Iconic US civil rights leader, the Rev Jesse Jackson, will give his public backing to UK-based global Development agency Christian Aid this autumn.Iconic US civil rights leader, the Rev Jesse Jackson, will give his public backing to the UK-based global Development agency, Christian Aid, this autumn.Jackson, who was famously with Martin Luther King when he was assassinated, and has been an outspoken campaigner for social justice, will be the keynote speaker at Christian Aid's Supporter Day on Wednesday, 20 October 2010.The Day is a chance to celebrate the NGO's achievements in working for and with the world's poor – and to back its initiatives for change on everything from trade, aid and debt to the corporate tax avoidance that cripples many poorer communities while lining the pockets of the wealthy.This will be Christian Aid's main event of 2010, a spokesperson told Ekklesia.Prior to an afternoon's campaign action there will be a supporter event at Methodist Central Hall in central London, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The Day runs from 11am to 4pm.Jesse Jackson will address supporters alongside Christian Aid's new director, Loretta Minghella, and head of Christian Aid Scotland, the Rev Kathy Galloway - a former leader of the Iona Community.There will also be an opportunity to hear about the day-to-day reality of the fight against poverty and injustice from partner staff and community members from India, Zambia and Haiti.For registration details go to:http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/dosomething/october-event.aspxYou can also buy Christian Aid charity gifts and support present aid online.[Ekk/3]

The Lutheran World Federation has chosen a Palestinian Bishop and campaigner for peace, justice and inter-faith dialogue, as its next president.The Lutheran World Federation has chosen Palestinian Bishop Munib A. Younan, a campaigner for peace, justice and inter-faith dialogue, as its next president -writes Peter Kenny.The 59 year-old bishop was the only candidate for the post and becomes the first Arab to lead the Geneva-based body that groups 70 million Protestants worldwide.He was elected on 24 July 2010 at the LWF's 11th assembly, its highest decision-making body, meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, from 20 to 27 July.Younan told delegates he was introduced to the LWF as a refugee when he drank chocolate milk at the Martin Luther School in Jerusalem and that this inspired him to enter the church ministry."That this election took place in Germany is especially meaningful and emotional for me, since my church grew out of the German mission to the Holy Land,"Younan told delegates on 24 July.Younan will replace Mark Hanson, the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who has served a seven-year period as president of the LWF. Younan's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land with 3000 members is one of the smallest of the LWF churches."It is essential that I as an Arab Christian can be used by other Christians for dialogue with people of other faiths so that we can have dialogue that can be for the benefit of all people. We carry that expertise,"Younan told ENInews after his election.Younan was ordained in 1976 after studying theology in Finland. He also studied at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He speaks Finnish as well as Arabic and English.[With acknowledgements to ENI.Ecumenical News Internationalis jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.][Ekk/3]

In this groundbreaking new report on the long-running and (of late) controversial BBC Radio 4Thought for the Dayfeature, researcher Lizzie Clifford moves forward the debate about whether the prime-time ‘God slot’ should be preserved, reformed or abolished by carrying out a careful examination of the actual broadcast scripts themselves – with surprising results. Many of the claims made by both stout defenders and vigorous opponents of the currentThought for the Dayformat – which excludes non-religious and minority religious voices – prove questionable. What some regard as the feature’s weakness, its attenuated theological content, can in other respects assist with bridge-building and conversation between people of different belief commitments. On the other hand, the restriction of presenters to those who represent groups with a long-established liturgical and doctrinal base seems unnecessary, given that the actual content of their scripts does not always make such a requirement. Humanists and those from ‘alternative’ religious backgrounds also deserve to be heard. It is not enough forThought for the Dayto survive simply as a bastion of ‘religious’ speech, argues this report. TftD can be valuable, so long as it manages to offer a new angle on the stories making the news, triggering fresh ways of thinking, and by utilising high-quality writers and broadcasters, capable of contributing an arresting script that genuinely prompts reflection. Overall, if TftD is going to survive as prime-time broadcasting, and make a genuinely valuable contribution, it must not compromise its potential to challenge the status quo and to strive for peace and humility in the face of tensions over difference. Equally, dispute overThought for the Dayis a significant one, the report suggests, because it is symptomatic of wider questions surrounding the more general place of religious broadcasting and of religious speech in an increasingly plural society.Lizzie Clifford

Amnesty International is calling on French President Nicolas Sarkozy to combat widespread discrimination against Roma and Travellers in FranceAmnesty International is calling on French President Nicolas Sarkozy to work to combat discrimination against Roma and Travellers (Gens du Voyage) in France ahead of a meeting to discuss “problems” relating to their “behaviour”.On Wednesday 22 July 2010, the French leader said he would hold a special meeting next week to discuss “problems related to the behaviour of certain Roma and Travellers in France and “to decide on the closure of all irregular camps”.President Sarkozy’s announcement came after violent protests by Travellers in Saint-Aignan, in the Loire Valley, sparked by the police shooting of a young male Traveller in the passenger seat of a car that reportedly refused to stop when requested to do so.“We are troubled that the President of France’s reaction to a quite specific set of incidents would appear [to] target, and perpetuate negative stereotypes about, Roma and Travellers in general,” said an Amnesty spokesperson.The French authorities should be looking instead to combat the long-standing legal and societal discrimination that they face, while ensuring thorough and impartial investigations into both the circumstances of the shooting and any offences committed in response,” declared the NGOs David Diaz-Jogeix.Around 400,000 itinerant French Travellers are already subject to discriminatory requirements to report periodically to the police and to be registered with a municipality for three years before acquiring the right to vote.Travellers also face a shortage of authorised halting sites enabling them to maintain their traditional lifestyles and professions.Some 20,000 Roma from Eastern and Central Europe are currently estimated to be residing in France, many of them in unauthorised camps.Amnesty (http://www.amnesty.org/) also urged the French authorities to respect international law during any evictions of Roma or Travellers.Evictions, even from unlawful settlements, should only take place after all other alternatives have been exhausted, following consultations with all affected residents, and the offer of adequate alternative accommodation.“No-one should be left homeless as a result of an eviction and evictions must on no account be carried out in order to encourage migrants to leave the country,” declared Mr Diaz-Jogeix.[Ekk/3]

Human rights groups want Parliament to reject a proposal that would hamper arrest warrants for suspected war criminals and torturers visiting the country.Human rights groups are urging the UK parliament to reject a government proposal which would hamper arrest warrants being issued for suspected war criminals and torturers visiting the country, warning that it could lead to the UK being seen as a safe haven for international criminals.The UK Ministry of Justice proposed on 22 July 2010 to give the Director of Public Prosecutions veto power over private arrest warrants requested against alleged international criminals who visit the UK, claiming that the system is open to abuse by people trying to make political points on the basis of flimsy evidence.“This proposal is unnecessary and sends the wrong signals. The UK government is trying to make it more difficult for those suspected of war crimes to be arrested on British soil” said Christopher Keith Hall, Amnesty International's Senior Legal Adviser.“The current procedure allows victims of crimes under international law to act quickly against those suspected of them, who could otherwise enter and leave the UK before police and prosecutors could act. It should remain unchanged” said Mr Hall.Under current UK law, victims of war crimes, torture and hostage-taking can mount private prosecutions against suspected perpetrators in any country, regardless of nationality or where the crime was committed, under the international rule of universal jurisdiction.Campaigners and legal advocates reject claims that the existing system has been subject to abuse.“Magistrates have carefully screened each request for such a warrant, refused some and issued others which met strict standards of evidence. There have been no examples - and the UK government has cited none - where magistrates have issued arrest warrants based on'flimsy evidence’” said Christopher Keith Hall.Victims already need to meet a high threshold of evidence in order to obtain an arrest warrant, critics say.Amnesty (http://www.amnesty.org/) warned that the UK government has in the past refused to prosecute those suspected of torture, such as former Chilean President Augusto Pinochet.[Ekk/3]

Pope Benedict will be greeted by buses carrying posters calling for the ordination of women during his visit to London in September.Pope Benedict will be greeted by buses carrying posters calling for the ordination of women during his visit to London in September.The campaign is being organised by Catholic Women's Ordination (CWO), which has paid around £10,000 for the slogan"Pope Benedict Ordain Women Now"to appear on the famous red 10 buses for one month, from 30 August 2010.Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Britain on 16 September spending two days in the capital, before moving on to Birmingham and Edinburgh.The bus posters are due to appear on routes that go past Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Hall. Both venues feature on the papal itinerary.CWO spokesperson Pat Brown said that a press conference would be held during the papal visit at which the group would make its case for ordaining women.Last week the Vatican issued a document that dealt mostly with paedophilia, but also stated that the"attempted ordination of a woman"to the priesthood was one of the most serious crimes in church law.A Vatican official subsequently clarified its position, saying the crimes were of a different nature and gravity - though this did little to assuage the astonishment and anger caused by the statement, which has been seen as another massive'own goal'.Catholic Women's Ordination (http://www.catholic-womens-ordination.org.uk/) received more donations and dozens of membership inquiries as a result of the incident."We love the church and don't want to be disruptive,"said Pat Brown."We are trying to get support and would love to have five minutes with the pope. We are very concerned about what is going on in the church at the moment."It is not thought likely that the Pope will be using a bus himself during the course of his trip.Visit organisers have not yet confirmed whether the famous'Popemobile'from his predecessor's 1982 visit will be in use, or what advertising opportunities it might afford.More on Catholic Women's Ordination:http://www.catholic-womens-ordination.org.uk/[Ekk/3]

In a public statement, the WCC Central Committee says Pakistan's blasphemy law has become “a major source of victimisation and persecution”."Great dismay"at the shooting and killing of two young Christians in Faisalabad on 19 July was expressed by the World Council of Churches General Secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit in letters to Pakistan's president and its prime minister.Pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother Sajid Emmanuel were shot dead on court premises by unidentified gunmen when they were taken there by police to face a charge of blasphemy against Islam.In his letters, Tveit appealed to the Pakistani authorities"to ensure immediate and necessary actions to bring to justice those who are responsible"for the murders.He also reiterated the concern that the"misuse of the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan has led to physical violence, damage, destruction of properties and loss of life", and called on the Pakistani leaders"to initiate measures towards the repeal of the Blasphemy Laws and to secure the rights and dignity of all individuals in Pakistan society".In a public statement on"The misuse of the Blasphemy Law and the security of religious minorities in Pakistan", the WCC Central Committee considered that the law had become “a major source of victimisation and persecution” of religious minorities who are living “in a state of fear and terror”, in September 2009."We do not know what to do. We are helpless,"Victor Azariah, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Pakistan, which groups four Protestant churches, told Ecumenical News International (ENI) on 21 July from his office in Lahore.Church groups say Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law, which provides for a mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment even for unintentional blasphemy offences, is often misused against Christians and others to settle property and personal disputes.[Ekk/3]

Contact: Allison K. Aranda, Staff Counsel, Life Legal Defense Foundation, 951-541-9327BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- The City of Birmingham's Legal Department dismissed all criminal charges against nine members of the Survivors who were arrested in February 2009 and jailed overnight for displaying pro-life signs and handing out literature on a public sidewalk outside a high school in Birmingham. The pro-life youth activists were represented by Life Legal Defense Source: Life Legal Defense Foundation

As the coalition's plans for reducing public services to an ineffectual rump and for implementing cuts in benefits which will cause real hardship to the most vulnerable begin to take horrifying shape,

Contact: Dr. Gary G. Dull, 814-207-0107, garygdull@aol.comMEDIA ADVISORY, July 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Faith and Freedom Institute of Altoona, PA was founded in Washington, DC in 2009 under the direction of Dr. Gary G. Dull and Rev. David Kistler to stand for the principles of Faith and Freedom that have made America great.Since November 2009 President Barack Obama has been using a phrase which cuts at the very heart of the United States Constitution. Instead of speaking of the Source: The Faith and Freedom Institute

Contact: Mike Tilley, 404-591-3057OPINION, July 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- What happens to a tree when its root system is destroyed? The tree can no longer access the nutrients it needs, and it begins to weaken. The leaves wilt, the branches droop, the fruit ceases to grow. Eventually, the tree dies.America was formed and developed from biblical roots, but today our leaders chop away at our foundation. They deny the core of our purpose. They allow invasive roots to choke out the Truth. Source: Leading The Way

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu has announced his intention to wind down his public engagements, when he turns 79 in October 2010.Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu has announced his intention to wind down his public engagements, when he turns 79 in October 2010."I think I have done as much as I can, and I really do need time for other things that I have wanted to do,"Dr Tutu told a media briefing at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town.He also thanked South Africans for their contribution to the world.The internationally renowned campaigner for social justice, peace and human rights has recently been an active member of'the elders', an informal group of senior statespersons - including the Dalai Lama and former UN chief Kofi Annan - who have built up great personal influence and are now able to use it to make humanitarian interventions across the globe.Archbishop Emeritus Tutu is also a key figure in world Christianity. Former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, and a strong anti-apartheid activist in South Africa and internationally, he is a figure even those who are critical or organised religion and belief frequently warm to.Campaigners for gay rights have lauded his outspoken criticism of the negative stance some churches and faith groups have taken to homosexuality, and his refusal of a stereotyped version of African Christianity being promoted by Christian conservatives.Dr Tutu also played a key role in the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, which has acted as an inspiration to other similar initiatives in conflict situations across the globe.He was an enthusiastic backer of the recent football World Cup in South Africa, but has argued that combatting poverty and exclusion is the real'legacy'issue.Desmond Tutu has had his own personal struggles too - including one against cancer.In his later years he has continued to write and lecture across the world.----Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has written a foreword to Ekklesia's recent book,Fear or Freedom? Why a warring church must change, edited by Simon Barrow and published by Shoving Leopard.[Ekk/3]

Forgiveness is vital to human flourishing, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has told a global gathering of Lutheran Christians.The act of forgiveness is one of the most deep-seated acts of people nourishing one another as human beings, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has told a global gathering of Lutheran Christians -writes Peter Kenny."To forgive and to be forgiven is to allow yourself to be humanised by those whom you may least want to receive as signs of God's gift but this process is intrinsically connected with the prayer for daily bread,"said the leader of the Anglican Communion, when he addressed the highest governing body of the Lutheran World Federation in Stuttgart, Germany, on 22 July 2010.The Anglican and Lutheran communions have close ties in a number of parts of the world. In Europe, it is through the Porvoo Communion. This is a grouping of churches, mostly in northern Europe, that have signed an agreement to"share a common life in mission and service."Those signing the agreement include Anglican churches in Britain and Ireland, and Lutheran churches in Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as two Anglican churches on the Iberian Peninsula.In North America, the US-based Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share"full communion"agreements, as do Anglican and Lutheran churches in Canada.As archbishop of Canterbury, Williams is the spiritual head of the Church of England.In his keynote speech to the once-every-six-years LWF assembly in Stuttgart, Williams spoke on the theme of the gathering,"Give us today our daily bread,"a part of the Lord's Prayer."When offence is given and hurt is done, the customary human response is withdrawal, the reinforcing of the walls of the private self, with all that this implies about asserting one's own humanity as a possession rather than receiving it as gift,"said Williams."The unforgiven and the unforgiving cannot see the other as someone who is part of God's work of bestowing humanity on them."Williams added that to forgive has been noted as a sign of humanity,"touched by God - free from anxiety about identity and safety,"when people can reach one another,"as God does in Jesus Christ."Forgiveness involves exchanging"the bread of life and the bread of truth,"the archbishop told his audience."Neither the forgiver nor the forgiven acquires the power that simply cuts off the past and leaves us alone to face the future. Both have discovered that their past, with all its shadows and injuries, is now what makes it imperative to be reconciled so that they may live more fully from and with each other,"said Dr Williams.The full text of his address may be found here:http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2948[With acknowledgements to ENI.Ecumenical News Internationalis jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Conference of European Churches.][Ekk/3]

Contact: J.P. Duffy, Family Research Council, 866-372-6397WASHINGTON, July 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today Family Research Council and The Liberty Institute announced the filing of a motion for argument in a recent National Day of Prayer (NDP) case citing the Obama Administration's weak defense of the NDP as the cause. Last April, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. The district court's decision is now being reviewed by the U.S. Court o Source: Family Research Council

Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, JerryD@odusa.orgSANTA ANA, Calif., July 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Since March, the intensity of persecution in Morocco has increased significantly. Consider the following:The deportation of at least 128 foreign Christians, including almost half of them Americans, from Morocco. An increase in interrogations and surveillance of Christian nationals. A reported 7,000 Muslim le Source: Open Doors USA