AND THE THIRD ANGEL FOLLOWED THEM, SAYING WITH A LOUD VOICE, IF ANY MAN WORSHIP THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE, AND RECEIVE HIS MARK IN HIS FOREHEAD, OR IN HIS HAND.
*** REVELATION 14:9
The evidence for gender diversity has always existed, but Dr. Oberg’s research reveals an incredible wealth of biological evidence for understanding the roots of gender identity. We also recommend the accessible and powerful 2017 sermon in which he is interviewed by his wife, Pastor Chris Oberg, in 2017. See also the excellent introduction by Spectrum.
In every country where the people’s rights of freedom of religion has been violated -and even threatened -, the society itself is at risk. Freedom of Religion is actually an important indicator for assessing the implementation of Fundamental Rights as a whole. The EU should therefore more clearly monitor violations of Freedom of Religion both within the EU and throughout the world. This was the main request put forward by the Church and Society Commission of CEC and COMECE to the European Commission and the European External Action Service on the occasion of the Dialogue Seminar held in Brussels on 30 March.
During a day-long session, the Churches presented their assessment of the recent violations of Religious Freedom. Mgr Coutts, the Archbishop of Karachi and Paul Bhatti, the brother of the assassinated Minister, presented a vibrant report on the situation of Christians and other minorities in Pakistan. Like in a number of other countries, although Religious Freedom is officially granted in Pakistan, the facts show that religious minorities suffer from violence and the exercise of pressure.
Christians and other religious minorities do not claim a special status or protection, but simply access to ‘common citizenship’, the Bishop emphasized: “they are full citizens of their countries and should simply be granted their legitimate rights as citizens”.
The representatives from the European External Action Service shared their intention to enhance the monitoring of Religious Freedom violations through a more systematic and coordinated strategy at the EU level. The Churches fully supported the increase of the EEAS potential in this regard and encouraged the EEAS to develop a ‘Toolkit’ containing measures and instruments to counter Religious Freedom violations in the world and offered their expertise in the field. To this effect, Canon Dr Gary Wilton from the Church of England offered several best practices such as ranging from human rights education inside and outside the churches to common seminars with police, judiciary and religious representatives from specific conflict zones. He also added that in Trade agreements concluded by the EU with third-countries, the insertion of conditionality clauses relating to respect for human rights are a good tool but that these clauses need to be made more effective, especially with regard to religious freedom.
Concerning countries which intend to join the EU, the European Commission should scrutinise with particular attention the respect for the fundamental right to freedom of religion and its related aspects (property rights, implementation of the rule of law). Clear and unequivocal steps towards the implementation of freedom of religion shall be present before a country is allowed to join the EU.
When it comes to the internal dimension, the main reference point for EU policies on human rights is Article 2 TEU. The right to religious freedom within the EU is based on Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The EU institutions should ensure that it is not simply an individualistic interpretation of this fundamental right which is promoted but that this is also broadened out so as to fully include its social and institutional dimension. Dr Peter Krömer, from the Protestant Church AB in Austria, and of Rev Anthony Peck, Secretary General of the European Baptist Federation, emphasized in their presentations the need to pay special attention to the implementation of the rights of minority Churches and religious communities under the anti-discrimination provisions.
The Churches asked the Fundamental Rights Agency to produce a survey on discrimination based on the grounds of freedom of religion in EU Member States and in applicant countries. To this end, the EU should also encourage the Member States to collect this kind of data at national level and provide the FRA with the relevant information on a yearly basis.
Recent attacks based on religious hatred make it clear that respect for freedom of religion is at the very heart of our living together in Europe and allows the promotion of ‘Unity in Diversity’. The role of religion in the public square must be protected from attacks, which constitute a violation of religious freedom. It is important, in this regard, to acknowledge the positive role that religion plays in public life and in society.
Contributions to Download:
Speech of Prof. Feliciani in FR
Contribution by Canon Dr Gary Wilton FROB
Power point presentation by Canon Dr Gary Wilton FROB
Thirty nine recently ordained bishops from Asia have joined 102 bishops from around the world at a Rome seminar organized by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The bishops are from 40 nations: 24 from Africa (57 bishops), 11 from Asia (39 bishops), 3 from America (4 bishops), and 2 from Oceania (2 bishops), Fides reports.
The seminar, underway at the Pontifical College of St. Paul the Apostle, began with the celebration of Vespers on Sunday, September 5, and will conclude on Saturday, September 18 with a concelebrated Mass at the tomb of the Apostle St. Peter.
The aim of the seminar, which continues a tradition started in 1994 by the Missionary Congregation, is to provide all newly appointed bishops with time to pray, reflect more deeply on their life and on their episcopal ministry, which especially in the early years may hold difficulties and problems.
The first talk, which began the session this morning, covered “The Reality of the Mission Ad Gentes in the World and the Church Today,” by Fr. Alberto Trevisiol, IMC. Thhe Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Ivan Dias, and the Secretary, Archbishop Robert Sarah, will illustrate the origin, development, and skills of the Missionary Congregation and the entities that depend from it (universities, institutes, colleges).
On the morning of Friday, September 10, Archbishop Piergiuseppe Vacchelli, Assistant Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, will present the structure, working areas, and activities of the four Pontifical Societies.
Among the speakers who will give talks at the seminar are: Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera (Munus sanctificandi), Cardinal George Cottier (spirituality of the bishop), Cardinal William Levada (Munus docendi), Cardinal Francis George (Munus gubernandi), Cardinal Claudio Hummes (fatherhood towards priests), Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski (formation in seminaries and of the clergy), Cardinal Attilio Nicora (administrative service), Cardinal Frank Rode (consecrated life), Cardinal Walter Kasper (interreligious and ecumenical dialogue), Archbishop Nicholas Eterovic (Synod of Bishops), Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli (using media for evangelization), Archbishop Rino Fisichella (family and life), Archbishop Dominique Mamberti (relations with states), Bishop Joseph Clemens (participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church), Archbishop Giampaolo Crepaldi (social doctrine), Archbishop Leo Burke (administration of justice).
SOURCE
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples offers Seminar for Bishops ordained in the last 2 years (Fides)
31 Mar 2009, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ANN Staff
Former United States Senate Chaplain Lloyd John Ogilvie at last year's Ministerial seminar in Walla Walla, Washington. This year's speakers include Fred Craddock, Michael Quicke, Israel Bamidele Olaore and Chris Oberg. [photo: Mark Kellner]
Clergy around the world will have the opportunity for continuing education and panel discussions during the Seventh-day Adventist Ministry Professional Growth Seminar April 21.
The global continuing education program will be available on the Hope Church Channel television network in North America, on the Hope Channel internationally and on the Web at MinisterialAssociation.com.
"Participants will get from-the-trenches experiences that will sharpen and inform their ministry whether they be a pastor, chaplain, lay preacher, administrator, or seminarian," says Pastor Anthony Kent, event coordinator and associate ministerial secretary for the Adventist Church. "This event brings together experts who have preached around the world and taught thousands of others."
This year's theme, "Beyond Pulpits and Pews," will focus on taking Christianity beyond the walls of church, organizers say.
Scheduled speakers include Fred Craddock, selected by Newsweek magazine as on of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world; Michael Quicke, professor of preaching at Northern Seminary in Illinois; Israel Bamidele Olaore, senior university pastor and head of the Division of Spiritual Life at Babcock University, Nigeria; Chris Oberg, senior pastor of La Sierra University Church in California.
"This is the first year to feature a speaker who is currently ministering in Africa," Kent says. "We are particularly pleased that the Ministry Professional Growth Seminar is becoming more international in its focus."
The program will broadcast from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, United States.
Participants are eligible to earn 0.5 unit of continuing education. According to Kent, more than 10,000 clergy registered for last year's seminar.
The Ministry seminar is an initiative of the Ministerial Association of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, which also produces Ministry magazine, a professional journal received by more than 75,000 clergy of various faiths.
For seminar broadcast schedules and other information, see MinisterialAssociation.com or hopetv.org.
Filed in Headlines and tagged education, General Conference, ministry, united states
We are very excited to announce that we will be conducting Country Living Seminars at the Mountain View Japanese SDA Church on the weekend of August 9 and 10.
The seminars start at 3:00 PM on Sabbath and at 1:00 PM on Sunday.
We hope to have more details posted here soon, including a downloadable flyer.
Hope to see you there!
To view an online map for this location, click here
