Hungary says it is setting up a special department to coordinate the assistance and rescue of persecuted Christians around the world.
CHR Comments: The comments from Janos Lazar followed a meeting with Eastern Christians at Rome. Additionally, the Hungarian Prime Minster expressed concern about assimilating Muslims refugees.
Source: Hungary seeks to aid persecuted Christians around the world – The Washington Post
The Communist Party in China, which is leading a crackdown on Christians, detained two Christian summer camp leaders in the northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and accused them of trying to brainwash children.
CHR Comment: According to the report, Chinese officials viewed Christian beliefs as superstitions.
Source: China’s Communist Party Detained Christian Camp Leaders, Accused Them of Brainwashing Children
CHR Comment: This is part of Trump’s effort to reach out to African Americans as potential voters. This is the second news report I’ve seen about him visiting African American churches.
Source: Pastor cuts Trump short during anti-Clinton speech in Flint | Reuters
The European Union will hold a summit without the United Kingdom on Friday.
CHR Comment: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban comments in the article about European Union attitudes toward Christianity, judging that it is not modern. Orban’s comments suggest that the Union promotes a different worldview that is finally hostile to Christianity.
Source: EU’s first summit since Brexit could show cracks in group’s unity
CHR Comment: The article explains that a martyr may be beatified without the usual process, which requires evidence of a miracle. Father Jacques Hamel certainly fits that description since he was killed at the church altar for religious reasons.
Source: Pope says murdered French priest a martyr, on road to sainthood | Reuters
The Christian charity World Vision has laid off 120 Gaza employees and shut down its projects in the region after indictment of one of its employees by Israel for allegedly funnelling millions of dollars from its budget to the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas.
CHR Comment: The Israeli authorities allege that Mohammad El Halabi infiltrated the Christian charity and then distributed about 60% of the donations to Hamas.
Source: World Vision Shuts Down Gaza Office After Employee Indicted for Redirecting Millions to Hamas
Pope vs. Hitler opens by asking whether Pius XII really was “Hitler’s Pope,” as John Cornwell notoriously alleged, or rather, as Riebling’s book maintains, Hitler’s implacable enemy. Cassel includes critics, and not just supporters, of Pius XII. But his film makes clear where the hard evidence lies.
Source: Pius XII’s Duel with Hitler | William Doino Jr. | First Things
Seven lessons learned through dialogue about Christian decline in America.
CHR Comment: The article delivers something other than the first article suggested. It includes seven points of dialogue with persons who read the first article rather than clearly stating seven ways to address Christian decline in America. In the following list, I try to bring out the authors proposed solutions more clearly:
This is an interesting set of suggestions, which shows the author to be a member of the Christian Left in politics. I wonder how Christians on the right and the left might learn from the author’s observations and suggestions? What would your congregation do differently (or not)?
Source: Seven follow-ups on 10 reasons for Christian decline | Religion News Service
(RNS) Hillary Clinton quoted Scripture, hymns and even St. Francis of Assisi as she spoke at length about her faith — something she said doesn’t come naturally to a ‘Midwestern Methodist.’
CHR Comment: The article includes extensive comment on the candidates beliefs and experiences as a Methodist Christian. She addressed the National Baptist Convention, one of the oldest African American denominations.
Source: Clinton describes her ‘activist, social justice faith’ to Baptists | Religion News Service
CHR Comment: The article focuses on the excavation of the stable that the monks built in a cave in the Negev, in the southern region of Israel. Crosses were painted on the walls.
Source: Byzantine-Era Stable Excavated in the Negev Desert – Archaeology Magazine
