India: Aftermath of religious clashes leaves scars on Orissa Orissa/India | 30.09.2008 | International Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders in India have reported at least 27 Adventist Christians dead from anti-Christian brutality that developed in the eastern India region of Orissa since late August. Church leaders said there are still violent outbreaks in the area despite India's Central Reserve Police forces patrolling the state. Choudampalli John, president of the Adventist Church in east India, reported that he was not allowed to enter the areas where extremist violence occurred. John al
Croatian Parliament limits Sunday shopping Zagreb/Croatia | 24.09.2008 | Religion + State The Croatian Parliament ruled in July that stores must close on Sundays, an act carried out in deference to the wishes of the Roman Catholic Church. The law will go into effect Jan. 1, 2009. The Catholic Church makes up 90 percent of Croatia's religious population, and the Associated Press reports the church has made its presence felt in the Croatian government with continued lobbying for the passing of Sunday legislation. The law permits stores in gas, bus and train stations to remain ope
Cyprus: Adventist 'Meeting Point' in Limassol to provide spiritual, public services Limassol/Cyprus | 23.09.2008 | International Adventist ministry center 'hub of belonging' for island's locals, tourists, church leader says Seventh-day Adventists in the south coast town of Limassol, the island's largest seaside resort, have converted a former seafront taxi office into a ministry center. "Our purpose is to meet the needs of the surrounding people, many of whom are immigrants and tourists," David J. Cox, church president for Cyprus, said of Meeting Point, which opened this month. "We want it to be a hub of belonging
Market declines won't affect Adventist Church's investment strategy, leaders say Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 19.09.2008 | unknow But economy could affect tithe and offerings World-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church finance officers say they are not currently considering a change in investment strategy in light of recent economic declines, a move they say is "prudent" considering their long-term view. As major U.S. investment banks fold during a global credit crunch resulting largely from a slump in the U.S. housing market, church officials plan to continue a 20- to 30-year outlook for managing the world church's reti
Romania: First Congress of Adventist Roma builds community Bucharest/Romania | 18.09.2008 | International Meetings address issues, challenges of nomadic group Hundreds of participants gathered for the first Seventh-day Adventist National Roma Congress in Romania, a meeting that organizers hoped would create a sense of unity in the scattered ethnic group and foster understanding between Roma and non-Roma Adventists. The congress, which ran August 29 to 31, reached out to the 3,000 to 4,000 Adventist Roma in Europe. The Roma, commonly referred to as gypsies, face ingrained prejudice from non-Ro
Australian Government’s Parliamentary secretary visits ADRA Wahroonga, New South Wales/Australia | 14.09.2008 | ADRA The Australian Government’s parliamentary secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, MP, visited recently the office of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia as part of his engagement with non-government development organisations. Mr McMullan spent an hour with ADRA Australia staff and board members, discussing issues relevant to international aid. "I’m here to listen and respond to the issues that agencies want to raise," Mr McMullan told staff.
U.S. Human Right Commission urge Turkey to Implement European Court Decision and to go Forward with Reforms Washington D.C./USA | 12.09.2008 | Religious Liberty The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has monitored and reported on the development of religious freedom concerns in Turkey and calls on the U.S. government to urge the Turkish government to implement the recent European Court judgment as soon as possible. The U.S. Commission is a government entity created by U.S. Congress. The European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously this summer in a case brought by the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate that Tu
Puerto Rico: Adventists march in campaign against domestic violence San Juan/Puerto Rico | 12.09.2008 | International Senator Orlando Parga told hundreds of Seventh-day Adventists gathered outside their country's capitol building August 30 that their prayers and example could help Puerto Rico overcome a steady rise in violence against women, children and the elderly over the past decade. "It is an honour to welcome you to the capitol," Parga, vice president of the nation's senate, told the more than 500 marchers. "Puerto Rico needs much prayer and spiritual strength." [img id=1335 align=left]Community a
Australian Adventists welcome ban on junk food television ads Wahroonga, New South Wales/Australia | 08.09.2008 | Health & Ethics The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has welcomed the State Governments call for junk food and drink advertisers to agree to an Australia-wide voluntary withdrawal of their advertisements in children’s television viewing times. South Australian Health Minister John Hill said the Government will implement a voluntary ban first, but if that does not curb the number of advertisements, then it will legislate. Mr Hill says banning the advertising of soft drinks and foods high i
