Bishop of Croydon calls on God for World Cup help
The Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Rev Nick Baines has written a series of prayers for the World Cup. The first prayer calls for all who work and play in the tournament to be guided, guarded and protected and that fans will find the tournament a ‘source of celebration’. In his second, Bishop Baines asks God to smile on the host country, South Africa, and all those who travel to ‘join in the party’. Another, written for those with no interest in the game, asks that they may be granted ‘the gift of sympathy’. The Church of England's Bishop Baines, a Liverpool fan, said: ‘More than half the population pray at some time and everyone will be affected by the World Cup in one way or another, so it makes sense to have some prayers for those that want to use them.’ Pray:for all those involved directly or indirectly in this major event both in South Africa and around the world. (2Ch.30:23)
BBC TV 'sees religion as tiresome obligation'
Religious coverage is seen as a ‘rather tiresome obligation’ by ‘secular and sceptical’ BBC television staff, a Radio 4 broadcaster has said. Roger Bolton called for the appointment of a BBC religion editor to improve coverage of faith matters. He was speaking at the Sandford St Martin Trust awards for religious programmes, for which he was chairman of the judges. The BBC replied that its commitment to religion broadcasting was ‘unequivocal’. Mr Bolton, who presents BBC Radio 4's Feedback programme, told the London ceremony that a religious perspective was often ‘bafflingly absent’ both on air and in editorial discussions behind the scenes. A BBC spokeswoman said there was ‘no downward trend in our religion and ethics television output’. Earlier this year, the Church of England's general synod expressed ‘deep concern’ at a perceived cut in religious programming by mainstream broadcasters. (See Prayer alert 2010)
Pray:for God to protect the religious content of the BBC and pray that believers would speak out boldly for their faith. (Ph.1:9-10) More:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8705560.stm
Christians upset over UK's first TV abortion advert
The head of the Christian Legal Centre has condemned the first ever TV advertisement for abortion services. Marie Stopes made TV history when it advertised its abortion services on Channel 4 on Monday. The ad asked ‘Are you late?’ referring to women who may have missed a period. It will run throughout June. It is being broadcast as part of a wider campaign by the registered charity to ‘confront the taboo of abortion.’ The plans have upset pro-life and Christian groups, who are considering legal action to halt the broadcast of the advert. While commercial abortion clinics are prohibited from advertising on TV by the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice, the ban does not cover not-for-profit abortion providers like Marie Stopes.
Pray: for a balanced approach to counselling rather than a direct route to abortion as seems to be promoted in the advert. (Rev.4:11b
More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100520/christians-upset-over-uks-first-tv-abortion-ad/index.html
Portuguese bishops: gay 'marriage' law a step backward
Portuguese bishops, joined by the country's Pro-Life Federation, denounced their president's decision to legalize same-sex ‘marriage’ on Monday, calling the move a ‘step backward’ and an attack on the traditional family.’ A bill aimed at legalizing same-sex ‘marriages’ was passed by the Portuguese parliament in February with the support of the left-wing parties, which are in the majority. President Anibal Cavaco Silva had until May 17 to decide whether to sign the bill into law or exercise his veto power. The president, who is a self-identified Catholic, said on Monday that he was putting aside his ‘personal convictions’ and approving the legislation, making Portugal the sixth country in Europe to allow same-sex unions. Pope Benedict XVI recently visited to Portugal, where he stressed the importance of ‘protecting the essential and primary values of life’ which include the ‘indissoluble marriage between a man and a woman.’
Pray: against this trend across Europe and the World to go against God’s marriage principles. (Heb.13:4)
