Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Each night, Hillary Clinton's data experts head to a conference room on the 11th floor of her Brooklyn headquarters, to start counting votes....
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Latino scholars and activists are criticizing Republican Mike Pence for referring to "that Mexican thing," at the vice presidential debate as he tried to brush aside criticism of Donald Trump's comments about Mexican immigrants....
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- A landmark agreement on climate change will enter into force on Nov. 4, backed by a coalition of the world's largest polluters and small island nations threatened by rising seas....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- More young blacks and Latinos feel that they can't depend on family to help them with financial needs, from big-ticket items like college tuition to smaller expenses, than do whites or Asians, according to a new GenForward poll....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Latest on the 2016 presidential campaign (All times EDT):...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the directors of the ‘Gruppo Vodafone’ in a private audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, telling them to ‘be constructive’ and make religious text available to more people.The Fondazione Vodafone is promoting an initiative called ‘Instant Schools for Africa’, which aims to provide online educative resources to young people on the African continent.Pope Francis expressed his appreciation of the initiative and said it promotes “a more inclusive and familial world capable of offering development opportunities to people in social groups at risk of exclusion”.He suggested such initiatives should take care “to supply young people also with some notions of method, so that they learn not only to use instruments but to use them as instruments, becoming capable of using them more freely and critically”.The Pope also expressed his desire that “among the res...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the directors of the ‘Gruppo Vodafone’ in a private audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, telling them to ‘be constructive’ and make religious text available to more people.
The Fondazione Vodafone is promoting an initiative called ‘Instant Schools for Africa’, which aims to provide online educative resources to young people on the African continent.
Pope Francis expressed his appreciation of the initiative and said it promotes “a more inclusive and familial world capable of offering development opportunities to people in social groups at risk of exclusion”.
He suggested such initiatives should take care “to supply young people also with some notions of method, so that they learn not only to use instruments but to use them as instruments, becoming capable of using them more freely and critically”.
The Pope also expressed his desire that “among the resources offered to young people, there be access to the sacred texts of various religions in different languages. This would be a beautiful sign of attention to the religious dimension, so rooted in the African peoples, and of encouragement for interreligious dialogue.”
In conclusive off-the-cuff remarks, he added, “I really like what I’ve heard [about this project] – it’s constructive – and nowadays there is a need to be constructive, to do things which promote human advancement and not only to see bombs fall on innocent people, children, sick people, and entire cities. Build, and not destroy!”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday reflected on his just ended Apostolic Visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan and spoke about the importance of Christian Unity and dialogue.Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope expressed his gratitude for having been able visit the neighboring Caucasian countries, both of which are celebrating 25 years of independence having been part of the Soviet Union for much of the 20th century.Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Pope Francis had a special thank you for the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, and for the Sheikh of the Muslims of the Caucasus with whom he was able to push forward ecumenism and interreligious dialogue and - as he put it - promote the good of the human person.He described the visit as complementary to his visit to Armenia last June and said that by visiting all three nations of the Caucasus which are facing many challenges, he was able to confirm the Catholic commu...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday reflected on his just ended Apostolic Visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan and spoke about the importance of Christian Unity and dialogue.
Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the General Audience, the Pope expressed his gratitude for having been able visit the neighboring Caucasian countries, both of which are celebrating 25 years of independence having been part of the Soviet Union for much of the 20th century.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
Pope Francis had a special thank you for the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, and for the Sheikh of the Muslims of the Caucasus with whom he was able to push forward ecumenism and interreligious dialogue and - as he put it - promote the good of the human person.
He described the visit as complementary to his visit to Armenia last June and said that by visiting all three nations of the Caucasus which are facing many challenges, he was able to confirm the Catholic communities there and encourage all people in their journey towards peace and fraternity.
“True mission – he pointed out – is never proselytism, but attraction towards Christ, unity in prayer, in adoration and in works of charity”.
In Georgia – he said - our cooperation is naturally with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, and so – the Pope continued - “Patriarch Ilia’s presence at the airport upon my arrival was a very important sign”.
Christian unity, the Pope said, is seen in the blood of so many Christian martyrs of different Christian confessions, especially the Assyrian-Chaldean, “with whom we prayed for peace in Syria, Iraq and the whole Middle East”.
And explaining that Azerbaijan, is primarily a Muslim country, Pope Francis said he was able to participate in an interreligious meeting as well as celebrating Mass with the small Catholic community and encourage it to deepen its encounter and dialogue with all who believe in God, so that together we can build a more just and fraternal world.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday gave a special greeting to the Association “Vivere da Sportivi” [Living a Sporting Life] during his weekly General Audience.The Association is holding a “School of Fair Play” activity this week in Rome (4-6 October), which brings together secondary school students from all over Italy for a film festival showing student-made video projects exploring themes of integration and fair play, solidarity, and the Olympic spirit.Twelve films have made the finals, selected from hundreds created across the country.The region that is most represented is the northern region of Veneto with four movies, followed by Campania, Sicily and Marche, with two each.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday gave a special greeting to the Association “Vivere da Sportivi” [Living a Sporting Life] during his weekly General Audience.
The Association is holding a “School of Fair Play” activity this week in Rome (4-6 October), which brings together secondary school students from all over Italy for a film festival showing student-made video projects exploring themes of integration and fair play, solidarity, and the Olympic spirit.
Twelve films have made the finals, selected from hundreds created across the country.
The region that is most represented is the northern region of Veneto with four movies, followed by Campania, Sicily and Marche, with two each.
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s representative to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday spoke about the importance of integral human development.The centrality of the human person and the promotion of the dignity and worth of all persons without distinction are fundamental in order to avoid a reductionist approach that views the human person as an obstacle to development or, even worse, as the cause of his or her own underdevelopment and neediness, said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.“An integral human development model must be able to address the spiritual, social, environmental and physical needs of people,” – Archbishop Auza continued – “It is a model that cannot be imposed from the outside; rather it must be built from within communities and societies that invest in and provide the structures necessary to allow their members adequately to satisfy their basic needs such as food, housing,...
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s representative to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday spoke about the importance of integral human development.
The centrality of the human person and the promotion of the dignity and worth of all persons without distinction are fundamental in order to avoid a reductionist approach that views the human person as an obstacle to development or, even worse, as the cause of his or her own underdevelopment and neediness, said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.
“An integral human development model must be able to address the spiritual, social, environmental and physical needs of people,” – Archbishop Auza continued – “It is a model that cannot be imposed from the outside; rather it must be built from within communities and societies that invest in and provide the structures necessary to allow their members adequately to satisfy their basic needs such as food, housing, health care and work, and enjoy less tangible yet fundamental rights such as education, freedom of expression and religious freedom. “
The full statement of Archbishop Auza 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
Second Committee General Debate
Mr. Chair,
I would like to extend my delegation’s congratulations to you and the bureau on your election and assure you of the Holy See’s continued collaboration.
In the last eighteen months, the international community has seen Heads of State and Government gather in order to adopt the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and, a couple of weeks ago on September 19, the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. The hard work of translating these commitments into real and tangible results has already began, and must be fully supported so that the great promise to leave no one behind can be fulfilled.
These significant international commitments demonstrate a willingness among political leaders to come together to address global challenges. At the same time, however, there has been a continued breakdown of trust, as inequalities among and within countries have become even more gaping and the number of violent conflicts has increased, provoking the humanitarian crisis we are facing today, which is without parallel since the Second World War.
The Holy See believes that in addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental, economic and social development, a human-centered approach must form the foundation. The centrality of the human person and the promotion of the dignity and worth of all persons without distinction are fundamental in order to avoid a reductionist approach that views the human person as an obstacle to development or, even worse, as the cause of his or her own underdevelopment and neediness. As Pope Francis stated in his Address to the United Nations General Assembly last year, “The pillars of integral human development have a common foundation, which is the right to life” and more broadly “the right to existence of human nature itself.”
Integral human development therefore requires building macroeconomic policies capable of creating stable and forward-looking financial, commercial and economic growth to meet humanity’s basic needs. An integral human development model must be able to address the spiritual, social, environmental and physical needs of people. It is a model that cannot be imposed from the outside; rather it must be built from within communities and societies that invest in and provide the structures necessary to allow their members adequately to satisfy their basic needs such as food, housing, health care and work, and enjoy less tangible yet fundamental rights such as education, freedom of expression and religious freedom.
In his Address to the UN General Assembly, Pope Francis succinctly described integral human development this way: At its “minimum [it] has three names: lodging, labor and land; and one spiritual name; spiritual freedom, which includes religious freedom, the right to education and all other civil rights.”
Indeed, integral human development is more than the sum total of resources invested into development projects and their measurable material results; it includes as well those elements that, though at times intangible and imperceptible, are life transforming and truly contribute to greater human flourishing.
In order to bring about such integral human development, a renewed commitment to just and equitable mechanisms for global trade and multilateral financial assistance are necessary. Global interdependence is a reality in which human and financial resources and decisions are often far removed from those who consume or those who produce them. At its worst, such globalization can manifest itself in a “global indifference” to the needs of others. At its best, it expresses itself in global solidarity and commitment to meet our responsibilities toward those in need. The strength of international cooperation is based on the principle of one common humanity rooted in the equal dignity of all.
This recognition of global solidarity fosters greater social cohesion and harmony. Global solidarity means seeing others as more than mere neighbors, but as brothers and sisters. It thus requires ensuring that our global trade, financial and economic systems incorporate ethical and moral structures which recognize our responsibilities to our communities, locally and globally, and to our common home.
Mr. Chair,
In a couple of weeks, global leaders will gather in Quito for the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development. The dramatic changes in patterns of population settlements since the 1976 Habitat I have placed new and increasing challenges on families and communities working to adapt to new realities, in particular in mega urban settings. It is my delegation’s hope that Habitat III will provide an opportunity to address the challenges of housing and urbanization in a holistic, people-centered manner.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
(Vatican Radio) The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby joined the head of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch and other ecumenical experts on Wednesday for a Symposium at Rome’s Gregorian University marking half a century of progress in Anglican-Catholic relations.The Symposium, entitled ‘50 Years of Walking Together in Faith’ explored not only the theological progress made through the documents of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), but also the ways in which communities are working to incorporate those developments into the life of the local churches. Taking part in the Symposium were pairs of Anglican and Catholic bishops from countries around the world who are spending a week together in Canterbury and Rome, sharing pastoral challenges and best practices for closer practical collaboration.Later on Wednesday evening, Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby were scheduled to preside together at Vespers in the Ro...
(Vatican Radio) The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby joined the head of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch and other ecumenical experts on Wednesday for a Symposium at Rome’s Gregorian University marking half a century of progress in Anglican-Catholic relations.
The Symposium, entitled ‘50 Years of Walking Together in Faith’ explored not only the theological progress made through the documents of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), but also the ways in which communities are working to incorporate those developments into the life of the local churches. Taking part in the Symposium were pairs of Anglican and Catholic bishops from countries around the world who are spending a week together in Canterbury and Rome, sharing pastoral challenges and best practices for closer practical collaboration.
Later on Wednesday evening, Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby were scheduled to preside together at Vespers in the Rome church of St Gregory on the Caelian Hill, signing a common declaration and symbolically sending out the Anglican and Catholic bishops together on a renewed mission of evangalisation.
One of the organisers of this week’s events is Fr Tony Currer, in charge of Anglican-Catholic relations at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He spoke to Philippa Hitchen about this significant milestone in ecumenical relations…
Listen:
Fr Tony says he hopes these events will mark a milestone in two different ways: firstly, by celebrating the 50th anniversary of first historic meeting in the Vatican between Archbishop Michael Ramsey and Blessed Pope Paul VI and the many developments that stemmed from that encounter.
But in the Vatican, he continues, “we have lots of anniversaries that come from the Second Vatican Council” so rather than just being “a point to look back and congratulate ourselves on what we’ve done, we have put a lot of effort into IARCCUM (International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission) to make sure this is a forward looking event”.
Fr Tony also points out the Catholic-Anglican dialogue is the only group to have two commissions within the Pontifical Council, ARCIC for the theological work and IARCCUM to look at “how to make those agreements into tangible expressions in the life of Anglicans and Catholic Christians across the world”
Speaking of the impact of this week’s events, Fr Tony says the task of the pairs of bishops working in partnership is to be “advocates for collaboration” within the episcopal conferences and Anglican provinces in their own regions.
He says the mandating of these bishops will be a “powerful sign” at the church of San Gregorio, the place from where Gregory the Great sent Augustine out on mission to England. Once again, he says, the church “will again be a place of sending on mission” but this time “like the Lord sending His disciples out in pairs, they will be sent out in pairs on mission to the world to respond to pastoral challenges of our day”
