Catholic News 2
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) -- The young man accused of killing five people in a Washington state shopping mall before leading authorities on a nearly 24-hour manhunt has confessed to the slayings, according to court documents released Monday....
HOUSTON (AP) -- A disgruntled lawyer who had numerous weapons randomly shot at drivers in a Houston neighborhood Monday morning, hitting six people, one critically, before he was shot and killed by police, authorities said. Another three people had injuries from glass or debris....
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- With millions watching and the American presidency on the line, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are poised for a must-see showdown Monday night, pitting the Democrat's call for steady, experienced leadership against the Republican's pugnacious promises to upend Washington....
NEW YORK (AP) -- Everyone's aware of the stakes for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump during the first presidential debate, but there's a third person in the equation who faces a different pressure: Lester Holt....
In a time when indifference to another’s suffering seems so widespread, there was one person, in our time, who was not indifferent. Mother Teresa had eyes that saw, a heart that felt and hands that reached out to help. These were the words uses by Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, to describe St. Teresa of Calcutta, at a Holy Mass Sunday evening to celebrate the canonization of the ‘Saint of the Gutters’, on the grounds St. Francis Xavier Church, Vile Parle in Mumbai. The Mass and celebratory event that followed was attended by the priests, religious and lay people of Bombay Archdiocese, with guests form Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, Mother Teresa’s adopted hometown. Pope Francis canonized Mother Teresa on Sept. 4 in the Vatican, and since then dioceses, parishes and communities around the world have been celebrating her sainthood.Six bishops and the priests of Bombay Archdiocese joined Card. Gracias at the altar fo...
In a time when indifference to another’s suffering seems so widespread, there was one person, in our time, who was not indifferent. Mother Teresa had eyes that saw, a heart that felt and hands that reached out to help. These were the words uses by Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, to describe St. Teresa of Calcutta, at a Holy Mass Sunday evening to celebrate the canonization of the ‘Saint of the Gutters’, on the grounds St. Francis Xavier Church, Vile Parle in Mumbai. The Mass and celebratory event that followed was attended by the priests, religious and lay people of Bombay Archdiocese, with guests form Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, Mother Teresa’s adopted hometown. Pope Francis canonized Mother Teresa on Sept. 4 in the Vatican, and since then dioceses, parishes and communities around the world have been celebrating her sainthood.
Six bishops and the priests of Bombay Archdiocese joined Card. Gracias at the altar for the Sept. 25 Mass. It was followed by a cultural programme that included choir with Indian playback performing a soulful rendering of the hymn, ‘Whatsoever you do…’ This was followed by the testimony on St. Teresa’s life by Sr. Suma, Superior of the Missionaries of Charity in Mumbai. She noted that it was on that day, Sept. 25, 1928, that her foundress, at age 18, heeding to the Lord’s call, left her home in Albania to join the Loreto nuns in Ireland, in order to come to India as a missionary.
A heartwarming wheelchair Bharat Natyam by the children of Ashadaan, was followed by a ‘life-like’ skit by the children of St. Francis Xavier’s parish, which demonstrated key moments in St. Teresa’s life and ended with the testimonies from the two miracles which confirmed her sainthood. A moving song by three blind girls from Ashadaan held the audience in thrall with their beautiful voices and harmonization – their musical eulogy to Mother Teresa brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Also in the evening’s programme was the testimony from Mr. Thomas who had the privilege of assisting Mother Teresa in the building of her homes in Kolkata and Mumbai.
A short film on Mother Teresa directed and produced by the Catholic Communication Centre of the Archdiocese was screened, and proved a fitting end to the commemoration of Mother Teresa. Card. Gracias then shared his thoughts on the event, commenting on how the presence of Mother Teresa could actually be felt! He shared further vignettes from Mother’s life and urged everyone, once again, to follow this wonderful model in our time – her mission and even more, her deep faith. He congratulated the Missionaries of Charity for ‘their Saint’ and commended the other religious institutes for their inspiring work among the more distressed in society, urging them to follow the path of sainthood, as well.
The relic of Saint Teresa of Calcutta relic was then brought in procession by the Missionaries of Charity, for the faithful to venerate.
(Vatican Radio) Today, Monday 26 September 2016, the Holy Father received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Joseph Kabila, who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States.In a statement, the Holy See's Press Office said during the "cordial discussions," the good relations between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were evoked, "with particular reference to the important contribution of the Catholic Church in the life of the nation, with its institutions in the educational, social and healthcare spheres, as well as in development and the reduction of poverty. In this context, mutual satisfaction was expressed for the signing of the framework Agreement between the Holy See and the State, which took place on 20 May this year."Particular attention was paid, the comunique continues, "...
(Vatican Radio) Today, Monday 26 September 2016, the Holy Father received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency Joseph Kabila, who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States.
In a statement, the Holy See's Press Office said during the "cordial discussions," the good relations between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were evoked, "with particular reference to the important contribution of the Catholic Church in the life of the nation, with its institutions in the educational, social and healthcare spheres, as well as in development and the reduction of poverty. In this context, mutual satisfaction was expressed for the signing of the framework Agreement between the Holy See and the State, which took place on 20 May this year."
Particular attention was paid, the comunique continues, "to the serious challenges placed by the current political challenge and the recent clashes that have occurred in the capital. Emphasis was placed on the importance of collaboration between political actors and representatives of civil society and religious communities, in favour of the common good, through a respectful and inclusive dialogue for the stability of peace in the country."
Finally, the Parties focused on the persistent violence suffered by the population in the east of the country, and on the urgency of cooperation at national and international levels, in order to provide the necessary assistance and to re-establish civil co-existence.
Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim leaders joined Catholics at the tomb of St. Teresa of Calcutta on Friday hailing her dedication for the poor and praying for her intercession to emulate her work in their life. The interreligious prayer gathering at the tomb of Mother Teresa in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, was one of a series of events Calcutta Archdiocese has organized along with the Missionaries of Charity nuns to celebrate her Sept. 4 canonization by Pope Francis in Rome. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Kolkata said the canonization ceremony at the Vatican had gathered people of various faiths. "In a small way, in this holy room where St. Teresa's tomb is, representatives of different faiths have come together to celebrate," he said.Buddhist leader Buddharakhsit described Mother Teresa as a "pure soul" who "earned respect" through her life and actions. ...
Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim leaders joined Catholics at the tomb of St. Teresa of Calcutta on Friday hailing her dedication for the poor and praying for her intercession to emulate her work in their life. The interreligious prayer gathering at the tomb of Mother Teresa in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, was one of a series of events Calcutta Archdiocese has organized along with the Missionaries of Charity nuns to celebrate her Sept. 4 canonization by Pope Francis in Rome. Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Kolkata said the canonization ceremony at the Vatican had gathered people of various faiths. "In a small way, in this holy room where St. Teresa's tomb is, representatives of different faiths have come together to celebrate," he said.
Buddhist leader Buddharakhsit described Mother Teresa as a "pure soul" who "earned respect" through her life and actions. Jagmohan Singh of the Eastern Region Sikh Mission based in Kolkata said Mother Teresa worked with "godly mercy." Singh said that there is no other comparison for her wok and life in India. Maulana Mubarak Karim Jawahar, president of the Quran Research Society, said, "Although St. Teresa has left us we can all emulate her."
The archdiocese also conducted a "Mother Walk" on Sept. 25 on a symbolic three-kilometer foot journey from her former Loreto convent in the city to "her final resting place" inside the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity congregation.
Next month, a cultural program and thanksgiving Mass is being organized by the archdiocese as the culmination of the month-long celebration of the canonization. (Source: UCAN)
(Vatican Radio) The Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is among the world's senior diplomats attending the signing of the historic peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - or FARC - a rebel group that has conducted an insurgency in the country for more than fifty years.Several Catholic aid and development agencies from Europe and North America, active in Colombia and across Latin America, have issued a joint statement welcoming the accord, including the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, CAFOD, the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales.Please find the text of CAFOD's press release, below***********************************************Catholic agencies welcome official signing of peace agreement in ColombiaCatholic agencies from Europe and North America have welcomed the announcement that the Colombian Government and the FARC guerrilla group will sign a peace agreement on...
(Vatican Radio) The Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is among the world's senior diplomats attending the signing of the historic peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - or FARC - a rebel group that has conducted an insurgency in the country for more than fifty years.
Several Catholic aid and development agencies from Europe and North America, active in Colombia and across Latin America, have issued a joint statement welcoming the accord, including the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, CAFOD, the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales.
Please find the text of CAFOD's press release, below
***********************************************
Catholic agencies welcome official signing of peace agreement in Colombia
Catholic agencies from Europe and North America have welcomed the announcement that the Colombian Government and the FARC guerrilla group will sign a peace agreement on Monday 26 September to end over fifty years of conflict.
The Colombian Catholic Church and civil society have played a key role in supporting peace in Colombia, and in ensuring the participation of local communities and victims in the peace talks taking place since October 2012.
Monsignor Hector Fabio Henao, Director of Caritas Colombia, said:
“We celebrate with great joy the agreement ending the armed confrontation between the Colombian Government and the FARC. It is the first fundamental step towards building lasting peace, which will require strong government commitment and full participation and attentive civil society.”
“The Catholic Church has accompanied rural communities and human rights defenders closely on this long and painful path and will continue to support peace-building processes to ensure that the atrocities of the past are not repeated, that reconciliation is a reality, and human dignity of all those involved in the conflict is restored.”
The Peace Agreement brings to an end a conflict which has generated one of the worst humanitarian crises of the last few decades. Over 265,000 people have been killed, 46,000 disappeared and almost 7 million displaced.
CAFOD’s Head of Latin America, Clare Dixon, said:
“Today [26 September] is an historic day for Colombia, and a day for hope. We congratulate the efforts carried out to overcome the violence which, above all, has affected Colombian civilians, particularly those most marginalised and vulnerable, such as children, women, ethnic groups, peasant-farmers and other rural communities, as well as human rights organisations”.
Click below to hear our conversation with the Head of CAFOD Latin America, Clare Dixon
The Colombian Government must ensure truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition for the victims of the Colombian conflict, urged the Catholic agencies in a statement released today.
The statement also drew attention to the issue of unequal land distribution, an underlying cause of the conflict. The Catholic agencies called on the Colombian Government to take actions to avoid further conflicts over land, including those generated by the lack of prior consultation with local communities regarding mining and energy projects promoted by the government and often operated by multinational companies.
It also called on the international community to play its part in the regulation of companies who are investing in land in Colombia, to avoid complicity in violating human rights and rights of communities.
The Peace Agreement between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group must now be approved by Colombians in a referendum vote which will take place on 2 October 2016.
“Colombian society must be aware and informed so that they are able to seize this historic opportunity on 2 October and make peace a reality,” said Monsignor Henao.
He added: “Even if the agreement is signed, there are still many challenges ahead for Colombia. We hope the government will also advance in agreements with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and other armed actors, including paramilitary groups”.
The foreign minister of the Philippines told the United Nations on Saturday his country's new president, Rodrigo Duterte, had an "unprecedented" mandate and the world should not interfere in his crackdown on crime. Addressing the annual U.N. General Assembly, Perfecto Yasay said the Duterte government was "determined to free the Philippines from corrupt and other stagnating practices, including the manufacture, distribution and use of illicit drugs. "Our actions, however, have grabbed both the national headlines and international attention for all the wrong reasons," he said. "We urge everyone to allow us to deal with our domestic challenges in order to achieve our national goals without undue interference."Duterte won a landslide election victory on May 9 after vowing to wipe out drugs and crime. Police said this week that in the past 11 weeks, nearly 3,000 people had been killed in Duterte's war on drugs, a figure adju...
The foreign minister of the Philippines told the United Nations on Saturday his country's new president, Rodrigo Duterte, had an "unprecedented" mandate and the world should not interfere in his crackdown on crime. Addressing the annual U.N. General Assembly, Perfecto Yasay said the Duterte government was "determined to free the Philippines from corrupt and other stagnating practices, including the manufacture, distribution and use of illicit drugs. "Our actions, however, have grabbed both the national headlines and international attention for all the wrong reasons," he said. "We urge everyone to allow us to deal with our domestic challenges in order to achieve our national goals without undue interference."
Duterte won a landslide election victory on May 9 after vowing to wipe out drugs and crime. Police said this week that in the past 11 weeks, nearly 3,000 people had been killed in Duterte's war on drugs, a figure adjusted from the 3,800 they cited last week. On Thursday, the 71-year old president hurled insults at U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the European Union, then invited them to come to investigate his crackdown. Despite growing alarm and international criticism, including from President Barack Obama and human rights watchdogs, Duterte has said he won't stop the campaign. He has said that killing drug suspects is lawful if police act in self-defense and urged citizens with guns to shoot and kill drug dealers who resist arrest. Witnesses have accused some police of gunning down people suspected of being involved in illegal drugs. (Source: Reuters)
(Vatican Radio) At a briefing for journalists at the Holy See press office on Monday, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke gave details of Pope Francis’ forthcoming three day visit to the republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan. It’ll be his 16th pastoral visit outside Italy and it’ll be focused on the themes of peace and brotherhood, following on from the message of peace that he took with him to the neighbouring republic of Armenia last June.Listen: The Pope is scheduled to leave the Vatican on Friday morning, headed for the Georgian capital Tbilisi. His first encounter there will be with the president, with government authorities and representatives of civil society gathered at the imposing presidential palace. From there he goes on to meet the country’s Orthodox leader Patriarch Elia, who was also on hand for Pope John Paul II’s visit to the newly independent nation back in 1999.The final event on Friday will be a visit to the Syro-Chaldean church of St...
(Vatican Radio) At a briefing for journalists at the Holy See press office on Monday, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke gave details of Pope Francis’ forthcoming three day visit to the republics of Georgia and Azerbaijan. It’ll be his 16th pastoral visit outside Italy and it’ll be focused on the themes of peace and brotherhood, following on from the message of peace that he took with him to the neighbouring republic of Armenia last June.
Listen:
The Pope is scheduled to leave the Vatican on Friday morning, headed for the Georgian capital Tbilisi. His first encounter there will be with the president, with government authorities and representatives of civil society gathered at the imposing presidential palace. From there he goes on to meet the country’s Orthodox leader Patriarch Elia, who was also on hand for Pope John Paul II’s visit to the newly independent nation back in 1999.
The final event on Friday will be a visit to the Syro-Chaldean church of St Simon the Tanner, one of three different rites making up the small Catholic community in the former Soviet nation. The pope will join Syro-Chaldean bishops from around the world there to pray for peace in Syria and Iraq.
Pope Francis begins the following day with Mass at a stadium in Tbilisi named after one of Georgia’s most famous footballers. Significantly, a delegation from the Orthodox Patriarchate will also be present at the Mass, a sign of growing friendship despite the many doctrinal difficulties that continue to divide leaders of the two Churches.
In the afternoon, the Pope will meet with priests, religious and seminarians at one of the two Catholic parishes in the capital, before greeting several hundred disabled and vulnerable people being cared for by members of the Camilian order. The Pope’s final event in Georgia will be a visit to the patriarchal cathedral in the nearby ancient city of Mtshketa, listed as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.
On the final day of the trip, Pope Francis flies from Tbilisi to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan where he’ll celebrate Mass for the tiny Catholic community at the only parish church run by the Salesian order. In the afternoon he’ll make a courtesy visit to the president and meet the region’s Muslim leader, Sheik Allashukur Pashazade, before taking part in an interfaith encounter with representatives of all the other religious communities in the country.
