Catholic News 2

A leading international rights group has accused Bangladesh’s security forces of gross human rights abuse, saying since 2013 hundreds of people, including many from the, have disappeared, have been killed or are held in secret detention.   In a report released on Thursday, Human Rights Watch asked the Bangladesh government to “immediately stop this widespread practice of enforced disappearances, order prompt, impartial, and independent investigations into these allegations, provide answers to families, and prosecute security forces responsible for such egregious rights violations.”

The 82-page report, “‘We Don’t Have Him’: Secret Detentions and Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh,” found that at least 90 people were victims of enforced disappearance in 2016 alone. While most were produced in court after weeks or months of secret detention, the New York-based rights watchdog documented 21 cases of detainees who were later killed, and nine others whose whereabouts remain unknown.

“The disappearances are well-documented and reported, yet the government persists in this abhorrent practice with no regard for the rule of law,” said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch. “Bangladesh security forces,” he said, “appear to have a free hand in detaining people, deciding on their guilt or innocence, and determining their punishment, including whether they have the right to be alive.”

Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 100 people, including family members and witnesses, to document these cases. Details of police complaints and other legal documents are included in the report. The Bangladesh authorities failed to respond to letters seeking their views on these cases.  Witnesses and family members told Human Rights Watch that most of the abuses were carried out by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) or the Detective Branch of the police (DB), both of which have long-recorded histories of abuse.  There are allegations of severe torture and ill-treatment while in secret custody.

In addition to enforced disappearances, Human Rights Watch claims there is also an alarming trend of deaths occurring in secret detention of state authorities. Although the ruling Awami League party came to power in 2009 with a promise of “zero tolerance” for human rights violations, the practice of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances has persisted, with human rights organizations reporting at least 320 cases of disappearances since 2009. These include people suspected of criminal activities and militancy, as well as members of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)‎.

“The Bangladesh government is making a habit of complete disregard for human rights, human life, and the rule of law,” Adams said. “The government doesn’t even bother denying these abuses, instead remaining silent and relying on silence from the international community in return. This silence needs to end.”

Human Rights Watch urged the Bangladesh government to invite the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate these allegations and make appropriate recommendations to ensure justice, accountability, and security force reform. (Source: Human Rights Watch)

Full Article

Zambia’s Bishop of Mansa, Patrick Chisanga, OFM Conv., says the role of women in the accomplishment of the divine will for the Salvation of Humankind cannot be overemphasised.

Writing in the Mansa Diocesan newsletter, the Bishop calls upon women to be primary missionaries.

“Ba Minshioni ba lelo nifwe,” the Bishop said in the local Bemba language meaning: “We are the Missionaries of Today.” Bishop Chisanga paid special tribute to ‘our mothers’ for their unique calling of being real primary missionaries.

The Mansa Diocese prelate explained that the women reach out with the first touch of God’s love and nurturance upon humankind's entry into this world.

He has since appealed to women in the Diocese of Mansa not to neglect the honour God has bestowed upon them as they emulate the Blessed Mother of the Saviour and the first women disciples.

“You (women) are naturally the first Catechisers who communicate faith and morals to us from the earliest stages of our life. Do not neglect this singular honour God has bestowed upon you, especially through the Blessed Mother of our Saviour as well as those first witnesses of the empty tomb and missionaries of the Good News,” he said.

“The Church and society, in general, will continue to look up to you for joyful tidings that rekindle hope, especially in these troubled times of economic hardships, general moral degeneration, injustice and violence – religious, ethnic, political and gender-based, “he added.

The Mansa Diocese Ordinary also emphasises that the missionary mandate to “go quickly” and tell his disciples, as recorded in Mathew 28:10 is not limited to women alone.  He said that the Good News of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and life over death in the Risen Lord is such a dynamic reality that every recipient of it is moved to reach out and share with another immediately.

“If today you hear his voice do not harden your heart” (Ps 94:8) and selfishly bury it within yourself. Move promptly and, in great haste, joyfully share it with others. It is time to flood our conversations and the whole media with the news that gives hope and life,” Bishop Chisanga said.

The Bishop says the world is tired of negative and depressing news.

 “There is no reason why ‘bad news’ should continue to take centre stage and to spread everywhere at lightning speed while ‘the Good News’ is relegated to the background or is never heard at all. It is our responsibility as ‘Missionaries of Today’ to champion with enthusiasm the dissemination of the Good News of the victory of truth over lies, love over hatred, forgiveness over vengeance, humility over pride, unity over division, and peace over war,” said the Mansa Bishop.

(Mwenya Mukuka, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops)

engafrica@vatiradio.va

Full Article

Bring Christian values to politics; don’t lose your saltiness, Zimbabwe’s Archbishop of Harare, Robert Ndlovu says.

As Zimbabwe approaches general elections scheduled for 2018, the Archbishop of Harare, Robert Ndlovu has challenged Catholics to be active in politics and to bring the mind of Christ to the process.

Recently addressing congregants at St Canisius Parish, Marlborough in Harare during his pastoral visit, the prelate said Catholics should set precedence in being peace ambassadors and avoid all shameful acts.

“As Christians we shouldn’t be seen, talking or conducting acts that put the Church or the name of God into disrepute,” he said

 He said Christians, led by the Holy Spirit, should promote the act of love on the political scene since Christians sit together and eat from the same plate.

Archbishop Ndlovu encouraged parishioners that being active in politics is everyone’s right and duty. He went on to say that lay Catholics can actively participate in politics.

“If it is about being active in politics, get into it. I encourage you, be part of politics. That is your role … it is your duty. It is your right.” The Archbishop added, “But when you choose to be in it, don’t lose your saltiness as a Christian, don’t lose your light. Bring the mind of Christ and take your Christian values with you.”

The Archbishop, who is also a signatory to the recent Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference (ZCBC) Pastoral Letter on elections, spurned political violence and equated Christians who condone it to people who supported the crucifixion of Christ.

Archbishop Ndlovu emphasised: “Your vote is your vote, take your pen and make your choice but don’t make noise as Christians, be the peacemakers.”

Recently, about ten Christian organisations including the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace convened in Harare to launch a Christian vote campaign. The campaign shuns political violence during elections.

(Jesuits Zimbabwe - Mozambique)

email: engafrica@vatiradio.va

Full Article

Vatican City, Jul 6, 2017 / 08:23 am (National Catholic Register).- Pope St. John Paul II’s former spokesman, Dr. Joaquìn Navarro-Valls, has died at the age of 80.

A numerary of Opus Dei and a trained doctor, the Spanish journalist had been diagnosed with terminal cancer some weeks ago.

He passed away at 8:41 this evening at home after being discharged from the Opus Dei-run Campus Biomedico hospital in Rome.

His current successor, Holy See Press Office Director Greg Burke, announced the news yesterday with the following tweets:

Joaquin Navarro. RIP. Grace under pressure.

— Greg Burke (@GregBurkeRome) July 5, 2017 The Vatican's chief spokesman from 1984 to 2006, Navarro-Valls had an influential role during John Paul II’s pontificate, helping the late Pontiff to communicate effectively and bringing the papacy into the modern age of social communications.

He resigned as spokesman on July 11, 2006 and was replaced by Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.

Joaquin Navarro, 1936-2017.
Keep Smiling. pic.twitter.com/VCqL4GH5sS

— Greg Burke (@GregBurkeRome) July 5, 2017

Full Article

Brooklyn, N.Y., Jul 6, 2017 / 09:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Police are investigating a possible hate crime after a man allegedly threatened to kill a nun who was praying inside a Catholic Church in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon.

The nun is the Mother Superior of her community, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn, and was praying inside the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph around 2 p.m. when a shirtless man approached her.

In the video, the man can be seen meandering through the entrance and the nearly-empty church before he stops in at the pew in front of the praying nun.

He told the nun: “I don’t believe in this because you don’t help the poor.” When she did not respond, he said, “What did I say?”

At that moment, the nun looked around the church at a woman in another pew.

“She can’t help you. I’m going to kill you,” the man said, according to the Diocese of Brooklyn. The video then shows the nun running out of the church to call for help.

The incident was caught on surveillance video.

In a press release, the Diocese described the man as African-American, bald, about 6’ tall with a medium build. He was wearing khaki shorts and white sneakers, and was carrying a white baseball-style cap in his hand and a shirt in his back pocket.

The nun was praying in the church while another sister from the parish is leading a service mission to assist the poor in West Virginia.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

CNA has reached out to the Diocese for additional comment.

Full Article

IMAGE: CNS photo/Vatican Museums

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- What do the Sistine Chapel, a used car with 186,000 miles on the odometer and a statue of Our Lady of Lujan made out of metal from an abandoned factory have in common?

Besides being found in the Vatican Museums' collections, the 1984 Renault, the Renaissance frescoes and the recycled scrap all help showcase Pope Francis' concept of art, according to museum officials.

Blessed Paul VI's close relationship and active outreach to artists is well-known, as is St. John Paul II's love of theater and poetry and retired Pope Benedict XVI's passion for music.

But not many people know about Pope Francis' love of film, literature, music and the role he believes art can play in evangelization, social change and spiritual transformation. A new documentary produced by the Vatican Museums and Vatican City State aims to fill that void.

Titled "My Idea of Art," the 45-minute film is based on the book of the same name, authored by Pope Francis after Italian journalist Tiziana Lupi transcribed it from a sit-down interview with the pope in May 2015.

While the book is available only in Italian, the documentary film aims for a global audience, with subtitles in six languages and yet-to-be-announced theatrical releases worldwide. The Vatican also approved plans to submit the film for the Academy Awards' consideration for 2018.

Like the book, the film presents "the ideal art gallery" of Pope Francis, offering stunning visuals of selected masterpieces in the Vatican's collections to colorfully illustrate the pope's vision for art.

Using high-resolution 4K cinematography and state-of-the-art drones, filmmakers provide panoramic bird's-eye views of St. Peter's Square, the basilica and Vatican Gardens, and close-up details of hard-to-see pieces like the hieroglyphics on the 85-foot tall Egyptian obelisk in St. Peter's Square and the Sistine Chapel's frescoed ceiling.

The images are layered with insight from Lupi, explanations of the artwork by Sandro Barbagallo, curator of historical collections at the Vatican Museums, and snippets of Pope Francis speaking about the culture of waste and how art and evangelization exalt the beauty of God's creation and seek to recover what others have thrown away.

For example, one of the 11 works chosen as exemplifying Pope Francis' "gospel of art" is the "Belvedere Torso," from around the time when Christ lived. The contorted and damaged marble figure is missing arms, head and lower legs, which prompted Pope Julius II to ask Michelangelo to fix it.

But Michelangelo was so taken by its beauty, he dared not touch it, making it, instead, his model for the Sibyls in the Sistine Chapel, Barbagallo said in the film's narration. Many other artists saw beauty in this nude's brokenness, too, and Auguste Rodin's "'The Thinker' was inspired by this rejected piece of marble," the curator said.

"The artist is a witness of the invisible," Pope Francis says in the film's narration, "and works of art are the clearest proof that the incarnation is possible." Which is why, the pope says, artists can counteract today's throwaway culture and evangelize, because art reveals "what cannot be seen; for some it's an illusion. Instead it is hope which we all can believe in."

"Pope Francis thinks like an artist, without a doubt," Argentine sculptor Alejandro Marmo told Catholic News Service at the documentary's debut at the Vatican Museums in late June.

The same way artists find beauty in and shape the materials right there before them, Pope Francis welcomes and gives form or direction to the malleable heart in his midst, he said. It's a hands-on, artist's approach in offering pastoral care, he said.

"He combines intelligence, humility, human labor and his closeness to people who have no power. For me, this is the way to create real beauty," said Marmo, who got to know the pope when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio and Marmo -- at the time a troubled and disgruntled young man -- found they were both alarmed by the culture of waste and hopelessness in their city, which was facing severe economic and social crises, Marmo has said.

Marmo approached other church leaders with a desire to use art as a way to have a positive impact on people and society, but Cardinal Bergoglio "was the first bishop who listened" to his angry and "abstract" rantings, Marmo told CNS.

While church leaders are usually very well-educated and cultured, "to speak with an artist, listen to his ideas is difficult, and I believe that this was what was so important for me, because he opened up the spiritual world for me," Marmo said. He said the cardinal showed him that Jesus -- broken and discarded -- was present in the real world, "in the peripheries."

The pope took Marmo, also a son of immigrants, to the outskirts where art usually has no place, and told him to create a "bridge" and dialogue with the people there. Marmo soon began the kind of initiatives he still runs today, involving young people discarded by society to sort through and use materials thrown away by the economy and then to breathe new life into both.

After the cardinal was elected pope, he and Marmo kept in touch, with Marmo creating a crucified "Christ the Worker" and "Our Lady of Lujan" for the pope. Now in the Vatican Gardens, the two pieces were built with scrap metal culled from junk piles at the papal summer villa and farm in Castel Gandolfo.

"My testimony is a young man who once spoke with his bishop, he listened to him and he healed him of a disease called sadness, of being absent in life, of missing a spiritual life," Marmo said.

"I believe this is the art of a bishop. Because a bishop's art can't be seen in an office. You see it out there," he said, pointing to the peripheries.

- - -

Follow Glatz on Twitter: @CarolGlatz.

- - -

Copyright © 2017 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.

Full Article

IMAGE: CNS photo/Arne Dedert, EPA

By

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who spent 22 years as director of the Vatican press office, died at home in Rome July 5 at age 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

The current director of the Vatican press office, Greg Burke, announced his death in a tweet.

In a statement to Catholic News Service, Burke said he did not always agree with Navarro-Valls, but his predecessor "always behaved like a Christian gentleman - and those can be hard to find these days."

"Joaquin Navarro embodied what Ernest Hemingway defined as courage: grace under pressure. I got to know Navarro when I was working for Time, and the magazine named John Paul II Man of the Year. I expected to find a man of faith, but I found a man of faith who was also a first-class professional."

Burke said he remembered watching Navarro-Valls closely during the 1994 U.N. International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, which Burke described as "one of the best examples of what Pope Francis calls ideological colonization. It was fascinating to see someone who was defending the faith, but he wasn't on the defensive. He was leading the fight."

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, who succeeded Navarro-Valls as Vatican press director beginning in 2006, remembered him as a "master in the way he carried out his service."

"Navarro always remained a friend for me, an example of discreet spiritual life, true and profound, fully integrated in his work, a model of dedication at the service of the pope and the church, a master of communications, although for me -- as I have already said, but repeat -- inimitable," Father Lombardi said in an editorial published July 6 on Vatican Radio.

Greg Erlandson, director and editor-in-chief of Catholic News Service, covered the Vatican for CNS from 1986-89. He said that as the first lay director of the Vatican press office, Navarro-Valls "was a groundbreaking figure in Vatican communications."

"He raised the level of professionalism at the press office and embodied that professionalism in his relationship with the world's news media. He exemplified the ideal that one could be a fully professional communicator and at the same time be a person of deep faith," Erlandson said in a July 6 statement.

"In this way, he was the perfect collaborator with the pope he so loyally served, St. John Paul II," he said.

Born in Cartagena, Spain, Nov. 16, 1936, Navarro-Valls joined Opus Dei after meeting St. Josemaria Escriva.

He studied internal medicine and psychiatry before obtaining degrees in journalism and communications sciences. He moved to Rome in 1970, where he collaborated with the Opus Dei founder.  

He became a correspondent for the Spanish newspaper ABC and was elected twice as president of the Rome-based Foreign Press Association in Italy before becoming the first lay journalist to become director of the Vatican Press Office when he was appointed by St. John Paul II in 1984.

After leaving his post at the Vatican, he served as president of the advisory board of the Opus Dei-affiliated Campus Biomedical University in Rome until his death.

An author of books on the family and fluent in several languages, Navarro-Valls often provided colorful, picturesque details concerning St. John Paul's activities and daily life. He also acted many times as an adviser to the pope on the media impact of papal decisions.

He traveled with St. John Paul on almost all his apostolic journeys and became a well-recognized figure, especially after the pope became ill in 2004. He regularly held press conferences to relay news to the world of the pope's deteriorating condition.

In 1992, Navarro-Valls overhauled the press office with a $2 million technological face-lift along with much-needed, modernized facilities. He also revolutionized the distribution of material by making archives, documents and statistics concerning the pope's activity available online.

A wake was held July 6 at Rome's Basilica of St. Eugene. His funeral was to be presided by Msgr. Mariano Fazio, vicar general of Opus Dei, July 7.

- - -

Copyright © 2017 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article

Full Article