UK Peace Index highlights rate of fall in violent crime

Rates of murder and violent crime have fallen more rapidly in the UK in the past decade than anywhere else in Western Europe, researchers say. The UK Peace Index, from the Institute for Economics and Peace, found UK homicides per 100,000 people had fallen from 1.99 in 2003, to one in 2012. The UK was more peaceful overall, it said, with the reasons for it varied. The research by the international non-profit research organisation comes as a separate study by Cardiff University suggests the number of people treated in hospital in England and Wales after violent incidents fell by 14% in 2012. Violent crime rate in the UK was down by about one quarter - from 1,255 per 100,000 people in 2003, to 933 in 2012. These reductions came despite a 6% drop in the number of police officers per 100,000 people, it said.

Praise:

God for the reduction in violent crime across the UK. (Pr.10:11)

Spirit of adoption sweeps across Ukraine

A powerful movement is sweeping through Ukraine. Thousands of Christian families are caring for the fatherless. They want to see their nation without orphans. Svetlana and Evgeniy Isaev became the first family in Ukraine to adopt a child with HIV, and now have seven HIV-positive children. ‘If we want to see a Ukraine without orphans, Christians have to be part of the solution,’ they say. Pastor Gennadiy Mohnenko is also a foster parent. He and his wife adopted 31 children. ‘If this movement is to have a lasting impact, Christian leaders must set the example,’ he says.

Praise:

God for this move by Christians who have taken on the care of so many needy orphans. (Ja.1:27)

Single Christians experiencing 'anxiety'

Online dating service Christian Connection has spent the last few months surveying thousands of single Christians on their experiences in the church. The decline in younger people attending church means many single Christians are struggling not only to find a life partner, but to figure out their place and worth in largely family-focused churches. Survey respondents reported difficulties in finding other single Christians in their church and turning to online dating as ‘a last resort. There's such a pitiful lack of forums for meeting up with other single Christians,’ said one respondent. Another reported that ‘married with 2.4 kids’ was the norm in their church. Many of the women responding to the survey reported fierce competition to bag the single Christian men in the church. In addition many single Christians feel ‘socially anxious’ because of the pressure to be married. ‘This creates social anxiety for many single people in the church. Will I get married and fit in with the majority or not?’

Pray:

for churches to recognise the issues facing single people in their congregations and to work to support them. (Ps.103:5)

Church of England’s £8bn assault on 'culture of greed' in City bonuses

The Church of England has launched a major offensive against bonus culture in the City pledging to use its own multi-billion investments to attempt to block what it sees as excessive payouts. In an overhaul of its own investment policy announced Wednesday, the Church - which controls more than £8 billion of assets - announced it will attempt to vote down any bonus worth more than an executive’s basic salary. It issued an outspoken attack on what it called a ‘culture of entitlement and greed’ among the highest paid as it set out a list of demands which it will seek to implement in companies in which it owns shareholdings in the coming AGM season. Although, on its own, it is unlikely to revolutionise the City, the Church hopes that its stance – backed up by its financial presence – could start a ‘domino effect’ among disgruntled investors.

Pray:

that the stance taken by the Church will have the desired effect across the financial world. (Is.57:17)

Ban on teacher upheld in name of ‘British tolerance’

A Science teacher who was barred from teaching after expressing his beliefs on sexual ethics in the classroom has lost his case in the High Court. Robert Haye (43) was dismissed from Deptford Green School after he commented that homosexual practice was a ‘sin’ when responding to questions posed by his Year 11 pupils. The Teaching Agency subsequently placed an indefinite bar on Mr Haye from teaching at any school or sixth form - a ban that was later upheld by Education Secretary Michael Gove. In the first case of its kind, the High Court rejected Mr Haye’s appeal against the ban stating that his comments were ‘inappropriate’ and that he was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. In delivering the judgment, Mr Justice King said that the school had a policy requiring teachers to present positive information on homosexuality ‘to enable students to challenge derogatory stereotypes and prejudice.’

Pray:

for Christian teachers that they will be able to uphold their beliefs in the classroom without prejudice. (2Th.2:13)

Abortion on the basis of gender

Birth statistics in the UK show that abortions on the basis of gender could be taking place in some communities. The findings were made after Government officials analysed the boy-girl ratios of births between 2007 and 2011 and found women in certain communities were giving birth to an unusually higher number of males than females. The Department of Health has refused to release information on the nationalities of such women, stating ‘ it was not in the public interest to do so’. Last week a Ten Minute Rule Bill calling for the Government to monitor the sex of aborted babies was presented jointly by Conservative MP Fiona Bruce and Labour MP Jim Dobbin, with its aims being supported by more than 50 MPs. During the debate, Mrs Bruce said, ‘What should cause real distress is that babies are being aborted because they are the wrong gender. The most dangerous place for girl should not be in her mother’s womb. A second reading on the Bill will take place on 26th April

Pray:

for the Department of Health and the Government to open up an evidence based dialogue and then take appropriate action.

Sinn Fein backs the ‘Turn off the Red Light Campaign’

CARE in Northern Ireland was very pleased to see Sinn Fein overwhelmingly back a campaign to make buying sex a criminal offence at its Ard Fheis (Party Conference) on Saturday evening. Sinn Fein members voted to support the ‘Turn Off the Red Light Campaign’ - a coalition of organisations including political parties, Trade Unions, Christian Organisations and civil society groups seeking to criminalise the purchase of sexual services in the Republic of Ireland (http://www.turnofftheredlight.ie/). Its decision has made Sinn Fein the 67th organisation to join forces with the campaign. Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Fein’s spokesperson for Justice and Equality, said following the vote: ‘There are as many as 1000 women and girls for sale for sex in Ireland today. Prostitution is not a real choice for the vast majority of these women. The ‘Turn off the Red Light’ campaign argues that the most effective solution is to tackle the demand for paid sex that fuels prostitution and trafficking.’

Pray:

that the campaign to tackle trafficking and prostitution would not just reduce the problem but stopping it. (Hos.5:4)

Anglicans gather to plan new partnerships with health services

Nearly 200 church leaders and medics gathered in Birmingham, England, this week to plan new initiatives in health care. Against the backdrop of rising chronic illness in the UK, churches and Christian general medical practitioners (GPs) will outline their initiatives to reverse this trend. Conference convener, and coordinator of the Anglican Health Network, Revd Paul Holley, said, ‘Whilst the UK’s National Health Service delivers medical services, people’s mental and physical health depends far more on their lifestyles. Poor diets, lack of exercise and relentless stress are taking their toll. More people live alone and lack the support of intimate and community relationships to promote wellbeing’. Mr Holley pointed out that churches have supported people in their various circumstances through prayer, ‘but now they are increasingly taking practical action to tackle these causes of poor health. The conference will make visible the wide range of activity already in play.’

Pray:

for the opportunities that the Church has in partnering health services bringing God‘s perspective and the power of prayer into health care. (3Jn.1:2)

Guides join campaign to end topless pictures in The Sun

Girlguiding UK is backing a campaign to remove pictures of topless women from page 3 of The Sun newspaper. An online poll of more than 2,000 guides aged between 16 and 25 showed 88 per cent believed the editor of The Sun, Dominic Mohan, should end page 3. Girlguiding Advocate!, a group within the movement which is involved with public affairs, emailed Mr Mohan last week. It said of The Sun: ‘Anyone can pick it up and turn to page three and think that it is normal for young women to be treated as objects. We feel that this is just wrong and has to stop.’ Girlguide Katie Wormald, 17, came up with the idea of taking the poll. She said: ‘Children shouldn’t grow up thinking that this is the norm and that it is right.’ She added: ‘Young girls shouldn’t grow up thinking that they will achieve more by being sexually objectified’.

Pray:

that this campaign will succeed in removing such pictures.

Christians launch landmark human rights case

Christians are to launch a landmark legal case arguing their religion is being treated as a ‘thought crime’ by Government and Courts. Campaigners will submit papers to the European Court of Human Rights in a final attempt to overturn rulings they say have restricted religious freedom for Christians and effectively persecuted those wanting to publicly practise their religion. The move comes in the case of three Christians whose cases have become testing grounds over the restrictions which can be put on public displays of faith. Papers in the three cases are to be submitted this week that will claim British Courts are applying double standards towards Christians for ‘political’ reasons, and that human rights rules have been used to effectively outlaw beliefs which have been held for millennia while affording special recognition to minority opinions on anything from fox hunting to climate change.

Pray:

for the submission to Grand Chamber and for a positive outcome. (Ro.8:28)

Nearly 15,000 French mayors will refuse to marry gay couples

A group of at least 14,900 French mayors has said it will not perform ‘gay marriages,’ even if the government moves ahead with plans to legalize the practice, reports Catholic News Agency. The administration of French President Francois Hollande has put forth a measure that would legalize ‘gay marriage,’ allow gay couples to receive medical treatment for artificial procreation and to adopt children. ‘It is foolish to think that the mobilization of the elected mayors would stop if the law is passed,’ said Franck Meyer, spokesman for the association Mayors for Children. ‘As citizens, we elected officials will not give up,’ he emphasized in statements to the media. Meyer, who is mayor of Sotteville-sous-le-Val in northern France, observed that some of the mayors in the group have said they would resign if the law is adopted, while others have said they will refuse to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.

Pray:

for the French mayors as they take a stand against gay marriage. Pray that their decision will bring pressure on the government. (Heb.13:4)

NIG ERIA:Militants kill unarmed youths

On Monday Fulani militants killed seven unarmed youths in Imande Dem, which is in the Guma local government area of Benue state. The youths, who were ethnic Tiv, a predominantly Christian group native to Benue, had reportedly been trying to recover the bodies of two others who had allegedly been killed previously by the same Fulanis. Also on Monday, an attack in Jol, which is south of Jos city in Plateau state, left ten people dead. We are asked to pray for those bereaved and traumatised by these violent attacks. May the communities affected by these killings be united against intolerance.

Pray:

for all working tirelessly to support communities affected by violence, may they restore people's hope. May God guide, sustain and strengthen them as they repair broken walls. (Is.58:12)

China: Earthquake

200+ are reported dead and 12,000+ injured, 1.5 million people have been affected. 130,000 homes have been damaged with 6,000 to 7,000 homes totally collapsed after Saturday’s earthquake in China. It is uncertain how many people are missing. As the days go by, it is likely the death toll and number of injured will rise. Rain and landslides are hampering search and rescue efforts by 6,000 troops. 1,800 miles of road and 327 bridges have been damaged. Power lines are damaged and there are losses of water service to 10,000 residents. Only emergency vehicles are being allowed into Ya’an, although Chengdu airport has reopened. Also this week Bibles for China reported they were hoping to hand out Bibles in the region and are not sure how the destruction will affect their plans. See: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18459

Pray:

for all physical, emotional and spiritual resources to be released into the area at this time of pain and loss. (Ps.6:2-4)

Central African Republic:Conflict update

On Tuesday UNICEF warned that education was becoming another casualty of the conflict, with half the country’s schools shuttered and hundreds of thousands of students at risk of missing out the entire year. ‘The new Government must prioritise protection of and investment in the education system in order to respect and fulfill children’s basic right to education and provide this generation of children with hope for a healthy future.’ a representative said. Since the Séléka rebel coalition launched an offensive in December, 1.2 million people have been cut off from essential services and human rights violations have been widspread. Last weekend three artillery shells crashed into the Evangelical Federation of Brothers Church in Bangui killing seven members, also 20+ people died after gun battles last weekend where many children were wounded and transferred to the paediatric hospital for treatment. Many residents have fled the Boy-Rabe and Cité Jean 23 areas of the capital - the two worst affected by recent violence. See: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/04/article_2415723.htm l/

Pray:

for all the families caught up in this conflict. May NGOs and those now in authority successfully work together to provide a safe environment. (Ps.121:1-2)

Somalia: Christian convert jailed and tortured

Dozens of Somali Christian refugees who took refuge in Kenya are now returning to their home country after a new central government in Mogadishu took over from the Transitional Federal Government in August 2012. On March 23rd Hassan Gulled (25) was taken by rebels who still control parts of central southern Somalia. He had been living in Christian-majority Kenya since 2007 and returned to Somalia in late February to visit his family. His wife is still in Kenya. Hassan became a Christian in 2010 and married in 2011. His Christian activities were noticed by al-Shabaab extremists in Kenya, who contacted their counterparts in Somalia. His movements there were monitored by the group for three weeks before he was jailed.

Pray:

for the immediate release of Hassan and others jailed for their beliefs; pray also that al-Shabaab would cease imposing harsh restrictions on areas under its control. (Mt.5:43-44)

Pakistan: Force conversion against loan

4.5 million kiln workers and their families are bonded labour at around 18,000 brick kilns across Pakistan. They are paid between Rs. 230-450 per 1,000 bricks regardless of how long and how many members of the family it takes to complete the task, fetching mud, soaking it, shaping bricks, transporting bricks to kiln, baking and grading each brick. In cases of severe weather or illness, workers earn nothing and a credit line from their employers acts as a noose that forces families deeper into debt. This is a form of slave labour. Babar Amanat, Sabir Masih and their families work for 18 hours a day to achieve a target, which they hardly meet. Due to illness of his father, Babar got a loan which he couldn’t payoff and went deeper into debt. The owners demanded his money back or convert to Islam. The kiln workers live in or around the kilns; there are no latrines in brick kilns’ houses. The women workers are often trapped and sexually harassed.

Pray:

for NGOs to help the people in trouble, relocating them if necessary reducing such persecution in society.

Syria: Lebanese Hizbollah leading al-Assad offensive

A major attack by the Syrian regime on a town west of Homs is being led by the Lebanese Shia militia Hizbollah, according to the opposition Syrian National Coalition and activists. The area is a key supply route to rebel forces in and around Homs and also on the main road from Damascus to pro-regime Alawite districts further north. Hizbollah fighters are better trained in guerrilla warfare than the regime’s and have taken over from regime forces on the ground and are leading the battle in Qusayr, with its elite forces. It’s not necessarily fighters coming from Lebanon. It’s Hizbollah fighters from Shiite villages on the Syrian side which are inhabited by Lebanese. The war has put great pressure on Lebanon’s fragile internal politics, with Hizbollah supporting the Assad regime and Sunni Muslims supporting the rebels, in some cases with arms and money. The Omar Farouq Brigade, a prominent rebel militia, admitted shelling Shia villages inside Lebanon, a move condemned by Human Rights Watch on Monday. See item 7 below.

Pray:

against groups in Lebanon getting further involved in the Syrian conflict, pray for protection for the civilians increasingly paying the price of indiscriminate attacks.

Israel: Syria used chemical weapons several times

A senior Israeli military intelligence official said on Tuesday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons last month in his battle against insurgent groups. It was the first time that Israel has accused the embattled Syrian leader of using his stockpile of non-conventional weapons. The assessment could raise pressure on the US and other Western countries to intervene in the Syrian conflict. Britain and France recently announced they had evidence that al-Assad's government had used chemical weapons. Although the US says it has not been able to verify these claims, President Obama has warned that the introduction of chemical weapons by al-Assad would be a ‘game changer.’ Israel borders southwestern Syria, although al-Assad is a bitter enemy, Israel has been careful not to take sides - the border with Israel has been quiet for 40 years.

Pray:

Israeli officials are concerned al-Assad's stockpile of chemical weapons and other advanced arms could reach the hands of al-Assad's ally, the Hizbollah guerrilla group in Lebanon. See item 6 above.