c. 2008 Religion News Service
Pope expresses `sadness’ for Tibetans
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI expressed his “sadness and pain” over recent violence in Tibet, and called for a peaceful resolution of conflict between anti-government protesters and Chinese authorities.
The pope made his remarks at the conclusion of his weekly general audience on Wednesday (March 19).
“My father’s heart feels sadness and pain in the face of the suffering of so many people” in Tibet, Benedict said. “The mystery of the passion and death of Jesus which we relive in this holy week helps us to be particularly sensitive to their situation.”
Protests against Chinese rule in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa turned into riots last Friday, leading to a crackdown by Chinese forces.
“Violence does not solve problems but only aggravates them,” the pope said. “Let us ask God almighty, the source of light, to enlighten the minds of all and give each one the courage to choose the path of dialogue and of tolerance.”
_ Francis X. Rocca
Christianity Today names 2008 Book Award winners
(RNS) Christianity Today, the Illinois-based evangelical Christian magazine, on Tuesday (March 18) announced the winners of its annual book awards. Ten winners were chosen from among 359 nominated titles that were published in 2007.
The awards, which recognize books that focus on people, ideas and events that shape evangelical life, mission and thought, were given in the following categories:
_ Apologetics/Evangelism: “There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind” by Antony Flew with Roy Abraham Varghese (HarperOne)
_ Biblical Studies: “The Jesus Legend: A Case for the Historical Reliability of the Synoptic Jesus Tradition” by Paul Rhodes Eddy and Gregory A. Boyd (Baker Academic)
_ Christianity and Culture: “Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite” by D. Michael Lindsay (Oxford University Press)
_ Christian Living: “Caring for Mother: A Daughter’s Long Goodbye” by Virginia Stem Owens (Westminster John Knox)
_ The Church/Pastoral Leadership: “The Call to Joy and Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry” by Ajith Fernando (Crossway)
_ Fiction: “Quaker Summer” by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)
_ History/Biography: “A Secular Age” by Charles Taylor (Belknap)
_ Missions/Global Affairs: “Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity” by Lamin O. Sanneh (Oxford)
_ Spirituality: “The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus Is the Way” by Eugene H. Peterson (Eerdmans)
_ Theology/Ethics: “Resounding Truth: Christian Wisdom in the World of Music” by Jeremy S. Begbie (Baker Academic)
_ Adelle M. Banks
Quote of the Day: The Rev. James Somerville of Washington, D.C.
(RNS) “We wouldn’t want the Catholics to get all the good stuff.”
_ The Rev. James Somerville of First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., commenting to The Washington Post on the growing interest of evangelicals in observing Lent.
KRE/PH END RNS
