Monday, May 18, 2026
Seeking unity within the worldwide Christian community
17 January 2026
Seeking unity within the worldwide Christian community
Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations Commissioner Jane Paone shares how Christian traditions across the world share and learn from each other.
What does ecumenism look like at an international level?
I represent the General in different international groups.
The Conference of Secretaries of Christian World Communions brings together all the general secretaries of the different traditions. We share once a year about challenges and joys for the Church. Then we pray for one another. It’s a very precious moment.
I’m also on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. The Salvation Army used to be a member of the council. We chose not to be in the 1970s, but we’re always represented with adviser status, so we’re in contact with what’s happening globally. Everybody is very respectful, and there’s a lovely atmosphere.
There’s also the Global Christian Forum. This is a lovely meeting for people to share faith experiences or how the Lord has been working through our traditions. There are no theological documents to be studied; it’s just your testimony.
We’re also part of the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.
I also have strong links with European Ecumenical Officer Commissioner Vibeke Krommenhoek (IHQ), the General’s representative to the Vatican Lieut-Colonel Andrew Morgan (Italy and Greece Territory) and Territorial Ecumenical Officer Major Paul Robinson (UK and Ireland Territory).
Pastor Convicted for Preaching Bible Verse Near Hospital in Northern Ireland
us news
Published 3 days ago
on May 15, 2026
By theendtimenews
Clive Johnston, a 78-year-old retired pastor in Northern Ireland, has been convicted and fined for preaching a Gospel-centered message nearby a hospital.
District Judge Peter King at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court convicted Johnston on May 7 of breaching a so-called “safe access zone” outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine on July 7, 2024.
Northern Ireland’s Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act bans “influencing,” “preventing or impeding access,” or “causing harassment, alarm, or distress” to a protected person within 100 meters — or about 328 feet — of any facility where abortions are performed. A woman in the U.K. was targeted by police for praying silently under similar pretenses.
Johnston, for his part, was found guilty of “influencing” within the perimeters of the protected zone and, as such, was fined 450 pounds, or about $614.
The septuagenarian may very well be the first person prosecuted under the law for preaching a sermon that did not mention abortion, according to the Christian Institute, which advocated for Johnston.
Not only was the former pastor not speaking about abortion — he was preaching about one of the most fundamental passages to the Gospel message, John 3:16, which states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (ESV).
“It effectively redefines peaceful Christian witness as a form of unlawful ‘influence,’” Johnston told Fox News. “If simply reading the Bible, praying, and preaching on God’s love can now be considered harmful because someone might overhear it within a certain area, then we have crossed a very serious line.”
The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)
The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus) Paperback –
April 27, 2023
by James G. Battell (Author), G. Patrick Battell (Author)
"The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)" is a groundbreaking exposé that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the scandalous and often shocking history of the Jesuit order. Authored by G. Patrick and James G. Battell, this gripping narrative pulls back the curtain on the enigmatic society, revealing a side of the Jesuits that has long been buried in the annals of history. From clandestine plots to controversies that have rocked the Church and wider society, this book unveils the untold stories that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Prepare to be astonished as "The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)" delves into the controversial actions and covert activities of the Jesuits, challenging conventional perceptions and shedding light on their involvement in political intrigues, espionage, and even alleged conspiracies. The authors fearlessly confront long-standing taboos, providing a no-holds-barred account that explores the dark corners of the Jesuit order's history. This is not merely a book; it's a riveting journey into the heart of a hidden world, where shocking revelations and unexpected twists await those brave enough to dive into its pages.
With meticulous research and a compelling narrative, G. Patrick and James G. Battell weave together a narrative that reads like a thrilling mystery novel while remaining firmly rooted in historical facts. "The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)" is not for the faint of heart. Still, this book is an absolute must-read for those seeking an unfiltered and electrifying exploration of the Jesuits' shocking history. Brace yourself for a wild ride through the underbelly of one of the most intriguing orders in the history of the Catholic Church.Former Catholics G. Patrick and James G. Battell are father-son Christian ministries with priests in the family. Their prayer is that God will bless this must-read book and use it to draw Catholics out of Catholicism and into the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Source
"The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)" is a groundbreaking exposé that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through the scandalous and often shocking history of the Jesuit order. Authored by G. Patrick and James G. Battell, this gripping narrative pulls back the curtain on the enigmatic society, revealing a side of the Jesuits that has long been buried in the annals of history. From clandestine plots to controversies that have rocked the Church and wider society, this book unveils the untold stories that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
Prepare to be astonished as "The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)" delves into the controversial actions and covert activities of the Jesuits, challenging conventional perceptions and shedding light on their involvement in political intrigues, espionage, and even alleged conspiracies. The authors fearlessly confront long-standing taboos, providing a no-holds-barred account that explores the dark corners of the Jesuit order's history. This is not merely a book; it's a riveting journey into the heart of a hidden world, where shocking revelations and unexpected twists await those brave enough to dive into its pages.
With meticulous research and a compelling narrative, G. Patrick and James G. Battell weave together a narrative that reads like a thrilling mystery novel while remaining firmly rooted in historical facts. "The Shocking History of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)" is not for the faint of heart. Still, this book is an absolute must-read for those seeking an unfiltered and electrifying exploration of the Jesuits' shocking history. Brace yourself for a wild ride through the underbelly of one of the most intriguing orders in the history of the Catholic Church.Former Catholics G. Patrick and James G. Battell are father-son Christian ministries with priests in the family. Their prayer is that God will bless this must-read book and use it to draw Catholics out of Catholicism and into the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pope: Christians and Muslims must work together to ‘revive humanity'
Pope Leo greets participants in the colloquium (@Vatican Media)
In a meeting with participants in an interfaith colloquium, Pope Leo calls on Christians and Muslims to “revive humanity where it has grown cold” and "transform indifference into solidarity”.
By Joseph Tulloch
Pope Leo met on Monday morning with members of Jordan’s Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies and of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
The members of the Royal Institute, which was founded under the patronage of Jordan’s Prince Hasan bin Talal, were in Rome for a colloquium on “Human Compassion and Empathy in Modern Times”.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE POPE'S ADDRESS HERE
In a meeting with participants in an interfaith colloquium, Pope Leo calls on Christians and Muslims to “revive humanity where it has grown cold” and "transform indifference into solidarity”.
By Joseph Tulloch
Pope Leo met on Monday morning with members of Jordan’s Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies and of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
The members of the Royal Institute, which was founded under the patronage of Jordan’s Prince Hasan bin Talal, were in Rome for a colloquium on “Human Compassion and Empathy in Modern Times”.
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE POPE'S ADDRESS HERE
Pope Leo with Cardinal Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (@Vatican Media)
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Religious Liberty -- Who should wield power and control?
May 15, 2026 Jewell
Kingly Power
The question “Who should wield power and control?” has divided mankind throughout earth’s history.
On July 4, 2026, Americans will be celebrating 250 years since the signing of the declaration of Independence. All 56 signers committed a treasonous act against Britain—risking their lives and fortunes for the sake of freedom. These brave men believed that religion was a duty we owe our Creator, to Him we owe our very existence.
These founders of The United States understood that governments derive, “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” And furthermore, man’s relation to God cannot be delegated by man, but by God. We celebrate freedom today because men and women who went before us refused the dictates of priests, kings and magistrates, and choose instead the leadings of the providence of God.
Kingly Power
The question “Who should wield power and control?” has divided mankind throughout earth’s history.
On July 4, 2026, Americans will be celebrating 250 years since the signing of the declaration of Independence. All 56 signers committed a treasonous act against Britain—risking their lives and fortunes for the sake of freedom. These brave men believed that religion was a duty we owe our Creator, to Him we owe our very existence.
These founders of The United States understood that governments derive, “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” And furthermore, man’s relation to God cannot be delegated by man, but by God. We celebrate freedom today because men and women who went before us refused the dictates of priests, kings and magistrates, and choose instead the leadings of the providence of God.
Operation Gladio - The Unholy Alliance Between the Vatican, the CIA, and the Mafia - Paul L Williams
alltheworldsastage
Operation Gladio - The Unholy Alliance Between the Vatican, the CIA, and the Mafia Paul L Williams
Google Play Books
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNgcE1yAU58&t
Operation Gladio: The Unholy Alliance Between… by Paul L. Williams · Audiobook preview
PURCHASE ON GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS ►► https://g.co/booksYT/AQAAAIDIiWoJsM
Operation Gladio: The Unholy Alliance Between the Vatican, the CIA, and the Mafia
Authored by Paul L. Williams
Narrated by Michael Prichard
BOOK DESCRIPTION
In this disturbing expose, journalist Paul L. Williams describes a secret alliance forged at the close of World War II by the CIA, the Sicilian and U.S. mafias, and the Vatican to thwart the possibility of a Communist invasion of Europe. Williams presents evidence suggesting the existence, in many European countries, of "stay-behind" units consisting of five thousand to fifteen thousand military operatives. The initial funding for these guerrilla armies came from bogus British bank notes and the sale of large stocks of SS morphine that had been smuggled out of Germany and Italy. As the Cold War intensified, the units were used not only to ward off possible invaders but also to thwart the rise of left-wing movements in South America and NATO-based countries by terror attacks. Williams argues that Operation Gladio soon gave rise to the toppling of governments, wholesale genocide, the formation of death squads, financial scandals on a grand scale, the creation of the mujahideen, an international narcotics network, and, most recently, the ascendancy of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a Jesuit cleric with strong ties to Operation Condor (an outgrowth of Gladio in Argentina) as Pope Francis I.
The Trump administration is planning a prayer event on the National Mall...
The Trump administration is planning a prayer event on the National Mall. All but one of the speakers is Christian
Work continues on the stage for the Rededicate 250 celebration on the National Mall in Washington.Alex Brandon/AP
(RNS) —Cabinet members, Catholic bishops, evangelical influencers, and an actor who plays Jesus are a few of the speakers and performers scheduled to participate in "Rededicate 250," the Trump administration's daylong prayer celebration happening on the National Mall this weekend.
Advertised as a "rededication of our country as One Nation Under God" and a "once in a lifetime national moment," the Sunday event is intended to reflect on the faith of America's founders and to appeal to God to bless and guide the nation.
It's an initiative of Freedom 250, a White House-backed, public-private campaign staging patriotic events to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. Supporters welcome the event as a tribute to America's roots, while critics say the Christian-saturated, MAGA-heavy festival casts an exclusionary vision of America's past and present. Americans United for Separation of Church and State suggested the event advances Christian nationalism rather than religious freedom. (Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a financial supporter of NPR.)
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Reflecting on meeting with Leo,...
Reflecting on meeting with Leo, Rubio emphasizes distinction between role of Church and nation state
“There are conflicts and issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try,” Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press at the U.S. Embassy in Rome on May 8, 2026. | Credit: Stefano RELLANDINI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
By Amira Abuzeid, Ken Oliver-Méndez
May 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM ET
In a May 13 interview on Fox News, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reflected on his May 7 meeting with Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing the different vantage points and distinct roles of the Church and a nation-state.
In the interview, Rubio acknowledged the Catholic Church’s longstanding position advocating for peace and the avoidance of war while drawing a clear distinction between the Church’s role and the duties and responsibilities of nation states.
While saying the U.S. also seeks peace, Rubio affirmed that the countryʼs position on war is “different,” because it is “a nation state.”
“For a nation state, which is different from a religious office, for a nation state there are threats to your security and to the well-being of your people that have to be addressed, ideally through diplomatic means, but there are conflicts and issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try,” Rubio said, pointing to years of failed diplomacy with Iran and other past examples.
He said there have not been “any results” despite “over a decade of work done to try to diplomatically solve Iran’s desire and ambition to have a nuclear weapons program."
“There are conflicts and issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try,” Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press at the U.S. Embassy in Rome on May 8, 2026. | Credit: Stefano RELLANDINI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
By Amira Abuzeid, Ken Oliver-Méndez
May 14, 2026 at 6:45 PM ET
In a May 13 interview on Fox News, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reflected on his May 7 meeting with Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing the different vantage points and distinct roles of the Church and a nation-state.
In the interview, Rubio acknowledged the Catholic Church’s longstanding position advocating for peace and the avoidance of war while drawing a clear distinction between the Church’s role and the duties and responsibilities of nation states.
While saying the U.S. also seeks peace, Rubio affirmed that the countryʼs position on war is “different,” because it is “a nation state.”
“For a nation state, which is different from a religious office, for a nation state there are threats to your security and to the well-being of your people that have to be addressed, ideally through diplomatic means, but there are conflicts and issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try,” Rubio said, pointing to years of failed diplomacy with Iran and other past examples.
He said there have not been “any results” despite “over a decade of work done to try to diplomatically solve Iran’s desire and ambition to have a nuclear weapons program."
From Rerum Novarum to Today: Pope Leo XIV Prepares to Add His Voice to the Church’s Social Teaching
Hannah Brockhaus
via EWTN
15.05.26
Pope Leo XIV presides over the Prayer Vigil for Peace in St. Peter’s Basilica on April 11, 2026. (photo: Simone Risoluti / Vatican Media)
During his recent apostolic trip to Cameroon, the Pope called on Catholic university students from central Africa to be ‘pioneers of a new humanism in the context of the digital revolution.’
With the publication of his first encyclical just around the corner, Pope Leo XIV is poised to add his voice to the Church’s tradition of social teaching, reflecting on what it means to be human in the midst of a digital revolution.
According to reports, the encyclical — a papal letter to the Church — will be called Magnifica Humanitas, Latin for “Magnificent Humanity.” It is expected to present the Pope’s moral guidance on how to approach artificial intelligence.
As Leo himself indicated in the first days of his pontificate, he will follow in the steps of his predecessor and namesake, Pope Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum Novarum, “Of New Things,” is widely considered the first in a long line of social encyclicals produced in the modern era of the papacy.
Catholic social teaching from the late 19th century to today is the Church’s attempt “to articulate itself in constantly new and evolving conditions,” said Anna Rowlands, a theologian and professor of Catholic social thought at Durham University in the United Kingdom.
During his recent apostolic trip to Cameroon, the Pope called on Catholic university students from central Africa to be ‘pioneers of a new humanism in the context of the digital revolution.’
With the publication of his first encyclical just around the corner, Pope Leo XIV is poised to add his voice to the Church’s tradition of social teaching, reflecting on what it means to be human in the midst of a digital revolution.
According to reports, the encyclical — a papal letter to the Church — will be called Magnifica Humanitas, Latin for “Magnificent Humanity.” It is expected to present the Pope’s moral guidance on how to approach artificial intelligence.
As Leo himself indicated in the first days of his pontificate, he will follow in the steps of his predecessor and namesake, Pope Leo XIII, whose encyclical Rerum Novarum, “Of New Things,” is widely considered the first in a long line of social encyclicals produced in the modern era of the papacy.
Catholic social teaching from the late 19th century to today is the Church’s attempt “to articulate itself in constantly new and evolving conditions,” said Anna Rowlands, a theologian and professor of Catholic social thought at Durham University in the United Kingdom.
Friday, May 15, 2026
CIA Chief Spotted In Cuba As Specter Of Regime Change Looms Large
May 15, 20269:23 AM ET
As the specter of the U.S.-led regime change grows, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) released photos of agency chief John Ratcliffe meeting with Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday.
Ratcliffe and several U.S. officials—some of whose faces were blurred by the CIA in images posted to X—held talks Thursday with Cuba’s Interior Minister, the head of Cuban intelligence and Raúl Castro’s grandson, Raulito Rodríguez Castro. A CIA official told The Associated Press that the director was there “to personally deliver President Donald Trump’s message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes.”
As the specter of the U.S.-led regime change grows, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) released photos of agency chief John Ratcliffe meeting with Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday.
Ratcliffe and several U.S. officials—some of whose faces were blurred by the CIA in images posted to X—held talks Thursday with Cuba’s Interior Minister, the head of Cuban intelligence and Raúl Castro’s grandson, Raulito Rodríguez Castro. A CIA official told The Associated Press that the director was there “to personally deliver President Donald Trump’s message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes.”
The threat of regime change in Cuba has grown in recent weeks. President Donald Trump has repeatedly mused about taking over Cuba and suggested May 8 that a U.S. aircraft might leave the Iran War theater and position itself off the country’s coast. The administration has also intensified its economic war, blocking oil shipments since January. Amid energy blackouts, a collapsing economy and protests in the capital, Cuba’s oil and gas supplies have now run dry, according to Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy.
Rededicate 250: Pastor Gary Hamrick to call for national repentance, rebuke 'lies of gender confusion, marriage redefinition'
By Ian M. Giatti, Christian Post Reporter
Thursday, May 14, 2026
An undated photo of Pastor Gary Hamrick teaching at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Virginia. | Courtesy Cornerstone Chapel
As thousands prepare to gather at the National Mall on Sunday to pray for the nation ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, Cornerstone Chapel Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick is calling for national repentance and a return to the God of the Bible.
Hamrick, who is one of over a dozen pastors set to speak at “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving” on May 17, says his message to the nation is the same as that of the Apostle Peter at the dawn of the Christian era.
“Rededication begins with repentance,” Hamrick told The Christian Post. “Acts 3:19 says, ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.’ We must turn from our sin and turn to God and stand upon the solid rock of Jesus Christ, because He is the only hope for the soul of our nation. Jesus is always the answer.”
While the “Rededicate 250” event is expected to mark the nation’s largest religious gathering in more than 50 years, Hamrick expressed concern that despite a rich heritage of religious freedom, the country has drifted from its founding principles when it comes to issues like abortion, marriage and gender identity.
As thousands prepare to gather at the National Mall on Sunday to pray for the nation ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, Cornerstone Chapel Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick is calling for national repentance and a return to the God of the Bible.
Hamrick, who is one of over a dozen pastors set to speak at “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving” on May 17, says his message to the nation is the same as that of the Apostle Peter at the dawn of the Christian era.
“Rededication begins with repentance,” Hamrick told The Christian Post. “Acts 3:19 says, ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.’ We must turn from our sin and turn to God and stand upon the solid rock of Jesus Christ, because He is the only hope for the soul of our nation. Jesus is always the answer.”
While the “Rededicate 250” event is expected to mark the nation’s largest religious gathering in more than 50 years, Hamrick expressed concern that despite a rich heritage of religious freedom, the country has drifted from its founding principles when it comes to issues like abortion, marriage and gender identity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)