Vor zwei Tagen, zum Abschluss der Gebetswoche für die Einheit der Christen, haben Vertreter aller wichtigen Kirchen Litauens (angefangen beim katholischen Erzbischof von Vilnius) einen Ökumenischen Appell zur Unterstützung der der beiden Finnen unterzeichnet, die off. Übersetzung ins Englische füge ich an:
Ecumenical Appeal
„The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful“; (James
5:16b). As we conclude the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we
address these words to all Christians, inviting them to support in their
prayers those who are persecuted for their faith and convictions.
In these days, our gaze is particularly directed to Päivi Räsänen, a
Christian of our sister nation, asking for freedom of faith, God‘s
strengthening and the graces needed in these trials for her and for all
Christians who are being persecuted in the legal system for their faith.
The trial of Päivi Räsänen, Member of the Finnish Parliament, for „hate
speech“ is taking place in Helsinki, Finland, today. It began after the MP
questioned on social media in June 2019 whether it was appropriate for
Christians to support the LGBT event Pride 2019, and added a
photographed excerpt from Romans (1:24-27).
We support and encourage Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhan Pohjola of
the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, who has also been
accused of publishing Mrs Räsänen‘s text.
Let us remember in prayer our sisters and brothers all over the world
who today cannot come together to pray, to carry a cross, to have a
Bible, who are slandered and verbally persecuted, whose lives are in
danger because they are Christians.
May every person who is experiencing difficulties, discrimination or
religious persecution because of his or her beliefs, be enveloped in our
prayers, so that as soon as possible the dignity that God gives to each
one of us may be recognised and respected.
„LORD, I call to you; hasten to me; listen to my plea when I call. Let my
prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening offering“
(Psalm 141:1-2).
Holger Lahayne
Bibelkreis München 