Religious freedom violations in China have once more been thrust into the public eye after 60 Chinese Christians applied for political asylum in the Czech Republic.
CHR Comment: The 60 Christians represent 10 different denominations. Christianity is growing in China and so faces various types of persecution. The article states that the asylum seekers are not likely to receive the help they seek.
A Roman Catholic diocese in Bavaria says it has ended a five-week protest at a church building by migrants from the Balkans.
CHR Comment: The migrants wanted to stay in Germany and had occupied the church in demonstration. The actions and threats of the migrants illustrate their desperation.
Source: Catholic church in Germany ends protest by Balkan migrants – The Washington Post
In a small town tucked into a valley, songs from a local band heralded a religious wedding that had remained out of reach for decades.
CHR Comment: The story illustrates how annulment reform is affecting people’s lives in Roman Catholicism.
Source: Couple has religious wedding in Mexico after decades wait
Police and politicians say a prominent member of an outlawed Protestant paramilitary group has been shot dead in Belfast.
CHR Comment: Relations between Catholics and Protestants have been largely peaceful since the 1990s.
Source: Protestant paramilitary shot dead in Northern Ireland – The Washington Post
A key Church of Greece office site in central Athens has been attacked by arsonists, who destroyed two cars in the courtyard but caused no damage to the building.
CHR Comment: The articles links recent attacks and disruptions to anarchist groups.
Source: Arsonists target Church of Greece offices in central Athens – The Washington Post
Former Roman Catholic Bishop Edward Daly, who tended victims of Northern Ireland’s Bloody Sunday killings and became a defining image of the massacre, has died aged 82.
CHR Comment: The article also notes that Daly stated in his memoir that Roman Catholic priests should be allowed to marry.
Source: Edward Daly, priest in famed Bloody Sunday image, dies at 82 – The Washington Post
(RNS) Katie Ledecky, who won a gold medal at just 15 years old at the London Games and shattered world records in the four years since then, said her Catholic faith helps her keep things in perspective.
CHR Comment: Please find below other links added about the Christian faith of competitors in the Olympics. Others stories may be added as they appear in the news. Persons mention include:
Shaunae Miller, Bahamas
Wayde van Niekerk, South Africa
Simone Manuel, USA
Katie Ledecky, USA
Missy Franklin, USA
USA Women’s Basketball Team, which visited the statue of Jesus
Dominique Dawes, USA
McKayla Maroney, US
Laurie Hernandez, USA
David Boudia, USA
Steele Johnson, USA
Fiji Rugby Team
Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia
Source: Catholic faith anchors swimmer Katie Ledecky | Religion News Service
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/olympic.athletes.reveal.their.favourite.bible.verses/93026.htm
The precious tablets feature an incomprehensible language and symbols that were perhaps designed only to be read by gods and demons.
CHR Comment: Use of curses is very ancient, found in many Near Eastern Religions where curses were written on pottery and then smashed. The golden Roman era tablets include Christian titles for God alongside titles for pagan deities, illustrating syncretism of religious devotion. Such practices are well documented and perhaps not as surprising as the article asserts. For example, many Christians today will go to church and use official literature and practices while also consulting their horoscope or making use of other popular religious practices.
Source: Roman ‘Curse Tablets’ Made of Gold Discovered in Viminacium, Serbia – NBC News
Attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt average about one a month over the past three years.
CHR Comment: 10% of the population is Coptic. The article describes how laws in Egypt interfere with Christians building churches and how government efforts to curb persecution are ineffective. Features of these rules and practices are similar to those used by Muslim leaders over the centuries to prevent the growth and spread of Christianity.
Our family is watching the Olympics and noticing how often athletes display the cross, either on a necklace or by making the sign of the cross as a gesture of prayer. For example, a Brazilian gymnast just finished his routine and then crossed himself in prayer. As you enjoy the Olympic competition, look for examples of the cross, which unites God’s people across the nations.
church history review 