Catholic News 2
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Doubling down on its public break with the Obama administration, a furious Israeli government on Tuesday said it had received "ironclad" information from Arab sources that Washington actively helped craft last week's U.N. resolution declaring Israeli settlements illegal....
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Donald Trump cannot move ahead with his plan to dismantle his charitable foundation because state prosecutors are probing whether the president-elect personally benefited from its spending, the New York attorney general's office said Tuesday....
Indian priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted from Yemen, was seen begging for life in a video uploaded on social media, a day after Christmas. The priest appears very weak and at times was gasping for breath in the 5.06 minutes video. In the video, he is seen appealing to Pope Francis, the Indian government as well as other governments to secure his release from his captors.Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Ramapuram in Kerala's Kottayam District, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden.The veracity of the video uploaded on YouTube and Facebook , or the period when it was shot could not be independently verified. However, relatives of the priest confirmed that it was indeed the priest who appears in the video. "Father is clearly shown in the video. He appears to be very weak and is gasping for breath while talking. He needs immediate medic...
Indian priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted from Yemen, was seen begging for life in a video uploaded on social media, a day after Christmas. The priest appears very weak and at times was gasping for breath in the 5.06 minutes video. In the video, he is seen appealing to Pope Francis, the Indian government as well as other governments to secure his release from his captors.
Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Ramapuram in Kerala's Kottayam District, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden.
The veracity of the video uploaded on YouTube and Facebook , or the period when it was shot could not be independently verified. However, relatives of the priest confirmed that it was indeed the priest who appears in the video. "Father is clearly shown in the video. He appears to be very weak and is gasping for breath while talking. He needs immediate medical care," said Augustine Mathew, a cousin of the priest who is also the General Secretary of Uzhunnalil Family Association (Kudumbayogam).
The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, in a statement issued on Tuesday, has insisted on its continuous efforts to seek Fr. Tom’s release as well as the numerous appeals for prayers.
The priest sounds dejected for lack of efforts to save him. "If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value," says the 59-year-old. "Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating," he says. He claimed his captors have made many contacts with the Government of India, President and Prime Minister.
"I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard," he said. "Reports have been there in the news that everything is being done to release me quickly. But in reality nothing seem to have happened. I am very sad and depressed. I request also my fellow Christians in India, the Bishops and priests, to do their might to help me to get released and save my life," he added.
Father Uzhunnalil also cited the incident of a French reporter abducted in the Middle East, who was later released. "I am from India and not considered. Dear people, I pray you all, ask you all, beg you all to do your might to help me to save my life. I need hospitalisation soon. Please come to my help quickly," he said.
The family members were unsure about what to do in this hour of crisis. "Father is thinking that the government has not done anything to rescue him," said Augustine Mathew.
The Union Government has said efforts are being made to secure Uzhunnalil's release, but such attempts take time. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had informed Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen. Swaraj had said it takes more time to secure release of people who are held captive and asked the MPs to keep "faith" in government's efforts to trace the abducted priest.
"I have seen the video from Father Tom. He is an Indian citizen and the life of every Indian is most precious for us... We will spare no effort to secure Father Tom's release from captivity," Swaraj tweeted on Monday morning.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia on Tuesday, has issued a statement, saying “the features of the person speaking in the video bear a close likeness to Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil SDB. However the source of the video, the date of its creation and the circumstances under which it was recorded are unknown. “
“Even though we have no information about Fr. Tom’s present whereabouts, we have strong indications to believe that he is still alive,” the statement says.
The Vicariate has also insisted that “since the day of the abduction of Fr. Tom, the Church has made countless appeals from the highest levels to secure his release as well as made concrete efforts by way of working in close collaboration with both international and local diplomatic channels.”
Pope Francis had made a heartfelt appeal to the kidnappers to release Fr. Tom on Sunday April 10, 2016, “In the hope given us by the Risen Christ, I renew my appeal for the liberation of all persons seized in areas of armed conflict: in particular, I desire to remember the Salesian priest, Tom Uzhunnalil, kidnapped at Aden in Yemen this past March 4,” he had said.
Bishop Paul Hinder, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, is in touch with the different channels who are working and are leading the dialogues to secure a safe release. The statement added that more details could not be disclosed at this stage.
The Bishop has led constant calls for prayer throughout the Churches in the Vicariate for Fr. Tom and the few handful of remaining Christians in the country.
During the Christmas Mass on the midnight of the 25th of December 2016, the Bishop and the tens of thousands gathered at the Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph’s Abu Dhabi, prayed in silence for the safety of Fr. Tom.
Throughout the world there have been numerous appeals, calls to action and raising up of prayers from the day Fr. Tom was kidnapped. The Salesian Congregation to which he belongs and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India have been in touch with government channels. Numerous pious associations and groups throughout the world have called for and organized prayer vigils and other demonstrations of public support.
(Source: Times of India, Matters India)
The President-elect of Gambia, Adama Barrow has broadcast a goodwill message to Christians in Gambia and prayed for peace and peaceful transition in Gambia. The message was published on Youtube.“Today is Christmas Day. It is a day of thanksgiving and prayers for Christians all over the world and a day of solidarity from Muslims, in particular, and all peace loving people. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all peace loving people a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.In his Christmas message, Barrow has urged Gambians to pray for a peaceful transition in the troubled nation where the incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh has refused to hand over executive power when his tenure officially ends in January 2017.“I am now the President-elect. I should assume office when the term of office of the incumbent expires on 19 January 2017. I do not want to preside over a country that is not at peace with itself. Hence, I am calling on all peace loving Gambians ...
The President-elect of Gambia, Adama Barrow has broadcast a goodwill message to Christians in Gambia and prayed for peace and peaceful transition in Gambia. The message was published on Youtube.
“Today is Christmas Day. It is a day of thanksgiving and prayers for Christians all over the world and a day of solidarity from Muslims, in particular, and all peace loving people. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all peace loving people a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.
In his Christmas message, Barrow has urged Gambians to pray for a peaceful transition in the troubled nation where the incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh has refused to hand over executive power when his tenure officially ends in January 2017.
“I am now the President-elect. I should assume office when the term of office of the incumbent expires on 19 January 2017. I do not want to preside over a country that is not at peace with itself. Hence, I am calling on all peace loving Gambians to advocate, pray and work for a peaceful transfer of Executive power, for the first time in our history since Independence. If the colonialists could peacefully hand over Executive power in accordance with the dictates of the people of the Gambia, we the citizens should be able to show a better example to our children,” Barrow said in his message.
Barrow has also said, under his presidency, he would ensure that the Gambia remains a secular, democratic sovereign country. This is contrary to President Jammeh’s intentions to turn Gambia into an Islamic state.
“I would like to conclude by assuring you that I will spare no effort to ensure that The Gambia remains a Secular, Democratic, Sovereign country which would protect the right of each Gambian to hold and practice the religion or creed of one’s choice without any hindrance or discrimination,” Barrow reassured.
Recently at the 50th summit of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Nigeria and attended by 11 heads of state, members called “for a swift resolution of the political impasse in The Gambia after disputed elections in which long-term president Yahya Jammeh is refusing to concede defeat.”
(Fr. Paul Samasumo, VR)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to young people from the ecumenical community of Taize, who are participating in a European Meeting of Young Adults taking place in Riga, Latvia, from 28 December to 1 January. It is the first time a European Meeting is taking place in a Baltic State.The Holy Father’s letter to the young people said dwelt especially on the virtue of hope. “The Pope is particularly close to you,” it said, “because he has often called you to not let anyone rob you of your hope.”Pope Francis thanked them for leaving there “comfortable homes” to take part in the meeting in Riga. Their participation, he said, shows that they desire to be “protagonists of history,” and their desire to not let others determine their future. He encouraged them “to stand firm in hope by letting the Lord live in your hearts and your daily lives,” saying, “with Jesus, the faithful friend who never disappoin...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to young people from the ecumenical community of Taize, who are participating in a European Meeting of Young Adults taking place in Riga, Latvia, from 28 December to 1 January. It is the first time a European Meeting is taking place in a Baltic State.
The Holy Father’s letter to the young people said dwelt especially on the virtue of hope. “The Pope is particularly close to you,” it said, “because he has often called you to not let anyone rob you of your hope.”
Pope Francis thanked them for leaving there “comfortable homes” to take part in the meeting in Riga. Their participation, he said, shows that they desire to be “protagonists of history,” and their desire to not let others determine their future. He encouraged them “to stand firm in hope by letting the Lord live in your hearts and your daily lives,” saying, “with Jesus, the faithful friend who never disappoints, you will be able to walk along the path toward the future with joy, and devote your talents and abilities to the good of all.”
Precisely because so many people feel that discouraged by violence and suffering, and believe that evil is “stronger than anything,” Pope Francis invited to the young people “to show in your words and deeds that evil is not the last word in our history.”
Pope Francis expressed his hope that the meeting in Riga would help young people to not be afraid of their limits, but “to grow in trust in Jesus, who believes and hopes in you.” Invoking the simplicity of Brother Roger, the founder of the Taize community, he prayed that they young people might “build bridges of friendship and make visible the love with which God loves us.
Below, please find the full text of Pope Francis’ letter to the young people of the Taize community who are meeting in Riga:
Dear young people,
Coming from every part of Europe, and from a number of other continents, several thousand of you have gathered in Riga, Latvia, for the 39th meeting organized and led by the Taizé Community. With the theme of bearing witness to hope that will be at the heart of your reflection and prayers, Pope Francis is particularly close to you because he has often called you to not let anyone rob you of your hope. During the WYD prayer vigil in Kraków he strongly emphasized this essential reality of the Christian faith: “At the moment when the Lord calls us, he looks at all that we might be able to do, all the love we are capable of sharing. He always wagers on the future, on tomorrow. Jesus urges you on toward the horizon, never toward the museum” (30 July 2016).
The Holy Father thanks you for choosing to leave your comfortable homes to live out this pilgrimage of trust in response to the call of God’s Spirit.
Young Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic Christians, by these days lived in real fraternity you manifest your desire to be protagonists of history and not let others decide your future. The Pope encourages you to stand firm in hope by letting the Lord live in your hearts and your daily lives. With Jesus, the faithful friend who never disappoints, you will be able to walk along the path toward the future with joy and devote your talents and abilities for the good of all.
Today, many people are disconcerted and discouraged by violence, injustice, suffering and divisions. They have the impression that evil is stronger than anything. Therefore, Pope Francis invites you to show in your words and deeds that evil is not the last word in our history. For “it is the time of mercy for each and all, since no one can think that he or she is cut off from God’s closeness and the power of his tender love” (Apostolic Letter, Misericordia and Misera, section 21).
The Pope hopes that these days that bring you together in Riga will help you not to be afraid of your limits but to grow in trust in Jesus, the Christ and Lord, who believes and hopes in you. May you, in the simplicity to which Brother Roger bore witness, build bridges of friendship and make visible the love with which God loves us.
From the depths of his heart, the Holy Father gives you his blessing, to you young people participating in this meeting, to the Brothers of Taizé, and to all the people who welcome you in Riga and the surrounding region.
LONDON (AP) -- There's something rotten in Baker Street....
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- The Palestinian President said Tuesday that he hopes the upcoming Mideast conference in France will set a timetable to end settlements, as Israel advances plans for thousands of new homes in parts of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians, despite the recent U.N. Security Council resolution condemning construction there....
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota President Eric Kaler stepped behind the podium and began to speak, a crisis averted after seven Golden Gophers football players announced that the team would not boycott the upcoming Holiday Bowl against Washington State because 10 of their teammates had been suspended in a sexual assault case....
NEW YORK (AP) -- The sight of two men holding hands is far from uncommon, but a mural of two men doing just that is showing up in an unusual place - on the walls of a new subway station in New York City....
