www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Christians suffer at the hands of Hamas

FATHER SERGE:

Father bless!!

Please send me some information about how to do just this. My parish already twins with one in Haiti and one in the south of the U.S. hit by Hurrican Katrina. We do fundraisers regularly to help our brethren in our twinned parishes.

Asking for your blessing and continued holy prayers,

BOB

Well put Father Serge. I wish I could be as articulate when writing. Funny thing is that I can talk about it but I can't seem to get my thoughts together to put down what I am thinking on paper. Oh well.

Einar

My thanks to you both. Compliments are, God knows, always welcome - and so are efforts to alleviate difficult situations.

Wish I could offer to lead a pilgrimage group, but in my present arthritic condition that is not a helpful idea!

Fr. Serge

Thanks for writing, Father. I advocate a one-state solution, which automatically grants the right of return to those who were expelled into the territories and the neighbouring countries, allowing them to settle back into Israel proper.

I agree with Father that the sabra Israelis and their descendents have a natural right to stay and live on the land, even if due to the misdeeds of the preceding generation. Still, Palestinians' specific, individual claims to confiscated property give them the right to take back, if they so choose, what has been taken from them and to expel from these stolen properties (not the country) whoever presently inhabits them, though the demands of practicality could prompt them to accept compensation instead. I also advocate no less for Mizrahi Jews expelled from Arabic countries (both right of return to the country and right to reclaim lost property or accept compensation if they prefer), some of which have been their homelands long since before the time of Christ.

As the Soviet Union fell relatively quietly not due to armed conflict, but rather its own internal contradictions, so too I think would Israel as a state. The Israelis must come to terms with the demographic realities (as America should with its economic ones--can it afford simply to keep funnelling so much money to Israel indefinitely?). They are losing that war and it will come to decide the fate of their state. A one-state solution will force itself upon the untenable present situation. And if the result is the loss of a Jewish majority in the country, it can serve as a lesson to Europeans who do not value a country's need to maintain an adequately strong birth-rate.

I have anticipated an end to Israel for a very long time. As it happens I anticipate a bloodbath of WWII proportions. The end will not benefit either the Muslims or the Christians. As I could afford it I have hosted tours to Israel. We always had Palestinian Christians as our guides. I like the idea of partner parishes and shall recommend it to Father Loya. We already give to Christian causes in Iraq.

If I can muster the finances I will again travel to Israel and host a group as I do. Any recommendations as to places to go and people to see are most welcome.

My prayer is that Jews and Muslims will stop killing each other and the Christians will be allowed to live in peace.

CDL

Thank YOU!

Subject: Muslim Belief


This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in
prison ministry. The man who walks with God always gets to his destination. If you have a pulse you have a purpose.

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United
States, especially in the minority races!!!

Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for
maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session
there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam
gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:
'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and
clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels
of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all
Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you
give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he
replied, 'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of
Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they
can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John
Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley
ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place
in heaven!'

The Imam was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and
your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me!

Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you
to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to
love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the Diversification training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam, and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President!


Obviously I did not write the above - but it certainly deserves our attention!

Fr. Serge

Dear Fr. Serge,

In the Holy Land, within 20 years Muslims will make 40-50% of the population more or less take or give a few percents. Christians will decline to be 0.5% IF any left at all.

If we consider the forgotten faithful in the Holy Land as an indicator for the state of Christianity - We need to start grieving the future - or start taking action. (When no Christians will be left in the Holy Land to make a living church, be sure that Christianity will lose all its historical authenticity - Not only Muslims like to wipe out Christian history)

Our greatest enemy is not Islam by itself - but our indifference to what we as Christians are becoming to.

We are losing our Christian Identity.
We are picking sides according to political views instead of applying the Teachings.
We are spreading wars and hate instead of love and compassion.

Personally I have tasted many swords, Islam, Zionism, Patriotic Arabs and Patriotic Zionists (also "Christians") ... And believe me when I say, they all have the same bitter sharp taste.

I have no-one - but my Lord and Church to rely on. And I wanna confess something, here we are slowly losing both...

Lord be with us,
eli

There is no reason to accept the notion that Christianity is about to disappear - that has been predicted on numerous occasions, and we are still here. There is every reason for us to take prudent action to ensure that we remain here, and that just as the Communist persecution did not wipe us out, no Mohammedan persecution in any form will wipe us out either. Remember Lepanto!

Fr. Serge

Dear Padre,

Persecution make Christianity only stronger. I strongly believe in Newton's third law of motion.
Christianity will not disappear, no one can kill an "ideology" that governed the nations for 2K years, but Christians in the Holy Land might. Statistically, we are heading there faster than we think.

In the Eco system we have indicators that indicate the state of the system. The gradual disappearance of frogs and toads indicate the harmful effects of global warming and pollution.
We have survived 1600 years of Muhammedan's persecution. It is only the past 60 years that our numbers are declining beyond any red line.


In Christ,
humbly eli

Shlomo Bob,

I have posted dozens of times in this forum ways to help Christians in the Middle East, and other than my fellow Middle Easterners and those that are educated about Christianity in the Middle East I have never gotten a response, not even a thank you. But here again is the contact that I think is the best resource for those of us in North America to help Christians in the Middle East, especially those of us who follow the Eastern Traditions.

The Catholic Near East Welfare Association [cnewa.org] was founded in 1926 by Pope Pius XI, CNEWA’s mandate is:

*to support the pastoral mission and institutions of the Eastern Catholic churches.
*to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need without regard to nationality or creed.
*to promote Christian unity and interreligious understanding and collaboration.
*to educate people in the West about the history, cultures, peoples and churches of the East.

CNEWA does not have inflexible priorities – they are set based upon time, place and urgency of need. We do not compete; if other agencies are doing a good work, we leave it to them. CNEWA addresses those needs that would otherwise “fall through the cracks,” enabling the power of love to reach men, women and children in need.

From training priests to serve the people of God in India to providing clean water systems to war-damaged villages in Lebanon – from providing job opportunities to unemployed Palestinians to caring for orphaned children in Ethiopia – from providing health care to the poor in Iraq to awarding scholarships for Orthodox priests to study in Catholic universities in Rome, CNEWA connects generous North Americans with those in need living in some of the remotest parts of the world.

The agency publishes a bimonthly magazine, ONE. Its name identifies the real spirit of CNEWA and its work – it is about one God, one world, one family and one church. Operationally, CNEWA’s charism is always to act as if we are all one, unless we are forced to encounter a difference.

Here is their link for Gaza [cnewa.org] and information:

Rush Aid to Gaza


(photo: Steve Sabella)
When the violence stops, we can’t waste a minute. The injured and sick will need immediate care — before it’s too late.

Help CNEWA rush emergency medicines and supplies to the Near East Council of Churches’ network of health care clinics. Donate now. Be as generous as you can.

Here is my gift to support people in need in Gaza:
$50
$35
$100
$250
$500
Other $

If you do not wish to send information over the internet, may we suggest you complete and mail our print form.

CNEWA a papal agency for humanitarian and pastoral support

Rush Aid to Gaza


Here is my gift to support people in need in Gaza:
$50 $35
$100 $250
$500
Other $ [7125]

Rev Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. Full Name

Address Line 1:

Address Line 2:

City State Zip

Daytime Phone Evening Phone

Payment Via: Check Enclosed Credit Card

Credit Card Type: MasterCard Visa Amex Discover

Cardholder Name:

Credit Card Number:

Credit Card Expiration (mm/yyyy):

Print form and mail to:

CNEWA
1011 First Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10022-4195 Fax: (212)826-8979

Press Release

Contact:
Michael La Civita
Assistant Secretary for Communications
Tel: (212) 826-1480, ext. 600
Fax: (212) 838-1344
E-mail: mjl@cnewa.org


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CNEWA-supported clinic leveled in Gaza Posted: 12 January 2009


New York — A family health care clinic sponsored by the Near East Council of Churches in the Shija’ia neighborhood of Gaza City was leveled yesterday as fighting between Israel and Hamas continued in the Gaza Strip. Constantine Dabbagh, the council’s executive director, reported no casualties as the area had already been evacuated.

More than 10,000 families, including 31,828 children, were registered with the clinic, which was one of three family health care centers operated by the council with funding in part from CNEWA.

Services at the family clinic in Shija’ia included prenatal and postnatal care, such as monthly gynecological care, routine examinations and regular well-baby checkups. The clinic staff also offered rudimentary preventative health care classes, which pointed out the health risks of unrefrigerated food, good hygiene and proper overall nutrition. The clinic also offered mobile dental care, which included basic care as well as lessons in dental hygiene.

Though the clinics originally charged, at cost, all medications for adult patients, deteriorating political and socioeconomic conditions in Shija’ia had forced the clinic to provide all medicines for free, accepting nominal contributions from beneficiaries when offered.

Rushing emergency relief to the people of Gaza will be the first priority of the council once hostilities cease, said Constantine Dabbagh, who has served the Near East Council of Churches in Gaza for 30 years. Gaza’s tiny Christian community of Catholics, Orthodox and Anglicans are represented in the council, whose clinics have provided quality prenatal and postnatal care to tens of thousands of needy Gazans since 1987.

To make an immediate gift, visit www.cnewa.org [cnewa.org] or send your check by mail to CNEWA, 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10022-4195, or call toll free at 1-800-442-6392.

Founded in 1926 by Pope Pius XI, CNEWA is a special agency of the Holy See providing support to the churches and peoples of the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Programs in the Middle East include emergency relief, including help to displaced Lebanese, Iraqi and Palestinian families, long-term community redevelopment projects, job creation programs and pre- and post-natal medical care.

Msgr. Stern, CNEWA’s secretary general, spoke about the crises in the Holy Land on the radio program, JustLove, on 14 January 2009. JustLove is a weekly program focusing on the social mission of the church and may be heard weekly on the Catholic Channel on Sirius/XM satellite radio.

Here is the link for supporting specific regions and countries [cnewa.org]

Here is for the Middle East [cnewa.org]

and for Palestine [cnewa.org]

Right now there is nothing for Israel, but when project come up they post them.

Fush BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Yuhannon,

Thank you. We may well use this information for our next Mission Festival.

CDL

Thank you Yuhannon, and may the Mother of God protect you and you family with her mantle.

Thank you for disturbing our comfort and lukewarmness. I downloaded the donation form and will send a contribution today.

Shlomo Carson,

You are very welcome.

Fush BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Shlomo Paul,

You are welcome. What I will do is form another thread that will list the projects for CNEWA.

Fush BaShlomo,
Yuhannon