Friendship with Portugal affirmed, 650 years on

A DELEGATION of civic, training, and metropolis leaders, led by the Dean of Manchester, the Very Revd Rogers Covender, signed a “Friendship Accord” between Manchester and a Portuguese area, Castelo Branco, on Monday. The doc pledges to construct hyperlinks “to enrich each region’s culture, education, and scientific research,” a press launch from Manchester Cathedral mentioned. It marks the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty signed at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, in 1373, which established “perpetual friendships, unions, and alliances”. The choir of Manchester Cathedral travelled to Portugal to sing at venues within the area through the six-day go to.

Patriarchate calls Jerusalem assault ‘daily occurrence’

AN ATTACK on clergy on the Church of Gethsemane, in East Jerusalem, on Sunday, has been condemned by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. A press release from the Patriarchate, represented by Theophilus III, described a “heinous terrorist attack” perpetrated by “two Israeli radicals” who had tried to hurt a bishop, and attacked one of many monks who was taking a service on the time. “Terrorist attacks, by radical Israeli groups, targeting churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties, in addition to physical and verbal abuse against Christian clergy, have become almost a daily occurrence that evidently increases in intensity during Christian holidays,” it mentioned. “The Patriarchate calls upon the international community to intervene immediately to provide security and protection to the Christians of Jerusalem.”

WCC requires assist for girls affected by fistula

THE lack of consideration given to women struggling the ache, stigma, and discrimination related to obstetric fistula — a gap within the delivery canal attributable to obstructed labour — was highlighted by the World Council of Churches, in a joint statement issued on Monday throughout a session of the UN Human Rights Council. The assertion, additionally signed by Geneva for Human Rights, Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, and Vivat International, addresses the UN Human Rights Council, stating that “the only appropriate human rights response is the prevention of this devastating condition.” It calls on the governments of the council to do extra to make sure prevention, together with supporting the coaching of midwives.

RC centre affords free inking

A ROMAN CATHOLIC centre run by monks in Vienna, Quo Vadis, has commissioned a tattoo artist, Silas Becks, to supply free tattoos to any guests over the age of 18, on 15 April, The Times reviews. “We don’t want to leave tattoos purely to the body cult or the mystics, but to point the way for Catholics too,” Christopher Paul Campbell, the centre’s director, advised Kurier, a newspaper within the metropolis. The initiative will start with a service on the Ruprechtskirche, the place the needles and any tattooed members of the congregation will probably be blessed. Tattoos on supply will embrace the Franciscan cross and the ichthys fish image.