---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: John Ashworth <[email protected]> Date: Sun, Apr 24, 2011 at 6:40 AM Subject: [sudan-john-ashworth] Fw: Easter Messages To: Group <[email protected]>
1. BBC 24 April 2011 Last updated at 14:18 Pope Benedict urges end to fighting in Libya The Pope has urged diplomacy and dialogue to end the conflict in Libya, in his blessing at Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Pope Benedict also called for relief to be delivered to all those in need as a result of the conflict. Speaking about the Middle East, he expressed hope that peace would triumph over division, hate and violence. He also appealed for solidarity with refugees fleeing conflict, particularly from African countries. The head of the Roman Catholic Church appeared before of tens of thousands of worshippers. Resplendent in white and gold, Benedict led the ceremony from an altar set up on the steps of the basilica, under a red canopy to shield him from rain or sun. Some 42,000 bright flowers and plants donated by Holland bedecked the square, to symbolise hope and love. The 84-year-old looked relaxed although his voice cracked slightly as he intoned prayers during the sung parts of the Mass, correspondents say. Christians worldwide celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter, a sign of eternal life following his crucifixion, and it is one of the busiest times for the Pope. 'Open your hearts' His Easter message, or "Urbi et Orbi" (To the City and the World) as it is known, traditionally comments on the world's trouble spots. It came in a year when pro-democracy unrest swept away the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia and is set to remove the president of Yemen. In Libya, however, it has led to a bloody civil war. "In the current conflict in Libya, may diplomacy and dialogue take the place of arms and may those who suffered as a result of the conflict, be given access to humanitarian said," the Pope said. He voiced the hope that all citizens in North Africa and the Middle East might build a society "where poverty is defeated and every political choice is inspired by respect for the human person". Pope Benedict urged "people of good will" to "open their hearts" to refugees from the turmoil in North Africa, a politically sensitive issue in western Europe, where Italy and France are wrangling over their freedom of movement. Looking beyond the Arab world, the pontiff called for Ivory Coast to "tread the path of reconciliation and pardon" after its recent civil war, and prayed that Japan might find consolation after the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. In keeping with tradition, the Pope ended his appearance by offering his Easter blessing in more than 60 languages. END1 2. BBC 24 April 2011 Last updated at 14:10 Seek happiness, not prosperity, archbishop urges The Archbishop of Canterbury has said in his Easter sermon that corporate prosperity without fulfilment is an "empty thing". Rowan Williams said it was a good thing that people were realising there is "more to life than Gross National Product". Earlier, the Archbishop of Westminster said he was praying for those in areas blighted by conflict and disaster. Archbishop Vincent Nichols said he hoped for peace in Libya and elsewhere. "We watch the work of death every day, in the natural disasters of Japan, in the ceaseless work of war in zones of conflict around the world," he said in his Easter homily. 'Thousand street parties' "Today we pray for peace: for the city of Misrata and for a ceasefire in Libya that new political structures may be put in place; for peace in Afghanistan, in Syria, across the Middle East, in Ivory Coast and in so many other places". Meanwhile, the Queen has led the royal family for their traditional Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Delivering his sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, Dr Williams said he welcomed the fact that politicians were now talking about the importance of happiness rather than prosperity. "It seems that, just as we can't find fulfilment in just loving ourselves, so we can't just generate happiness for ourselves. It comes from outside, from relationships, environment, the unexpected stimulus of beauty - but not from any programme that we can identify," he said. The government has recently announced proposals to try to measure the nation's wellbeing, with some households taking part in surveys on the issue. 'Outspoken attack' Dr Williams also commended the encouragement of days of "shared celebration" such as the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. "It's nice and entirely appropriate that we are being encouraged to some public displays of shared celebration next Friday: let a thousand street parties blossom!" He also stressed the value of community services, such as the local library, and warned that people should "think twice before dismantling what's already there". Meanwhile, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, meanwhile, has used his Easter message later to attack "aggressive secularism". The cardinal, who is known for his robust defence of traditionalist Christian teaching, said the enemies of Christianity want to "take God from the public sphere". He called on Christians of all denominations to resist the efforts of such people to destroy Christian heritage and culture. It was something Pope Benedict warned about on his state visit to Britain last year. BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says that even by Cardinal O'Brien's standards his Easter sermon constitutes a vehement and outspoken attack on secularism and what he will describe as the enemies of the Christian faith in Britain and the power they currently exert. In a reference to equality legislation preventing discrimination against homosexual people, Cardinal O'Brien denounced what he claims is the way Christians have been prevented from acting in accordance with their beliefs because they refuse to endorse such lifestyles. END2 3. BBC 24 April 2011 Last updated at 12:20 Cardinal Keith O'Brien criticises secularism The leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has used his Easter message to attack "aggressive secularism". It was an issue Pope Benedict warned about on his state visit to Britain last year. Cardinal O'Brien said the enemies of Christianity wanted to "take God from the public sphere". The cardinal has made a reputation for his robust defence of traditionalist Christian teaching. But BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said even by Cardinal O'Brien's standards his Easter sermon constituted a vehement and outspoken attack on secularism and what he described as the enemies of the Christian faith in Britain and the power they currently exert. The Cardinal called on Christians of all denominations to resist the efforts of such people to destroy Christian heritage and culture. In a reference to equality legislation preventing discrimination against homosexual people, Cardinal O'Brien denounced what he claimed was the way Christians had been prevented from acting in accordance with their beliefs because they refuse to endorse such lifestyles. The Cardinal said: "Perhaps more than ever before there is that 'aggressive secularism' and there are those who would indeed try to destroy our Christian heritage and culture and take God from the public square. "Religion must not be taken from the public square. "Recently, various Christians in our society were marginalised and prevented from acting in accordance with their beliefs because they were not willing to publicly endorse a particular lifestyle. "Yes - Christians must work toward that full unity for which Christ prayed - but even at this present time Christians must be united in their common awareness of the enemies of the Christian faith in our country, of the power that they are at present exerting, and the need for us to be aware of that right to equality which so many others cry out for." Cardinal O'Brien reminded his congregation at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh of the plea by the Pope that Christians of different denominations should rediscover their common ancestry to unite in resisting the sidelining of religion. Dr Evan Harris, a campaigner for the separation of Church and state, branded the Cardinal's remarks "paranoid and unjustified". He said: "It is not 'aggressive' to call for an end to religious privilege in society and many people of faith agree with the call for the state to be neutral in religious matters." The Anglican archbishops of Canterbury and York, Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu, were also delivering Easter messages on Sunday. The Catholic archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, was speaking of his hopes for peace in conflict-hit countries such as Libya, Syria, Afghanistan and Ivory Coast. END3 ______________________ John Ashworth Sudan Advisor Sudan Ecumenical Forum [email protected] +254 725 926 297 (Kenya mobile) +249 919 695 362 (Sudan mobile) +27 82 853 3556 (South Africa mobile) +44 750 304 1790 (UK/international) +88 216 4334 0735 (Thuraya satphone) PO Box 52002 - 00200, Nairobi, Kenya This is a personal e-mail address and the contents do not necessarily reflect the views of any organisation -- The content of this message does not necessarily reflect John Ashworth's views. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, John Ashworth is not the author of the content and the source is always cited. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "sudan-john-ashworth" group. 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