France: Christian chaplaincy tensions
The Protestant Federation of France General Assembly on 21 and 22 January in Paris examined the issues chaplains face in hospitals, prisons, and the military and urged member churches to take steps to support chaplains' work. A key concern was the tensions in some sectors between Protestant chaplains and those from the Catholic Church, as the number of practicing Catholics is declining andtheir Church is losing its traditionally dominant position in the area of chaplaincy. 64 percent of French people identify themselves as Catholics, but less that 10 percent practice their religion. three percent identify as Protestants. Protestant Hospital Chaplains visit patients, counsel the dying and contribute to ethics policies as they work alongside representatives of the Catholic, Jewish and Muslim faiths. They are hoping for greater teamwork. ‘Spirituality is a great part of health-care, and we want to put in place meetings between the national chaplaincy services’ said a spokesperson for the Assembly.
Pray: for God’s blessings to be poured over the hospitals, prisons, the military and wherever people are in stress, pain and trauma, that they might turn and focus on the living God. (Ps.3:8)
China: Five priests ‘taken away’
Five ‘underground’ priests from Suiyuan diocese in Inner Mongolia were ‘taken away’ by police on Monday from Erenhot city (near the border with Mongolia). The sources said the priests have no affiliation with the government-sanctioned ‘open’ Church. They were Father Joseph Gao, - diocesan administrator, Fr Joseph Ban, - seminary rector and three parish priests surnamed Ding, Wang and Zhao. They were holding a meeting at a layperson’s home discussing the transfer of parish priests when about 30 policemen and government officials stormed the house and took them away. The officials did not give any explanation for the arrests and other priests and lay leaders have called for prayers for their safe return. The underground community in Suiyuan has led a peaceful existence in recent years with about 30 priests usually living in laypeople’s homes and doing pastoral work secretly. The underground community refers to itself as Suiyuan diocese, covering central and south-western part of Inner Mongolia.
Pray: God’s protection on China’s underground church and for the safe return of the priests. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.ucanews.com/2012/01/31/officials-arrest-underground-priests/
Syria: Risking it all to report the uprising
As foreign journalists weigh the risks of reporting on the unrest in Syria, many nameless locals are putting themselves in greater danger for fewer rewards covering an uprising in a tightly controlled police state that often literally shoots the messenger. We are witnessing the birth of citizen journalism, and Razzan Ghaxxawi, a popular blogger said, ‘Syrian journalists are targeted now, that's why we witnessed the birth of citizen journalists who are doing excellent work. Syria’s citizen journalists have learned to employ a variety of creative means to evade the radar of the vigilant authorities. When carrying out their daily work of media coverage they rely heavily on internet proxies, satellite phones, modems, hidden cameras often placed in buttons, pens and wristwatches. However some have learned that the sneakier they are the greater the punishment. The Smart Phone is more dangerous to the government than Israel now. (See also North Korea story below)
Pray: and thank God for the way technology is being used positively asking Him to protect those who communicate events truthfully. (Is.21:6)
North Korea: Mobile phones = treason
The new Supreme Leader has clamped down on mobile phone use, declaring any use of a mobile phone during the 100 days of mourning for his father an act of war leading to charges of treason and long prison terms or death. Only a small percentage of the population has mobile phones, those who do own handsets are limited in their calling scope to their economic class. Lowly workers can contact only other lowly workers. The elite are likewise sequestered to their own economic tier. The communications, from low to high, are monitored. One false step in phrasing could earn years of hard labour. The government monitors mobile calls and surfing the Internet so little ‘outside’ news passes through filters for the 400,000 internet users.
Pray: that God would enable western truths and technology to reach North Korea. (Ps.110:2)
More: http://www.mobilephones.org.uk/mobile-news/north-korean-mobile-phone-use-equates-to-treason/
