• Resumption of Assisi

Between 6th and 8th September 2009 a three-day international congress entitled “People and religions” took place in Cracow. It was a gathering of representatives of the world religions. The congress was organized by the Diocese of Cracow headed by ex-Card. Stanis?aw Dziwisz and by the Community of St. Giles. Mrs. Barankits witnessed to extraordinary efforts of the Community of St. Giles at the spread of “the spirit of Assisi, the breeze of peace, which allows people to breathe deeply” across Africa.

About 300 addresses were heard on the topic of culture, politics, economy and religion.

The meeting in Assisi, where even Pope John Paul II was present (1986 and 2002), has caused great offence not only to the Catholics but to all sincere Christians! Why? Because the gesture of the Pope is interpreted as an affirmation of the opinion that Christianity and pagan religions are equal ways to salvation. This heresy erodes the foundations of Christianity and thus of the mission too. It contradicts the Holy Scripture, Tradition of the Apostles, of the Church Fathers and saints.

• Religious fanatics in Sudan crucify Christians (September 2009)

Sudan is ruled by Muslim laws. Some extremists have recently killed seven Christians there. Six of them were nailed to wooden planks fixed in the ground. According to the words of the inhabitants who found their bodies in the area of the town of Nzara, this reminded of “the horrible scene of crucifixion”, as was reported by Interfax with reference to the British newspaper “The Catholic Herald”.

The local bishop appealed to the international public with a call to stop the attacks. He also urged the believers to pray for three days.

In protest against the inaction of state authorities a religious procession was held, whereat 20 thousand people were in attendance. The believers walked several kilometres barefoot in sackcloth and ashes.

Some time before there were several attacks on Christians in two cities of Sudan, near the border with the Central African Republic and Congo. A group of extremists broke into the church of the Holy Virgin during the Holy Mass. They desecrated the altar, the Holy Gifts and abducted 17 young Christians, one of whom was tortured to death, and 13 are missing. Approximately at the same time 12 Christians were abducted near the town of Nzara.