Thursday 28 March 2013

Apostle Alex Mitala replaced: Pastor Joshau Lwere becomes new Head of National fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda




New NFBAPC Bishop Joshua Lwere (Middle) being congratulated by Apostle Alex Mitala  Photo by Samuel Lutwama
newvision


Who is pastor Joshua  Lwere? 

Last week, leaders of the National Fellowship of  Born Again Pentecostal Churches(NFBPC ) http://nfbpc.org  elected new officer bearers . Pastor Joshau Lwere was elected General Overseer of this fellowship . Pastor Joshau Lwere is the senior pastor of Grace Assemblies church, Kampala. He is a major proponent of the generation curse teaching and dominion theology. He has been a frequent preacher during President Museveni’s state house prayer breakfast meetings.

Watch: Pastor Joshau Lwere becomes head of National fellowship for Born Again Pentecostal Churches


Will Pastor Joshua Lwere  attack ecumenism like Apostle Alex Mitala? 

 Apostle Alex Mitala has been a firm critic of  ecumenism . Un like Pastor Joseph Serwadda who has joined  the ecumenical Inter-religious Council of Uganda, Apostle Alex Mitala has tried to stick to the view that a born again person can not join with religious fellows such as Catholics , Anglicans and Muslims. Apostle Mitala has tried during his tenure to caution pastors and the flock against wanting to accumulate material things very fast.  He has urged Born again unbelievers to work hard and as lived by example. He has been a firm critic of homosexuality and the teaching of the catholic and Anglican churches which as not biblical such as the baptism of infants. During his reign the preaching of the American prosperity gospel  has been the order of the day among pastors under the National Fellowship of  Born Again Pentecostal Churches(NFBPC ).
 



Born-again fellowship gets new boss


Publish Date: Mar 25, 2013


By Samuel Lutwama


Bishop Joshua Lwere of Grace Assembly Church on Sir Apollo Kagwa Road is the new leader of National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal churches of Uganda (NFBAPC).


Lwere garnered 210 votes trouncing Apostle John Bunjo of Christian Restoration Ministries who scored 90 votes and Godwin Sempebwa of Jesus Coming Mission Ministries with a mere 26 votes to replace Apostle Alex Mitala who has served for 9 years.


The new leader was elected by 300 members in an electoral college at Redeemed Church Makerere in Kampala.


"The election of the new leader was definitely a tense exercise," Pastor Godfrey Katende, the chairman of the electoral commission remarked shortly after declaring the winner.


Alex Mitala of Back to Bible Truth ministries took over from Simeon Kayiwa of Namirembe Christian fellowship and served for two terms.



When Uganda Pentecostals Celebrate a Rigged Election: Pastor Joshua Bosco Lwere Preaches dominion theology instead of repentance

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2011/04/when-uganda-pentecostals-celebrate.html

Kasubi prayers cause debate

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/714958

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2010/03/kasubi-tombs-inferno-exposes-merger-of.html


 Apostle Alex Mitala, Former Head of The National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal churches 



Spiritual politics: Apostle Alex Mitala, blasts bishops and other spiritual heads for calling on President Yoweri Museveni to quit power and for the restoration of Presidential term limits.

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/06/spiritual-politics-apostle-alex-mitala.html


http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/631609-born-again-leaders-blast-counterparts.html


Pastor Joshua Lwere in the eyes of his friends

Joshua Lwere - Kampala Pastor - Ugandan Visionary



Sunday, October 16, 2011


Pastor Joshua Lwere, lives in Kampala, Uganda- Africa, and is a change agent for not only his country, not only East Africa, but for his entire continent. He is a simple man with a simple vision of seeing individuals, families, communities, regions and nations transformed from darkness, into the light of Jesus, in a holistic way, meaning not just spiritual transformed, but in the natural, living a prosperous life, here on earth.


We are so excited that we will be working with Pastor Joshua, because that is what God placed on our hearts, 5 years ago. God told us that we would be ministering in Africa (and the world) in a Spirit, Soul and Body way. We said "Great! What's that God?" God unfolded a plan to us that would see people's lives transformed here on earth, enabling them to earn a better living, live healthier lives, start small businesses, provide for physical immediate needs such as food, clothing, shelter and medical needs, AND teaching them the Word of God, building a strong Biblical foundation, teaching and training pastors, missionaries, youth leaders, evangelists- in other words, make disciples who will make disciples. Sounds like it came from God's Word, eh? We thought so too!

Pastor Joshua has his main church in Uganda's capital- Kampala, plus an additional 12 or so "branch" churches. He also the General Secretary of the "National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda" (whew- that's a mouth full!), which is an association of literally thousands of churches in Uganda. 


Pastor Joseph Serwadda Presiding Apostle of Born Again Faith Federation who broke away from NFBPC has joined the Ecumenical Inter religious Council


Repent, Pr. Serwadda tells leaders in New Year message
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/638439-repent-pr-serwadda-tells-leaders-in-new-year-message.html



King Abdul-Aziz International Centre for Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) donates 81.6bn to the Interreligious council of Uganda


 


He has setup the church into 2 separate groups: the church and its ministries and an outreach which has it's own ministries. The church side has a Bible school, youth services, Sunday services, etc. The outreach side has many components, such as animal husbandry program, 400 child orphanage and school to an area of Uganda that was absolutely decimated by AIDS, low cost housing to get families out of slum/shanty shacks and an outreach to the Karamojo region of Uganda, which considered the most backwards part of Uganda, where many local tribes people still go around naked- as in completely naked. He has begun building an infrastructure in the region, beginning with low-cost housing for NGO's and other civil service workers (teachers, aid workers, etc.), of whom most speak English. He is also building a church, in order to reach the workers, who are the ones who directly work with the Karamojong people. He has had several meeting with the tribal leaders there, in order to secure the necessary "right" to work with the people there.

Pastor Joshua Lwere with the brocefamily



The best thing about all of these projects? He designs them to be self-supporting, so they're not dependent upon western support! How amazing is that? 



What else is cool? The government of Uganda has given Pastor Joshua incredible favor. President Musevini and his wife, Janet, who is an MP or Member of Parliament and is the Minister of Karamojo, have charged Pastor Joshua with bringing transformation to the Karamojo region, which the government has tried to do for years, but has been unsuccessful. In fact, the government has given about 20 acres towards the project.


In addition, Church For All Nations of Colorado Springs, CO has partnered with Pastor Joshua and his church, to help bring the needed support and resources to jump start and take to the next level many of these outreach projects, including the Karamojo region.


Pastor Joshua's vision is to see Uganda transform from a third world country to a "second" world country. The timing is now, as the government is very supportive. "Strike while the iron's hot!"



We are so excited to be a part of what is happening. God has something special for Uganda, and we are honored to be a part of it!



Banned Pastor Opens New Church in Masaka

http://www.redpepper.co.ug/banned-pastor-opens-new-church-in-masaka/

 Kennedy Kuteesa, a pastor who was recently banned after some members of his church accused him of sexually abusing them during overnight prayers and counseling sessions has started a new church in Masaka. He was accused of smearing oil and jelly on the sexual organs of his female followers claiming it was from heaven.  As a result, the National Fellowship of Born Again Churches closed Kuteesa’s church and banned him from carrying out evangelism.

A team of Pastors led by Leonard Sserwadda, the regional Bishop of Born Again Pentecostal Churches in Masaka was instituted to investigate the sexual abuse allegations against Kuteesa. The accused went silent for some time, but has now started a new church in Kyabakuza trading center along Masaka-Mbarara Highway.

The church is called Power and Glory church and it has started attracting new followers. He is also operates an office on Mutto Plaza along Elgin Street in Masaka Town under Power and Glory church, where he conducts fellowships. Pastor Leonard Sserwadda, the Regional Overseer of Born Again Churches in Masaka says they have approved Kuteesa’s operations. He says that they lifted the ban on Kuteesa after he settled the sexual abuse allegations with his victims.

Pastor Kennedy however, says that none of the sexual abuse victims was compensated because they didn’t show any interest. Pastor Sserwadda declined to reveal the identities of the sexual abuse, only saying that they were many.

He says that Kuteesa pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness that is why he was banned.Sserwadda says that during the ban, Kuteesa was ordered to stay with Pastor Eriyah Kisakye in Kampala to monitor his activities. He says that police also cleared Kuteesa after reaching an understanding with the sexual abuse victims.

Pastor Kuteesa initially refused to speak to the media saying that he needed to pray over the matter for fear of resurrecting the old scandal. He told the media at his on Mutto Plaza that he doesn’t want to discuss the 2006 scandal because it would destroy his new church. Kuteesa says that the matter was handled and settled, adding that he has started a new life.

The intentions of opening the church in Kyabakuza is to touch souls afflicted with diseases, poverty and alcoholism. Ben Lwanga, whose house is close to the church says that they are not aware of Kuteesa’s past history.

He says they usually see him preaching over the weekends but didn’t know that he was involved in suspicious practices. Lwanga asked government to re-investigate Kuteesa to establish whether he is fully reformed.

Noah Sserunjoji, the Southern Region Police Spokesperson says they don’t have any complaints against Kuteesa. He however says police will revisit the old files if any and see what exactly happened because some of the allegations against him where criminal in nature.

Ugandan Celebrity Prophetess, Maggie Kayima quizzed by police over necromancy song

10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: (Deuteronomy 18 (King James Version))





Last week Prophetess Maggie Kayima( a.k.a Nabbi Omukazi)  was quizzed by police over a song that arose from her conversations with the dead. The song is titled, ‘The hearts of people’. In this song she alleges that many dead people told her that what was reported as the cause of their death was a lie. She sings about some one who was poisoned but another cause of death was reported. She also alleges to have talked to the spirit of the late Habyarimana which told her that what was reported as the cause of his death was not true.  After coming out of the police session, she adamantly sang a portion of this song before the journalists.  


Read;

Uganda’s Prosperity Female Prophetess (Nabbi omukazi) Maggie Kayima’s Occult connection exposed


 

Police Summon Musician Over “Nebanda Spirits” Song


Uganda Police have summoned a popular local musician Maggie Kayima, commonly known as “Nabbi Omukazi,” over a song in which she claims to have talked to the spirits of departed Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda.

By


Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi says Kayima will have to tell the investigative arm of the law enforcement body “what the spirits told her about the death of Nebanda and how she talked to them.”

He added:”We want Kayima to shed more light on those spirits. We are interested in her discussion with those spirits.”

In her controversial song, Kayima rubbishes reports that Nebanda died of drug abuse in December 2012 as reported by government.

Nebanda’s death caused a political storm last year, with sections of the political class insisting the outspoken legislator had succumbed to poison. 

According to Ssenkumbi, Nayiga is required at appear before detective Fred Mirondo at CIID headquarters in Kibuli at 2pm on Friday.

 

Singer “Nabbi Omukazi” Summoned over Nebanda’s Death

http://www.ugandapicks.com/2013/03/singer-nabbi-omukazi-summoned-over-nebandas-death-61776.html

Posted on March 22, 2013

By Ahura Mujuni Mark

Gospel Singer Maggie Kayima  commonly known as “Nabbi Omukazi,” has been summoned by police to throw more light on Cerinah Nebanda’s death.Nabbi Omukazi recently released a song where she claims that she talked to the spirits of  fallen  Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda.

On Thursday ,Ibin Senkumbi ,the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson said that they want Maggie Kayima ,Nabbi Omukazi to explain  “what the spirits told her about the death of Nebanda and how she talked to them.”

Kayima in her song refutes government reports that Cerina Nebanda died of drug abuse in December 2012

Nabbi Omukazi is required to appear before detective Fred Mirondo at CIID headquarters in Kibuli at 2pm  today  March 22, 2013.

The self proclaimed Prophetess and  gospel singer became famous after her hit in ‘Nabbi Omukazi’ but has of recent released secular songs as well .

Nabbi Omukazi Wanted By Police Over Emitima Song

http://www.bigeye.ug/news/2273/Nabbi-Omukazi-Wanted-By-Police-Over-Emitima-Song/#.UVVjUjeeZwE

 

  Article by: Ian Ortega    Date: March 21, 2013    

  

The Police has sent Maggie Kayima a letter asking her to appear at Police over her controversial 'emitima gy'abantu' song. 



The Kampala metropolitan police Spokesman Ibin Ssekumbi says Nabbi Omukazi will be quizzed over the lyrics she used in her song and the various issues police has failed to understand that the song aims to put to light. 



"Nabbi Omukazi must shed more light concerning what she sang about in her song, we don't seem to understand what she meant," said Ssenkumbi.



Ssekumbi said that calling Kayima for questioning follows complaints from a person whose name has been withheld. The person in question said the song was hurting certain people and Kayima had a hidden motive in composing the song.



Ssenkumbi said that in this particular song Kayima seems to mention some names. These names and why they are included in the song is the reason police want Kayima to make an appearance.



Kayima will be expected at the CID offices at 8am on Friday morning without fail.


Pastor’s Ponzi Scheme Exposed: Nat'l Televangelist Tells Viewers to Obey God, Send Him $273 'Recovery Seed' Donation



 

Nat'l Televangelist Tells Viewers to Obey God, Send Him $273 'Recovery Seed' Donation

http://www.christianpost.com/news/natl-televangelist-tells-viewers-to-obey-god-send-him-273-recovery-seed-donation-92611/#MYwvGXmZpGk41Mlo.99

 

Numbers 2, 7, 3 Are to His $1.38 Million High-Rise Condo in Charlotte, N.C



By Melissa Barnhart , CP Contributor


March 25, 2013|5:40 pm

Todd Coontz, the founder of RockWealth International Ministries, a nonprofit organization, is coming under fire for telling viewers that if they act obediently toward God and send him a minimum of $273 for a "recovery seed" donation, God will reward them with a "supernatural change in 90 days."


Coontz told viewers: "Several months ago, God gave me the single greatest miracle of my lifetime in one day, and the numbers two, seven and three were involved."

Ironically, the $1.38 million Rosewood high-rise luxury condo where Coontz lives, was purchased in May 2012 by the RockWealth International Church, according to Charlotte's WSOC-TV.

Part of Coontz' ministry website claims that donors' dollars will go toward overseas missions to feed the hungry and support orphaned children, but his Twitter account only shows several pictures of him working-out in opulent locales in San Diego and Beverly Hills, Calif., where he tweeted a picture of Rodeo Drive from his hotel room.

On March 2, Coontz tweeted a picture of a FexEx truck and told his followers: "My financial life changed in Honolulu, Hawaii! Sowing an Uncommon Seed created my FedEx Testimony of monthly checks!"

Many Christians believe that Coontz, and others like him, are spreading a false doctrine, and one that preys on the poor, while those who teach the prosperity gospel reap the rewards of their evil deeds.



"They're telling lies in the name of God," said Ole Anthony, the president and one of the founders of the Trinity Foundation, a nonprofit foundation that monitors and investigates religious fraud.

According to Anthony, Coontz is "just one of many who are scheming to make themselves rich."

Coontz, who's often a featured guest on prosperity gospel pastor Benny Hinn's program, told viewers earlier this year on Hinn's show that God sent him "seven prophetic promises for 2013." And one promise is that he's going to receive a "triple favor anointing," and if viewers also want to receive God's triple favor anointing, they must "sew a seed" by sending a donation of $300.

On his ministry's website, Coontz is also asking people to send him a $1,000 donation to receive a "triple favor" blessing from God.

"That's just a damnable lie," said Tom Currie, the dean of Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, N.C., during an interview with WSOC-TV. "I think that what he's doing is shameful, and I feel sad for him and for the people who give money to him."

Currie continued: "When I see people using the gospel of Jesus Christ to get money out of poor people for the own ends – there's a special place in hell reserved for such folks. And they are accountable, one day."

There are warning signs that Christians can watch out for that reveal if a televangelist or pastor is appealing for donations for their own personal gain. Anthony suggests looking at the example of the first century church, and if a pastor comes to you asking for money, one should "shun him," because "he's a false apostle."

Anthony told the CP there's no example in scripture that shows that one can receive healing or financial prosperity by giving money to a ministry or preacher.

"This is the most ancient heresy in the world," he said. "In the first century, evangelists lived as the poorest of the poor, not the richest of the rich. But now, they're just a blip on the television screen."

Anthony believes the prosperity gospel is becoming more pervasive in our culture because of the "spiritual infantilism of the American public and the great financial need of the world around us."

He explained that when people who donate hundreds or thousands of dollars don't receive the financial reward they were promised, the prosperity gospel evangelists "tell people it's their fault." And, if they are suffering or don't have money, they are living out of favor with God.

"It's heresy of the worst order;" Anthony said.


 




Trying out this type of simple living: Pope Francis shuns grand apartment for two rooms: Oh! Really




Pope Francis has opted for the simpler surroundings of the Domus Santa Marta hotel-style residence rather than the traditional palatial papal quarters

 

A simple , humble Jesuit, Give me a break!!! Since when have Jesuits been simple : Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, known for simplicity and conservatism




A Jesuit Becomes the Pope of Rome: Unveiling what lies inside the pope curtain




  My Comments

Humility of Pope Francis!! Give me a break !!Let him sell the Golden Pope robes in Vatican and give the money to the poor. Let him sell the Luxurious Bishop’s Palace and give the money to the poor. The luxury of the papacy can not be compared the luxury of evangelicals who drive SUVs. This so called simplicity of the Pope is a pure deception.

 

Do you know how the Vatican was built? By stealing from the poor!!! Pope Leo X (A.D. 1475-1521) commissioned John Tetzel, a Dominican monk, to travel throughout Germany selling indulgences on behalf of the Church. Tetzel declared that as soon as the coins “clinked” in his money chest, the souls of those for whom the indulgences had been purchased would fly out of purgatory. I challenge the ‘simple’ Pope Francis to refund all the money that the catholic church stole from the poor under the deception of the so called indulgences.

 

"When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs."
Johann or John Tetzel, a Dominican friar, was Pope Leo's master salesman. Tetzel traveled from village to village with a brass-bound chest, a bag of printed receipts and an enormous cross draped with the papal banner. His entrance into the town square, with the papal bull announcing the indulgence on a velvet cushion, was heralded with bells, candles, flags and relics. Staging his show in the nave of the local church, Tetzel would announce, 'I have here the passports to lead the human soul to the celestial joys of paradise. The Holy Father [the Pope] has the power in heaven and earth to forgive sin, and if he forgives it, God must do so also'. The cost of the indulgence, Tetzel was quick to point out, was cheap when the alternatives were taken into account. Among the demons and tempests in the medieval world, the indulgence, no matter the price, offered a glimpse of light in a world of darkness. In Germany, Tetzel exceeded his quota, as he always did. Indulgences were most popular among the peasants, yet it also hit them the hardest; they had the least money to spare. Tetzel's indulgence-selling campaign led Martin Luther to act on the frustrations that were consuming his thoughts. When Luther posted his 'Ninety-Five Theses', the sales of indulgences dropped considerably. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_is_John_Tetzel


The catholic church can never be an object of simplicity. It is a satanic institution that has hardened the heart of peope to totally rebel against God and His holy word. It is a satanic institution that makes people hypocrites. How can as simple some one practice this:


Pope Francis Homily: Unite Your Sorrows With Mary

On this feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, Fr. Ignatius exhorts us to share in Jesus' sorrows by carefully paying attention to the sorrows of Our Lady and offering ours with Hers. Read Full Article ....


The Real Blessed Mother of Jesus, Mary


Pope Francis shuns grand apartment for two rooms

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21949118

26 March 2013Last updated at 22:58 GMT

Pope Francis has decided to shun a grand papal apartment on the top floor of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace in favour of a modest two-room residence.

His spokesman said he was "trying out this type of simple living" in a communal building with other priests.

In doing so he has broken a tradition which is more than a century old.

The decision reinforces the newly-elected Pope's austere reputation. As archbishop of Buenos Aires he refused to move into the Bishop's Palace.

Preferring more modest accommodation, he also often cooked his own meals.

Communal meals

Since the reign of Pope Pius X at the beginning of the 20th Century every pope has occupied the palatial penthouse apartment with more than a dozen rooms, staff quarters, a terrace and extensive views over the city of Rome.

But since his election Pope Francis has been living in a simple two-room suite in the Domus Santa Marta - a hotel-style residence built by Pope John Paul II next to St Peter's Basilica.

And he intends to go on living there for the foreseeable future, according to the Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi.

"This morning he let his fellow cardinals know that he will keep living with them for a certain period of time," Mr Lombardi said.

He said he could not say whether the Pope would remain in these quarters in the long term.

"It is still a period of getting used to things," Mr Lombardi added.

Pope Francis will continue to use the papal library on the second floor of the Apostolic palace for receiving official guests and will appear on Sundays at the window used by previous popes to address pilgrims in St Peters Square.

About half the 105 suites in the residence are occupied by Vatican staff, who had to move out of their rooms to accommodate visiting cardinals during the holding of the recent conclave at which Pope Francis was elected.

The Pope will take his meals in the communal dining room together with other visiting clerics and permanent residents.

His simple new communal home contrasts with the much larger accommodation currently being renovated inside the Vatican for the future use of the now retired former Pope Benedict and his staff, reports the BBC's David Willey in Rome.



ALSO READ:

Christians Condemn Idolatrous ‘Queenship of Mary’ Observance, Emphasize Need for Evangelism

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/08/christians-condemn-idolatrous-queenship.html



Striving Tooth And Nail to Defend False Doctrine: Msgr J.W. Katende Joins Archbishop Of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga In The Ridiculous Defence Of Mary Worship

http://watchmanafrica.blogspot.com/2012/09/striving-tooth-and-nail-defend-false.html 

Putting an extra grip on South America’s Catholicism bondage: World’s largest Marian statue unveiled in Bolivia: THE PRESENTATION OF THE $1.2 MILLION STATUE ALSO MARKED THE BEGINNING OF CARNAVAL IN ORUGO. THE CITY’S FESTIVAL IS THE ONLY CARNAVAL CELEBRATION THAT INCLUDES A DANCE IN HONOR OF THE VIRGIN MARY.



Wednesday 27 March 2013

Stripping for Jesus!!! Alabama church's 'Strip For Me' billboard draws attention



 

  The pastor of a Birmingham church picked the sign's location near a strip club because 'we want the brothers who are walking in...to know God has a greater cause for your life.' (MyFoxAl.com)

Alabama church's 'Strip For Me' billboard draws attention

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/26/alabama-church-trip-for-me-billboard-draws-attention/   

Published March 26, 2013
FoxNews.com

The Rock Church in Birmingham, Ala., says its unusual billboard is serving its purpose, grabbing people's attention and making patrons of a local strip club think twice about how they spend their money, MyFoxAl.com reported.

The church's sign quotes Jesus from Hebrews, saying simply, "Strip for me." The message: Instead of spending money in a strip club, spend it in a way that will better your family and yourself.

Even more powerful, perhaps, is the location of the sign, which can be seen just behind The Palace Gentlemen's Club sign on 3rd Avenue West in the city's downtown.

Pastor Mike McClure, Jr., expected some negativity in response to the billboard but he said he doesn't mind. He says his church is out to change lives of Magic City men.

"We strategically picked the strip club because we want the brothers who are walking in...to know God has a greater cause for your life," he said.

McClure says the religious message is clear in the scripture on the billboard.

"The scripture says...slows down, maybe your life is slow because of stuff you need to strip off. When you begin to strip watch how fast your life goes," he said.
McClure wants to hold men accountable and encourage them to stay out of strip clubs and spend more time being good fathers and family members. He says the big picture is making Birmingham better.

"It all starts with a good man in the house," he said.



Pope Wants to Partner With Islam to Tackle Poverty






First Read:

King Abdul-Aziz International Centre for Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) donates 81.6bn to the Interreligious council of Uganda



Ecumenical bells: Pope calls for 'respect' for all religions

 


March 22 - Pope Wants to Partner With Islam to Tackle Poverty


Article: One World Religion
 
Pope Francis urged the West on Friday to intensify dialogue with Islam and appealed to the world to do more to combat poverty.

The new pontiff made his appeal in an address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican, sending a message through them to the leaders of the more than 170 countries with which the Vatican has diplomatic relations. Speaking in Italian, he also made another impassioned appeal for the defense of the poor and of the environment, saying richer countries should fight what he called "the spiritual poverty of our times" by re-forging links with God.

He urged them to help keep religion central in public life and promote inter-religious dialogue as a catalyst for efforts to build peace.


"In this work (peace building), the role of religion is fundamental. It is not possible to build bridges between people while forgetting God," he sai

"But the converse is also true: It is not possible to establish true links with God while ignoring other people. Hence it is important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam."


Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, said he was grateful that many Muslim religious and civilian leaders attended his inaugural Mass on Tuesday. "Fighting poverty, both material and spiritual, building peace and constructing bridges: these, as it were, are the reference points for a journey that I want to invite each of the countries here represented to take up," he said.

Read Full Article ....



March 19 - Ecumenical presence at papal installation



Article: Protestants Uniting With Roman Catholics

 
The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit attended the mass in which Pope Francis, the new pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, was installed on 19 March at the Vatican in Rome. Tveit joined prominent religious and political leaders from around the world at the mass in St Peter's Square, marking the official start of Francis’s papacy. 


Ecumenical leaders present at the installation included Bartholomew I, the first Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople to attend a papal installation since the schism of 1054. 


Tveit attended the event in order to give a “significant expression of the WCC’s collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church, as well as our mutual commitment to church unity and the ecumenical movement.” 


“In close collaboration with Pope Francis, we look forward to building on this positive relationship with the Catholic Church that has been nurtured so carefully in the past,” stated Tveit in his letter to the new pope on 13 March.



Tveit assured Pope Francis of his prayers. “Participating in common prayer to mark the start of Francis’s papacy highlights the ecumenical dimension of our shared spiritual life, the heart of what we share as Christians.” Let us use this opportunity to pray for and with Pope Francis to reconfirm that we need one another, to address the challenges of the world in our time,” said Tveit. 




March 20 - Pope Francis ties with Jews, Muslims could strengthen Vatican


Article: One World Religion
The most interesting thing about Argentine Pope Francis may be not just that he’s the first Latin American to head the Vatican, but also that he may become the Church’s biggest champion of interfaith dialogue ever. I just read his book About Heaven and Earth, which he co-authored in 2010 with Argentine Rabbi Abraham Skorka, and I was struck by the new pope’s commitment to not only talk about interfaith dialogue, but to do something about it.


In his book, a dialogue with Skorka about religion, the Holocaust, politics and everyday life issues, Bergoglio
proudly recalls his efforts to build bridges with other religious leaders during his years as archbishop of Buenos Aires.


In addition to being a frequent guest at Jewish synagogues and inviting rabbis to Catholic Masses, hosting a TV show with Skorka and participating in ceremonies honoring the victims of the Holocaust, Bergoglio changed the protocol at official Te Deum ceremonies to acknowledge the presence of leaders of other religions.

 
In Argentina, a constitutionally Roman Catholic country where presidents usually attend the Te Deum on national holidays, it had long been a tradition for the archbishop of Buenos Aires to escort the president out of the church at the end of the ceremony. “Religious leaders of other faiths were left alone in one space, as if you were puppets in an exhibition,” Bergoglio tells the rabbi in the book. “I changed that tradition: now, the president walks toward you, and greets representatives of all religions.”


Bergoglio
was also a frequent guest at Evangelical Christian Masses and at Islamic religious ceremonies.


In the book, Bergoglio recalls being
criticized by some members in his own Church in Argentina for having knelt in front of 7,000 attendants at an Evangelical Christian Mass at the Luna Park stadium in Buenos Aires. Later, a magazine carried a headline saying that the archbishop of Buenos Aires had turned his back on his Church for doing that. “For them, to pray with others was an act of apostasy,” Bergoglio recalls, referring to the authors of that article. “[But] Everyone prays according to his tradition. What’s the problem?”


In another part of the book, he says that
globalization should not be like a billiards ball, but rather like “a polyhedron, in which all sides integrate, but in which all sides at the same time maintain their peculiarities, and enrich one another.”

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March 20 - Pope Francis ties with Jews, Muslims could strengthen Vatican


Article: One World Religion
The most interesting thing about Argentine Pope Francis may be not just that he’s the first Latin American to head the Vatican, but also that he may become the Church’s biggest champion of interfaith dialogue ever. I just read his book About Heaven and Earth, which he co-authored in 2010 with Argentine Rabbi Abraham Skorka, and I was struck by the new pope’s commitment to not only talk about interfaith dialogue, but to do something about it.


In his book, a dialogue with Skorka about religion, the Holocaust, politics and everyday life issues, Bergoglio
proudly recalls his efforts to build bridges with other religious leaders during his years as archbishop of Buenos Aires.


In addition to being a frequent guest at Jewish synagogues and inviting rabbis to Catholic Masses, hosting a TV show with Skorka and participating in ceremonies honoring the victims of the Holocaust, Bergoglio changed the protocol at official Te Deum ceremonies to acknowledge the presence of leaders of other religions.

 
In Argentina, a constitutionally Roman Catholic country where presidents usually attend the Te Deum on national holidays, it had long been a tradition for the archbishop of Buenos Aires to escort the president out of the church at the end of the ceremony. “Religious leaders of other faiths were left alone in one space, as if you were puppets in an exhibition,” Bergoglio tells the rabbi in the book. “I changed that tradition: now, the president walks toward you, and greets representatives of all religions.”


Bergoglio
was also a frequent guest at Evangelical Christian Masses and at Islamic religious ceremonies.


In the book, Bergoglio recalls being
criticized by some members in his own Church in Argentina for having knelt in front of 7,000 attendants at an Evangelical Christian Mass at the Luna Park stadium in Buenos Aires. Later, a magazine carried a headline saying that the archbishop of Buenos Aires had turned his back on his Church for doing that. “For them, to pray with others was an act of apostasy,” Bergoglio recalls, referring to the authors of that article. “[But] Everyone prays according to his tradition. What’s the problem?”


In another part of the book, he says that
globalization should not be like a billiards ball, but rather like “a polyhedron, in which all sides integrate, but in which all sides at the same time maintain their peculiarities, and enrich one another.”

Read Full Article ....