Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict XVI responded positively on the issue raised in the European Parliament of finding common dates for celebrating Easter, a question raised by Greek MEP Manolis Mavrommatis.
Mavrommatis, in a Feb. 8, 2006 letter, requested a solution on the issue. “The spring holiday of the European Parliament coincides, traditionally, with the Catholic Easter. With that logic and for the benefit of all those affected, the same should be the case for the celebration of the Orthodox Easter. Of course we will have to take into account that some times, the two celebrations coincide, date-wise.”
As the situation is now, as Mavrommatis emphasised in his letter, people coming from Greece and Cyprus, but also many coming from Bulgaria, Romania and some of the new Member States from central-eastern Europe, do not have the opportunity to be with their families during this time of Orthodox Christianity.
In a letter addressed to Patriarch Bartholomew, and with the opportunity of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Patriarch, this issue was discussed among the two leaders of Christianity.
Patriarch Bartholomew sent a letter to Mavrommatis, which noted: “Pope Benedict XVI responded positively on the subject and when he returned to Vatican City, he personally looked into the issue. I received a letter for my information as proof (which I attach), signed by Cardinal Walter Kasper, who is the head of the Papist Council for Promoting Unity of Christians.”
After this development, Mavrommatis wrote European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering requesting him to proceed to make the necessary arrangements.
Mavrommatis stated: “I believe that the convergence on such an important issue as the common celebration of Catholic and Orthodox Easter in the European Parliament and possible in the Christian world is a very important step for the two Churches. The effort of Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Benedict XVI is essential, especially since the dialogue brought promising perspectives for Christianity. I hope that the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, will also make an effort for fulfilling the fair request of our people and this would be the beginning of a more extensive dialogue between the representatives of the 27 Member States of the European Union.”
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
COMMUNIQUE FROM THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS OF THE PROVINCE OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RWANDA
In response to the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Honourable Rowan Williams, inviting the bishops to the Lambeth Conference 2008, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, who met in Kigali on 19 June 2007, resolved not to attend the Lambeth Conference for the following reasons:
Our Primates represent the bishops, clergy and laity from their Provinces. Therefore what they decide as representatives cannot be taken lightly when it engages the faith of the churches they represent. The invitations to Lambeth 2008 have been issued in complete disregard of our conscientious commitment to the apostolic faith once delivered.
The manner in which the invitations to the bishops of Rwanda were issued is divisive as some of our bishops were not invited. The bishops that provide oversight to the Anglican Mission (AMiA) are not “Anglican Mission bishops,” but rather bishops of the Province of Rwanda given the responsibility to lead Rwanda’s missionary outreach to North America. We are a united body and will not participate in a conference which would divide our number.
The invitations to Lambeth 2008 not only contravene the Lambeth 1998 Resolution 1.10 but also the positions taken in the communiqués that have been agreed upon in previous Primates’ meetings and in the “Road To Lambeth” document prepared for and accepted by the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) bishops.
The following are issues of great concern:
This Lambeth 1998 Resolution has not been respected by the Episcopal Church of America (TEC), the Anglican Church of Canada, and other like-minded Provinces, which are now violating the resolution as well as holy orders by making the decision to ordain and to consecrate practicing homosexuals.
The leadership of Canterbury has ignored and constantly taken lightly the resolutions from the Primates’ meetings and the statement in the “Road to Lambeth” document prepared for, and accepted by, CAPA which agreed that the crisis of faith in the Anglican Communion needed to be resolved before Lambeth 2008.
From his actions and decision to invite TEC, a province which is violating holy orders, biblical teaching and the tradition of the church, and his decision not to invite the bishops of AMiA and CANA, the Archbishop of Canterbury has shown that he has now taken sides because the Primates have asked TEC for repentance in order to be in communion with them. In several meetings and in its response to “The Road to Lambeth”, TEC has continually rebelled against the position and counsel of the Primates.
In a letter sent to Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini on 18 June 2007, the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote, “You should know that I have not invited the bishops of AMiA and CANA. This is not a question of asking anyone to disassociate themselves at this stage from what have been described as the missionary initiatives of your Provinces…. I appreciate that you may not be happy with these decisions, but I feel that as we approach a critical juncture of the life of the Communion, I must act in accordance to the clear guidance of the instruments of the Communion….” We would like to know if there are instruments in the Communion more important than the Primates and Provinces themselves. The Archbishop of Canterbury also refers to the consecration of the AMiA and CANA bishops as irregular. We would like to know why their consecrations are considered irregular when the actions of TEC are not considered irregular. We feel that the words of the Archbishop are tantamount to a threat, and we cannot accept this.
Therefore, in view of the above, in good conscience, the bishops of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda have resolved not to attend the Lambeth Conference 2008 unless the previously stipulated requirement of repentance on the part of the TEC and other like-minded Provinces is met, and invitations are extended to our entire House of Bishops.
Our Primates represent the bishops, clergy and laity from their Provinces. Therefore what they decide as representatives cannot be taken lightly when it engages the faith of the churches they represent. The invitations to Lambeth 2008 have been issued in complete disregard of our conscientious commitment to the apostolic faith once delivered.
The manner in which the invitations to the bishops of Rwanda were issued is divisive as some of our bishops were not invited. The bishops that provide oversight to the Anglican Mission (AMiA) are not “Anglican Mission bishops,” but rather bishops of the Province of Rwanda given the responsibility to lead Rwanda’s missionary outreach to North America. We are a united body and will not participate in a conference which would divide our number.
The invitations to Lambeth 2008 not only contravene the Lambeth 1998 Resolution 1.10 but also the positions taken in the communiqués that have been agreed upon in previous Primates’ meetings and in the “Road To Lambeth” document prepared for and accepted by the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) bishops.
The following are issues of great concern:
This Lambeth 1998 Resolution has not been respected by the Episcopal Church of America (TEC), the Anglican Church of Canada, and other like-minded Provinces, which are now violating the resolution as well as holy orders by making the decision to ordain and to consecrate practicing homosexuals.
The leadership of Canterbury has ignored and constantly taken lightly the resolutions from the Primates’ meetings and the statement in the “Road to Lambeth” document prepared for, and accepted by, CAPA which agreed that the crisis of faith in the Anglican Communion needed to be resolved before Lambeth 2008.
From his actions and decision to invite TEC, a province which is violating holy orders, biblical teaching and the tradition of the church, and his decision not to invite the bishops of AMiA and CANA, the Archbishop of Canterbury has shown that he has now taken sides because the Primates have asked TEC for repentance in order to be in communion with them. In several meetings and in its response to “The Road to Lambeth”, TEC has continually rebelled against the position and counsel of the Primates.
In a letter sent to Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini on 18 June 2007, the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote, “You should know that I have not invited the bishops of AMiA and CANA. This is not a question of asking anyone to disassociate themselves at this stage from what have been described as the missionary initiatives of your Provinces…. I appreciate that you may not be happy with these decisions, but I feel that as we approach a critical juncture of the life of the Communion, I must act in accordance to the clear guidance of the instruments of the Communion….” We would like to know if there are instruments in the Communion more important than the Primates and Provinces themselves. The Archbishop of Canterbury also refers to the consecration of the AMiA and CANA bishops as irregular. We would like to know why their consecrations are considered irregular when the actions of TEC are not considered irregular. We feel that the words of the Archbishop are tantamount to a threat, and we cannot accept this.
Therefore, in view of the above, in good conscience, the bishops of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda have resolved not to attend the Lambeth Conference 2008 unless the previously stipulated requirement of repentance on the part of the TEC and other like-minded Provinces is met, and invitations are extended to our entire House of Bishops.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tiller Charged with 19 Criminal Counts
Operation Rescue demands that the investigation be expanded to include 2004 & 2005 records
WICHITA, Kansas, June 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Attorney General Paul Morrison has announced that he is filing 19 misdemeanor charges against late-term abortionist George R. Tiller because he used a second physician that was not financially or legally unassociated with him, as required by law.
Operation Rescue has been reporting since August, 2006, that they suspected that Tiller's association with Dr. Ann Kristen Neuhaus was an illegal one. Neuhaus was listed as a witness when Former Attorney General Phill Kline filed 30 criminal charges against Tiller last December. Those charges were dismissed on shaky jurisdictional grounds.
In his announcement, Morrison trivialized the murder of late-term children by calling the charges "technical violations."
"While we are happy that charges are being filed against Tiller, we are guarded about this because we believe that these charges are the weakest against Tiller. There is now a pattern of illegal activity by abortionist Tiller and Kline's investigation is proven to have merit," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
"Now, because we have charges on the 2003 records, we insist that Morrison subpoena the 2004 and 2005 abortion records. Furthermore, in order for justice to be done, the criminal late-term abortion charges against Tiller, as supported by Psychiatrist Dr. Paul McHugh must be reinstated," said Newman.
Kline filed 15 charges alleging illegal late-term abortion were committed by Tiller for reasons such as so a woman could go to a rock concert.
"We believe the filing of charges against Tiller vindicates Kline's investigation of Tiller," said Newman. "There is a pattern of abuses and illegal activity that is going on at Tiller's mill. This is just the tip of the iceberg."
About Operation Rescue Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
Christian Newswire
WICHITA, Kansas, June 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- Attorney General Paul Morrison has announced that he is filing 19 misdemeanor charges against late-term abortionist George R. Tiller because he used a second physician that was not financially or legally unassociated with him, as required by law.
Operation Rescue has been reporting since August, 2006, that they suspected that Tiller's association with Dr. Ann Kristen Neuhaus was an illegal one. Neuhaus was listed as a witness when Former Attorney General Phill Kline filed 30 criminal charges against Tiller last December. Those charges were dismissed on shaky jurisdictional grounds.
In his announcement, Morrison trivialized the murder of late-term children by calling the charges "technical violations."
"While we are happy that charges are being filed against Tiller, we are guarded about this because we believe that these charges are the weakest against Tiller. There is now a pattern of illegal activity by abortionist Tiller and Kline's investigation is proven to have merit," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
"Now, because we have charges on the 2003 records, we insist that Morrison subpoena the 2004 and 2005 abortion records. Furthermore, in order for justice to be done, the criminal late-term abortion charges against Tiller, as supported by Psychiatrist Dr. Paul McHugh must be reinstated," said Newman.
Kline filed 15 charges alleging illegal late-term abortion were committed by Tiller for reasons such as so a woman could go to a rock concert.
"We believe the filing of charges against Tiller vindicates Kline's investigation of Tiller," said Newman. "There is a pattern of abuses and illegal activity that is going on at Tiller's mill. This is just the tip of the iceberg."
About Operation Rescue Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Church of Uganda welcomes the Rt. Rev. Andy Fairfield to its House of Bishops
From the Church of Uganda
At the request of the Rt. Rev. Andrew (Andy) H. Fairfield, retired Bishop of North Dakota, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda voted to receive Bishop Fairfield as a member of its House at its 21st June meeting. Bishop Fairfield will assist Bishop-elect John Guernsey in providing episcopal care and oversight to the 26 congregations in America that are part of the Church of Uganda.
Bishop Fairfield has written to The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, and resigned from their House of Bishops.
In considering his new role as a Bishop in the Church of Uganda, Fairfield said, "Now, although I am 'retired' (from a jurisdictional and financial point of view), I seek further Christian service, especially in the process of this transition in Anglican orthodoxy."
The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, said, "It is an honour for us to receive into our House of Bishops such a man of God. At the 1998 Lambeth Conference, he proposed the resolution on The Authority of Scripture, which we passed. We believe he will be a great support to Bishop-elect John Guernsey and all the congregations in America that are under our care."
Bishop Robert Duncan, Moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, said, "Bishop Fairfield is one of the most respected Bishops in the entire American Church, and has served the Network very well as our ordinations suffragan. I know his work has been especially valuable to congregations in our International Conference. I am delighted to know that he has found a new ecclesiastical home in the Church of Uganda, a Province which has declared a state of broken communion with The Episcopal Church's majority, but embraces full communion with all in the Anglican Communion Network. We look forward to many years of continued fruitful ministry together."
At the request of the Rt. Rev. Andrew (Andy) H. Fairfield, retired Bishop of North Dakota, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda voted to receive Bishop Fairfield as a member of its House at its 21st June meeting. Bishop Fairfield will assist Bishop-elect John Guernsey in providing episcopal care and oversight to the 26 congregations in America that are part of the Church of Uganda.
Bishop Fairfield has written to The Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, and resigned from their House of Bishops.
In considering his new role as a Bishop in the Church of Uganda, Fairfield said, "Now, although I am 'retired' (from a jurisdictional and financial point of view), I seek further Christian service, especially in the process of this transition in Anglican orthodoxy."
The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, said, "It is an honour for us to receive into our House of Bishops such a man of God. At the 1998 Lambeth Conference, he proposed the resolution on The Authority of Scripture, which we passed. We believe he will be a great support to Bishop-elect John Guernsey and all the congregations in America that are under our care."
Bishop Robert Duncan, Moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, said, "Bishop Fairfield is one of the most respected Bishops in the entire American Church, and has served the Network very well as our ordinations suffragan. I know his work has been especially valuable to congregations in our International Conference. I am delighted to know that he has found a new ecclesiastical home in the Church of Uganda, a Province which has declared a state of broken communion with The Episcopal Church's majority, but embraces full communion with all in the Anglican Communion Network. We look forward to many years of continued fruitful ministry together."
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Pope Benedict XVI changes rules for papal elections, requires two-thirds majority of cardinals
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has changed the rules for electing a new pope, returning to the traditional requirement that two-thirds of the cardinals in the conclave agree on a candidate, the Vatican said Tuesday.
Pope John Paul II had altered the voting process in 1996, allowing the pope to be chosen by an absolute majority if the cardinals were unable to agree after several days of balloting in which a two-thirds majority was needed.
AdvertisementIn a document released Tuesday, Benedict said he was returning to the traditional voting norm, essentially reversing John Paul's reform of the centuries-old process.
The brief document, written in Latin, was dated June 11 and signed by Benedict.
Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was elected pope on April 19, 2005 in one of the fastest conclaves in modern history. He reportedly was elected after four ballots, with 84 of the 115 votes.
In the document, Benedict explained that John Paul had received a number of requests to return to the former system after he issued his 1996 document, Universi Dominici Gregis, outlining the rules for a conclave.
Analysts had noted that the original two-thirds requirement had served as an incentive to compromise or find a new candidate in the event of a deadlock.
But with John Paul's new rules, the majority bloc in a conclave could push a candidate through by simply holding tight until the balloting shifted from the two-thirds requirement to an absolute majority.
“It would seem that Pope Benedict wants to ensure that whoever is elected pope enjoys the greatest possible consensus,” said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
John Paul instituted the simple majority in part to avoid a deadlock like the one in the 13th century, when negotiations over choosing a new pope lasted three years. Angry locals in Viterbo north of Rome, where the conclave was being held, removed the roof of the cardinals' meeting hall and threatened to slash food rations unless they picked a winner.
In 1623, eight cardinals died of malaria during a midsummer conclave in Rome that lasted 19 days.
Benedict's document, called a “motu proprio” was something of a surprise. In fact, the main criticism of the Vatican's voting process to date has concerned the exclusion of cardinals over age 80 from the balloting.
Benedict, who turned 80 in April, however, maintained that requirement.
Pope John Paul II had altered the voting process in 1996, allowing the pope to be chosen by an absolute majority if the cardinals were unable to agree after several days of balloting in which a two-thirds majority was needed.
AdvertisementIn a document released Tuesday, Benedict said he was returning to the traditional voting norm, essentially reversing John Paul's reform of the centuries-old process.
The brief document, written in Latin, was dated June 11 and signed by Benedict.
Benedict, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was elected pope on April 19, 2005 in one of the fastest conclaves in modern history. He reportedly was elected after four ballots, with 84 of the 115 votes.
In the document, Benedict explained that John Paul had received a number of requests to return to the former system after he issued his 1996 document, Universi Dominici Gregis, outlining the rules for a conclave.
Analysts had noted that the original two-thirds requirement had served as an incentive to compromise or find a new candidate in the event of a deadlock.
But with John Paul's new rules, the majority bloc in a conclave could push a candidate through by simply holding tight until the balloting shifted from the two-thirds requirement to an absolute majority.
“It would seem that Pope Benedict wants to ensure that whoever is elected pope enjoys the greatest possible consensus,” said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
John Paul instituted the simple majority in part to avoid a deadlock like the one in the 13th century, when negotiations over choosing a new pope lasted three years. Angry locals in Viterbo north of Rome, where the conclave was being held, removed the roof of the cardinals' meeting hall and threatened to slash food rations unless they picked a winner.
In 1623, eight cardinals died of malaria during a midsummer conclave in Rome that lasted 19 days.
Benedict's document, called a “motu proprio” was something of a surprise. In fact, the main criticism of the Vatican's voting process to date has concerned the exclusion of cardinals over age 80 from the balloting.
Benedict, who turned 80 in April, however, maintained that requirement.
Incidents Show Abortions Out of Control in Kansas
WICHITA, Kansas, June 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Two incidents at George R. Tiller's late-term abortion mill today serve to illustrate that abortions are out of control in Kansas.
The mother of one woman in her 29th week of pregnancy called Mark Geitzen of the Kansas Coalition for Life to ask for intervention on behalf of her daughter. According to the mother, her daughter recently married a man from another country who was physically abusive. The man was forcing her daughter to have a third-trimester abortion. Apparently the pregnant woman, who had been active in the pro-life movement in another state, did not want the abortion, but was complying out of fear severe beatings from her husband.
Geitzen reported the call to Operation Rescue, who reported to the police the possibility that the woman could be in physical danger and at risk for a forced third-trimester abortion. Kansas law states that such abortions can only take place if the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother or would produce a "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."
In a second incident, a distraught mother told pro- lifers at the abortion clinic that her daughter was getting a late-term abortion because she did not want her pregnancy to ruin her recent "tummy tuck" surgery.
"Authorities have lost control of the late abortion situation in Kansas," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Once a woman crosses over onto Tiller's abortion clinic property, it seems that all state and federal laws - and even common sense - are suspended."
Evidence has surfaced recently that Tiller is committing late-term abortions in violation of the law. Attorney General Paul Morrison has said he will announce the outcome of his "investigation" of Tiller by the end of the week, but has called previous efforts to hold Tiller accountable to the Kansas ban on post- viability abortions a waste of taxpayer money. Morrison's political campaign benefited from an estimated $1 million worth of campaign calls and mailings linked to Tiller.
"When money buys law enforcement, then the legislative process is voided, and the will of the people expressed in the legislative process is negated," said Newman. "Representative government becomes meaningless, and what you end up with is tyranny. Whoever has the biggest pocketbook holds the power. We are very close to that in Kansas now. We must return to the rule of law in order to prevent more human tragedies like the kind we witnessed today."
About Operation Rescue
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
Christian Newswire
The mother of one woman in her 29th week of pregnancy called Mark Geitzen of the Kansas Coalition for Life to ask for intervention on behalf of her daughter. According to the mother, her daughter recently married a man from another country who was physically abusive. The man was forcing her daughter to have a third-trimester abortion. Apparently the pregnant woman, who had been active in the pro-life movement in another state, did not want the abortion, but was complying out of fear severe beatings from her husband.
Geitzen reported the call to Operation Rescue, who reported to the police the possibility that the woman could be in physical danger and at risk for a forced third-trimester abortion. Kansas law states that such abortions can only take place if the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother or would produce a "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."
In a second incident, a distraught mother told pro- lifers at the abortion clinic that her daughter was getting a late-term abortion because she did not want her pregnancy to ruin her recent "tummy tuck" surgery.
"Authorities have lost control of the late abortion situation in Kansas," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Once a woman crosses over onto Tiller's abortion clinic property, it seems that all state and federal laws - and even common sense - are suspended."
Evidence has surfaced recently that Tiller is committing late-term abortions in violation of the law. Attorney General Paul Morrison has said he will announce the outcome of his "investigation" of Tiller by the end of the week, but has called previous efforts to hold Tiller accountable to the Kansas ban on post- viability abortions a waste of taxpayer money. Morrison's political campaign benefited from an estimated $1 million worth of campaign calls and mailings linked to Tiller.
"When money buys law enforcement, then the legislative process is voided, and the will of the people expressed in the legislative process is negated," said Newman. "Representative government becomes meaningless, and what you end up with is tyranny. Whoever has the biggest pocketbook holds the power. We are very close to that in Kansas now. We must return to the rule of law in order to prevent more human tragedies like the kind we witnessed today."
About Operation Rescue
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation. Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
Christian Newswire
Welcome Back Home Wal-Mart
MEDIA ADVISORY, June 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- We are rejoicing today over the fact that Wal-Mart is coming back home! In the fall of 2006, Operation Save America joined several other ministries in a battle for the heart and soul of America's largest corporation -- Wal-Mart. Over the years she had become America's favorite family store and was blessed by God Himself as she followed the God honoring principles of her founder Sam Walton.
In comes the radical homosexual agenda. It attempts to blackmail this powerful corporation, as it has done with so many others, by causing it to agree to support the gay agenda or be exposed as a discriminatory, homophobic monster. Wal-Mart bowed her knee to the pressure of this lie.
Thousands of faithful Christian friends came to her aid, however, and reminded her of the God who made her great. We proclaimed Christ at Wal-Mart stores (over 300 of them) across the nation, and to Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville Ark., calling her back to the principles upon which she was founded.
The Church of Jesus Christ came out of the closet. When she did, the enemy fled. Simple little Christian moms and dads, boys and girls, grammas and grandpas, the backbone of the Wal-Mart success story, said to the nation's largest retailer - "No! We will not tolerate homosexual sin." And the boycott began.
Wal-Mart listened. She saw the light when she felt the heat of the Christian boycott. Today she has promised to no longer financially support any homosexual cause. We rejoice over Wal-Mart's decision. We thank the thousands of gentle Christian warriors who gave their local Wal-Mart stores "heaven."
What is God saying in all of this? If He can turn the nation's largest and most powerful retailer around by the witness of simple little Christians, how much more might He turn America around? If God can save Wal-Mart can He also save America? You Bet He can!
When Christians come out of the closet and allow their theology to become biography in the streets, America can be saved. It requires the Church of Jesus Christ to decide to put Christianity into action.
Christian Newswire
In comes the radical homosexual agenda. It attempts to blackmail this powerful corporation, as it has done with so many others, by causing it to agree to support the gay agenda or be exposed as a discriminatory, homophobic monster. Wal-Mart bowed her knee to the pressure of this lie.
Thousands of faithful Christian friends came to her aid, however, and reminded her of the God who made her great. We proclaimed Christ at Wal-Mart stores (over 300 of them) across the nation, and to Wal-Mart headquarters in Bentonville Ark., calling her back to the principles upon which she was founded.
The Church of Jesus Christ came out of the closet. When she did, the enemy fled. Simple little Christian moms and dads, boys and girls, grammas and grandpas, the backbone of the Wal-Mart success story, said to the nation's largest retailer - "No! We will not tolerate homosexual sin." And the boycott began.
Wal-Mart listened. She saw the light when she felt the heat of the Christian boycott. Today she has promised to no longer financially support any homosexual cause. We rejoice over Wal-Mart's decision. We thank the thousands of gentle Christian warriors who gave their local Wal-Mart stores "heaven."
What is God saying in all of this? If He can turn the nation's largest and most powerful retailer around by the witness of simple little Christians, how much more might He turn America around? If God can save Wal-Mart can He also save America? You Bet He can!
When Christians come out of the closet and allow their theology to become biography in the streets, America can be saved. It requires the Church of Jesus Christ to decide to put Christianity into action.
Christian Newswire
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Obama Asked to Debate Role of Religion
WASHINGTON, June 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Reverend Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK), president of the National Clergy Council and chair of the Committee on Church and Society for the Evangelical Church Alliance, will hand deliver a letter to the U.S. Senate office of Barack Obama on Monday challenging the presidential candidate to a public debate on religion.
Senator Obama this weekend used a national church conference to attack, "the so-called leaders of the Christian Right," who, he said, were "too eager to exploit what divides us at every opportunity. They've told Evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values, dislike their church."
Mr. Schenck said:
"With all due respect, I challenge the Senator to first identify who, exactly, he is talking about. Second, he must explain what he means about what divides us and how it jibes with Jesus' words, 'I did not come to bring peace but a sword.' Finally, I ask Senator Obama to cite specifically who, when, where and how these unnamed leaders have 'told Evangelical Christians Democrats disrespect their values, dislike their church.'"
Mr. Schenck continued, "Contrary to the Senator's attack on religious conservatives, it is Mr. Obama who has utterly and crassly politicized religion in his bid for the presidency."
In his letter, Mr. Schenck will ask Mr. Obama to debate him on the role of Christianity in the political arena.
Christian Newswire
Senator Obama this weekend used a national church conference to attack, "the so-called leaders of the Christian Right," who, he said, were "too eager to exploit what divides us at every opportunity. They've told Evangelical Christians that Democrats disrespect their values, dislike their church."
Mr. Schenck said:
"With all due respect, I challenge the Senator to first identify who, exactly, he is talking about. Second, he must explain what he means about what divides us and how it jibes with Jesus' words, 'I did not come to bring peace but a sword.' Finally, I ask Senator Obama to cite specifically who, when, where and how these unnamed leaders have 'told Evangelical Christians Democrats disrespect their values, dislike their church.'"
Mr. Schenck continued, "Contrary to the Senator's attack on religious conservatives, it is Mr. Obama who has utterly and crassly politicized religion in his bid for the presidency."
In his letter, Mr. Schenck will ask Mr. Obama to debate him on the role of Christianity in the political arena.
Christian Newswire
Thursday, June 21, 2007
National Catholic Bioethics Center Applauds President Bush's Call for Respect Toward Human Embryos as 'Living Members of the Human Species'
PHILADELPHIA, June 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- The National Catholic Bioethics Center has been vigorous in promoting the dignity of human life, from conception until natural death. In the Center's April 9, 2007 letter to the United States Congress asking its members to oppose S. 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, the Center indicated its support for stem cell research and therapies that provide healing without causing the death of other vulnerable human beings in the process.
There is a growing body of scientific knowledge on effective and morally acceptable methods to accomplish this end. Unfortunately, Congress has refused to acknowledge this fact by refusing to support S. 30, the HOPE Act, which would have promoted morally acceptable forms of stem cell research, by funding all avenues of stem cell research that do not involve harming or destroying a living human embryo. Unlike S. 5, it gives priority to research that promises genuine benefits for patients rather than speculative embryo research. On June 21, 2007, President Bush vetoed S. 5. At the same time, with a stated intent of prioritizing "research with the greatest potential for clinical benefit," President Bush issued an executive order fostering research on these morally acceptable alternative sources of pluripotent stem cells ("Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways"). In doing so, President Bush prohibited federal funding of research that subjects the embryo to risk of injury or death.
Significantly, President Bush calls our nation to vigorously move forward with medical research "while also maintaining the highest ethical standards and respecting human life and human dignity." President Bush continues with a profound call for protecting nascent human life from destructive research stating that "no life should be used as a mere means for achieving the medical benefit of another." He continues by stating that "human embryos and fetuses, as living members of the human species, are not raw materials to be exploited or commodities to be bought and sold."
President Bush has focused on the heart of the matter - embryos are human beings. Basic embryology makes it clear that from fertilization a new human being exists as a composite unity with his or her own internal principle directed toward continuing organismic development and growth towards adulthood. From the moment the human zygote is formed a new human being exists, separate from his/her father or mother. Thus, he/she is a bearer of human rights.
Each of us has as our origin that small cluster of cells we call an embryo. Each human being has immeasurable value and intrinsic dignity which outweighs any utilitarian consideration. Providing public funding to support research on cells obtained through the destruction of human beings, especially at their most vulnerable stages, is an affront to the dignity of all persons. Thank you, President Bush, for in protecting the most vulnerable among us the dignity of every person is enhanced.
Christian Newswire
There is a growing body of scientific knowledge on effective and morally acceptable methods to accomplish this end. Unfortunately, Congress has refused to acknowledge this fact by refusing to support S. 30, the HOPE Act, which would have promoted morally acceptable forms of stem cell research, by funding all avenues of stem cell research that do not involve harming or destroying a living human embryo. Unlike S. 5, it gives priority to research that promises genuine benefits for patients rather than speculative embryo research. On June 21, 2007, President Bush vetoed S. 5. At the same time, with a stated intent of prioritizing "research with the greatest potential for clinical benefit," President Bush issued an executive order fostering research on these morally acceptable alternative sources of pluripotent stem cells ("Expanding Approved Stem Cell Lines in Ethically Responsible Ways"). In doing so, President Bush prohibited federal funding of research that subjects the embryo to risk of injury or death.
Significantly, President Bush calls our nation to vigorously move forward with medical research "while also maintaining the highest ethical standards and respecting human life and human dignity." President Bush continues with a profound call for protecting nascent human life from destructive research stating that "no life should be used as a mere means for achieving the medical benefit of another." He continues by stating that "human embryos and fetuses, as living members of the human species, are not raw materials to be exploited or commodities to be bought and sold."
President Bush has focused on the heart of the matter - embryos are human beings. Basic embryology makes it clear that from fertilization a new human being exists as a composite unity with his or her own internal principle directed toward continuing organismic development and growth towards adulthood. From the moment the human zygote is formed a new human being exists, separate from his/her father or mother. Thus, he/she is a bearer of human rights.
Each of us has as our origin that small cluster of cells we call an embryo. Each human being has immeasurable value and intrinsic dignity which outweighs any utilitarian consideration. Providing public funding to support research on cells obtained through the destruction of human beings, especially at their most vulnerable stages, is an affront to the dignity of all persons. Thank you, President Bush, for in protecting the most vulnerable among us the dignity of every person is enhanced.
Christian Newswire
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Inclusion Run Amok: A Muslim/Episcopal Priest
WASHINGTON, June 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- An Episcopal priest in Washington state recently announced that she is both a Christian and a Muslim. The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding of Seattle made her profession of faith in Islam in March 2006. Episcopal Church Center employees told the Seattle Times that a person of dual faiths can serve as Episcopal clergy at the diocesan bishop's discretion. The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, reportedly accepts Redding's dual faiths; consequently, she remains a priest in good standing within the diocese.
Ralph Webb, Director of the IRD's Anglican Action program, commented:
"The Episcopal Church continues to find new, creative ways to allow for heterodox faith variations at the local level. First, there was a 'local option' for same-sex blessings in the Episcopal Church. Now there's apparently an unofficial 'local option' for clergy who profess dual faiths.
"Rev. Redding certainly is free to pursue a spiritual path of her own choosing. But when she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, she accepted a charge to 'boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant.' How can she 'boldly proclaim the gospel' of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the sins of the world and subsequent resurrection when Islam denies both events? How can she 'rightly administer the sacraments of [a] ... covenant' antithetical to Muslim beliefs, which see Jesus only as a prophet, not the savior of the world? Rev. Redding, Bishop Warner, and the Episcopal Church need to take such questions seriously.
"Even the Episcopal Church's baptismal service asks all Christians to '[c]onfess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.' The idea that a person can become a Muslim while remaining an Episcopal priest in good standing trivializes both faiths.
"The blurring of Christian distinctives is evidence of a spiritual confusion that can only harm Episcopalians. And while it's been said that 'all politics are local,' Bishop Warner's acceptance of Rev. Redding's syncretism compromises the whole church. The Episcopal Church's unofficial acceptance of clergy with dual faiths represents inclusion run amok. It clearly illustrates the overwhelming gap in faith and practice between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion-not to mention the universal Christian Church."
Christian Newswire
Ralph Webb, Director of the IRD's Anglican Action program, commented:
"The Episcopal Church continues to find new, creative ways to allow for heterodox faith variations at the local level. First, there was a 'local option' for same-sex blessings in the Episcopal Church. Now there's apparently an unofficial 'local option' for clergy who profess dual faiths.
"Rev. Redding certainly is free to pursue a spiritual path of her own choosing. But when she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, she accepted a charge to 'boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant.' How can she 'boldly proclaim the gospel' of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the sins of the world and subsequent resurrection when Islam denies both events? How can she 'rightly administer the sacraments of [a] ... covenant' antithetical to Muslim beliefs, which see Jesus only as a prophet, not the savior of the world? Rev. Redding, Bishop Warner, and the Episcopal Church need to take such questions seriously.
"Even the Episcopal Church's baptismal service asks all Christians to '[c]onfess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.' The idea that a person can become a Muslim while remaining an Episcopal priest in good standing trivializes both faiths.
"The blurring of Christian distinctives is evidence of a spiritual confusion that can only harm Episcopalians. And while it's been said that 'all politics are local,' Bishop Warner's acceptance of Rev. Redding's syncretism compromises the whole church. The Episcopal Church's unofficial acceptance of clergy with dual faiths represents inclusion run amok. It clearly illustrates the overwhelming gap in faith and practice between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion-not to mention the universal Christian Church."
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Episcopal Sect's Second Strike
WASHINGTON, June 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church met from June 11-14 in Parsippany, NJ. It agreed with the House of Bishops' recommendation to reject the Anglican Communion primates' (i.e., leader of Anglican provinces) proposed pastoral scheme that partially aimed to meet the needs of orthodox Anglicans within the Episcopal Church. It did not recommend that, as requested by the primates, the House of Bishops provide assurances by September 30 that the bishops will cease authorizing same-sex blessings and refuse to consent to future consecrations of openly gay bishops living in same-sex relationships. The council instead passed a resolution with a paragraph asserting that decision making concerning the primates' requests rests with the church's General Convention, which does not meet again until the summer of 2009.
IRD Director of Anglican Action Ralph Webb released the following:
"This was strike two for the Episcopal Church's leadership. Last March, the bishops tragically recommended that the Executive Council reject the primates' pastoral scheme. Now the Executive Council has gone even further, suggesting in its statement concerning its 'commitment to common life in the Anglican Communion' that the primates had no authority to either set a September 30 deadline or make any 'demands' of the Episcopal Church.
"So far, the Episcopal Church's leadership has done nothing to curb those actions that the primates have asked the denomination to stop. Same-sex blessings keep occurring in dioceses. Some clergy refuse to bless marriages until same-sex couples can get married. Thousands of orthodox Anglicans continue to leave the Episcopal Church, and the denomination responds by telling them, 'We'll leave the light on for you,' and instigating lawsuits if they do not evacuate the church buildings in which they worship.
"Two rounds of responses to the primates' February requests have produced essentially the same result: words of devotion to the larger Anglican Communion without deeds-save those undertaken on the Episcopal Church's own terms. The story is not over yet; the House of Bishops meets again in September before the primates' deadline. The consequences of a third strike in this game largely remain to be seen, but it unquestioningly would increase the considerable damage done to the Anglican Communion by the Episcopal Church."
Christian Newswire
IRD Director of Anglican Action Ralph Webb released the following:
"This was strike two for the Episcopal Church's leadership. Last March, the bishops tragically recommended that the Executive Council reject the primates' pastoral scheme. Now the Executive Council has gone even further, suggesting in its statement concerning its 'commitment to common life in the Anglican Communion' that the primates had no authority to either set a September 30 deadline or make any 'demands' of the Episcopal Church.
"So far, the Episcopal Church's leadership has done nothing to curb those actions that the primates have asked the denomination to stop. Same-sex blessings keep occurring in dioceses. Some clergy refuse to bless marriages until same-sex couples can get married. Thousands of orthodox Anglicans continue to leave the Episcopal Church, and the denomination responds by telling them, 'We'll leave the light on for you,' and instigating lawsuits if they do not evacuate the church buildings in which they worship.
"Two rounds of responses to the primates' February requests have produced essentially the same result: words of devotion to the larger Anglican Communion without deeds-save those undertaken on the Episcopal Church's own terms. The story is not over yet; the House of Bishops meets again in September before the primates' deadline. The consequences of a third strike in this game largely remain to be seen, but it unquestioningly would increase the considerable damage done to the Anglican Communion by the Episcopal Church."
Christian Newswire
Monday, June 18, 2007
Homosexual Groups Slam US Surgeon General Nominee in Bid to Keep Traditional Religious Believers Out of Public Office
"Criticism of Dr. Holsinger has not been about his qualifications. It disturbingly has been an objection to his faith and an attack on the role of traditional religion in public life."
-Mark Tooley, IRD Director of UMAction
WASHINGTON, June 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- On May 25th, President Bush nominated Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr. for the post of Surgeon General. Holsinger, a Kentucky cardiologist who plans to focus on combating childhood obesity, has come under attack by several homosexual activist groups that have condemned his leadership in the United Methodist Church, which officially disapproves of homosexual practice.
IRD Director of UMAction Mark Tooley commented:
"Seemingly, critics of Dr. Holsinger want to prohibit all traditional Christians from holding public office.
"Homosexual activist groups such as the Human Rights Campaign have declared Dr. Holsinger 'unworthy' because he has participated in church discussions that offend their politically correct sensibilities.
"The demands from these radical critics have far reaching implications; among them, that potential office holders should be disqualified merely for holding traditional Christian or Jewish beliefs. Their demands are the ultimate in bigotry.
"Over 160 million Americans belong to churches, almost all of which share The United Methodist Church's stance on marriage and sexual ethics. But radical homosexual groups want to disqualify and brand as a bigot anyone among the 160 million Americans who actually believe in their own churches' teachings.
"Criticism of Dr. Holsinger has not been about his qualifications. It disturbingly has been an objection to his faith and an attack on the role of traditional religion in public life."
The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.
Christian Newswire
-Mark Tooley, IRD Director of UMAction
WASHINGTON, June 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- On May 25th, President Bush nominated Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr. for the post of Surgeon General. Holsinger, a Kentucky cardiologist who plans to focus on combating childhood obesity, has come under attack by several homosexual activist groups that have condemned his leadership in the United Methodist Church, which officially disapproves of homosexual practice.
IRD Director of UMAction Mark Tooley commented:
"Seemingly, critics of Dr. Holsinger want to prohibit all traditional Christians from holding public office.
"Homosexual activist groups such as the Human Rights Campaign have declared Dr. Holsinger 'unworthy' because he has participated in church discussions that offend their politically correct sensibilities.
"The demands from these radical critics have far reaching implications; among them, that potential office holders should be disqualified merely for holding traditional Christian or Jewish beliefs. Their demands are the ultimate in bigotry.
"Over 160 million Americans belong to churches, almost all of which share The United Methodist Church's stance on marriage and sexual ethics. But radical homosexual groups want to disqualify and brand as a bigot anyone among the 160 million Americans who actually believe in their own churches' teachings.
"Criticism of Dr. Holsinger has not been about his qualifications. It disturbingly has been an objection to his faith and an attack on the role of traditional religion in public life."
The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.
Christian Newswire
Friday, June 15, 2007
US Episcopal Sect rejects deadline on gay consecrations
New York (ENI). Leaders of the US Episcopal (Anglican) Church say they will not respond to increasing pressure by others in the worldwide Anglican Communion that the US denomination reverse its policies on the ordination of openly gay bishops. In February, a meeting in Tanzania of Anglican leaders, or primates, from around the world gave the US denomination a September deadline to promise that no one living in a same-sex relationship would be made a bishop, and that the US church would not authorise rites for same-sex blessings. [370 words, ENI-07-0465]
ENI Online - www.eni.ch
ENI Online - www.eni.ch
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Pharmacists to be Punished $500,000 For Acting on Their Conscience
WASHINGTON, June 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) have introduced legislation deliberately attacking pharmacists who exercise professional moral judgment. The Access to Birth Control (ABC) Act repeals a pharmacist's fundamental right to make ethical decisions.
This bill would force pharmacists to distribute the controversial morning-after pill (MAP), trampling on any professional or ethical concerns.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, said, "Pharmacists are professionals, not vending machines. The FDA has been known to make mistakes in approving drugs, and doctors have made mistakes in prescribing. Pharmacists provide a line of defense to ensure that patients' lives and health are protected and can make patients aware of ethical concerns. Yet this bill would punish pharmacists up to $500,000 for acting on their ethical duty."
"This punitive bill would bankrupt pharmacists for doing what they believe protects people from harm. We need pharmacists with strong convictions about protecting life and health, but this bill would drive people with such convictions out of the pharmaceutical profession -- which would be detrimental to all patients."
"This bill is promoted by ardent abortion activists yet it would criminalize 'Freedom of choice' by forcing people to act against their beliefs."
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
Christian Newswire
This bill would force pharmacists to distribute the controversial morning-after pill (MAP), trampling on any professional or ethical concerns.
Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America, said, "Pharmacists are professionals, not vending machines. The FDA has been known to make mistakes in approving drugs, and doctors have made mistakes in prescribing. Pharmacists provide a line of defense to ensure that patients' lives and health are protected and can make patients aware of ethical concerns. Yet this bill would punish pharmacists up to $500,000 for acting on their ethical duty."
"This punitive bill would bankrupt pharmacists for doing what they believe protects people from harm. We need pharmacists with strong convictions about protecting life and health, but this bill would drive people with such convictions out of the pharmaceutical profession -- which would be detrimental to all patients."
"This bill is promoted by ardent abortion activists yet it would criminalize 'Freedom of choice' by forcing people to act against their beliefs."
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
Christian Newswire
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
'We Need Alan Keyes for President' Website Launched
Aims to inspire grassroots support for moral conservative leader
PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- An organization calling itself "We Need Alan Keyes for President" has launched a website to press the former Reagan administration diplomat to enter the field of Republican presidential contenders.
According to a statement at the website -- http://www.AlanKeyes.com -- the organization's purpose is to "determine and rally support for a presidential candidacy by Dr. Keyes." The statement adds, "We Need Alan Keyes for President, Inc., is a political action committee . . . not managed by Alan Keyes."
The effort is spearheaded by several individuals at RenewAmerica, a grassroots organization affiliated with Keyes.
Stephen Stone, president of RenewAmerica, said, "At this point, Alan has not indicated that he will run. In fact, he has said that he would run only if enough people at the grassroots come forward to say they want him to run. Our job is to give them a chance to do so."
Added RenewAmerica's legal counsel Steven Voigt, chief of staff to the draft Keyes movement: "Alan believes that the American people, themselves, are the key to restoring the values that are essential to the future of our nation. He has therefore stressed that it's ultimately up to grassroots Americans to decide who they want in the arena. If enough moral conservatives want him, he's indicated he will run."
Stone commented, "We receive e-mails almost daily at RenewAmerica encouraging Alan to run. The writers are moral conservatives disaffected with the current candidates. These messages share a common belief that none of those running truly represents the moral conservative base of the Republican Party."
Stone cited an e-mail from a Florida Young Republican he said was typical of the messages RenewAmerica receives:
"It's time that a true conservative stepped to the plate to combat the left. No one in the field of candidates, Republican or Democrat, has more experience in the realm of foreign policy than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this nation in the war on terror than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this country in protecting the right to life than Mr. Keyes. I'm confident that he is the best candidate for the job. I really hope to see him run."
Stone noted, "We plan to show that there are literally millions of grassroots Americans who feel the same way."
"The bottom line," continued Stone, "is that a lot of people are waiting for a moral conservative leader to stand forth and represent them, and to date, no one appears to be doing so. This is not to question the integrity or credentials of several fine individuals -- mainly among the so-called 'second tier' GOP hopefuls. But moral conservatives appear to see no outstanding leader among the current candidates who energizes and inspires them."
Keyes served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations under President Ronald Reagan. Previous to that, he served as Reagan's ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He spent 11 years in the U.S. State Department, before being drafted to run for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1988. At a fundraising event for Keyes, President Reagan said the diplomat "reflects the values and bedrock principles of this great nation." Keyes also won the Maryland GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1992, defeating a primary field of 13 candidates.
Ambassador Keyes ran for president in 1996 and 2000, on a pro-life, pro-family, tax-reform plank. In 2004, he responded to a call from pro-life conservatives in the Illinois Republican Party to challenge Barack Obama for an open Senate seat, replacing Jack Ryan, who dropped out three months before the election.
In recent years, Stone said, "Keyes has stood fast in support of moral conservatives who were battling to defend traditional marriage in Massachusetts, save Terri Schiavo from judicial murder in Florida, restore protection for the unborn in South Dakota, and stop the abuse of federal judicial power against Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama."
"Keyes has also made countless appearances before moral conservative groups, championing the work of crisis pregnancy centers, encouraging the role in politics of Christian believers, and calling for the establishment of secure U.S. borders," added Voigt. "He has ceaselessly advanced the need to give top priority to restoring America's moral principles -- by observing the Constitution's protection for the life of our posterity in the womb, and by restoring respect for the procreational family, based on the union, by marriage, of one man and one woman."
Keyes also writes columns that appear at http://www.WorldNetDaily.com and RenewAmerica.us.
Christian Newswire
PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- An organization calling itself "We Need Alan Keyes for President" has launched a website to press the former Reagan administration diplomat to enter the field of Republican presidential contenders.
According to a statement at the website -- http://www.AlanKeyes.com -- the organization's purpose is to "determine and rally support for a presidential candidacy by Dr. Keyes." The statement adds, "We Need Alan Keyes for President, Inc., is a political action committee . . . not managed by Alan Keyes."
The effort is spearheaded by several individuals at RenewAmerica, a grassroots organization affiliated with Keyes.
Stephen Stone, president of RenewAmerica, said, "At this point, Alan has not indicated that he will run. In fact, he has said that he would run only if enough people at the grassroots come forward to say they want him to run. Our job is to give them a chance to do so."
Added RenewAmerica's legal counsel Steven Voigt, chief of staff to the draft Keyes movement: "Alan believes that the American people, themselves, are the key to restoring the values that are essential to the future of our nation. He has therefore stressed that it's ultimately up to grassroots Americans to decide who they want in the arena. If enough moral conservatives want him, he's indicated he will run."
Stone commented, "We receive e-mails almost daily at RenewAmerica encouraging Alan to run. The writers are moral conservatives disaffected with the current candidates. These messages share a common belief that none of those running truly represents the moral conservative base of the Republican Party."
Stone cited an e-mail from a Florida Young Republican he said was typical of the messages RenewAmerica receives:
"It's time that a true conservative stepped to the plate to combat the left. No one in the field of candidates, Republican or Democrat, has more experience in the realm of foreign policy than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this nation in the war on terror than Mr. Keyes. No one is more qualified to lead this country in protecting the right to life than Mr. Keyes. I'm confident that he is the best candidate for the job. I really hope to see him run."
Stone noted, "We plan to show that there are literally millions of grassroots Americans who feel the same way."
"The bottom line," continued Stone, "is that a lot of people are waiting for a moral conservative leader to stand forth and represent them, and to date, no one appears to be doing so. This is not to question the integrity or credentials of several fine individuals -- mainly among the so-called 'second tier' GOP hopefuls. But moral conservatives appear to see no outstanding leader among the current candidates who energizes and inspires them."
Keyes served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations under President Ronald Reagan. Previous to that, he served as Reagan's ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He spent 11 years in the U.S. State Department, before being drafted to run for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1988. At a fundraising event for Keyes, President Reagan said the diplomat "reflects the values and bedrock principles of this great nation." Keyes also won the Maryland GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate from Maryland in 1992, defeating a primary field of 13 candidates.
Ambassador Keyes ran for president in 1996 and 2000, on a pro-life, pro-family, tax-reform plank. In 2004, he responded to a call from pro-life conservatives in the Illinois Republican Party to challenge Barack Obama for an open Senate seat, replacing Jack Ryan, who dropped out three months before the election.
In recent years, Stone said, "Keyes has stood fast in support of moral conservatives who were battling to defend traditional marriage in Massachusetts, save Terri Schiavo from judicial murder in Florida, restore protection for the unborn in South Dakota, and stop the abuse of federal judicial power against Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama."
"Keyes has also made countless appearances before moral conservative groups, championing the work of crisis pregnancy centers, encouraging the role in politics of Christian believers, and calling for the establishment of secure U.S. borders," added Voigt. "He has ceaselessly advanced the need to give top priority to restoring America's moral principles -- by observing the Constitution's protection for the life of our posterity in the womb, and by restoring respect for the procreational family, based on the union, by marriage, of one man and one woman."
Keyes also writes columns that appear at http://www.WorldNetDaily.com and RenewAmerica.us.
Christian Newswire
Orthodox Anglicans to Initiate Talks on Forming 'Anglican Union'
The head of a conservative Anglican network in the United States has invited major breakaway Anglican groups to up the level of their partnership for a united Anglicanism in North America as some predict a split in the Anglican Communion.
by Lillian Kwon, Christian Today US Correspondent
Posted: Monday, June 4, 2007, 14:31 (BST)
WASHINGTON, USA - The head of a conservative Anglican network in the United States has invited major breakaway Anglican groups to up the level of their partnership for a united Anglicanism in North America as some predict a split in the Anglican Communion.
Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, called for a Sept. 25-28 meeting to initiate discussion of creating an "Anglican Union" among the partners. The creation of the union would be a step forward in forming a "separate ecclesiastical structure (from The Episcopal Church) of the Anglican Communion" in the United States, which Anglican leaders in the Global South had proposed for.
Duncan has planned to hold the meeting after The Episcopal Church – the US wing of Anglicanism – gives its response to the request of the Primates (Anglican leaders) to make an unequivocal pledge not to authorize same-sex blessings and confirm another openly gay bishop. Primates had set a Sept. 30 deadline for The Episcopal Church's response. The request, made in February, was largely prompted by TEC's consecration of its first openly gay bishop in 2003, which widened rifts within the worldwide church body.
"By the time we meet, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church will have given its response to the Anglican Communion as to its decision to ‘walk apart,'" Duncan predicts. "By contrast, I expect our gathering to signal a new level of ‘walking together’ both with each other and with the wider Anglican world."
Since the controversial consecration, conservative Anglicans discontent with the US body and its departure from Christian orthodoxy formed such splinter groups as the Anglican Mission in Americas and the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). The orthodox groups have formed a "Common Cause Partnership," committed to working together for "a biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism in North America."
The purpose of the September meeting is fivefold, Duncan explained.
The meeting is intended to:
1. take the Common Cause Partnership to the next level of development in mission together;
2. showcase ministry initiatives of any of the partners that might be shared with all the partners;
3. share understandings of the purpose and role of bishops such that some common guidelines for the making of bishops relative to numbers of communicants and congregations might be developed;
4. consider whether a permanent Common Cause College of Bishops might be created, in order that ever greater levels of communication, cooperation and collaboration can be built; and
5. initiate discussion of the creation of an “Anglican Union” among the partners.
Conservative Anglican leaders in the Global South had proposed last September in their Kigali communiqué that a separate Anglican body accommodate opponents of the consecration of openly gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions in the United States.
Former Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold had raised concerns, saying such a move would open the way to "multiple divisions across other provinces" of the Anglican Communion and that "any sense of a coherent mission would sink into chaos."
Orthodox Anglicans have made it clear, however, that they "want to remain faithful members of the Anglican Communion" and feel they cannot do so within The Episcopal Church. The splinter groups are "working hard to work together and not be fragmented," according to the Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, the “missionary bishop” of CANA.
Duncan acknowledged in his invitation that the Council of Bishops "lacks the voice of the laity" and is "not a full synod of the Common Cause Partners."
"[B]ut it is the next step agreed upon by the Common Cause Roundtable," he stated. "While it is not the end of our journey, it does continue the trajectory of ever greater unity and ever closer cooperation between those of us who know Jesus as the only Lord.
"In the challenging weeks and months ahead, let us say our prayers, do the work before us and trust ‘that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new," Duncan urged.
by Lillian Kwon, Christian Today US Correspondent
Posted: Monday, June 4, 2007, 14:31 (BST)
WASHINGTON, USA - The head of a conservative Anglican network in the United States has invited major breakaway Anglican groups to up the level of their partnership for a united Anglicanism in North America as some predict a split in the Anglican Communion.
Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, called for a Sept. 25-28 meeting to initiate discussion of creating an "Anglican Union" among the partners. The creation of the union would be a step forward in forming a "separate ecclesiastical structure (from The Episcopal Church) of the Anglican Communion" in the United States, which Anglican leaders in the Global South had proposed for.
Duncan has planned to hold the meeting after The Episcopal Church – the US wing of Anglicanism – gives its response to the request of the Primates (Anglican leaders) to make an unequivocal pledge not to authorize same-sex blessings and confirm another openly gay bishop. Primates had set a Sept. 30 deadline for The Episcopal Church's response. The request, made in February, was largely prompted by TEC's consecration of its first openly gay bishop in 2003, which widened rifts within the worldwide church body.
"By the time we meet, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church will have given its response to the Anglican Communion as to its decision to ‘walk apart,'" Duncan predicts. "By contrast, I expect our gathering to signal a new level of ‘walking together’ both with each other and with the wider Anglican world."
Since the controversial consecration, conservative Anglicans discontent with the US body and its departure from Christian orthodoxy formed such splinter groups as the Anglican Mission in Americas and the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). The orthodox groups have formed a "Common Cause Partnership," committed to working together for "a biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism in North America."
The purpose of the September meeting is fivefold, Duncan explained.
The meeting is intended to:
1. take the Common Cause Partnership to the next level of development in mission together;
2. showcase ministry initiatives of any of the partners that might be shared with all the partners;
3. share understandings of the purpose and role of bishops such that some common guidelines for the making of bishops relative to numbers of communicants and congregations might be developed;
4. consider whether a permanent Common Cause College of Bishops might be created, in order that ever greater levels of communication, cooperation and collaboration can be built; and
5. initiate discussion of the creation of an “Anglican Union” among the partners.
Conservative Anglican leaders in the Global South had proposed last September in their Kigali communiqué that a separate Anglican body accommodate opponents of the consecration of openly gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions in the United States.
Former Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold had raised concerns, saying such a move would open the way to "multiple divisions across other provinces" of the Anglican Communion and that "any sense of a coherent mission would sink into chaos."
Orthodox Anglicans have made it clear, however, that they "want to remain faithful members of the Anglican Communion" and feel they cannot do so within The Episcopal Church. The splinter groups are "working hard to work together and not be fragmented," according to the Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, the “missionary bishop” of CANA.
Duncan acknowledged in his invitation that the Council of Bishops "lacks the voice of the laity" and is "not a full synod of the Common Cause Partners."
"[B]ut it is the next step agreed upon by the Common Cause Roundtable," he stated. "While it is not the end of our journey, it does continue the trajectory of ever greater unity and ever closer cooperation between those of us who know Jesus as the only Lord.
"In the challenging weeks and months ahead, let us say our prayers, do the work before us and trust ‘that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new," Duncan urged.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Episcopal Church Continues to Harden its Stance Against Marriage
WASHINGTON, June 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signed a law on May 31 that makes civil unions for homosexual couples legal; it will take effect in January 2008. The governor stated his belief that the civil unions will not "threaten" marriage. The Episcopal Church's bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, told the press that Episcopal priests in the diocese can bless civil unions: "Just like in marriages, every priest will have the option to bless or not to bless."
IRD Director of Anglican Action Ralph Webb commented,
"Bishop Robinson's allowance of blessing civil unions as a local option-even though such blessings are not required of priests-provides yet another illustration of how the Episcopal Church opposes the traditional definition of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman.
"It's tragic that just within the last year, we have seen increasing evidence of a hardening of this position. Some Episcopal Church parishioners, parishes, parachurch groups, and diocesan bishops opposed state marriage amendments upholding the traditional definition of marriage last fall. And this spring, the denomination's Executive Council passed a resolution urged against future General Conventions being held in states where the marriage amendments are in effect.
"And the tragedy is on full display in the bishop's phrase, 'Just like in marriages.' What's at stake here is the Judeo-Christian understanding that no other relationship-whether that of cohabiting heterosexual couples or same-sex partners-in which two people commit to living together can approximate marriage or should receive the church's blessing. That understanding informs the Episcopal Church's own Book of Common Prayer.
"It's the Episcopal Church's stance against that understanding that has led to many of the current problems in the Anglican Communion today-and that has led it to disregard the concerns of the primates of the Anglican Communion. It is also partially that stance that has led many thousands of Episcopalians to leave the denomination in the last few years."
Special Note: The primates (i.e., leaders of Anglican Communion provinces) have given the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops until September 30 to provide assurances that it will neither authorize same- sex blessings nor consent to the consecration of bishops living in a same-sex relationship.
Christian Newswire
IRD Director of Anglican Action Ralph Webb commented,
"Bishop Robinson's allowance of blessing civil unions as a local option-even though such blessings are not required of priests-provides yet another illustration of how the Episcopal Church opposes the traditional definition of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman.
"It's tragic that just within the last year, we have seen increasing evidence of a hardening of this position. Some Episcopal Church parishioners, parishes, parachurch groups, and diocesan bishops opposed state marriage amendments upholding the traditional definition of marriage last fall. And this spring, the denomination's Executive Council passed a resolution urged against future General Conventions being held in states where the marriage amendments are in effect.
"And the tragedy is on full display in the bishop's phrase, 'Just like in marriages.' What's at stake here is the Judeo-Christian understanding that no other relationship-whether that of cohabiting heterosexual couples or same-sex partners-in which two people commit to living together can approximate marriage or should receive the church's blessing. That understanding informs the Episcopal Church's own Book of Common Prayer.
"It's the Episcopal Church's stance against that understanding that has led to many of the current problems in the Anglican Communion today-and that has led it to disregard the concerns of the primates of the Anglican Communion. It is also partially that stance that has led many thousands of Episcopalians to leave the denomination in the last few years."
Special Note: The primates (i.e., leaders of Anglican Communion provinces) have given the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops until September 30 to provide assurances that it will neither authorize same- sex blessings nor consent to the consecration of bishops living in a same-sex relationship.
Christian Newswire
Friday, June 01, 2007
Kevorkian, Now Free, Enslaved Others, Says Fr. Pavone
AMARILLO, Texas, June 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, issued the following statement on the release from prison of Jack Kevorkian, who served eight years of a 10-to-25-year sentence for second degree murder.
"Jack Kevorkian belongs in jail. He may be free, but his philosophy has imprisoned many people in their fear, which has led to the taking of their lives. He has made society a more dangerous place for the disabled and the infirm."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
"Jack Kevorkian belongs in jail. He may be free, but his philosophy has imprisoned many people in their fear, which has led to the taking of their lives. He has made society a more dangerous place for the disabled and the infirm."
Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
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