Dallas Roe Memorial Evnets (Saturday, January 16, 2010)

I was at this march with my son Robert, we boarded the busses at 7:30 am for a Rosary at the Routh Street Abortion Center, and then we went to the Roe Memorial Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. This video (by Matthew Warren) is of the march that followed the Mass.

Lord have mercy on our nation and we send our prayers for all victims of abortion.



Hat tip to Matthew Warner

Christian Security Network Releases 2009 Crime Report Against Christian Organizations in the United States

"These are not just numbers, they are people killed or hurt and millions of dollars in losses" states church security expert

CINCINNATI, Jan. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Security Network receives phone calls and e-mails from Christians across the country on a weekly basis telling them they are concerned about their safety while at church - the 2009 crime statistics report shows that there is good cause.

"It is disheartening to see all these incidents and loss of life in churches in 2009 and even sadder because we know 2010 isn't going to be any different unless the status-quo changes," stated Jeff Hawkins, executive director of the Christian Security Network.

The 2009 report published by the Christian Security Network outlines 1,237 crimes against Christian churches including 12 homicides, 38 other violent incidents including, 3 sexual assaults, 3 kidnappings, 98 arsons, and over 700 burglaries resulting in more than $24 million in property loss.

Hawkins goes on to state, "People want to be protected, especially at church, and as we have seen from incidents in 2009, criminals don't care that they are targeting a church - they are seen as soft targets."

The crime report, the first of its kind, specifically tracked incidents just against Christian organizations, mostly churches, for all of 2009.

"These are not just numbers, these are people who have been killed or seriously injured serving their church. The church is supposed to be a place of peace and protection. Many of these incidents just didn't have to happen. With a few precautions, changes in operations, and training of staff and volunteers, they may have been averted. The church has to start taking responsibility for the safety of their staff, volunteers, and congregation and good stewards of the gifts God has provided." Hawkins concluded.

Jeffrey A. Hawkins is available for interviews on this topic by telephone or Skype. He is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement and security and formerly chief security officer for an international Christian ministry. He is frequently quoted in magazines, newspapers, radio, and television.

For a copy of the report "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States - 2009" or for an interview with Mr. Hawkins contact Nancy Kirkpatrick at (800) 805-7126 or nancy@christiansecuritynetwork.org

The Christian Security Network is a national organization dedicated to the advancement of security and emergency planning for Christian churches, schools, ministries and missionaries.

Christian Newswire

Fourth Catholic priest gunned down in South Africa in nine months

Cape Town (ENI). A French priest ministering to impoverished people, the Rev. Louis Blondel of the Missionaries of Africa, shot dead in his home by child robbers, is the fourth Roman Catholic cleric killed by South African criminals since March. Blondel, aged 70 was shot dead around in the early hours of 7 December in Dieplsloot, north of Johannesburg. He and another priest, the Rev. Guido Bourgeois, also 70, who was born in Canada, were awakened by three boys who forced their way into the priest's offices through a broken window in their living quarters at the Sacred Heart Catholic church premises. [465 words, ENI-09-0962]

Reported hate crimes against U.S. Catholics up by nearly 25 percent

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17850

WASHINGTON D.C., November 26 (CNA) - New FBI statistics on hate crimes show a nine percent increase in crimes against religious groups in 2008 and an almost 25 percent increase in reported hate crimes against Catholics.

Last year there were 1,519 incidents classified as hate crimes based on a victim’s religion, USA Today reports. Anti-Jewish attacks made up one of every six incidents, but there were 75 such crimes against Catholics. This is an increase from 61 in 2007.

Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights told USA Today that he had never seen the country so culturally divided and polarized.

Speaking in more detail with CNA, he remarked that increased outspokenness among Catholic bishops and laity may have caused some retaliation.

“Lay Catholics are following the energy from the bishops who are becoming more vocal than they have been,” he commented.

In Donohue’s view, same-sex “marriage,” abortion, and protections conscientious objections are particular issues of public controversy.

“Proposition 8 in California last November led to violence against Catholics – many who were Latinos,” Donohue commented, referring to the successful California ballot measure which restored the definition of marriage to being between a man and a woman.

“You have to accept that there are some nasty things done, but you can't let that scare you. They want to intimidate people of faith.”

Donohue said he thinks the culture is “at a turning point.”

“I see no way around it than to continue speaking out.”

Religious leaders say they must share blame for Kenya's woes

Nairobi (ENI). Religious leaders from different faiths have said they share culpability for Kenya's calamitous state of affairs and they have ended a national day of prayer with call to all for a new beginning in the east African country. "We religious leaders equally accept we share the blame. We have demonstrated partisan values, where it called for national interests," the leaders said in statement issued at national prayers held on 8 February by the Inter-Religious Forum, which bring together Christians, Muslims and Hindu. "We are therefore calling on Kenya to a new beginning." [538 words, ENI-08-0111]

Ecumenical News International
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Pope honors slain Filipino priest

Article posted January 18, 2008 - 10:40 PM
Pope Benedict XVI honored the “courage and faithfulness" of slain missionary Reynaldo Roda, commending his example to priests and young people.

In a statement Friday night, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the Pope also hoped the perpetrators would renounce their ways of violence.

“Paying tribute to the courage and faithfulness shown by this generous priest in his ministry as head of Notre Dame School, his holiness commends Father Roda’s example to priests and people throughout the region, and especially to the young," the message said.

The CBCP statement said the Pope was “saddened" to learn of the “brutal and tragic" killing of Roda in Tabawan Island, Tawi-Tawi Tuesday night.

It said the Pope's message was contained in a letter sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarciso Bertone to Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon.

“He calls upon the perpetrators to renounce the ways of violence and to play their part in building a just and peaceful society, where all can live together in harmony," the CBCP said. - GMANews.TV

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All Rights Reserved. 2006 © GMA Network Inc.

Iraq church has 'new martyrs', says Baghdad archbishop

Geneva (ENI). Christians are fleeing Iraq and Christianity risks disappearing from the country, says a senior Baghdad archbishop, reiterating appeals made recently to Western churches to intercede with their governments about the plight of the Iraqis. "We do have the courage of faith, the outpouring of love, but because of the war, you see death and destruction, the manifestation of evil. Our people are lacking hope, and so they are leaving," said Archbishop Avak V. Asadourian of the Armenian Church of Iraq in an interview with Ecumenical News International. "We have new martyrs in the church in Iraq," said Asadourian. "I know of no one incident in the last four years where priests have converted to another religion because they have been threatened," the archbishop stated, adding the same was true for lay people. "So in Iraq the faith of your brothers and sisters in Christ is strong enough to face martyrdom." [593 words, ENI-07-0956]

Ecumenical News International
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Tel: (41-22) 791 6088/6111
Fax: (41-22) 788 7244
Email: eni@eni.ch

Chinese Government Launches Nationwide Campaign Against Uncontrolled Religious Activities

Massive Arrests Occurr in Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, and Anhui

MIDLAND, Texas, Aug. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- China Aid learned that Chinese central government has launched a nationwide targeted campaign to clamp down the so-called "illegal religious activities" since mid-July 2007. Reports indicate massive arrests have occurred in at least 8 provinces including Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Jiangsu, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi and Anhui. Some are still being detained for receiving bibles while some were persecuted by having their water and electricity cut off by the government because of hosting Sunday schools at home.

Photo: the criminal detention notice to Xinjiang Christian businessman Zhou Heng for receiving 2 tons of Bibles

According to a report posted at the official website on July 6 by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Mr. LIU Jiaguo, deputy Minister of MPS, urged all local officials to start a one month campaign to "severely crack down illegal religion and evil religious activities" in order to eliminate the political unstable elements in the countryside. (The Chinese text of his speech can be viewed in both the official news report and MPS website)

According to CAA investigators reports:

Seven house church leaders have been detained since August 21 from a house church meeting in Inner Mongolia. Four pastors from Liaoning province including pastor QIN Tao(29 year-old), WANG Cong (34 year-old), WANG Shengjun(34 year-old), WANG Youjun(47 year-old) along with three Christian women leaders from Inner Mongolia were taken away from their worship location at Leizhiwa village, Kouhe town, Kulun Qi, Inner Mongolia. They are detained at the PSB office of Kulun Qi now.
One church leader was detained with two others and all three were wounded during a raid of a house church at Jianhu city, Jiangsu province on August 19 while the believers were having their Sunday worship service. That same church was attacked on July 11 when they hosted a summer VBS for 150 children.
Three church leaders from Henan, Anhui and Shanxi were detained for five days when they took some Sunday school literature from a house church at Zaolin village, Guanjin town, Xincai county, Henan province on August 17.
Three church leaders were detained from 5 to 10 days as administrative punishment on August 9 while they were having a worship meeting at Qinghe town, Yutai town, Shandong province. The names of the detained are pastor DU Dafeng, CHENG Zhenan and Ms. Yue Ying.
A well-known Christian businessman Mr. ZHOU Heng has been under criminal detention since August 3. He was arrested when he tried to pick up 2 tons of Bibles at a bus station sent by someone from another province to distribute to local believers. A number of local house church leaders and believers had been questioned since then. According to his detention paper sent to Mr. ZHOU's wife CHEN Jihong, brother Zhou Heng was put "on criminal detention on suspicion of illegal business operation at 21:00 on August 3, 2007." He could face up to 15 years imprisonment if convicted. Currently, ZHOU Heng is being detained at Xishan Detention Center by Urumqi Municipal Public Security Bureau, Xinjiang. The Chinese government only allows the official sanctioned churches to print and distribute limited number of bibles.
On July 14, 2007, Sister Kong Lingrong and several young Christians between the ages of 10 to 15 were reading the Bible and praying in the house when Li Zhizhong, head of Company 4, Regiment 31, 2nd Agricultural Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps of the Communist Party of China, Wang Cairong, deputy director of the company, Zhang Chunlan, the political director, and Jiang Wei, member of the security staff of the company, came in and said this was an illegal gathering and that children are not allowed to believe in Jesus. Sister Kong Lingrong told them that she was only reading some Bible passages to them and telling them how to be a true human being. Sister Kong also showed them a copy of "United Nations Convention on Children's Rights." They asked: "Where did you get these things?" They questioned the students and asked them which grades they are in and who are their class instructors. After that, the persecution against sister KONG intensified. Sister KONG was told she conducted illegal gatherings at her home. They also ordered her to write a statement of self-criticism and self- examination on this matter. On July 20, Wu Zhilu, deputy political commissar of the company, four policemen from the local police station, six leaders and over 20 people from the TV station, water station, and five to six other work units, stopped electricity and water services to Sister Kong Lingrong's house. It was reported in that night's news program on the company's TV channel.

Ruan Boping: Regiment leader of Regiment 31, 2nd Agricultural Division, Xinjiang Construction Corps. Office Tel: +86-996-435-0666
Political Commissar of Regiment 31, 2nd Agricultural Division, Xinjiang Construction Corps. Office Tel: +86- 996-435-0046
Comprehensive Management Office of Regiment 31, 2nd Agricultural Division, Xinjiang Construction Corps. Office Tel: +86-996-435-0015 Phone number of Sister Kong Lingrong's residence +86-996-435-3020
Public Security Bureau

"The Chinese church believers are faithful peace- makers in building a stable moral society in China," said Rev. Bob Fu, President of CAA. "We call upon the Chinese government to correct this grave misunderstanding by allowing these faithful to contribute more social service without fear of arrest and retribution."

© Issued by CAA on August 24, 2007

Christian Newswire

Persecution of Christians Increasing, but Most Americans Unaware

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia, July 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christians continue to be martyred abroad, but few American believers are aware of how pervasive religious persecution is around the world. "Christians in this nation don't realize how fortunate they are to live in the U.S.," observes Jim Jacobson, president of Christian Freedom International.

The Taliban's kidnapping of the South Korean aid workers in Afghanistan illustrates how that conflict is essentially religious. Yet "the U.S.-backed government is little friendlier to Christians," observes Jacobson. "Last year Christian convert Abdul Rahman barely evaded a death sentence, and only after Western nations placed substantial pressure on Kabul."

In Turkey attacks continue on Christians and churches. In an area along the Black Sea coast where an Italian Catholic priest was previously murdered, a Protestant church was vandalized and its pastor threatened. "Earlier this year three Christians were murdered in a particularly gruesome fashion by Muslim extremists," Jacobson points out.

Attacks on Christians are up in India. In one city a Catholic convent school was attacked; in another town Hindu fanatics murdered a Christian convert; elsewhere a Protestant minister was arrested for allegedly offering money for a conversion, after seeking to mediate a dispute within a Buddhist family; in another case Christian missionaries were beaten. "India might be a democracy," notes Jacobson, "but it is far from free religiously."

In Kazakhstan, Christians were tossed out of their home because they held an unauthorized prayer meeting. A Baptist minister was arrested in Azerbaijan while conducting services.

Malaysia's top court prevented a Muslim woman from legally converting to Christianity. Egypt similarly discourages conversions away from Islam; while mobs recently attacked Coptic Christians thought to be planning to build a church.

Pakistan is preparing to execute a Christian falsely accused of blaspheming Islam and the prophet Mohammed. China continues to close down Protestant home churches and promote the official "patriotic" Catholic church over the underground, legitimate church.

Vietnam recently arrested and tortured Montagnard Christians. In Indonesia scores of Christians have been arrested for blasphemy; Muslim extremists forced the Carmelite Prayer Centre in West Java to cancel a planned international conference. Christians were killed and wounded in a bomb attack in Ethiopia.

Far worse "is the plight of Christians in Iraq," says Jacobson. Christians are routinely murdered and kidnapped; Christian churches are regularly destroyed; hundreds of thousands of Christians have fled Iraq.

American Christians "belong to an international fellowship of believers," explains Jacobson, and "have an obligation to care for their brethren around the world." The U.S. government could speak out more, he notes, but often refuses to do so because of other political considerations.

"Which means that it is up to Americans, all Americans who believe in freedom of conscience and faith," says Jacobson. "It is ironic that in an age when many people once thought religion was on the wane, persecution has become a bigger issue than ever."

But this means that our role as Christians and as Americans is more important than ever. As persecution rises abroad, "we must make our voices in protest even more loudly known," he explains.

For more information about Christian persecution, visit www.christianfreedom.org.

Christian Newswire

Three Christians murdered in Turkish city

All Financial Times NewsThree people, including a German citizen, were killed in a savage attack on a Turkish publishing company with ties to the country's Christian community, in the latest in a series of bloody assaults on its tiny religious minorities.

Separately, in a development that could inflame Turkey's simmering ethnic tensions still further, four police officers were acquitted of any wrongdoing in the shooting deaths of a 12-year-old Kurdish boy and his father in 2004. The incident caused anguish in the country and attracted the attention of international human rights activists.

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Both developments highlight the precarious nature of religious and other minority freedoms in Turkey, which is 99 per cent Muslim and prone to chauvinistic nationalism. They follow the murder in January of Hrant Dink, a prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist, and coincide with continuing unrest and separatist feeling in the Kurdish provinces in the east and southeast.

The attack on the Zirve publishing house, which reportedly was involved in distributing bibles, occurred in Malatya, a city of about 1m in eastern Turkey. The three victims were found with their hands and feet bound and with their throats cut in an assault that bore hallmarks of the attacks carried out by Islamist extremists. The German embassy in Ankara said one of the victims was a German citizen.

Four people were being questioned about the incident late on Wednesday, and Turkish television reported that a link was being investigated to an organisation called Turkish Hezbollah, which seeks to establish an Islamist state in Kurdish Turkey.

Any motive for the attack, the worst on a Christian target for many years, was not clear. But Malatya has an unusual history that would give the incident some context. It used to be home to a large community of Armenian Christians. Most of them fled or were massacred as the Ottoman empire collapsed during the first world war.

Since then its population has become a mix of Turks and ethnic Kurds. Both communities identify their separate and often warring nationalisms with Islam. Malatya is the hometown of Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981, and of Mr Dink.

The four police officers were acquitted of all charges relating to the murders of Ahmet Kaymaz and his son Ugur in Kiziltepe, a Kurdish village close to Turkey's border with Syria. The case was seen as a test of Turkey's willingness to hold its security forces to account in the decades-old war between the Turkish state and Kurdish separatism.

A judge at the trial found on Wednesday that the officers acted in self-defence. Murat Yapmaz, an uncle of the dead boy, said in a telephone interview that the family felt it had not got justice.

"We will never accept this decision. It is very bad for Turkey," he said.

Copyright 2007 Financial Times