Church in Pussy Riot clemency call
The Russian Orthodox Church is asking for clemency for three jailed members of the rock band Pussy Riot if they repent for their "punk prayer" for deliverance from president Vladimir Putin at Moscow's main cathedral.
Today's church statement comes a day before the women's first appeal since they were convicted on hooliganism charges and sentenced to two years last month.
The church said that if the women make statements showing "penitence and reconsideration of their action," they "shouldn't be left unnoticed".
Earlier this month, Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said that keeping them in prison any longer would be "unproductive" - a statement that encouraged hopes the appeals court could set them free. But sceptics pointed at the Kremlin's ongoing crackdown on dissent, saying that their release would be unlikely.
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Francis Sammut
Oct 1st 2012, 16:56
I don't think I'm wrong by expressing that President Putin is waiting for some opportunity like this one to make a show of himself as is usually his want, to pardon these young girls. Mark my words!
alexander gaffiero
Oct 1st 2012, 06:33
this goes to show that the orthodox church is just hungry for power..........do they follow christs teachings?...FORGIVE??...i wonder.........
S. Calleja
Oct 1st 2012, 01:23
Fine, but the Church does not own the court of laws and the prisons.
Victor Laiviera
Sep 30th 2012, 17:13
It is the Orthodox Church who should apologise and repent.
And stay out of politics.
Christian Sciberras
Sep 30th 2012, 20:54
Politics? These teens disgraced the Church...on it's own grounds.
I think the Church's say in this matter is well deserved....
Johnathan Cilia
Oct 1st 2012, 01:26
@ Christian Sciberras - Jesus himself disgraced his place of worship when he saw evil in their midst using God for their own unholy devices. Methinks you must analyse a bit more and not just accept what the church says blindly...
mario delicata
Oct 1st 2012, 09:39
Johnathan Cilia, kindly do not comment on fields you are not competent on. For your info Christ never disgraced any place of worship, Me thinks you do need to do some indept research and delve in the history and cultural practices of that time. As for you Mr. Laiviera the action was done inside a church and hence falls under the church jurisdiction as well apart from the courts of law. Simple : if ones enter your house and performs unlawful acts apart form the Criminal procedings from the Police, they can also find themselves with Civil procedings form 3rd party.
Christian Sciberras
Oct 1st 2012, 10:07
Johnathan - I did not "blindly accept what the Church says", I just said it is their right to have their voice heard, that's all. And for the sake of the matter, what Jesus did was to merchant outside the Church walls, not the actual church, but that's a different matter anyway.
Please choose the reason of your report below: