Category: Uncategorized

How New Yorkers and Parisians Reacted Differently to Attacks on Their City

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One priest who helped victims of the Paris attacks remembers his own experience helping communities in New York after 9/11.

CHR Comment: Rev. Jean-Christophe Bieselaar was a priest serving in New York City in 2001 and currently serves as a chaplain in Paris. He describes how Americans look to the Lord as a refuge in times of crisis whereas the French tend to ask why God allows terrible things to happen. New York churches were full in 2001, with people standing in line to enter. Church attendance in Paris has jumped but the response is not nearly as great as was seen in New York.

Source: How New Yorkers and Parisians reacted differently to attacks on their city | Public Radio International

Vatican to Try Five, Including Reporters, over Leaks Scandal

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The Vatican on Saturday ordered five people, including two Italian journalists, to stand trial for leaking and publishing secret documents, in the latest development in a leaks scandal which is rocking the papacy.

CHR Comment: The leaks involved financial information, which the reporters described as representing the values and interests of the Vatican, resulting in mismanagement, greed, and corruption. The leaked or stolen information was recently published in two books titled Avarice and Merchants in the Temple. The latter is available in English and is currently ranked as a best seller in Italian history.

Source: Vatican to try five, including reporters, over leaks scandal | Reuters#qgoX7TFPEl4pddRW.97

Amish Man Runs Fast Marathon in Traditional Slacks and Suspenders

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Stolzfus said he turns to running whenever he’s tempted to sin.

CHR Comment: Leroy Stolzfus nearly qualified for the Boston Marathon for his age group! He mixes the modern and American running movement with his traditional Amish beliefs and practices, which results in an interesting expression of faith and culture.

Source: Amish man runs fast marathon in traditional slacks and suspenders

Gov. John Kasich Would Promote “Judeo-Christian” Values Around The World

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“We must be more forceful in the battle of ideas,” said the Ohio governor, who is seeking the Republican Party’s 2016 presidential nomination.

CHR Comment: The specific values mentioned in the article are not clearly limited to Judaism or Christianity. He mentions: human rights, democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of association. Judaism and Christianity have existed or cooperated with all manner of governments and cultures across the centuries. Kasich is really describing American views of rights, not specifically religious values.

Source: Election 2016: Ohio Gov. John Kasich Proposes Federal Agency Promoting ‘Judeo-Christian’ Values Around The World

Beirut Neighborhoods Divided by Religion

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BEIRUT, Lebanon — How many bombs would have to go off in Paris before the next one would get the same reaction as a bomb in Beirut? Is it the frequency of horrific events that makes us numb to them, or the . . .

CHR Comment: Since Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war, Beirut neighborhoods have been divided based on religion. There are Christian, Shia Muslim, and Sunni Muslim areas according to Richard Hall writing for the GlobalPost, Nov. 18.

Source: After Beirut, how Lebanon responded to Paris attacks

Islamic State Describes Western and Eastern Nations as “Crusaders”

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The information was released in Dabiq, the Islamic State’s online magazine.

CHR Comment: When ISIS took responsibility for bombing a Russian Metrojet that crashed in Sinai, they referred to western states and Russia as “divided Crusaders of the East and West.” This shows how they view the secularized nations as if they were Christian nations.

Source: Islamic State claims to kill 2 hostages; reveals photo of Russian bomb

Catholic Charities Settling Refugees in Ohio

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Marie Alhamoud’s mother was killed in a bombing in Homs as she was buying bread.

CHR Comment: Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio will settle 325 refugees in that state this year. According to Hannah Sparling writing for The Cincinnati Enquirer, most of the refugees will be from the Congo and from Syria. Her article describes the Alhamoud family pictured above.

Source: Syrian family of 9 is grateful to escape violence

Crowded Churches in Paris

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On Sunday, with the city in a reflective mood, churches were packed, and many headed to the statue of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic.

CHR Comment: As a modern, secularized nation, churches in France are normally nearly empty. According to Sara Miller Llana and Jason Walsh, churches were packed on Sunday with only standing room at the back. People were drawn to church, as well other public venues, in their search for meaning and comfort. One wonders whether the ideological clash between Islam and western freedom will lead to a renewal of church life, which teaches freedom through God’s forgiveness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Source: In churches, plazas, playgrounds, Parisians find strength in gathering – CSMonitor.com