ADRA Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 30.04.2005 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has launched in March ADRA's World Radio, a weekly 30-minutes show featuring stories from the front lines of ADRA's fight against poverty. ADRA's World Radio can be heard each Saturday at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on the LifeTalk Radio Network. Beginning in May, the show can be listened through online streaming at www.adra.org . On ADRA's Web site a station list is available to determine what station broadcasts the show in your area. ADRA's
Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister attend ADRA water project ceremony Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 30.04.2005 | ADRA The Honorable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksha and Her Excellency President Chandrika Kumratunga Badaraneyaka attended the opening ceremony for a building project in Sri Lanka for which the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing water. ADRA will provide water to the two hundred permanent houses that will be built on 78 acres of land provided by the Sri Lankan government. The development will be located in the Tangalle division of the Hambantota District of
Adventist Church President Encourages European Adventist Youth to 'Become Owners, Take Responsibility' in Church Darmstadt, Germany, | 27.04.2005 | International Young adults in the Seventh-day Adventist Church must "become owners, take responsibility ... in your church, in your congregation," Pastor Jan Paulsen, world church president, told a multi-national audience of European Adventist students during a live broadcast April 26. The program was held at Marienhoehe Adventist Church on the campus of Marienhoehe College in Darmstadt, Germany. Called "Let's Talk -- Europe," the broadcast, hosted by Gabi Ziegler, an Adventist journalist, featured church
USA: Fire At Southern Adventist University Claims One Student, Injures Two Others Collegedale, Tennessee/USA, | 26.04.2005 | International A 3:30 a.m. fire in a women's residence hall at Southern Adventist University claimed the life of a 20-year-old female student and sent two others to a local hospital Tuesday, April 26. Kelly Weimer, a junior English major from Woodridge, Illinois, was killed in the blaze. Treated and released at Erlanger Medical Center were Jen Bigham, a freshman broadcast journalism and psychology major from Biglerville, Pennsylvania and Cassandra Snyder, a freshman general studies student from Lansdowne,
Adventist World Church President To Talk With European University Students Darmstadt/Germany | 21.04.2005 | International All topics will be open for discussion when Seventh-day Adventist world church president, Pastor Jan Paulsen, meets with Adventist students from more than 10 European countries April 26 in Darmstadt, Germany. "Let's Talk…Europe," to be broadcast live by satellite across Europe, will be the third in a series of unscripted, unedited conversations between young people and their church leader. It will be the first time the program is held outside the United States. For Pastor Paulsen, the one-ho
Pope Benedict XVI's Message to Cardinals Rome/Italy | 21.04.2005 | Ecumenism "A Church That … Has No Fear of the Future" Here is a translation of Pope Benedict XVI's first full-length message, which he read in Latin at the end of a Eucharistic concelebration with members of the College of Cardinals. He presided over the Mass April 20 in the Sistine Chapel. * * * Venerable Brother Cardinals, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Men and Women of Good Will! 1. May grace and peace be multiplied to all of you (cf. 1 Peter 1:2)! In these hours, two contrasti
WCC-General Secretary Kobia prays Benedict XVI. for renewed commitment to ecumenical openess and a dialogue of conversion Geneva/Switzerland | 20.04.2005 | Ecumenism In congratulating the newly-elected pope, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia prayed for "renewed commitment" to "ecumenical openess" and "a dialogue of conversion". Describing Benedict XVI as a man "known for his theological integrity and ecclesial loyalty, his evangelical simplicity and pastoral sensitivity," Kobia expressed his hope that his pontificate will "constitute a time for the Roman Catholic Church to apply, in a renewed commitment, the teachings
German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger chosen to be Pope Benedict XVI Rome/Italy | 20.04.2005 | Ecumenism by Luigi Sandri A puff of white smoke and loud bell ringing from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel announced that German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was on April 19 (Tuesday) chosen to be Pope Benedict XVI to lead the 1-billion member Roman Catholic Church. "Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope, John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the Lord's vineyard," the new Pope said when he emerged on the Vatican balcony an hour after the white smoke started
Geneva: New International Museum Of The Reformation Opened Geneva/Switzerland | 18.04.2005 | International The new International Museum of the Reformation has opened its door in Geneva on April 15, 2005. Located in the beautiful Maison Mallet, built on the site where the citizens of Geneva voted to adopt the Reformation in 1536, the museum retraces the major events that contributed to the foundation, and the divisions, of a movement whose influence is still felt all over the globe. The inauguration of the Museum of the Reformation marks the completion of a much-awaited project in the history of Pr
U.S. College Survey Shows Many Coeds Have Strong Spirituality; 8 of 10 Believe In God Washington D.C./USA | 17.04.2005 | International Contrary to what many think, today's college campuses are hotbeds of religiosity and prayer, according to the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California. A survey of 112,232 current freshmen attending 236 colleges and universities (18 percent of them connected with religions) sponsored by the institute finds 8 out of 10 say they attend religious services, believe in God, and are interested in spirituality. The institute, based in Los Angeles, has been surveying college
North American Adventist Health Study Searches for Link Between Diet and Cancer Loma Linda, California/USA | 17.04.2005 | Health & Ethics Lydia Newton from the U.S. State of Arizona belongs to a small but growing club. At age 112, she is one of an estimated 180,000 people around the world who are a hundred years and older. Newton is also one of the 26 centenarians participating in the second Seventh-day Adventist Health Study conducted by researchers at the California based School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, in partnership with Oakwood College and the Seventh-day Adventist church in USA and Canada. The school is r
Eritrean Information Minister Confirms State Recognition Process of Adventist Church Asmara/Eritrea | 17.04.2005 | Religious Liberty The Eritrean government which has vehemently denied persistent accusations of persecuting minority religious groups, will soon permit the mainstream protestant Seventh-day Adventist Church to operate legally in the country, officials said. "The Seventh-day Adventist Church is about to be authorized, it is at the final stage of the procedure," Eritrean Information Minister Ali Abdu said, according the South African News resource "News24". The Adventist Church immediately welcomed the news
Florida: Adventist And United Church Of Christ Congregations Share Church Sanctuary Lady Lake, Florida/USA | 17.04.2005 | Ecumenism In the true spirit of Christian love, Pastor Clyde Thomas and his congregation at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lady Lake (Florida) agreed to rent their church to the Rev. Bill Wealand and his congregation at The United Church of Christ for worship services until the Church of Christ's new sanctuary is completed. Wealand was very pleased to have a semi-permanent home for his congregation, which has been holding services at various places. "First we met at the Hope Lutheran Church at
Albanian Television Coverage For Adventist Church Plant Program Elbasan/Albania | 15.04.2005 | International A celebration of the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen on April 2, 2005, received National Television news coverage for the Seventh-day Adventist Elbasan church plant. More than 70 people attended the celebration organised by church planters Genti and Sanda Thomollari. The program included a presentation by Genti on the life of Andersen, and a review of the themes of his literature, by Sanda. Children from the 'community children's program' performed a drama enacting Andersen's story,
Political Agendas Of British Evangelicals May Be Broadening London, United Kingdom | 15.04.2005 | Ecumenism There are signs that the political agendas of Evangelicals may be broadening in the UK beyond traditional 'moral' issues of sexuality, abortion and family policy, for which their campaigns are so well known. In a major survey (8 April 2005) to gauge the political opinions of Evangelicals in the run up to the General Election an overwhelming majority signalled their desire to see political parties take action to end global poverty. Of the two thousand Christians polled by the Evangelical
Adventist Church Standing Commission to Examine Headquarters Ministries, Services Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 15.04.2005 | International World leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church today voted to receive a report advocating reorganization of several world church departments, and to pass that report on to a new standing commission that will evaluate church operations in the five-year period beginning after the world church's business meeting this summer. "I think it is a good idea for our church ... to have a standing [commission] to address the issues of our mission and organization," said Pastor Jan Paulsen, world chur
Plan Voted to Distribute Church Founder’s books to Every Adventist Family Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 15.04.2005 | International Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist church unanimously voted at an April 14 business meeting to put into action a plan to distribute globally 2 million books written by one of the church's founders, Ellen G. White. The project called, "Connecting With Jesus," was initially presented at Annual Council, the fall business meeting for the church's leaders. "We need to get these beautiful messages ... into the hands of thousands of believers who do not have access to them," Ted Wilson, a vice pr
Seventh-day Adventist Church: Leaders, Missiologists Discuss Issues Relative to Frontline Mission Work Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 14.04.2005 | International In a world of six billion people -- including 25 million who attend weekly Seventh-day Adventist Church worship services -- it's known that there are other Christian groups who observe the Sabbath, or Saturday, as their day of worship. A question for Adventists is how to deal with these groups of believers who operate outside the traditional organizational structure of the church. This was one of the issues raised at the annual Global Mission Issues Committee held April 4 and 5 at the church
Next Adventism - Subject of Lecture, Discussion at Columbia Union College Takoma Park, Maryland/USA | 14.04.2005 | International Future prospects for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in what is called the "global South" may be very good, said Philip Jenkins, author and distinguished professor of religion and history at Pennsylvania State University in Pennsylvania, United States. That's because parts of the world where the Bible is read and taken seriously are prime candidates for the church's presentation of prophecy, as typified by the books of Daniel and Revelation. Defining the "global South" as including sub-Saha
Adventist World Church: Spring Meeting Opens With Mission, Financial Reports Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 14.04.2005 | International There seems to be a new stirring in parts of the world not previously open to evangelism," declared Pastor Mark Finley, director of global evangelism for the Seventh-day Adventist world church. "We see in some of the most difficult places today, the grace of God working, the hearts of people being opened." That report was the first thing world leaders of the Adventist Church heard as the 2005 Spring Meeting of the church opened April 13 in Silver Spring, Maryland. The two-day session include
Released U.S. Marine Hopes for Appeal and Prepares for College Jacksonville, North Carolina/USA | 13.04.2005 | International Joel David Klimkewicz is a United States Marine whose decision not to pick up a weapon, led to a court-martial, conviction and a seven-month jail sentence. He was released from jail at nearby Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, United States, on April 6; his prison sentence was suspended while his case is being appealed. Ironically, Klimkewicz is hoping that one of a series of military court appeals might allow him to return to Camp Lejeune -- or another installation -- as a military chaplain. He
Eritrea: Adventist Church Welcomes Developments Toward Registration Geneva, Switzerland, | 13.04.2005 | Religious Liberty A positive comment on the process of church registration, made by the head of the Eritrean Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, brought a welcome from the U.N. representative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "Only four have duly registered and, as you may have heard this morning from the representative of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission, the screening process of their respective applications will be finalized in the near future. We urge other groups to follow the good example," sai
Radio Address of President Bush to the Nation Washington D.C./USA | 10.04.2005 | Religion + State The following is a transcript of radio address of President Bush to the nation: THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week I have been in Rome to attend the funeral mass of Pope John Paul II. The ceremonies were a powerful and moving reminder of the profound impact this Pope had on our world. And on behalf of America, Laura and I were honored to pay tribute to this good and holy man. During nearly three decades on the Chair of St. Peter, this Pope brought the gospel's message of hope and love
Analysis: Bonhoeffer and pope – parallels Washington D.C./USA | 10.04.2005 | Religion + State By Uwe Siemon-Netto, UPI Religious Affairs Editor Sixty years ago this Saturday, Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged at Flossenbuerg concentration camp in Bavaria, just days before U.S. forces liberated the camp. The Allies arrived too late to save him and fellow members of the German resistance against Hitler. Only days before his execution, Bonhoeffer had told the other condemned prisoners, "Let us calmly go to the gallows as Christians." When the great Protestant theologian was led
U.S. Senator Clinton Lauds Adventists for Supporting Religious Freedom Washington D.C./USA | 08.04.2005 | Religion + State "Religious liberty is one of the most important issues on the world's agenda today," said United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York who made the case for both freedom of religion and the right not to choose one at a dinner sponsored by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) and "Liberty" magazine, both religious freedom outreaches sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "Those of us who are people of faith are so aware of what that means in our lives tha
United Nation's Kofi Annan Calls for Better Treatment of Human Rights Geneva/Switzerland | 08.04.2005 | Religious Liberty United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan called for major changes to the way human rights are investigated and applied, saying the current UN Commission on Human Rights has been "undermined by the politicization of its sessions," and its "declining credibility has cast a shadow on the reputation of the United Nations system as a whole." Speaking to the current session of the Commission on Human Rights on April 7, Annan proposed new methods of better implementing the existing rules, ensuri
Adventist Church In Jamaica Holds Day of Prayer and Fasting Against Violence Kingston, Jamaica | 08.04.2005 | International Seventh-day Adventists in over 600 churches across Jamaica, dedicated Saturday March 5, 2005, as a day of prayer and fasting to seek the Lord’s intervention in Jamaica’s spiraling crime and violence problem. In the first of two special services held at the Andrews Memorial Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Meadowvale Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Patrick Allen president of West Indies Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, admonished the congregation to "believe in God and stan
"How to Reform the UN Commission on Human Rights?" - Adventists Participate in Dialogue Geneva, Switzerland | 06.04.2005 | International Having come in for much criticism of late for its lack of effectiveness and credibility, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) seems set for reform. At an open meeting on March 30 attended by Mrs. Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights, the whole issue of reform was raised and debated by members of civil society, including representatives of the protestant mainstream Seventh-day Adventist Church. In her remarks, Arbour said she wanted to "conceive of a body that
Adventist Church Address the UN Human Rights Commission Geneva, Switzerland | 06.04.2005 | International Attending the 61st Human Rights Commission of the United Nations (UNCHR) this month (April), Seventh-day Adventist church representative Dr. Jonathan Gallagher addressed the body on matters of great concern such as religious persecution, freedom of conscience, and women’s rights; and to plead for a ban on the imposition of the death penalty for changing religion. "The Commission remains a vital forum for presenting human rights issues," says Gallagher. "Despite the negative attitude to the Co
Philippines: Adventist Church Gets Commemorative Postal Stamp for Centennial Manila, Philippines | 06.04.2005 | International Joining the ranks of approximately two dozen entities, the Republic of the Philippines has released a postal commemoration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's 100 years in the country. The stamp depicts "God watches over Manila," a painting rendered by O.T. Navarra in 1967 that was displayed at the Manila Adventist Medical Center. It also includes the Seventh-day Adventist logo that reflects the core values the church is committed to, and a new Adventist Church in the Northern Philippines.
U.S. Marine, Jailed Over Non-Combatant Request, Released From Brig Early Camp Lejeune, North Carolina/USA | 06.04.2005 | International Marine Private Joel David Klimkewicz, court-martialed in December 2004 in a dispute over his request for non-combatant status, has been released from a jail at the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on April 5, Adventist church attorney Mitchell Tyner said. Klimkewicz, 24, was a combat engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, with headquarters at Camp Lejeune, and was convicted on a charge of refusing to obey an order from a commanding officer who asked that the M
Sudan: Abducted Adventist Relief Workers From ADRA Released Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 05.04.2005 | ADRA Three workers employed by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) who were abducted on December 16, 2004, on their way to West Darfur, Sudan, have been released and are safely back home with their families. The three men, all Sudanese nationals, were abducted in Labado while en route from Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. They were held in the Darfur region along with equipment and supplies they were taking to West Darfur to construct water wells to benefit 80,000 Internally Displac
Adventist Relief Agency ADRA Assists Flood Survivors in Brazil Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 05.04.2005 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing disaster relief to 3,525 people affected by the recent flooding in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. ADRA is distributing mattresses, water filters, and medical support to families with the greatest need. The project, valued at $12,850 is funded by ADRA International, ADRA South America, and ADRA Bahia. ADRA Bahia also collaborated with two local organizations to provide a mobile clinic. “We hope to bring better conditions to these
Nobel Guardian Rules Out Peace Prize for Pope Oslo/Norway | 04.04.2005 | Religion + State by Alister Doyle A guardian of the Nobel Peace Prize April 3 ruled out a posthumous award to Pope John Paul and experts say the Pontiff's conservative moral teachings had probably prevented him from winning in liberal Scandinavia. For many Roman Catholics, the Pope's absence from the list of laureates is one of the biggest gaps in the history of the Prize, first awarded in 1901. Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi never won in what is often called the worst omission. Yet in Norway
U.N. Secretary-General Saddened By Death Of Pope John Paul II. New York, N.Y./USA | 04.04.2005 | Religion + State UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II, SPIRITUAL GUIDE, TIRELESS ADVOCATE OF PEACE Following is the statement of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the death of Pope John Paul II, issued 2 April: I was deeply saddened by the death of Pope John Paul II. Quite apart from his role as a spiritual guide to more than a billion men, women and children, he was a tireless advocate of peace, a true pioneer in interfaith dialogue and a strong force for critical
Church President Opens 175th Mormon Conference Salt Lake City, Utah/USA | 03.04.2005 | International The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) opened the church's 175th conference April 2, calling on members to "stand a little taller, lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater millennial mission." The words were the same Gordon B. Hinckley used a decade ago, just weeks after he was elevated to lead the Mormon Church on March 12, 1995. "You must be the judge of how far we have come in realizing the fulfilment of that invitation given 10 years ago," he
H.M. Queen Elisabeth II. Leads Tributes To Pope London/U.K. | 03.04.2005 | Religion + State Her Majesty The Queen led tributes to Pope John Paul II as she expressed her "deep sorrow" at his death. She praised his work in promoting global peace and goodwill as she led tributes from Britain. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen has conveyed to the Holy See her deep sorrow on receiving the news of the death of his holiness Pope John Paul II. "Her majesty remembers the untiring efforts of Pope John Paul II in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world. "The
Statements From U.S. Political Leaders On The Death Of Pope John Paul II: Washington D.C./USA | 03.04.2005 | Religion + State Former President Bill Clinton: "Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope John Paul II. In speaking powerfully and eloquently for mercy and reconciliation to people divided by old hatreds and persecuted by abuse of power, the Holy Father was a beacon of light not just for Catholics, but for all people. In more than 170 visits to over 115 countries, from the Balkans to the Middle East, from Central Africa to Asia, he was tireless in his efforts to defend human rights
Obituary: Pope John Paul II London/U.K. | 03.04.2005 | Ecumenism Karol Wojtyla's election as Pope in 1978 stunned the Catholic world. Not one expert had tipped the 58-year-old bishop of Krakow for the top job. His stand against Poland's Communist regime had brought him respect. But he was not part of the Vatican "in-crowd" and, above all, he was the first non-Italian pope in more than 450 years. He went on to become one of the most familiar faces in the world. His papal odyssey covered more than 120 countries and he earned himself the reputation of an
President George W. Bush Washington D.C./USA | 03.04.2005 | Religion + State President's Statement on the Death of Pope John Paul II The Cross Hall THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I join people across the Earth in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home. Pope John Paul II left the throne of St. Peter in the same way he ascended to it -- as a witness to the dignity of human life. In his native Poland, that witness lau
Pope John Paul II has died Rome/Italy | 02.04.2005 | Ecumenism Pope John Paul II died late on Saturday night, April 2, ending one of the longest and most influential pontificates in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy Father remained "extraordinarily serene" during his final illness, according to his spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls. He had suffered heart failure the previous evening while being treated for an infection of his urinary tract. As his condition deteriorated rapidly during the day on Friday and then Saturday, with his body wr
Geneva: Adventist Church Representative meets with Sri Lankan Ambassador Geneva/Switzerland | 02.04.2005 | Religious Liberty Following a request from Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations representative for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to meet with H.E. Mrs. Sarala Fernando, Sri Lanka's ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, an audience was granted on March 31. [img id=392 align=right]In a private interview that lasted forty-five minutes, the Ambassador Mrs. Sarala Fernando dialogued on a number of issues, including the recent visit of Adventist church president Dr. Jan Paul
ADRA Responds to Indonesian Earthquake Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 01.04.2005 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing emergency relief to the survivors of the earthquake that rocked Indonesia’s Sumatra Island on March 28. ADRA International has pledged an initial $10,000 in disaster relief aid to those affected by the earthquake. This will be distributed in the form of non-food items such as tents and medical supplies. The earthquake struck the western coast of Sumatra Island at 11:09 p.m. (local time) Monday and registered 8.7 on the Richt
