By Ramon Gonzales

United Europe Pentecostal Filipino Fellowship Urges

All Its Members to Pray Earnestly for the Pope

Dateline London, England, UK, Sept. 16, 2010

H ere are excerpts from the address of the visiting head of the Roman Catholic Church delivered today in Edinburgh: "Your forefathers' respect for truth and justice, for mercy and charity come to you from a faith that remains a mighty force for good in your kingdom, to the great benefit of Christians and non-Christians alike.

"Even in our own lifetime, we can recall how Britain and her leaders stood against a Nazi tyranny that wished to eradicate God from society and denied our common humanity to many, especially the Jews, who were thought unfit to live.

"As we reflect on the sobering lessons of the atheist extremism of the twentieth century, let us never forget how the exclusion of God, religion and virtue from public life leads ultimately to a truncated vision of man and of society and thus to a reductive vision of the person and his destiny.

"Because their opinions reach such a wide audience, the British media have a graver responsibility than most and a greater opportunity to promote the peace of nations, the integral development of peoples and the spread of authentic human rights.

"Today, the United Kingdom strives to be a modern and multicultural society.  In this challenging enterprise, may it always maintain its respect for those traditional values and cultural expressions that more aggressive forms of secularism no longer value or even tolerate. Let it not obscure the Christian foundation that underpins its freedoms".

Evangelical Christians Welcome the Pope

T he largest body of evangelicals in the United Kingdom says Christians of all denominations should "wholeheartedly welcome" this week's visit by Pope Benedict XVI.

That is, if they want to protect their right to freely practice their faith in the wake of growing hostility from a small number of influential people promoting a secular agenda.

During the first papal visit to Britain in 28 years, the Pope is expected to deliver remarks on what has been described as a growing "secular agenda".

"There have been a number of high-profile cases involving gagging orders on Christians sharing their faith at work, praying for people and practicing their faith in obedience to biblical teachings in the work place" notes Benny Rayel, from the UK Baptist Union and director of PJAM and the Co-operative OFW, which represents around hundred of volunteers in the United Kingdom.

"While not all Christians share the Pope's or the Catholic Church's stance on certain issues, we should welcome his visit for the sake of fighting for religious liberty", adds Bro Benny.

Earlier this year, Benedict criticised the British government for its introduction of equality legislation that he described as "unjust" and one that "violates natural law" because it bars worshipers from being true to their beliefs.

The Equality Act 2010, which is scheduled to come into full force on 1 October 2010, requires equal treatment in access to employment as well as private and public services, regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, belief and age.

While the bill has an exemption that covers ministers of religion, as officially suggested by Ramon Gonzales (UK) to the Equality Commission, critics say the legislation could lead to prosecution of faithful employers who decide not to against their beliefs by employing homosexuals.  Companies and organisations could also feel forced to hinder Christian employees from reasonably following their beliefs, as the bill enables staff to seek damages from employers who fail to take reasonable steps to protect them from any form of discrimination.

Since the legislation was passed, a number of Christians have reportedly lost their jobs or faced disciplinary action for practicing their faith at work by wearing a crucifix or sharing their views on biblical teaching.

While the Pope is not expected to address government policy directly during his State visit this week, the Pontiff will reportedly make it clear that Christians and people of other faiths should not lose their freedoms at the expense of a secular state's emphasis on equality, according to senior Roman Catholic sources.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, the leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, said "Benedict will stress that religious belief should not be seen as divisive but as "a source of energy and inspiration".

"When we forget, minimize or even reject this inheritance, then we risk losing our profound identity and creating a vacuum of values at the heart of our society", he stated.

The Pope is expected to arrive in Britain today (Thursday) for the start of a four-day visit that will include open air masses in Glasgow, London and Birmingham, and meetings with church and government leaders.

The Anglican Bishop of Chicester, the RT Rev John Hind, said Benedict's visit "should be a real encouragement for Christians of all denominations at a time of almost unprecedented hostility to Christianity in this country".

United Europe Pentecostal Filipino Fellowship

A pparently, the Rev. Bryan Bataon of the “Christ Is The Answer Church” (CITAC), an United Europe Pentecostal Filipino Fellowship, has urged all members of the congregation to pray earnestly for the Pope, with the EU and UK political and religious leaders, and our own Filipino church leaders and elders as they seek to present the unchanging faith of the Church in changing times", the CITAC supervising pastor stated in a message to the faithful's collectively over the weekend.

The CITAC, meanwhile, said it hopes the Pope's State visit would "act as a catalyst" for society to protect religious freedom in Britain and overseas.

"Religion is not something we do in church on Sunday", the CITAC leader argues.  "It's a living reality that affects every area of our lives". # # #