Lutherans see signs of convergence with Catholics on Eucharist issue
A German Protestant bishop has urged Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches to draw up a joint declaration on their shared beliefs about the Eucharist, one of the issues that have divided them for hundreds of years since the Reformation. ‘Our understandings of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper are no longer that far apart,’ said Lutheran Bishop Friedrich Weber, who deals with relations between the Catholic Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), a grouping of eight German regional Protestant churches. This follows a separate initiative of a group set up by Lutheran and Catholic churches in Sweden and Finland that has been discussing ways in which the two church traditions might advance the results of a 1999 joint Lutheran-Catholic declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. There is now greater consensus on, ‘the foundations of spiritual life, faith and sacraments, especially baptism and Communion’. Differences nevertheless remain in the ministry of pastors and bishops. Pray: for the world-wide Church in all its diversity that ways would be found to bring about unity. (Jn.17;20-21) More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=4038
Welsh Christian Party win another Council seat
Martin Wiltshire has become Britain’s second Cllr (Elect) for the Christian Party ‘Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship’ in the Town Council by-election held yesterday in Llandrindod Wells West Ward just 9 months after the leader of the Christian Party of Wales, Jeff Green won their first town council seat. The election was triggered when Councillor Jones resigned two month ago for personal reasons. Cllr Wiltshire is a self-employed family man who has lived in the Ward for many years. Cllr Wiltshire beat the two other contestants by winning 51% of the votes. The second and third places shared the rest.
Praise: God for the election of Cllr Wiltshire that his faith and actions will be testimony to God’s hand on his life. (2Ti.2:15)
Welsh Christian Party win another Council seat
Martin Wiltshire has become Britain’s second Cllr (Elect) for the Christian Party ‘Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship’ in the Town Council by-election held yesterday in Llandrindod Wells West Ward just 9 months after the leader of the Christian Party of Wales, Jeff Green won their first town council seat. The election was triggered when Councillor Jones resigned two month ago for personal reasons. Cllr Wiltshire is a self-employed family man who has lived in the Ward for many years. Cllr Wiltshire beat the two other contestants by winning 51% of the votes. The second and third places shared the rest.
Praise: God for the election of Cllr Wiltshire that his faith and actions will be testimony to God’s hand on his life. (2Ti.2:15)
USA: Times Square suspect tutored by suicide trainer
The Times Square bombing suspect was Pakistan-born Faisal Shahzad who received instructions from the Pakistan Taliban's suicide bomb trainer. If this is verified the suspected links between Pakistan Taliban and Shahzad would mark a stark shift in how it and related jihadist groups pursue their goals. So far Pakistan’s Talibans have focused on attacks within Pakistan and in India, not the US. Pakistani investigators are also probing Shahzad's possible connections with Jaish-e-Muhammad an outlawed Islamist militant group. US and British intelligence officials estimate that about 100 Westerners have in recent years taken advantage of lengthy trips to the region to complete training at jihadi camps in Pakistan and returned to their home countries. In the light of the new evidence the Pakistani army is likely to come under more pressure from its US allies to clamp down on Pakistan Taliban strongholds if strong links with Shahzad emerge.
Pray: that God’s presence in Pakistan would grow as Christians reach Taliban members with thw Gospel. (Ps.46:9)
