Indonesia's religious leaders appeal for peace ahead of Jakarta election ?
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=157896&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Two days ahead of the vote to decide the governor of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, that has seen a bitterly divisive campaign split along political, religious and ethnic lines, leading religious organizations of the world's most populous Muslim nation have appealed to their respective communities for a peaceful democratic process and good sense. Leaders of seven organizations and Christian confessions held a joint press conference on Monday in Jakarta at the headquarters of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest moderate Islamic organization. The organizations are the NU executive council, the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI), the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), the Nichiren Shoshu Indonesia (NSI), the Indonesian Parisada Hindu Council (PHDI), the Islamic Organisation Friendship Body (LPOI) and the Confucian Supreme Council of Indonesia (Matakin). Reiterating their support for the country’s pluralismThe representatives of ...
Two days ahead of the vote to decide the governor of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, that has seen a bitterly divisive campaign split along political, religious and ethnic lines, leading religious organizations of the world's most populous Muslim nation have appealed to their respective communities for a peaceful democratic process and good sense. Leaders of seven organizations and Christian confessions held a joint press conference on Monday in Jakarta at the headquarters of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest moderate Islamic organization. The organizations are the NU executive council, the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI), the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), the Nichiren Shoshu Indonesia (NSI), the Indonesian Parisada Hindu Council (PHDI), the Islamic Organisation Friendship Body (LPOI) and the Confucian Supreme Council of Indonesia (Matakin). Reiterating their support for the country’s pluralism
The representatives of the organizations urged their members to exercise their civil rights without delay and respect the outcome of the April 19 election. "We have to keep calm and remain focused in addressing the situation,” said the representatives. “We have a moral obligation to support the government's efforts in the second round of election in Jakarta and safeguard peace and the nation's unity”. NU president Said Aqil Siradj condemned the political use and manipulation of religion by extremist groups. He strongly criticised President Joko Widodo for not being resolute enough with those who pose a direct threat to democracy and the government.
The race to lead the city of more than 10 million has seen a bitter fight between two candidates - an ethnic Chinese Christian and a Muslim. It has triggered mass protests and stirred religious and political tensions in the world's third largest democracy. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known by his Chinese nickname as "Ahok", is the incumbent governor who favours a democratic and pluralistic Indonesia. Ahok became the city’s first ethnic Chinese and Christian leader in in 2014 when his then boss, Joko Widodo, won the presidency. He is backed by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Akok’s rival, Anies Baswedan was Widodo’s campaign manager for the presidency and former education minister who has shifted allegiance to Widodo’s 2014 presidential rival, Prabowo Subianto, and now represents Subianto's Gerindra Party. He is supported by radical Islamist movements and groups who have exploited ethnic and religious tensions for political gain.
Purnama is standing trial on blasphemy charges after allegedly insulting the Koran during the campaign. Hundreds of thousands of protesters rallied after an edited video of his comments about a Koranic verse were circulated. He has appeared in court throughout the campaign. If he wins the election but is convicted of blasphemy, Purnama can assume office as long as an appeals process is going on.
A simple majority will decide the winner of the April 19 vote. Official results are expected to be announced by the elections commission by May 5-6. (Source: AsiaNews/…)
Full Article
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=275847&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Father Eduardo Chávez has been immersed in the study and dissemination of the message of the Virgin of Guadalupe for more than 40 years. / Credit: David Ramos/ACI PrensaACI Prensa Staff, May 14, 2024 / 15:52 pm (CNA).Father Eduardo Chávez, director of the Higher Institute of Guadalupan Studies and postulator of the cause for canonization of St. Juan Diego, was recently confirmed as "master Guadalupan theologian" by Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the primatial archbishop of Mexico.The decision was made May 9 in conjunction with the Chapter of the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, headed by its rector, Father Efraín Hernández.Chávez, who also holds a doctorate in Church history from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, shared with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, his gratitude for this appointment, committing himself to "deepen knowledge of the Guadalupan event, to disseminate it throughout the world."Chávez noted that "the Virgin of Guadalupe places Je...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=275846&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
null / ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 14, 2024 / 16:22 pm (CNA).An English pediatrician who led a comprehensive review of the safety and efficacy of prescribing transgender drugs to children is warning that health associations in the United States may be misleading the public.In an interview with the New York Times published on Monday, Dr. Hilary Cass warned there is no comprehensive evidence to support the routine prescription of transgender drugs to minors with gender dysphoria. Cass published the independent "Cass Review," commissioned by the National Health Service in England, which prompted England and Scotland to halt the prescription of transgender drugs to minors until more research is conducted.As England, Scotland, and other European countries scale back their use of transgender drugs for minors, most doctors' associations and health associations in the U.S. continue to endorse these medical inter...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=275845&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, biological women's sports activist Riley Gaines, and lawyers from the Independent Women's Law Center approach the 10th Circuit Courthouse in Denver on May 14, 2024. / Credit: Photo courtesy of Independent Women's ForumWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 14, 2024 / 18:11 pm (CNA).Six members of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Wyoming are suing their sorority for admitting a man who identifies as a woman.Represented by the Independent Women's Law Center (IWLC), the sisters argued their case before a three-judge panel of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver on Tuesday. The women are alleging that the sorority's decision in fall 2022 to admit a man, Artemis Langford, violated its bylaws, which state that all members be women. The sisters have also said that Langford has harassed them in their sorority house by watching them change, taking photos, and asking "invasive" sexual questions. Allie Coghan, a Kappa Kappa Gamma a...