Christian world

Ethiopia Christian group to stage rally against homosexuality

An Ethiopian religious group on Thursday announced plans to stage an anti-gay rally this month to protest what it called "rising incidents" of homosexuality in the conservative Horn of Africa nation.

The initiative comes after Uganda and Nigeria recently passed tough anti-gay laws, although Ethiopian authorities said they were "indifferent" to the demonstration.

"The country has seen an increase in gay-related activities and this has reached an alarming stage," said Dereje Negash, the head of a Christian Association, Woyniye Abune Teklehaimanot.

Police, Palestinians clash on Temple Mount

After opening of Mughrabi Gate, dozens of Palestinians entered the area; 3 were arrested and others dispersed by stun grenade after throwing rocks at police.

Police clashed with dozens of Palestinian youths at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem who threw rocks and fireworks at them following the opening of the Mughrabi gate on Tuesday morning. Some of the men wore masks, according to police.

Pope Francis meets King Abdullah II for second time at Vatican

King Abdullah II of Jordan met Monday Pope Francis on his second visit to the Vatican to discuss bilateral efforts on the Middle East ahead of the head of the Roman Catholic Church''''s visit to Amman and Jerusalem in May.
The talks between the King and the Pope, which were held behind closed doors, lasted 45 minutes, after that the visitor had received a warm welcome from Vatican''''s prime minister Cardinal Pietro Parolin and foreign minister Monsignor Dominique Mamberti.

Bible banned from world famous Trinity College crest

Trinity College Dublin is to remove the bible from its crest, it has been there since 1592. 

They will also change the color scheme on the ancient crest to avoid a clash with Ryanair’s corporate image. The world famous college is set to be rebranded as ‘Trinity College, the University of Dublin’ in a strategic plan to be launched next year.

Synod to elect new Patriarch

The 45-member synod of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church will meet on Monday at the St. Ephraim Cathedral in Beirut to elect a new Patriarch of Antioch and the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church.

Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, head of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Kerala which forms part of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, will lead the bishops in prayers and meditation before the election of the new Patriarch. The elaborate process for the election of the new Patriarch was set in motion after the former Patriarch Iganatius Zakka I I was laid to rest in Damascus with full State honours on Friday.The new Patriarch is likely to be elected on Monday by the synod of bishops, which includes five from the Jacobite Church in Kerala. The team of Malankara bishops comprise Synod Secretary Joseph Mar Gregorios; head of the Knanaya diocese Archbishop Kuriakose Severios; head of the Paurastya Samajam Marcos Chrysotmoas; Bishop of the American diocese Yeldhos Teetos and Geevarghese Athanasios.

Pope Francis to visit Amman, Bethlehem and Jerusalem

The Holy Father will meet twice the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, hold an ecumenical meeting in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, and sign a joint declaration. The pilgrimage will also mark the 50th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch of Constantinople Athenagoras.

The pope will hold two meetings with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, as well as an ecumenical meeting in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. He will also sign a joint declaration.