Catholic News 2
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Right after getting off the plane, sweat beads will start to gather on your forehead. That's just Rio de Janeiro's ever-present humidity saying "hello."...
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Sri Lankan rights activists hope that the new constitution will afford citizens the freedom of religion, promote religious harmony and recognize human rights but traditionalists want to keep the Buddhist hegemony."A secular state does not mean being irreligious," said Father Sarath Iddamalgoda, a rights activist. "But an equal freedom for people to pursue their spirituality and faith without the obstacle of a constitution that guarantees only one religion which can sometimes assault others.""[The constitution should] promote harmony and co-existence amongst different religious communities," the priest told ucanews.com.Buddhism currently enjoys a privileged position guaranteed by the constitution. But that could change as the newly elected government drafts a new constitution amid calls to create equality for all religions within a secular state.A statement dated August 3, 2016, signed by a group of Catholics said that it is their view that Sri Lanka s...
Sri Lankan rights activists hope that the new constitution will afford citizens the freedom of religion, promote religious harmony and recognize human rights but traditionalists want to keep the Buddhist hegemony.
"A secular state does not mean being irreligious," said Father Sarath Iddamalgoda, a rights activist. "But an equal freedom for people to pursue their spirituality and faith without the obstacle of a constitution that guarantees only one religion which can sometimes assault others."
"[The constitution should] promote harmony and co-existence amongst different religious communities," the priest told ucanews.com.
Buddhism currently enjoys a privileged position guaranteed by the constitution. But that could change as the newly elected government drafts a new constitution amid calls to create equality for all religions within a secular state.
A statement dated August 3, 2016, signed by a group of Catholics said that it is their view that Sri Lanka should be a secular state that recognizes, promotes and protects all universally recognized human rights.
"To us, a secular state is one that doesn't give foremost place, prominence and privileges to one religion, constitutionally or in practice," the statement said.
In Sri Lanka, 70 percent of the population is Buddhist compared with about 10 percent Muslim and 8 percent Christian.
"True liberty and freedom without harming others is a powerful witness for our short lifespan on this earth and a secular state gives us the freedom to live a spiritual lifestyle," said Father Mangalaraja. "This should lead to an unbiased government with no hidden agenda, breed peaceful thought and behavior among people."
Father Mangalaraja, President of the Justice and Peace Commission of the war-torn Jaffna Diocese, said equality must be given to all religions. "They [Buddhists] already take an upper hand," he said adding that, in Jaffna, people are predominantly Tamils who might be Hindus or Christians.
Explaining the current problems faced by them, Father Mangalaraja said that in Trincomalee in the East and Jaffna in the North, the Sri Lankan army erected Buddha statues which are not easily removed leading to some discontent among the Tamil communities, who are predoiminantly Hindu.
Prominent Buddhist monk, Passaramulle Dayawansha Thero, Coordinating Secretary to the National Monk Conference, said that a non-religious state is a leftist idea. "Buddhism is accepted as the major religion by tradition and accepted as a characteristic of democratic society," he said. "A country cannot exist without a religion. It is an attempt by a group of people who oppose this constitution. We should defeat the idea of the leftists."
R. Nuhman, a Muslim rights activist, said that religion should be a private matter and no state law, rule or regulation should be based on it. "No religion will automatically be protected by state sponsorship," said Nuhman.
"There still has been no justice for attacks on Muslim religious minorities in Aluthgama by Buddhist hardliners in 2014," he said.
The violence caused three deaths, 88 injuries and hundreds of houses and business properties were looted and burned. "Buddhist extremists began their hate campaign against Muslims, Christians and Hindus a few years ago," said Nuhman.
(UCANews.com)
(Vatican Radio) Kosovo's government has ratified a crucial border demarcation agreement with neighboring Montenegro, aimed at further stabilizing the often volatile Balkans, despite disapproval from the opposition, as part of wider efforts by the young nation to join the European Union.Listen to Stefan Bos' report: The embattled government ratified the deal with neighboring Montenegro following years of preparations. On Thursday it sent the details to Parliament to proceed with its approval, despite strong disagreements with the opposition.A day earlier the government had a meeting with the opposition about the border agreement that resulted in no compromise. Several legislators have made clear they will not change their mind.Since last autumn the noisy opposition has often used tear gas canisters to disrupt parliament's work. Angry men walk towards the platform to ensure that nobody of the government can address Parliament. Smoke soon fills the room, forcing...
(Vatican Radio) Kosovo's government has ratified a crucial border demarcation agreement with neighboring Montenegro, aimed at further stabilizing the often volatile Balkans, despite disapproval from the opposition, as part of wider efforts by the young nation to join the European Union.
Listen to Stefan Bos' report:
The embattled government ratified the deal with neighboring Montenegro following years of preparations. On Thursday it sent the details to Parliament to proceed with its approval, despite strong disagreements with the opposition.
A day earlier the government had a meeting with the opposition about the border agreement that resulted in no compromise. Several legislators have made clear they will not change their mind.
Since last autumn the noisy opposition has often used tear gas canisters to disrupt parliament's work. Angry men walk towards the platform to ensure that nobody of the government can address Parliament. Smoke soon fills the room, forcing parliamentarians to leave the area.
Outside, opposition supporters' street rallies routinely turn into violent clashes with police. On Thursday some scores of opposition protesters were seen outside the Parliament building.
Opposition defends actions
The opposition has defended its actions saying the Kosovo government is giving away territory to Montenegro.
They claim that the border with Montenegro was set by the 1974 constitution of what was Yugoslavia before the federation broke up during the bloody Balkan wars of the 1990s.
The opposition maintains the government in Pristina "has shifted the 1974 border to Montenegro's advantage."
The United States disagrees saying its review of maps shows the deal "closely aligns" with the border defined by what was Yugoslavia's Constitution.
Angry at Serbia
Opposition legislators are also furious about an agreement with Serbia giving more powers to Kosovo's minority ethnic Serbs.
Yet the agreements are seen as crucial to the ambitions of Kosovo, Serbia and others in the region to join the European Union.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, almost a decade after air strikes by the NATO military alliance drove out Serbian security forces. They were accused of killing and expelling ethnic Albanian civilians during Kosovo's war for independence in 1990s.
Kosovo has been recognized as an independent state by more than 100 nations. However its independence is rejected by Serbia, with support from Russia, which has blocked Kosovo from becoming a United Nations member.
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Weekend for August 7, 2016 begins with Jill Bevilacqua's program "There's More in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye" which is followed by a feature with Vatican Museums Curator Professor Arnold Nesselrath who takes us to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for a peek at the Church treasures on exhibit.Listen to this programme presented and produced by Tracey McClure:
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Weekend for August 7, 2016 begins with Jill Bevilacqua's program "There's More in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye" which is followed by a feature with Vatican Museums Curator Professor Arnold Nesselrath who takes us to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major for a peek at the Church treasures on exhibit.
Listen to this programme presented and produced by Tracey McClure:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis remembers St. Francis’ “Pardon of Assisi” as this special grace celebrates its 800th anniversary - we take you to the Italian hill town for a look behind the scenes, and Jill Bevilacqua paints a portrait of St. Francis. The programme concludes with a reflection on the Feast of the Transfiguration by Fr. Peter Stravinskas who takes us to the Holy Land to the Mount where the miracle unfolded...Listen to this programme presented and produced by Tracey McClure:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis remembers St. Francis’ “Pardon of Assisi” as this special grace celebrates its 800th anniversary - we take you to the Italian hill town for a look behind the scenes, and Jill Bevilacqua paints a portrait of St. Francis. The programme concludes with a reflection on the Feast of the Transfiguration by Fr. Peter Stravinskas who takes us to the Holy Land to the Mount where the miracle unfolded...
Listen to this programme presented and produced by Tracey McClure:
(Vatican Radio) In this week's edition of There's More in the Sunday Gospel Than Meets the Eye, Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Listen: GOSPEL LK 12:35-40Jesus said to his disciples:“Gird your loins and light your lampsand be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.Blessed are those servantswhom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,have the servants recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.And should he come in the second or third watchand find them prepared in this way,blessed are those servants.Be sure of this:if the master of the house had known the hourwhen the thief was coming,he would not have let his house be broken into.You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,the Son of Man will co...
(Vatican Radio) In this week's edition of There's More in the Sunday Gospel Than Meets the Eye, Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Listen:
GOSPEL LK 12:35-40
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have the servants recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.
Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.”
While the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) movement has gained ground and attracted many Catholics in the Archdiocese of Harare and the country at large, its way of operation remains perplexing to many ‘traditional’ Catholics.’ Is it a church within the Church because of its Charismatic and Pentecostal way of worship?In a bid to enlighten more on this, one of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal priests, Fr Regis Chikuni has said that the CCR “is not a church within the Church but only an ecclesial movement,” Fr. Chikuni was speaking on a discussion programme of Radio Chiedza organised in Harare recently,Fr Chikuni further clarified that the Charismatic movement is not a new Church. It is a movement within the Catholic Church, an ecclesial movement of Spiritual renewal and transformation embeded in the Catholic Church. The CCR movement emphasises the need for each one to develop a personal relationship with Christ, our Lord and Saviour.The message...
While the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) movement has gained ground and attracted many Catholics in the Archdiocese of Harare and the country at large, its way of operation remains perplexing to many ‘traditional’ Catholics.’ Is it a church within the Church because of its Charismatic and Pentecostal way of worship?
In a bid to enlighten more on this, one of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal priests, Fr Regis Chikuni has said that the CCR “is not a church within the Church but only an ecclesial movement,” Fr. Chikuni was speaking on a discussion programme of Radio Chiedza organised in Harare recently,
Fr Chikuni further clarified that the Charismatic movement is not a new Church. It is a movement within the Catholic Church, an ecclesial movement of Spiritual renewal and transformation embeded in the Catholic Church. The CCR movement emphasises the need for each one to develop a personal relationship with Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
The message of Fr. Chikuni echoes the writings of Mr Kenneth Matsikidze, the then CCR Archdiocese of Harare Coordinator. Writing last year, Mr Matsikidze said the CCR movement was as it were, “the Church that is being refreshed, re-energised and revitalised by the power of the Holy Spirit.” He added that while many Catholics view renewal as “setting a new direction for the Church, renewal must instead be seen as a return to love, favour and practice of faith that existed in the past.”
In the radio programme, the respondent Fr Kenneth Makamure said besides elitism, sectarianism and emotionalism among others, Charismatic Renewal members should stay clear of ‘demon obsession.’ He said Charismatics “must not see all life as a battle for demons where the Devil is blamed for bad health, bad behaviour without reference to physical, psychological and relational setbacks,” he emphasised.
The CCR National Spiritual Advisor, Fr Konrad Landsberg SJ said, “the Charismatic gift is a gift of the Church and people must not be judges on the Holy Spirit but rather be students.” He added, “Let us learn and always listen to the Holy Spirit,” Fr Landsberg SJ advised.
(Jesuit Communications Zimbabwe–Mozambique)
Email:engafrica@vatiradio.va
