Vatican City, Apr 8, 2016 / 12:25 pm ( CNA).- Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has announced that he will attend a Vatican conference on social justice and the economy just before the New York primary election on April 19. Source
Indiana state trooper fired after asking drivers he pulled over if they had been saved by Jesus Christ
An Indiana state trooper is off the force after offering people he pulled over tips on their faith.
Brian Hamilton, a 14-year veteran of the state’ police force, was fired Thursday after a second public complaint that he was preaching while on duty.
Hamilton asked a driver he pulled over if she had “been saved” and invited her to his church, even giving her directions.
The second infraction came in January, and the motorist filed suit with the American Civil Liberties Union Tuesday.
“Ms. Pyle was extremely uncomfortable with these questions,” the lawsuit says, adding the plaintiff felt intimidated by the religious interaction in a middle of a traffic stop, where she was given a warning for speeding.
“In order to hopefully end these inquiries Ms. Pyle indicated that she did attend a church and that she was saved.”
The lawsuit also claims Pyle was approached by someone from Hamilton’s congregation shortly afterwards, who told her the trooper had put her on a prayer list.
Hamilton’s behavior in January was an apparent violation of a 2014 order demanding he would not “question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements” while on duty, according to The Herald Bulletin. Source
Pope Francis: Martyrs are still the ‘life blood of the Church’
.- Pope Francis on Thursday praised the consistency and courage of the modern day martyrs who continue to “carry the Church forward” even as they face death for their witness to the Risen Christ. Source
Over 26,000 Sign Petition Calling Upon Catholic University to Cancel ‘Hyper-Sexualized Drag Show’
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Over 26,000 people have signed a petition calling upon a Roman Catholic university in California to cancel a “hyper-sexualized drag show,” the fifth of its kind at the Catholic-based educational institution. Source
16 Democrat AGs Begin Inquisition Against ‘Climate Change Disbelievers’
Beginning in 1478, the Spanish Inquisition systematically silenced any citizen who held views that did not align with the king’s. Using the powerful arm of the government, the grand inquisitor, Tomas de Torquemada, and his henchmen sought out all those who held religious, scientific, or moral views that conflicted with the monarch’s, punishing the “heretics” with jail sentences; property confiscation; fines; and in severe cases, torture and execution. Source
Megachurch Pastor Preaches About Christians Making the ‘Dangerous Prayer’
Christians must push themselves to pray the “dangerous prayer” of availability, Pastor James Brown of Crossroads Church said in a recent sermon, telling his congregation that when “God calls you, he equips you.”
Brown, who serves as the executive pastor of discipleship at the Minnesota-based evangelical church, said in a March sermon that Christians need to be more like children in their service to God, pushing themselves to “fearlessly” invite God’s presence into their lives. Source
Pope to meet senior Methodists during launch of new ecumenical office in Rome
Pope Francis and senior Methodist representatives from around the world will take part in a series of events to mark the opening of the new Methodist Ecumenical Office in Rome (MEOR). Source.
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Oxford theology students can skip Christianity lessons
Theology students at Oxford will no longer be required to study Christianity throughout the course for the first time in 800 years after undergraduates complained about lack of diversity. Changes are being made to the degree to mirror shifts in religious beliefs and culture in the wider British society, according to academics. Source
CHINA NOW REGULATES WHO CAN BE REINCARNATED
China, in one of the most ludicrous displays of totalitarianism in history, has restricted Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without permission from the government. Based on a statement that was given from the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the ruling, which will be applicable as of March 2015, stringently states the processes an individual must follow in order to reincarnate is “an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation.” Source
Mexico: Evangelical Christian beaten and imprisoned after he refused to convert to Catholicism
A Christian man was beaten and imprisoned in Mexico in what has been described as “the latest instance in a long trend of persecution”. Lauro Nunez, from Chachalacas in the Oaxaca region, was attacked by a mob on Easter Monday as he attempted to return to his village to visit his family. He had previously been expelled from his home for his evangelical Christian faith. Source