NORTHERN STYLE NEWSWATCH 1
Although there seems to be little religious connection (and we use the word `religious' deliberately) between the Danish Referendum on joining the single currency system (the much maligned Euro) within the European Union, and the recent document `Declaration Dominus Jesus', issued from the office of the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, it is these two news items we wish to draw together in this Newswatch.

If we look first at the Danish Referendum - the result of which was a clear `no' to adopting the Euro - we find expressed in the result the deep-seated anxiety which the people of the countries that make up the present form of the European Union feel as they begin to understand the political union that is forming to the detriment of the present form of nation states - which are naively thought to have existed since the beginning of recorded history. More recently, the more astute political commentators have been voicing fears that the smaller countries of the Union are being drawn into a Union dominated by the German/Franco axis that seems to be blind to the specific needs of the smaller countries in their drive for a united political European Union.

If we leave aside personal opinions regarding the policies of the Freedom Party - a rightwing political party in Austria - the fact remains that the full weight of the inner core members of the EU was thrown against the democratic voice of the people when the Freedom party joined a coalition government in Austria. Nearer to home, the country of Ireland - now reaping the whirlwind of raging inflation after joining the system of a single currency, and accepting large grants and subsidies from Europe - can expect no help in controlling this problem as larger countries' problems take priority. Clearly the wretched Euro is the most unloved of all that has emanated from the European Union, and its political masters will be well aware of this. But behind and supporting these political masters are large and powerful banking, business and commercial interests which are the driving force at this stage of the EU expansion. A reading of the business sections of responsible newspapers will confirm this, and we see the almost indecent race of continental and international mergers, takeovers and buyouts that have taken place in recent times.

Coupled to this it has been reported that coinciding with the launch of the Euro the German Bundesbank has begun to acquire substantial gold reserves. Do not be surprised to hear at some time in the not too distant future, as the battle for the dominant position is played out, and won, that the Euro will be turned out of `the nest' in favour of a more acceptable Mark launched by massive gold reserves. The weak Euro has greatly strengthened the financial standing of many powerful manufacturing businesses within the core members of the EU - for through that weak Euro a considerable devaluation of currencies has taken place! There are few politicians of any real standing who will not agree (albeit in private) that Europe beckons all who are concerned for the financial security of the countries of Europe. The main arguments concern only the form of the political, monetary and military union that will finally emerge, and how this can be put to the people in order to gain their acceptance and allay their fears as these changes take place.

2.
We will now move on to the second news item mentioned in the opening words of this Newswatch, concerning the document issued from the office of Roman Catholic Cardinal Ratzinger, who is the Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - formerly known as the Inquisition! Although the document `Declaration Dominus Jesus' does not carry the authority of a Papal Bull, nevertheless it could not have been issued without the full knowledge and authority of the Pope. The prime objective of the document would seem to be the declaration of the supremacy of the Roman Catholic system of religion over all religious systems, in that, apart from the Orthodox churches, `all suffer from defects'. All other Protestant churches were not considered to be `proper churches'! We are not seeking here to defend the Protestant form of religion, established as it is in many forms of State churches, for it has kept countless numbers of people in bondage and darkness, as have the Roman Catholic and Orthodox systems through their unscriptural practises and doctrines.

Surely what we are seeing here is the Vatican's understanding of the times in which we live, and the inevitable rise to global power of the EU, and in understanding these times the Vatican has, through this Declaration, thrown off the ecumenical cloak which it had been using for decades in order to gain acceptance in religious and secular circles - the religious equivalent of the activities of the political, banking, business and commercial systems that we set out in the first part of this Newswatch. Previously we have set out, in greater detail than space here permits, the three essential pillars that need to be formed in order for a viable, identifiable `country' to emerge - that of the monarchy, bureaucracy and, finally, religion which legitamizes the political system (in return for supremacy in religious matters).

The Vatican undoubtably sees the emerging European Union as the future political system which will give it the global religious supremacy which, it believes, is its God-given right.

This document, the `Declaration Dominus Jesus', issued by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, begins the process of legitamising the rising political, economic and commercial power of the European Union. The protesting votes of the people of Denmark will not stop that process. The rhetoric of the main political parties in the United Kingdom only seeks to hide the inevitable decisions that will have to be made in the near future, by whichever political party is in power, concerning this country's commitment to monetary union. The United Kingdom, as it is presently constituted, is being drawn into this rising power, and the politicians know it, even if they cannot speak openly! If this is so, then it is allowed by God, as Head of the Church, as He carries out His refining work within His Body to prepare them for service within the Great Babylon of the European Union which is rapidly taking shape.

The Danish people showed their fears in rejecting the single currency, thereby losing any opportunity for a voice in the Assembly of Power in the EU. In a real sense Christians too can work against the Lord and waste much time and spiritual energy in resisting His refining work in `captivity in the land of Babylon'. For Scripture reveals that this last move of man's drive for Global power will fail, and God will have need of His people to be prepared within a captivity as real as that which the southern Kingdom of Judah were taken into all those centuries ago. Latter-day Elijahs and Nehemiahs will again be needed to speak to the people, who are enjoying an agreeable, wealthy and prosperous life in `Babylon', to rise

3.
up and return to `Jerusalem' to strengthen again the Body of Christ.

There we will leave this Newswatch, asking only that:

"The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of
wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of Him . . . the eyes of your heart may be
enlightened in order that you may know what is the hope of your calling. "
Ephesians 1:17-18
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