Catholic News 2
BOSTON (AP) -- A former Marine sergeant who underwent a double arm transplant at a Boston hospital says the best things about having arms again is that he can hold his fiancee's hand and pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a chef....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Mike Pence won bipartisan plaudits for a calm and collected performance in the vice presidential debate. But Democrat Tim Kaine was claiming mission accomplished for forcing his opponent to confront -or not - Donald Trump's long list of provocative remarks....
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- People boarded up beach homes, schools closed and officials ordered evacuations along the East Coast on Wednesday as Hurricane Matthew tore through the Bahamas and took aim at Florida, where the governor urged coastal residents to "leave now" if they were able....
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Rescue workers in Haiti struggled to reach cutoff towns and learn the full extent of the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew as the storm began battering the Bahamas Wednesday and triggered evacuations along the U.S. East Coast....
(Vatican Radio) Indonesia’s Catholic youth on Oct. 4 proved that being true Christians in no way compromises their citizenship. Rather, being followers of Christ and His Gospel makes them better Indonesians. The occasion was the spectacular inauguration of the 2nd Indonesian Youth Day (IYD2) in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province that is hosting the 6-day event. The theme of the Oct. 1-6 event, “The Joy of the Gospel amidst a Plural Society in Indonesia”, underscores the need to joyfully live in harmony and brotherhood with people of other religions, cultures and also with the created world.On their arrival in Manado on day 1, groups from the nation’s 37 dioceses were straightaway dispatched to the diocese’s 37 parishes where they began a 3-day live-programme with families. Some even stayed with Protestant and Muslim families, demonstrating that integrating with believers of other religions is possible.&n...
(Vatican Radio) Indonesia’s Catholic youth on Oct. 4 proved that being true Christians in no way compromises their citizenship. Rather, being followers of Christ and His Gospel makes them better Indonesians. The occasion was the spectacular inauguration of the 2nd Indonesian Youth Day (IYD2) in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province that is hosting the 6-day event. The theme of the Oct. 1-6 event, “The Joy of the Gospel amidst a Plural Society in Indonesia”, underscores the need to joyfully live in harmony and brotherhood with people of other religions, cultures and also with the created world.
On their arrival in Manado on day 1, groups from the nation’s 37 dioceses were straightaway dispatched to the diocese’s 37 parishes where they began a 3-day live-programme with families. Some even stayed with Protestant and Muslim families, demonstrating that integrating with believers of other religions is possible. After the live-in programme, all the 2,458 participants and their guides came together for the first time on Oct. 4 afternoon in Manado’s Koni grounds. And they did turn out in their cultural and traditional best. Call it carnival, pageantry, parade, fiesta, jamboree, whatever… words just cannot describe the electrifying situation there. One had to be there to feel the pulse of the crowd and be immersed in the feisty swirl of colours, music, singing, dancing and yells. Vatican and Indonesian flags, exotic ethnic costumes, feathers, headgears of every shape and colour, painted bodies and faces, animal skulls, grass skirts swaying to the lilting music, swishing swords, spears, and shields …., the splurge proved that Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic nation, stretching from Malaysia in the west right up to Papua New Guinea in the east, is truly a plural society, and hence the need to safeguard and promote unity amidst this stupendous diversity. This was particularly evident in 37 varieties of their common denominator, the Cross that each standard bearer leading a diocesan contingent carried. On one Cross, thin layers of bamboo were woven to form the figure of Christ, while another Cross had Jesus made of only spoons and forks.
At first sight, the din, cheers, yells, singing and unending dancing of the spectacle might have seemed nothing else but confusion, but no, in this cacophony there was order and method. And this order and method was Christ and His Gospel, for when all joined in singing the IYD2 theme song “Sukacita Injil”, the Bahasa for “The Joy of the Gospel”, the entire crowd just fused into one voice and heart.
The celebration was no less spectacular when the IYD participants walked some 20-minutes through the road to Klabat Sports Stadium, where groups from the dioceses trooped in to thunderous cheers and applause from an estimated 15,000 other faithful from North Sulawesi. It appeared as if national teams were entering the Olympic Stadium. Among the important guests at the main stand were Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, Governor Olly Dondokambey of North Sulawesi, Indonesia’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Agus Sriyono, bishops and priests. When the Sanggau Diocese contingent was announced, its Italian Bishop Giulio Mencuccini just couldn’t hold himself. He broke ranks and joined his young people in the carnival of dancing and singing to boisterous applause from around the stadium. When asked about the parade, Bishop Joseph Suwatan of Manado went emotional saying all lthe credit goes to the dioceses and the organisers.
The highlight of the event in Klabat Stadium was the Holy Eucharist, again emphasizing the centrality of Christ and His Gospel of the youth rally. Bishop Joseph Suwatan, the host of IYD2 led the concelebrated Mass on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, accompanied by great singing and dancing. Preaching a homily at the Mass, Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta, the Indonesian bishops’ conference president, urged the nation’s Catholic youth to first seek peace for themselves and in turn carry it to others, including to the created world. He said it was not a coincidence they were celebrating St. Francis of Assisi at Mas, and he urged them to follow in the footsteps of the great saint of peace. At the end of the Mass, Governor Dondokambey also urged the young people to work to protect their environment.
All the guests, participants, volunteers, organizers, numerous priests and others were initially offered a snack packet and later at the end of the Mass, a dinner packet too. During the variety show continued late into the night, the IYD2 was officially declared open, and the Diocese of Sanggau that hosted the first Indonesian Youth day in 2012, handed over the Indonesian Youth Day Cross to the current host, the Diocese of Manado. The programme included a musical drama on the arrival of the Gospel in the Sulawesi. A few Protestant groups, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhist and other faith groups too performed at the stadium, again underscoring harmony with others.
Ambassador Agus told Vatican Radio the spectacle at Manado's Klabat Stadium showed that Catholics can be 100% Christian and 100% Indonesian, a fact evident in the numerous red and white flags of Indonesia and the yellow and white flags of fthe Vatican. He said amdst the rich cultural variety and pluralism of religions and cultures of the country, one can be truly faithful to one's faith and to the nation.
The last two days of the IYD2 will be dedicated to a variety of programmes such as Holy Mass, seminars, catechesis, adoration, confession and sharing of testimonies as well as cultural shows by dioceses in 15 common centers in Manado, with participants hosted in nearby parishes, schools and institutes. But from what unfolded at Klabat Stadium this unforgettable Tuesday night, one gathers Indonesians, especially the people of Manado and North Sulawesi, just don’t celebrate life simply. They celebrate it with passion and style.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the directors of the ‘Vodafone Foundation’ 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 foundation 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 off...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the directors of the ‘Vodafone Foundation’ 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 foundation 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!”
India’s Catholic bishops have urged prayers for India and Pakistan over Kashmir following an escalation of violence between local separatists and the Indian military in the past few weeks. "Today, which marks the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, let us pray for peace,” says Card Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (Latin rite), on Tuesday, in a message to AsiaNews. “I appeal for dialogue and cooperation between the two governments."For the past 88 days, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been under a curfew. The confrontation between separatists and the authorities has intensified in July, when security forces killed Burhan Wani, an important militant well versed in using social media. Since then, the state has been in a state of paralysis with tight controls on civilians, and schools, universities and shops closed. Volunteers in private homes and mosques have allowed some children to continue their e...
India’s Catholic bishops have urged prayers for India and Pakistan over Kashmir following an escalation of violence between local separatists and the Indian military in the past few weeks. "Today, which marks the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, let us pray for peace,” says Card Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (Latin rite), on Tuesday, in a message to AsiaNews. “I appeal for dialogue and cooperation between the two governments."
For the past 88 days, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been under a curfew. The confrontation between separatists and the authorities has intensified in July, when security forces killed Burhan Wani, an important militant well versed in using social media. Since then, the state has been in a state of paralysis with tight controls on civilians, and schools, universities and shops closed. Volunteers in private homes and mosques have allowed some children to continue their education, but the authorities have banned religious celebrations to prevent rallies.
Despite calls for dialogue, tensions have escalated in the past few weeks. On 18 September, a group of militants stormed an Indian military base in Uri, killing 18 soldiers before they were "neutralised".
The Indian government has taken a hard-line against separatists, carrying out "surgical strikes" against their bases along the border with Pakistan, and using diplomacy to isolate Pakistan. New Delhi for example boycotted the recent meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Islamabad, accusing Pakistani authorities of backing international terrorism.
Despite its harshness, India’s response has not halted the violence. Sunday night, militants raided another Indian base, in Baramulla, using civilians as human shields.
The latest surge in violence in a dispute that goes back to 1947 has left more than 90 people dead and more than 12,000 injured and wounded. Reports indicate that the local population is under shock. Kashmir state authorities have called on residents along the border to move back ten kilometres.
Faced with the prospect of a new war, the Catholic Church has decided to speak out. Archbp. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, archbishop of Faridabad, issued a statement strongly condemning the killing of 19 army men” who have “become martyrs". The prelate is concerned about the turn of events. "It is time that reason and common good should prevail over emotion and retaliation,” he said.
“The ‘Father of the Indian Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi had said that an eye for an eye will make everyone blind. Any instantaneous action against Pakistan is bound to exacerbate the situation. And that is exactly what the terrorists want.”
According to Archbp Bharanikulangara, “Any thoughtless strike can lead to war with disastrous consequences for the country," a frightening prospect given that both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons. "We must abjure all talks of a war. Instead it is imperative to strengthen the path of dialogue and diplomacy," the archbishop insisted.
At the same time, “It is equally important to fortify security on the borders so that no terrorist can sneak into India.” India has the diplomatic strength to isolate Pakistan on this issue and put it in the dock.
(Source: AsiaNews)
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on his recent Apostolic Voyage to Georgia and Azerbaijan.The Holy Father said “This visit complemented my visit to Armenia in June, and fulfilled my desire to visit all three nations of the Caucasus to confirm the Catholic community and to encourage all the people in their journey toward peace and fraternity.” He concluded his address with the prayer, “May God bless Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and guide his holy people in those countries.”Below, please find the English-language summary of Pope Francis’ address for the weekly General Audience on 5 October 2016:Dear Brothers and Sisters: I thank the Lord for the grace of my recent visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, and I renew my gratitude to the civil and religious authorities of both countries, in particular to the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, and to the Sheikh of the Muslims of the Caucasus. This visit c...
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on his recent Apostolic Voyage to Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The Holy Father said “This visit complemented my visit to Armenia in June, and fulfilled my desire to visit all three nations of the Caucasus to confirm the Catholic community and to encourage all the people in their journey toward peace and fraternity.” He concluded his address with the prayer, “May God bless Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and guide his holy people in those countries.”
Below, please find the English-language summary of Pope Francis’ address for the weekly General Audience on 5 October 2016:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: I thank the Lord for the grace of my recent visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, and I renew my gratitude to the civil and religious authorities of both countries, in particular to the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, and to the Sheikh of the Muslims of the Caucasus. This visit complemented my visit to Armenia in June, and fulfilled my desire to visit all three nations of the Caucasus to confirm the Catholic community and to encourage all the people in their journey toward peace and fraternity. Though Georgia and Azerbaijan enjoy ancient historical, cultural and religious roots, they have only just celebrated twenty-five years of independence, and are experiencing great challenges. The Catholic Church is called to be close to them, especially through works of charity and promoting the good of the human person, in communion with the other Churches and Christian communities, and in dialogue with other religious communities. In Georgia, our cooperation is naturally with our Orthodox brothers and sisters, and so Patriarch Ilia’s presence at the airport upon my arrival was a very important sign, as well as our visit to the Patriarchal Cathedral and our meeting which was very moving. Our unity 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. In Azerbaijan, a primarily Muslim country, I was able to participate in an interreligious meeting and to celebrate Mass with the small Catholic community. Our communion of faith inspires us to deepen our encounter and dialogue with all who believe in God, so that together we can build a more just and fraternal world. May God bless Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and guide his holy people in those countries.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday greeted former prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp during his remarks to Polish-speaking pilgrims during the General Audience.“Today we celebrate the memory of St. Faustina Kowalska,” – Pope Francis said – “She reminded the world that God is rich in mercy and that His love is more powerful than death, sin and every evil. May this message of the Merciful Jesus, entrusted to her, bear fruit in your life with a deeper union with God and the works of mercy.”He concluded his remarks by saying: “Entrusting to the Lord ourselves, and the difficult problems of the world, we frequently repeat: ‘Jesus, I trust in you!’. Praised be Jesus Christ.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday greeted former prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp during his remarks to Polish-speaking pilgrims during the General Audience.
“Today we celebrate the memory of St. Faustina Kowalska,” – Pope Francis said – “She reminded the world that God is rich in mercy and that His love is more powerful than death, sin and every evil. May this message of the Merciful Jesus, entrusted to her, bear fruit in your life with a deeper union with God and the works of mercy.”
He concluded his remarks by saying: “Entrusting to the Lord ourselves, and the difficult problems of the world, we frequently repeat: ‘Jesus, I trust in you!’. Praised be Jesus Christ.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is a famous sports fan, and he often meets athletes during his weekly General Audience. On 5 October, he met a different kind of athlete: Those with four legs.The Holy Father met with members of the “Federazione Italiana Sport Cinofili,” which is the Italian Federation dealing with “dog sports,” which test a canine’s agility and obedience.Pope Francis gave his blessing to the animals, then he petted many of the dogs – and shook the hands of their “coaches” – and gave them a special mention during his remarks in St. Peter’s Square.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is a famous sports fan, and he often meets athletes during his weekly General Audience. On 5 October, he met a different kind of athlete: Those with four legs.
The Holy Father met with members of the “Federazione Italiana Sport Cinofili,” which is the Italian Federation dealing with “dog sports,” which test a canine’s agility and obedience.
Pope Francis gave his blessing to the animals, then he petted many of the dogs – and shook the hands of their “coaches” – and gave them a special mention during his remarks in St. Peter’s Square.
