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With tension still very much in the air, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Catholic Bishops say they are temporarily suspending their participation in the ongoing national dialogue.  Archdiocese of Kisangani’s Archbishop Marcel Utembi, President of the Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) told Vatican Radio’s French Africa programme that the Bishops want to mourn the more 50 people killed during the Kinshasa clashes on Tuesday.

Police and demonstrators clashed Tuesday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The clashes were an escalation in violence triggered by President Joseph Kabila’s decision to delay elections due at the end of the year. Wednesday saw several more people killed in Kinshasa as the violence continued into the second day. On Tuesday, three opposition parties had their headquarters set on fire.

(Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va)

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his sadness for the killing of two Mexican priests and has sent a telegramme of condolences assuring their diocese and families of his prayers.

Father Alejo Nabor Jimenez Juarez  and Father José Alfredo Suarez de la Cruz were abducted from their Church in the State of Veracruz’s northern city of Poza Rica on Sunday.  Their bodies, with bullet wounds, were found the following day.

The telegramme, which was sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on behalf of the Holy Father, expressed the Pope’s profound sadness for the killing of the priests who were respectively the Parish priest and the Vicar of the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Poza Rica.

The Pope strongly condemned the brutal attacks on the lives and on the dignity of the people involved and urged the clergy and all members of the diocese to continue to pursue their mission despite the difficulties.

He said  he is praying for the eternal rest of the priests, for their families and for the entire parish community.

The telegramme was addressed to Bishop Trinidad Zapata of Papantla.  

Poza Rica and its surrounding territory has been the scene of drug-related gang violence and trafficking for many years. But it's unclear why the Catholic priests were targeted.

Priests have been killed before in Mexico, but many of the killings have occurred in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero. The two murders bring the total number of Catholic priests killed in Mexico since 2012 to 14.

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(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has called for greater protection of the rights of refugees and migrants, saying the construction of “walls and barriers" is never an acceptable solution to social problems.

The cardinal was speaking at the United Nations in New York on Monday as head of the Holy See’s delegation to the U.N. summit for refugees and migrants.

While taking into consideration the legitimate concerns of societies and countries, the cardinal said we must never lose sight of “the real people, with names and faces, behind the staggering statistics”. He called for urgent action to protect not only refugees, but also migrants who “need respect for their rights, as well as solidarity and compassion”.

Warning especially of the risks to migrant and refugee children, Cardinal Parolin called for closer cooperation among governments, international organizations, humanitarian agencies and faith based communities, who, he noted, “are often first-responders to refugee and migrant movements across borders and to those internally displaced”.

Please find below the full text of Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s address to the U.N. Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016

Mr President,

The Holy See expresses its gratitude to you and to the Secretary General for convening this historic gathering of global leaders to address one of the biggest humanitarian, political, social and economic issues of our time, namely that of the large movements of refugees and migrants. This is a moral imperative that those who carry responsibility for the wellbeing of peoples can neither avoid nor ignore.

The values expressed in the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the respect for fundamental human rights and the dignity and worth of the human person, must be at the heart of our response to the plight of refugees and migrants.  These same fundamental principles are affirmed by most major religious traditions in the world and by people of good will. The Golden Rule enjoins us to treat refugees and migrants the way we would want others to treat us if we were in their situation.

Thus, as we try to find the most effective ways to respond to the challenges posed by the unprecedented movements of refugees and migrants, while taking into consideration the legitimate concerns of societies and countries, we should not lose sight of the real people, with names and faces, behind the staggering statistics. Refugees need our protection, but migrants also need respect for their rights, as well as solidarity and compassion. This approach requires the full commitment of “a humanity that before all else recognizes others as brothers and sisters, a humanity that wants to build bridges and recoils from the idea of putting up walls to make us feel safer.” 

Our presence in this Institution, in fact, is a sign of our acknowledgement that walls and barriers among persons and peoples – whether physical or legislative – are never an acceptable solution to social problems.  Such barriers divide persons and peoples, cause tensions among them and weaken and impede development. Instead, despite difficulties, electoral interests and understandable and legitimate concerns, our responsibilities demand that we overcome fears and obstacles and work for a world where individuals and peoples can live in freedom and dignity.

The enormous and complex challenges that immense movements of refugees and migrants pose can only be solved if we all work together. My Delegation insists on the need for cross-border dialogue and cooperation among nations, international organizations and humanitarian agencies. In this regard, partnership with religious organizations and faith communities is particularly helpful, for they are interested and skilled parties who are often first-responders to refugee and migrant movements across borders and to those internally displaced.

All individuals have the right to remain in peace and security in their homelands and countries of origin. Yet millions risk everything, live in miserable conditions and thousands have lost their lives while trying to escape conflicts, violence, abject poverty, social exclusion, open persecution and various forms of discrimination. Forty-eight million children are forced to leave their homes, and thousands of unaccompanied migrant children go missing and become prey to abusers and exploiters.

The Holy See wishes to reiterate once more its urgent appeal for political and multilateral efforts to address the root causes of large movements and forced displacement of populations, especially conflicts and violence, countless violations of human rights, environmental degradation, extreme poverty, the arms trade and arms trafficking, corruption, and the obscure financial and commercial plans connected with them. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that development funds are equitably and transparently assigned, delivered and used appropriately. 

The Holy See emphasizes the importance of this Summit, which echoes Pope Francis’ warnings about the globalization of indifference.  In doing so, it is motivated by a reiterated commitment to protect each and every person from violence and discrimination, to guarantee appropriate and quality health-care and to protect those who are vulnerable, particularly women and children.

My Delegation notes that the political Declaration endorses urgently needed commitments to help both refugees and other forced migrants, since they share root causes that require a shared response. Likewise, the Declaration takes into account national realities, capacities, priorities, and levels of development, in a manner that is consistent with the rights and obligations of States under international law.  Along these lines, we welcome the strong call for all States to work toward the elimination of the practice of child detention, which is never in the best interest of the child.

The Holy See welcomes the agreement for a closer working relationship between the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations, and wishes to express its interest in participating in the continuing efforts of the Global Forum on Migration and Development and the Global Migration Group. We sincerely hope that these initiatives will stimulate better management of person-centered responses to refugee and migrant movements at global, national, and local levels.

Mr. President,

Allow me to conclude with the words of Pope Francis that express his message to this Summit: “I invite political leaders and lawmakers and the entire International Community to consider the reality of persons forcefully uprooted with effective initiatives and new approaches to protect their dignity, to improve the quality of their life and to address the challenges that emerge in modern forms of persecution, oppression and slavery. It is, I stress, about human persons, who appeal to solidarity and assistance, who are in need of urgent interventions, but also and above all of understanding and goodness.”

Thank you, Mr. President.

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Fr. James Channan OP of Pakistan is one of the participants of International Conference on the themes of dialogue and relations between religions called “Interfaith and Community Service Challenge” from Sept. 20 to 23 in Washington.

Bringing a testimony of interfaith dialogue as a path to peace: is the intent of Pakistani Dominican Fr. James Channan, director of "Peace Center" in Lahore. As Fides learns, the conference, sponsored by the US President Barak Obama in person, is being attended by more than 60 scholars and religious leaders from 31 countries and 5 continents to share their experiences and skills in the field of interfaith dialogue and peace building. "We must learn from each other in order to make this world more peaceful and harmonious", explains Fr. Channan. The delegates present are people committed to promoting interfaith cooperation in universities, schools, training centers, seminars and associations. The sessions are held at the White House, in the presence of leaders of departments and government offices, at Georgetown University and Gallaudet University.

Fr. Channan notes: "I am honored to be here. I will have the chance to talk about the activities and the dialogic style of Peace Center in Lahore, sharing experiences, success stories and challenges. I will have the chance to learn a lot from this meeting and be of help in the apostolate Islamic-Christian dialogue in Pakistan", he concludes. (Fides)

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(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has reiterated Pope Francis’ view that it is not religion which fuels extremist violence, but rather “political interests” and “societal ills”. Religion has itself been manipulated and hijacked as a pretext for intolerance and extremism, he said, yet religious communities are uniquely placed to fight the root causes of violence through education and support of vulnerable families.

The cardinal made his remarks at the United Nations headquarters in New York where he was leading the Holy See’s delegation to a migration summit and to the 71st session of the UN General Assembly. He spoke on Tuesday at two side events, the first focused on ‘Fighting Radicalization and Extremism thorough Education’ and the second entitled ‘The Role of Religious Leaders in Preventing Crimes of  Atrocity’.

The Secretary of State stressed that faith leaders play a crucial role in educating and forming responsible citizens in order to counter destructive narratives that engender radicalization and extremism. To do this effectively, he said religious communities must be open to dialogue with one another and to broader society. This is the only way to overcome the ignorance that underlies attitudes of hate and mistrust which fuel extremism, he said. 

The cardinal called for closer cooperation between civil society and faith-based communities, as well as practical and financial support for religious leaders who seek to assist vulnerable families at risk of radicalization.

Finally Cardinal Parolin pointed to Pope Francis’ message for the next World Day of Peace which is entitled “Non-Violence: A Style of Politics for Peace”. He said all our efforts to combat radicalization must be rooted in a desire for peace through the safeguarding of the rights and dignity of all. 

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Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 / 06:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After hearing of the murder of two priests in Mexico, Pope Francis sent a telegram to the country’s bishops condemning the violent act, offering his prayers as a sign of closeness to the community and families affected.

“Deeply distressed upon receiving the sad news of the assassination of Reverends Alejo Nabor Jimenez Juarez and Jose Alfredo Suarez de la Cruz…the Holy Father expresses his sincerest condolences,” read the telegram, sent Sept. 20.

Signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the telegram voiced the Pope’s closeness to Bishop Trinidad Zapata of Papantla, where the priests’ served, as well as to all clergy, religious communities and faithful of the diocese.

He offered his prayers “for the eternal repose of these priests of Christ, victims of an inexcusable violence.”

On Tuesday the bodies of Mexican priests Alejo Nabor Jiménez Juárez and José Alfredo Suárez de la Cruz were found murdered in a field after having been kidnapped from their parish.

They were kidnapped Sept. 18 from Our Lady of Fatima Parish in the city of Poza Rica, a town located in the north of the Mexican Gulf state of Veracruz. The bodies of the two priests were found the following day in a field in the nearby city of Papantla.

A third man, identified by Veracruz authorities, was kidnapped alongside the two priests, but escaped and was found alive. Veracruz officials said that he had been placed under protection.

Poza Rica and surrounding areas in Veracruz have been the locus of drug and associated cartel violence for years, but it is yet unclear why the priests were targeted. Priests have also been the target of violence elsewhere in Mexico.

Pope Francis recently condemned the escalation of drug activity and violence in Mexico during his visit to the country earlier this year, telling a group of laborers Feb. 17 to work toward finding adequate means to end “the cycle of drugs and violence.”

He said the lack of decent work and opportunity leads to situations of poverty, which then becomes “the best breeding ground for the young to fall into the cycle of drug trafficking and violence.”

This, the Pope said, “is a luxury which no one can afford; we cannot allow the present and future of Mexico to be alone and abandoned.”

In his telegram to Bishop Zapata, the Pope voiced his “firm condemnation of all that attacks life and the dignity of people,” and urged the clergy and pastoral agents of the diocese to continue their mission with enthusiasm by imitating Christ, “despite the obstacles.”

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Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 / 08:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on the theme of the Jubilee of Mercy, “Merciful like the Father,” telling pilgrims that while imitating God’s love can seem impossible, it’s genuine effort, rather than quantity, that matters.

To be “merciful like the Father” is not just “a slogan for effect, but a life commitment,” the Pope said Sept. 21.

However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?”

When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross.

“So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.”

“And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.”

Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes its theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke.

In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way, it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.”

Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.”

Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.”

Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.”

“All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?”

When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits,” but will be even more generous with those who were generous on earth.

Jesus, he said, “doesn’t say what will happen to those who did not give,” but sends a warning when he uses the image of “the measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.”

Because of this, “merciful love is the only path to take,” Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to “pluck” at others with criticism, envy and jealousy.  

“We must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,” he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it “like stone.”

“What do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful.”

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IMAGE: CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God wants people to be merciful, which means forgiving others and giving freely with love, Pope Francis said.

"We don't have the power to condemn our brother who makes a mistake, we are not above him. Rather we have a duty to return him to the dignity of a son of the father and to accompany him on his path of conversion," the pope said Sept. 21 at his weekly general audience.

In his talk, the pope focused on a reading from the Gospel of Luke (6:36-38) in which Jesus tells the disciples to stop judging others and be merciful just as God is.

The motto for the Year of Mercy, "Merciful Like the Father," comes from this biblical verse, the pope said.

But more than a pithy catchphrase, the motto is a lifelong commitment to give to others the love one has received -- without merit -- from God, he said. It is a call to reflect upon all that God does for humanity so as to be inspired "to be like him, full of love, compassion and mercy," he said.

But what does it mean to be merciful, the pope asked his audience. Jesus said it means to forgive and to give, he said.

Mercy is shown by forgiving and not judging and condemning, the pope said.

"A Christian must forgive," he said. "Why? Because he was forgiven! All of us here in the square have been forgiven, not one of us never needed God's forgiveness in life."

"If God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?" the pope said, underlining that "judging and condemning one's brother who sins is wrong."

"Not because one doesn't want to recognize the sin, but because to condemn the sinner breaks the bond of fraternity with him and ignores the mercy of God, who does not want to give up on any of his children."

By asking his disciples not to condemn, "Jesus does not mean to undermine the course of human justice," Pope Francis said, rather he shows that suspending judgment is needed to hold together a Christian community and maintain fraternal ties.

The other essential element of mercy, he said, is that it is freely giving to others because it flows from having received such abundant gifts from God.

Also, by giving to others, God will return that measure once again, showing "it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged" after death, the pope said.

For a Christian, he said, merciful love is the only path to follow.

"We all need to be a little more merciful, to not badmouth others, not judge, not rip people apart with criticism, envy, jealousy," he said.

By giving and forgiving, he said, one's heart will expand with love, while selfishness and hatred will turn the heart into a hard, tiny stone.

"Which do you want?" he asked.

When people in the audience shouted "no" to having "a heart of stone" and "yes" to a heart filled with love, the pope said, "then be merciful."

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