Egypt: Rising violence against Christians
A group of experts, advocates and faith leaders with an interest in Egypt, religious freedom and human rights released a statement expressing concern at the increasing attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the manner in which such attacks are being reported by international and local media. The group’s statement says, ‘The collapse of ‘powerful state apparatus' and ‘subsequent power vacuum’ quickly opened a ‘Pandora's Box’ of social problems that the Mubarak regime had either maintained or failed to address. We are now witnessing political struggles for power and influence in the new Egypt.’ (See last weeks PA re Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt) According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide 60+ people were injured on Saturday when Christians protested outside Cairo’s television buildings against attacks on churches the previous weekend, that left 12 dead, were themselves attacked by 100+ people with stones, gasoline bombs and guns. Fighting continued for several hours before the army restored order. Pray: for true democracy in Egypt and an end to civil unrest and attacks on Christians. (Ps.45:6)
Guatemala: 'Emergency' over killings
Guatemalan president Alvaro Colom has declared a ‘state of siege’ along the Mexican border, where at least 27 people were killed over the weekend in a ‘Mexico Zetas’ drug gang massacre. The state of emergency will restrict demonstrations and allow police to carry out raids at night, and try to track down the killers. The order finishes Tuesday. Police have captured one suspect and killed two others in an operation in which two policemen were wounded. Alvaro Colom said that Guatemala must confront the aggression which had infected the entire region. Authorities have identified 15 of the 27 migrant farm workers beheaded in the massacre, three children and two women were among the victims, the youngest was 13 years old. (See last weeks PA re. Mexico borders Drug/Human trafficking)
Pray: that this investigation will be completely lawful, protected from corruptive influence and ask Him for a season of justice and restoration for the area. (Ps.9:16)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/video/americas/2011/05/2011517103516680111.html
Queen's symbolic Ireland visit
The Queen is sowing seeds of reconciliation that no amount of government negotiation could achieve. The Queen, who arrived wearing emerald green, laid a wreath at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance which commemorates those who died resisting the British rule in the 1916 revolution. The wreath-laying ceremony has been viewed as a symbolic act of reconciliation between the two countries. The British national anthem was played, which is something that would have been unthinkable ten years ago. A motorcade then took the 85-year-old Queen to sign a visitors' book dating back to 1802 and plant an Irish oak sapling. Her actions mirror Queen Victoria’s planting a redwood there in 1861. HM visited Trinity College Dublin where she viewed the Book of Kells, a ninth century gospel manuscript kept in the Old Library with the college's royal charter signed in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The visit coincides with the 37th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Pray: for seeds of reconciliation sown by HM Head of State and Church to produce abundant fruit of God's purposes for our nations. (Jn.4:35-37) More: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/queen-visits-ireland-despite-bomb-threat-030220372.html
SNP Government urged to make gay marriage a top priority
The SNP won a majority in the Scottish elections last Thursday; it’s the first time since devolution in 1999 that a majority government has been elected. First Minister Alex Salmond indicated during his campaign that he personally supports the idea of same-sex marriage, and within hours of the historic win the SNP majority government was being urged by a homosexual lobby group (Equality Network) to fundamentally redefine marriage. Daniel Donaldson of the charity said, ‘We hope and expect that a consultation will now proceed quickly.’ Critics are concerned about the implications for society and schools if marriage is redefined. The Guardian’s Michael White has expressed concern about same-sex marriage, saying that heterosexual marriage is distinct because it ‘is there to produce and raise children in a more or less stable environment’. The homosexual activist group, Stonewall, has already sent a teacher training pack to primary schools urging them to use story books pushing same-sex marriage.
Pray: for First Minister Alex Salmond, and that God will work through the SNP’s election manifesto, and Scottish Parliament’s law makers. (Ps.2:10-11)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/snp-govt-urged-to-make-gay-marriage-a-top-priority/
