CATHOLIC WORLD LAST WEEK
(CWLW)
6-12 Nov, 2017
6-11-17
One British hostage in Nigeria killed, three freed 6-11-17
One British hostage kidnapped in Nigeria has been killed, while three others have returned home safely, the Foreign Office in London announced on 6 November.
The four, who were working with a Christian medical charity providing free health treatment in southern Nigeria's Delta state, were kidnapped on October 13.
Ian Squire was killed, while Alanna Carson, David Donovan and his wife Shirley survived their ordeal.
Catholic U offers free tuition to displaced Puerto Rican students 6-11-17
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., USA, announced that it would offer free tuition for the spring 2018 semester to students from Puerto Rico displaced by recent hurricanes. While several other institutions of higher education have already set up similar programs to aid the island, this is the first of its kind by a Catholic university.
The university will accept up to forty students, who must register for a minimum of three courses.
Deacon Stabbed to Death at Transitional Home for Men on Long Island 4-11-17
A Roman Catholic deacon on Long Island, USA, who ran a transitional home for men with a history of addiction or crime was stabbed to death on Friday by one of the residents he had devoted his life to serving, the police said.
The deacon, Patrick Logsdon, was the manager of Anthony House in Roosevelt, N.Y., in Nassau County. For more than 30 years, Logsdon, 70, took in up to nine men at a time, giving them a bed, home-cooked meals, help finding a job and, above all, a tough-love attitude, said James Pfeifer, 61, who worked at the house with Logsdon for four years. The men, many of whom had spent decades in prison, were allowed to stay for six to eight weeks, during which time they were expected to behave with dignity and prove they were trying to get their lives back on track, Pfeifer said.
The police said they were seeking a suspect, Andre Patton, 47, a resident of Anthony House. Patton was described as armed and dangerous. The motive was unknown.
June 4 bloody crackdown to be cut from Hong Kong school history 6-11-17
The Hong Kong government will erase the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre from its revised history curriculum for students beginning secondary school, in a move which experts say signal a worrying erosion in the semi-autonomous region's political independence.
On Oct. 31, the city's Education Bureau revised the Chinese history curriculum for junior secondary students — who are primarily between 14 and 16 years old — to slash not only the large-scale, politically driven killings in Beijing, but also the leftist 1967 Hong Kong riots.
The reasoning, according to the government, is that there is not enough academic material about the decline of the Chinese dynasties included early on.
Indore: 10,000 at beatification of Sr Rani Maria, including her reputed assassin 6-11-17
About 10,000 people participated in the beatification ceremony of Sister Rani Maria Vattalil, the Franciscan Clarist assassinated in 1995 when she was stabbed 54 times in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her hired assassin Samunder Singh, who later regretted the cruel gesture and was forgiven by the Blessed’s family was also among participants.
The ceremony took place on November 4 in the courtyard of Indore's St. Paul Higher Secondary School and was chaired by Card. Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Card. Baselios Cleemis, President of the Indian Bishops' Conference, Card. George Alencherry, Head of the Syro-Malabar Church, Card. Oswald Gracias, President of the Latin Rite Conference, concelebrated the Mass.
On November 5, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro presided at a Mass in Suffrage on the grave of sister Rani Maria, at the Sacred Heart Church in Udainagar. Even Pope Francis during the Sunday Angelus recalled the Indian nun. Sister Rani Maria is the first woman martyr of India.
The missionary from Kerala dedicated her life in favor of the villagersin the diocese of Indore (Madhya Pradesh state), obtaining bank credit lines and tax breaks for the cultivation of land. She created support groups for women and also helped in the most strenuous jobs, such as building a well for clean water to drink and irrigate their fields, thus became the object of hatred for the village heads and money lenders.
UK Churches to turn red in support of persecution victims 6-11-17
Catholic schools and churches across the United Kingdom will be floodlit red to highlight the plight of persecuted Christians across the world.
At least ten cathedrals will take part in the #RedWednesday initiative organised by the Aid to the Church in Need charity on November 22 which aims to promote faith and tolerance in society, stand in solidarity with victims of persecution, and oppose violence and oppression carried out in the name of religion.
DR Congo - Presidential elections on 23 December 2018; the opposition protests: "so Kabila remains in power until January 2019" 6-11-17
Presidential, legislative, provincial and local elections will be held on December 23, 2018 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. declared the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) on November 5, 2017.
The opposition complained that, according to the new electoral calendar, outgoing President Joseph Kabila, whose term expired on 20 December 2016, will be able to remain in office until early January 2019.
The United States, through UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, threatened that if elections do not take place in 2018, they would cut financial support to the DRC.
The San Silvestro agreement was brought about thanks to the mediation of the local Episcopal Conference and provided for Kabila to remain in power and the formation of a national unity government with the participation of all political forces in order to hold elections by 2017.
Demonstrations and police repression continue.
Egypt - Al Azhar on the massacre in the US church: all religions forbid to shed innocent blood 6-11-17
Acts of violence "which desecrate the holiness of places of worship and destroy innocent lives threaten the people's stability and security". And the shedding of innocent blood, irrespective of race and the religion of the victims, "is forbidden by all religions". With these words, the University of Al Azhar, the main academic and theological centre of Sunni Islam, expressed in a formal statement the condolences to the victims of the massacre carried out on Sunday November 5 by a former military man in a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, causing the deaths of at least 26 people and dozens of injured. Al Azhar condemned the criminal act, expressing condolences to the government and the people of the United States of America, starting with the families of the victims.
Philippines- Philippines's Youth Day begins: the young - "agents of change" 6-11-17
"National Youth Day" in the Philippines, organized by Zamboanga archdiocese, from November 6 to 10 is held in collaboration with civil authorities. 2300 persons, 13 to 39 years of age, are discussing issues relevant to young people’s lives: social challenges, social media, human trafficking, promotion of social education, art and culture.
The national gathering returns to Mindanao Island after 11 years: the last time it was held in Davao City in 2006.
"It is an opportunity to express the desire of young people to embrace Christ's mission among their peers", said the Mayor of Zamboanga, Catholic Mary Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, offering full organizational support to the event.
Archbishop Michael Augustine passes away 6-11-17
Former archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, India, Archbishop Michael Augustine, who had been ailing for quite some time, passed away on 4 November. Born in 1933 he had been a priest for 65 years and bishop of 39 years – auxiliary bishop of Madras Mylapore, bishop of Vellore and archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore. He was well known for his concern for the poor and particularly for Dalits. He was the first bishop to undertake a fast to demand justice from the Delhi government for the Dalit Christians, who have been denied privileges enjoyed by dalits of Hindu and other religions.
His funeral mass on 6 November was concelebrated by 15 archbishops and bishops and numerous priests and participated by 3000 faithful. The late archbishop Michael Augustine had also been a professor at St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore.
Hong Kong bishop enters gender assignment debate 6-11-17
Hong Kong Diocese has asked Catholics to follow the church's lead in opposing controversial gender recognition legislation during a public consultation period focusing on the controversial issue.
A working group was set up in mid-August by the diocese to express the church's stance on the government's consultation paper and on the gender recognition issue.
At a briefing on the consultation paper held by the diocese on Sept. 30, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing said that the church wanted to convey its stance on the issue among Catholics.
A group set up by the government is to study whether it is necessary to introduce legislation and administrative measures to deal with issues concerning gender recognition in Hong Kong.
APEC leaders should not ignore Vietnam's 'ugly reality' 6-11-17
A leading rights group has appealed to world leaders to request Vietnam to respect human rights as they meet during an APEC summit.
International leaders and trade partners – who may number 21 - attending the Nov. 6-11 summit in the central coastal city of Da Nang "should call on Vietnamese authorities to end the government's systematic persecution of peaceful critics," said Human Rights Watch (HRW). The communist-run country is a police state that brooks no dissent, says HRW
HRW said participants should urge Vietnam to "ensure the basic rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and religion for its citizens."
Pope Francis asks Catholics to pray for Asia 6-11-17
Pope Francis has released a video message where he asks Catholics to pray for Asia, an enormous continent where Christians are a minority.
"The most striking feature of Asia is the variety of its peoples who are heirs to ancient cultures, religions and traditions," says the pope in the video message which is part of his monthly prayer intention dedicated to November. "On this continent, where the church is a minority, the challenges are intense. We must promote dialogue among religions and cultures," Pope Francis says.
"Let us pray that Christians in Asia may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions."
There are more than 141 million Catholics in Asia's 48 countries, including regions where being Catholic runs the risk of persecution.
Pope Francis is visiting two Asian nations, Myanmar and Bangladesh, later this month.
Pope’s condolence for Texas massacre victims 6-11-17
Pope Francis condoled for the victims of the massacre which took place on 5 November in a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, United States of America. On his behalf Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin sent a telegramme to the archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of San Antonio.
At least 75 dead in IS attack in Syria's Deir Ezzor 5-11-17
At least 75 civilians were killed in an Islamic State group car bombing that struck a gathering of people displaced by fighting in eastern Syria, a monitor said on 5 Nov.
The 4 Nov.'s attack in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor killed "at least 75 displaced civilians including children" and wounded 140, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
7-11-17
Two women appointed to lead roles in Vatican office for laity and life 7-11-17
Pope Francis has appointed two women as undersecretaries in the new dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.
Gabriella Gambino, a professor at the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute, will be the undersecretary for the section on life. Linda Ghisoni, who is now a judge on the marriage tribunal for the Rome diocese, will be undersecretary for the section on the laity.
The dicastery, formally established more than a year ago, is headed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Gabriella Gambino, who will head the section on life, is an expert on bioethics, received her doctorate from the University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. In addition to her work at the John Paul II Institute, she is an adjunct professor of bioethics at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. She is married and has five children. Linda Ghisoni holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University. She has worked in various capacities for tribunals of the Rome diocese and the Roman Rota, and with the Congregation for Divine Worship. She is married and has two children.
Pope Francis receives Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson 7-11-17
Pope Francis had a private meeting on 6 Nov. afternoon with members of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working for peace and human rights around the world.
The Elders was established 10 years ago by former South African President Nelson Mandela and is currently marking the group’s 10th anniversary with a campaign called “Walk Together” - continuing Mandela’s long walk to freedom.
Two of the founding members of The Elders, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson, former Irish President, former UN high commissioner for human rights and, more recently, UN envoy on climate change were present.
The former UN leader said four representatives of the group wanted to engage with Pope Francis and “discuss how we can work together, how we can pool our efforts on some of these issues”. They discussed, among other things, migration, nuclear weapons, peace, mediation and conflicts as well as climate change and gender equality. They also appreciated the role of Pope Francis as the voice of the voiceless and the marginalized.
Pope meets Egypt's Muslim leader Ahmed al-Tayeb 7-11-17
Pope Francis met on 7 Nov. the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Muhammad al-Tayeb who was in Rome to attend a conference organised by the St Egidio community.
The meeting marked the second trip to the Vatican in two years by Egypt’s top Muslim leader. His first meeting with the pope in May 2016 marked an important step forward after five years of suspended dialogue between the Holy See and the prestigious Al-Azhar university.
In April this year, Pope Francis travelled to Cairo to visit the headquarters of Sunni Muslim scholarship and attend an international peace conference there.
New Book Reveals Details of Pope John Paul I’s Death 7-11-17
A new book, released on Nov. 7, discloses details and evidence of the death of Pope John Paul I, who died in 1978 after just 33 days in office — showing his death was the result of a heart attack, as previously held.
In the book, Papa Luciani: Chronicle of a Death, Vatican journalist Stefania Falasca presents thoroughly researched evidence, including previously undisclosed medical reports, witness testimonies and Vatican documents, confirming original reports that the late pontiff died of a heart attack on 28 Sept. 1978. For lack of published evidence, conspiracy theories, including insinuations of murder, made their rounds.
Falasca says that the evening before his death the Pope suffered a severe pain in his chest for about five minutes, a symptom of a heart problem. It occurred while sitting and praying vespers in the chapel with his Irish secretary, Msgr. John Magee, before dinner. The Pope rejected the suggestion to call for a doctor and the pain went away without treatment. His doctor, Renato Buzzonetti, was only informed of the event after his death. He had not come for his morning coffee. Two sisters, who helped care for him, found him in bed, his hands were cold and his nails a little dark.
Indian cardinal addresses symposium on Amoris Laetitia, laments growing secularization 7-11-17
In discussing the Pope’s apostolic exhortation within the Indian context, Cardinal Oswald Gracias decried the decline in societal values and the growth of secularization.
Over 1 million face starvation in South Sudan, world’s youngest nation 7-11-17
In war-torn South Sudan, 1.25 million people are facing starvation, double the number from the same time last year, according to a report by the United Nations and the government released on 6 November.
The South Sudan crisis has not been on the front burner, reports CBS News reporter from the U.N., but the new report underscores that the food emergency will get worse, not better, and that over half of the total population is facing a "humanitarian catastrophe."
Uganda - Childhood denied for the Karamoja children, among misery and begging 7-11-17
A day-care centre in the capital Kampala of Uganda, an initiative of a Combonian sister, is now promoting school support and reintegration family programs. The inmates were street-children, begging, hungry and not attending school. Today thanks to a veteran Combonian Missionary from Italy, Sr Fernanda Cristinelli, coordinator of the office for women in the diocese of Moroto, the children aged 3-10 years and girls aged 12-14 years do not beg anymore or run towards car to get a few pennies, but are welcome, have a day-care centre in place of decrepit tents surrounded by mud, can play and have a meal.
"With the women in the diocese we have tried to create awareness and literacy programs,” says Sr Fernanda.
Ivory Coast - Joint appeal of African and European Bishops: "Human trafficking and brain drain from Africa are being fought" 7-11-17
"We call for justice and equity in trade in goods and services, but especially with regard to natural resources, which are taken each year from Africa", say the Bishops of Africa and Europe, in a joint statement issued by the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences in the European Union (COMECE) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), published in view of the African Union and European Union Summit, to be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from November 28 to 29.
Bishops call on African and European political leaders to work together in order to give young Africans a future through job creation and expectations about an adequate environment for sustainable development. Young Africans - stress the Bishops - are victims of human trafficking. They expect the participants of the AU-EU summit to promote the fight against human trafficking and commitment to development programmes.
Nepal - Anti-conversion law is in force: Christians contribute to building a "healthy and peaceful" society 7-11-17
"Despite the presence of an 'anti-conversion law' that limits religious freedom and criminalizes a religious conversion, Christians in Nepal will continue to contribute to building a healthy, peaceful and harmonious society": says Canadian Jesuit Bill Robins, a missionary in Nepal for many years.
"Christianity in South Asia will always face challenges due to its presence, because there will always be people who do not accept religious differences. Christian communities continue to profess their faith in a peaceful manner and bear witness to the Gospel without hiding. There is no need to hide or fight", he explains. "We must uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of worship. And then we are called to give forgiveness gratuitously, ready to help anyone in trouble, friend or enemy", he adds.
Christians in Nepal make up 1.4% of a population of 29 million people.
Colombia - Bishops: "We cannot stand still in the face of the dramatic situation of the country"
7-11-17
An invitation to Catholics and the entire Colombian people to "become aware of the reality and of the responsibility we all have" is what the Bishops of Colombia say at the end of their extraordinary plenary Assembly, held in Bogota from 1 to 3 November.
In the document the Bishops thank all concerned for the contribution given to the success of the Pope's visit. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, who called on the Colombians "not to stay still", the message underlines, "We are going through a delicate and important moment in our nation's life" in which we cannot deny "dramatic and worrying situations." Among these, the Bishops cite corruption, permeating justice, economics and politics and increase in drug addiction, unemployment, assassination of social leaders and ill-treatment of afro-descendants.
Myanmar's Hindu Rakhine repatriation plan gets mixed reception 7-11-17
Myanmar government's plan to repatriate and resettle Hindu refugees from its strife-torn Rakhine province has met with both enthusiasm and skepticism within the country plus across the borders in Bangladesh and Hindu-majority India.
At least 3,000 of an estimated 8,000 Hindus living in Maungdaw, Buthidaung and the Rakhine capital Sittwe were internally displaced amid the exodus of Muslim Rohingya brought on by Myanmar military "clearance" operations, while some 500 fled to Bangladesh.
Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay said his country's immigration department has asked Bangladesh to quickly start the process of repatriation of the 500 Hindus.
But Muhammad Abul Kalam, commissioner of Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission of the Bangladeshi government, has criticized the move.
Catholics called on to stop extremists hijacking polls 7-11-17
The head of Charta Politika, an Indonesian pollster, has called on Catholics to do more to help eliminate negative religious and ethnic sentiments used recently by hardline groups for political purposes.
Such sentiments usually surface ahead of both regional and presidential elections and the targets are poor and uneducated people, according to Yunarto Wijaya. Elections are due in June 2018 and May 2019
“Catholics can stage social activities for poor and uneducated people. These activities serve as a way of making them realize that there are no religious or ethnic frontiers,” he told Indonesian bishops at the start of their 16-day annual meeting on Nov. 6 in Jakarta.
He cited the Jakarta governor election as an example.
Churches not spared as typhoon ravages central Vietnam 7-11-17
Typhoon Damrey has killed dozens of people and caused serious damage to church facilities in Vietnam's south central provinces.
The typhoon with winds of up to 90 kph and heavy rains hit 10 south central provinces on Nov. 4, leaving 46 dead and 15 injured, according to government reports issued on Nov. 6. The typhoon also destroyed 1,350 houses, damaged 115,000 other houses, sank 1,300 fishing boats, inundated 20,000 hectares of crops, knocked down hundreds of electricity poles and uprooted trees, said reports.
In Nha Trang Diocese, a church source said the Bishop's House and many convents and churches were badly damaged by the typhoon.
Procession calls for end to drug-war killings in Philippines 7-11-17
Hundreds of Filipino Catholics dramatized their call for an end to the spate of drug-related killings in the country by holding a candle-lit religious procession on a historic highway in Manila on Nov. 5.
Priests and nuns led the march from a Catholic shrine to a monument on a highway where the peaceful uprising dubbed "people power" ousted former dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
At the Mass before the procession, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, head of the bishops' conference, called on the Philippine military and the police to stop the killings and follow the rule of law.
"Men and women in uniform, demand ethical leadership from your officers. Choose integrity not the quick fix," said Archbishop Villegas as he launched the bishops’ campaign to “heal the nation” through prayers for peace.
The "Lord, Heal Our Land Sunday" marked the start of another month of praying for victims of so-called extrajudicial killings that have been linked to the government's war against illegal drugs.
India’s Jammu-Srinagar Diocese joins Islamic groups in making Kashmir alcohol free 7-11-17
Jammu-Srinagar Diocese has joined Islamic groups to demand a ban on alcohol in India's only Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The state's chief Islamic jurist Mufti Nasirul Islam, along with prominent civil society activists, called on the state government on Nov. 4 to ban liquor in the state within three months.
Jammu-Srinagar Diocese that covers the entire state also wants the government to ban liquor.
Diocesan spokesperson Father Saiju Chacko said that local church people support the ban. They also want the government "to educate and make people aware of the hazardous effects of liquor consumption," said Father Chacko who added that alcohol has been breaking up families and making poor people poorer.
Bangladeshi man convicted of raping 71-year-old nun 7-11-17
A Kolkata court Nov. 7 held Nazrul Islam, a Bangladeshi national, guilty of raping a 71-year-old Catholic in Nadia district two years ago, an incident which triggered national uproar and awarded him life-imprisonment.
The sessions court held also held six others, including Islam alias Noju, guilty of committing dacoity at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat on March 14, 2015. Gopal Sarkar, a resident of North 24 Parganas district, was found guilty of criminal conspiracy and sheltering the gang from Bangladesh, Hindustan Times reported.
Judge Kumkum Singha said the “incident is particularly shameful for the people of West Bengal, a state where persons such as Sister Nivedita and Mother Teresa have worked. He also noted that the victim, a missionary nun, was an aged woman who was working for the welfare of the people.
According to the complaint lodged by the church authorities, a gang of seven to eight men ransacked the church between 2 to 5am on March 14, 2015 and took away cash, camera, computers.
The men were caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the campus of the Convent of Jesus and Mary High School.
8-11-17
Pope Francis begins new series of general audiences on the Eucharist 8-11-17
At the Weekly General Audience on 8 November Pope Francis began a new series of catecheses focussing on the Eucharist. Here is the summary of his discourse:
Today begins a new series of catecheses devoted to the Eucharist. The Mass is the very “heart” of the Church and the source of her life. At every celebration of Mass, our lives, offered in union with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, become, in him, an offering of praise and thanksgiving pleasing to the Father, for the salvation of the world. The liturgical renewal called for by Second Vatican Council sought to help the faithful understand more fully and share more fruitfully in the Eucharist. At Mass, Jesus becomes truly present and allows us in some way, like the Apostle Thomas, to touch his flesh and renew our faith in him.
‘Causes of Saints’ of Pope John Paul I and others 8-11-17
On 8 November Pope Francis’ approved of the “heroic virtue” of Albino Luciani, declaring him “Venerable” – a step before beatification.
On the same day the Pope recognized 2 martyrdoms, of Giovanni Brenner,a priest slain in Hungary in 1957 and of a religious sister Leonella Sgorbati (née Rosa) killed in Somalia in 2006 after Pope Benedict’s famed Regensburg address. These martyrs can be beatified.
The ‘heroic virtue’ of Blessed Bernardo of Baden, Marquis of Baden, d. in1458 in Moncalieri, Italy was approved thus worthy to be declared a saint;
Pope Francis declared, along Pope John Paul I, five other servants of God venerable:
Gregorio Fioravanti (né Lodovico), priest of the Order of Friars Minor, (d. 1894); Tomás Morales Pérez, priest of the Society of Jesus, (d. 1994); Marcellino da Capradosso (né Giovanni Maoloni), layperson of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (d. 1909); and Teresa Fardella De Blasi, widow (d. 1957).
Maltese firm, sued by Vatican bank, files counter-claim 8-11-17
An investment company in Malta, sued by the Vatican bank for alleged misuse of funds, has filed a counter-suit, charging that the Vatican bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), suffered losses because of its own failure to adhere to the terms of an agreement. The suit by Futura Funds charges that the firm suffered damages because it was “caught between two factions in the IOR.”
Cardinal Müller: no exceptions to rule on Communion for divorced/remarried 8-11-17
In an interview with an Italian journal, Cardinal Gerhard Müller said that he did not intend to suggest that the Church might change her teaching on the inadmissibility of Communion for Catholics who are divorced and remarried. The German cardinal said that in his introduction to a new book by Rocco Buttiglione, he meant only to indicate that Amoris Laetitia must be read “In an orthodox way in the unity of Catholic tradition.”
Papal praise for Poland’s solidarity with persecuted Church 8-11-17
“Next Sunday (12 Nov. 2017), upon an initiative of the Polish Episcopal Conference and the Association Help to the Suffering Church, you will celebrate the 9th Day of Solidarity with the Persecuted Church, spiritually and materially supporting our brothers and sisters in the Middle East,” the Pope said at the end of his 8 Nov. general audience. “Thank you for this!”
DR Congo - The extension of Kabila's mandate has the support of the United States 8-11-17
According to the San Silvestro agreements, Kabila was to step down by the end of 2017, the year in which the presidential elections were to be held which initially were scheduled in December 2016. But the election commission CENI announced that the elections will be held on 23 December 2018. This was the outcome of the visit of US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.
"By proposing the expiration of 2018, Nikki Haley offered the Congolese authorities what they were expecting: a second year of power to President Kabila, whose second and last presidential mandate ended on 19 December 2016", says the Peace Network for Congo.
Turkmenistan - Announcing Christ means "leaving the door of our house open" 8-11-17
"We announce Jesus Christ with our closeness and our ministry, especially that of preaching. People welcome the Gospel with passion and the message that God is love.” This is what Fr. Andrzej Madej a Polish priest of the Oblates of the Immaculate and Superior of the "missio sui irus" of Turkmenistan, where he lives with his two confreres, Fr. Rafal Chilimoniuk and Fr. Pawl Szlacheta.
Today, explains Fr. Andrzej, "the Catholic community of Turkmenistan gathers in the Chapel of the Lord's Transfiguration, in the capital Ashgabat, and has about two hundred faithful". Prayer, Eucharist, charity are the three pillars on which the mission is based. “Announcing Christ in Turkmenistan means leaving the door of our home open not only for matters of faith but also for so many human relationships that we are establishing," Fr Madej says.
Indonesia - The Indonesian youth, ready to announce the Gospel and the "extraordinary missionary month" 8-11-17
"There is much enthusiasm among young Catholics in Indonesia: they are very happy for the proclamation of the extraordinary missionary month. Young people are the future and the hope of the mission. Young people from all over the world have to be ready and full of enthusiasm to serve the Church and society": says Fr. Antonio Haryanto, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission for youth. The priest was President of the Organizing Committee of the Asian Youth Day held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, last August. "To bring Jesus into every corner of the world, in their daily lives, with their passion and creativity also through new technologies - the Synod on Youth scheduled for October 2018 will be a stimulus for them."
Brazil - Synod for the Pan-Amazon region, a Tuyuka priest: "The Church promotes and enhances indigenous peoples" 8-11-17
"One of the goals of the extraordinary Synod for the Pan-Amazon region is to identify new ways for the evangelization of indigenous peoples in all the Pan-Amazon regions. However, many of these people do not know anything about this Synod, for concrete reasons: many communities live far from urban centers and have no access to information. The issue is worrying. With this Synod, the Church takes on an important, religious, political, ethical, and moral role in the defence of biodiversity, biomes, forests, mountains, lakes, living beings and differences among populations": declares Father Justino Sarmento Rezende, of the Tuyuka ethnic group.
Colombo cardinal wants govt to ban tutorial classes on Sundays 8-11-17
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo has called on the Sri Lankan government to ban tutorial classes on Sundays.
“I wrote to the president to ban tuition classes from 6.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. on Sundays,” said Cardinal Ranjith addressing a Catholic Teachers Day program at St. Joseph’s College Colombo on Nov. 3.
He said Christian children need also to attend Sunday school. The cardinal said Buddhist children also fail to go to the temple on Buddhist holy days due to tutorial classes.
Manila's poor protest ahead of ASEAN meeting 8-11-17
The urban poor in Manila have held various protests ahead of a scheduled Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) summit in the Philippines next week.
The protesters criticized the international meeting for its "undoubtedly anti-poor agenda" and raised alarm at the "inevitable profiteering of powerful countries from the reconstruction of Marawi. Close to 400,000 people were affected and millions of dollars worth of property were lost due to the five-month terrorist occupation of the southern Philippine city this year.
The urban poor group Kadamay also protested the visit of US President Donald Trump who will attend the regional summit in Manila.
Indonesian Christians join govt drive against drugs, pornography 8-11-17
Christian youths must become role models in a society where too many young people fall prey to drugs, pornography, and casual sex, Protestant leaders told a recent interdenominational meeting.
More than 400 Christian youths, including Catholics, attended the event to campaign about the “Dangers of Pornography and Drugs” organized by the Indonesian Bethel Church on Nov. 4 in Tangerang, Banten, about 30 kilometers west of Jakarta.
This is the first event held by the church, which claims 2.5 million followers throughout Indonesia, in response to a government call to religious institutions to campaign against the use of drugs among young people.
Pyrrhic victory for southern Indian fisherfolk 8-11-17
Fisherfolk on India's southern coast have called off their protest against an ongoing multi-billion seaport project after authorities promised to protect their homes and livelihoods.
Hundreds of affected people, mostly Catholic fisherfolk on the Arabian Sea coast, began protesting on Oct. 27, stalling the project's work. The disputed area marks the western border of Trivandrum Archdiocese in Kerala state.
The protest was halted Nov. 3 after district authorities promised to pay the compensation earlier announced by the government before the end of November, protest leaders said.
India convicts Bangladeshi national for raping elderly nun 8-11-17
Bangladesh ought to apologize to India for the crime of a Bangladeshi man convicted of raping a 71-year-old nun in India two years ago, says a church official.
The Bangladeshi Catholic bishops' official response came after a local court in Kolkata, in the neighboring Indian state of West Bengal convicted Nazrul Islam on Nov. 7 of raping the nun at her Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat on March 14, 2015.
Islam and five others, all illegal entrants from Bangladesh, were also convicted of armed robbery of the convent, about 30 kilometers from the India-Bangladesh border.
Philippine bishop says drugs bigger problem than killings 8-11-17
The incoming president of the Philippine Catholic bishops' conference has caused a stir by saying anti-drug proliferation efforts should take precedence over narcotics-related slayings in the country.
Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao said Filipinos should "push, inspire and not condemn" the country's police force "so they do better in their police work."
The bishop made the statement on Nov. 5 after celebrating a Mass offered to "save children from drugs" in the southern city of Davao. His statement came on the same day that Catholic Church leaders in Manila and Cebu led the observance of "Lord, Heal Our Land Sunday" to dramatize their call to stop drug-related killings.
Bishops describe requirements for true reconciliation 8-11-17
Justice and forgiveness must be part of any successful reconciliation process, said Latin American prelates at a recent international forum for peace held in South Korea.
Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez, the auxiliary bishop of San Salvador, told those attending the forum at the Seoul Major Seminary on Nov. 4 that preconditions are needed for successful reconciliation.
"To step on the way for true peace and life, we should focus on truth, justice and forgiveness," said Cardinal Chavez. "With these preconditions, we can purify memories that block us going further to a peaceful future," said the cardinal, who with Blessed Archbishop Oscar Romero, opposed a military dictatorship ruling El Salvador.
Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Sao Paulo, also said, forgiveness without justice is nothing.
9-11-17
Vatican to stop cigarette sales 9-11-17
Pope Francis has ordered a stop to cigarette sales at the Vatican.
Greg Burke, the director of the Vatican press office, announced on November 9 that that cigarette sales would be stopped, beginning in 2018, because “the Holy See cannot contribute to an activity that clearly damages the health of people.” He cited World Health Organization statistics showing that cigarettes contribute to the death of seven million people annually worldwide. Burke said, “no profit can be legitimate if it puts lives at risk.”
Papal encouragement for conference on Paul VI, justice and modernity 9-11-17
Pope Francis gave encouragement to the participants at the Conference “Paul VI, the Pope of modernity: justice among peoples and love for Italy”, organized on 8 November in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls.
The Pope reiterated Paul VI’s appeal, expressed in ‘Populorum Progressio’ encyclical: “for man's complete development and the development of all mankind” and the solidarity of mankind.
Pope names new officials of Congregation for Evangelization 9-11-17
Pope Francis has named Archbishop Protase Rugambwa as Secretary of the Congregation for Evangelization; and Msgr. Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso as adjunct Secretary of the same dicastery. Archbishop Rugambwa, a native of Tanzania and former Bishop of Kigoma, has been working in the same Congregation. Msgr. Dal Toso—who will assume the dignity of an archbishop—had been Secretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which has now been merged into the new dicastery for Integral Human Development.
French bishops meet, discuss reform of seminaries 9-11-17
The French bishops in their plenary meeting in Lourdes that ended on 8 Nov. decided to “move on with the reforms needed for seminaries” and define a “Ratio nationalis”, a guideline for the “integral training of seminarians.”
Archbishop Georges Pontier of Marseille announced this on 9 Nov. Reflecting on the response of the young people for Bishops’ synod, the Archbishop urged, “You are the present of our Church and the wealth of our society, and we call you to take your full place in our communities and to dare speak your faith.”
The bishops also talked “of the situation of Western Christians in a context of deep secularisation” where “you cannot exist without a life choice that breaks from those of the prevalent culture”.
German bishops speak out against proposal to open stores on Christmas Eve 9-11-17
In Germany, the Catholic Church rejects the idea that shops may be kept open on Christmas Eve, which is a Sunday this year. The German Bishops Conference rejects it, “based on the applicable laws on Sundays and the protection of holidays”, the spokesperson, Matthias Kopp, said to the German Catholic news agency Kna. “For last-minute shopping, we will have all the week before that and the Saturday,” he said.
Businesses invited to join the fight against modern slavery 9-11-17
In the UK, since its launch last month, the ‘Evening Standard’ and ‘Independent’ special investigation into modern slavery ‘Slaves On Our Streets’ has had overwhelmingly positive response from readers, authoprities and businesses alike. The investigation is backed by Cardinal Vincent, Prime Minister Justin Welby and others. As a next step, the ‘Evening Standard’ and ‘Independent’ will focus on work being done by businesses across UK and further afield.
Businesses with a total turnover of 36 million pounds as well as others who do not have a statutory duty are now being invited to sign up a pledge to demonstrate their commitment to combating the evil of modern slavery.
Truce between Colombian government, ELN ‘at serious risk’ 9-11-17
Despite warning a ceasefire in Colombia is at "serious risk" of collapse, the leader of the country's last rebel group says it will respect the truce until its New Year expiry date.
The National Liberation Army, or ELN, began the historic truce with Colombia's armed forces on October 1, after half a century of fighting. The initial ceasefire is to last until January 9, as peace talks between the two sides continue.
Colombia’s other main rebel movement, the FARC’s majority have disarmed and formed a political party.
China - Chinese Academy of Social Sciences pays tribute to the missionary martyrs of the "massacre of Zhengding Church" 9-11-17
Many missionaries present in China at the time of the Japanese attack witnessed a great love for the Chinese people, to the point of being killed in an atrocious manner, while defending Chinese women and children from the violence of soldier invaders. The significant recognition comes from scholars and professors of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). The statement that those Catholic missionaries carried out such gesture of free oblation, only because of their Christian faith, also comes from the academics of the largest historical and social research centre in the People's Republic of China, think tank of the government of Beijing. The great appreciation of Chinese scholars emerged from the works of the conference organized on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the so-called "Massacre of Zhengding Church."
Lebanon - Lebanese crisis, Maronite Patriarch meets President Aoun. His trip to Riyadh into question 9-11-17
While the entire Lebanese institutional system is shaken by the resignation of Sunni Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Lebanese President Michel Aoun received Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai on 8 November at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. From the meeting useful signs to clarify the outlines of a crisis could emerge, and also to understand whether the announced visit that Patriarch Rai was to carry out in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Saudi authorities, will be confirmed, postponed or canceled.
India - Cardinal Cleemis announces Bishops’ assembly 9-11-17
Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) announcing the next plenary Assembly of the Indian Bishops, to be held in Bangalore from 1 to 9 January 2018, and inviting Indian Catholics to free themselves from the "minority complex" and rediscover their baptismal mission.
As reported by Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference, the CBCI assembly will focus on the theme: "United in diversity, for a mission of mercy and testimony", while the reflection based on Jesus’ words "Behold, I am with you always until the end of the age" (Mt 28:20).
"We are a small percentage in the population of this immense country - notes Cardinal Cleemis - but we must not be alarmed. We persevere in supporting the country's democratic and secular approach and promoting the relevance of the Constitution", as a charter that guarantees everyone's rights.”
Argentina - A church burned and smeared: why? 9-11-17
The Church of San Isidro Labrador in Santiago del Estero was set on fire on Sunday morning November 5, the flames causing total destruction of the sacristy, to the sound equipment and other objects and furnishings. Papaers, documents and books were scattered.
Expressing pain and consternation for the crime, the Bishops call on the authorities to clarify what happened: "What are the reasons that led to the destruction of religious goods that belong to everyone and offend the religious feeling of our people?"
On the morning of November 7 in the town of Crespo, province of Entre Rios, the facade of the parish of Nuestra Señora del Rosario was smeared with offensive writings by same-sex marriage promoters.
Bolivia - Education and shelter for street children in Santa Cruz de la Sierra 9-11-17
Oikia project in Niños de Bolivia is assisting for over 10 years marginalized and abandoned street children. Oikia, a project of Ayuda Association with which Fr Cervantes Gabarrón is involved, is an answer to the plight of the street children in the Bolivian outskirts of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, many of whom are likely to become street children where violence is a daily fact.
In order to cope with this phenomenon, Father Cervantes Gabarrón, a diocesan missionary in the parish of Cristo Misionero of the Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, has been involved in the Oikía project, a centre created by the Ayuda Association in los Niños de Bolivia,
Oikía, which means home, is simply a reception home as well as an educational institute. The priest of the Cristo Misionero parish of the archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra archdiocese says that in the night centre young children have dinner, sleep and have breakfast; the day centre is a cultural centre as well as a school where children learn to read and write and they can also complete primary school. The carpentry workshop offers professional training, and children learn to build educational games that are then sold.
Pakistan to mint new coins in honour of Catholic nun 9-11-17
Pakistan will issue 50, 000 commemorative coins in honour of German-born Catholic nun and physician Sister Ruth Martha Pfau who dedicated her life to eradicating leprosy in the country.
Known as Pakistan’s Mother Teresa, Sister Pfau died in Karachi on Aug. 10 at the age of 87. She was given a state funeral, an honour normally reserved for heads of state and soldiers.
Vietnam church to be rebuilt half-century after destruction 9-11-17
A diocese in northern Vietnam, after years of dialogue with the government, has begun construction of a church dedicated to Dominican martyrs replacing the ruins of an earlier one destroyed during a US air raid in 1967.
Bishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hai Phong celebrated a special Mass on Nov. 6, attended by 7,000 people, to begin the construction of the new church at the Hai Duong Martyrs Shrine in Hai Duong City, some 60 kilometers southeast of Hanoi.
The feast day for the four martyrs, among 117 Vietnamese martyrs who were canonized on June 19, 1988 by St. Pope John Paul II, is observed by the diocese on Nov. 6.
10-11-17
Nuclear weapons inherently immoral, Pope says 10-11-17
Pope Francis issued an unmistakable condemnation of nuclear weapons on November 10, declaring that “the threat of their use, as well as their very possession, is to be firmly condemned.”
The Pope made this clear statement in an address to participants in a two-day conference on nuclear disarmament, being hosted at the Vatican by the dicastery for Integral Human Development. The conference has drawn an impressive group of participants, including eleven Nobel Prize winners and diplomatic representatives from the UN, the European Union, NATO, and the world’s leading political powers.
In his remarks the Pope denounced even the possession of nuclear weapons for their deterrent effect, saying that the presence of such weapons creates “a climate of instability and conflict” and a “mentality of fear.” He also mentioned the possibility of accidental detonation, with catastrophic effects.
Orthodox faithful split on reconciliation with Rome 10-11-17
The world’s Orthodox believers are almost evenly split on whether or not it is desirable to reconcile with the Catholic Church, according to a new international study by Pew Research. Among survey respondents, 35% favored reconciliation with Rome, 31% opposed it, and 38% were undecided or declined to answer.
The survey found broad support among Orthodox believers for the married priesthood, and opposition to the ordination of women as priests.
Chinese regime recognizes ‘underground’ bishop 10-11-17
Bishop Joseph Han Zhihai of Lanzhou, China, who had previously been recognized by the Holy See but not by the Beijing regime, has been formally installed as a bishop of the “official” Church. All of the bishops who joined in the installation ceremony were recognized by the Vatican.
Cardinal Bo appeals for reconciliation and rebuilding in Myanmar 10-11-17
Myanmar’s Cardinal Charles Bo has appealed for reconciliation and rebuilding the nation by figting chronic poverty and suffering affecting the people, especially the youth, without resorting to hate speech.
Cardinal Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, in his appeal has also urged the international community to understand the situation of his country that is facing multiple challenges in its long journey towards peace and justice after 6 decades under harsh military rule. “No religion promotes hate speech,” the cardinal particularly reminded the religious leaders, inviting them to use the Buddhist concepts of "Metta" ("loving kindness) and "Karuna" ("compassion for others").
Joint Catholic-Muslim conference issues statement affirming religious freedom 10-11-17
A conference of Catholic and Muslim scholars has issued a joint statement affirming the dignity of all human persons and the paramount right to religious freedom. The conference was held this week in Berkeley, California, under the joint sponsorship of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue and the Muslim group, chaired by Jordan’s Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, that produced the “open letter” to Pope Benedict XVI calling for dialogue.
Kenya - Bishops launch a National Dialogue Forum while the political crisis risks making the country explode 10-11-17
"The Country is now threatened with disintegration and conflict, if the situation witnessed currently is anything to go by. This is why we have announced to organize a National Dialogue Forum, with the aim of bringing all sectors of the Kenyan society together and find a way out". This is what the Bishops of Kenya announced in a statement published at the end of their plenary assembly which concluded on November 9 in Nakuru.
The political and social situation in the country remains tense after the controversial presidential elections of October 26, which were invalidated by the Supreme Court.
The Bishops also complain about "the violence and police brutality reported in various parts of the country" and criticize:"Political leaders have polarized the Country even more, with an attitude of chest thumbing and grandstanding."
Egypt - New jihadist threats against Copts: they must be eliminated because they build churches, evangelize, do not respect the Sharia 10-11-17
Coptic Christians in Egypt do not accept the condition of submission imposed on Christians in Islamic societies: they continue to build churches and even promote television networks to spread the Christian proclamation. This is why they must be attacked as "infidel fighters", and their churches must be blown up. This is, in short, the message of instigation: to carry out new violence against Egyptian Copts contained in a dossier widespread these days by the Wafa Media Foundation, a jihadist propaganda body considered affiliated to the network of the Islamic State (Daesh).
In 2017 alone, Jihadist terrorism committed three massacres on Coptic Christians, as well as several murders. On April 9, Palms Sunday, attacks were carried out on two Coptic churches - one in Tanta region and one in Alexandria - causing 45 deaths and more than 130 wounded. On May 26, a terrorist assault against a coach of pilgrims in the governorate of Minya caused the death of 28 Copts.
Indonesia - Christians in Indonesia are "a creative minority, committed to unity" 10-11-17
"As Christians in Indonesia we are a minority, but we must be a creative minority capable of promoting the Pancasila (the five basic principles of the nation), as well as correctly presenting our identity of good Catholic citizens": said Fr. Felix Supranto, priest of the Congregation for the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS CC), introducing the theme of the 6 to 16 November Plenary Assembly of Indonesian Bishops, in Jakarta: "To become a relevant and significant Church: the Church's call to purify the world".
He said the first three days of study will analyse the present political momentum and ways to promote the participation of Catholics in public life. A Christian leader Jeirry Sumampaw, representative of the Communion of Indonesian Churches, wanted the Catholic bishops, in the context of the weak observance of Pancasila principles, to help members of their respective communities so that they "are not only spectators of this process but are active supporters of the values of the Charter".
Alisa Rahman Wahid, the eldest daughter of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, noting a wide-spread increase in violence "We need the stronger role of religious leaders, especially in responding to predictable unexpected situations."
Indian bishops prefer tribal people over elephants 10-11-17
Catholic bishops have joined indigenous people in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand to oppose a planned corridor for wild life as it threatens to displace thousands of people in 214 villages.
The government has identified 296 hectares of land plans to build a "wild life corridor" for elephants over four districts in the state. The government needs to acquire land to create the corridor. This is part of a tourism promotion plan that will bring great income to the government.
Media reported how elephants who strayed into villages alongside the forest killed an average of 59 people every year in the past decade.
Bishop Vincent Barwa of Simdega, who is based in Jharkhand and who heads the Indian bishops' office for indigenous people,, said the plan is difficult for people to understand "because on one hand the government claims to be acting to protect the forest and tribal people, but on the other it moves to displace them." 25,000 people will be evicted by this plan. The promised compensation will never reach them as history shows.
11-11-17
Eritrea - “Let us pray for the persecuted Church in Eritrea” appeal bishops of Eastern Africa 11-11-17
We must continue to pray for the Church in Eritrea which continues to be persecuted, with the government confiscating church property, blocking the construction of churches and even threatening the very existence of the Church – said the secretary general of the Association of Members of Bishops’ Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA). Fr Ferdinand Lugonzo adds that five seminarians and in prison, apparently for reasons connected with military service.
A delegation of AMECEA made a solidarity-visit to Eritrea from 30 October to 5 November. They even met civil leaders. They exhorted all the religious communities to try to work in harmony for the common good. They noted that Church is working in trying circumstances.
They discussed with the authorities the denial of permission to build churches and even residences for priests and religious because of “external factors.”
Pakistan – Bishops: Free and just elections to build a cohesive and inclusive democracy 11-11-17
As general elections are due in 2018, Pakistan’s bishops have said that people are waiting with anxiety their participation in the next election which will reinforce democratic process – it must be transparent as never before. This they said at the end of their November 9-10 Plenary Assembly at Lahore. They call for a totally free and impartial electoral commission and the people to choose a government that will function with integrity. The choice of candidates from religious minority is not to be left to political parties which make them contest in reserved seats. This will not allow true representation of the minority communities, they say, but will only perpetuate unjust system.
India – Church by the side of Dalits – Observance of Dalit Liberation Sunday on 12 Nov. 11-11-17
“The Dalit Liberation Sunday is a call to the entire Christian community in India to renew out total support to the Dalit community. We must remain close to those who are exploited, pushed to the margins and discriminated in soviety. I have requested all the Christian churches and the Christians to celebrate the Dalit Liberated Sunday to show our solidarity with our Dalit brothers and sisters.”
These are the words of Bishop Antonisamy Neethinathan of Chingleput, Tamilnadu, and the president of the Indian Bishops’ (CBCI) Office for disadvantaged castes and tribes, in the context of the CBCI’s declaration of Dalit Liberation Sunday for Sunday 12 November.
12-11-17
Pope at Angelus: 'charity fuels faith making it fruitful and credible'; Spanish martyrs
Pope Francis told the faithful on Sunday that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be ready to meet with the Lord.
Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus prayer, the Pope, drawing a lesson from the parable of the ten virgins the Pope said one must not wait for “the last moment of our lives to collaborate with God’s grace: you must do it now!”. ‘Staying awake’ does not mean only not to fall asleep: it is an exhortation to be prepared, he said.
We know, he continued that “the Lord may come at any time, but even the slumber of death will not scare us if we have a supply of oil that we have accumulated through good works every day”.
After the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled the beatification ceremony that took place in Madrid on Saturday during which Vicente Queralt LLoret and 20 of his martyred companions and José Maria Fernández Sánchez and 38 of his martyred companions were proclaimed blessed.
“They were all killed in hatred for the faith during the religious persecution that took place during the 1936 – 1937 Spanish Civil War” he said.
Pope Francis concluded giving thanks to God for the great gift of these witnesses of Christ and of the Gospel.
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