The Charities Act 2006

The Charities Act 2006 removed the legal presumption that charities established for the advancement of religion have purposes that are for the public benefit. 'Public benefit' is not defined in the Charities Act 2006 and it has specifically been left to the Charity Commission to consult on the matter. Christian charities will now have to prove their 'public benefit' to the Charity Commission. It is of concern that the Charity Commission has said it will interpret 'public benefit' in the light of 'modern conditions' and what this could mean for Christian charities that exist for evangelism or which promote traditional Christian teaching on family and life issues.
The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship has submitted a response which is well-worth reading. You can access it by clickinghttp://www.christianconcernforournation.co.uk/Latest/docs/Charities.pdf

Priest and three deacons killed in Iraq

Please pray for the repose of the souls of a priest and three deacons murdered in Iraq on Sunday. Christians are suffering a bitter persecution in Iraq. We can learn a lot from their heroism. This is the report published in today's Zenit:

Benedict XVI Mourns Clerics Slain in Iraq
Chaldean Patriarch Denounces "Shameful Crime"
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a telegram of condolence in Benedict XVI's name, remembering the priest and three deacons murdered Sunday in Iraq. The priest was killed in front of the Church of the Holy Spirit after saying Sunday Mass. According to Reuters, police said that gunmen stopped the priest's car, dragged him and the deacons out and shot them.
Iraqi sources said militants related to al-Qaida are responsible for the increasing persecution of Christians in Mosul. The papal telegram was sent to Chaldean Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul.
The telegram said: "The Holy Father was deeply saddened to learn of the senseless killing of Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni and subdeacons Basman Yousef Daoud, Ghasan Bidawid and Wadid Hanna, and he asks you kindly to convey to their families his heartfelt condolences." It continued: "He willingly joins the Christian community in Mosul in commending their souls to the infinite mercy of God, our loving Father, and in giving thanks for their selfless witness to the Gospel. "At the same time he prays that their costly sacrifice will inspire in the hearts of all men and women of good will a renewed resolve to reject the ways of hatred and violence, to conquer evil with good and to cooperate in hastening the dawn of reconciliation, justice and peace in Iraq." The telegram concluded: "To the families and to all who mourn their dead in faith and in the hope which draws its certainty from the resurrection, His Holiness cordially imparts his apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord."

Meanwhile, the Chaldean patriarch of Babylon, Emmanuel III Delly, published a declaration regarding the killings. "With hearts full of bitterness the patriarch of Babylon for the Chaldeans, His Beatitude Mar Emmanuel III Delly, and all the Chaldean bishops raise a disdainful protest and denounce the martyrdom" of the four clerics, the declaration said. It continued: "This is a shameful crime that any person of conscience rejects. Those who committed it did a horrendous thing against God and humanity, against their brothers who were faithful and peaceful citizens besides being men of religion who always offered their prayers and their supplications up to Almighty God that he would bring peace, security, and stability to all of Iraq."
The note said that the Chaldean bishops of Iraq, who are meeting in a synod in al Qosh, offered their condolences and prayers. "The bishops ask everyone for unity and solidarity in these difficult moments, and on this sad occasion, they repeat what they have already declared before about the persecution of Iraqi Christians, their forced emigration, and their being pushed to deny their faith," the declaration concluded. "They ask the Iraqi leaders and the international organizations to intervene and take the necessary steps to put an end to these criminal acts."

Confirmations

On Monday night eleven young adults were confirmed by Bishop Paul Hendricks. The reception of the sacrament was the culmination of nine months of solid preparation.

Weekly catechesis focused on key apologetic questions that todays youngsters face, pressing moral challenges (particularly in the protection of human life and personal chastity), and the meaning of a personal spiritual life. Each candidate made a plan of life by which they committed themsevles to personal prayer, weekly mass (sometimes daily), confession (at least monthly) and specific daily/weekly sacrifices. After each class there was time for prayer (usually the rosary) and confessions. In May the group made a Marian pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead. It was therefore with great joy that the parish witnessed their reception of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament. Many thanks to the catechists who prepared them and to their families who have helped to bring them to this stage of their life of faith. Next year we hope to run a post-confirmation group to build on the work already achieved.

The young candidates were joined by Karin Snelson, an adult candidate, who also received confirmation. Congratulations! The parish is very grateful to Bishop Paul Hendricks for his visit, for conferring confirmation and for presiding at the Mass.