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| Christians in the Holy Land | |
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| Topic Started: Saturday, 3. March 2012, 08:54 (343 Views) | |
| Chris | Saturday, 3. March 2012, 08:54 Post #1 |
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I would like to bring to everyone’s attention a cause that is in much need of prayers and support. About 60 years ago, Christians constituted roughly 25 per cent of the overall Palestinian population in the Holy Land, and around 80 per cent of Bethlehem. Today, in Israel and the West Bank, their numbers have dwindled to 1%. The land that saw the birth of Christianity and has had a continuous link though the ages – the Living Stones – is in real danger of seeing the Christian population disappear in any meaningful sense. I am a volunteer for Friends of the Holy Land – an ecumenical charity, supported by the Catholic Church and Church of England. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers, support and where possible, financial contributions. I want to start the ball rolling with this post, and will add others as appropriate. Some links that will give you more information follow: Friends of the Holy Land http://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Home/About-FHL Independent Catholic News http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?keyword=Friends-of-the-Holy-Land Vatican Information Service http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2012/03/solidarity-with-christians-in-holy-land.html If anyone would like more detailed information, please fee free to PM me. |
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| Invictus_88 | Saturday, 3. March 2012, 12:26 Post #2 |
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The Church doesn't seem to have made it a priority, so the faithful tend to be neither aware not interested in Christians in the Holy Land. |
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| Derekap | Saturday, 3. March 2012, 22:45 Post #3 |
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We also need to pray for peace and harmony between the clergy and people of different denominations within the Churches of the Nativity and Holy Sepulchre instead of the scandalous violent scuffles which, sadly, take place from time to time. These quarrels also prevent essential maintenance and refurbishmnt of the buildings. |
| Derekap | |
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| Rose of York | Sunday, 4. March 2012, 00:26 Post #4 |
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Having done some internet research about the plight of Christians in the Holy Land, I am appalled to read what is going on there. A Baptist church was firebombed 14 times. Women who dress in Western style are punished for not covering their faces with veils. Muslims who convert to Christianity are persecuted. http://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Home/About-FHL/Chairman-s-Message
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Chris | Sunday, 4. March 2012, 11:38 Post #5 |
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Rose is right; the plight of Christians in the Holy Land is dire. One of the many good aspects of the work of the Friends of the Holy Land is that donations are channeled to known Christian families in particular need. Vouchers are given that are exchanged for essential goods in Christian-owned businesses, including heaters, blankets and food. Not only do those in need receive essential support, but Christian family businesses are also supported. In this way, Christians who would otherwise need to join the exodus of those leaving the Holy Land are given help to stay in their homeland. This link refers to an example from Easter last year: http://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Home/News/Friends-of-the-Holy-Land-distribute-clothes-and-food-to-Bethlehem-children |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 6. March 2012, 18:26 Post #6 |
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The system sounds good, it will reduce the possibility of aid being hijacked on behalf of governments who care not for the welfare of citizens. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Chris | Wednesday, 7. March 2012, 10:06 Post #7 |
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You're right, Rose - it eliminates such fraud entirely as all donations are channelled directly to known Christian families in need. I don't know of many other causes that can say the same thing. |
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| Chris | Wednesday, 28. March 2012, 17:10 Post #8 |
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Pope confirms September 2012 visit to Lebanon
http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=5086#.T2OfEvD4X9M.facebook#ixzz1qPYtL4J4 This can only be good news in bringing a renewed focus to this troubled region, and the plight of Christians living there. Edited by Chris, Wednesday, 28. March 2012, 17:10.
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| Derekap | Thursday, 29. March 2012, 15:17 Post #9 |
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"Lebanon, by contrast, is considered a model of stability and religious coexistence in the Middle East" Lebanon was torn by civil war just a few years ago and I keep reading that there are areas which are very sensititive to violence. Unfortuneately I think some Christians fear the future and are emigrating. |
| Derekap | |
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| OsullivanB | Thursday, 29. March 2012, 15:21 Post #10 |
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The Lebanese civil war ended over 20 years ago. There was a brief period of civl unrest in 2008. |
| "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer | |
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| Chris | Thursday, 29. March 2012, 18:05 Post #11 |
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It is also a relative place of safety for Christians and the rights of all faith groups are protected in the Lebanese constitution. |
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| Deacon Robert | Thursday, 29. March 2012, 22:18 Post #12 |
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Chris the operant word is "relative". I have a Priest friend from my Parish who became a Maronite Priest ( he was Salesian and found the order and the Catholic church in the US far too liberal). Prior to the "Arab Spring" some of our monasteries and Maronite seminaries were seeking to return to Lebanon. The winds of war and change have prevented that. |
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The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne | |
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| OsullivanB | Friday, 30. March 2012, 00:59 Post #13 |
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Do you mean they are afraid to go to a country that neighbours Syria, or that they have had indications that they would be unwelcome? |
| "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer | |
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| garfield | Friday, 30. March 2012, 09:02 Post #14 |
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More news of the situation in Homs http://www.acnuk.org/news.php/326/syria-emergency-aid-to-homs-as-nearly-all-christians-flee-the-violence |
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| Deacon Robert | Friday, 30. March 2012, 20:55 Post #15 |
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Osb, yes to both. They have seen what has occurred to Christian communities, and they would still be a minority in Lebanon. The added factor is the majority of those going there are United Staes citizens ( not weel accepted im theMid East. |
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The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne | |
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3:41 PM Jul 11