ADVERTISING
Post-Christian Europe needs followers of Jesus who understand that the Gospel is powerful in itself. We should not hold onto the privileges of old religious structures.
Texts from the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and Buddhist and secular texts were read during the service by young people of different denominations.
The young people were in charge of making the floral tribute, composed of 15 flowers, one for each mortal victim of the attack. / Aj. Barcelona
The Maritime Museum of Barcelona hosted an interfaith memorial service for the 15 victims of the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils last Thursday.
The act, an initiative of the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat (regional government) of Catalonia, sought to give "a plural space of remembrance to all the different victims, countries, beliefs and traditions", the Generalitat explained in a statement.
RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL DIVERSTY
"The cultural and religious diversity in Catalonia is the main element of cohesion and social peace, the best antidote to hatred. That is why inclusive tributes like this make us believe in an open and welcoming society, to defend ourselves against intolerance", said Carme Sansa, an actress who led the act.
She finished the event reading a poem by Federico García Lorca dedicated to the Rambla of Barcelona, the main street of the city where the attacks took place.
The ceremony, which was jointly organized by the Barcelona City Council and the General Office of Religious Affairs, was attended by Justice Minister Rafael Catalá, as well as the mayoress of Barcelona, Ada Colau, the president of the Generalitat, Carles Puigdemont, and the President of the Parliament of Catalonia, Carme Forcadell.
The UNESCO Association for Interreligious Dialogue (AUDIR in Spanish) and the Stable Working Group on Religions (GTER in Spanish) helped the organization committee.
Hundreds of people participated in the memorial service. / Aj. BarcelonaPEACE, A COMMON VALUE
Humanistic texts, fragments of the Bible, the Quran, the Torah and a Buddhist text were read during the service by young people of different denominations and traditions, who participate in the “Bridge builders” AUDIR project.
The texts chosen were consensual with the different communities and their common thread was the peace, an important value for all convictions.
The young people were in charge of making the floral tribute, composed of 15 flowers, one for each mortal victim of the attack.
The bouquet was then taken to the mosaic of Joan Miró in las Ramblas, the place where the citizens and tourists have honored the victims this week.
As it’s already past opening hours, I make a detour into the nearest town to find a late-night store.
You cannot say you are a follower of Jesus if your life does not show the gratitude that always characterised the Master.
Truth will bind us and therefore free us evermore. We will be free to be the persons we were created to be.
Humanity’s collective memory recalls up to a certain point, when we found ourselves already breathing in this wondrous world.
Conflict is a form of communication of last resort, which, contrary to appearances, does not have to finish badly, but provides the opportunity to draw closer to the other person.
Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Kathy Bryan: Online sex trafficking in the USA
“Prostitution is nobody’s dream, it’s a very traumatic lifestyle”, says Kathy Bryan, director of the Elevate Academy. She mentors former victims.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Sharing Jesus with World Cup fans in Moscow
A team of Steiger mission is starting conversations about the gospel in the middst of the football celebration in Russia.
Analysing current issues in the light of the Bible
At the 2018 Apologetics Forum in Comarruga (Spain), Michael Ramsden, Pablo Martinez, Ruth Valerio and José de Segovia analysed how society and the Bible approach the issues of personal identity, integrity, sexuality, pop culture, and environmental care.
European “Bridges to Inclusion” gathering 2018, in Riga
The network of Christian ministries working for the inclusion of people with disabilities, celebrated its tenth continental meeting in Latvia with the participation of 12 countries.
How does romantic love change over time?
Psychatrist Pablo Martínez uses a metaphor to explain how romantic love evolves.
‘Mediterráneo’
“Something will change if you have hunger and thirst for justice”, sings Spanish artist Eva Betoret in a song about the refugee crisis.
How the loss of universal values led to a loss of civility
Author Bruce Little: “We have moved from a sense of responsibility to ‘my personal rights’”.
Reaching non-Christian ‘Christians’
How can we reach those who call themselves ‘Christians’ but have not experienced a conversion to Christ? Forty missiologists and mission practitioners came together for a Lausanne Movement global consultation in Rome.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or