The rise of Hindutva - Hindu nationalism - in India has led to periodic violence against Indian Christians. There is evidence in many cases of a systematic policy (or compliance at the very least) in place by the BJP and allied parties.
Also, the U.S. administration denied a visa to Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist and chief minister of the Gujarat state in western India. The basis for the denial was the violence perpetrated against the minority Moslem population, particularly in 2002. Read more here.
18 March 2005
U.S. seeks pacts on religious freedom
The Bush administration said yesterday it is close to reaching agreements with Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Eritrea that would improve the state of religious freedom in the three countries of "particular concern" for Washington. Read more about this development here.
Religious Liberty has been an area of particular concern for the past two administrations, primarily represented through the United States Commission for Religious Liberty.
Religious Liberty has been an area of particular concern for the past two administrations, primarily represented through the United States Commission for Religious Liberty.
16 March 2005
Turkey's Compliance with its Obligations to the Ecumencial Patriarchate and Orthodox Christian Minority
A century ago, there were millions of Orthodox Christians yet present in Asia Minor, including the Greek Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodx Armenians, Syriacs, and Assyrians. Between the periodic pogroms culminating in the Genocide of the First World War years and the exchange of populations from 1923, the population in Turkey was much reduced. Anti-Greek riots (occurring whilst the authorities stood aside) in the 1950s in Istanbul increased immigration, so that by 2004 there were only about 1500 Greek Orthodox Christians left in the city. The Oriental Orthodox presence is negligable, as well, with possibly more ancient, crumbling churches spread around the country than actual, living Armenians.
The Fourth Ecumencial Council met at Chalcedon in Anno Domini 451. Canon XXVIII confirmed Constantinople (now Istanbul) as the second Apostolic city only after Rome, and ahead of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. Yet today the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in the Phanar, is greatly weakened, in many ways due to the oppressive nature of the Turkish government. Although officially secularist, many (especially under the current Islamic-oriented government) view Christians as second-class citizens. At a hotel in Goreme, Cappadocia, we were told by the Turkish manager that no one was there before the Turks came, nevermind that we were staying in millenium-old converted monastic cells (a great place of pilgrimage, and a lot of fun, too). Here is a recent White Paper on the conduct of the Turkish government towards its Christian minority, from Yale University. More news on the situation can be found here.
The Fourth Ecumencial Council met at Chalcedon in Anno Domini 451. Canon XXVIII confirmed Constantinople (now Istanbul) as the second Apostolic city only after Rome, and ahead of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. Yet today the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in the Phanar, is greatly weakened, in many ways due to the oppressive nature of the Turkish government. Although officially secularist, many (especially under the current Islamic-oriented government) view Christians as second-class citizens. At a hotel in Goreme, Cappadocia, we were told by the Turkish manager that no one was there before the Turks came, nevermind that we were staying in millenium-old converted monastic cells (a great place of pilgrimage, and a lot of fun, too). Here is a recent White Paper on the conduct of the Turkish government towards its Christian minority, from Yale University. More news on the situation can be found here.
Protocol No. 229
† B A R T H O L O M E W
BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE,
NEW ROME, AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH,
TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH, GRACE AND
PEACE FROM OUR SAVIOR CHRIST, TOGETHER WITH
OUR PRAYER, BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS
Read the Catechetical homily on the occasion of Holy and Great Lent...
† B A R T H O L O M E W
BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE,
NEW ROME, AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH,
TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH, GRACE AND
PEACE FROM OUR SAVIOR CHRIST, TOGETHER WITH
OUR PRAYER, BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS
Read the Catechetical homily on the occasion of Holy and Great Lent...
14 March 2005
Prayer of Saint Ephrem
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
O God, be gracious to me, a sinner.
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
O God, be gracious to me, a sinner.
The Great Fast is upon us!
Great Lent: Our Journey To Meet Our Heavenly Bridegroom
by Saint John Chrysostom
Excerpts about fasting from the teachings of St. John Chrysostom, may his prayers be with us, Amen.
by Saint John Chrysostom
Excerpts about fasting from the teachings of St. John Chrysostom, may his prayers be with us, Amen.
04 March 2005
Hindutva Continues
Hindu nationalism continues in many parts of India, usually looked upon benignly by the authorities. Although the world is only too familiar with the conflicts between Hindus and Moslems in Kashmir and other areas particularly in the west of India, the violence directed against India's Christian minority is seldom reported. Read also about the BJP's attempt to force through an anti-conversion law.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
