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GENEVA (AP) -- The U.N. envoy for Syria called on militant fighters to leave Aleppo and for the Syrian and Russian governments to end their bombing campaign against rebel-held areas of the embattled Syrian city, warning that otherwise thousands of people could be killed by year-end and Aleppo could be "destroyed."...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The arrest of a National Security Agency contractor accused of stealing classified information represents the second known case of a government contractor being publicly accused of removing secret data from the intelligence agency since 2013....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President George H.W. Bush conspicuously checked his watch. Al Gore got too close for comfort. Mitt Romney strode across stage to confront President Barack Obama face to face....
LES CAYES, Haiti (AP) -- Two days after Hurricane Matthew rampaged across Haiti's remote southwestern peninsula, authorities and aid workers still lack a clear picture of what they fear is the country's biggest disaster in years....
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- A strengthening Hurricane Matthew steamed toward Florida with winds of 140 mph Thursday as hundreds of thousands of people across the Southeast boarded up their homes and fled inland to escape the most powerful storm to threaten the Atlantic coast in more than a decade....
(Vatican Radio) In this week's edition of There's More in the Gospel Than Meets the Eye, Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Twentyeighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Listen: GOSPEL LK 17:11-19As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”And when he saw them, he said,“Go show yourselves to the priests.”As they were going they were cleansed.And one of them, realizing he had been healed,returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.He was a Samaritan.Jesus said in reply,“Ten were cleansed, were they not?Where are the other nine?Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”Then he said to him, “Stand up ...
(Vatican Radio) In this week's edition of There's More in the Gospel Than Meets the Eye, Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Twentyeighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Listen:
GOSPEL LK 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis spoke to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Primates of the Anglican Communion in a Vatican audience on Thursday.The Holy Father recalled the historic meeting between Blessed Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey 50 years ago, which has led to a gradual rapprochement based on theological dialogue.He then reflected with them on the three themes of ‘prayer, witness, and mission’ as a basis for ‘our continuing common journey’.Below is the official English text of Pope Francis’ address:Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates of the Anglican CommunionThursday, 6 October 2016Your Grace,Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Thank you for your presence. It is a beautiful sign of fraternity to see the Primates of so many Provinces of the Anglican Communion joining you here in Rome. We have solemnly celebrated the fiftieth anniversary ...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis spoke to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Primates of the Anglican Communion in a Vatican audience on Thursday.
The Holy Father recalled the historic meeting between Blessed Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey 50 years ago, which has led to a gradual rapprochement based on theological dialogue.
He then reflected with them on the three themes of ‘prayer, witness, and mission’ as a basis for ‘our continuing common journey’.
Below is the official English text of Pope Francis’ address:
Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates of the Anglican Communion
Thursday, 6 October 2016
Your Grace,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Thank you for your presence. It is a beautiful sign of fraternity to see the Primates of so many Provinces of the Anglican Communion joining you here in Rome. We have solemnly celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the historic meeting between Blessed Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey. That meeting has produced many fruits: we need think only of the opening of the Anglican Centre in Rome, the appointment of the Archbishop’s permanent representative to the Holy See, and the start of our theological dialogue, represented by the volume containing five documents from the second phase of ARCIC (1982-2005). In sharing together these fruits, we remember that they come from a tree which has its roots in that meeting of fifty years ago.
Reflecting on our continuing common journey, three words come to mind: prayer, witness, mission.
Prayer: yesterday evening we celebrated Vespers, and this morning you prayed here at the tomb of the Apostle Peter. Let us never grow tired of asking the Lord together and insistently for the gift of unity.
Witness: these past fifty years of encounter and exchange, as well as reflection and common texts, speak to us of Christians who, for faith and with faith, have listened to one another and shared their time and energy. The conviction has grown that ecumenism is never an impoverishment, but a richness; the certainty has deepened that what the Spirit has sown in the other yields a common harvest. Let us treasure this inheritance and know that we are called each day to offer to the world, as Jesus asked, the witness of our love and unity (cf. Jn 15:12; 17:21).
Mission: there is a time for everything (cf. Eccles 3:1) and now is the time in which the Lord challenges us, in a particular way, to go out from ourselves and our own environs, in order to bring his merciful love to a world thirsting for peace. Let us help one another to keep at the centre the demands of the Gospel and to spend ourselves concretely in this mission. Thank you.
The Second Indonesian Day (IYD2) taking place in the North Sulawesi provincial capital of Manado, entered day 5 on Wednesday with participants dedicating themselves to catechesis and matters of faith and morals in order to live and witness to the Gospel with joy. The theme of the Oct. 1-6 event, “The Joy of Gospel Amidst a Plural Society in Indonesia”, intends to stress the need to live in harmony and brotherhood with other people and the created world. After the initial 3-day live-in programme in families followed by Tuesday’s colourful IYD2 inaugural ceremony, the nearly 2,500 young people and their guides representing their counterparts in the nation’s 37 dioceses, listened on Oct. 5 to some 30 catechesis and talks by bishops, priests, lay people, leaders, politicians and experts, conducted in 15 centres in and around the Pineleng zone, on the outskirts of Manado city. The broad range of talks included issues such as the envi...
The Second Indonesian Day (IYD2) taking place in the North Sulawesi provincial capital of Manado, entered day 5 on Wednesday with participants dedicating themselves to catechesis and matters of faith and morals in order to live and witness to the Gospel with joy. The theme of the Oct. 1-6 event, “The Joy of Gospel Amidst a Plural Society in Indonesia”, intends to stress the need to live in harmony and brotherhood with other people and the created world.
After the initial 3-day live-in programme in families followed by Tuesday’s colourful IYD2 inaugural ceremony, the nearly 2,500 young people and their guides representing their counterparts in the nation’s 37 dioceses, listened on Oct. 5 to some 30 catechesis and talks by bishops, priests, lay people, leaders, politicians and experts, conducted in 15 centres in and around the Pineleng zone, on the outskirts of Manado city. The broad range of talks included issues such as the environment, gender equality, politics, marginalization, technology and information, addiction, entrepreneurship, lives of saints on the streets, inter-religious dialogue and vocation to married, priestly and religious life. The sessions included lively interaction between speakers and the listeners. In many centres, listeners were just comfortable sitting on the floor. In terms of logistics the IYD2 organization has been very impressive, considering accommodation, meals, snacks, drinking water and transport.
Wednesday afternoon was dedicated to the theme of mercy and reconciliation, marked by silence, prayer, testimonies, reflection, confession and a frugal dinner. The highlight was a suggestive candle-lit evening prayer with hymns on mercy and reconciliation, in front of the Blessed Sacrament, at the ‘amphitheatre’ of the sprawling but still incomplete Emmanuel Catholic Youth Centre at Lotta, where the IYD2 will conclude Thursday night. Bros. Ghislain and Francis of the Taize Community, who were specially invited by the IYD2 organizers, led the session. Bro. Ghislain invited all to humble themselves and allow the Holy Spirit help them make an inner spiritual journey to Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, who always awaits sinners and forgives. Soon afterwards, numerous priests sat in chairs inside as well as outside the ‘amphitheatre’ and heard confessions of a large number of young people, continuing late into the night.
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican on Wednesday told the United Nations General Assembly there are “no ideological, political, philosophical, racial, ethnic, or religious reasons to justify or excuse” terrorism.Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, was speaking at a UN General Assembly session discussing Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism.“As terror knows no border, the international community as a whole must deny terrorists access to cyber technologies to recruit new adherents from many parts of the world, finance their activities and coordinate terror attacks,” said the Vatican diplomat.“No one should be permitted to finance or to provide arms and ammunitions to terrorists,” – Archbishop Auza continued – “Those who abet violent extremism or shelter members of terrorist groups must be held accountable before a court of law. Similarly, all violations of international human...
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican on Wednesday told the United Nations General Assembly there are “no ideological, political, philosophical, racial, ethnic, or religious reasons to justify or excuse” terrorism.
Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, was speaking at a UN General Assembly session discussing Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism.
“As terror knows no border, the international community as a whole must deny terrorists access to cyber technologies to recruit new adherents from many parts of the world, finance their activities and coordinate terror attacks,” said the Vatican diplomat.
“No one should be permitted to finance or to provide arms and ammunitions to terrorists,” – Archbishop Auza continued – “Those who abet violent extremism or shelter members of terrorist groups must be held accountable before a court of law. Similarly, all violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity committed by terror groups must be vigorously pursued.”
The full statement is below
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy See
Seventy-first Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sixth Committee
Agenda Item 108: Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism
Mr. Chair,
At the outset, let me congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Sixth Committee. My delegation looks forward to collaborate with you during this session.
Mr. Chair,
The Holy See wishes to remember the victims of terrorism as well as those communities and individuals who continue to suffer due to terrorism. Their memory and pain must give a renewed sense of urgency and momentum to the important work of this Committee.
The Holy See’s condemnation of terrorism is absolute: there are no ideological, political, philosophical, racial, ethnic, or religious reasons to justify or excuse it. Terrorism violates fundamental human dignity and rights; the terrorists disdain for life and fundamental freedoms, their unspeakable crimes against women and girls, and the utter barbarity of their acts cannot leave us indifferent.
Terrorism can only be countered by more cohesive measures at the international level. As terror knows no border, the international community as a whole must deny terrorists access to cyber technologies to recruit new adherents from many parts of the world, finance their activities and coordinate terror attacks. No one should be permitted to finance or to provide arms and ammunitions to terrorists. Those who abet violent extremism or shelter members of terrorist groups must be held accountable before a court of law. Similarly, all violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity committed by terror groups must be vigorously pursued.
On the other hand, all measures to combat terrorism must scrupulously respect human rights and international humanitarian law. In this regard, the recent decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in the Al-Dulimi case and of the Court of Justice of the European Communities in the Kadi case deserve a close study.
Moreover, there can be no conflict between the effective implementation of measures to contrast terrorism and the provision of humanitarian assistance, directed to protect the fundamental human rights to life and health. Thus, the contrast of terrorist activities should not inhibit nor limit the capacity of governmental, non-governmental and religiously-inspired organizations to provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups or persons, such as emergency relief to refugees and displaced persons and medical services to the wounded.
P a g e | 2
Mr. Chair,
Measures to counter terrorism must address those social and political conflicts that fuel violence or deepen hatred among the various communities. In effect, the persecution of social or national groups, deep social injustices, the violation of fundamental rights and freedoms, ethnic and religious discrimination, as well as gaping social and economic inequalities create the conditions that may foster radicalization. Pope Francis has emphasized that, whenever justice and the common good are violated, violence always ensues.1 Thus, all governments should engage with civil society to address the challenges faced by those individuals and communities most at risk of radicalization and recruitment, with a view to fostering their social integration.
1 Laudato Si’ 159.
The fight against terrorism begins with the hearts and minds of those young people who are most vulnerable to radicalization and ideological brainwashing. Education thus plays a crucial role in the prevention of terrorism. In this regard, the Catholic Church is privileged to be entrusted each year with the education of around fifty million primary and secondary school children worldwide and millions more at the tertiary level. This education is offered as a service for the children and the young of all faiths and no faith, and from every economic stratum, with a particular preference for those whose educational opportunities are limited or even non-existent. In performing this service, Catholic educational institutions strengthen societies by forming responsible and peace-loving citizens.
Furthermore, religious leaders must take the lead in rejecting the narratives and ideologies that engender radicalization, hatred and extremism. Religions must unite in confronting all forms of religious bigotry, stereotyping and disrespect for what people hold sacred. It is therefore a primary duty of religious leaders to refute and denounce the tendentious ideologies of terror purportedly inspired by religious injunctions or texts.
Pope Francis continues to advocate the practice of encounter, of dialogue, of building bridges as antidotes to radicalization and extremist violence. Refusal to dialogue is in fact one of the defining characteristics of fundamentalism. The Holy See believes therefore that, no matter how grave the threats that terrorism poses to our collective security, any effective, lasting response to this crime cannot be achieved solely through military and security means, but rather through a culture of encounter that fosters mutual acceptance and promotes peaceful and inclusive societies.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
(Vatican Radio) The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the XV General Assembly of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops taking place in October 2018 will be “Young people, faith and vocational discernment.” A press release from the Vatican on Thursday said the Pope made the choice after consulting, as normal, with Bishops Conferences, the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris and the Union of Superior Generals, in addition to having listened to the suggestions of the Synod Fathers from the last Synod and the opinion of the XIV Ordinary Council.Describing the theme "as an expression of the Church’s pastoral concern for the young," the statement said the chosen topic follows on from the findings of the recent Synods on the family and the conclusions contained in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia. It said by discussing this theme, "the Synod wishes to accompany young people along their existential journey towards maturity so that,...
(Vatican Radio) The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the XV General Assembly of the Ordinary Synod of Bishops taking place in October 2018 will be “Young people, faith and vocational discernment.” A press release from the Vatican on Thursday said the Pope made the choice after consulting, as normal, with Bishops Conferences, the Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris and the Union of Superior Generals, in addition to having listened to the suggestions of the Synod Fathers from the last Synod and the opinion of the XIV Ordinary Council.
Describing the theme "as an expression of the Church’s pastoral concern for the young," the statement said the chosen topic follows on from the findings of the recent Synods on the family and the conclusions contained in the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia. It said by discussing this theme, "the Synod wishes to accompany young people along their existential journey towards maturity so that, through a process of discernment, they can discover their life plan and achieve it joyfully, opening themselves up to an encounter with God and humanity and actively taking part in the building of the Church and society."
