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Australia’s Bravery Award for Priest Who Saved a Young Man from a Shark

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A Catholic priest who helped rescue a surfer being attacked by a five-metre great white shark, says he’s humbled after being awarded a bravery medal by Australia’s governor general.

“It feels like I haven’t done anything extraordinary,” Fr Liam Ryan, a priest in Midland, Perth, told The Catholic Leader.

“I thank God for giving me courage in that moment, and I also remember that I was not alone.”

An experienced surfer, Fr Ryan, who turns 35 this year, was on vacation with a group of surfing mates. They paddled out to catch waves at Bunker Bay, 260 km south of Perth on July 31, 2020.

About 100 metres offshore one of the surfers saw the dorsal fin of a five-metre great white shark close by.

Fr Ryan raised the alarm by screaming for help as the shark mauled fellow surfer, 28-year-old Phil Mummert, just a few metres away.

Fr Ryan did not hesitate in paddling straight towards danger to try and help as the shark sank its jaws deep into Mr Mummert’s upper leg and bit a huge chunk out his surfboard.

The young surfer responded by shoving his damaged board into the shark’s mouth and then fought with his bare hands to fend off the creature.

As the shark circled, one of Fr Ryan’s fellow surfers, Alex Oliver, reached injured Phil Mummert first, pulled him onto the front of his board and started paddling towards the shore.

Despite the shark still being close, Fr Ryan and best mate surfer, Jess Woolhouse reached the injured man on the board and helped him get to shore.

“For me its clear, God wanted us to be there, he wanted Phil to survive the shark attack and strangely designed that a wild animal would bring us to know each other for the rest of our lives,” Fr Ryan said.

“We were nominated for this bravery medal by one of the other surfers who was in the water that day, but he paddled straight in when he saw the attack because he immediately thought of his young son and his family.

“He was in tears on the beach, and in tears when he received the acceptance of our nomination.”

Fr Ryan, Mr Oliver and Mr Woolhouse were each awarded the prestigious Bravery Medal, by Australia’s Governor General, David Hurley.

“No one sets out to be brave. No one really knows how, when presented with a dangerous situation, they will act,” the governor general said, announcing 15 Bravery Medal winners for 2022 .

“In a moment of peril, today’s recipients were selfless and brave. On behalf of all Australians, I offer congratulations and thanks.”

Each of the three surfers have also received a Coastal Bravery Award from Surf Life Saving WA, and according to Fr Ryan the rescue has cemented their friendship for life, together with the man they rescued, Phil Mummert.

“We have a connection that is so unique. When we all sit down together to catch up for a meal I just smile and think ‘God, only in your imagination can this be possible!’” he said.

“A waiter once asked us ‘So how do you all know each other?’ We all just burst out laughing.”

The 2020 shark attack received global media attention, and Fr Ryan’s role as rescuer – “the surfing priest” – was particularly highlighted.

More than just notoriety, Fr Ryan hopes his experience can be useful for others.

“When I visit our schools to talk about vocations or sacraments or whatever, I ask the kids if they have any questions. The first one is always ‘Can you tell us about the shark?’” he said.

“Our God is a God of surprises. This event was a huge surprise for me, and I know that many people are surprised to see a priest who surfs.

“These medals and awards are also a surprise. God is always working to break down barriers and the stereotypes we build up in our hearts.

“If this helps people to see that priests also go on holidays, surf and help people everyday then that’s awesome.

“Will it bring people to encounter the love of Christ, who gave his life because he loves us? I can only hope so!”

Fr Ryan continues to surf – he loves the sport, and he loves the ocean.

“When I see a dolphin or seal out in the water my heart usually skips a beat nowadays, but then the fear passes,” he said.

“We share the ocean with so many other beautiful creatures, that mystery is what has always attracted me to the ocean and surfing.

“I’ve also always believed that the best way to overcome your fears is to face them.

“The ocean still remains a place of peace and rest for me, a place where I encounter God and God’s creation.”

Fr Ryan was ordained in August 2019 after completing studies at Perth’s “Redemptoris Mater” Missionary Seminary for the formation of priests in the Neocatechumenal Way.

He spent two years carrying out mission work in Alotau in Papua New Guinea, and is now a priest at St Brigid’s Church in Midland parish, Perth.
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യു.കെയിൽ പിആർ മാനദണ്ഡങ്ങൾ കർശനമാക്കുന്നു; ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ ബാധിക്കുക ഇന്ത്യക്കാരെ

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സ്ഥിര താമസക്കാരായി കുടിയേറ്റക്കാരെ ആവശ്യമില്ലെന്ന് സൂചിപ്പിച്ച് യുകെ. സ്ഥിര താമസത്തിനായി അപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നവരുടെ കാത്തിരിപ്പ് സമയം 5 വർഷത്തിൽ നിന്ന് 10 വർഷമായി ഇരട്ടിയാക്കുന്നത് ഉൾപ്പെടെയുള്ള കർശനമായ പുതിയ നയ നടപടികൾ ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി കെയർ സ്റ്റാർമർ തിങ്കളാഴ്ച പുറത്തിറക്കി. ഇപ്പോൾ, 10 വർഷമായി യുകെയിൽ താമസിക്കുന്നവർക്ക് മാത്രമേ സ്ഥിര താമസത്തിനായി അപേക്ഷിക്കാൻ കഴിയൂ. എല്ലാ വർഷവും യുകെയിൽ എത്തുന്ന ഏറ്റവും വലിയ പ്രൊഫഷണലുകളുടെയും വിദ്യാർത്ഥികളുടെയും കൂട്ടമായ ഇന്ത്യൻ പൗരന്മാരിൽ ഈ നീക്കം കാര്യമായ സ്വാധീനം ചെലുത്തുമെന്ന് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു .

ഓഫീസ് ഫോർ നാഷണൽ സ്റ്റാറ്റിസ്റ്റിക്സിന്റെ കണക്കനുസരിച്ച്, 2023-ൽ യുകെയിലേക്കുള്ള ഏറ്റവും വലിയ കുടിയേറ്റക്കാരായിരുന്നു ഇന്ത്യക്കാർ, ഏകദേശം 250,000 പേർ പ്രധാനമായും ജോലിക്കും വിദ്യാഭ്യാസ അവസരങ്ങൾക്കുമായി എത്തി.

ബിബിസിയുടെ റിപ്പോർട്ട് പ്രകാരം, കുടിയേറ്റക്കാർ അനിശ്ചിതമായി യുകെയിൽ താമസിക്കാനുള്ള അവകാശത്തിനോ സാങ്കേതികമായി ഇൻഡെഫിനിറ്റ് ലീവ് ടു റിമെയിൻ (ILR) എന്നറിയപ്പെടുന്നതിനോ അപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നതിന് മുമ്പ് 10 വർഷം യുകെയിൽ താമസിക്കേണ്ടിവരും.
Sources:azchavattomonline.com

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Migrants in the UK may soon face longer waiting periods before they can apply for permanent residency, as the Labour government plans to tighten regulations for foreign workers in Britain. If the rule extending the waiting period does come into force, Indians are likely to be hit as a large number of professionals and students from India reach the UK every year.

In 2023, Indians made up the largest group of immigrants to the UK, with around 250,000 arriving primarily for work and education, according to the Office for National Statistics. This was despite a 10% overall decline in net annual immigration to the UK.

The British government is planning to extend the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to as long as 10 years from the current 5 years for some migrants.

Bloomberg cited a person familiar with the matter as the source of the information, adding that the change would be included in a package of reforms soon to be published by the UK Home Office.

The ILR is a form of permanent residency. Holding ILR status in Britain means a person can stay in the country without any time limit.

It provides access to public services and freedom to work or study, mirroring many rights of British citizens. This status often serves as a precursor to applying for British citizenship. This is in a way similar to the American Green Card.

Around 85% of the people who migrated to the UK were from outside the European Union.

HOW POLITICS IN UK CHANGED WITH STANCE ON IMMIGRATION
The UK’s political landscape has been shaken by the growing popularity of Nigel Farage’s right-wing populist Reform UK party. In recent local elections, Reform UK dealt significant blows to both the ruling Labour Party and the Conservative opposition in England.

Taking a tougher stance on immigration has become a priority for UK PM Keir Starmer as he tries to respond to the electoral threat.

In November last year, Keir Starmer stated that he wanted to see immigration “come down significantly”, criticising the previous Conservative government for having “failed” on the issue.

His remarks came after the UK recorded net migration of a record 906,000 people in the 12 months to June 2023, followed by 728,000 in the year to June 2024.

Some academics have argued that making it harder to achieve settlement rights would leave more people in insecure immigration status, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation without necessarily bringing down the net migration figures.

A Home Office spokesperson declined to comment on proposed changes to the conditions for indefinite leave to remain but said the forthcoming immigration White Paper would “set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system”,reported.
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‘God Still Heals’: Mike Signorelli on Fighting the Demonic, Seeing Miracles — and More

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A New York City pastor is on a mission to help people see that “God still heals.”

Mike Signorelli of V1 Church in New York City joined Billy Hallowell to explain how facets of the secular medical community are now “open to the spiritual realm.”

While some doctors and hospitals are looking for help in the wrong places, he said there is an opportunity for Christians to step into the fold and divert attention toward biblical truth.

“What we have to do is believe that God is going to do what only He can do and let me awaken people to the reality that He still heals,” Signorelli said.

In his own ministry, the popular preacher said he has to remind himself to “pray for even incurable things,” as he puts full trust in the Lord. He said he’s seen and experienced incredible miracles as a result of this trust. Signorelli even shared the example of a woman who was healed of Multiple sclerosis (MS).

“I received an email with all of these PDF attachments of a medical diagnosis of MS, and then as I begin to read the documents,” he said, noting he had prayed for the woman. “It was multiple confirmations that all the lesions were gone. It was completely undetectable and they cleared her and even said, ‘You’re done with medication and any medical intervention.’”

Signorelli continued, “And I wept knowing my own unbelief in that moment.”

These are the very issues CBN tackles in our new documentary “Investigating the Supernatural: Miracles,” as we travel the nation diving into claims of miraculous healing.

“Your film is so important,” Signorelli said of the project. “And I hope many people listening watch it right now because it’s like, listen, I don’t want to serve a God that never heals. … But we also don’t want to distract people from the fact that salvation is the greatest healing and we’re all going to die of something. So it’s like living in that both and is healthy doctrine, healthy theology.”

Signorelli is also on a mission to launch a new effort to inspire faith — the Mission 11:59.
Sources:faithwire

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Australian Defence Force releases new Bible edition for soldiers

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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has released a new edition of the New International Version (NIV) Bible, two decades after the previous edition was released in 2005.

The launch ceremony took place on March 13 at Russell Offices, the ADF’s administrative headquarters in Canberra, according to an ADF press release. Tina King of Bible Society Australia presented the new Bible to Maj. Gen. Sue Graham, who represented the chief of the Defence Force at the event.

“We acknowledge in the Defence Force how we are continually supported by the public, and the sacrifice from Bible Society volunteers brought forward today is another embodiment of that,” Graham said. “It’s particularly important to have a Bible that is available and relevant to all our soldiers, sailors and aviators.”

The new edition includes content tailored specifically to ADF personnel, such as contextually relevant prayers for those serving in the Navy, Army and Air Force.

“This is not a book for a bookshelf, it is a book to be near. We hope it will be dog-eared, underlined, searched and cherished,” said King.

Bible Society Australia also hosted a historical display at the event, showcasing military Bibles dating back to the Boer War. Among them was a Bible that saved the life of LCpl. Phillip Davies during World War I. Davies was digging for telephone cables at Messines Ridge, near Ypres in Belgium, when two bomb shells exploded nearby. Shrapnel struck his arms and legs, killing one colleague and injuring two others.

The location is known to have seen fierce fighting between British and German soldiers vying to control the ridge, considered important at the time for military advancement as it allowed a strategic viewpoint over the Ypres Salient.

The next morning, Davies discovered a piece of shrapnel stuck in the back cover of his Soldier’s Bible, which he had kept in his breast pocket. The shrapnel had been stopped just inches from his heart. The Bible was one of a million donated at the time by Bible Society Australia.

Director General Chaplaincy—Army, Principal Chaplain Kerry Larwill, spoke at the ceremony, noting the continued relevance of spiritual resources in military life.

“About 44 percent of Australians identified as Christian, and more are interested in spirituality of different varieties,” Larwill said. “For people who serve in Defence, which we know has demands on individuals and their families, it’s a source of light and hope to those who derive their meaning from a Christian perspective or value its wisdom.”

Representatives from the Military Christian Fellowship of Australia (MCF-A) and other chaplaincy networks, such as the Forum of Christian Military Ministries, also attended the launch. The new Bible includes a foreword written by former MCF-A patron and former Gov.-Gen. of Australia, General (retired) David Hurley.
Sources:Christianpost

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