Catholic and Shia Muslim leaders unite to condemn WMDs, terrorism

Nuclear_bomb_explosion_at_the_Nevada_Test_Site_April_18_1953_Photo_courtesy_of_National_Nuclear_Security_Administration_Nevada_Site_Office_CNA_12_15_14Shia Muslim religious leaders from Iran and U.S. Catholic bishops say they have a common fight against weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and violent religious extremism.

“Christianity and Islam share a commitment to love and respect for the life, dignity, and welfare of all members of the human community,” they said in an Aug. 18 joint declaration. “Peaceful coexistence is built on equity and justice. We call upon all to work toward developing a culture of encounter, tolerance, dialogue, and peace that respects the religious traditions of others.”

The two delegations agreed that belief in one God unifies Jews, Christians, and Muslims.  Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

‘ISIS on a mission to exterminate Christians’

Morten_Brakestad_Stortinget_flickr1The  so-called Islamic State will not stop until it has “exterminated” all other religious groups, according to a former Islamic extremist now working in counter-terrorism.

“They’re on a mission – a programme of extermination – to wipe out everyone else,” said Shiraz Maher, a former member of Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir, speaking this week in London as he promoted his book, “Salafi-Jihadism: The History of an Idea”.

Maher said wiping out Christians, in particular, is a “very important part” of IS’s ideology. He said that although they were “religious amateurs” with “weak theology”, their claim to have restored the Caliphate – by appointing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as “God’s representative on earth” – has given them a strong position, which leaves other Muslims with a choice: reject that claim or to “do whatever he says”.  Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

What the Hell? Satan worship on rise in America

57c41487c4618822048b456aSatanists are not merely mystical eccentrics wearing black Gothic garb, sacrificing animals and operating in shady and secret societies. They are now ordinary people who call themselves ‘secular’ and praise reason and the individual freedom of thought.

In the US, explicitly satanic groups have begun drawing attention to themselves in the context of public governmental ceremonies.

Just this month, a member of the so-called Satanic Temple was allowed to make an opening prayer to Lucifer at a local council meeting in Alaska. Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

Salon: GOP Must Dump Jesus or Risk Irrelevance in ‘Post-Christian America’

Flagellation-of-christ-_Rubens-640x480“Salon Magazine has accused the Republican Party of being out of touch with “post-Christian America,” warning the GOP that if it doesn’t renege on its alliance with Christianity, it will soon become irrelevant. Ted Cruz’s failure to get the GOP nomination, Matthew Sheffield proclaims in Salon, “is a perfect window into trends that will set the pace of American politics for decades to come: Americans are moving away from Christianity, including people most likely to vote Republican.” –Source

So, according to Salon Magazine, the United States is no longer a Christian nation simply because Ted Cruz, a man claiming to be a born again Christian, (like GW Bush who pulled off the false flag attack on 911) wasn’t able to gain the Republican nomination to run for President? Seriously? Is that all it takes to confirm “God is dead” in America? Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

As a follower of Jesus it is your duty to vote, says US Episcopal Church leader

michael-curryThe leader of the US Episcopal Church is calling on all Americans to remember their “duty” and “obligation” to vote.

In a video posted as part of The Episcopal Church’s election resources, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry says it is time for citizens to prepare to elect their new president as well as governmental leaders on a variety of levels.

America heads to the polls on 8 November. The church has launched an “election pledge” as part of its campaign to persuade all citizens to use their vote. Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

Euthanasia ‘tourists,’ including children, flock to Catholic-majority Belgium where assisted suicide is free and easy

anti-euthanasia-protest-in-belgiumIt’s free, easy … and deadly indeed.

That’s how physician-assisted suicide looks like in Belgium, ironically a Catholic-majority European nation. Patients—including children—suffering from terminal diseases or psychiatric conditions have been flocking to the European country to have their wish of ending their misery fulfilled. The patients are killed with a lethal injection administered by a doctor.

Doctors at hospitals and clinics in Brussels, the Belgian capital, are seeing an increase in number of euthanasia “tourists” who come from all over the world, mostly from neighbouring France, the International Business Times (IBT) reports. Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

In a first, US stamp to celebrate a Hindu holiday

The Postal Service will commemorate the joyous Hindu festival of Diwali with a Forever stamp. Photo courtesy of USPS
The Postal Service will commemorate the joyous Hindu festival of Diwali with a Forever stamp. Photo courtesy of USPS

WASHINGTON (RNS) Never before has a U.S. stamp celebrated anything Hindu.

But coming soon to a post office near you: a stamp marking the Hindu holiday of Diwali.

The new Forever stamp is scheduled to be featured at a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony on Oct. 5 at the Consulate General of India in New York City.

Diwali, or the Hindu festival of lights, is observed across the globe with music, fireworks and dance. It celebrates good triumphing over evil.

The stamp features a photograph of a traditional diya oil lamp, its flame glowing in front of a gold background.

The Hindu American Foundation, which helped lead a campaign for the stamp, said the diya is “the most iconic symbol of the holiday.” Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

Catholic Church confirms Argentine apparitions as ‘supernatural’

An icon of the Virgin Mother draws visitors inside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas on July 25, 2016, in San Nicolas de Arroyos, Argentina. RNS photo by Fernando Poggi
An icon of the Virgin Mother draws visitors inside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas on July 25, 2016, in San Nicolas de Arroyos, Argentina. RNS photo by Fernando Poggi

SAN NICOLAS DE LOS ARROYOS, Argentina (RNS) Once a month, thousands of devout Catholics descend on this small industrial city, where a woman with little education but great faith said she began seeing visions of the Virgin Mary on Sept. 25, 1983.

After all these years the crowds flocking to a shrine built on the site are as big as ever, and they could well grow still further now that the local bishop has declared that the visions are genuine.

Not that the devout needed much encouragement.

Just a few weeks ago, for example, despite bitter cold and torrential rains — it’s winter in Argentina — pilgrims from around the country filed through the streets to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas. Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0

Coming soon: a meeting between Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury

Pope_Francis_Credit_Daniel_Ibanez_Archbishop_Justin_Welby_Credit_Lambeth_Palace_Picture_Partnership_CNAPope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, will meet in Rome Oct. 5 to celebrate First Vespers in the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio.

Although the meeting hasn’t been made official yet, the news was confirmed to CNA by a high ranking member of the Anglican Communion in Rome. Other sources have since confirmed that the meeting will be held Oct. 5.

While the schedule has yet to be completely defined, Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby are set to meet amid two busy days in Rome for the Anglican primate.

The two will celebrate First Vespers in San Gregorio al Celio Oct. 5. The next day they will have a private meeting that could signal a new phase in ecumenical relations. Continue reading →

Posted on by Gospel Order 0