Catholic News 2

Ethiopia will host the 19th AMECEA Plenary that is to take place on July 2018 under the theme “Vibrant Diversity, Equal Dignity, Peaceful Unity in God in the AMECEA Region”.

On December 17, 2016 the Ethiopian Catholic Church in the presence of all the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia, H.G. Archbishop Luigi Bianco Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia, representatives of CMRS and Catholic institutions in Ethiopia and partner organizations launched the theme and Logo of the Plenary in Addis Ababa.

During the launching event H.Em. Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M., Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, President of CBCE and Chairman of AMECEA said Ethiopia is eagerly waiting to receive her guests coming to attend the 19th AMECEA Plenary.

“Ethiopia has many assets and social values we can share with our brothers and sisters in the AMECEA region and the rest of the world, the plenary would create for us an opportunity to do this, in the mean time it will also give us the chance to learn from cultures and experiences of our guests during their stay,” said the Cardinal.

His Eminence added Ethiopia is a country with years of experiences hosting international conferences therefore even though it is the first time for the Ethiopian Catholic Church to host AMECEA Plenary, the Church is confident it will be organized successfully.

“We will be working hand in hand with all our faithful, the government, other religious institutions mainly the inter-religious council of Ethiopia, Partners and all people of goodwill in preparation for the plenary, our country has a great culture tolerance, cooperation and mutual respect among people of different religions, cultures and ethnic groups so we will be welcoming AMECEA not just as the Catholic Church in Ethiopia but as one people of Ethiopia,” explained Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M.

The Logo of the plenary is designed by a religious sister named Sr. Mary Joachim, working in Ethiopia as missionary who gave a detailed explanation of what the symbols mean at the launching event. At the end of ceremony Cardinal Berhaneyesus, C.M., gave all the Bishops of Ethiopia and the His Grace Archbishop Luingi Bianco a candle with Logo of the Plenary printed on it asking them to reconfirm their commitment to the task of hosting the 19th Plenary of AMECEA.

Addis Ababa being the seat of the African Union Commission and other international organizations successfully hosts many international conferences every year. The city is equipped with adequate accommodations, well built infrastructure, commendable security, welcoming weather and a hospitable society.  

By Makeda Yohannes
Social Communications and PR Department
Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appealed to all people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to be artisans of reconciliation and peace. 

The Pope’s heartfelt appeal came at the end of his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Hall.

Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:

Remarking on the fact that he has recently met with the President and Vice President of the Bishops’ Conference of the DRC, Francis said “I renew my heartfelt appeal to all Congolese so that in this delicate moment of their history, may they be artisans of reconciliation and peace”.

“May those, the Pope continued,  who are in positions of political responsibility listen to the voice of their conscience, learn to see the cruel sufferings of their fellow citizens and have at heart the common good”.

The Pope assured the beloved people of  DRC of his support and love, and he invited them to let themselves be guided by the light of the Redeemer of the world.

“I pray that the birth of the Lord may open paths of hope” he said.

The Pope's appeal came as political violence flares in the DRC. 

UN officials say over 20 people have been killed in rencent hours in clashes between protesters and security forces in the capital, Kinshasa, over President Joseph Kabila's failure to give up power.

Kabila's 15-year rule was due to have ended on Monday at midnight, but has been extended to 2018. The President's main rival said the refusal to give up power amounted to a coup.

The electoral commission cancelled elections that were scheduled for last month, citing logistical and financial difficulties in organising them.

Kabila has now formed a 74-member transitional government to lead the vast central African state until elections are held in 2018.

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(Vatican Radio)  Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See, told the UN Security Council ‘the biggest single factor that facilitates trafficking in persons is war and armed conflict’.

His words came on Tuesday in an address to the Open Debate on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Trafficking in persons in conflict situations.

Archbishop Auza said that human trafficking is of utmost importance for the Holy See.

“People of goodwill, whatever their religious beliefs, can never allow women, children and men to be treated merely as objects, to be deceived, violated, often sold and resold for profit, leaving them devastated in mind and body only to be finally eliminated or abandoned. Such treatment is shameful and barbaric. It must be condemned unequivocally.”

He also said the problem requires “the collaboration of many United Nations agencies, the cooperation of regional, national and local governments and the admirable work on the ground of civil society organizations, in particular of faith-based and faith-inspired organizations and groups.”

In conclusion, Archbishop Auza said, “If the fight against trafficking in persons is to be effective, the International Community must unite in the common commitment to bring an end to fighting, hatred and violence, and to pursue peace and reconciliation.”

Please find below the text of Archbishop Auza’s address:

New York, 20 December 2016

Mr. President, The Holy See is grateful that the Presidency of the Kingdom of Spain has brought this very important subject of trafficking in persons in conflict situations to the deliberation of this Council and to the attention of the International Community. For the Holy See, this issue of trafficking in persons is of pre-eminent importance. People of goodwill, whatever their religious beliefs, can never allow women, children and men to be treated merely as objects, to be deceived, violated, often sold and resold for profit, leaving them devastated in mind and body only to be finally eliminated or abandoned. Such treatment is shameful and barbaric. It must be condemned unequivocally. The full force of the law must be brought to bear upon those who commit such crimes. Mr. President, The Holy See notes that the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of measures to counter trafficking in persons (5/2016/949) contains a wealth of statistics and highlights the many issues that are involved in this villainous practice. The report clearly shows the complexity of trafficking in persons as an international phenomenon and illustrates the multifaceted nature of the problem, whose resolution will require the collaboration of many United Nations agencies, the cooperation of regional, national and local governments and the admirable work on the ground of civil society organizations, in particular of faith-based and faith-inspired organizations and groups. Pope Francis, who has made the fight against trafficking in persons and other forms of modern slavery a high priority, passionately affirmed:

“Every person and all people are equal and their freedom and dignity must be recognized. Any discriminatory relationship that does not respect the fundamental conviction that the ‘other is like me myself’ constitutes a crime, and very often an abhorrent crime. That is why we declare in the name ofall people and of everyone of our own Creed that modern slavery — in the form of human trafficking, forced labour, prostitution or the trafficking of organs — is a crime “against humanity”. Its victims are from every walk of life, but most are found among the poorest and the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. In the name of those who are calling our communities to action and who, without exception, reject completely every systematic privation of individual liberty for reasons of personal or commercial exploitation, in their name we make this declaration.”

There are many causes and factors that aid and abet contemporary forms of slavery like trafficking in persons. Among these are poverty, underdevelopment and exclusion, especially when combined with a lack of access to education or scarce, even non-existent, employment opportunities. With widespread corruption and unrestrained greed robbing the human person of a dignified life, the Holy See wishes to add narcotics trafficking to the list of crimes accompanying human trafficking, along with money laundering, the arms trade and child prostitution. Mr. President, At present, the biggest single factor that facilitates trafficking in persons is war and armed conflict. Trafficking in persons is flourishing alongside today’s refugee and migrant crisis, which has been primarily provoked by wars and conflicts. Since human choices provoke conflicts and wars, it is well within our power and responsibility to address this root cause that drives millions to become refugees, highly vulnerable to human traffickers. If the fight against trafficking in persons is to be effective, the International Community must unite in the common commitment to bring an end to fighting, hatred and violence, and to pursue peace and reconciliation. The Holy See remains firmly convinced that the way to resolve open questions must be that of diplomacy and dialogue. The Holy See encourages the Security Council to continue fighting against the scourge of trafficking in persons, primarily through preventing and ending armed conflicts. The challenge that trafficking in persons poses is immense, urging all to assume their respective responsibilities and collaborate with one another. The Holy See is committed to playing its part in meeting this challenge.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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(Vatican Radio) During his last General Audience before Christmas, Pope Francis on Wednesday met with a delegation of Roman bakers. To mark the occasion they gave the Pope a sculpture of bread in the shape of a crib made by master baker Fabio Albanesi.

The edible work was presented by Mr Albanesi and the coordinator of the bakers of Rome, Giancarlo Giambarresi.

Speaking about the meeting and the gift, the National President of the Association of Bakers, Davide Trombini said, "it is a very significant event for the bakers of Rome in an important moment in the life of the city and the country which is facing many issues related to ongoing economic difficulties and coexistence: with this initiative the bakers want to affirm the importance of welcome and solidarity towards others which is the most important message that comes to us from the impending celebration of Christmas.”

In June this year the Association distributed bread to the pilgrims in St Peter’s Square as part of the Jubilee of Mercy celebrations.

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Pope Francis on Wednesday appointed Fr. Samuel Sidin Oton, O.F.M. Cap, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Tebet, Jakarta the new Bishop of Sintang Diocese in Indonesia.

Fr. Samuel was born on Dec 12, 1954 in Pontianak. After his training at the Minor Seminay of  Nyarukop he entered the Order of Capuchin Friars in 1977 and completed his Philosophical and Theological studies at the Inter-diocesan Major Seminary of Pematangsiantar in Medan (Sumatra).  He made his perpetual vows on July 18, 1982 and was ordained a priest on July 1, 1984. 

After ordination he held the following positions:

1984-1985: assistant priest at Nyarumkop;

1985-1990: Studies for a degree in Spirituality at  Antonianum  in Rome;

1990-1993: Vice-Master of Novices;

1993-1997: Master of Novices;

1997-2003: Minister of the Capuchin  Province of Pontianak;

2003-2008: Director  of Rumah Pelangi, a forest conservation programme;

2009-2012: Minister of the Capuchin Province of Pontianak;

since 2012: Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tebet, Jakarta.

The Diocese of Sintang (1961), is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Pontianak. It has an area of ??62,193 square kilometers and a population of 979,300, of whom 252,400 are Catholics. There are 36 parishes with 67 priests (42 diocesan and 25 religious). There are also 7 Religious Brothers, 64 Sisters and 21 major seminarians.

The Diocese of Sintang, was vacant since June 3, 2014, following the transfer of  Msgr. Augustinus Agus to the Metropolitan See of Pontianak.

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday urged the faithful to open their hearts to the Good News of the Saviour’s birth.

The Pope was addressing the pilgrims gathered in the Vatican Paul VI Hall for the weekly General Audience.

His catechesis on Christian hope focused on these last days of Advent and on how we prepare to receive the message embodied in the nativity.

Reflecting on the fact that a catechesis focusing on Christian hope is more than appropriate during the time of Advent, Pope Francis recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah, “the Lord himself will give you a sign: the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him Emmanuel” and also “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”

He said that the sense of Christmas transpires in both of these verses: “God fulfills his promise by coming in the flesh, (…) and He gives his people a new hope for humanity: eternal life”.
  
The Pope said this hope is realistic and reliable, it is a hope that redeems and saves, for Christ, by coming in the flesh, has opened the way for us to ascend to the Father.

He also said it is especially visible in these days preceding Christmas.

“When we prepare the Christmas crib in our homes and churches, he said, let us be attentive to the message of hope it embodies”. 

And with our gaze on the nativity scene that takes us to the little town of Bethlehem, the Pope said we can see revealed God’s love for each of us, however small or lowly.

We see it in Mary, who trusted in God’s word: “She is the Mother of Hope”.

Next to Mary is Joseph. He too, the Pope said, is the man of hope, who gave Jesus his name, which means “God saves”.  

In the crib, he continued, we see the joy of the shepherds who represent the humble and the poor who were awaiting the Messiah  

They were the ones, he said, to receive with joy the peace proclaimed by the angels.

“Dear brothers and sisters: every time we say ‘yes’ to Jesus a bud blossoms into hope.  May we trust in this bud of hope” and open our hearts to the Good News of the birth of Jesus who came to save us”.

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Vatican City, Dec 21, 2016 / 03:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While hope can often be viewed as the desire for things out of our reach, Pope Francis has said that the birth of Jesus offers us a new kind hope – one which, thanks to the Incarnation, is attainable and leads to a different goal.

“When we speak of hope, we often refer to that which man is not able to do and that which is not visible. In effect, what we hope for goes beyond our strength and gaze,” the Pope said Dec. 21.

However, the birth of Christ “speaks of a different hope, a trustworthy, visible and understandable hope, because it is founded on God.”

In becoming man, Jesus enters the world and gives humanity the strength to walk with him and to live the present moment “in a new way,” even if it’s sometimes tiring, he said.

For a Christian, then, hope means the certainty “of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us,” Francis said, adding that this hope “offers a goal, a good destiny in the present, the salvation of humanity, the beatitude of those who entrust themselves to the merciful God.”

“Hope never stops, it’s always on a journey and it makes us walk forward.”

Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall during his last general audience before Christmas, continuing his new catechesis on Christian hope.

Through Christ’s birth “hope entered the world,” he said, explaining that the true meaning of Christmas is found in the act of God fulfilling his promise of salvation in becoming man. God “doesn’t abandon his people,” but “draws near to the point of shedding his divinity.”

“In this way God demonstrates his fidelity and inaugurates a new kingdom, which gives a new hope to humanity: eternal life,” the Pope said, asking pilgrims whether they walk along the path of hope, or if instead they close their hearts and cease to move forward.

As the season of Advent comes to an end, reflecting on the Nativity scene is a key way to contemplate this hope, he said, because in its simplicity, “the nativity transmits hope; each one of the figures is immersed in this atmosphere.”

Pointing to the place where Jesus was born, Francis noted that Bethlehem was the small village where a thousand years before Jesus, David, a shepherd, was chosen to become the king of Israel.

“Bethlehem is not a capital, and because of this it is preferred by divine providence, which loves to act through the small and the humble,” he said, noting that it is in this small village where Jesus, “in whom the hope of God and the hope of man meet,” is born.

Francis then turned to Mary, “the mother of hope,” explaining that with her “yes,” she was able to open to God the door of our world, and she did it as a young girl whose heart was “full of hope, totally animated by faith” and who believed in God’s word.

Turning to St. Joseph, Pope Francis said he was a man who also believed in the World of God that was spoken to him through the angel, and who not only stood at Mary’s side, but obeyed God in giving Jesus his name.

In the name Jesus “there is hope for every man, because through that son of a woman, God will save humanity from the death of sin,” the Pope said, noting “how much hope there is” in the scene of Christ’s birth.

He then pointed to the image of the shepherds, who represent the “humble and poor” people awaiting the salvation of the Messiah.

When they come to the Child Jesus, “they see the realization of the promise and hope that the salvation of God finally comes for each one of them,” Francis said. They not only trust in God, but “they hope in him and they rejoice when they recognize in that child the sign indicated by the angels.”

Turning to the choir of angels who appeared to the shepherds, the Pope said that their proclamation of “glory to God in the highest” is the announcement of hope, because “Christian hope is expressed in praise of God, who inaugurated his kingdom of love, justice and peace.”

Pope Francis closed his speech reiterating the importance of contemplating the Nativity scene as Christmas approaches, because in doing so, “we prepare for the birth of the Lord.”

“It will truly be a celebration if we welcome Jesus, seed of hope that God plants in the furrows of our personal and communitarian lives,” he said, adding that “each ‘yes’ to Jesus is a seed of hope.”

After his catechesis, the Pope made another appeal for a peaceful resolution to political conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by extending “a heartfelt appeal to all Congolese so that, in this delicate moment in their history, they are artesians of peace and reconciliation.”

The DRC for the past few months has been entangled in a political headlock as the country’s president, Joseph Kabila, approached the end of his final term in office Dec. 19.

However, the elections for a new leader, originally scheduled to take place in November, were never organized, and according to a deal struck between Kabila and an opposition faction in October, the president is allowed to stay in power until official polls are held.

The polls are tentatively set for April 2018, however, many parties in opposition to Kabila’s government oppose the deal, and are calling for the president to step down and schedule the elections for 2017.

As tensions mount, fears are also increasing that there will be a repeat of a Sept. 19 demonstration by one of the opposition groups turned violent, leading to the death of more than 50 people in just two days.

Catholic bishop in the country have intervened in negotiations in hopes that a crisis might be averted with Kabila’s term ends. Both the president and vice-present of the Congolese Bishops Conference had a recent meeting with Pope Francis in which they discussed the crisis.

In his appeal, the Pope asked that those who have political responsibility would “listen to the voice of their own conscience, knowing how to see the cruel sufferings of their countrymen and have the common good at heart.”

He assured of his prayer and support for the country, and invited the people to let themselves be guided “by the light of the Redeemer of the world,” praying that the birth of the Lord at Christmas “opens paths of hope.”

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