Religious Liberty in Europe

NOTE: This Report Published by the Roman Jurisdiction's organization "Aid to the Church in Need" a program of news reporting that one has to take with a certain amount of carefulness as ones takes a "grain of salt"... for all things are somewhat slanted to the best advantage of the Roman Jurisdiction's stand to enhance its own image, even when such is out of context with historical truth.  As many are fully aware, the Roman Jurisdiction of the Catholic Church has, for centuries, taken liberties to manipulate both psychologically and historical records as well as news as a means to obtain the most gain in the eyes of society for its own growth.

ROME, JULY 29, 2006 - Here is an adapted excerpt from a report by the charity Aid to the Church in Need on religious freedom.

This installment deals with Europe. Part 2 appears elsewhere in today's service.

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Armenia

The right to freedom of worship was fully respected in 2005 in Armenia.

The ecumenical dialogue between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholic Church is very lively, as also confirmed by the telegram sent by the Catholicos Karekin II for the death of Pope John Paul II.

There are still problems concerning military service. On this subject, more than 20 Jehovah's Witnesses were arrested in 2005 for having refused to do their military service for religious reasons. They all later also abandoned community service, objecting to the fact that it was not really an alternative to military service since it comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.

On the basis of the commitments undertaken with the Council of Europe, Armenia was meant to have implemented community service as of Jan. 1, 2004.

Azerbaijan

Problems linked to military service were apparent in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian-majority enclave of Azerbaijan, where compulsory military service is justified, and where conscientious objectors for religious reasons are often imprisoned.

Belgium

On March 20, 2005, after the formulation of a detailed electoral law, elections were held in Belgium for electing the 68 members of the Belgian Council of Islamic Communities, which then appointed an executive committee of 17 people to act as interlocutors with the government authorities.

Numerous observers remarked that the administration's hyperactive secular attitude follows almost to the letter the French one. That attitude caused serious controversies and restrictive provisions against the new religious movements, both on the subject of "brainwashing" and against Muslims, especially as far as the women's Islamic veils are concerned.

Belarus

On Nov. 12, 2002, a new law on freedom of worship came into force in Belarus, attributing the role of the country's official religion to Orthodoxy, and acknowledging the "Catholic Church's spiritual, cultural and historical role in the territory of Belarus," as well as the "inalienability of the Lutheran Church from the history of this nation."

Orthodox Judaism and Sunni Islam are also recognized.

The state says it has a duty to defend the Orthodox Church from sects, which are considered dangerous and severely punished. The authorities therefore control all religious activities very strictly.

As a consequence of this law, all religious communities must re-register. Most have managed to comply with all that is requested, but a certain number (22 of the 2,783 organizations existing in 2002) have not managed to obtain new registration due to problems linked to the absence of a legally valid address, or because their statutes or number of members did not satisfy legal requirements.

In particular, the Orthodox Churches operating independently from the Moscow Patriarchate encountered problems.

The government has declared illegal the religious activities of all non-registered communities and has adopted strict measures to enforce the restrictions.

In 2005 the Charismatic Church of the New Life, the New Generation Church and Hare Krishna were the object of persecution.

Cyprus

During a visit to Moscow in January 2006, President Tassos Papandopoulos of Cyprus accused Turkey of destroying Christian churches in the northern part of the island, controlled by the government in Ankara.

According to the president, quoted by the Interfax news agency, "the criminal Turkish occupation" over the past 30 years has led to the "organized looting of holy places and the systematic plundering" of the Orthodox cultural heritage in northern Cyprus.

On that same morning, Papandopoulos also met the Moscow Patriarch Alexy II, and during this meeting reported that 350 churches have been destroyed or used for entertainment, and even as stables for cattle.

France

France's interventionist attitude on the subject of new religions led to the establishment of the Interministerial Monitoring Mission Against Sectarian Abuses (Miviludes) and the drafting of a "black list" of groups apparently belonging to sects. This attitude was corrected with a circular letter from the prime minister to replace this list with assessment criteria drawn from the Miviludes' conclusions.

The Conseil français du culte musulman (CFCM) is recognized as the state's interlocutor for relations with Muslims.

The council has reported of initiatives for integrating through language courses the imams coming from abroad who will preach religious instruction in French mosques, adding Muslim "chaplains" to the army and building more places of worship.

There appears to be tension within the CFCM between the various Muslims schools of thought, and this may be why elections for the Board of Directors was postponed from April to June 2005.

Georgia

Policies implemented by President Mikheil Saakashvili, in power since January 2004, appear to have improved the juridical situation for religious communities in Georgia, although it remains unstable.

The Orthodox Church benefits from a number of privileges guaranteed by a concordat signed in 2002. The pact provides the Orthodox Church with authority over all religious issues, in particular the importation of religious literature and the building of places of worship for all religions which must be authorized by the patriarchate.

The Catholic Church is seen as a foreign and antagonist entity by the Orthodox Church and is accused of proselytism and expansionism.

The absence of an agreement between the Holy See and the government -- the signing of which was suspended at the last minute in 2003 following the unrest and massive protests orchestrated by the Orthodox Church -- has for the moment prevented the acknowledgment of the Catholic Church as a juridical body.

Nevertheless, a number of religious communities in the country are dissatisfied with this solution. In particular Catholics, Muslims and followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church oppose registration that puts them on the same level as nongovernmental organizations, and instead request the introduction in the Civil Code of new amendments allowing them to obtain registration as public religious organizations.

There also been the adoption of a new law on education separating state schools from religious instruction.

Greece

In spite of the well-known lack of openness to ecumenical dialogue, during May 2005 the Orthodox Church in Greece hosted in Athens an international conference of the World Council of Churches, entitled "World Mission and Evangelism."

During this conference, as reported by Fides, one of the main papers entitled "Reconciliation: Postmodernity's Greatest Conflict" was presented by the Orthodox theologian Athanasios Papathanasiou.

The same source reports that the Patriarch Christodoulos, in his welcoming address to the more than 700 participants, spoke appreciative words about ecumenical efforts and the call to recuperate missionary good will within the context of prevailing globalization.

Macedonia

There are reports of persecutions, including dismissal from the workplace and searches, perpetrated by the Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Macedonia.

The Serb Orthodox Church, led by the Metropolitan Bishop Vranisskovski and based in Ohrid, did not in fact obtain compulsory registration form the government. Deprived of this recognition, this church cannot own property, nor can it carry out pastoral activities and can be prosecuted as an illegal organization.

Moldova

The only European country alongside France that has forbidden religious instruction in state schools is Moldova. And there may be further restriction on issues concerning freedom of worship after the Communist party's victory in the March 2005 general election.

The government has decidedly sided with Moldavian Orthodox Church linked to the Patriarchate of Moscow and rules for the compulsory registration of new cults -- introduced by Parliament in 2002 as amendments to the law on religions promulgated in 1992 -- requiring the presentation of finalities and a statute, as well as enrollment in a public register within a month of requesting recognition.

The court can reject a request if the organization carries out political activities or endangers the republic's independence, sovereignty, integrity or security as well as public order.

For the moment, 21 organizations have been recognized, but the state is still denying recognition to many religious movements, such as the Mormons, a number of Muslim groups and the Moldavian True Orthodox Church.

United Kingdom

The terrorist attacks on July 7, 2005, in the London underground resulted in public opinion in the United Kingdom reacting in a hostile manner to the manner in which local Muslim communities are treated and judged as excessively lenient.

Although many in the Islamic world condemned the massacre, and a delegation of Muslims was received by the Prime Minister Tony Blair, the government approved a law against inciting religious hatred. The law, which integrated the existing one that addresses racial hatred, divided public opinion.

The ban against the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, preventing both him and the Church of Unification from entering the country, was revoked after 10 years, since they are no longer considered a threat to public order. The church has few members in the United Kingdom.

Russia

Russia's position regarding religious communities has generally been loyal and neutral, and can be described as improved compared to the past.

Nevertheless, secular and anti-clerical attitudes increasingly similar to the widespread mentality in Western Europe are slowly appearing, alongside the formal respect of the values of Orthodoxy, identified as a fundamental element in the nation's spiritual and cultural identity.

In Russian society's difficult process toward the overcoming of the problems inherited from the communist period, there seem to be encouraging steps forward in relations between the Christian churches, while there are also a number of problems within the framework of interreligious dialogue.

There has been much debate on the draft law which introduces severe control over the 7,000 nongovernmental organizations present in the country, and in particular, on financing received from abroad.

During 2005, problems concerning education, and more specifically the problems concerning religious instruction in state schools, played a leading role in relations between church and state.

The Orthodox Church has for years been fighting for the introduction in schools of the optional course: "Foundations of Orthodox Culture."

The state on the other hand seems to prefer a more secular solution of the problem. The minister for education, Andrei Fursenko, has for some time chosen the middle way, thinking of introducing a course on history of religions held by secular teachers with a degree in history.

One important event, for its impact on public opinion, was the death of Pope John Paul II, as well as the election of Benedict XVI. The global dimension of this event was immediately visible both on television channels, in the main daily newspapers and on Web sites.

Meanwhile, with the registration of the Diocese of the Transfiguration in Novosibirsk, in 2005 the registration process was completed for the four Catholic dioceses in Russia.

Problems have also subsided regarding visas for foreign priests and religious personnel.

The death of John Paul II marked a sort of watershed in positions assumed by the Russian Orthodox Church with regard to the Holy See.

While his death was followed by expressions of respect and condolences from the main personalities in the political, cultural and religious worlds, the Orthodox patriarch of Moscow -- although carefully weighing his words according to the context -- remained within a strictly political and ideological framework.

The election of Benedict XVI was greeted with great interest by the Russian Orthodox Church, which in addition to having always appreciated the doctrinal positions assumed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and his loyalty to tradition, as well as his profound spirituality, probably saw in the figure of the new Pontiff the possibility of "turning over a new page" and more easily establishing cooperative relations.

In relations at various levels between representatives of the Orthodox and the Catholic Church, the awareness has gradually appeared that it is necessary to discover "non-conflictual areas of cooperation," identifiable in cultural, social and educational sectors, from which to broaden mutual knowledge and trust.

The Orthodox Church is increasingly pressed to contribute to solving the serious moral crisis tormenting Russia at many levels: low birthrate, crime, alcohol and drug addiction, corruption and violence within the army.

Anti-Semitism is still strong in Russian society, and reached unprecedented levels in the serious attack on the synagogue in Moscow last Jan. 11.

Islam is progressively strengthening its positions. Moscow is now the European city with the highest number of Muslims, and according to some estimates, the traditionally Muslim ethnic groups will form the majority of the young population by 2015.

The difference with other Western European countries is that Russian Muslims are indigenous populations, present in the federation's territory well before the appearance of Christianity.

Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia

During 2005 in Serbia and Montenegro there was a profound rift in relations between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the homologous Church in Macedonia, whose hierarchy is openly accused of schism.

Freedom of worship for Serbs in Kosovo is still at risk. It is above all risky for the clergy and for members of the Churches to travel on the territory for pastoral duties or ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. The better-known religious leaders are obliged to move around escorted by international troops.

In Montenegro there have been reports of discrimination against the Montenegro autocephalous Orthodox Church -- led by Archbishop Mihailo Dedeic of Cettigne -- which the civil authorities do not acknowledge as an autonomous derivation of the Serb Orthodox Church.

Slovakia

Freedom of worship is widely guaranteed in Slovakia. Worrying episodes consist in interference by international bodies that tend to promote abortion.

Sweden

Sweden returned to the front pages with the case concerning Aake Green, the Pentecostal minister first found guilty and then acquitted in 2004 for having expressed opinions in line with the Christian doctrine on the subject of homosexuality.

Claiming that Green violated the law on hate crimes dated 2003, the head prosecutor for the government appealed to the Supreme Court against the decision taken by the appeal court which had acquitted the accused. The request was accepted in May 2005.

A district court in Stenungsund had sentenced a man to two months in prison for having criticized homosexuals on a Web site. The man appealed the sentence claiming that the statements were only the result of his Christian beliefs.

Turkey

Turkey has progressed a great deal toward recognizing the more important rights of Christian religious communities.

Parliament approved a series of reforms reasserting the respect of freedom of worship, approving a law that protects the freedom of religious expression.

Nonetheless, Turkey's president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, blocked a law that was promoted and approved by Parliament after it was introduced by the AKP majority party, which would expanded the areas in which preaching the Koran is allowed.

This last restriction -- in addition to the one forbidding women from wearing the Islamic veil in public places -- appears to prove that not even Muslims enjoy full rights.

Churches still do not have juridical status, and for years Parliament has been discussing a legislation acknowledging the right of religious communities to own property, considered necessary for Ankara's admission to the European Union.

In Turkey only a few non-Islamic minorities are allowed to own property through the so-called community foundations.

The European Commission, in the proposal for admitting Turkey as a member state, has specified that Ankara must recognize full "freedom of worship," a concept that includes the "adoption of a law" removing the obstacles that currently affect "non-Muslim religious minorities and their associations, in line with high European standards"; and "suspending the confiscation and sale of possessions" belonging to non-Islamic religious institutions while waiting for a new law on this subject.

Turkey must also recognize and implement all that is necessary for allowing "real freedom of thought, conscience and religion both for individuals and communities," and consider the recommendations made by the Council of the European Commission against racism and intolerance, establishing the conditions to allow these communities legal and judicial protection of their members, the clergy and property.

It is necessary to recognize the real right of these communities to organize themselves in various forms from their founding and to choose their own leaders, free of all interference from the state that has often removed them, especially for the founding of the Armenian Apostolic and the Greek Orthodox communities.

On Sept. 15, Sezer invited Benedict XVI to visit Turkey in 2006, so that "he may personally become aware of the climate of cultural tolerance" that exists in this country.

This visit, stated the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Namika Tan, "will encourage your efforts addressed at intensifying dialogue between religions and reciprocal understanding at a global level among civilizations."

Actually, the first invitation addressed to the Pontiff has come from the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I, according to a well-established tradition -- which started with Pope Paul VI and continued by John Paul II -- between the ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch and the highest authority in the Catholic world.

It was precisely this initiative, passing over the civil authorities, that is said to have caused irritation in Turkish diplomatic circles that -- even before considering the Pope as a religious leader -- consider him the head of the Vatican City State.

Another point hanging over Turkey is with the local Christian minorities who fall victim to persecution and sometimes acts of violence, such as seen in the martyrdom of the missionary Father Andrea Santoro.

Ukraine

The policies of the new president of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, elected on Dec. 26, 2004, after a close battle that involved the whole of society in the so-called Orange Revolution, show regard for all Christian confessions.

Meeting with the pontifical representative shortly after his election, Yushchenko expressed great respect for the Catholic Church, in particular for the Greek-Catholic Church, describing Cardinal Lubomyr Husar as a man with a great patriotic spirit.

From the start of his mandate, Yushchenko has stated that the state commission for religious affairs would be deprived of its authority, so that the authorities would be able to work "directly" with all confessions.

The leaders of the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, of the Kiev Patriarchate, of the autocephalous Ukrainian Church and the Greek-Catholic Church have written a letter to the president and to the government requesting the formation of a mixed committee for drafting a Manual of Christian Ethics to be adopted in primary schools for these courses.

Moving the residence of the most important Ukrainian Greek-Catholic archbishopric from Leopoli to Kiev on Aug. 21 has been at the center of controversy.

There were harsh reactions from the Russian Orthodox Church, which accused the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of having expansionist and proselytism intentions, refuting the document published by the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Orthodox Church's press office on July 24, providing the reasons for the move.

Since the beginning of 2005, the age-old controversy on the local Orthodox community's jurisdiction deteriorated once again.

In the course of a meeting with President Yushchenko on March 24 in Kiev, Archbishop Vsevolod, the representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox parishes belonging to the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the United States, declared that "The Mother Church, the Patriarchate of Constantinople, believes that her daughter, hence the patriarchate of Moscow, still today has the same canonical territory it had before 1686, the year that marked eastern Ukraine's 1686 coming under the domination of the Russian empire. Within this context the Churches were reunified in spite of protests expressed by Constantinople."

The age-old controversy between the Jewish community and local authorities continues in Leopoli on the subject of the ancient Jewish cemetery on which the Market Square was built during the Soviet period.

This initiative began in 1996 and was supported by important personalities from the worlds of culture and religion, among them Cardinal Husar. The authorities instead justify their attitude stating that the cemetery no longer exists, and that it was never part of urban planning.
 

This is the third installment dealing with Asia. Subsequent excerpts will appear Saturday.

Israel

At the end of 2005 the Statistics Department in Israel published updated data on the number of Christians living in the country. Including Jerusalem, but not the occupied Palestinian territories, there appear to be 146,000, of whom 119,000 belong to the national Arab minority. Some 27,000 are not Arabs, but rather citizens who have mainly emigrated from the former Soviet Union.

On Nov. 17, receiving a visit from President Moshe Katzav, Benedict XVI said that the Holy See is "in favor of the existence and of cooperation between the two states, Israel and Palestine," also requesting respect of the agreements establishing the acknowledgment of the Catholic Church in Israel as a juridical body.

The Vatican's statement bears witness to the fact that relations between the Holy See and Israel are returning to acceptable levels after the controversy raised by Israel in 2004 when the country accused Benedict XVI of not including Israel among the victims of terrorism.

Palestinian National Authority

In the territories controlled by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Christians experience a far more serious situation.

On Dec. 8, Bethlehem's Catholic mayor, Victor Batarseh, accused both the PNA of not having provided the city with necessary funds for preparing Christmas celebrations, and Israel of being responsible for the "heavy" atmosphere caused by the establishment of new Israeli checkpoints around the city.

Kazakhstan

Many political and economic factors ensure that in Kazakhstan there is an atmosphere of freedom of worship.

About one-third of the population is Orthodox; Kazak mystical Islam is not extremist; quality of life is better than in neighboring countries as it benefits from more foreign capital and investments.

Two religious festivities have been allowed: Christmas, according to the Orthodox calendar, and Kurbanaid, the Muslim festivity of sacrifice (Eid).

In the name of the state's totally secular status, Kazakhstan had never accepted the celebration of religious festivities, but only "political" dates such as victory in World War II and May 1, following the Soviet mentality.

In 2005, legislation became harsher with regards to national security issues, with consequences for religious legislation that until 2004 had been very tolerant.

Islamic and Orthodox representatives did not seem concerned about the introduction of these new laws; on the contrary they emphasized the positive aspects.

Kuwait

Usama Mansur al-Sayegh was appointed the director of Shiite religious property (awqaf) for the General Secretariat of the Awqaf in Kuwait in January. This appointment -- as reported by the daily newspaper al-Ray al-Aaam -- is part of the Shiite community's organization, although the new director stated that 85% of this public institute's projects concern both Sunnis and Shiites.

The authorities, as reported by a Shiite Web site, arrested a terrorist planning attacks against Shiite mosques. Led by two Kuwaitis, this terrorist was said to be linked to al-Qaida.

An international conference entitled "The Middle Way, a Lifestyle," held in Kuwait City on May 25, 2005, emphasized the importance of spreading moderate Islam.

The conference was inaugurated by the minister for religious heritage and Islamic affairs, who stated that the concept of freedom of worship is stated in the Koran and that God has given human beings the faculty to believe or not believe.

To confront the spreading of extremism, added the minister, one must encourage a culture of tolerance and the respect of cultural and religious pluralism through a reform of the school curriculum and establishing new rules for the issuing of juridical opinions (fatwas).

Laos

Although the constitution guarantees freedom of worship, the socialist regime in Laos imposes many restrictions, such as a law that forbids all activities that might lead to divisions between citizens.

The situation is very serious for the Hmong ethic group as the government that does not even acknowledge their status as citizens. Monsignor Tito Bachong Thopahong, responsible for the Apostolic Vicariate of Luang Prabang and pastor among the Hmongs, has often been arrested by the regime.

In April the Compass Direct news agency reported that a group of Christians belonging to the Bru ethnic group were arrested, tortured and obliged to recant their faith.

Lebanon

For Lebanon 2005 was a year of political events, beginning with that assassination on Feb. 14 of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

At the end of April 2005 the Syrian troops withdrew -- thanks to pressure applied by the U.N. Security Council and the mobilization of Christian, Sunni and Druze opposition forces.

The country then began an international investigation into the murder of Hariri, allowed General Michel Aoun to return from exile and released Samir Geagea from prison. Lebanon also held the first free elections in decades.

Numerous intellectuals and politicians were murdered -- among them Samir Kassir, George Hawi and Gebran Tueni -- accused of having led the protest movement that put an end to Syria's domination of the country.

Attacks were carried out in Christian areas and against Christian institutions with the intent of spreading religious hatred among the Lebanese.

Maldives

In the Maldives the 1997 constitution establishes that Islam is the state religion. The government respects the Shariah and interprets the constitutional provision in the sense that all citizens must be Muslims and civil law is subordinated to Koranic law.

There is a Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs that is competent on religious issue and the president and government ministers must be Sunni Muslims.

The practice of all other religions is forbidden by the law. Foreigners may practice their religion only in the home and without inviting locals to participate. The conversion of a Muslim to another faith is a violation of the Shariah and can lead to loss of citizenship.

Malaysia

Inherited from British dominion, the constitution of Malaysia guarantees full freedom of worship. But it emphasizes that "no one can receive instruction or take part in any ceremony or act of cult of a religion that is not his own" and that "the religion of a person under the age of 18 must be decided by the parents or guardians."

The constitution guarantees everyone the right to change religion, but declares that Islam is the state religion.

An individual of the Malay ethic group is defined as "a person professing Islam, speaking the national language and practicing its culture." Those who recant lose their civil rights. Apostasy is considered one of the most serious sins by Islam and, according to the Koran and the Sunna, punishable with death.

The government restricts the application of articles encouraging freedom of worship above all for non-Muslims.

There are about 15,000 Malaysians who would like to freely express their Christian faith.

Mongolia

In Mongolia freedom of worship is recognized by the constitution; religious groups must register with the authorities and the government can limit the number of religious buildings or priests allowed. In 2005, however, there were no reports of interventions of this kind.

Religious instruction is not permitted in state schools.

Myanmar

Violation of freedom of worship and all human rights is systematic in Myanmar (Burma) and affects equally Christians, Muslims and in some cases even Buddhists.

In the mid 1960s almost all foreign missionaries were expelled and all schools and hospitals managed by them were nationalized when General Ne Win came to power.

Buddhists enjoy a privileged status, but the regime does not allow them any freedom of practice. Buddhist monks and nuns are controlled at all times, and those who criticize the government are arrested. A few hundred already have been imprisoned for 15 to 20 years.

Muslims too continue to be persecuted by the military, in particular those who in the state of Rakhine belong to the Rohingya minority group. They are denied citizenship and the government has confiscated their properties and destroyed their crops and their homes.

Nepal

The constitution of Nepal guarantees religious practice, but forbids proselytism. The violation of this law is punishable with administrative sanctions, arrest or -- for foreigners -- expulsion.

On Feb. 1 King Gyanendra dismissed the prime minister and assumed total power, with the objective of isolating the Maoist rebels who wish to impose Marxist-like policies and establish a secular state.

Among the first decisions taken by the king -- who has guaranteed a return to normality within three years -- was the suspension of all civil rights, including freedom of expression.

The constitution defines the country as a Hindu kingdom.

Pakistan

For Pakistan 2005 was characterized by a dramatic rise in attacks against religious minorities. The Human Rights Commission, a nongovernmental organization working for the respect of the rights of minorities, defined the year as "the absolutely worst year for the country's entire non-Muslim population."

Religious repression is implemented mainly through the law on blasphemy which sites offenses against the Koran as punishable with life imprisonment, and establishes death or life imprisonment for slander addressed at the prophet Mohammed.

The government also reintroduced religion on the country's passports.

In 2004 the government abolished this heading for religion to adapt passports to international law as established by the International Organization for Civilian Aviation, only to give in to pressure from Islamic groups to reintroduce the explicit mention of a person's religion so as to "safeguard the Islamic identity" of the country.

In a Sunni majority Islamic country such as Pakistan, there is ferocious persecution against the Ahmadis who declare that they are Muslims, but are considered heretics since they do not acknowledge Mohammed as the last prophet.

Qatar

For the third year running Qatar hosted the "Meeting of religions" in which more than 100 Muslim and Christian, and for the first time, Jewish delegates participated.

At the end of the conference, a shared document was drafted that reflected the sincere shared will to "coexist."

The participants expressed the hope that an Arab institute would be created that rejected the "false theories" speaking of "controversies between religions."

The conference ended with a speech by Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar, in which he renewed his government's commitment to a shared existence between all the faithful of monotheistic religions and expressed the hope that an International Center for interreligious dialogue would be founded.

Singapore

In Singapore the constitution recognizes freedom of worship, understood as the right of each person to profess, practice and proselytize their own faith, on condition they do not create problems to public order and public health and morality. All religious groups must register as established by the Societies Act.

The state maintains formal relations with the Islamic community through the Islamic Religious Council that replaces the government for a number of issues that concern Muslims, such as the building of mosques or fund raising.

There are no restrictions imposed on missionary activities, but religious instruction is not permitted in state schools, and religious groups are not permitted to undertake political activities.

In spite of the ban imposed in 1972, the Jehovah's Witnesses -- at the time about 200 -- are currently no fewer than 2,000.

In 1996 a sentence by the Court of Appeal defended their right to profess and spread their faith, although as a group they remain illegal and public meetings are forbidden.

Since 1996 those attending meetings in private homes are no longer prosecuted. At the end of 2005 there were 16 believers still in prison due to their refusal to do compulsory military service, for which they were sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by another 24 months for a second refusal.

Syria

In Syria the repercussions of the assassination in Bayreuth on Feb. 14, 2005, of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, reached Damascus.

Five years after succeeding his father, President Bashar al-Assad saw the foundations of his regime tremble.

Christians followed with apprehension the developments of a situation filled with uncertainty, and feared they would one day suffer the same destiny as their Iraqi co-religionists.

The number of refugees arriving in the country increased, most of them Christians arriving from Iraq.

On April 7 President Bashar al-Assad headed an official delegation that attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

The daily newspaper Teshrin published on the front page a photograph of John Paul II in the Golan, and in its leading article remembered the Pontiff's great religious charisma and his constant work for peace throughout the world.

Sri Lanka

In spite of its new government, the situation of freedom of worship in Sri Lanka seems stationary.

Two draft laws against so-called forced conversions are still under discussion and the new prime minister is one of the most serious promoters of these laws.

2005 continued to see attacks against Christian objectives within the framework of the general campaign that since 2003 has been trying to introduce measures to stem Christian influence in the country.

During the presidential election campaign in November, requests presented by the Buddhist monks' party for an amendment to the constitution to be made, declaring Buddhism the state religion, became more pressing.

The Catholic Church and the other religious communities did not remain inactive and on many occasions clearly expressed their requirements for full religious freedom and peace to all candidates.

In the eyes of Nationalistic Buddhists, the Christians are guilty of ruining the country's "century-old harmony."

To be noted is the profound cooperation with which the country's various communities dealt with the tsunami tragedy at the end of 2004.

Thailand

In Thailand no changes have been reported as far as freedom of worship is concerned and it remains one of the Asian states in which interreligious coexistence is best.

2005 was once again marked by violence in the Muslim majority southern provinces, an area that has seen conflict between separatists and the government.

Although the revolt is a political one, is often affects the Buddhist community, identified with central power. Although the situation has not improved, the clashes have never assumed the characteristics of an interreligious conflict.

East Timor

The government in East Timor continues to guarantee freedom of worship, recognized by the constitution approved in 2002.

From a political point of view there have been developments in relations with the former occupying power, bordering Indonesia. In February the United Nations -- which supported the island's independence with a referendum held in 1999 -- announced the extension of its peace mission there by one year.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan explained that East Timor still needs international help in controlling its borders with Indonesia, training its police force, and in supporting democracy and the respect of human rights.

The Catholic religion and the fact that its instruction is compulsory in state schools, has been the object of public debate in recent years. In February the government abolished the hour of religion from study courses and added it as an optional extra-educational subject.

Turkmenistan

Led since independence by Saparmurad Niyazov, considered one of the eight most ruthless dictators in the world, Turkmenistan has for some time suffered a lack of political, social and religious freedom.

In Turkmenistan the telephones and the Internet are tapped. Television and the radio only provide state information.

No progress has been made by the state to recognize the Armenian Catholic Church, one of the largest religious communities.

In mid-April 2005 the Catholic community presented a registration request, but the request was rejected. The officials from the Ministry of Justice stated that the request was rejected because the named leader of the community was not a Turkmen citizen.

Catholics are allowed to celebrate Mass only within the diplomatic territory of the Ashgabad Nunciature.

The Armenian ambassador to Turkmenistan has tried on various occasions to regain possession of its historical church in Turkmenbashi, the only Armenian church to have survived the Soviet period and now almost in a state of total decay, but has not succeeded.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have also been the victims of persecution.

Uzbekistan

Legislation in Uzbekistan also contains many restrictions imposed on freedom of worship, and this is also caused by the need to prevent, in this largely Muslim country, the spreading and taking root of Islamic extremism.

Non-registered religious activities are illegal and believers are often punished even if they meet to pray or meditate in private homes.

Missionary activities are forbidden. A state license is required for teaching religion and religious literature is censured by the government and imports of such material are forbidden.

All religious communities are controlled by the authorities, especially Islamic ones. Muslims who are members of non-registered groups are treated especially harshly, arrested and reported, accused of "having moved against the state's constitutional principles" or "having created a criminal organization."

The situation is also difficult for the Jehovah's Witnesses, arrested and fined frequently, accused of having illegally been involved in proselytism or religious instruction.

Vietnam

In 2005 Vietnam was characterized by the coming into force of the new law of religious policies -- with mixed consequences for the communities of believers -- and by novelties in relations between the communist regime and the Holy See.

Persecution of the faithful of all confessions is still widespread, however. According to some analysts this is more of a local issue than an attitude established by top government levels, but the result is always ferocious repression, especially against the leaders of communities in the central areas of the country.

The new law -- entitled "Ordinance on religion and religious beliefs" -- was approved by the Permanent Committee of the National Vietnamese Assembly on June 18, 2004, and became effective on Nov. 15 the same year amid criticism from Catholics, Buddhists, Caodaists and Protestants.

The Holy See and Vietnam do not have diplomatic relations, but for a number of years have established a "modus vivendi" allowing them to at least partly overcome most of the problems experienced by Vietnamese Catholics.

There is, however, on the horizon a positive evolution that may lead to establishing diplomatic relations between Rome and Hanoi; in July 2005 the Holy See expressed "the hope that they would move quickly" toward a "normalization" of relations.

Persecution against the Montagnards, the ethnic group inhabiting Vietnam's central highlands and mainly Christians, showed no signs of abating.

In 2005 the unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam -- the CUBY, not recognized by the government -- reported increased repression with monks arrested or threatened, believers closely supervised and repeated slandering of its morality by government press.

Yemen

At the end of 2004, the president of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh -- during a meeting with Pope John Paul II -- stated that his government was "an open-minded government and one ready to live in peace with all religions."

Nonetheless, the Shiite news agency al-Ibaa, in a report dated Jan. 27, 2005, reported the presidential decree that forbade the celebration of the al-Ghadir Shiite holiday in the city of Saada, and in all the country's provinces.

This holiday, celebrated by the Zaydite Shiites, commemorates Mohammed's invocation for Ali, his son-in-law, and the first Shiite imam.

The al-Sahwa Web site reported a large mobilization of security forces that are said to have ordered the Saasi population to close all shops.

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    There are unscrupulous people on the internet these days.  Some of them are not who they claim to be and in order to disrupt honest spiritual pursuits, they are known to send out e-mail under someone else's name or the name of another church or jurisdiction with attachments.  Anyone can do this, if they want.  Some of them exist in Toledo, Ohio... Some in Texas... Others in Michigan, California and many other places... Some are "haters of truth" who follow (whether they are willing to admit it ) those who have sway over less educated or ignorant people... as their are also those who do not even know what they are doing because they seek glory to satisfy their own vanity and selfish pride to take over a church or jurisdiction of another, or to wreck havoc over those whom they hate without considering the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. 

    If you should ever receive an e-mail with an attachment claiming to be from anyone at "apostle1.com" - "apostle1.org" or even "apostle1.net" - - - know that our policy is to not send out e-mail from any of our domain names with an attachment except to those only who know us.  Please note that apostle1.com news messages not include file attachments. If you receive an email not meeting these strict guidelines, please do not open it under any circumstances. Instead, forward it to apostle1.com (thaddeus@apostle1.com) so its contents can be examined by our various affiliates. Therefore, don't open it! If you receive any e-mail from apostle1.com, apostle1.org or apostle1.net and have never before communicated with us... even if you have communicated with us... verify, verify and again, verify.  And, We do not open e-mail that is not identifiable or known to us either.

Unless we know exactly from whom an e-mail comes... nothing is clicked on or opened, especially those with attachments!  You would be surprised from whom 'hate' e-mail arrives and what attempts and extremes they go to make their e-mails "look" official when it is a lone person(s)  who hate TRUTH and love lies, hate anything from being posted that involves TRUTH because they may be affected with exposure to the LIVING TRUTH of Jesus Christ's Love. 

Also: Hang Up Telephone Calls constantly get to you?

We get them all the time.  But one thing we do many are unaware of... We keep an automatic telephone log and then we turn them over to the same group who monitors and interacts with the hackers, etc.

It no longer matters if the caller telephones once in a day, every other day or every day or several times a week, once a week or for several months... All get logged, even those who think they have escaped notice by using the actual I.D. Caller number of "000-000-0000" which is has been used, even those who don't show up on caller I.D. as hang-ups now. With new technology being what it is it only takes one ring at a person's (receiving phone to activate some of the new technology being used which locks the caller's phone number in, even when they use by-pass alternate numbers to make shrewd calls).  We are advised one caller is facing terrorism criminal charges even though he used three different go-through numbers ranging all around the world, but were found to originate their call from California.  Hmmm.... what does this tell you?   Others, we are advised were found to be out of Michigan, Ohio, even Illinois and another state.

It is known that a telephone number showing up on some caller I.D.'s may actually be a telephone service provider phone number, yet... they too keep logs and information as to each individual cellular or local (their locale) phone usage... 

In the not-to-distant future, we intend to post some of those telephone numbers and, hopefully, persons, which constantly show up as "harassing hang-up" callers.  May be, you too have the same? 

Keep Watch!

Those who do such unscrupulous things, HATE some of the news, quotes, and such as to inform the general public.  Some of them pose as clergy, while a few are actually clergy from various "other" offshoot AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH or other jurisdiction(s) of the same or similar name of which we are, in some instances, their former MOTHER CHURCH (as is the same named Toledo, Ohio based, an offshoot, who had once been a part of us and unknowingly to our unworthy selves, were once a part of the clergy but they did not obtain permission to leave the jurisdiction they were under, according to Canon, and thus obtained for themselves re-ordination and consecrations, several times... and then using a variety of church names, including our own after they were defrocked and excommunicated, having more than three (3) times being excommunicated by other legitimate apostles/bishops); having joined in and with  "Independent" churches who have nothing to do with us or even true Orthodoxy.  We have the information on their numerous "Paper Church" names and name changes.  But the real issue is whether they were ever truly an ordained Priest and bishop?

It is true that when one is ordained to the priesthood, the old saying of "Once a Priest, always a priest forever..." holds true... But where there has been or is deception and fraud involved, the old saying is invalid altogether which is the stool kicked out from under any subsequent consecrations as a Bishop for the Episcopacy has then been obtained on a sheet of lies and therefore they are frauds, wolves in sheep's clothing.  The problem here is with civil authorities and agencies. 

Any documents a false one obtains from those who ordained him, including subsequent documents relating to consecrations; civil authorities never (or hardly ever) verify their validity and thus issue their own documents and errantly recognize the individual. 

These false sheep in wolf's clothing seek to go out of their way to character assassinate and disparage religious web sites who do not meet their own brand of standardization and those who know where the proverbial "bones are buried on them" which is evidence of the wolf not being "Orthodox" "Christian" or even "Catholic" no matter what their nomenclature corporate name may be.  The Toldeo, Ohio based same or similar named person/group under his/their so-called leader has been deposed, defrocked and excommunicated more than three different times by various bishops/apostles.  He, and several others, have become just as bad as the modern day Ecumenists of the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, the World Council of Bishops and more.  It matters not now... whether they use the so-called name of "Athonite" "Benedictine" "Celtic" "Old Roman" "Old Catholic" - etc..  A name does not make one Christian. Their ultimate aim and goal is destruction to those from whom they had either originated from or gone through to obtain the same or similar named "church" they claim to hold to by the state's civil law in which they reside alone.  They are not a "Schema-monk" or even a true "monk" for they were deposed and excommunicated for violations of the Holy Rule they claim to subscribe to, giving and openly providing false misleading and inaccurate information about other more honorable clergy.  These 'wolves in sheep's clothing attract other nefarious and questionable persons whose aims are similar: for fame, image, power and glory, and if it should be that 'fortunes' come along, all the more is their power based.

    Remember, anything that is a HALF TRUTH is not truth but a lie!  Many there are that you may know who fit those descriptions... pray for them.  Pray that God will send his Spirit of Truth upon them and lead them to Salvation through tears of Repentance, conversion of their cold and calculating hearts toward seeking forgiveness from God and those whom they attempt to harm. 

    Those who receive e-mail from us, know who we are and from where we send mail.  There are also many who know that they can send e-mail under another group or person's e-mail address, which has been happening.  If you receive e-mail that purports itself to be from us, verify first by hitting your "reply" button and ask, "I received this e-mail but would like verification if it is from you." 

    If you are of another jurisdiction, you too could find that your parishioners, clergy and faithful might become subject to the same as we have recently found. 

    Let this be a warning to visitors so as to be safeguarded against unscrupulous e-mails which contain viruses, worms and unsavory material from person(s) organizations or institutions that are more self-serving than uplifting and informatively news worthy. 

    For ourselves, we have, as in the past, so once again, acquired the assistance of those who are able and capable of tracing e-mails back to their source and taking appropriate action in North America. 

    We have learned that the organization we subscribe to, whose members come from various legal and law enforcement backgrounds amongst other areas of society, are committed to the faith even though they may hold different theologies.  Yet, in their monitoring of electronic communications of various persons or people, they do not always make haste to bring perpetrators to justice until after enough evidence has been gained in order to build a solid case.  We do not always know what information they have gained, but we do know the organization, whom we've been asked not to name, has had a 97% success rate in bringing to justice and obtaining a conviction against individuals, people, and sometimes even religious organizations of a persona that gives the appearance of both secular and religious bearing but who abuse and misuse technology.  The organization views those who abuse and misuse the internet and other technologies as nothing more than a form of "domestic terrorism" - - - - and, it would seem to appear that the courts are in agreement!

 Those kinds of people, organizations, etc. who misuse and abuse communication technologies are no different than those who attempt to use coercive measures, and in some instance, even blackmail for the same idea is involved... to cause havoc and wreckage, to destroy the spirit and activity of those who struggle in the faith out of pain of heart for the Orthodox Church which is TRUTH. The degree that some have been known to go to, as seen by other jurisdictions, is to take advantage of questionably mentally challenged or those who have a lack of education and understanding to get them to make statements, even outright lies, in writing, in order to destroy.  Such persons or groups are spiritual terrorists for unholy and un-Orthodox causes, aims and goals.

    Yes, our Metropolitan Archbishop, +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. strongly defends the Seals of the Confessional for such leads to true Repentance in thought, word and deed whereby the penitent is required to make amends, where possible, to seek forgiveness of those harmed by his actions whether real or imagined, and to give his forgiveness to those who have harmed him before taking the Holy Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus the Christ.  The reality of this understanding is bound up in and with the findings for which cause he, himself, had been character assassinated by his detractors who claim the courts prevented him from breaking the Seals of the Confessional which is not the truth at all.... Click here to see what another bishop's findings are...

    The workings of Holy Spirit will not be daunted by those who attempt to cause disruption!  It is for these and other reasons that you are urged to read what true repentance and forgiveness means for real "Christians".

  The Founding of Orthodoxy 

How Many Times

It is one's duty as a true Christian which rests upon the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith established by Jesus Christ, that one continues on the path, the struggle in this life to: Learn the true meaning of Pascha (Easter) and the Life of Christ, His teachings and their importance for all who call themselves "Christian" which means "a follower of Jesus Christ":

He Is Risen Indeed

Click on either the above Icon or any of the following links to learn more!

Pascha -  Lenten Season - Easter

● Lent Message

● The Institution of Lent  ● Turning The Other Cheek  ● Hating One's Parents  ● Violence and the Kingdom  ● The Last Events of Christ 

● A word for the People of God

and Other Hard Sayings of Jesus Christ

● Who are the Modern Day Pharisees and Sadducees who abuse the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ?  ● What is a Safe Church

And More...

Apostasy Index

• APOSTASY & THE ROMAN JURISDICTION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

• The Great Apostasy

• America and the United Nations

• Day of the Lord and Signs of His Coming -  Covering

• About the "Oratory Catechism"

• A Review of the Oratory Catechism and Overview of Sedevacantism in General

• Responses to Review and Overview

• DECLARATION On John Paul II’s death, succession

• Who Decides in this war between Christ and Chaos?

• What Is The Indefectibility of the Catholic Church?

  Other Links - Other Articles of Importance

  About Pius XII

• Is Christianity Collapsing?

• Who are the Modern Day Pharisees and Sadducees who abuse the Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ?

• ECUMENISM -- A PATH TO PERDITION

www.freewebs.com/abouna_gregori/ (blogs, guest-book, memorial page and more)

A Message from Our metropolitan Archbishop - UPDATED

A Very Special Message....

Our Primate's Message Archives - 2006

Our Primate's Message Archives 2004-2005

Go To: Apostasy & the Roman Jurisdicition of the Catholic Church 

Go To: Abouna Gegroi 2 cents worth  Go to: Daily Commemorations.

When Viewing a News Article click on the link to Return to "Home Page" or Daily News for 2006. For Daily/weekly News and Information Archives click on one of the follwoing:

2006 NEWS ARCHIVE

2005 News Archive

2004 news Archive

2003 News Archive.

About:

Apostle1.com, Apostle1.org and Apostle1.net

We are an educational, News-informational and research Web Site dedicated to providing such as befits those who seek things pertinent to the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith and life.

Any good article or piece of information will be considered so long as it is not defamatory or slanderous toward an individual when not based on TRUTH or FACT, or which is altered out of context from its original publishing by recognized sources. All new articles submitted, after viewing and recommendations, are passed to our Editor, our Vladyka, +Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D.

“I prefer a defeat accompanied by humility to a victory accompanied by pride.”

                                                                               --An Elder

    Yes, our Metropolitan Archbishop, +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. strongly defends the Seals of the Confessional for such leads to true Repentance in thought, word and deed whereby the penitent is required to make amends, where possible, to seek forgiveness of those harmed by his actions whether real or imagined, and to give his forgiveness to those who have harmed him before taking the Holy Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus the Christ.  The reality of this understanding is bound up in and with the findings for which cause he, himself, had been character assassinated by his detractors who claim the courts prevented him from breaking the Seals of the Confessional which is not the truth at all.... Click here to see what another bishop's findings are...

    The workings of Holy Spirit will not be daunted by those who attempt to cause disruption!  It is for these and other reasons that you are urged to read what true repentance and forgiveness means for real "Christians".

   "It would be better to have ten (10) true repentant X-felons who ask for and give true forgiveness than it would be to have one (1) non-x-felon or common person whose self-righteousness exceeds even the Pharisees, Sadducees, the gossip mongers, slanderers and un-repentant; for the repentant x-felon understands the true meaning of the Church's purpose as being the spiritual hospital." (siq) +Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D., Metropolitan Archbishop, Archabbot, Primate

Yes... "Prejudice Makes Prisoners of the Hated and the Hater..." (1992-Fr. Alan Stanford)

One can ask, "What part of 'Prejudice' and 'hate' do you not understand?  Are you a complacent person?  In light of the saying, examine yourself!  You may be surprised if you are honest with yourself for your soul may convict you before Jesus Christ convicts you in the times to come!

"When tested by some trial you should try to find out not why or through whom it came, but only how to endure it gratefully, without distress or rancor."

St. Mark the Ascetic.

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit." Psalms 32:1-2
 

    For further information about how spammers, hackers and those who are angry with you can or will attempt to do damage, we offer the following link as regards some of the computer - internet problems:

http://msn.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,116258,00.asp

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Quotes from Metropolitan Archbishop +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. Continuously updated

If You have a question that you wish to ask, please feel free to submit it.  However, may it be suggested that you review all previous questions for the Month and also the Archive of questions previously asked for your question may have already been answered. 

Click Here For Archive Quotes

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Twenty First Century Desert Fathers

Who Are: The Thaddeans?

Lines of Apostolic Succession of His Eminence

 AOC CLERGY

In The Shadows

Suggested Reading:

Privacy Watch NOTICE to VISITORS ABOUT OUR E-MAIL, Telephone and Response POLICY - Updated

Saint Jude Thaddeus (Helper of the Hopeless) and  The Thaddean Fathers (SSJt.)

MAN: To Err, the Church and Holy Spirit

The True meaning of Repentance and forgiveness

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY

Is Christianity At The Cross Roads?

As The World Goes, So Goes The Church

Anomalies in Ecclesiology of Contemporary Orthodox Churches

Attempts at Coming to An Understanding of Orthodox Catholic Christianity

A Response to two articles: “Pedophilia Condoned (Approved) By Islam” & “Dalai Lama With Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Others"

-

GRAMMATA ON THE MEANING OF CANONICAL

The Definition and Meaning of "Orthodoxy"
 

Orthodox Catholic Christian Fasts, Feasts, and Daily Prayers

See the Main Page for Weekly-Daily listings/Commemoration's Page

To Change the Nation and the World

• Salt of Christians and Christianity

• America & the World - What is in Store..

• The Meat of Christianity

• The Seat of Moses, Its Powers and Perils

• Problems of Orthodoxy in America

• Anomalies in Ecclesiology of Contemporary Orthodox Churches

• Attempts at Coming to An Understanding of Orthodox Catholic Christianity

• THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH A most Important Article -  NEW

• Celibacy and the Priesthood In These Modern Times

• An Invitation to Dialogue

• Various Divine Liturgies

•  The 2005 Declaration of the Holy Synod of Bishops and Clergy

  of the American Orthodox Church / North American Orthodox Church / American Orthodox Catholic Church

•  Statement on Sexual Misconduct in the Church

  American Orthodox Church / American Orthodox Catholic Church / North American Orthodox Church

A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology

PROPER ATTIRE FOR ORTHODOX CLERGY

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