Pope: Threat to Catholicism comes from within Church
Pope Benedict XVI says the child abuse scandals indicate that the greatest threat to Catholicism comes from ‘sin within’ the Church. He made his comments in response to a question while en route to Portugal for a four-day trip in which he is due to celebrate open-air Masses in Lisbon as well as at the Catholic shrine of Fatima, and in Oporto. Critics have previously accused the Vatican of attempting to blame the media and the Church's opponents for the escalation of the scandal. ‘Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies’, the pontiff told reporters on a plane bound for Portugal. Benedict said the Church has ‘a very deep need’ to acknowledge that it must do penance for its sins and 'accept purification'. However, he added that forgiveness should not be a substitute for justice.
Pray: for the Catholic Church as it faces up to very deep needs of forgiveness and repentance. (2Cor.7:10)
Portsmouth Christians seek to reach spiritually active non-believers
Christians in the Diocese of Portsmouth are hoping to reach out to churchgoers in need of new inspiration as well as people who would describe themselves as spiritual yet do not go to church. They are inviting passers-by, tourists and worshippers to drop into the city's Anglican cathedral for its spirituality fair, which will host prayer stations, workshops and meditations on April 17. Organisers say they hope the 'Be Still' fair will inspire people to worship God in new ways and help those who rarely experience Christian spirituality. Also on offer will be poetry as a spiritual aid, the role of the senses in Christian spirituality, what the Bible has to say and a prayer tent. There will be a traditional labyrinth laid out in the centre of the building – a medieval maze that encourages contemplation. Workshops through the day include prayer and movement, weaving and sculpture.
Pray: for visitors to this special event that they will learn more of and feel closer to God. (Ps.46:10)
China: Missing Chinese lawyer confirmed alive
Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was confirmed alive on Sunday after more than a year without reliable information on his whereabouts. ‘I am tremendously relieved that my husband is alive,’ said Gao’s wife, Geng He, in a statement issued by Freedom Now, a group that represents prisoners of conscience. ‘My children and I have not seen their father since January 2009,’ she said. ‘We urge the Chinese government to allow Zhisheng to leave the country and be reunited with us in the United States.’ Gao, who is one of China’s most famous lawyers and human rights activists, was last seen in February 2009 when a dozen police officers reportedly seized him in public. Gao elicited the ire of the Chinese government by defending groups oppressed by authorities, such as underground churches, practitioners of the spiritual movement Falun Gong, and farmers evicted from their land. Gao himself is a Christian who worships in a house church. (See Prayer Alert 1309, 1509)
Praise: God for the news that Gao is alive and pray now for his release. (Is.42:6-8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/missing.chinese.lawyer.confirmed.alive/25591.htm
China: Missing Chinese lawyer confirmed alive
Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was confirmed alive on Sunday after more than a year without reliable information on his whereabouts. ‘I am tremendously relieved that my husband is alive,’ said Gao’s wife, Geng He, in a statement issued by Freedom Now, a group that represents prisoners of conscience. ‘My children and I have not seen their father since January 2009,’ she said. ‘We urge the Chinese government to allow Zhisheng to leave the country and be reunited with us in the United States.’ Gao, who is one of China’s most famous lawyers and human rights activists, was last seen in February 2009 when a dozen police officers reportedly seized him in public. Gao elicited the ire of the Chinese government by defending groups oppressed by authorities, such as underground churches, practitioners of the spiritual movement Falun Gong, and farmers evicted from their land. Gao himself is a Christian who worships in a house church. (See Prayer Alert 1309, 1509)
Praise: God for the news that Gao is alive and pray now for his release. (Is.42:6-8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/missing.chinese.lawyer.confirmed.alive/25591.htm
