It’s Friday, April 28th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus.
By Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
Russia “weaponizing religion” and persecuting churches in Ukraine
A new report by the Institute for the Study of War claims that Russian forces are persecuting and repressing the church in areas under their control.
The report states that “Russia continues to weaponize religion. … Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian soldiers or occupation authorities, have reportedly committed at least 76 acts of religious persecution in Ukraine.”
Russian forces have closed down or taken over 76 places of worship, looted, desecrated or destroyed 13, and have killed or seized 29 religious leaders in occupied Ukraine.
Researchers describe the religious repression as “part of a deliberate campaign to systematically eradicate ‘undesirable religious organizations in Ukraine and promote the Patriarch of the Russian Church.”
Walter Reed Hospital cancelled Catholic pastoral care
Officials with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center have not explained their controversial decision to end a longstanding contract for Catholic pastoral care services at the beginning of Holy Week, reports Baptist News.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese for Military Services strongly criticized the nation’s most well-known military hospital for issuing a “cease and desist order” to Holy Name College, a community of Franciscan Catholic priests and brothers who have provided pastoral care to Catholic service members and veterans at Walter Reed for two decades.
Oddly enough, the U.S. military has awarded the new contract for Catholic pastoral care to a for-profit, secular company that the archdiocese believes cannot provide adequate care.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio said the unnamed firm awarded the contract “is incapable of providing priestly care. It’s like hiring a brain surgeon who didn’t go to med school.”
Whatever the origin and reasoning for the change — Walter Reed officials have been silent. Republican Congressmen put the blame on President Joe Biden who is, ironically, a Catholic.
Was Tucker Carlson fired because he urged prayer for America?
Despite the fact that “Tucker Carlson Tonight” was the highest-rated show in all cable news with an average of 3.39 million viewers, Fox News fired him recently.
Some have wondered whether it was, in any way, related to a powerful extemporaneous speech that he gave to the Heritage Foundation on Friday night, April 21st, shortly after his last show, reports The Washington Stand.
The 28-minute speech, available on YouTube, has already been viewed by 3.9 million people.
Carlson addressed the transgender movement.
CARLSON: “If you have people who are saying, ‘I have an idea. Let’s castrate the next generation. Let’s sexually mutilate children.’ I’m sorry. That’s not a political debate. What? That has nothing to do with politics. What’s the outcome we’re desiring here? An androgynous population? Is that really … Are were arguing for that? I don’t think anyone could defend that as a positive outcome. But the weight of the government, and a lot of corporate interests, are behind that. Well, what is that? Well, it’s irrational.”
He talked about the modern-day abortion movement.
CARLSON: “If you’re telling me that abortion is a positive good, what are you saying? Well, you’re arguing for child sacrifice, obviously. But when the Treasury Secretary stands up and says, ‘You know what you can do to help the economy? Get an abortion!’ That’s like an Aztec principle actually.”
“What’s the point of child sacrifice? Well, there’s no policy goal entwined with that. No, that’s a theological phenomenon. And that’s kind of the point I’m making. None of this makes sense in conventional political terms.”
Carlson called out the motivating factor of today’s federal government.
CARLSON: “When the federal government decides that the goal is to destroy things — destruction for its own sake. ‘Hey, let’s tear it down,” what you’re watching is not a political movement. It’s evil!”
The former Fox News Host concluded his speech by advocating for daily prayer for America.
CARLSON: “Maybe we should all take just like 10 minutes a day to say a prayer about it. (applause) I’m serious, like, why not? And I’m saying that to you, not as some kind of evangelist. I’m literally saying that to you as an Episcopalian, the Samaritans of our time. I’m coming to you from the most humble and lowly theological position you can. And even I have concluded it might be worth taking just 10 minutes out of your busy schedule to say a prayer for the future. And I hope you will.”
Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
Ron Hamilton, known as “Patch the Pirate,” has died
And finally, Ron Hamilton, best known as the character, “Patch the Pirate,” in the world of Christian music for children, died on April 19th.
Incredibly prolific, he wrote and sang 900 songs as part of a series of character-building, comical, and musical recordings for children produced by Majesty Music. The “Patch the Pirate” albums have sold over two million copies, and the adventures are featured on over 600 Christian radio stations.
To date, over a million streams of Patch are reported every month. To the glory of God, countless children have come to know Christ through “Patch the Pirate.”
Listen to a portion of one song inspired by Isaiah 6:8.
“Lord, I give my life to You.
Take control each day.
I will follow anywhere.
Here or far away.
(chorus with kids)
“Here am I Lord, send me.
Here am I Lord, send me.
I will serve You faithfully.
Here am I Lord, send me.”
After graduating from Bob Jones University, an ophthalmologist discovered melanoma cancer in Ron Hamilton’s left eye which required surgical removal. He opted to wear a leather eye patch permanently. This earned him the title “Patch the Pirate” from children everywhere. This seeming tragedy became the greatest ministry blessing of Ron and his wife Shelly’s lives.
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Friday, April 28th in the year of our Lord 2023. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.