Two Australians kidnapped in Burkina Faso
“An Australian couple has been kidnapped by jihadists in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. The couple, believed to be surgeon Dr Ken Elliot and his wife Jocelyn, were kidnapped … near the Burkina Faso’s borders with Niger and Mali…”
– Report from Nine News.
Later report from ABC News.
(Please pray for them and their captors. Dr. and Mrs. Eliot have served in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa since 1967.)
‘Most dangerous’ places to be a Christian in 2016
“There has never been a worse time to be a Christian, according to persecution charity Open Doors who will launch their annual report this afternoon.
‘Global persecution of Christians is more extreme than ever before,’ the charity said in a statement ahead of publishing its 2016 World Watch List. The list highlights the 50 countries with the worst persecution record and will be discussed at a launch event at the House of Commons later today…”
– Report from Christian Today.
Christian women in Baghdad face intimidation to veil
“The few Christians still holding out in Baghdad have found themselves at the receiving end of another barrage of intimidation.
Posters appeared on the morning of 13 Dec. – a Sunday – near Christian places of worship with a message to Christian women to cover up…” – Report from World Watch Monitor.
Boko Haram ‘more deadly terror group’ in 2014 than IS
“Boko Haram was the world’s deadliest terror group in 2014, ahead of the self-proclaimed Islamic State, according to a report released on 18 Nov. by the Institute of Economics & Peace…”
– This report from WorldWatch Monitor.
Rescuing Christians in danger
“I recently returned from a trip to five countries of the Middle East. I have visited the region countless times over the last two decades and have seen first-hand the tragic deterioration of the situation for Christians, especially in countries like Syria and Iraq where they used to be treated with respect as equal citizens.
The Christians are now in deadly danger…”
– Barnabas Fund’s Dr Patrick Sookhdeo asks for prayer and support in coming to the aid of Christians fleeing persecution.
Stories you may have missed — 23 May 2015
Here are a few stories you may have missed:
Dr Stuart Piggin spoke on revival in rural Australia at a conference at Goulburn Cathedral. (Link to audio.)
Anglican Priests ‘beaten to stupor’ by agents of the state government in Enugu State, Nigeria, over a land dispute.
Canon Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council remembers growing up at St. James’ Newport Beach in California and reflects on reports the site is to be sold for $15 million.
Christians flee Aleppo in their thousands after fresh fighting in Syria, and Iraq’s Christians wonder where to flee after Islamic State militants take Ramadi city – reports from Barnabas Fund.
Christians and other religious minorities mentioned in Pakistan school textbooks for first time
“In a landmark triumph for the country’s religious minorities, Pakistan’s history school textbooks will include the role of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in the formation of the country in the years following independence…”
– Report from Barnabas Fund.
Safe havens for Christians rapidly diminish in north-eastern Syria
“We are going through a terrible time,” says Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo, who is based in Syria’s north-eastern city of Hassake. “The jihadists of the Islamic State attacked Hassake for two days… We are cut off, like an island, surrounded by jihadists from all sides.”
– Report from Barnabas Fund.
Nepali Christians die in their churches
“It’s been revealed hundreds of Christians died or were injured as the Nepal earthquake hit their churches, including an Anglican minister and 17 of his parishioners…”
– More food for prayer from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Latest on the Nepal Emergency Appeal
Here’s the latest on how you can help the people of Nepal – from David Mansfield, Director of the Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid –
Dear Friends,
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid has launched an appeal to support emergency relief in Nepal following the earthquake which struck the area between Pokhara and Kathmandu on Saturday, 25 April. Please use any or all of the information below for your church bulletin. I’m attaching a ppt slide for you to make use of and a donation slip that can be reproduced. Thank you for your partnership with Anglican Aid.
After consultation with CMS Australia, funds will be disbursed through INF and the Diocese of Singapore to assist people affected by the earthquake.
Information from International Nepal Fellowship (INF), indicated that people are sleeping in the open fearing further aftershocks. INF went on to say, “As the death toll continues to rise following the Nepal earthquake, please do pray for those who are trapped and injured, those who have lost loved ones, for safety and wisdom of those involved in rescue efforts.” For more information go to cms.org.au/news/nepal-earthquake-update.
INF’s medical team from Pokhara, including other expatriate doctors, are travelling to one of the worst hit regions, Gorkha in Western Nepal, to provide support to local health services. Regular updates at inf.org.
CMS missionaries are currently serving on the ground with INF in long term medical and development work and are key personnel in the crisis response and rebuilding of the nation. cms.org.au.
Direct Deposits can be made to our bank account BSB 032078, Account Number 253522, Account Name: Overseas Relief and Aid. (please email: enquiries@anglicanaid.org.au to notify the office of your donation).
Cheques can be posted to – PO Box Q190, QVB Post Office, 1230, NSW.
For more information please call 1800 653 903. ABN 59 792 865 372. All donations to this appeal are tax deductible.
By His Grace alone,
David
Churches opposing new Tanzanian constitution to be deregistered — report
“Tanzania’s Minister of Home Affairs, Mathias Chikawe, has announced that churches and religious institutions that publicly oppose the country’s new constitution will be deregistered, beginning from 20 April.
Tanzanian Christians oppose a bill that would introduce Kadhi (Islamic) courts across the country’s mainland, in the new constitution…”
– this report from Barnabas Fund.
Terrorists ‘reveal their desperate need of a Saviour’
“The Anglican Bishop for Ethiopia has hailed as martyrs 28 Ethiopian Christians shot or beheaded in Libya by members of the terrorist group known as ISIS or ISIL…”
– from SydneyAnglicans.net.
Update:
Archbishop Glenn Davies this afternoon sent a message of condolence to the Anglican Bishop of the Horn of Africa, Grant LeMarquand:
We mourn with you and the Ethiopian church. Our hearts are heavy at the suffering caused by such depraved acts.
As the company of martyrs grows, we cry out ‘How Long, O Lord?”. Be assured we hold you in our prayers at this trying time.
(Image: Diocese of Egypt.)
Tanzanian government to review Islamic courts bill in light of Christian opposition
“Christians across Tanzania have welcomed Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda’s promise to review the government’s decision to table a bill to introduce Kadhi (Islamic) courts in the country’s judiciary after opposition arose among Tanzanian Christians MPs on 29 March.
Despite the political triumph, many pastors who opposed the legislation have been attacked and their churches threatened with closure…” – Report from Barnabas Fund.
Archbishop sends message to Kenya after attack
Anglican Diocese of Sydney
Public Statement
Friday 3rd April, 2015
Archbishop Glenn Davies this afternoon sent a message of condolence to the Anglican Primate of Kenya, Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, after the attack on Garissa University which killed more than 140 students.
The text of the message reads:
We are shocked and dismayed by this wanton and deliberate attack on Kenyan citizens in Garissa where Christians in particular seem to have been singled out.
The violence and loss of life is sickening.
We grieve with the families of students who have lost loved ones, some of whom were deliberately targeted because they own the name of Jesus.
May God enable you and the church to stand firm in this time of testing.
You may be assured of our prayers for peace in the nation of Kenya, for healing for those injured and bereaved, and for our brothers and sisters to stand firm in the face of persecution and to be filled with a spirit of love, the perfect love which drives out fear (1 John 4:18).
– source SydneyAnglicans.net
Pakistan bomb attack — March 15 2015
“The attacks took place as Christians met together for Sunday morning worship services in the predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Youhanabad in Lahore, capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province. The two churches targeted were separated from each other by about half a kilometre…”
– Barnabas Fund has this summary and appeal for prayer and financial assistance.
And the Primate of The Church of Pakistan, Bishop Samuel Azariah, also asks for prayer. (Anglican Communion News Service.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…