) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jun/30/soldiers-wootton-bassett-afghanistan
Chaplaincy to the armed forces
150 years ago the Methodist Church purchased land in the garrison town of Aldershot to provide a place of worship for the men stationed in the camp. The Methodist Conference has celebrated 150 years of this ministry, which has provided support to military personnel and their families throughout more than 15 conflicts, from British colonial rule in South Asia to the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Revd Stephen Hancock, an army chaplain from Abingdon, said; ‘From the centurion at the Cross to chaplains serving today in the UK or overseas – Navy, Army and Air Force – little seems to have changed. People still need to experience the love of God in places where war is the norm. It is not always pleasant, not always fun, not always rewarding, but it is part of the Great Commission to ‘go’ and we few who serve today press on in the hope that we can direct people to the Son of God.’ Pray: for all chaplains working in places of war that they will be safe and that they may hold the Gospel message as a light in a dark place. (Jn.12:46) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=449
