Archbishop: stand against antisemitism
Justin Welby writes: ‘The habits of antisemitism have been burrowing into European and British culture for as long as we can remember. In England’s late mediaeval period, Jewish communities faced constant persecution: Shylock, the villain of the Merchant of Venice, was a cliché of his time. By the time Cromwell reopened England to Jewish settlement in the 1650s, antisemitism had mutated within common parlance and culture. It is a shameful truth that through its theological teachings the Church, which should have offered an antidote, compounded the spread of this virus. The fact that antisemitism has infected the body of the Church is something of which we Christians must repent. We live with the consequences of our history of denial and complicity. The challenge for us is to face the uncomfortable truths of our history, and for faith groups to take a lead in being transparent and honest in exposing the hidden recesses of prejudice.’
A prayer for our nation
‘Father, we thank you for the Christian heritage of this nation. We thank you for those who have pioneered for righteousness and for Your Kingdom to be established in this nation regardless of the consequences. We thank you for the sacrifices of those who have given their lives in past seasons, and we declare that their lives still shout out a message of life. We pray for a turning in the heart of this nation, a shifting, a moving towards the Father heart of God. We say, let there be an awakening, a stirring, a realisation of our dependence upon You. We long for this nation to be united for Your purposes, with one God, Christ the Lord, that individuals will live righteously and promote the love of God in their daily lives. May we see revival and the laws of our God established within our borders, overturning every ungodly, unclean and unrighteous law. May this nation stand again in righteousness and justice, sending to the nations the powerful message that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.’
Germany: over 50% fear Islamisation
A study conducted by a polling firm for the Evangelical News Agency found 57% of Germans hold a negative view of Islam in their country, including 61% of women and two-thirds of the over-45s. Fear of Islam is particularly strong among Catholics at 61.5%, Protestants at 59.6%, and other Christians at 55.5%; also, 57% of non-churchgoers say they fear it. The poll also highlighted fear of rising crime as a result of the migrant influx, particularly among the country’s Jewish population - 92% of Jews said they fear attacks. Christians of all denominations believe Germany will be less safe as a result of the migrant surge; more than 60% believe crime will rise. In May, Germany’s interior minister published a report showing migrants contributing disproportionately to the country’s crime figures.
Andorra: a hub for laundering money?
The government of Andorra and its banking authorities said they had no immediate comment on a planned lawsuit by the Cierco family against Andorra to be compensated for the loss of its banking assets after the bank which they own was identified as a likely hub for the laundering of hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of criminal gangs. The pending lawsuit would seek damages from Andorra for the ‘indiscriminate and unilateral expropriation’ of the bank. The authorities in Andorra intervened after criminal investigators from the US treasury department released a report that singled out the bank as an ‘institution of primary money laundering concern’ for worldwide criminals. The government has imposed limits on money withdrawals in order to avoid the collapse of a banking sector that is a cornerstone of Andorra’s economy.
