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Saturday 13 February 2016

A new beginning?


Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Pope Francis met at the Jose Marti
 airport in Havana Feb. 12, 2016 – the first-ever papal meeting with the head of the Russian
 Orthodox Church, a historic development in the 1,000-year schism within Christianity.
 (Crux / Max Rossi / AP)

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:21

The key points in the declaration signed by Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill after their historic meeting on Friday 12 Feb 2016 reported by Crux include:
  • An acknowledgement that “we have been divided by wounds caused by old and recent conflicts, by differences inherited from our ancestors.”
  • Deep concern for “Christians [who] are victims of persecution.” The two leaders said, “In many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated. Their churches are being barbarously ravaged and looted, their sacred objects profaned, their monuments destroyed.”
  • A plea for greater inter-religious dialogue: “Differences in the understanding of religious truths must not impede people of different faiths to live in peace and harmony,” the two men said.
  • Worry about secular hostility to religion: “We observe that the transformation of some countries into secularized societies, estranged from all reference to God and to His truth, constitutes a grave threat to religious freedom. It is a source of concern for us that there is a current curtailment of the rights of Christians, if not outright discrimination.”
  • Defense of immigrants and refugees: “We cannot remain indifferent to the destinies of millions of migrants and refugees knocking on the doors of wealthy nations,” they said.
  • A strong call for preserving the “natural family” based on marriage between a man and a woman, and the “right to life,” including opposition to abortion and euthanasia.
  • An invitation to “prudence, social solidarity and action aimed at constructing peace” in Ukraine.
Full report here

In the words of St Benedict "Always we begin again" -

 "that the world may believe that thou hast sent me".

9 comments:

  1. Meanwhile.................http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/news/2016/02/iris-prize-outreach-film-project/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stop the Abuse of Office15 February 2016 at 17:04

      “Film is a democratic medium which in our experience allows people to express ideas about how they feel. This ambitious project will take us into many communities and I hope that by the end we will have helped many thousands of people to understand the diverse make up of LGBT communities, leading to improved community relations.”

      Llandaff Cathedral will be an ideal venue for at least one episode with its thriving LGBT community.

      Delete
    2. Can Iris Prize meet the challenge to record one of their 36 short films in a muslim community?
      Let's see just how many thousands there they can help understand the diverse make up of LGBT communities?

      Mark Williams, Project Facilitator, Iris in the Community commented:
      “This is an exciting time as we meet potential communities to work with. I’m determined that every community in Wales will have an opportunity to take part."

      How many of his muslim friends will Barry Morgan urge to get involved?

      Delete
    3. There should be a minorities film project focussing on the CinW. The LGBTQI community in Wales is SIX times bigger than the CinW. For minority labelling purposes we should now refer LGBTQICinW.

      Delete
    4. Stop the Abuse of Office16 February 2016 at 19:41

      StraightTraditionalCinW is probably an even smaller minority thanks to Barry Morgan's agenda.

      Delete
  2. It would be good to know how much CiW money is being put into this project, and to let Parishes know how their funds are being spent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I doubt Llandaff will be contributing anything despite the LGBT staff.
      Last week's PCC meeting was all about fundraising and Gerwhine pleading for every PCC member to increase their giving by £20 a month.
      The ears in the walls report rumours of claims to be made that the Cathedral has broken even this year but of course even such an unlikely claim could only be true temporarily due to the sell off of the Llandaff Memorial Hall.
      Numbers and giving are still both heading rapidly South.

      Delete
    2. Very interesting 1662.
      According to the ears in the walls of the Cathedral office, the staff all now refer to Gerwhine as "Marvin".
      As in the Paranoid Android.
      It is alleged that Gerwhine has become so paranoid about leaks that he demands to see every single email sent from staff computers before his staff are permitted to press "Send".
      And the ears in the walls of the Chapter House report that yesterday's Chapter meeting was postponed with still no sign of the long overdue Quinquennial report.

      Delete
    3. One hears bully boy Bazza is becoming increasingly desperate to shore up his glove puppet's regime. If the 30 minute sermon delivered by His ++Irrelevance to the Cathedral Stewards at their recent dinner (demanding unquestioning support for Gerwhine) is any means of judging the situation, Morgan is running scared.

      Delete