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
Islamic radicals attacked 200 Christians at a Catholic mass in Indonesia, including children, and forced a priest to flee the church after he was threatened by the mob who harassed him as he read the Bible during a memorial service.
Source: Muslim Radicals Attack 200 Christians at Indonesian Church, Harass Priest for Reading the Bible
(RNS) The plight of Christians in the Middle East is all but ignored, say their advocates.
CHR Comment: The article describes a Washington DC conference intent upon addressing the plight of Christians in the Middle East such as the Assyrian Christians and the Copts in Egypt. These minority religious groups are subject to persistent persecution in recent years. The conference also mentioned the suffering of the Yazidi people who practice a form of Zoroastrianism.
Source: Activists: West is ignoring genocide of Middle East religious minorities | Religion News Service
There’s a “Muslim youth bulge” — and it’s happening in country after country.
CHR Comment: The article describes the higher birth rate in Muslim populations, which also tend to be poorer and in circumstances where there are fewer opportunities and more frustrations, leading to rebellious actions. Several infographic comparisons with Christian populations are included.
Source: Why the world’s Muslim population is growing so very, very quickly – The Washington Post
Retired Pope Benedict XVI has acknowledged that governing the church wasn’t his strong suit but says he doesn’t see his papacy as a failure and that he succeeded at least in breaking up the Vatican’s so-called “gay lobby.”
CHR Comment: Pope Benedict XVI was unique due to his retirement. He now shares reflections on his experiences with some of the thorniest issues during those years of service. This should be an interesting book, especially since it is released with another pope in office.
Source: Retired pope offers final reflections on papacy, Francis – The Washington Post
More than a decade ago, Americans took sides in a faith-tinged battle over the right to die.
CHR Comment: This article revisits the Terry Schiavo case that divided opinion about euthanasia and matters of faith. (Schiavo’s family was Roman Catholic.) As the article points out, this most recent situation appears quite different, though it is evident that American culture is becoming more comfortable with assisted suicide even as secularization also seems to rise.
Source: Is Wisconsin teen’s decision to die a turning point?
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