Tent city in Victoria should go now, says Dean
MORE than 100 homeless people who have been living in tents in central Victoria, Canada, must move on and find elsewhere to live, the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, the Very Revd Ansley Tucker, has said. The tent city sprung up in October last year across the street, and diocesan officials had been looking for land to offer to the residents (News, 15 April). But now, as the homeless camp had become more violent and less respectful of their neighbours, Dean Tucker said in a sermon, it would be better for the tents to be taken down.
Archbishop Ntagali criticises MP’s shrine visit
THE Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Revd Stanley Ntagali, has criticised the Speaker of the country’s parliament, Rebecca Kadega, for paying homage at her ancestral shrine after her re-election. In a statement last week, Archbishop Ntagali said that Ms Kadega’s visit was “confusing” and could cause other Christians to “stumble”. “We no longer need to go through the spirits of the dead because Jesus is our hope and protector. The Church of Uganda condemns syncretism and urges her bishops and clergy to use this opportunity to proclaim the sufficiency of Christ crucified to meet all our needs,” the statement also said.
Mob will be punished, says Egyptian President
THE President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el Sisi, has vowed that the Muslim mob who stripped an elderly Christian naked before forcing her into the street will be punished. The attack last month took place in the village of Karama after rumours spread that the woman’s son had had an affair with a Muslim woman. Christians’ homes were also set alight during the disturbances. Speaking on Monday, Mr Sisi told reporters that all Egyptians were one, and that the law must take its course. Police have arrested six men in connection with the attack and are searching for 12 more, AP reports.
Evangelical pastor stabbed in Mexico
THE leader of an Evangelical church in Tijuana, Mexico, has been stabbed after refusing to pay protection money. Guillermo Favela, who leads the Rios de Agua Viva church in the city, and is the president of the regional Evangelical Alliance, was attacked by a man in the street. He was told by his assailant to pay 30,000 pesos a month (approximately £1120) or see his fingers cut off one by one. When Mr Favela refused, he was stabbed in the arm, although his wounds are not serious. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported that his attacker was arrested by police but later released, and urged a full investigation into the incident, as a possible attempt to curtail religious liberty.
