Pope repeats call to treat refugees with
dignity
THE Pope has repeated his call on the international community to
treat refugees with dignity. At his weekly audience on Wednesday,
he expressed his hope that it might "act in a fitting and effective
way to prevent the causes of forced migration". He also invited
people to pray for forgiveness "for those persons and institutions
that close the doors on these people". On Tuesday, EU ministers
failed to agree on a plan to accommodate asylum-seekers more
equally across the EU's countries.
Survivor of Ebola virus returns to mission
work
A MISSIONARY, Nancy Writebol, who survived the Ebola virus has
returned to Liberia. Mrs Writebol, who contracted the disease in
July last year (News, 28
November), arrived back in the country on Tuesday, and intends
to remain for five years. As personnel co-ordinator for Serving in
Mission, she will develop a new ministry helping the victims of
trauma. "We know Jesus Christ can heal," she said.
Descendants of Spanish Jews given right to
return
DESCENDANTS of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain more than five
centuries ago will be able to gain nationality, under a new law
passed by the country's Parliament last week. Up to 3.5 million
could apply for citizenship in a three-year window starting in
October. Under the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand, Sephardic Jews
had a choice to convert to Christianity or leave.
Review river treaty, urge North American church
leaders
A 50-YEAR-OLD treaty between Canada and the United States, on
the operation of dams in the fourth largest river in the US, must
be reviewed, church leaders have said. The Columbia River Treaty
has long been the subject of concerns about its environmental
impact. Last week, a letter to the Presidents of the two countries
from leaders of the Anglican Episcopal and Lutheran Churches,
including Dr Katharine Jefferts Schori, called for a review that
would "respect the rights, dignity, and traditions of the Columbia
Basin tribes and First Nation".
Tweet campaign targets domestic workers'
rights
A CAMPAIGN on social media to raise domestic workers' awareness
of their rights has been launched by Christian Aid, Migrant Forum
Asia, and domestic workers' rights organisations around the world.
The campaign - #Ourhands - seeks to inform domestic workers about
ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, which
affirms that they have the same rights as all other workers.