Bishop of Tasmania – Pastoral Letter on Euthanasia
“Today I sent the following Pastoral Letter to all Anglican Parishes in Tasmania asking that the letter and attachments be made available to Parishioners.…
Pastoral Letter – Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
You will have learned recently that the Hon. Lara Giddings and the Hon. Nick McKim, Members for Franklin have recently introduced the “Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2013” to the Tasmanian parliament.
This Bill would allow those who meet certain eligibility criteria to be prescribed and receive a lethal injection. This Bill is a direct threat to the lives of Tasmanians, particularly the sick and elderly. This Bill embraces a philosophy of human value defined by convenience and personal capacity. It stands against the responsibility of societies and governments to implement compassionate, timely, and effective care for those who are unwell or disabled in some way. …”
– Read it all at Bishop Harrower’s blog.
Related: Belgian helped to die after three sex change operations (BBC News).
“A transsexual has been helped to die by doctors in Belgium, after a series of failed sex-change operations. Nathan Verhelst, born a girl, asked for help to end his life on grounds of psychological suffering. He died in a Brussels hospital on Monday. Two doctors concluded the 44-year-old did not have temporary depression. …
Belgium legalised euthanasia in 2002. There were 52 cases of euthanasia on psychological grounds last year. … There were 1,432 recorded cases of euthanasia in Belgium in 2012; a 25% increase on the previous year’s figure.”
Defence Sunday 2013
Here’s a heads up from the Defence Anglicans website –
“Defence Sunday is held annually on the Sunday nearest to Remembrance Day (11 November).
We use the day to:
- Draw attention to the spiritual needs and wellbeing of those who serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as sailors, soldiers or airmen and airwomen.
- Foster prayer support within Churches for those who serve the nation through ADF service.
- Encourage clergy to consider service as full or part-time Australian Defence Force Chaplains.
- Build bridges of cooperative partnership between the Anglican ministry to the Australian Defence Force and diocese and parish churches across Australia.”
– Details, prayers, and other resources you can use on the day here.
Death toll from Pakistan church suicide bomb rises
“The death toll from last month’s suicide bombing (22 Sept) at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan now stands at 127, with 170 injured…”
– Report from Eternity Newspaper.
Photo: Diocese of Peshawar.
Related: Memorial Service held in Sydney.
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid website and donation page (select “Pakistan Emergency All Saints Church” from the drop down list).
When a private act sends a public message
“Former President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara attended a wedding a few days ago, and it made national news. …
The news coverage of the Bushes’ attendance at the same-sex wedding points to a reality that must be understood — and fast. Attendance at a wedding is not a neutral act. The history and context of the wedding ceremony identify all those present as agreeing to the rightness of the marriage and acting as witnesses to the exchange of vows. …
Declining to attend will come with undeniable relational consequences, but so would attending.”
– Albert Mohler on an issue many will face in one form or another soon.
‘Labor MPs should be forced to support gay marriage’ — report
“Australian Workers Union chief Paul Howes has called for Labor MPs to be required to support marriage equality, saying it is ‘nonsensical’ that the party allows a conscience vote on the issue.”
– Report from ABC News. Photo: AWU.
And here’s a media release from The Australian Christian Lobby on the topic.
GAFCON Chairman’s Pastoral Letter
“I know … that, like me, you will have been very distressed by the callous and violent attack on the Westgate shopping centre here in Nairobi last week. … We have seen a manifestation of evil in this city, but my prayer for our conference is that it will be a manifestation of the presence of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
– Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON Primates’ Council writes in his latest Pastoral Letter as GAFCON approaches.
Bible Society Australia commemorates the 50th anniversary of CS Lewis’ death
“Bible Society Australia has launched a library of Australian resources on C.S. Lewis to celebrate the life of this great author and champion his contribution to literature and to Christianity for many years to come. …”
– from Bible Society Australia.
Goulburn area Business ministry launched
“Gunning priest, Archdeacon John Barnes, has launched a new mission and ministry initiative to support the business community of Goulburn and surrounding communities. …”
– News from the Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn.
Getting to know Tim Challies
Many people benefit from Tim Challies’ blog. Tim was in Scotland a few weeks back, and David Meredith at Smithton Church chatted with him in the studios of Inverness TV.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…