Pope Francis Creates Panel to Process ‘Backlog’ of Appeals From Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse

By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter – November 12, 2014

The Vatican announced Tuesday that Pope Francis will set up a panel to help process the “backlog” of appeals from priests who’ve been accused of committing sexual abuse against minors. The new judicial body, or college, will be overseen by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

“Hearing the appeals is a very important job, especially those on abuse of minors, and the backlog of cases is at risk of absorbing all the time of the congregation,” Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi told The Tablet, a Catholic news weekly.

“[The accused] shall have his case examined by the whole body of members of the congregation, the ordinary session, which may also examine other specific cases upon papal request, and/or examine cases referred to it by the newly created college,” he added.

The new college will mostly focus on appeals from defrocked priests, according to Reuters, which reports that “Under the changes, the new commission would handle appeals while an existing office in the doctrinal department would continue to handle initial cases. The Vatican said earlier this year that between 2004 and 2013, it had defrocked about 850 priests who had been accused of sexual abuse of minors.”

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Which of these two parties is too white and too racist? – by Andrew Bolt

To The Age it is obvious

The Greens love diversity in theory:

Australia’s strength lies in the cultural diversity of people from all corners of the globe, the Australian Greens said today… Our country has been greatly enriched by successive generations of immigrants whose influences are reflected in every facet of society.

Not every facet, actually. Greens leader Christine Milne with Greens politicians and candidates in the Victorian election:

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In contrast, Rise Up Australia leader Danny Nalliah with candidates in the Victorian election

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Age writer Ruby Hamad isn’t so sure about this diversity thing, after all:

Yes, it appears that Australia’s far right, ultra-nationalist, evangelical Christian, anti-abortion, and anti-immigration party has an extraordinary amount of gender and racial diversity. More so, as I noted someone comment dryly under the photo, than The Greens.

How is this possible?

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Lord Monckton stands beside Rise Up Australia

The Age - Craig Butt - November 20, 2014 Lord Christopher Monckton is lending his support to the Rise Up Australia Party's Victorian election campaign, and has helped one of…

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Rabbi Cowen from the Faith, Values & Politics Institute interviews RUAP President Daniel Nalliah, Rosalie Crestani and Lord Christopher Monckton

Dear friends & family in Christ, You may click the following links to watch the 1st & 2nd segments of Rabbi Cowen from the Faith, Values & Politics Institute interviewing…

Continue ReadingRabbi Cowen from the Faith, Values & Politics Institute interviews RUAP President Daniel Nalliah, Rosalie Crestani and Lord Christopher Monckton

Obama Finally Admits His Same-Sex Marriage Agenda

Peter Cooney/Reuters

President Obama said the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent move to uphold lower-court rulings allowing gay marriage in several states may be its most significant decision during his time in office, he told the New Yorker magazine in comments published on Monday.
In declining to decide whether states can prohibit gay marriage, the court last week rejected seven different appeals of court rulings striking down gay marriage bans, effectively giving the go-ahead to same-sex marriage in 11 states that previously outlawed it.
“In some ways, the decision that was just handed down to not do anything about what states are doing on same-sex marriage may end up being as consequential — from my perspective, a positive sense — as anything that’s been done,” Obama was quoted as saying in an article about his legal legacy.
Among major Supreme Court decisions during his six years in office was a 2012 ruling upholding the constitutionality of Obama’s healthcare reform law, known as Obamacare.
Obama, who in 2012 became the first U.S. president to publicly express support for gay marriage, told the magazine he now believed the Constitution required all states to allow same-sex marriage.

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Gay activists launch all-out campaign to stop Australian Christian conference

Oct 23, 2014  – Faith, Freedom, Homosexuality – Andrew Smith, Australian correspondent

CANBERRA – Gay activists in Australia have launched a furious campaign to convince Australian opposition leader Bill Shorten to pull out of speaking at the Australian Christian Lobby‘s national conference this weekend, and to pressure the hotel hosting the event to cancel.

While gay activists had previously achieved notable success in convincing politicians to withdraw from the World Congress of Families event in Melbourne in August, this case has a twist, in that Shorten himself personally supports gay “marriage,” and is so far refusing to back down.

A spokesman for the Australian Christian Lobby, which is a leading force in the country against redefining marriage, told LifeSiteNews that organizers of the conference are aware of Shorten’s position, but that rather than go the path of shutting down public discussion on an issue, the ACL’s position is to have open debate in the public space.

But despite the opposition leader’s support for their cause, gay activists deluged his office with about 100 phone calls in a single day, asking him to pull out of speaking at the conference, while he has also received continued pressure in the homosexual media.

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Brian Houston, the Golden Rule and the Golden Calf

David Ravenhill

It was wise old Solomon who said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Megachurch leader Brian Houston’s response to the LGBT issue talks about “the world we live in, there’s the weight we live with, and there’s the Word we live by.” The present world we live in is no different than the world of the past. Jesus made it abundantly clear that the world of Noah’s day was no different than the world of today or that of the future. “As it was during the days of Noah so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man.” That being the case, then the weight we live with has not changed either. The issue of sin and depravity is as old as the fall of man. Likewise the Word we live by is just as relevant today as it ever was. God is not in catch up mode when it comes to being abreast of current trends, trials, and temptations.

What every spiritual leader needs to remember is that God chose His first priesthood on the basis of their willingness to separate themselves from the idolatry and immorality that the rest of His people were condoning and practicing. Allow me to jog your memory for a moment. God had originally planned for the head of every household to function in a priestly calling. We see this in operation at the first Passover when the children of Israel did not have to wait for a delegated priest to preside over the sacrificing of the Passover lamb. The responsibility was given to the head of each house. This today we refer to as the priesthood of all believers.

What brought about the change in leadership happened at the time of the golden calf. Israel, you recall, became anxious about Moses who had left the camp to meet with God. Following his departure the people pressured Aaron into giving them a god that would go before them and lead them. Aaron bowed to the pressure and created the golden calf. What followed was nothing less than a sexual orgy. Israel gave themselves over to every base and degrading sexual passion imaginable. During the height of this sex feast God issued a challenge through Moses who had now returned to the camp for anyone and everyone to separate themself and stand with God against all the carnality, immorality and idolatry. Out of the twelve tribes, only the tribe of Levi responded and answered God’s call.

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Hillsong’s Brian Houston on Gay Marriage: ‘I Believe the Writings of Paul Are Clear on This Subject’

By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter – October 18, 2014

Hillsong Church pastor Brian Houston has issued a statement specifying his position on marriage and homosexuality after a news outlet reported that he “won’t take (a) public position on LGBT issues.”

The news report came after Houston brought up the topics of homosexuality and same-sex marriage at a press conference held on Thursday with New York City media, on the occasion of Hillsong Conference being held at Madison Square Garden.

“I encourage people not to assume a media headline accurately represents what I said at a recent press conference,” Houston says in a statement emailed to The Christian Post on Saturday.

“Nowhere in my answer did I diminish biblical truth or suggest that I or Hillsong Church supported gay marriage,” he adds. “I challenge people to read what I actually said, rather than what was reported that I said. My personal view on the subject of homosexuality would line up with most traditionally held Christian views. I believe the writings of Paul are clear on this subject.”

(Photo: The Christian Post/Scott Liu)

Pastors Brian Houston and Bobbie Houston of Hillsong Church appear at a press conference on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at The Eventi Hotel in New York City. The press conference came on the occasion of the Hillsong Conference being held at Madison Square Garden from Oct. 16-18 in NYC.

The question that resulted in Houston’s remarks on homosexuality centered on how his church tries to remain relevant. In his response, the Hillsong pastor offered homosexual marriage as an issue that is a challenge for some churches. Traditional Christian teachings define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

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Vatican Document Makes Dramatic Tone Shift Over Homosexuals

10/13/2014 Philip Pullella/Reuters

In a dramatic shift in tone, a Vatican document said on Monday that homosexuals had “gifts and qualities to offer” and asked if Catholicism could accept gays and recognize positive aspects of same-sex couples.

The document, prepared after a week of discussions at an assembly of 200 bishops on the family, said the Roman Church should challenge itself to find “a fraternal space” for homosexuals without compromising Catholic doctrine on family and matrimony.

While the text did not signal any change in the Church’s condemnation of homosexual acts or its opposition to gay marriage, it used language that was less judgmental and more compassionate than past Vatican statements under previous popes.

The document will be the basis for discussion for the second and final week of the assembly, known as a synod, which was called by Pope Francis and focuses on the theme of the family.

It will also serve for further reflection among Catholics around the world ahead of another, definitive synod next year.

“Homosexuals have gifts and qualities to offer the Christian community: Are we capable of welcoming these people, guaranteeing to them a further space in our communities? Often they wish to encounter a Church that offers them a welcoming home,” said the document, known by its Latin name “relatio.”

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AN INTERESTING BRIEF VIDEO OF THE PROTEST AT WCF CONFERENCE / WE’RE REALLY ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE FENCE

Dear friends, Father's day has, more than ever, revealed the need for reconciliation in families, the Nation. There is much more than one generation of fatherless children in Australia; from…

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Challenges & excitement of hosting the WCF Conference at CTFM / 350-400 inside & 50 protesters outside / Around 7500 watch live webcast

Dear friends & family in Christ,

On Thursday 28th of August, Pr Daniel was informed that the World Congress of Families Conference did not have a venue for their conference on Saturday 30th of Aug, as 3-4 different locations had all cancelled their bookings because the protesters got to the venue owners and threatened them with sabotage.

On hearing this he opened Catch The Fire Ministries premises to be used for the conference. Just for the record, CTFM did not organise this conference, but was one of the supporting organizations. When the organizer of the conference heard about the CTFM venue, she was very relieved as finally they had a place. She told Pr Daniel, “I hope you don’t let me down” for which he responded, “that will not happen with us.”  We applaud Babette Francis and her team at Endeavour Forum for organising this conference.

Then CTFM staff started getting several threatening emails and calls to cancel the event from the protesters. The protesters expected a response similar to the other venues. thinking that we will cancel too. They were shocked that we did not back down.

On Friday 4 police officers and 2 local council members met with us and one of the officers told Pr Daniel at least 3 times, “Are you sure you are going to have this conference?? The protesters are expecting thousands.” Pr Daniel responded, “They are just making a mountain out of a mole hill.” Then the officer asked him, “How many do you think will come?” He responded, “I think around 60-80.”

Pr Daniel stated, “It is a very sad day when you want to speak about family values, that it is considered to be so offensive. What is good is evil and what is evil now is good”.

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DIE HARDS ..AND KILL HARDS…..TRY TO SPOIL WORLD CONGRESS MAJOR POLLIES ABSTAIN… SAVE…. RISE UP AUSTRALIA PARTY’s DANIEL NALLIAH, and FRED NILE

Dear friends & family in Christ,

You may click the following links to read various media reports about The World Congress of Families organised by Endeavour Forum and held at Catch The Fire Ministries Centre in Hallam (Melbourne) on Saturday 30th August.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/24855189/world-congress-of-families-controversial-conference-begins-at-catch-the-fire-ministries-amid-protests-in-melbourne/

http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/protesters-target-world-congress-of-families-conference-in-melbourne/story-fnj4aog3-1227042214800

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/30/protesters-block-entry-world-congress-families-starts-chaos

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/protester-storms-stage-at-controversial-world-congress-of-families-conference-20140830-10actf.html

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/protesters-target-world-congress-of-families-conference-in-melbourne/story-fni0fit3-1227042157115

All of the major TV media outlets should also broadcast on this evening’s news as there were also present and personally interviewed Pr Daniel.

We’ll send you a more detailed report early next week with more media reports and photos.

Following is a report from Rise Up Australia Party.

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Hobby Lobby and False Charges of Hypocrisy

By John Stonestreet , Christian Post Guest Columnist – June 26, 2014|

Oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby case ended earlier this year, and a decision is expected within days. And in the meantime, this Christian-owned business has had to make its case to critics of corporate religious freedom outside the courtroom too—even to some inside the Church.

Last Tuesday writing in “The Week,” Christian author and columnist Jonathan Merritt argued that we should stop calling Hobby Lobby a “Christian business.” Because in Hobby Lobby’s case, he says, he smells a strong whiff of hypocrisy.

The H.H.S. mandate, part of the Affordable Care act, requires employers to provide abortion-inducing drugs in their insurance policies. Hobby Lobby president, Steve Green, along with leaders of other Christian businesses, not-for-profits, and institutions have been fighting it in court for almost as long.

“We’re Christians,” Green told me, “and we run our business on Christian principles.”

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What Does Jesus Really Think About Same-Sex Marriage

 4/30/2014 Jared Moore

One argument in favor of gay marriage made by professed Christians and unbelievers is “Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality.” Is this statement true? Yes and no.

It’s true that we have no record of Jesus specifically mentioning homosexuality during His earthly ministry, but He didn’t mention bestiality or molesting children either. Does this “argument from silence” (a logical fallacy) prove that Jesus was OK with these things? Of course not.

We do know, however, that Jesus affirmed marriage as between one man and one woman in a one-flesh relationship for life by appealing to creation. (Of course, Jesus is God the Son incarnate. He affirms the entire Old Testament. Yet even if I grant that Jesus’ words, the red letters, during His earthly ministry are more authoritative than the rest of Scripture, the argument still fails.) He essentially said, “It’s Adam and Eve, and not any other definition.” Thus, Jesus rejected every other so-called definition of marriage beyond what was given in Genesis 1:27 and 2:23-24.

In Mark 10:2-9, we read, “And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’ He answered them, ‘What did Moses command you?’ They said, ‘Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, “God made them male and female.” “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate’” (ESV).

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Army of Conservative Lawyers Scores Victories for the Faithful in America’s Courtrooms

May 12, 2014 – Erik Eckholm – The New York Times 

Alan Sears, who has run the Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom since its founding 20 years ago, turned to a picture of Abraham Lincoln in his office here and noted the decades of blood and tears it took to abolish slavery.

“I think there is no question that one day, this country will again recognize that marriage is between a man and a woman,” said Mr. Sears, a former top official in the Reagan Justice Department.

The comparison may or may not prove apt, but these are heady days for Alliance Defending Freedom, which, with its $40 million annual budget, 40-plus staff lawyers and hundreds of affiliated lawyers, has emerged as the largest legal force of the religious right, arguing hundreds of pro bono cases across the country. It has helped shift the emphasis of religious freedom enshrined in the Constitution. For decades, courts leaned toward keeping religion out of public spaces. Today, thanks to cases won by the alliance and other legal teams focused on Christian causes, the momentum has tilted toward allowing religious practices with fewer restrictions.

The group last Monday celebrated a major victory in the Supreme Court, where a client, the Town of Greece, N.Y., won the right to open council meetings with mainly Christian prayers.

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