Pope sends condolences after deadly fire in India

Pope Francis has sent his condolences to the victims and relatives of a fireworks accident on Sunday that killed at least 100 people and injured hundreds of others in India's Kerala state during celebrations of the local Hindu new year.

The Pope was “saddened to learn of the tragic fire at the Puttingal temple complex in Paravur,” said the telegram which was addressed to the victims of the blaze, and was signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Francis also sent his “condolences to the relatives of the deceased and injured.”

Sexual Predator Jailed after Claiming to Be ‘Transgender’ to Assault Women in Shelter

A biological man claiming to be 'transgender' so as to gain access to and prey on women at two Toronto shelters was jailed "indefinitely" last week after being declared by a judge a "dangerous offender."

Pro-family leaders are pointing out that this is exactly the type of incident they warned of as the Ontario government passed its "gender identity" bill, dubbed the "bathroom bill," in 2012.

Christopher Hambrook, 37, leaned on the ever expanding legal "rights" offered to people who "identify" with the sex opposite their biology. Under the name "Jessica," he was able to get into the women's shelters, where he sexually assaulted several women in 2012, the Toronto Sun reports.

Temple fire kills 100 in India

A massive fire swept through a temple in India's southern Kerala state on Sunday, killing nearly 100 people and injuring more than 200 who had gathered for a fireworks display to mark the start of the local Hindu new year.

Thousands of devotees had packed into the Puttingal Devi temple in the coastal district of Kollam. The fireworks display began at midnight and went on for hours.

The fire started when one of the crackers fell onto a shed where the fireworks were stored, said residents near the temple site, about 70 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Cameron announces new tax evasion law in wake of Panama Papers row

British Prime Minister David Cameron will say today that new legislation making companies criminally liable if employees aid tax evasion will be introduced this year, as he seeks to repair the damage from a week of questions about his personal finances.

Cameron published tax records on Sunday to try and defuse criticism over his handling of the fallout from the Panama Papers, in which his late father was mentioned for setting up an offshore fund.

The Origin of Moral Decadence

I said in my last writing that children and animals have soul, but not a functional spirit. And, the spirit is interrelated with the free will.
The spirit of a growing child is made active at a certain stage of its development and maturity. Prior to the time, the best the child can do is to use his imitative instinct as  he can be said to be operating with a dormant spirit.

Around puberty, let us say shortly before it, there is a whole lot of spiritual, transforming and transfiguring changes that take place in the life of every human being. These changes determine the type of individual the maturing person would be as it affects his spirituality and personality through a phenomenon known as generative power.

The 5 Masks of Pride

 

Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit to teach you something and then quickly realized you asked for more than you bargained for?

That's what happened to me a couple years ago when I asked for a revelation on what pride is and asked the Lord to convict me in areas where I was missing it. It all started because one day I was minding my own business reading a book on my Kindle, and I heard in my spirit that I had an issue with pride.

Pope: When giving to the poor, look them in the eyes

In Saturday's address for the monthly Jubilee of Mercy general audience, Pope Francis said almsgiving is not just about the money; it is about being attentive to the actual needs of the person asking for help.

“Almsgiving is a gesture of love which directs us toward those we meet,” the Pope said in his catechesis. “It is a gesture of sincere attention to those who come to us and ask for our help.”

“We should not identify almsgiving simply with a (hastily given) monetary offering” he said, “without looking at the person, and without stopping to talk, to understand what they really need.”

In off-the-cuff remarks, the Pope challenged the faithful as to whether they are able to “stop and look in the face, look in the eyes, of the person who is asking for my help.”

The April 9 gathering in St. Peter's Square was the latest in a monthly series of special audiences for the Holy Year of Mercy, which are held in addition to the weekly general audiences.

Al Qaeda execute 15 in Yemen

Al Qaeda executed 15 soldiers loyal to Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Saturday.

The soldiers were detained by militants while traveling from the southern port of Aden to al-Mahra province in eastern Yemen via Ahwar, a city in Abyan province under al Qaeda control, according to local officials and residents.

The militants took them to a remote area and killed them by firing squad. Local sources said 17 other captive soldiers were wounded in the incident but were believed to be still alive. Their current status was unclear.

Justin Welby's mother responds to revelations about her affair

Justin Welby has discovered his real father was not Gavin Welby, the former husband to his mother Jane Williams.

Instead it has been revealed archbishop of Canterbury was born out of a brief affair between his mother and Winston Churchill's private secretary, Sir Anthony Montague Brown. Now re-married to Charles Williams, Welby's mother Jane Williams has issued the following statement:

Although, as has already been made public, Gavin Welby and I had a short and, sadly, dysfunctional marriage, neither of us ever doubted that we were the parents of our son Justin, who was born almost nine months to the day after our marriage in America on April 4, 1955. I still recall our joy at his arrival. So this DNA evidence with which I have now been presented proving that Gavin was not Justin's biological father, so many years after Gavin's death, has come as an almost unbelievable shock.

Naturally, my son has deserved an explanation and I have been as open as I can, given the passage of more than sixty years with all the lapses in memory that age entails, in giving it to him. But I accept that what would in normal circumstances be of interest only to those immediately concerned must now, because of my son's position in public life, be given wider circulation. So I write this in order that the matter be put to rest.

Why This Photo of 3 Swim Suits Ignited Intense Debate

Candace Cameron Bure, no stranger to her commenters' fiery Instagram remarks, found herself at the center of yet another debate—this time over swimsuits.

"I got to do a little of this today! Gorgeous #SouthernCaliforniaafternoon! #socalliving #malibu#funinthesun Some bathingsuits are meant for public beaches and others for my own backyard. #KeepingItReal" Bure posted with a picture of three swimsuits: two one-pieces and one bikini.

Commenters quickly jumped into a modesty debate.

Nigeria: Hundreds killed and churches burned in latest Fulani massacre

At least 500 people are reported to have been murdered in new attacks by Fulani herders in more than 10 villages in northern Nigeria.

The villages in Agatu LGA remain under siege by the Muslim herders, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The latest attacks came soon after security forces in Benue State drove them out of another five communities they had occupied.

Chief Elias Ekoyi Obekpa, local paramount ruler of the Idoma tribe in Benue State, disclosed the latest attacks.

Senator David Mark, who represents the area and who visited Agatu last month, said at least 500 people died during the attacks. He added: "All the primary and post-primary schools, health centres, worship centres as well as the police station in the area have been burnt down."

Filmmakers Strike at Porn Industry

According to a national poll, 68% of men in church view pornography on a regular basis. In response to the growing epidemic in the Church, a group of filmmakers created the Conquer Series, which is the first of its kind to show men how to retrain a brain that's hooked on porn.

So far, over 300,000 men from nearly forty countries have gone through the Conquer Series, which is a five week course on DVD. These men are finding freedom and seeing their marriages restored. In this cinematic 6-disc set, former marine fighter pilot and pastor, Dr. Ted Roberts, shares powerful tools and Bible-based strategies that he's used to help thousands of men renew their mind and find freedom from porn.

Join the movement and strike a blow against the porn industry.

ISIS Burns 15 Civilians Alive

ISIS has burned 15 civilians to death after they tried to flee Fallujah. Fallujah is ISIS' second-largest stronghold in Iraq after Mosul, according to the Daily Mail.

These acts of violence are unfortunately common in Fallujah. Last month, six men were reportedly executed after they were suspected of being Iraqi spies.

The extremist group also arrested a woman who went on television and begged Western powers to "save us or bomb us." In the woman's speech on TV, she said that people in the city were dying from hunger and lack of medicine.

Azal Obaid, a local governor in the region, told ARA News that ISIS is using Fallujah's citizens as human shields to protect their militant forces. However, he did add that "there is a military plan prepared by the leadership of the Iraqi army and local tribes to liberate the city of Fallujah. The plan cannot be disclosed to the press at the moment for security reasons."

Pray that the innocent civilians would be saved from ISIS' brutal reign.

Here's What Actually Happens When You Fight For Conscience Rights

Greg Storman and his family, devout Christians, who have been operating the small grocery store and pharmacy for the past four generations, decided that they could not sell abortion-related drugs, because it was against their deepest convictions to sell drugs that "promote death", Christian Telegraph reports according to Catholic News.

African American Church Embraces Hispanic Neighbors

At the end of a Black History Month-themed service at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church, pastor Anthony Dockery told to the congragation about his recent mission trip to El Salvador, Christian Telegraph reports according to Baptist Press.

The mission team had served in the hometown of Jose Rivas, one of the pastors at St. Stephen. Beyond "good morning" and "God bless you," Dockery had relied on Rivas for Spanish translation while in the Central American country.

The African American congregation enthusiastically applauded the news that 500 people came to the party hosted by St. Stephen in El Salvador.

Nationally, denominations and church networks are looking to bridge the gap between Anglo and African American churches. But in La Puente, Calif., about 20 miles east of Los Angeles, St. Stephen finds itself bridging African American and Hispanic communities.

California’s AG must resign for abusing her office: pro-life groups

Some of the leading voices of the pro-life movement have a simple message for California Attorney General Kamala Harris: You should resign.

The attorney general ordered her agents to search David Daleiden's Huntington Beach apartment on Tuesday afternoon, seizing hundreds of hours of unreleased video footage “that has not seen the light of day yet.”

Harris, who was elected to her current office in 2010, has taken numerous donations from Planned Parenthood and EMILY's List, among others. According to Operation Rescue, Harris has accepted more than $81,000 in all from “Planned Parenthood and other abortion promoters.”

In abortionists’ occult world, truth is turned upside down and nothing ever is as it appears

In the occult, or secret world of abortion nothing is as it appears. In a media article, we read the interview of a woman whose mother worked in an abortion clinic and who has firsthand knowledge of the clinic’s inner workings. According to this insider, the clinic was “pervaded with occult imagery and practices.” The article continued by stating that “the workers considered ‘abortion to be a form of sacrifice,’ would perform the procedure as a sort of ritual, and worshipped deities embodying death.”

Keep the Fire Burning

It's one thing to light a fire. It's quite another to keep the fire burning.

It seems to me, one of the key responsibilities of any leader is to light fires and keep them lit. While it seems better to hire people who are already on fire, the probability is that everyone on the team will need their fire stoked by a leader.

Bangladeshi blogger who criticised Islamism hacked to death

A Bangladeshi law student who criticised Islamism on his Facebook account has been attacked with machetes and killed, police said, the latest in a series of murders of secular activists and bloggers by suspected Islamist militants.

Secular blogger Nazimuddin Samad, 28, was attacked as he was returning from a law class at his university in the capital, Dhaka, late on Wednesday, police said.

Last year, suspected militants killed five secular writers and a publisher, including a Bangladeshi-American activist. A banned Islamist militant group, Ansarullah Bangla Team, claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.

"At least four assailants hacked Nazimuddin Samad's head with a machete on Wednesday night. As he fell down, one of them shot him with a pistol from close range. He died on the spot," Syed Nurul Islam, deputy comissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan police, told AFP.

Health Alert: Some Secrets of the Processed Food Industry

When it comes to our health, processed food is public enemy number one. In order to win any battle, you must know your enemy.

Journalist Michael Moss went behind enemy lines. He learned the secrets the processed food industry uses to keep us hooked.

Most of us know that we should stay away from processed foods, and those sugary processed drinks, but they're just so hard to resist.

"The food that we hate to love and that we're so tempted by, and will overeat, is a problem. And the solution is gaining control of it," Moss said.

Processed Money Makers

Bible Could Soon Join Milk as State Symbol in Tennessee

Tennessee could become the first state in U.S. history to recognize the Holy Bible as its official state book after the state Senate voted 19-8 on a measure to do just that and sent it to the desk of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam for his signature.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Southerland, R-Morristown was approved after 30 minutes of debate in the state Senate on Monday, according to The Tennessean.

The blessing of a lifetime: 5-year-old girl going blind meets Pope Francis

When Lizzy Myers was diagnosed with a condition that could result in complete blindness, her parents, Steve and Christine, went to work on a “visual bucket list” for their daughter.

Today, Lizzy got to check something off: meeting Pope Francis.

The five-year-old, along with her parents and three-year-old sister Michaela, had special seats for the general audience with the Pope on Wednesday, where she was able to meet him in person. She gave him a gift – a piece of meteorite from an observatory she had recently visited – and he gave her a hug and blessed her eyes.

German cardinal: integration of civilly remarried ‘impossible’ without repentance

Just a day prior to Pope Francis’ release of his Apostolic Exhortation on the family, a German cardinal who has been an outspoken defender of Catholic teaching on marriage and family has criticized as “impossible” the Synod’s suggestion that civilly divorced and remarried Catholic become “more integrated” into the Church.

On Wednesday, Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, president emeritus of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences, stated in an article appearing on the Austrian Catholic website Kath.net that integration that is not founded on the truths of the indissolubility of marriage and the sacredness of Holy Communion would lead to “conflicts,” “embarrassments,” and an “undermining of the Church’s sacred proclamation.” Reporter Maike Hickson has translated key sections of the cardinal's article at The Wanderer.

This Might Be Why Israel's Relationship With President Obama Is Frosty

If it seems like the relationship between the Obama administration and Israel is getting frostier, there's a very good reason why.

According to the Washington Free Beacon, the U.S. State Department—fresh off its nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic—is now negotiating on Iran's behalf to secure even more money from frozen accounts held by our European allies. Thomas Shannon, the State Department's undersecretary for political affairs, informed lawmakers Tuesday that efforts to aid Iran's access to funds includes direct engagement from the Obama administration.

In London, 21-year-old Single Mom Hangs Herself After an Abortion

The suicide death of a 21-year-old single mother depressed by a recent abortion has raised serious questions about how well the country's abortion law is being kept by doctors.

Jade Rees, already a mother of one two-year-old boy, got pregnant by her boyfriend in early 2015 but four months into the pregnancy he left her. According to the British press, she was devastated and had an abortion in October.

Archbishop of Wales apologises for 'gay prejudice' in the Church

The Archbishop of Wales has apologised "unreservedly" to gay couples for discrimination they may have faced within the Christian community.

The Church in Wales tweeted that Archbishop Barry Morgan "offers a pastoral letter on same-sex relationships apologising unreservedly for prejudice within the church".

Morgan was speaking at a meeting in Llandudno with the governing body of the Church today.

The Church released a statement saying that while it "is not yet ready to allow or bless same-sex marriage, the debate is not over."

It reiterated that gay and lesbian people "are fully affirmed as equal disciples" and apologised for "the persecution and mistreatment they have endured at the hands of the Church".

Introducing the letter, Archbishop Barry said: "We are not ready, as a church, to take the step of authorising same-sex marriage. There is no point in bringing forward a Bill to fail.

"That I know will be a disappointment to those who voted for change and will be a deep disappointment to same-sex couples within the Church in Wales who long for the opportunity to make their vows in one of our churches."

Morgan has authorised prayers for gay and lesbian couples to be said after a celebration of civil partnership or civil marriage, but clarified that "these prayers do not constitute a service of blessing."

What Blocks God's Provision in Your Life?

Have you found yourself repeating the same wrong action over and over again even when you thought you dealt with the cause and vowed you would never repeat it?

When asked why we do what we do, we honestly don't know. If we cannot get in touch with the why of our action, then we will never be able to find a permanent solution.

The action, the wrong, hurtful thing that we keep doing is just a symptom of a deeper problem. It is the part that shows we have an underlying attitude that is causing our visible sin.

People look at others that do what they consider a sin and judge the action. While we certainly should behave in appropriate ways, the problem of sin goes much deeper than what people see. We often treat our sin like the person who has a dandelion problem in his front yard and gets rid of the evidence by mowing the lawn. He gets rid of the yellow but the problem keeps coming back and in fact it even spreads to other areas of the lawn.

Charleston massacre: Dylann Roof trial delayed over death penalty decision

A judge on Tuesday granted US prosecutors' request for trial delay as it considers whether to seek the death penalty for a white man accused of killing nine parishioners last summer at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in what prosecutors say was a hate crime.

District Judge Richard Gergel urged the federal government to make a decision soon on whether they would pursue the death penalty for Dylann Roof, 22, who plans to plead guilty if he will not be facing the possibility of execution. Gergel said he could set a trial date at some point in the interest of a speedy trial.

"There are victims here," Gergel said. "They have a right to put this behind them."

Roof, who faces 33 federal hate crime and firearms charges, is accused of opening fire during a June 17 Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in a crime that sparked a fierce social debate about race and gun control in the United States.

Mississippi Governor Signs Law Allowing Christians to Deny Services to Same-Sex Couples

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant on Tuesday signed a far-reaching law allowing people with religious objections to deny wedding services to same-sex couples and protecting other actions considered discriminatory by gay rights activists.

The measure also clears the way for employers to cite religion in determining workplace policies on dress code, grooming and bathroom and locker access.

Bryant, a Republican, said in a statement he signed the law "to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organizations and private associations from discriminatory action by state government."

7 things that Christians can learn from atheists

We might disagree with atheists' beliefs and reasoning about the Christian faith, but there is a lot to learn from friendships with our unbelieving friends, even the ones who aren't very friendly.

1. What seems obvious to us, does not seem obvious to others

We have to do more than just tell other people what we believe and expect them to believe it too.

If you do not come from a Christian background, adopting the faith involves a huge change of worldview. Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible. But there needs to be a huge change in thinking, too. It can take years to open up minds and hearts to a different way of viewing the world.

US presiding bishop fires two top staff members over 'misconduct'

The Primate of The Episcopal Church in the US has sacked two top staff members after an investigation found they had "violated established workplace policies".

Bishop Michael Curry had placed deputy chief operating officer Sam McDonald and public engagement director Alex Baumgarten on administrative leave, along with chief operating officer Bishop Stacy Sauls.

Supreme Court Issues Shocking Unanimous Decision

 

In a stunning unanimous opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court determined members of state legislatures represent all of the residents of their districts—including those who have entered the country illegally.

The majority opinion, handed down in the case of Evenwel v. Abbott, was authored by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with five of the remaining justices concurring. She wrote the Framers and Congress at the time the 14th Amendment was ratified agreed that state legislative districts should include the entire population, not just those eligible to vote.

Bishop Mulkearns, accused of sex abuse cover-up in Australia, dies

Bishop Ronald Mulkearns, who led the Diocese of Ballarat in Australia's Victoria state from 1971 to 1997, died Monday at the age of 85. He had been accused of covering up sexual abuse of children in his diocese.

Bishop Mulkearns died April 4 at the Nazareth House Nursing Home in Ballarat after suffering colon cancer.

“Those who knew him personally will remember a man who was dedicated in his service over those years and, indeed, over the sixty years he served as a priest,” Bishop Paul Bird of Ballarat stated. “At the same time, Bishop Mulkearns himself acknowledged that he had made some tragic mistakes during his time as bishop.”

Part of One of The Busiest Freeways in Southern California Could be Named in Memory of ‘Unbroken’ Athlete and War Hero, Louis Zamperini

California Assemblyman David Hadley, R-Torrance, has announced that he has introduced in Sacramento, a resolution, ACR 157, to name a portion of Interstate 405 in Torrance as the Louis Zamperini Memorial Highway.

"Louis Zamperini was a true American hero, who survived unthinkable treatment as a prisoner of war in World War II," said Hadley. "He inspired millions of Americans as an Olympic distance runner, and later as a Christian evangelist. This extraordinary man showed resilience through all of life's ups and downs, and continues to be an inspiration to all even after his death. Renaming a portion of the 405 in his honor is a fitting way to pay tribute to a remarkable Californian."

Abortion activist brings fake bomb on plane, shuts down airport for three hours

A female staffer for the National Abortion Federation attempted to smuggle three sticks labeled "dynamite," an aerosol can, a liquid-filled mason jar – the makings of a homemade bomb – onto a plane at Peoria International.

The FBI and bomb squad rushed to the airport where a Transportation Security Administration agent spotted ingredients for an explosive in the National Abortion Federation staffer's luggage.  In all, the airport was evacuated for three hours, causing numerous flight delays.

Are Chinese leaders using American tactics to subvert Christianity?

The government of China appears to be shifting its approach toward Christians, and this change could prove highly problematic in the years to come for the Chinese church.

The persecution of Christians after the formation of the People's Republic of China in 1949 was swift, brutal, and devastating for many Christians, both native Chinese and missionaries. While the missionaries were attacked and driven from the land, the remaining Christians faced rioting crowds, the seizure of their property, and hard labour. Many were forced to attend re-education programs that extolled the virtues of the Communist party in China.

129 children disappear from Calais refugee camp

More than 100 children have vanished from the Calais refugee camp according to a recent census. Charities have expressed shock and concern, particularly following evidence of the abuse and rape of boys in the camp.

Around 500 children were known to have been fending for themselves in the camp on the French border, known as the 'Jungle', without their families or a responsible adult. A new census by Help Refugees UK revealed that 129 of those children are now unaccounted for, the charity said yesterday. They have called for immediate action by the French authorities to safeguard the remaining 270 plus children.

5 More Ways to Recognize False Friends

False friends. About a month ago I wrote a column called "5 Ways to Recognize False Friends," and it struck a nerve—apparently a raw one.

As I shared, the Bible has plenty to say about false friends—and you've probably had one or two yourself. Of course, you probably didn't know they were false when you first befriended them or you wouldn't have put yourself through the grief!

I've had a number of false friends over the years. Some had selfish ambition and thought I could open a door for them. Others had a Judas spirit and walked with me until they didn't agree with a decision. Still others were subtle manipulators who manifested when I said "no."

Francis announces special collection for victims of Ukraine conflict

On Sunday Pope Francis announced that a special collection will be taken up in all Catholic churches in Europe April 24, the funds of which will go toward relief for all suffering due to ongoing violence in Ukraine.

After celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis led pilgrims in praying the Regina Caeli, telling them beforehand that “on this day, which is like the heart of the Holy Year of Mercy, my thoughts go to all peoples who are thirsty for peace and reconciliation.”

Mass grave, thousands of mines found in Palmyra says Syrian Army

Islamic State militants retreating from Palmyra laid thousands of mines that they planned to set off simultaneously as the army moved in, a Syrian officer told Reuters in the ancient city after its recapture from the jihadist fighters.

The officer said main streets and side roads in Palmyra had been rigged with explosives weighing up to 50 kg. More than 3,000 had already been safely detonated since government forces, backed by Russian jets, retook the city on Sunday, he said.

Priest kidnapped in Yemen NOT dead - 'could be freed soon'

An Indian priest abducted by gunmen in Yemen last month is safe and could be released soon, a Catholic group said on Sunday, quoting the Indian foreign minister.

Father Tom Uzhunnalil was captured from the southern Yemeni city of Aden by gunmen who killed at least 15 people at an old people's home in an attack that was condemned by Pope Francis.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) said a delegation met Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj who said the government was working to secure the priest's safe return.

"She has assured us Father Tom is safe and negotiations are on for his release which could happen very soon," said Father Joseph Chinnaiyan, deputy secretary of the CBCI.

The Spirit of Antichrist

The underlying reason why people become antichrist is lust and lack of self-control--lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life.

There is this joke I came across that better explains the vain knowledge of some people.
Your mother carried you nine months in the womb, nothing happened to you until you were born alive, complete and bouncing.
All that while, I do not think it was your power neither was it your mother's that kept you and saw you to this earth.
After birth, you grew as a child from infancy to childhood, to adolescence and finally adulthood. Probably, as you were growing, no fatal or disfiguring disease or accident struck you and you did not break either an arm or a leg.
 All of a sudden along the line of your growth and maturity, you began to realise that you need to protect your life by any possible and available means; and that you can make things happen in your own way and time and to your benefit--you can facilitate occurrences, you can speed up things, create happenings and manipulate your way.

The Global Church Celebrates The 500th Anniversary Of Protestantism

The Wittenberg 2017 Summit October 30-November 1, 2017 in Wittenberg & Berlin, Germany Gathers Every Major Denomination and Fellowship.

As part of the strategy to help synergize the entire Body of Christ toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission, Billion Soul Network (Billion.tv) will host The Wittenberg 2017 Summit October 30-November 1, 2017 (Luther2017.tv) in Wittenberg and Berlin, Germany, Christian Telegraph reports according to billion.tv press centre. World class leaders from every major denomination and Christian stream will gather to synergize efforts to double the size of the Global Church during this generation.

Protests mount before EU-Turkey migrant deal takes effect

Migrants and refugees protested on a Greek island and rights groups raised legal objections three days before a disputed EU deal to return rejected asylum seekers from Greece to Turkey was due to go into action, with neither side completely ready.

Hundreds of migrants and refugees on the island of Chios tore through a razor wire fence surrounding their holding center and set off for the port in protest against planned deportation, police said. Police did not immediately intervene.

Clashes broke out at the site late on Thursday, during which windows were smashed and 10 people were injured lightly, a police official said. Some 300 women and children broke out of the camp on Friday carrying their belongings.

The Vatican remembers the "unconventionally angelic" Mother Angelica

After the death of Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN, on Easter Sunday, many in and around the Vatican praised the bold nun’s courageous witness at a time of crisis in the Church, and expressed their appreciation for the work EWTN continues to do.

In an April 1 Memorial Mass for Mother Angelica in Rome, Cardinal George Pell praised the nun’s effectiveness in spreading the Good News, and thanked God for “her message, her courage and her faith.”

Life Without a Bucket List

 

I can confidently say that I don't live with a long list of things I want to do, see, or complete before I'm done in this place. I carried a dream for years of having a farm. I was in love with all things Wendell Berry. I could picture it, the life of routine created by the land and its rhythms. But beyond that, I've never longed for having a list and checking things off.

Catholic college teaches students about ‘drag culture,’ an ‘artistic expression’

University of Dayton officials legitimized men dressing as women and performing on stage as “an artistic expression in our culture” in comments to The Cardinal Newman Society about an event held Easter Wednesday at the Catholic college that brought in an “educational drag troupe” to teach students about “drag culture.”

The event, “Rubi Girls: Transformation, An Interactive Experience,” featured the Dayton, Ohio,-based “comedic, charitable, and educational drag troupe” known as the Rubi Girls. The Rubi Girls are a “group of gay men in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s” who perform “charity-driven, comedic drag performances.” The group is comprised of “elementary school teachers, a clinical counselor, a filmmaker and business owners” who don women’s clothing and makeup for performances.

A flyer for the event provided the following description: “Want to know more about drag culture? Take a behind the scenes look at the transformative process of a drag queen. Get up close and personal with members of the Rubi Girls in an interactive event as you watch them transform before you.” The advertisement featured images of men dressed as women.

Obama faces pressure to confront China on human rights and religious freedom

US President Obama has been pressed to discuss human rights with the Chinese President this week, according to China Aid.

In a letter, former Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio and US Representative Chris Smith , who co-chair the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), urged Obama to address China's "severe erosion" of human rights and rule of law.

Praying Doctors, New Technology Lead the Fight Against Cancer

 

A decade ago, doctors had no idea of the technology on the horizon that would help them take on cancer. Today, Norfolk, Virginia's Bon Secours Cancer Institute is a faith-based health system that helps patients beat their cancer in a way that's light years ahead of the past.

Unfortunately, cancer is still prevalent in our society. Four out of 10 Americans will learn they have cancer sometime during their lifetime.

The good news is that diagnosis isn't what it used to be. Today's cancer treatments offer greater hope than ever before, both with increased cure rates and fewer side effects.

Christianity is no longer compulsory for Oxford Theology students

Theology students at Oxford will no longer have to study Christianity after their first year of university, after pupils challenged the lack of diversity in the current course structure.

A "major driver" for implementing changes, which will allow students after the first year to abandon study of Christianty entirely, is "the dramatic change in the way religion is seen and practised in the UK," according to Professor Johannes Zachhuber, the theology faculty's board chairman.

Catholic priest found stabbed to death in Venezuela

A 39-year-old priest has been violently stabbed to death in Venezuela, his diocese has reported.

The body of Father Darwin Antonio Zambrano Gamez was found yesterday morning in a park in San Cristobal, a city in the northwest of the country.