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Kenyan church leaders seek more inclusive constitutional talks
Nairobi (ENI). A number of Kenyan church leaders have warned their government
about its plan to select only a few experts to complete the writing of a
long-awaited new constitution for the country. "We find the selection of only a
few individuals to write the laws as ridiculous. After all, this is the supreme
law for all Kenyans," said Anglican Bishop Gideon Ireri of Mbeere, who chairs a
multi-faith group known as the Ufungamano Forum for Religious Organizations.
[Taken from ENI, 8/28/2008]
World Orthodox leader says irrational use of resources is sinful
Geneva (ENI). More and more people know that the irrational use of natural
resources and unchecked energy consumption contribute to climate change, and
that this impacts on life and the survival of humanity created in the image of
God. It is therefore tantamount to sin, says the man considered by many to be
the leader of Orthodox Christians.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I of Constantinople, who is based in Istanbul,
Turkey, made his remarks in a letter released in Geneva and sent to all churches
ahead of the forthcoming day of prayer for God's creation, on 1 September. [Taken from ENI, //28/2008]
UK woman to monitor peace in Middle East instead of retirement
London (ENI). At an age when some people might put up their feet, Judith
Hammond, a 65-year-old grandmother and former nurse, is to exchange a quiet life
of semi-retirement in Bradford-on-Avon, England, for sometimes dangerous peace
work in the Middle East. Hammond will join 13 other human rights observers from
Britain and Ireland for a three-month period of duty in Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territory on 22 August. The group will be part of the Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme initiated by the World Council of Churches and managed
by the Religious Society of Friends, a faith-based group commonly known as the
Quakers that has long standing ties with peace movements around the world. [Taken from ENI, 8/20/2008]
First indigenous woman earns degree at Baptist Seminary of Mexico
Mexico City (ENI-ALC). Dalia Eunice Juárez Fernández, who belongs to the Náhuatl
ethnic group of the Tehuacán Valley in Puebla, is the first indigenous woman to
graduate from the Baptist Seminary of Mexico, the ALC news agency reports. Dalia
Eunice earned a degree in Theology and Indigenous Pastoral Ministry and she
wrote a thesis entitled, "The Study of the Case of the Diaconate of Popoloca
indigenous women in the Gethsemane Church of San Juan Atzingo, Puebla", ALC
reported on 13 August. [Taken from ENI, 8/14/2008]
Catholic group urging transitional Zimbabwe government
Harare (ENI). A Roman Catholic rights group in Zimbabwe has called for a
transitional authority to lead efforts to end the country's political and
economic crises as talks aimed at forming a power-sharing government were in a
deadlock late on 13 August. "A transitional authority must be put in place and
time-framed to last not le not more than three years," the Catholic Commission
for Justice and Peace had said in a statement at the weekend. "This will allow
for a process of national healing, political reconciliation and economic
rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is to have a happy, united, just and
prosperous Zimbabwe regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, religion and any
other considerations," the group said. [Taken from ENI, 8/13/208]
India-born director's film examines lives of gay, lesbian Muslims
New York (ENI). A documentary film about gay and lesbian Muslims is garnering
praise from some critics for its sensitive and nuanced examination of Islam and
the lives of those who want to honour both their sexuality and their religious
faith. Reviewer Nathan Lee of The New York Times called "A Jihad for Love" a
"heartfelt debut" by New York-based filmmaker Parvez Sharma, an openly gay
Muslim who was born and raised in India. The film's title seeks to embrace the
idea of "jihad" as a personal struggle in the context of the Islamic religious
faith. "In Western media, the concept of 'jihad' is often narrowly equated with
holy war," the film's Web site. "But Jihad also has a deeper meaning, its
literal Arabic being 'struggle' or 'to strive in the path of God'." [Taken from ENI, 8/13/2008]
New AIDS chief says faith groups can support best health practices
Mexico City (ENI). Faith-based organizations can play an important role in the
response to HIV and AIDS if they abide by the best public health practices, says
Dr Julio Montaner, the new president of the International AIDS Society. "We know
what needs to be done to respond effectively to the HIV epidemic. What is
lacking is political leadership," said Montaner told Ecumenical News
International in an interview during the 17th International AIDS Conference held
in Mexico City. Montaner said that after 20 years of scientific research, an
immense amount of knowledge about all aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is
available. However, implementation is taking place at "the pace of a tortoise",
he warns. [Taken from ENI, 8/12/2008]
Indonesian pastor battles 'macho' society for women's rights
Kupang (ENI). The Rev. Ina Ngefar-Bara Pa of the Timor Evangelical Christian
Church says she had to grapple with a "macho" society and a conservative
congregation when she wanted to establish a programme to support women's rights
in her congregation in Indonesia's West Timor province. "Reaching out to the men
in our own congregation about gender and women's rights was a tough challenge as
they accused me of wrecking homes," said the Rev. Ina, as she is popularly
known. "And it was difficult pioneering this programme perceived by many of my
congregation as pornographic," she says, referring to the reaction to her sex
education programmes for young people. Still, she persevered, and gradually
convinced doubters about the urgency of her programme that now runs a shelter
for abused women, pregnant teenagers, and people living HIV/AIDS. [Taken from ENI, 8/12/2008]
Heritage status for Baha'i shrines shows their 'common heritage'
Jerusalem (ENI). The recent addition of two Baha'i holy places in northern
Israel to UNESCO's World Heritage List is an affirmation of the Baha'i belief
that the shrines belong to all humanity, a Baha'i spokesperson has said. "We are
happy about the declaration and welcome it. It recognises something the Baha'i
teachings have always said, that these shrines are a common heritage for all
humanity and not limited to a select group of people," said Doug Moore, officer
of public information for the Baha'i International Center in the northern
Israeli city of Haifa. Still, while most parts of the world have welcomed
Baha'is for their peaceful message, they continue to face severe persecution in
Iran. [Taken from ENI, 8/7/2008
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