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  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Archaeologists uncover rare fresco of Jesus in town Pope Leo XIV recently visited The fresco was found near the birthplace of the Nicene Creed

Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a fresco of a Roman-looking Jesus as the "Good Shepherd," which is being hailed as one of the most important finds from Anatolia's early Christian era.

The work of art was found in August in an underground tomb near the town of Iznik, where the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief, was adopted in A.D. 325. The tomb itself is believed to date back to the third century, when the area was still under the Roman Empire and Christians faced persecution.


Archaeologists restore frescos in Turkey

Archaeologists clean and restore frescoes inside a 3rd-century tomb where a rare early Christian depiction of Jesus as the "Good Shepherd" was discovered, in Iznik, Turkey, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.(Khalil Hamra/AP Photo)

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TMZ is reporting that actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife have been murdered

Was he unstable or mentally ill? I don't know much about Reiner's personal life.
According to FOX News, Nick Reiner struggled with "homelessness and mental health issues" for years. He said himself he'd been homeless for weeks at a time, in Maine, in New Jersey, and in Texas. Why he would be homeless when his father had money to burn is something I don't know, but there you go.

I liked Reiner's movies, but I disagreed with his political views strenuously. I pray that he and his wife rest in peace and are judged compassionately and mercifully by God our Father.
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Denaturalization

I think immigrants should be asked, "If war broke out between the United States and your home country, which side would you support?" It the answer isn't immediately "The United States," they should leave.
I am an American citizen by birth and a born-again Christian. If there were ever a war between Israel and the USA, I'm unsure which side I would support. Does this uncertainty mean I should lose my citizenship?
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Archbishop Gänswein supports Beatification of Pope Benedict and scrapping of Traditionis Custodes

"I personally very much hope that such a process will be opened": Archbishop Georg Gänswein desires a beatification process for Benedict XVI. In an interview, he also commented on the pope's theology and the Traditional Latin Mass.​





Archbishop Georg Gänswein hopes that a beatification process will be opened for the late Pope Benedict XVI (2005–2013). "I personally very much hope that such a process will be opened," said the former private secretary of Benedict and current Apostolic Nuncio to the Baltic States in an interview with the television station K-TV.

According to the station, Gänswein also emphasized the central element of Benedict's understanding of faith in the interview. A key word in this regard is "joy." For the German pope, faith was both the source and the measure of joy. If faith doesn't lead to joy, "something is still not quite right with the life of faith. Ratzinger, Benedict XVI, is a theologian of joy," said Gänswein, who also reaffirmed the importance of continuity in faith: "We mustn't cut into the substance; rather, we must allow ourselves to be shaped by the Lord, by the faith of the Church."

Extraordinary Rite: Back to Benedict's "wise arrangement"

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What happens spiritually that makes us born again?

Hey bling

I wouldn't call it portions. In the NT, we are complete "in Him" and lacking nothing (Colossians 2:9-14). We have everything at our disposal. The filling is not receiving more of the Holy Spirit, but for the Holy Spirit to be more in control of our lives as we yield more and more of ourselves to Him. In the OT, they didn't have the indwelling. But they did have the Holy Spirit "upon" them. That was only for specific tasks. One could make the case that the Holy Spirit upon an OT believer is similar to the filling in the NT. But, unlike the OT, the NT has the indwelling. In a nut shell, in the NT, a believer must be indwelt before they are filled. That indwelling is a deeper internal presence for relationship and transformation. While the filling if still for specific tasks. The OT "upon" was just to perform tasks. This was reserved for Prophets and associates in the OT. And The Apostles just before Pentecost (still OT).
You say: “In the OT, they didn't have the indwelling. But they did have the Holy Spirit "upon" them. That was only for specific tasks.” Contrasting the NT and OT I would say: “portions of the Spirit”, but are you just calling it different in some other way?

Cornelius and household seemed to receive a performance portion of the HS prior to the indwelling portion of the Spirit like those in the OT?

Say a different portion of HS and saying just different type of HS, sounds the same.
The fire in Matthew 3:10-12 is judgment. Everyone is baptized by Jesus. Either with the Holy Spirit unto life, or with fire unto judgment.
What verses are you using to say: Baptism of fire is judgement and not hardships/persecution on Christ and Christians?

Matt. 20: 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.

Mark 10: 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,

Look at both these passages above, Mark uses “Baptism hardship that Christ will go through and the apostles will go through and Jesus is not talking about “judgement”.
The baptism by fire in Matthew 3:10-12 isn't about the purification of believers, rather, it's about the baptism of unbelievers with fire, which is God's judgment.
Look at Mark 10 above.
It's not the Holy Spirit being portioned out, rather, it's the task that is portioned out. The Holy Spirit is omniscient. Think of one fire starting another. It others are started, it doesn't diminish the first. These are the only two passages that I know of that suggest this delegation of power to perform a task. Some believe that the birth of the Church began here in John 20:21, instead of Pentecost, but I disagree. Vs. 23 means the Gospel. They are being commissioned to preach the Gospel.
Addressed above.
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Concerns About the Foundations of the Gentile Christian Movement in Acts 15

Which the Gentile top heavy religion eventually built in man's own image, rejecting the Kingdom itself for allying itself with the Empire. We can't have it both ways.
Yes I think this seems to have been a consequence of spreading to the Gentiles. The small group of Jesus followers who began as a Jewish sect contained within their chosen nation had been unleashed on the world.

This is when the rubber hit the road for Christianity. As you say thats when the church got into bed with power and politics. Gentile rationalising went too far.

But Christs church was still there in the background.

I think there is a similarity in how many of the Jewish sects of Christs time believed in an earthly King and Kingdom that would defeat Rome and usher in a new covenant. With how the church under Gentile rule did more or less the same when they had worked their way up to the ruling class under Constantine.

Both wanted an earthly Kingdom in their own way. While Christ church was quietly going about its business in the background and never being defeated.

I wonder now that the church has been exposed for hypocracy and realises that it fell short that we will see Christs church rise up again. Like with the early church.

The Gentiles once again becoming a pure sacrifice brought to God through Christ. If the Gentiles are to represent Christs church to the world. Then we would have to see this in the pure offerings given in worship. This church or awakening if you like would require that Christians be pure, untarnished and above reproach. No charges could be brought against them.

This sounds a lot but this would be the expectation and difference to standup as representing Christs church. I think this is the fullfillment of the Gentiles. They are falling short but Christ does not allow that His church be not noticed. Especially when the world has fallen so far away from God and the church being full of wolves.
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More messaging at the expense of the Faith and the faithful: Austrian Bishop & Priests Praising Depraved Blasphemy, Mary as Bearded Man


This image making also includes a nude Pieta. Their website has more.

And if you thought that was shocking, the exhibition has been praised by the Artists' Bishop Glettler, the Parish Priest of the Cathedral Parish and a Jesuit even writes in its praise in the programme.

"'Du sollst Dir ein Bild machen' exhibition at the Vienna Künstlerhaus – well-deserved rating: a must-see! [...] The exhibition is evidence of the endless struggle to somehow do justice to the mystery of God, who has inscribed himself into a wounded world." – Bishop Hermann Glettler, Innsbruck (on Instagram)



Bishop Glettler who was thought in the running for Vienna

:rolleyes:
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Didascalia Apostolorum Teaching of the Apostles inspired scripture

This text internally is written by the apostles in Jerusalem. It contains phrases like I Peter, me Peter, I Mathew , we apostles.
Epiphanius Salamis 300s AD said it was written by the apostles like it said. So I believe it was written pre 70 AD, and is inspired scripture. It is a lot like the Didache which also internally dates to before 70 AD but Didascalia is a lot longer. It is on audiobook here

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Here is chat GPT summary of the teachings of the text

The Didascalia Apostolorum presents itself as apostolic instruction, spoken in the collective voice of the apostles with Peter as chief spokesman, addressing how Christian communities are to live faithfully before God; it teaches that believers are no longer bound to the ritual requirements of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing instead moral obedience, repentance, mercy, and care for the poor, while portraying the bishop as a shepherd and physician who must govern gently, restore sinners, and guard the community from injustice; the text regulates church order, family life, sexual conduct, the roles of women and widows, almsgiving, and discipline, consistently stressing that authority exists for healing and salvation rather than punishment, and that Christian life replaces temple sacrifice with prayer, charity, and faithful endurance amid opposition.

It uses the word Catholic which means universal. There is no Mary worship in the text. It says Peter was buried in the Vatican

Chat GPT

In the first century, there was no “Vatican” as an institution and no St. Peter’s Basilica. The area now called the Vatican was simply Vatican Hill (Mons Vaticanus)—a low hill outside Rome’s sacred boundary (pomerium) on the west bank of the Tiber. It was largely non-urban, used for gardens, cemeteries (necropolis), and imperial leisure. Under Caligula and Nero, a large chariot-racing stadium—the Circus of Nero (or Circus of Caligula)—stood there. According to early Christian memory, Nero executed Christians in this area, and Peter was martyred nearby, traditionally buried in the adjacent necropolis. That grave became the focal point for later veneration, which—centuries later—led Constantine to build the first basilica over it (4th century).

Summary: In the first century, the “Vatican” was a geographic location tied to imperial Rome and early Christian martyrdom, not a church state or headquarters; its later significance grew because of Peter’s burial, not because it already held authority.
This is not part of the canon of Scripture, so whatever merits it may have, even however 'inspired' it may be, it does not belong in a Bible.

As to your ChatGPT, well, ai;dr
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Ilhan Omar blasted over resurfaced comments on Somali influence in the US as Elon Musk suggests she committed treason

I didn’t say anything about 20 million. If you believe that is the total amount of illegal immigrants in the country I believe that the number is higher than that. I wouldn’t try to guess what the actual number is
Oh okay. I misunderstood when you said you suspected that the actual number [of what? total or recent arrivals?] was "higher rather than lower" without specifically saying higher or lower than what. I just assumed you were referring to the number mentioned rather than some unspoken, unknown. My bad.
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Some Protestant scholars welcome Vatican document clarifying Marian titles

Some Protestant scholars who spoke with CNA welcomed a Vatican document that clarified titles for the Blessed Virgin Mary that discouraged the use of Co-Redemptrix/Co-Redeemer and put limits on the use of Mediatrix/Mediator.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) issued the doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis on Nov. 4. It was approved by Pope Leo XIV and signed by DDF Prefect Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández on Oct. 7.

According to the document, using “Co-Redemptrix” to explain Mary’s role in salvation “would not be appropriate.” The document is less harsh about using “Mediatrix” and says “if misunderstood, it could easily obscure or even contradict” Mary’s role in mediation.

The document affirms Mary plays a role in both redemption and mediation because she freely cooperates with Jesus Christ. That role, it explains, is always “subordinate” to Christ, and it warned against using titles in a way that could be misconstrued to mitigate Christ as the sole Redeemer and sole Mediator.

Catholic reactions have been mixed, with some seeing the clarification as helpful and others defending the titles as consistent with the understanding of Mary’s role as subordinate and asking the Vatican to formally define the doctrines themselves rather than simply issue a note on the titles.

Positive reactions from Protestants​


Continued below.
The 'clarification' muddied the waters considerably AND actually backfired in raising interest in a very tiny aspect of Marian devotion. Sure, some Protestants will be excited. But it is not an 'advance' as much as a confusion from a very confused and confusing prelate. Diane Montagna asked Fernandez about this in an interview and he retreated to say that we can believe what we want about Mary but for Vatican purposes they just won't say it. It would have been far better to do exactly what pope Benedict did, to rather quietly say that nothing new could yet be defined. OR to have the balls to say that it was just wrong to even think Mary was a co-redemptrix if they thought that to be the case. What we got was weaselly doublespeak confusion. Not an advance. One of the worst sorts of retreats.
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The Globe

I know how ridiculous is this ?

Who stopped the sun ?
God. When it comes to God there's the physical and the miraculous. The birth and resurrection of Christ is a combination of the physical and the miraculous. So God either stopped the sun, or stopped the earth, or suspended time though miraculous means that defy physics.
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‘It’s Never Too Late’: 100-Year-Old Man is Baptized, Confirmed, & Receives First Communion on the Same Day

“It’s never too late to fulfill a dream.”​


‘It’s Never Too Late’: 100-Year-Old Man is Baptized, Confirmed, & Receives First Communion on the Same Day

Photo credit: Caldas Newspaper

A century of waiting finally came to an end—wrapped in emotion, deep faith, and even a few tears.

100-year-old José Francisco recently received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation all on the same day!

The ceremony took place at the Church of A-dos-Francos in Portugal and was celebrated by Father João de Brito with support from the Parish of Caldas da Rainha.

José was born in the same town and spent his entire life working in agriculture. A father of seven—six daughters and one son—he made sure all his children were baptized, even though he himself never was. The desire, however, remained quietly alive in his heart for decades.

How did it all begin?​

The dream began to take shape thanks to an initiative of the Rotary Community Development Center (NRDC) of Caldas da Rainha and the Academy of Dreams. This past July, José participated in an activity that offered seniors immersive experiences through 360-degree virtual-reality glasses.

He “attended” a dance through virtual reality and, deeply moved, symbolically stepped out of the isolation of the room where he spends most of his time.

During a conversation with the team, he opened up about an old regret: never having been baptized.

He explained that the hardships of rural life—long days, exhaustion, and lack of time—kept him from receiving the sacraments. Now at 100, he felt it was “no longer worth it.” But the team encouraged him, insisting,

“It’s never too late to fulfill a dream.”

Spiritual Preparation​


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Everything being ok

Please pray that my son Jakeb will have a good day mind and body and get to his Doctor appointment. Please pray that he can handle the stress and come home happy. Please pray that he even has the courage to go. I also ask that the Doctor can help him and God shows us what to do and that there is nothing seriously wrong with him and that Jesus will put his healing hands upon my son. I pray that him and his dad get there and home safely. Dear God, please let this go well and heal my son. Please Dear God. I love You Dear GOd and I love You Dear Jesus. In Jesus name I pray. Thank you for prayers and God bless you.

Representation of the Way of the Cross in Mexico recognized as UNESCO heritage site

The perennially popular representation of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, held every Holy Week in the Iztapalapa sector of Mexico City, has been declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The decision was made during a UNESCO meeting in New Delhi, India, where the nomination of the Iztapalapa Way of the Cross was reviewed and approved.

Speaking at the event, Edaly Quiroz, deputy director of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, said that Holy Week in Iztapalapa is not merely a theatrical performance but a manifestation “of unity, faith, and resilience that brings together thousands of people in a collective exercise of memory, identity, and participation.”

On its website, UNESCO states that this list includes “practices, knowledge, and expressions that communities recognize as part of their cultural identity” and emphasizes the need to protect them for future generations.

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There are Some People Disturbing You

Great points!

We don't need to grow spiritually by going on a 'pilgrimage' to Israel, we are fully equipped to spiritually grow through reading God's word, prayer and joining a local Gospel church.

The body of Christ is Israel, not the nation that calls itself Israel.
I don't think there's anything wrong with going on a pilgrimage to Israel. Some people will draw closer to God just by physically seeing places that are in scripture and walk where Jesus walked. Is it "required", no but I wouldn't condemn people who want to do it either.

And let the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. And do not give your worship and undying devotion to any human being or people group, but give all your worship and devotion to God alone, to Jesus Christ who is the one who gave his life up for us on that cross so that, by God-persuaded faith in him, we will now die to sin and obey our Lord and his commands in practice, and have eternal life with God.
I agree. People give Pastors/Priests/People FAR too much credit and treat them as if everything they scripturally say is truth instead of letting God teach you. And I also agree that this idea that ethnic Jews are somehow superior/better is gross. It's propping up a country that is 98% lost (and that's being considerate) and condoning behavior that you wouldn't give to anyone else. We should be praying for their salvation, for them to turn to God, for them to see that just because they are born Jewish, does not automatically mean they are the "light of the world". They lost that title when they failed to do what they were supposed to do, which is why the torch was passed to the gentiles.

"Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious." - Romans 11:11
That doesn't mean Gentiles can now go to heaven, it means that gentiles are now the ones who teach salvation. Hence why Paul was sent to the gentiles and taught how to start churches. Our view towards Israel should be to try and save them so when Jesus comes, He can claim His inheritance that was started all the way back in Exodus and rule and reign from Jerusalem. All of Israel will eventually be saved:

"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

'The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'" - Romans 11:25-27
Meaning, spreading the gospel to the Jews via the gentiles will eventually save them. This is the meaning of the blooming of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32-33, Mark 13:28-29, Luke 21:29-31). When their faith blooms and they finally turn to Christ.

So, if we continually prop up an unsaved nation, that is never going to help save them in the end. We need to pray for their salvation, and back efforts to spread the gospel in Israel.
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Asking AI to explain Sunday observance when NT has no such command

Q: Who changed the Sabbath?
this is a loaded question. The Sabbath is not Sunday. Sunday is not the Sabbath (so please stop presenting it this way).
Sadly all the Confessions of Faith of major Christian groups claim you are wrong. I can't ignore all of Christianity just because you don't like their claim that in the first century the Sabbath commandment was edited by traidition to point to Sunday instead of Saturday. This is true of the example list I provide in the signature line in every post I make here.

Toggle signature

Almost every Christian denomination on Earth affirms the continued *"unit of TEN" for Christians today, and the ones below claim the Sabbath commandment was edited to point to week day one in the first century.

[*]The Baptist Confession of Faith section 19
[*]The Westminster Confession of Faith section 19
[*]Voddie Baucham
[*]C.H. Spurgeon
[*]D.L. Moody
[*]Dies Domini by Pope John Paul II
[*]D. James Kennedy
[*]R.C. Sproul
[*]many others as well..

The Faith Explained (an RC commentary on the Baltimore catechism post Vatican ii) states on Page 242 that
====================begin short summary
"we know that in the O.T it was the seventh day of the week - the Sabbath day - which was observed as the Lord's day. that was the law as God gave it...'remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.. the early Christian church determined as the Lord's day the first day of the week. That the church had the right to make such a law is evident...

changing the Lord's day to Sunday was in the power of the church since "in the gospels ..Jesus confers upon his church the power to make laws in his name".

page 243

"nothing is said in the bible about the change of the Lord's day From Saturday to Sunday. We know of the change only from the tradition of the Church - a fact handed down to us...that is why we find so illogical the attitude of many Non-Catholics, who say that they will believe nothing unless they can find it in the bible and Yet will continue to keep Sunday as the Lord's day on the say-so of the Catholic church"

I have a new thread on the antinomian idea that some are so fond of. You might enjoy that thread


Using the NT to preach a 10 commandment system is counter-gospel

I have a new thread on your antinomian idea above. You might enjoy that thread

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Trump admin’s 3,000 ICE arrests per day quota is taking focus off criminals and ‘killing morale’: insiders

Trump was stupid if he thought he could deport tens of millions of people in four years anyway. What he should do is just deport if they get caught otherwise breaking the law, OR if they apply for assistance as long as they are pulling their own weight and being productive let them be.

It’s not four years, but one year. The White House will undergo some reshuffling and restructuring by mid-January next year. It will be interesting to see which side of the political spectrum prevails—whether true believers like Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem succeed, or pragmatists like JD Vence and Marco Rubio, who have ambitions beyond the Trump presidency.

Seventy percent of Hispanic voters disapprove of the Trump administration, reversing Republican gains with this group that have occurred since 1996. This majority of Hispanic voters oppose the current administration’s immigration policy, which they view as affecting them directly in their homes and communities—making it a personal issue unlike economic or other domestic policies. As a result, these voters are unlikely to return to support the GOP in the near future.

Recent Miami mayoral election results indicate that Cuban Americans are shifting away from the GOP for the first time in 60 years, despite historically being steady Republican voters.

In January, three groups within the Republican Party are expected to engage in significant political debate: Trump MAGA supporters such as Stephen Miller, ambitious figures like Vance or Rubio, and Republicans campaigning in swing states.

If Stephen Miller prevails in the debate, it will diminish the GOP's prospects of securing another congressional or presidential victory for at least the next 15 years. This perspective is understood by JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and the majority of Republicans.

If Stephen Miller and MAGA prevail, it won't be another three years; it will be another 13 months. By January 2027, Congress will be controlled by Democrats. Miller and his associates will spend more time appearing before Congress and answering questions than pressuring ICE.
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Trump sued by preservationists seeking reviews and congressional approval for ballroom project

I responded to that point before, linking information about what the NCPC chair had stated.


In September, the commission chair clarified during a public meeting of the NCPC that the approval process is only required for construction, not demolition or site preparation work.
From the article:

Asked questions about the lawsuit, White House spokesman David Ingle responded with a blanket assertion that Trump is within his “full legal authority to modernize, renovate and beautify the White House — just like all of his predecessors did.”

Thats the heart of the lawsuit: does this enormous and consequential building require any sort of review process before construction? The president, per above, says no. Sensible observers may roll their eyes at the new Lincoln bathroom marble remodel horror, while they acknowledge its the presidents prerogative. But a whole new massive building that completely changes the White House site context? Sensible people are understandably shocked that the pres has sole discretion over such a thing with no review process at all.
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Jimmy Lai found guilty of national security violations, faces life in prison

Jimmy Lai, the Catholic human rights advocate whose long-running national security trial in China has drawn criticism and charges of persecution, was found guilty on Dec. 15 of multiple violations of China’s national security laws, bringing an end to several years of what advocates have described as a politically motivated show trial against a popular Hong Kong publisher.

Lai, 78, is facing up to life in prison. His sentence will be handed down at a later date.

His U.K.-based attorneys at Doughty Street Chambers on Dec. 15 called the verdict “a stain on a once enviable Hong Kong legal system.” Lead counsel Caoilfhionn Gallagher described Lai as “a brave, brilliant 78-year-old man” convicted in a “vindictive and grossly unfair verdict.”

“After five long years of imprisonment, which violates international law, it is time to end this sham process and release Mr Lai,” she said. “If China fails to release him immediately and unconditionally, the international community must hold China to account.”

Continued below.

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