Religion Today Summaries – December 9, 2003
Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world. In today's edition:
- Jordan’s Courts Stall Justice for Christian Widow
- Explosives Found in Christian Schools in Iraq
- Franklin Graham Meets with President of Sudan
- Conservative Episcopalians Urged to `Stand Firm' for Now
Jordan’s Courts Stall Justice for Christian Widow
Barbara G. Baker, Compass Direct
ISTANBUL -- A Christian mother fighting for legal custody of her two children admitted this week that she has little hope that Jordan’s judicial system will rule in her favor. "Everyone is giving me promises," Siham Qandah said, "but no one is really doing anything. I am only counting on God and all the prayers of His people." The past 10 weeks have been particularly discouraging to Qandah, who has watched again and again as scheduled court hearings were postponed in both Amman and Irbid. When her children’s Muslim guardian failed to appear at the last hearing set for November 23, the judge ordered another continuance. "I hardly expect him to show up this next time either," Qandah said. Concerned members of the U.S. Congress have reportedly addressed inquiries to King Abdullah II about the case, and Prince Mired bin Raed has discussed it with the monarch. The prince told Compass last week, however, that it remains "quite difficult" for anyone in the royal family to intercede with the court. "We do not want to be accused of tampering with the judiciary," he stressed.
Explosives Found in Christian Schools in Iraq
Agape Press
Bombs have been found in Iraqi Christian schools in the latest round of incidents of harassment of Christians by Muslims in Iraq. According to Voice of the Martyrs, the bomb discovered last month at the school in Mosul was a cluster of low-grade explosive hand grenades that could have caused significant injury or even death. The school in Mosul has about 500 students, approximately 450 of whom are Christians. VOM spokesman Todd Nettleton observes that, although there is more freedom for the Church in Iraq since the fall of Saddam's government, life can still be dangerous for believers. Nettleton says there have been several threats; and apparently there have been bombs planted not only in Christian schools but also in churches. "This is a situation that we are going to be watching very closely," he says. According to Nettleton, VOM staff in Iraq report that Christians there are thrilled Saddam's regime is over and that American troops came and liberated Iraq. "They expect about a two-year window of relative openness," Nettleton explains. "During the time American troops are there, while the new government is being formed, they expect about two years where they can share pretty openly and can practice their faith pretty openly," he says. But after that period is over, Nettleton notes, Iraqi Christians cannot be sure what will happen. "If an Islamic government is put in place, it could obviously turn against the Christians, but they are determined during that window of opportunity to share their faith," he says.
Franklin Graham Meets with President of Sudan
Samaritan's Purse
KHARTOUM, SUDAN - Evangelist Franklin Graham, president of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, met Monday with President Umar Al-Bashir of Sudan at the presidential palace in Khartoum. The two discussed the ongoing peace talks between the government of Khartoum and the Southern People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)-talks aimed at bringing an end to one of the longest and most horrible civil wars in history. Graham, making his third trip to Sudan this year, is in Khartoum for the first time, at the invitation of President Al-Bashir. He also met Monday with the vice-president and a minister of foreign affairs, as well as the Sudan Council of Churches and the Sudan Inter-Religious Council. Graham then met with an SPLM delegation that was in Khartoum for a round of historic government talks and meetings. Monday evening, December 8, he was honored at a banquet hosted by Sudan's Secretary General of International Friendship. (www.DeMossNewsPond.com)
Conservative Episcopalians Urged to `Stand Firm' for Now
Kevin Eckstrom, Religion News Service
Conservative Episcopalians are being urged to "please stand firm a little while longer" and not leave the denomination until officials can develop an alternative network for dissidents. The Rev. David Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council, a Washington-based conservative group that led opposition to the election and consecration of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire, said "any decision to leave now would be premature. If it is simply impossible for you to remain where you are ... then you may wish for the time being to consider gathering together with other orthodox Episcopalians in your same situation to form a new informal `congregation' that meets in a home or school," Anderson said in a letter to supporters. Anderson said Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh has been named the moderator of a new conservative network that would provide oversight for parishes or clergy who oppose the denomination's positions on homosexuality. The network, which would exist alongside the Episcopal Church, has the blessing of 13 bishops and, Anderson said, the leader of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. "I can personally assure you that there is an unwavering commitment on the part of the Anglican primates to ensure that you and I have an Anglican home now that the Episcopal Church has left the Anglican family," Anderson wrote.
Originally published December 09, 2003.
