Rapid Reading Summary – Short reports with links – Iranian pastor execution rumours; Report on native Canadian abuse; Ordinariate visits Pope; Lent and water; Church and reconciliation in Libya; New Zealand anniversary; Religious identity in Indonesia
Rumors of Imminent Execution of Iranian Pastor Unconfirmed
RNB – Lawyers for an Iranian pastor awaiting a final decision on his death sentence have not received communication from authorities that their client will be executed, despite reports that his death is imminent. Rumors of an imminent execution of Yousef Nadarkhani were leaked this week after a source close to one of his lawyers contacted international media, informing tuhem that a lower court had signed Nadarkhani’s execution papers and that his death sentence would be carried out soon, sources told Compass.
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/26582/rumors-of-imminent-execution-of-iranian-pastor-unconfirmed
Report on native Canadian abuse
BBC – A report by a commission examining Canada’s policy to separate indigenous children from their families says the abuse created a legacy of turmoil.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17161893
Ordinariate for former Anglicans visits Pope and Rome
Rome Reports – Former Anglicans who joined the Catholic Church under the first Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, are visiting Rome. About 100 of them, saw the Pope for the first time after being welcomed into the Church, under the only ordinariate of its kind in the United Kingdom. It was officially established on January 15th 2011.
http://www.romereports.com/palio/ordinariate-for-former-anglicans-visits-pope-and-rome-english-6127.html
Lenten reflections focus on water as God’s gift and a human right
ENI – A series of weekly reflections are available during Lent focusing on the “economy of water,” offering suggestions for how people can work toward water justice in their communities.
http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5480
Libyan Christian leaders stress reconciliation on anniversary
ENI – In Tripoli, fireworks were ignited, guns fired in the air and chants sounded on 17 February in celebrations marking the first anniversary of the Libyan uprising that ended Colonel Moammar Gadhafi’s 42-year rule.
But amist the fanfare, Christian leaders emphasized the need for comprehensive reconciliation and sustained peace efforts to end instability in the North African country.
http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5476
New Zealand churches mark anniversary of devastating earthquake
ENI – As Christians worldwide marked the beginning of Lent, New Zealand church leaders gathered with Christchurch residents to mark the first anniversary of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that devastated the city one year ago.
Indonesia may pass new law on religious identification
ENI – Indonesians who do not identify with state-sanctioned religions may soon be permitted to leave the religion column on electronic identity cards blank under new government proposals that acknowledge religious minorities while grouping them with unbelievers.