Christian groups help lead Hong Kong protests
CHRISTIAN organisations have taken part in mass protests against the proposed new extradition law in Hong Kong (News, 14 June). Last week, nearly two million people were reported to have turned out to march. Religious groups do not need to register with authorities to protest; so they have became a haven for protesters. On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, offered a “solemn” apology for the crisis, but refused to concede to the demand of protesters to remove the extradition Bill, after she had already suspended it. As a result, more mass protests are expected this weekend. In a statement, Cardinal John Tong called on Ms Lam to “make an explicit, public statement that the Bill has been ‘withdrawn’, to meet the strong demand of the general public”. The unofficial anthem of the protests is “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord”, a hymn.
Bishop to be Governor General of Solomon Islands
THE former Archbishop of Melanesia, the Rt Revd David Vunagi, was elected as the next Governor General of the Solomon Islands last week. Bishop Vunagi will become the Queen’s personal representative after a ceremony next month. He was Archbishop from 2009 until his retirement in 2016, after which he became Principal of Selwyn College on the islands.
Hundreds of thousands flee violence in DRC
MORE than 300,000 people have fled inter-ethnic violence in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The United Nations’ refugee agency said this week that the situation had worsened after multiple attacks and counter-attacks by Hema herders and Lendu farmers, and fighting between DRC troops and rebels in Djugu territory.
Israeli court rules against Greek Orthodox Church
THE Supreme Court of Israel has ruled against the Greek Orthodox Church, in a long-running case concerning the sale of three properties to a Jewish settler group (News, 10 November 2017). The Patriarchate had argued that the sale was undertaken by a “rogue employee” and a “convicted fraudster”. A spokesman disputed the ruling.