One common example of raw risk data is engineering or technical information suitable for analysis using well-established techniques. Another example is historical data, such as is used by the insurance industry to determine premiums.
When seeking to understand risks to an organisation's success, a key question is how to collect meaningful raw data that can then be analysed to provide evidence and insight into the risks faced. Reported performance data is one possibility, but such data is highly filtered by current culture and systems. For example, it is unlikely to provide evidence of risks or issues that are difficult to report.
The answers provided to that question are necessarily opinion based and different people may well have contradictory views. From a systems thinking perspective, this is not a problem – it is just part of the real complexity involved. The challenge lies more in how to collate and analyse such data to create new insight into the factors that are driving organisational performance.
The raw data provides evidence both of threats and of opportunities, since the focus is on "maximising" the value created.
The stress on 'evidence' is important. The individuals will be able to describe personal experiences and events that they have observed. This links the conclusions of the analysis to observable, factual evidence even though much of the data collected will be opinion based.
This kind of data can be gathered in one-on-one interviews, and also in workshops. Both methods have advantages, and an effective systemic risk analysis will seek to use both. The design of the workshops and the design of the interview process are important.
If the aim is to identify and understand the key systemic or strategic risks faced, the amount of data gathered does not have to be large. This is because truly systemic drivers of risk are pervasive influences, and evidence of each will emerge from almost every interview or workshop conducted.


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Is there any way back for Neil McEvoy?
Neil McEvoy AM
Although it was barely mentioned by Plaid Cymru themselves or the media, perhaps the most significant result of the conference in Swansea over the weekend was the re-election of Alun Ffred Jones as party Chair.
Plaid's Cardiff West branch, the power base of Neil McEvoy AM, had nominated eight candidates for key positions, including Dr. Dewi Evans as a challenger for Alun Ffred Jones' position.
Plaid Cymru's leadership had been very concerned that this was an attempted takeover of the party by those keen on reinstating Neil McEvoy as a Plaid Cymru AM.
There were whispers about entryism, with one Facebook post making the rounds that suggested joining the party to vote for Dewi Evans before cancelling membership after the conference.
The installation of a party Chair favourable to his cause was seen as a last roll of the dice for Neil McEvoy's hopes of re-entering the party before the 2021 Welsh Parliament elections.
I had stated a few weeks ago that this was probably a more important contest to the future of Plaid Cymru than last year's leadership election when Adam Price defeated Leanne Wood.
If Neil McEvoy's supporters had taken control of the NEC it could have resulted in as radical a shift in the party's direction as Momentum's takeover of the Labour party.
However, Dewi Evans lost the vote by a reported 400 votes to 135.
Some suggested on social media that the voting system was unfair, and that if all members of Plaid Cymru had been able to vote, Dewi Evans would have won.
They pointed out that over 8,000 Plaid Cymru members did not vote in the election at all.
This claim, in my opinion, does not stand up to much scrutiny. If it had been an election in which all Plaid Cymru members could vote, the result would very likely to have been even more lopsided.
Dewi Evans' greatest hope of winning was essentially to ensure that his own circle of supporters, both from Cardiff West and his own 'power base' in Carmarthen (Swansea sat very conveniently between these two points), outnumbered Alun Ffred's on the day.
But if the vote had been open to a postal or online ballot of all members, Alun Ffred Jones could have drawn on greater support from his own constituancy in the north-west (he was until 2016 the Arfon Assembly Member).
The other claim was that some members found that, on attending the conference, they could not vote because they had joined the party too recently.
This however seems like a sensible precaution to stop the entryism mentioned above.
The truth is that this result was not a good one for Neil McEvoy's supporters and suggests that the idea that the party membership at large is crying out for change at the top of the party is probably a myth.
Neil McEvoy's star rose within the party at a time when there was a fair amount of discontent after many years of political stagnation.
The party had been bumping along at 20% or so in the polls since the disappointing election of 2003, and many were looking around for a spark that would bring it to life.
A lot has happened in the last year, however:
Plaid Cymru has taken the lead in a Welsh Assembly poll for the first time ever
Support for Welsh independence has mushroomed
New Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price is more popular than his Labour counterpart, Mark Drakeford
There's no guarantee that any of this will pay off in the 2021 election, of course, but for the moment much of the discontent within the party seems to have evaporated.
While many like and support Neil McEvoy, they seem to have come to the conclusion that undermining the current leadership to insist on his re-inclusion isn't a risk worth taking.
What this means is that Neil McEvoy will almost certainly now fight for Cardiff West in 2021 as an independent politician.
This will probably guarantee Mark Drakeford's re-election. Together, Plaid Cymru and Neil McEvoy could probably have won the seat. Apart? Not much chance.
This is a shame for both Plaid Cymru and Neil McEvoy and not the result that either would have wanted.
A golden opportunity for them to take the seat of a sitting Labour First Minister looks likely to have been squandered, for no particularly good reason.
Not only is it a squandering of an electoral opportunity, but of Neil McEvoy's own ability. He is a working-class, popular politician with a real talent for taking on the establishment both on Cardiff Council and down in the Bay 'bubble'.
He brought to Plaid Cymru something I think was really needed, which was the ability to connect with communities, both BAME and working-class, with which Plaid has struggled with in the past.
I'm not naive enough, however, to buy the narrative that Neil McEvoy's attack on the establishment was what finished him off.
As I said rather prophetically back in 2017: "The challenge for Neil McEvoy will be to temper his abrasive nature so that it can't be used as a means of attacking him, while retaining his reputation for no-nonsense straight-talking and taking on the Welsh establishment."
Unfortunately, tempering his abrasive nature is something he has not been able to do, and he too often lands himself in hot water for no good reason.
This self-destructive streak was encapsulated in the week leading up to the conference by his decision to retweet a grossly offensive tweet about trans people.
Neil McEvoy later deleted this retweet and said that it was a "mistake". But as far as I can tell, he has not apologised, and continues to link to a particularly bile-soaked blog on the same issue.
Whatever your views on trans rights – I am personally very supportive – sharing this kind of hateful language is either extremely negligent or clearly not acceptable by an elected representative.
It's particular politically self-destructive in the run up to a vote that would decide his political future and a smack in the face for supporters who had previously swallowed the line that all attacks on him were just the establishment trying to stitch him up.
If he wants to realise his potential, Neil McEvoy needs to start taking responsibility for his own conduct and start contemplating how he has managed to alienate so many people.
Yes, of course, his political opponents are out to get him. But boy, does he make it easy for them by giving them a hell of a lot of ammunition to shoot at him with.
If he wants to survive as a politician in Plaid Cymru, or any other political party, he and his supporters need to stop complaining about being hard done by and take that on board.
Agree with a lot of this, including the plain fact that Neil can certainly be abrasive. But is this so bad? Terminal? You say it would "undermining the current leadership to insist on his re-inclusion". Surely not? Here's my take. Adam Price spoke this time about 'Cwtch' and last time about healing Plaid's quarrels. Same as Dewi's point, really. I agree with both. Here's the problem which re-admitting Neil would cause. It would not undermine AP the Leader. Neil can work effectively within the system. It would spark a reaction by a number of AMs. Plaid's problem would be that… Read more »
NationCymru
Hi Jonathan. Thanks for your comments. I don't really accept the view that it's just a limited number of AMs on the 'left' within the party that wanted shot of him. I've spoken to plenty of what are in Plaid Cymru terms 'centrists' in the party who have worked with him and just really don't like him. If you anger your political opponents – fine. But if you seem to anger a lot of people who are supposed to be your allies in the party, you're doing something wrong as a politician. I think he and his supporters need to… Read more »
Sigh – Plaid is not doing well. Two reasons. There is this slipping from "don't like" Neil to getting angry with him. To expelling him. Failure of grown-up leadership. And I didn't say that it was AMs on the left. Neil is on the left. He's a socialist, unlike me. I think Neil is on the wrong side of another intolerant divide altogether. The bigger worry is the one repeatedly expressed by Vaughan Roderick, that Plaid is behind the curve on Indy. Fundamentally, you wonder if many in Plaid really understand their own voters. Are many in Plaid actually interested… Read more »
Of course Jonathan, Neil has never done anything wrong has he?! He is so virtuous and genuine. Oh wait, no he isn't. Everyone should expect better from their elected representatives. We already have enough problems in the UK and globally as a result of electing self serving deceitful narcissists into power
Alwyn Evans
Overall, I'd agree with the thrust of Jonathan Edwards' remarks, but I would point out that the description of Plaid as having been 'taken over' by the 'National Left' and the 'Womens Section' hardly accords with my experience of many mainstream Plaid voters. Yes, I'm glad that strong, effective women are increasingly taking a leading activist role in Plaid, and that many are not backward in making themselves heard on many issues of inclusion. The difficulty of inclusion is that some people's inclusion is someone else's intolerance. So, for many like myself who while moving far more leftwards than my… Read more »
Royston Jones
In many ways Saturday's conference was a re-run of last year's leadership contest. Being in Swansea favoured the left and those who enjoy playing identity politics over those wanting to loosen this group's hold on the party. For this faction, representing only a minority of members, is focused on Cardiff Bay and found overwhelmingly in the south – as last year's leadership election proved. Concentrating on Neil McEvoy and making threats to break away if he was re-admitted served the interests of this faction this time around. Because others in the party – fearing a split – were persuaded to… Read more »
Ben Angwin
Why do you hate everyone?
Vote Up-7Vote Down Reply
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, young Benji. I don't think I hate anyone. There are some I dislike, others I disagree with, but 'hate'? Why is it always either/or with you people?
'You people' seems your standard response.
jr humphrys
Unionists, I think.
Not much to like about a clique that acts in such a calculated fashion to deny members participation in an election. No wonder they find it easy to make common cause with the LibDems who provide their own brand of deviance.
Max Wallis
Amazingly, Adam's address included a eulogy of Leanne to compensate or conceal the censure of her for the abusive "arsehole" tweet.
Not only was that contempt for the Senedd, but undermines the case for special efforts to protect women politicians from abusive misogynists.
It also bolstered Leanne's "authority", so that people swallowed her unfocussed speech replete with assertions about Plaid Ifanc's vigour and importance.
Conference Goer
A fairly balanced article seeing the fault on both or all sides.
What happened was not 'the Left' taking against Neil but rather, people such as Rhun, Elin Jones, LSR and Jonathan Edwards campaigning against him.
Conference-going members are receptive to signals from their AMs and MPs. These same endorsements mostly went to Adam Price as leader.
It is based on a complete misinterpretation of why people like me want Adam as leader instead of Leanne, and exaggerates the differences within Plaid Cymru. Who is on the left? People do not think of things in that way.
R ryler
Was Jonathan Edwards opposed to Neil McEvoy?
Yes. He and Liz Saville endorsed Alun Ffred and encouraged people to vote for him. I believe all of the AMs and possibly MPs did the same. The majority of these politicians supported Adam Price to be leader as did I.
Not the same Jonathan Edwards.
Robert Tyler
Could someone clarify this?
Anne Greagsby
Easy to accuse Neil McEvoy of being abrasive rather than striden shows a working class bias. Yet no complaint about Alun Coxs offensive rant at the conference attacking Cllr Andrea Gibson. No mention of Leanne Wood abusive swearing on Twitter. Why dont Leanne and Cox have to restrain themselves? Their highly offensive behaviour of which there is ample evidence is somehow ok? They support Bethan Sayed in spite of her drink driving . No apologies from Cox or Wood. And no demand for one. Lecture them. Yet all you have on Neil is one retweet that YOU deem highly offensive.… Read more »
Said a woman excluded from the party for her behaviour
No, it is highly offensive.
The page is turned in Cardiff West.
A great chance for the Lib Dems to plant roots west of Afon Taf.
Knot weed?
I think the article underplays the growing discontent within Plaid grassroots members and particularly those who work actively in branches with what us seen as a growing elitism within the party. The conference talked about a lot about unity, then proceeded to re-elected Alun and Sian who clearly have not been efficient enough, to date in their roles, to prevent the growing dissatisfaction with many party members over the last 2 years. On another note I was very saddened to see the poor attendances for many of the motions, these motions set the strategic direction of the party and the… Read more »
Jonathan Gammond
Do we really need "abrasive" politicians? The least you can expect from politicians is that they engage their brains before they open their mouths and it is not difficult to advocate policies without causing offence. Some politicians are all too ready to tweet and then apologize "for any offence caused" as if it is the audience who are responsible for what has happened. We aren't; you are.
Yes. you do need abrasive politicians. Ones who don't accept a politically correct consensus, instinctively support the Labour status quo, but who bully and expel people who they used to be in a relationship with but aren't now. We need some disrupters who don't accept Wales being at the bottom of every league. I don't. McEvoy doesn't. Neither do many many in Wales, those who voted Leave for example. We all have to wake up and pull for Wales!
I would never want to live in a Wales that doesnt promote inclusivity and a politically correct language. It's not hard to just be a kind person, even if everyone seems to find it impossible. I'd want the Welsh society I live in to reflect that.
Ifan – couldn't you restrain yourself as Editor – resorting to the descriptor "bile-soaked blog" ?
You admit partiality towards "trans rights" so seeing "tranny wannies" as 'grossly insulting' is understandable hyperbole.
Indeed, Mike Mansfield told me there's no pro-trans editorial line . Yet you refused my opinion pieces on the trans-arguments, eg. that on the Welsh GP Dr Helen Webberly, found criminally guilty of prescribing hormone blockers to girls. So you resort to calling Jac o'the North's trans-analysis as "bile-soaked" while printing nothing in Nation.Cymru.
Methinks Editorial biases are increasingly overt.
I don't think that this Jonathan Edwards is Jonathan Edwards MP., but is in fact Neil's barrister. Also, from what I hard, Dewi had no 'power base' in his home constituency and was not nominated by them. If there had been a postal vote, I think the result would be more like 8- 1 for Alun Ffred Jones.
You may speculate as much as you like but that Party needs to adopt some modern electoral methods if it wishes to continue spinning words like integrity, inclusive and democratic. The detachment from reality will end in tears. What has been sown with these antics will come home to roost in a bad harvest come 2021 as the electorate will give you a black eye that will be far worse than Cameron's mild split lip of June 2016.
Wexit
So, Plaid are supposed to be on a roll? Surely any such upsurge would see an increase in interest from members and supporters in the party's affairs right? And the party would obviously be doing its utmost to foster that interest and increased awareness about its mission? Unfortunately, the abysmal voting turn-out for such a crucial role as Party Chairman gives the lie to such assertions. 429 votes cast equates to something like 4% of the membership( if we base it on the reported 8,000 total membership). That is a total shocker! When you also consider that 30% of its… Read more »
I'd take a 4-1 victory any time.
The message from the party activists is very clear – we've had enough of Neil McEvoy's machinations.
Alwyn ap Huw
The number of people who voted was 4% of the membership, not 4% of the "electorate". The "electorate" was those registered as conference delegates so the % of the "electorate" who voted was probably well over 80%. There may be questions about those of us not able to attend conference not being entitled to vote, but there is no question about the turnout amongst those who were entitled to vote.
The justification is they are unworldly. I mean, Trans rights, Adam? You should be howling about Airbus!
No, 429 votes cast is actually unprecedented. Usually only about 100 people vote for these posts. The energetic campaign made Plaid politicians and key councillors and activists close ranks and mobilise voters. There was also significant interest in the race because of the articles here on Nation. There is substantial opposition to Neil because people believe he is disruptive and he falls out with people constantly. But they have also lost all of his electoral and campaigning qualities.
Gruff Williams
Are you referring to Jac o' the North's blog as " particularly bile-soaked" ? If so, could you provide some examples.
Rhosddu
"bile-soaked" = "criticism of Plaid Cymru hierarchy".
I am not sure that the comment "if the vote had been open to a postal or online ballot of all members, Alun Ffred Jones could have drawn on greater support from his own constituency in the north-west" is correct. A large number of Gwynedd Councillors (including some who had served on the council with Ffred) wrote a letter of support for Neil a few weeks back. If you used copy and paste to change the name Neil McEvoy to Bethan Sayed you might get closer to the truth about the real cause of Plaid's problems. She is the divisive,… Read more »
Careful, you'll be accused of being a misogynist.
appalling and completely inaccurate comment Al.
Gwylon Phillips
All I desire of anyone, individual or member of a group is truth and justice. Both seem to be lacking in Plaid at the moment.
Jon Coles
Internal party politicking is very diverting if you like that sort of thing. I am, however, more interested in getting an explanation from those involved is why Plaid AMs are so determined to block the publication of even a suitably redacted Sargeant report. How will the publication affect or embarrass Plaid Cymru? All the party 's AMs are doing, as long as an explanation remains unforthcoming, is fostering the notion that Cardiff Bay is a cosy club and giving Neil McEvoy a stick with which to beat them.
Maybe they are trying to protect the family and the victims by keeping the report private?
Don't put ideas in their heads. That would be the perfect get-out.
Alwyn J Evans
Get out of what. Is anyone alleging anything illegal? Sacking someone isn't illegal, getting drunk and pushy with women isn't illegal, having multiple affairs isn't illegal, bullying staff isn't illegal. Mcevoy is doing this to settle his own personal scores. Maybe others are trying to protect peoples privacy?
Nah. The get-out refers to Labour and Plaid Cymru refusing to release details of the Sargent inquiry. Since we don't know why Plaid have sided with Labour over this instead of forcing a disclosure, there's an inevitable suspicion that both parties have something to hide. It may well be that the allegations against Carl Sargent are well-founded, but there must be something very sensitive that's compelling the two parties from revealing the facts. Somebody had to raise the issue; it just happens to be Neil the Bogeyman. I don't think we'll ever learn the truth over this one, but the… Read more »
The something very sensitive are the allegations, Sergeants conduct, his health, protecting the family and the people who came forward over the years. Is anyone suggesting anything illegal? It's a private matter. Mcevoy isn't fighting for justice, he wants it all public for his own reasons. Name anyone who this directly affects us calling for him to push it for them or are asking for full public disclosure? Ask why Mcevoy is so keen on getting victims names publicised or if he wants his private life put under scrutiny by innuendo?
He's trying to nail Carwyn Jones, not get 'revenge' on Deryn. Many people are bemused as to why Plaid AM's are not behind him on this. What have they got to hide? It's nothing to do with the gory details of what Carl Sargent allegedly got up to.
No, he's trying to expose Deryn. He has twisted this whole thing to suit his agenda. People in Deryn are directly connected to what Carl Sargeant did. Neil Mcevoy also has a long history and many personal connections to people in Deryn and the labour party. It's a private matter, the family don't want the report released ( at least not his wife and children) I'm sure mcevoy has found a cousin to cover his claims. If you think mcevoy is "draining the bay" you're mistaken. This is just about him, the women in Deryn and Cardiff labour party. Plaid… Read more »
If he's trying to expose Deryn, all power to his elbow, surely? I'm sure a compromise could have been reached, with Plaid Cymru support, to withhold sensitive details that might upset Sargent's family.
It's a shame, but we're not going to uncover what Carwyn Jones and Deryn were up to, so eventually Neil's going to have to drop it. Probably just as well, because there's no shortage of injustices in Wales for him to square up to, with or without Plaid Cymru support.
Expose Deryn for what? Being a lobbying company isn't illegal. It's a straw man campaign.
You're quite right, it's not illegal in Wales to be a lobbying company. In the light of the suspicions revolving around Deryn specifically, and their bad reputation among many in the independence movement, however, it seems reasonable, and in the public interest, to wish to expose their involvemt in an affair that many people regard as so manifestly dodgy.
But, as I say, we'll never know.
Sexual harassment is illegal.
Keith Evans
Bile soaked? Nonsense,utter tosh .Plaid defend their relationship with Deryn by building a wall of words,transphobic,Misoginistic,homophobic,even racist,no one is immune from this woke smokescreen that the Plaid/Deryn axis continually throw up.It actually didn't bother me untill they started to try the same nonsensense intersectionality with Yes Cymru.Neils supporters are not akin to momentum, Leannistas have already achieved that in Plaid ,Adam is just window dressing unless he deals with the pernicious and nasty Leanne wing.
The tragedy of Plaid Cymru is that they have now alienated such a large percentage of the wider independence movement that they will haemorrhage votes to such a degree that the 2021 election will be lost, Cardiff West will be squandered, and the Valleys and North East will never trust them despite all the good work done locally by people like Carrie Harper in Wrecsam. All this, just when Welsh Labour are becoming a busted flush. The party's priorities are now all wrong, their policies totally misguided, inappropriate, and irrelevant, and they wilfully ignore the real problems of colonialism, cultural… Read more »
It is fairly clear that PC is simply a minority Leftist party like so many others in Europe. Standard old hat.
So Cymru needs something less narrow minded. What? Gwlad is anti EU, so they are already yesterdays papers.
The only thing wide enough is YES Cymru. So we who want something bigger must just push for YES.
I cannot see any other way to go other than an NGO direction?
On reflection, I should add that I will still be forced to vote Plaid Cymru, but campaign for YES.
What does the word "woke" actually mean to you?
Just DON'T hate people different to you, its really simple. And don't cry if your continued hatred, discrimination or prejudice gets labelled with a term you don't like.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Now displaying: 2018
60: A Better Memory, A Better Life—Harry Lorayne 0
Here's an easy one for you: would you like to meet someone, say, at a business meeting or barbeque and actually remember his or her name for more than a nanosecond? Would you like to remember a list of grocery items even if you don't have a pen and paper with which to write it down?
Meet Harry Lorayne.
I get a lot of compliments about my memory, and I like to give credit where it's due. Harry Lorayne's first book, How To Develop a Super Power Memory (1957) is still, for my money, the best way to learn his system. His later book Ageless Memory: The Memory Expert's Prescription For a Razor-Sharp Mind (1957) incorporates many additional insights for memory improvement.
Lorayne became nationally known for his many television appearances through the years, having "done" all the television biggies, from Ed Sullivan to Jack Paar, to Johnny Carson (24 times!), to Mike Douglas to Merv Griffin, et al. His showcase piece is to meet hundreds of strangers, one after the other, and then recite everyone's name later with perfect accuracy.
Hale and hearty at 92, Mr. Lorayne epitomizes line from Psalm 92:14, "They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green." It's always a thrill to interview a long-time mentor, and I found myself smiling throughout the entire interview with the great man.
The personal obstacles he overcame growing up on the mean streets of the Lower East Side would flatten most people. His childhood family experiences and his early days breaking into the world of magic (and memory) performance are straight out of the Damon Runyon school of hard knocks. He lost his beloved wife Renee three years ago after 70 years of marriage. (Ponder that level of loss the next time you're feeling sorry for yourself.)
But Harry Lorayne keeps putting one foot up, one foot down, all the way to Londontown, as the saying goes. He has at least one more book in the creative pipeline, and he still does the occasional convention lecture to magicians and others for whom he is a living legend. Not bad for someone who grew up with undiagnosed dyslexia and crippling boyhood shyness.
I have a half dozen of his books, but few more interesting than his autobiography, Before I Forget which his long-time pal Mel Brooks calls "a rememoir." Talk about funny and insightful anecdotes – couples' trips around the world with Brooks and his wife the late Anne Bancroft; things going terribly wrong during shows, and his big television break on The Jack Paar Show, thanks to writer Moss Hart, then a very big name. (Mr. Lorayne, a self-described crier, barely manages to hold it together when recalling Hart's kindness.)
Lorayne speaks the way he writes – quickly, crisply, clearly. His teaching style is at once compressed (he never wastes a word) and conversational (he never sounds "professorial").
Harry Lorayne is an American original. I know you'll enjoy this audio only conversation.
Ad multos annos, Mr. Lorayne.
Lorayne says that memory is just a synonym for understanding. Do you agree?
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59: Catholicism, Ecumenism, and Offensiveness—Tim Staples 0
In most social circles today, if you announce that you're a Buddhist, that's cool; you're like a celebrity. If you say you're into yoga retreats, that's wonderful. Even if you say you're a Christian (understood as Protestant) everything is still more or less groovy, unless you're one of those fundamentalist types that believes Jesus really rose from the dead.
But announce you're Catholic? Better get ready for the inquisition. Tim Staples knows all about it. Tim was raised Southern Baptist, later became an Assemblies of God youth pastor, and is now the director of apologetics and evangelization at Catholic Answers.
In this interview, Tim goes off-road to talk about life as a Catholic in a post-modern culture. How has the papacy of Pope Francis been a game changer? Some have implied or accused Pope Francis of being a heretic. Tim weighs in with his take.
Last year was the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the revolt now called the Protestant Reformation. How can Catholics talk about about the breakaway that had led to constant, and predictable, splinterization of so many different denominations, each contradicting the others is various ways?
And what is ecumenism, anyway? What should the endgame be for our prayers "for Christian unity"? Tim Staples has been debating, writing about, and pondering all these questions for 30 years. Listen and learn.
In this episode you will learn:
Specific examples of how to interact with people who disagree
How life as a Catholic is, in a certain sense, different under the unpredictable papacy of Pope Francis
Why ecumenism can't possibly mean merely being nice and collaborating on projects
How to recover from an awkward start to an interview!
That Jesus Christ founded one Church
Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines by Tim Staples
Why is it important to get the definition of ecumenism right?
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58: The Truth About Medjugorje, Part II—Donal Foley 0
As promised, I posed the questions solicited from Facebook about Medjugorje to my guest, historian Donal Foley, author of Medjugorje Revisited: 30 Years of Visions or Religious Fraud? and Marian Apparitions, the Bible, and the Modern World
Please understand that the number of questions exceeded the time limit of the show, but I did my best to compress together the ones that either asked the same basic thing or were already answered in the first episode. Be assured that none were skipped or censored.
The occultic undertones to the manner and mode of the Medjugorje visions and how closely they resemble condemned apparitions
If the visions are not of God, and yet so many good fruits have resulted in the shorter term, what the longer term endgame might be from Satan's perspective
Why the fallen or suspended priests who have been closely allied with the seers provide a serious reason to be skeptical
Whether there have been any verified medical healings as a result of the apparitions
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Also on our website www.patrickcoffin.media
57: The Truth About Medjugorje, Part I—Donal Foley 0
On June 24, 1981, a clear Wednesday afternoon, some young people went up Podbrdo Hill near the small hamlet of Medjugorje in then Yugoslavia. When they came down, they told people they saw "the Gospa," (Croatian for "Our Lady"). A few more joined them, and it happened again.
And again. And again.
Today, three decades later, the six teen-aged seers are middle-aged adults and are still getting these visitations with their alleged secrets and signs. A global movement supporting these visions has been selling the phenomenon as real, in the face of the official stance of the Catholic Church.
What is the official stance? What is the truth about Medjugorje? I spoke with British historian and researcher Donal Foley about the whole story behind the visions, about the assessment by the local bishops (and every official commission that ever investigated the seers' claims), and about the criteria the Church uses to approve or condemn private apparitions.
There are undoubtedly good fruits associated about some of the more disturbingly bad fruits of Medjugorje. We can start with that: there are good fruits, and that is GREAT. There is much more to the story, including some very bad fruits.
His book Medjugorje Revisited: 30 Years of Visions or Religious Fraud? is a must-read for anyone interested in the most popular unapproved apparition in history. It is the definitive account. (Full disclosure: I wrote the Preface).
There are three groups of people on the Medjugorje spectrum: 1) true believer zealots; 2) sarcastic naysayers; and 3) the much larger group in the middle—people who are either on the fence, ignorant of the details, or who don't care one way or the other. This two-part series is meant for that much larger middle group.
One American theologian told me privately, "Medjugorje is not only unapprovable; it's a giant tar baby. Whoever touches it gets sticky tar all over himself." So why am I doing it anyway? Clickbait? Attention? Not even close. As I'm sure my comment box will reflect, that first group, the fanatics—mercifully small in number—will provide lots of "attention," all of it hostile and negative. They cannot can't abide any information getting out there that contradicts almost four decades of propaganda.
The Medjugorje Movement dominates the publishing and internet world, fleeces good people of millions of dollars based on half-truths and outright lies, and people have a right to know a fuller account of the story. In the scores of books and websites that peddle the phenomenon, you will not find references to its serious problems, and so pilgrims are kept largely in the dark. This is a problem.
I have dear friends whom I love and respect who believe the Blessed Virgin Mary continues to appear to the seers. There's no soft way to say that the Church has never wavered in the official judgment, however, starting with the late Bishop Pavao Zanic, and now Bishop Ratko Peric of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno (to whom the Church gives the right and duty to judge apparitions). The Latin phrase is non constat de supernaturalitate, meaning, "it is not established that anything supernatural is happening." It is a negative judgment, and the Church has never wavered in giving it.
Why negative? Medjugorje enthusiasts are quick to claim that it simply means something like, "Wait and see the final approval; in the meantime, go there so you, too, can discover that the Blessed Mother is appearing." That logic won't work, for the same reason that if a man asks a woman to marry him and she replies, "Let me get back to you" -- that's a no. He's only engaged after she says yes.
The fact that more than one commission has been set up by Church authorities stems not from "doubt about the disbelieving local bishop," nor did the Vatican "take it out of his hands." The Movement repeats this mantra frequently. The real reason for additional commissions is disobedience to the judgment itself, as the local Ordinaries have been dealing with fanatical attachment to the visions from the get-go.
Despite the spiritual bullying that some of the zealots employ, it is perfectly fine for Catholics to disbelieve the claims of Medjugorje, as even approved apparitions like Fatima and Lourdes are not binding on the faithful.
As this is being written, the results of the investigative Ruini Commission (chaired by Cardinal Camillo Ruini of Rome and initiated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009) have been on the desk of Pope Francis for two years. A rumor floated around the internet last year that the Commission is set to approve "the first seven" apparitions—a rumor based on information leaked to a pro-Medjugorje Italian journalist)
In addition to my interview this week with Donal Foley, interested readers need to read this summary regarding that first week in late June, 1981, compiled by Bishop Ratko Peric. The summary is based on the taped interviews with the seers. It's devastating evidence against the claims of Medjugorje, particularly the first seven apparitions.
Please note that this is not an "anti-Medjugorje" position. It's a pro-Catholic one. As with most disputes in the Church, this one is about authority. The legitimate authority of the local bishop, His Excellency Ratko Peric, has been rejected, derided, and, in one instance, through a physical attacked. Not exactly a good fruit.
I pray this conversation with Mr. Foley will be of great value to you and I highly recommend his comprehensive book on the matter, and also his Marian Apparitions, the Bible, and the Modern World.
In this episode you will learn
The long history of disobedience by the Franciscans serving in the local Diocese.
The official judgment of the Church, what it means, and why it is so.
The disturbing, occultic elements of the visions of Medjugorje you won't read about in pro-Medjugorje websites and books.
Why ex-Franciscan friar Tomislav Vlasic, the original self-described spiritual director of the seers, was defrocked in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI (this is the man of whom "the Gospa" told the seers, "Thank Tomislav very much for he is guiding you very well. Go in the peace of God, my angels!" —February 28, 1982)
Why the Church does not bind the faithful even to approved private apparitions.
Marian Apparitions, the Bible, and the Modern World by Donal Foley
Medjugorje Revisited: 30 Years of Visions or Religious Fraud? By Donal Foley
The Medjugorje Deception: Queen of Peace, Ethnic Cleansing, Ruined Lives by Dr. E. Michael Jones
VERY IMPORTANT TO READ: Bishop Ratko Peric, the local Ordinary has compiled the following summary of the first week of apparitions here:
http://md-tm.ba/clanci/first-seven-days-apparitions-medjugorje
With the embarrassment of riches we already have—the Blessed Trinity, the sacraments, the papacy, the magisterium, the Holy Bible, approved apparitions—why do some people still attach themselves to unapproved apparitions?
Next week's episode, Part 2, where questions solicited from Facebook cheerfully answered! Don't miss it.
Don't forget to Subscribe to the show in YouTube, as well as the podcast so you can get the weekly show updates. Check the podcast in iTunes and other podcast directories, please leave an honest review.
Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!
56: The Cost of Being Pro-Life In Public—Katie Ascough 0
Ask Katie Ascough (pronounced azkoe) if she ever dreamed a year ago that she would be elected president of the Student Union of the 32,000 strong University College in Dublin (UCD), only to be impeached eight months later for following the law regarding advertising abortion services. Ouch, to say the least.
The third year medicinal chemistry major won the election hands down and disclosed from the start that she is pro-life, although she was not the "pro-life candidate" as the Irish press labeled her. She just wanted to make some real improvements for UCD students, like healthier cafeteria food, better living conditions, and open discourse among disparate groups.
In this interview, she shared with me what she did that induced so many of her fellow UCD students to impeach her (the first time in UCD history). The reality behind the misleading headlines is maddening and provides both a snapshot of post-Christian Ireland and an example of media manipulation. It turns out that my guest was found guilty of EWPL (existing while pro-life).
Why Katie Ascough represents the best of public pro-life witness: intelligent, honest, and consistent.
What it was like to have her own team of officers turn on her, one by one.
How the Irish media, and contemporary college settings generally, reflect a wall-to-wall animus against Catholics who are willing to serve in public office.
A great example of how to endure pushback and persecution with grace and grit.
Target Africa by Obianuju Ekeocha
Love Unleashes Life by Stephanie Gray
Question of the week: How much does the fear of human respect stop me from becoming more actively pro-life?


"Who wants to attend school to learn to be 'human capital'? Who aspires for their children to become economic or military resources? Dewey had a different vision. Given the pace of change, it is impossible (he noted in 1897) to know what the world will be like in a couple of decades, so schools first and foremost should teach us habits of learning.In March, a task force organized by the Council on Foreign Relations tried to reframe the problems of the nation's public schools as a threat to national security." Read the full article here.


When you account the asperous coastlines of Norway, close calefaction apparently doesn't appear to mind, but it should. Even in the country's Arctic reaches, the bank is about chargeless from ice and snow, and the acclimate is generally added Seattle than Anchorage.
How can that be? Residents can acknowledge the Gulf Stream, an ocean agent belt that pushes balmy baptize their way from the tropics.
And Northern Europeans aren't the alone ones who should be thankful, either. Abundant of Europe and the east bank of North America account from a massive arrangement of circulating seawater alleged the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current, or AMOC. The Gulf Stream is aloof one baby allotment of that system.
Sunlight ability be best acute at Earth's equator, but ocean apportionment pushes that close calefaction against the poles. Back the currents alteration that calefaction change, it can accept above impacts.
And now new affirmation suggests that altitude change is already abrasion this massive ocean circulatory system. In a brace of affidavit appear Wednesday in Nature, two sets of absolute advisers acclimated actual altered techniques to ability the aforementioned amazing conclusion.


This city has rotten entirely. Drug cartels, police, mass media and terror – everything is linked. And on top of this lies city hall, corrupted to the core. Is one person able to resist the whole city? You will know very soon.
Hello dear author. This game immediately hooked its atmosphere and camerawork. The plot is as original and interestingly served as in the previous game. You cope well, and therefore in the future I sincerely wish you great success in future endeavors. We look forward to the continuation of this game.
Short, but alright. There really isn't much choice in it, though.
Neat work! Nice moves. I like the cursor interface too.
This is a classical shooting birds gamein Turkish.
This is the adventure of an alien that found himself deep under the surface.


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Home Magazine Ioanna Georgakopoulou: The moving story of The Voice winner
The wonderful voice of Ioanna Georgakopoulou and her moving story won this year's The Voice
The grand final of "The Voice of Greece" ended on the night of Friday, February 12 with the winner of the competition 19-year-old Ioanna Georgakopoulou from the team of Elena Paparizou.
The Duchess of Nomikos welcomed all the talents who reached the final, on the stage of "The Voice of Greece", while in the social media room was Laura Narges.
From the team of Eleonora Zouganeli in the grand final we saw: Athena Vermi and Marcelino Serifi. Nikos Dalakas and Lia Michou competed from the team of Panos Mouzourakis. From the team of Elena Paparizou we watched: Konstantinos Dimitrakopoulos, Ioanna Georgakopoulou and Alexandra Sieti. Katerina Batalogianni and Irini Perikleous from the team of Sakis Rouvas were in the final.
During the final we saw the coaches go on stage in a duet, Eleonora Zouganeli with Elena Paparizou and Panos Mouzourakis with Sakis Rouvas performing favorite songs.
The second phase of the final
After the appearance of all the contestants, the Duchess announced the votes of the TV audience and in the second phase of the final, the Cypriot Irini Perikleous (from the team of Sakis Rouvas), Ioanna Georgakopoulou (of Elena Paparizou), Alexandra (Alexandra) qualified. of Elena Paparizou) and Nikos Dalakas (from the team of Panos Mouzourakis). Two candidates of Elena Paparizou, Ioanna Georgakopoulou and Alexandra Sieti, faced for the first place of The Voice, with Ioanna winning the one and only place.
"I really want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this journey, I really feel so great. Thank you all very much. Thank you "said Ioanna after her victory. Ioanna, Alexandra and Elena Paparizou made a girl power post on Instagram. "I am not the winner. "This girl has a bright future, but these two girls met here and fell in love very much," Paparizou said.
19-year-old Ioanna Georgakopoulou managed to impress the judges with "This is a man's world" and was moved by her personal story. The young singer confessed that she suffers from Stargardt's disease, an inherited dystrophy and macular degeneration of the eye. Ioanna, because of this disease finds it difficult to see clearly and distinguish faces and things and this is an irreversible situation. She was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 15, "When the doctor told me I was scared because it causes difficulties in everyday life. However, as the years go by, you learn and you get used to it and you get over it and so you live with it. Although all this happens to me in my life, I feel very lucky because they do not prevent me from doing what I really love, which is music and singing ".
The winner of The Voice was born with an artistic vein, as her parents are actors Lazaros Georgakopoulos and Maria Katsiadaki.
Source: www.kathimerini.com.cy
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Red Hat 7.3 clean install w/ all 7.3 errata upgrades for installed packages.
3. Select "Privacy & Security" > "Validation" from category menu.
as root (per former version workaround) and still get the same results.
clear RAM and swap of sensitive data ;p ).
Has anyone actually reproduced this on the beta?
only half way through loading before it goes nuts.


Michael Jackson tops Forbes' list of the highest-paid dead celebrities for the fifth year in a row--with earnings of $75 million. His postmortem empire is going strong, boosted by the Halloween special and new album Scream joining a list of ventures including a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas and a stake in the EMI music publishing catalogue.
Golf legend Arnold Palmer claims the No. 2 spot with $40 million. Barely a year after his death, more than 400 stores still sell Palmer-branded apparel in Asia, and AriZona Beverages produces 400 million cans of its Arnold Palmer line annually. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz ranks third with income of $38 million—MetLife recently retired Snoopy and Charlie Brown from its ad campaigns, but the cartoonist's contract does not expire until 2019.
Elvis Presley finishes fourth with $35 million, up from last year's $27 million sum thanks to the new $45 million Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment complex and recently-opened hotel The Guesthouse at Graceland. Bob Marley rounds out the top five with $23 million, boosted by sustainability-focused House of Marley audio products and the Marley Beverage Co.
Gladyslove, you wrote: "Jackson sells more CDs than Elvis. That´s a fact."
What is your source for that? How do you know that to be a "fact"?
Way down. Jackson sells more CDs than Elvis. That´s a fact. And a problem for EPE.


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Band Bios
Kirk Jones
Accordion / Vocals
Kirk took up the single row accordion in 2000 and has since picked up on triple note accordion, and most recently, fiddle. He has studied with Cory Ledet, Joe Hall, Jeffery Broussard, Dirk Powell, and Dexter Ardoin at the Augusta Music Heritage program in Elkins, Virginia and the Dewey Balfa camp in Louisiana. His heros include Boozoo Chavis, John Delafose, the Balfa Brothers, Octa Clark, and Canray Fontenot. In his spare time, he is a bee master at Sleeping Bear Farms.
Mark Stoltz
Washboard / Vocals
Enthusiasm is Mark's greatest assest. He has traveled the country ceaselessly in search of good Louisiana dance music. He has studied for quite a few years with Mona Wilson, among others, and now teaches dance at our gigs and plays rubboard. He is fondly known in these parts as "big dog".
Mark also books our band and can be reached by phone at (231)510-7156. His email is <liv4danc@hotmail.com>
Jonah Powell
Jonah has studied violin since he could walk. Word has it he was born with a bow in his hand. He plays in a variety of styles including bluegrass and rock.
Jamey Barnard
Jamey Barnard has been playing drums in bands for 45 years. He has played in rock bands, big band jazz bands, marching bands and trios. He grew up in Alton, Illinois on the Mississippi River near St. Louis. He spent 10 years in Chicago, recording and touring with Souled American as a founding member. While in Chicago, he also pursued art projects for The Art Institute of Chicago, The Peace Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
He is thrilled to play Zydeco and Cajun music with Benzie Playboys, and is always learning.
Doug Albright
Doug Albright started playing music by picking up the bass, inspired to play basslines that bridge the musical space between rhythm and melody. Performing live since 13, he has played a variety of music from funk to bluegrass to traditional Irish. Touring the state and country eventually brought him to home to northern Michigan, Zydeco & Cajun music, and the Benzie Playboys!


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Current Page: Foundation Sponsored Funding
Foundation Sponsored Funding
The University of Utah Foundation Relations program can help build a relationship between you and potential private funding partners. Our team can advise on strategic approaches, arrange visits, review draft proposals and help translate ideas into fundable projects or programs. Please contact Lynn Marsella Wong if you are interested in applying for an opportunity listed below. You may also find additional funding opportunities on the foundation relations website.
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation: Young Investigator Grant
Amount: Up to $70,000 over two years
The BBRF Young Investigator Grant program is intended to facilitate innovative research opportunities and supports basic as well as translational and/or clinical investigators. All research must be relevant to the understanding, treatment and prevention of serious psychiatric disorders such as: schizophrenia; bipolar; mood and anxiety disorders (for a complete list, see the front page of the application); or early onset brain and behavior disorders. In addition to supporting the full ranges of relevant neurobiological and psychobiological basic science, the foundation also supports clinical science, which can include careful studies using qualitative research approaches or research generating preliminary data to explore a new hypothesis generated by clinical experience or large sample studies. The BBRF Young Investigator Grant is not sufficient to support expensive large sample patient-based studies but it may be possible to attach a study to a clinical project already under way or for which other funding has become available.
Some examples of preliminary clinical studies include:
Support for an add-on study to identify a biomarker in the context of an ongoing clinical trial.
Determining if a computer-based cognitive or other remediation enhances effectiveness of cognitive agents.
Proof of principle study to see if efficacy is detected with a new treatment.
Testing a novel hypothesis within an already established data set.
James S. McDonnell Foundation Opportunity Awards
Amount: $250,000 over 2-4 years
Through the Opportunity Awards, JSMF is seeking to fund projects leading to new conceptual and empirical studies of cognition and behavior that recognize the dynamic nature of cognition and behavior, are situated in real world contexts, cross levels of analysis, unite traditionally separate domains of inquiry (e.g. vision and speech), embrace complexity, and consider how behavior is influenced by interactions among individuals. JSMF is encouraging researchers to pursue important questions using conceptual and methodological approaches that takes seriously the trajectories, biological and experiential, contributing to the ongoing development of cognition and behavior occurring across the lifespan.
Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI): 2021 Bridge to Independence Award
Deadline: April 12, 2021 (for Letters of Inquiry)
Grant Amount: $495,000 over three years
The Bridge to Independence Award program engages talented early-career scientists in autism research by facilitating their transition to research independence. Awardees receive a commitment of $495,000 over three years, activated upon assumption of a tenure-track professorship. The foundation welcomes applications that span the breadth of science that SFARI normally supports, including genetics, molecular mechanisms, circuits and systems, and clinical science. While the foundation encourages applications from scientists who are working on autism-related projects, this award is also open to researchers who are not currently working on autism but who are interested in starting research projects in this area and have expertise that could be brought to bear on this complex condition.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Systems and Services Research to Build a Culture of Health
Deadline: April 30, 2021 (1-page Letter of Intent)
Amount: Up to $500,000 over 36 months
Achieving racial equity and health equity in American communities requires effective solutions to the "wrong-pocket problem": we invest in systems that are designed to improve social and economic conditions—such as housing, transportation, education, income, and employment assistance; child and family supports; and legal and criminal justice services—but the financial benefits of these often flow elsewhere, in reduced costs for medical care from diseases and injuries prevented. This creates imbalances in power, information, and financial resources that exist across medical, social, and public health systems—a fundamental problem that confronts many attempts at meaningful cross-sector collaboration. Such solutions must allow collaborating organizations to equitably share in the costs and the benefits of multisector collaborative initiatives, and to share in the power and influence that govern these initiatives. This call for proposals will provide funding for new research to rigorously test and evaluate innovative solutions to the wrong-pocket problem that persists across health and social service systems.
Russell Sage Foundation
Deadline: May 4, 2021 (for Letters of Inquiry)
Amount: up to $175,000
For its next deadline, the Russell Sage Foundation will accept letters of inquiry related to Behavioral Economics; Decision Making & Human Behavior in Context; Future of Work; and Social, Political, and Economic Inequality. The Foundation will also accept letters of inquiry relevant to any of its core programs that address at least one of the following issues:
Research on the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting recession in the U.S. Specifically, research that assesses the social, political, economic, and psychological causes and consequences of the pandemic, especially its effects on marginalized individuals and groups and on trust in government and other institutions.
Research focused on systemic racial inequality and/or the recent mass protests in the U.S. Specifically, research that investigates the prevalence of racial disparities in policing and criminal justice and their social, political, economic, and psychological causes and consequences; the effects of the current social protest movement and mass mobilization against systemic discrimination; the nature of public attitudes and public policies regarding policing, criminal justice, and social welfare; and the effects of those attitudes in the current political environment.
William. T. Grant Foundation: Research Grants on Reducing Inequality and Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence
Deadline: May 5, 2021 (letters of inquiry)
Amount: up to $600,000 over 2-3 years for Research Grants on Reducing Inequality; up to $1M over 2-4 years for Research Grants on Improving the Use of Research Evidence
The William T. Grant Foundation's mission is to support research to improve the lives of young people ages 5-25 in the United States. The foundation invests in high-quality field-initiated studies on reducing inequality in youth outcomes. They seek studies that aim to build, test, or increase understanding of programs, policies, or practices to reduce inequality in the academic, social, behavioral, or economic outcomes of young people, prioritizing studies about reducing inequality on the basis of race, ethnicity, economic standing, language minority status, or immigrant origins. Studies may be from a range of disciplines, fields, and methodologies, and the foundation encourages investigations into various systems, including justice, housing, child welfare, mental health, and education. The most competitive proposals often incorporate data from multiple sources and often involve multi-disciplinary teams.
Applications for research grants on reducing inequality must:
Identify a specific inequality in youth outcomes, and show that the outcomes are currently unequal by engaging with the extant literature on the causes and consequences of inequality.
Make a compelling case for the basis of inequality the study will address.
Articulate how findings from your research will help build, test, or increase understanding of a specific program, policy, or practice to reduce the specific inequality that you have identified.
Proposals for studies on improving the use of research evidence must pursue one of the following lines of inquiry:
Identify or test strategies to improve the use of existing research.
Identify or test strategies for producing more useful research evidence.
Test the assumption that using high-quality research evidence improves decision making and youth outcomes.
Tags: Foundations Funding
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Isriel was ranked 878 and came to ranking only once in list of US male names in 2005.
Isriel is a rare first name for a boy in United States which is not even used by anyone since 2005. Only 5 people have Isriel as their first name. Isriel is not a native United States and Isriel may be came from another language or is a short form of some other name. 0.000001% of people in US have this given name.
Expression number of Isriel is 9.
Isriel are idealistic who embrace the principles of compassion and forgiveness. Isriel are visionary who is wiling to make a better world and have the ability to influence masses. Isriel are also creative and imaginative that gives them an artistic talent.
Get the meaning of Isriel and celebrities who also shares the same name and some names related to Isriel, english baby names list, list of names in english. Know what does Isriel mean? This website serves as the extended english names list which will help in naming your child.


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Fundación del Valle es una institución independiente y sin ánimo de lucro que se fundó en el año 1988. Estos 20 años de trabajo han servido para que miles de niños y mujeres en el mundo (especialmente en los países más necesitados) sean educados para construir una sociedad más justa.

El eje de su proyecto es: "Fundación del Valle: educación camino para la paz", es decir, entienden que la educación es un bien esencial y es la clave para disminuir la pobreza mundial. Todo esto se construye bajo tres pilares: la infancia, la juventud y la mujer.

La Fundación del Valle fue clasificada por el Orden Ministerial el 25/04/1988 y está inscrita en el Registro de Fundaciones del Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales con el n.º 28/0855.

¿A qué se dedican?

Cooperación al Desarrollo
En países que están en vías de desarrollo la Fundación del Valle fomenta con sus proyectos la creación de nuevas oportunidades y ayuda a la disminución de las desigualdades sociales. Desde sus inicios han ejecutado proyectos en los Territorios Palestinos, Kenia, Mozambique, Perú, Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador.

Hasta el año 2006 ejecutaron 58 proyectos de cooperación internacional. El 45% del importe total gestionado fue financiado por la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional, el 35% por comunidades autónomas y el 20% restante por entidades privadas y socios colaboradores.

Sensibilización de los jóvenes en España - Sentido de la solidaridad
Sus campañas de sensibilización muestran a los jóvenes y a la sociedad española en general la problemática de los países en los que la Fundación del Valle ejecuta actualmente proyectos de cooperación: Perú, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala y Kenia.

Promoción Educativa de la mujer
La mujer es la clave para el desarrollo humano en todos los ámbitos de la vida, de ella depende en gran parte la subsistencia de millones de familias en el mundo. Ayudando a la educación de la mujer consigues que se beneficie no solo ella sino su familia, su comunidad y su entorno.

Dentro de este ámbito, la Fundación del Valle realiza proyectos en España y en países de Europa y África. Dichos proyectos se concentran en:

Apoyo a Centros Educativos
Fundación del Valle asumió en el año 2000 el reto de la ampliación y el traslado del Centro Educativo Fuenllana a la zona sur de Madrid. Para conseguirlo apoyaron económicamente a este proyecto en reconocimiento a la gran labor que venían realizando a favor de la educación de la integración laboral de la mujer.

Ayudas económicas para la gestión y gastos de estructura de diversas asociaciones juveniles
Este tipo de ayudas sirven para que las Asociaciones promuevan, creen o arrienden locales para el desarrollo de actividades que tengan como finalidad la formación cultural, profesional y humana de gente joven y mujeres trabajadoras.

Programa de Ayudas Reintegrables
Tiene como finalidad la concesión de créditos a mujeres estudiantes que, transcurridos 5 años desde la terminación de sus estudios, sean devueltos por sus beneficiarias en mensualidades adaptadas a las circunstancias de cada una.

Promoción de la mujer en otros países
Desde el año 2004 la Fundación del Valle promueve la formación de la mujer tanto integral como humana y cultural para que puedan participar con mayor eficacia en la sociedad y contribuyan a la mejora del entorno en donde viven.

Enlaces externos
 Fundación del Valle
 Fundación del Valle - Qué Hacemos
 Consumer: Fundación del Valle
 Blog Fundación del Valle
 Facebook Fundación del Valle

Organizaciones no gubernamentales de España
Fundaciones de España
Pobreza

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home Tags Payback
Tag: Payback
WWE RUMORS: Randy Orton May Be Holding Onto The WWE Title Longer Than Expected
News Andrew Thompson - April 21, 2017
Most expected current WWE Champion Randy Orton to capture the title at WrestleMania although it was not wanted. Before the "Superstar Shake-Up" Bray Wyatt...
WWE RUMORS: Finn Balor Set To Feud With Bray Wyatt After WWE Payback
It has been reported by Dave Meltzer on Tuesday's edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio that Finn Balor is expected to work a program...
Another Match Added To WWE Payback PPV
News Andrew Ravens - April 17, 2017
WWE has announced that Roman Reigns would face Braun Strowman at the Payback PPV. https://twitter.com/WWE/status/854124457115373568 The WWE Payback pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, April 30th...
Rumored WWE Payback Card
News Kyle DaCosta - April 17, 2017
This is the rumored card for Payback so far: WWE Championship Match: Randy Orton (c) vs. Bray Wyatt House of Horrors United States Match: Kevin Owens...
Stipulation Will Likely Be Added To The Reigns vs. Strowman Match At Payback
– According to wrestlezone.com, Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman is planned to main event WWE Payback. Following Monday's Raw angle, the match will likely...
WWE RUMORS: Latest Updates On The WWE Universal Title Picture
As covered here on eWn a few weeks back, current WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar is not set to defend his title for a...
WWE Free Match: Sheamus vs. Cesaro From Payback 2014
In the video player below is the latest WWE free match, featuring Sheamus vs. Cesaro from Payback 2014..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH7375x2JU8
Reason Behind AJ Styles Competing For Kevin Owen's US Title
Last night on Smackdown Live, AJ Styles earned an opportunity to compete for Kevin Owen's US championship. This shocked many of people who believe...
Randy Orton Vs. Brady Wyatt Was Originally Scheduled For Backlash
It seems if so that Bray Wyatt moving to Raw was a last minute change in plans. Pwinsider reports that Wyatt's house of horrors match...
WWE RUMORS: Reigns vs. Strowman In A Stretcher Match?, Update On Charlotte's Condition
Last night, after Braun Strowman's destruction of Roman Reigns, it has been rumored that the two may possibly clash in a stretcher or ambulance...
The Announced Attendance For Last Night's RAW, Four WWE Payback Matches Confirmed
News Ryan Clark - April 11, 2017
Michael Cole announced that there were 12,116 fans at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York for Monday night's WWE RAW and Main Event...
WWE Payback 2017 PPV Card Predictions for Match Lineup
Articles Anthony Mango - April 11, 2017
The Superstar Shake-Up has completely changed the game and currently, the Raw roster is entirely overstacked with talent. Somehow, both midcard champions are on...
WWE Title Match Set For Payback PPV
WWE has announced that Randy Orton will defend the WWE Championship against Bray Wyatt in a House of Horrors match at the Payback pay-per-view...
Title Match Added To WWE Payback PPV
WWE has announced that Neville would defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Austin Aries at the Payback PPV. https://twitter.com/WWE/status/851596606902226945 The WWE Payback pay-per-view event takes place...
Possible Plans For The WWE Universal Title
News Kyle DaCosta - April 6, 2017
Raw's Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar, won't be defending his championship at Raw's April PPV, Payback, which will take place on April 30th. Wrestling Observer's...
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New WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar has been rumored to not be defending his title at the upcoming RAW exclusive PPV, Payback on April...
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WWE Payback PPV Date And Location Revealed, WWE Holding Tour This Week
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- The WWE Payback PPV will take place on Sunday, April 30th, 2017 at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA. Tickets go on...
Bret Hart Says He Sensed Some Tension Between Shane/HHH/Stephanie At Payback, Vince's Reaction
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During the latest edition of his "Sharpshooter Show", Bret "The Hitman" Hart discussed being backstage at the WWE Payback pay-per-view event. Bret says he...
Bret Sergeant Hart
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This variable provides information on Landlord Type for rented dwellings, such as real estate agent or government housing authority. It is applicable to occupied private dwellings being rented, including those being occupied rent free. This represents 29.4% of all occupied private dwellings enumerated in the 2016 Census.
Landlord Type is a dwelling variable that is created based on responses from the Tenure Type and Landlord Type questions on the Census Household Form. Images of these questions are provided below.
Only one response can be given for this item. If respondents provide more than one response to this question in error, the top-most response is used.
The question about landlord type was first asked in the 1954 Census and has been included in every subsequent Census. At that time, if the landlord was a Government Authority, respondents were instructed to describe themselves as 'tenant'. In the 1961 Census, if the landlord was a State Housing Authority, respondents were again instructed to write 'tenant'. In 1966, tenants of the State Housing Authority could choose between marking the relevant State Housing Authority or the category Other landlord.
In 1971, the response categories increased to three: State Housing Authority; Employer; and Other landlord. The number of response categories continued to increase from three (from 1971 until 1991) to seven (in 1996 and 2001) and then to eight for subsequent Censuses. No changes were made for 2016.
Item non-response rates are a measure of how many people did not respond to a particular question as a proportion of the total number of people the question was applicable to. In this instance the response is left as not stated.
The majority of item non-response is attributable to the people who did not respond to the Census at all. Refer to item non-response rates for more information. The second and smaller contributor to item non-response is when people return a Census form but may not answer a particular question(s). For more information, refer to Understanding Census data quality.
The non-response rate for Landlord Type was 1.8% in 2016 (2.3% in 2011).
A definition for Landlord Type is available in the 2016 Census Dictionary.
A text only version of the online Census Household form is available from the Downloads tab.


text:
require File.dirname(__FILE__) + '/../../spec_helper'
require File.dirname(__FILE__) + '/fixtures/common'

describe "Dir.new" do
  it "needs to be reviewed for spec completeness"
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
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Harvey Competes in Penn State's Blue & White Meet
IslandStats.com
Emma Harvey and her Penn State Women's Swimming & Diving teammates had their first competition of the season in McCoy Natatorium for this year's modified version of the "Blue and White" meet. The team was split into two teams, blue and white, and the meet was unscored.
Harvey won the Women's 100 Yard Backstroke competing for the white team, touching the wall in a time of 56.82, Margaret Markvardt of the blue team finished in second 57.53.
Harvey would lead off the White Team's Women's 200 Yard Medley Relay team that clocked a winning time of 1:43.77. The team consisted of Harvey, Liv Jack, Brooke Matthias, and Catherine Stanford.
Harvey finished 4th competing in the Women's 200 Yard Backstroke touching the wall in a time of 2:07.11.
Harvey would lead off her Women's 200 Yard Freestyle Relay team that finished 3rd with a time of 1:39.02, the team would see Harvey, Madison Murtagh, Matthias, and Annie Walls all take part.
Last 75 Headlines
- Harvey & Penn State Fall in Opener (1/16/2021)
- Williamson Wins 3 Gold Medals in England's Virtual Level X Racing (1/15/2021)
- Harvey and Penn State Set to Take On Ohio State (1/14/2021)
- Moore Leads Northern Colorado to 22nd Ranking (1/13/2021)
- Moore Earns WAC Swimmer of the Week Recognition (1/12/2021)
- COVID Closes Daley & Hannah Training Center (1/11/2021)
- Moore & Northern Colorado Completed a Perfect Weekend (1/10/2021)
- Moore & Northern Colorado Pick Up a Double Win (1/8/2021)
- Moore & Northern Colorado Looking for a Double Win (1/7/2021)
- Jade Hannah Invited to Canada Olympic Trials (1/6/2021)
- Harvey and Penn State 2021 Season Announced (1/3/2021)
- Daley & Hannah Receive Invitations to the Canadian Trials (12/29/2020)
- BASA Short Course Long Standing Records	(12/27/2020)
- Bermuda Long Course BASA Records (12/24/2020)
- Carifta Swimming Championships Remains in Doubt (12/19/2020)
- Harvey's Penn State Top 10 Times (12/11/2020)
- Moore & Northern Colorado Fall to Wyoming (12/6/2020)
- BASA 2020 Winter Age Group Championships Champions (11/30/2020)
- BASA Winter Age Group Championships, Round-Up (11/29/2020)
- Bermuda Winter Age Group Championships 2020 Day Three (11/28/2020)
- Bermuda Winter Age Group Championships 2020 Day Two (11/27/2020)
- Bermuda Winter Age Group Championships 2020 Underway (11/26/2020)
- Harvey Competes in Penn State's Blue & White Meet (11/21/2020)
- Kattegat 2020 Winter Swim Meet Round Up (11/14/2020)
- BASA Permitted to Allow 150 Attendees (11/13/2020)
- Moore Helps Northern Colorado Win Season Opener (11/11/2020)
- Harbour Swim Club Long Course Meet (11/7/2020)
- CARIFTA Swimming 2021 to be Olympic Qualifier (11/6/2020)
- Moore and Northern Colorado Set to Begin Season (11/3/2020)
- Harbor Swim Club Short Course Open 2020 (10/24/2020)
- Esposito Named UMBC Team Captain (10/23/2020)
- Short Course Fall Development Meet Round Up (10/17/2020)
- Round the Sound Round-Up 2020 (10/11/2020)
- Barry Hanson Swim Meet Round Up (9/26/2020)
- BASA Swim Meet 2020 Season Update (9/2/2020)
- Daley and Hannah Training at Toronto Pan Am Sports Center (8/26/2020)
- Hannah Finishes With High Performance Centre-Victoria (8/17/2020)
- BASA Host COVID-19 Test Swim Meet (8/8/2020)
- Harbour Swim Club Concludes Short Course Summer Meet (7/27/2020)
- FINA keen on Full Set of 50 meter Events in Paris 2024 (7/5/2020)
- Barbados Hoping to Host the 2021 Carifta Championships (5/30/2020)
- FINA Announce World Swimming Championships Dates (5/21/2020)
- FINA Announce World Aquatics Championships Dates (5/13/2020)
- FINA Offer Recommendations and Prevention to Training (5/11/2020)
- Esposito Wins UMBC Spirit Award (5/8/2020)
- FINA Announce World Aquatics Championships 2022 (5/4/2020)
- Moore Makes Academic All-WAC Honors List (4/24/2020)
- Carifta Swimming & CCCAN Championships Updates (4/23/2020)
- Washington Has Found the Love of Swimming Again (3/27/2020)
- Hannah Talks Olympics & Future (3/23/2020)
- Daley Holds Three Canadian Age Group Records (3/22/2020)
- Bermudian Born Swimmer Holds 3 Canadian Records (3/21/2020)
- Daley is Hoping to Qualify for the 2020 Olympics (3/18/2020)
- Bermuda Team Despite Carifta Swimming Postponed (3/17/2020)
- Carifta Swimming Championships Postponed (3/15/2020)
- Bermuda Short Course Championships Cancelled (3/13/2020)
- Bermuda Short Course Championships Day One (3/12/2020)
- Bermuda Swimmers Compete in National Arena Trophy (3/9/2020)
- Hannah Concludes Western Trans Mountain Festival (3/3/2020)
- Hannah Competes in Western Trans Mountain Festival (3/2/2020)
- Moore Helps Northern Colorado Qualify for Championships (2/29/2020)
- Moore Wins Bronze Medal in WAC Championships (2/28/2020)
- Esposito Sets Bermuda Record & Qualifies for Olympic Trials (2/27/2020)
- Moore Begins Competing in WAC Championships (2/27/2020)
- Daley Wins Multiple Medals in Championships (2/24/2020)
- Esposito Helps UMBC Finish 2nd in Championships (2/17/2020)
- Warwick Academy Swimmers Continue Championships (2/16/2020)
- Thompson and Esposito Compete in Championships (2/15/2020)
- Esposito Helps UMBC to the Podium (2/13/2020)
- Moore and Northern Colorado Fall to Colorado State (2/8/2020)
- Harvey Helps Penn State Win (2/4/2020)
- Daleys Win More Gold on Final Day of Championships (2/2/2020)
- Daley's Capture More Gold in Regional Championships (2/1/2020)
- Daley's Win Gold in Regional Championships (1/31/2020)
- BASA Short Course 2020 Meet #1 (1/25/2020)
IslandStats.com - Bermuda's Online Sports Source
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If you want to reduce the lines on your face without having to resort to surgical procedures, the good news is that anti-wrinkle techniques can soften wrinkles for a more youthful look whilst still appearing natural.
The benefit of having this treatment done by dentists is that they have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the facial anatomy and can perform this delicate work in a precise manner. Our practice uses the botulinum purified protein A for this treatment (an injectable solution).
Once injected into the skin, the purified protein relaxes the facial muscles, which cause expression lines, by blocking the nerve impulses in them, leaving the skin looking smoother.
Areas on the face that can be treated include frown lines (vertical lines which form between the eyebrows), eyebrows, crows' feet, forehead lines and lines around the mouth and top lip, known as 'smoker's lines'.
The botulinum injection is quick and painless and requires no anesthetic. Results will usually be seen in a few days.
As it's not a permanent treatment, it is recommended that the procedure is repeated every 3-6 months for effective results.


Lian was founded in the late 1980s as a specialist manufacturer of crystal rhinestones. Our business philosophy is the use of trust and commitment to achieve superior customer satisfaction. This has made Lian a renowned supplier in China and abroad.
Our factories are located in Guangdong Province of China. Our staff strength is approximately 4000 and we have integrated manufacturing, research and development, sales & marketing functions. Under a process of constant process improvements and innovation, we have achieved new heights in crystal rhinestone manufacturing and process technologies.
Our range of products include chatons, chatonrose, fashion jewellery and garment accessories. These products are available in the latest design, colours and finish.
Lian continues to grow and has become a reputable supplier to customers in Asia, Europe, Middle East and America. We continue to exceed customer expectations in quality and delivery performance made possible by our modern production, scheduling and logistics processes.
China Quality Certification Cerntre on January 2011.


text:
The importance of fasting and its observance today: Draft document of the Pan-Orthodox Council
Source: DECR
Natalya Mihailova | 03 February 2016
Draft document of the Pan-Orthodox Council, adopted by the 5th Pan-Orthodox Pre-Council Conference in Chambésy on October 10-17, 2015.
Photo: http://www.patriarchia.ru/
A Draft document of Pan-Orthodox Council affirms for the first time on Pan-Orthodox scale the obligatory character of Nativity, Apostles' and Dormition fasts
The sacrament of marriage and its impediments: Draft document of the Pan-Orthodox Council
Relations of the Orthodox Church with the rest of the Christian world: Draft document of the Pan-Orthodox Council
Autonomy and the means of proclaiming it
Pan-Orthodox Council to be held in Greece this June
Published in compliance with the decision of the Synaxis of Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, Chambésy, January 21-28, 2016.
1. Fast is God's commandment (Gen 2:16-17). According to St Basil the Great, fasting is as old as humanity itself; it was prescribed in Paradise (On Fasting, 1,3). It is a great spiritual endeavour and the foremost expression of the Orthodox ascetic ideal. The Orthodox Church, in strict conformity with the precepts of the holy apostles, the rules of the Councils and the patristic tradition as a whole, has always proclaimed a great significance of fasting for people's spiritual life and salvation. The annual cycle of liturgical celebrations fully reflects the patristic teaching on fasting, as well as the teaching on the necessity of constant unrelaxing watchfulness and on how to succeed in spiritual endeavours. The Triodion praises fasting as bringing the light of grace, as the invincible arms, the beginning of spiritual warfare, the perfect path of virtues, the nourishment for the soul, the source of wisdom, the life imperishable and imitation the angelic life, the mother of all blessings and virtues, and as the image of the life to come.
2. As an ancient institution, fasting was mentioned already in the Old Testament (Deut 9:18; Is 58:4-10; Joel 2:15; Jonah 3:5-7) and affirmed in the New Testament. The Lord Himself fasted for forty days before entering upon His public ministry (Lk 4:1-2) and gave to people instructions on how to practice fasting (Mt 6:16-18). Fasting as a means of abstinence, repentance and spiritual growth is presented in the New Testament (Mk 1:6; Acts 13:3; 14:23; Rom 14:21). Since the apostolic times, the Church has being proclaiming a profound importance of fasting, having established Wednesday and Friday as fast days (Didache, 8,1) and the fast before Easter (St Irenaeus of Lyons in Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica 5, 24). In church practice that has existed for centuries there has always been a variety with regard not only to the length of fast before Easter (St Dionysius of Alexandria, Letter to Basilides, PG 10, 1278), but also to a number and content of other periods of fasting which became customary under the influence of various factors, primarily, of the liturgical and monastic traditions, with the view of proper preparation of people for great feasts. Accordingly, the indissoluble link between the fast and the liturgy indicates an extent and a purpose of fasting and emphasizes the spiritual nature of the fast, with all the faithful called to observe it, each to the best of his or her abilities and in respect to this sacred precept: See that no one make thee to err from this path of doctrine… If thou art able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, thou wilt be perfect; but if thou art not able, what thou art able, that do. But concerning meat, bear that which thou art able to do (Didache, 6, 1-3).
3. As a spiritual endeavour, the true fast is inseparable from unceasing prayer and genuine repentance. Repentance without fasting is fruitless (St Basil the Great, On Fasting, 1,3); fasting is also fruitless without deeds of mercy, especially nowadays when the unequal and unjust distribution of benefits deprives entire nations of their daily bread. While fasting physically, brethren, let us also fast spiritually. Let us loose every knot of iniquity; let us tear up every unrighteous bond; let us distribute bread to the hungry, and welcome into our homes those who have no roof over their heads… (Stichera at Vespers on Wednesday of the First Week of Lent; cf. Is 58:6-7). Fasting shall not be reduced to simple and formal abstinence from certain foods. So let us not be selfish as we begin the abstinence from foods that is the noble fast. Let us fast in an acceptable manner, one that is pleasing to God. (cf. Phil 4:18). A true fast is one that is set against evil, it is self-control of the tongue. It is the checking of anger, separation from things like lusts, evil-speaking, lies, and false oaths. Self-denial from these things is a true fast, so fasting from these negative things is good (St Basil the Great. On Fasting, 7).
Abstinence from certain foods during the fast and temperance in choosing what and how much to eat constitute a visible aspect of this spiritual endeavour. In the literal sense, fasting is abstinence from food, but food makes us neither more nor less righteous. However, in the spiritual sense, it is clear that, as life comes from food for each of us and the lack of food is a symbol of death, so it is necessary that we fast from worldly things, in order that we might die to the world and after this, having partaken of the divine nourishment, live to God (St Clement of Alexandria, Eclogae. PG 9, 704-705). Therefore, the true fast refers to the life, in all its fullness, of believers in Christ and is crowned by their participation in the liturgy, particularly in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
4. The forty-day fast of the Lord sets an example for the faithful in fasting, making them participants in the obedience of the Lord, in order that we might recover by keeping it that which we had lost by not keeping it (St Gregory the Theologian, The Second Oration on Easter, 28). St Gregory Palamas summarizes the Christocentric understanding of the spiritual dimension of fasting, of Lent in particular, characteristic of the whole patristic tradition, When you fast like this you not only suffer with Christ and are dead with Him, but you are risen with Him and reign with Him forever and ever. If through such a fast you have been planted together in the likeness of His death, you shall also share in His resurrection and inherit life in Him (St Gregory Palamas, Homily 13, on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. PG 151, 161).
5. According to the Orthodox Tradition, the measure of spiritual perfection is the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph 4:13), and all who want to attain it should strive and grow. For this very reason, the ascesis and spiritual endeavour, like the perfection of the perfect, are endless in this life. Everyone is called to strive to the best of his or her abilities to meet the requirements of the lofty Orthodox criteria and attain deification by grace. And those who attain it, albeit they do all the things that they were commanded, never vaunt themselves, but confess that they are unprofitable servants and have done that which was their duty to do (Lk 17:10). According to the Orthodox understanding of spiritual life, all people ought to persist in fighting their good fight of fasting, and even while permitting some indulgences, to rely upon God's mercy in remorse and awareness of their unworthiness, for the Orthodox spiritual life is unattainable without the endeavour of fasting.
6. Like an affectionate mother, the Orthodox Church has defined what is necessary for people's salvation and established the sacred periods of fasting as God-given protection of the new life of believers in Christ from every snare of the enemy. Following the example of the Holy Fathers, she preserves now, as she did in the past, the holy apostolic precepts, the conciliar rules and the sacred traditions, always offering fasts to the faithful as the best ascetic path leading to spiritual perfection and salvation, and proclaiming the necessity to observe all the fasts prescribed in the year of the Lord, that is, Lent, Wednesday and Friday, which are established in the sacred canons, as well as the Nativity, the Apostles' and the Dormition fasts, one-day fasts on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, on the eve of the Theophany and on the commemoration day of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, as well as the fasts established for pastoral reasons or observed at the wish of the faithful.
7. At the same time, the Church, for pastoral reasons, has set limits of her loving oikonomiaconcerning the rules of fasting. Therefore, it is to the cases of physical infirmity, extreme necessity or difficult times that she has ordained to apply the principle of ecclesiastical oikonomia, in accordance with the discernment and pastoral care of the episcopate of the Local Churches.
8. The fact is that many faithful today do not observe all the prescriptions concerning fasting, either for faint-heartedness or because of their living conditions, whatever is meant by this. However, all cases of non-observance of the sacred prescriptions concerning fasting, either general or individual, should be treated by the Church with pastoral care, for God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live (Ezek 33:11). At the same time, the importance of fasting should not be diminished. Therefore, it is left to the Local Orthodox Churches to define an extent of her loving oikonomia and indulgence towards those who have some difficulties in observing the existing rules of fasting, be it for their personal reasons (illness, military service, conditions of work, etc.) or for more general reasons (climatic conditions, social and economic situation in some countries, for instance, lack of fasting foods), and to ease in these special cases the "burden" of fasting, as stated above, by no means diminishing the importance of the sacred institution of fasting.
The Church should show the compassionate indulgence with all prudence and, undoubtedly, to a greater extent when it comes to those fasts, with regard to which the ecclesiastical tradition and practice have not always been uniform. It is good to fast, but may the one who fasts not blame the one who does not fast. In such matters you must neither legislate, nor use force, nor compel the flock entrusted to you; instead, you must use persuasion, gentleness and the word flavoured with salt (St John of Damascus, On the Holy Fasts, 7).
9. Moreover, all the faithful children of the Church ought to observe the holy fasts and abstain from food since midnight to prepare properly for partaking of the Holy Communion which is the most profound expression of the essence of the Church. They also ought to fast to show repentance, to fulfil spiritual vows, to succeed in achieving particular spiritual goals, at a time of temptations, when they apply to God in supplication, before baptism (for adults) or ordination, when penances are imposed, and also during pilgrimages and in other similar cases.
Chambésy, October 16, 2015
Natalya Mihailova
Published in compliance with the decision of the Synaxis of Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, Chambésy, January 21-28, 2016. 1. Fast is God's commandment (Gen 2:16-17). According to St Basil the Great, fasting is as old as humanity itself; it was prescribed in Paradise (On Fasting, 1,3) ...
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