Catholic News 2
JERUSALEM (AP) -- As Israel's Labor Party prepares to choose its new leader, it already has taken a big step toward shedding its image as a bastion of liberal, upper-class Israelis of European descent....
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Pro-government militias wielding wooden sticks and metal bars stormed congress on Wednesday and began attacking opposition lawmakers during a special session coinciding with Venezuela's independence day....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- North Korea's newly demonstrated missile muscle puts Alaska within range of potential attack and stresses the Pentagon's missile defenses like never before. Even more worrisome, it may be only a matter of time before North Korea mates an even longer-range ICBM with a nuclear warhead, putting all of the United States at risk....
WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- President Donald Trump opens his two-nation European visit with what he expects to be a short but warm stop in Poland before he encounters what could be a frostier reception and thornier issues at an international summit in Germany. Trump's sit-down with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's first launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile threaten to put Trump's skills as a negotiator to the test....
NEW YORK (AP) -- The killer who strode up to a mobile police command post and put a bullet in an officer's head Wednesday had ranted in a Facebook video last September about law officers killing and abusing people and warned them to leave him alone or "we gonna do something."...
(Vatican Radio) The UN’s Food and Agriciulture Organisation is holding its 40th plenary conference in Rome this week, focusing on issues around “Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security”.In a message sent to the July 3rd to 8th meeting, Pope Francis highlighted the right of every individual to be free from poverty and hunger. He said there is an urgent need for solidarity to be the criterion inspiring all forms of cooperation in international relations.Among those attending the conference was Australia's deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who also serves as minister for agriculture and water resources. He told Philippa Hitchen more about the message he was bringing to this important international gathering…Listen: Barnaby Joyce says his message is “one of pragmatism and understanding the mathematics of the equation that we have to solve, that in the next 50 years the world will consume as much food as it has in human history to this ...
(Vatican Radio) The UN’s Food and Agriciulture Organisation is holding its 40th plenary conference in Rome this week, focusing on issues around “Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security”.
In a message sent to the July 3rd to 8th meeting, Pope Francis highlighted the right of every individual to be free from poverty and hunger. He said there is an urgent need for solidarity to be the criterion inspiring all forms of cooperation in international relations.
Among those attending the conference was Australia's deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who also serves as minister for agriculture and water resources. He told Philippa Hitchen more about the message he was bringing to this important international gathering…
Listen:
Barnaby Joyce says his message is “one of pragmatism and understanding the mathematics of the equation that we have to solve, that in the next 50 years the world will consume as much food as it has in human history to this point”.
If you are “too philosophically pure”, he continues, the result of that will be that "other people in other parts of the world will starve to death. If I take rice out of production, or don't produce enough rice, it’s not the people in Europe or America or Australia who starve” but “someone in north Africa who'll starve to death”.
Climate change
Climate change, the deputy prime minister says, is “very interesting and very important, but it doesn't answer the question of how I’m going to produce food right now”. Australia has signed up to international agreements, such as Paris, he says, adding that “we’re doing our bit and we’re ahead of the curve of where we have to be”.
But he insists that in the face of an increase in the number of hungry people in the world, it’s essential to “have those pragmatic, realistic, scientific approaches to how were going to splice a new photosynthesis gene into wheat, so we get a better utilization of light, so you can get a better production outcome, [and] maybe while we’re doing it, we can have nitrate fixating genes in there, so you can actually fertilise your field as you grow from it – these things are all possible”.
Treatment of refugees
On the question of migration, Barnaby Joyce notes that “Australia remains either the first, second or third most generous country on earth, per capita, in the acceptance of refugees, and we’re proud of that”. But, he adds, “we have to do it on the terms that are politically saleable and you can’t do it if people are just making their own arrangements and arriving in the country”.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegramme upon the death of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop emeritus of Cologne, who died on Wednesday at the age of 83.“With profound emotion I learned that, suddenly and unexpectedly, Cardinal Joachim Meisner was called from this earth by the God of mercy,” the Pope wrote.The Pope addressed his telegramme to Cardinal Rainer Woelki, current Archbishop of Cologne.He said Cardinal Meisner was “dedicated to the proclamation of the Good News” with “profound faith and sincere love for the Church”.“May Christ the Lord reward him for his faithful and intrepid efforts in favour of the good of people of East and West.”Pope Francis closed the telegramme by imparting his Apostolic Blessing on all who “commemorate the late Pastor with prayers and sacrifices”.With the death of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the College of Cardinals stands at 224, 121 of whom are Cardinal electors.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegramme upon the death of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, Archbishop emeritus of Cologne, who died on Wednesday at the age of 83.
“With profound emotion I learned that, suddenly and unexpectedly, Cardinal Joachim Meisner was called from this earth by the God of mercy,” the Pope wrote.
The Pope addressed his telegramme to Cardinal Rainer Woelki, current Archbishop of Cologne.
He said Cardinal Meisner was “dedicated to the proclamation of the Good News” with “profound faith and sincere love for the Church”.
“May Christ the Lord reward him for his faithful and intrepid efforts in favour of the good of people of East and West.”
Pope Francis closed the telegramme by imparting his Apostolic Blessing on all who “commemorate the late Pastor with prayers and sacrifices”.
With the death of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, the College of Cardinals stands at 224, 121 of whom are Cardinal electors.
Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged his countrymen on Tuesday to be the signs of love, hope and light amid ongoing clashes between government forces and armed Islamist terrorists in the south of the country. The prelate who is Archbishop of Manila said attempts by Islamic State-inspired terrorists to make the conflict look like a war between religions, "will not succeed" because Muslims and Christians in Mindanao are helping each other. Cardinal Tagle was speaking on July 4 during a media briefing in preparation for the annual Philippine Conference on New Evangelization later this month."Whoever plans to divide Muslims and Christians will not triumph," said the cardinal, adding that "stories of hope" continue to emerge from the conflict zone. The prelate said he heard of stories about Muslims taking care of Christians whose lives are in danger or Christians helping suffering Muslims.Some 300,000 people, mostly Muslims, have ...
Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle urged his countrymen on Tuesday to be the signs of love, hope and light amid ongoing clashes between government forces and armed Islamist terrorists in the south of the country. The prelate who is Archbishop of Manila said attempts by Islamic State-inspired terrorists to make the conflict look like a war between religions, "will not succeed" because Muslims and Christians in Mindanao are helping each other. Cardinal Tagle was speaking on July 4 during a media briefing in preparation for the annual Philippine Conference on New Evangelization later this month.
"Whoever plans to divide Muslims and Christians will not triumph," said the cardinal, adding that "stories of hope" continue to emerge from the conflict zone. The prelate said he heard of stories about Muslims taking care of Christians whose lives are in danger or Christians helping suffering Muslims.
Some 300,000 people, mostly Muslims, have languished in evacuation centers around Marawi since May 23 when terrorists attacked the city, burning the city’s Catholic cathedral and Protestant church properties. The gunmen belonging to the Maute group allied to the Islamic State (IS) are still holed up in Marawi holing about 100 hostages, including the vicar of Marawi Prelature and several Catholic church workers.
Following the attack, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire southern region of Mindanao under military rule. The Philippine Supreme Court on JUly 4 upheld Duterte's martial law. Solicitor-General Jose Calida, the government's counsel, said the president's declaration is part of efforts to foil a plot to establish an Islamic state in Mindanao.
Cardinal Tagle said Muslim-Christian understanding and unity in Mindanao will serve as the "foundation for change and reconstruction of society in Marawi." "Let us help each other in the midst of conflict," said the Manila prelate. "Let us remove the wall that separates us … because we belong to one human family." (Source: UCAN)
Vatican City, Jul 5, 2017 / 07:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday the Vatican announced Pope Francis's appointment of Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama Pasqualetto, a native of Colombia, as the next bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh.Currently an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Bishop Zamara, 58, will replace Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who was transferred to the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia in October of last year and installed on Dec. 6, 2016.In a statement on the appointment of Bishop Zarama, announced July 5, Bishop Burbidge said he gives thanks to God for the appointment."I am proud to call him a brother bishop and good friend. Bishop Zarama is a holy, faithful and joyful bishop known and respected for his pastoral skills, administrative abilities, zeal and kindness.”"I have assured Bishop Zarama that he will be truly blessed with the support of such good priests, consecrated religious, deacons, seminarians, colleagues and lay faithful in the Dioc...
Vatican City, Jul 5, 2017 / 07:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday the Vatican announced Pope Francis's appointment of Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama Pasqualetto, a native of Colombia, as the next bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Currently an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Bishop Zamara, 58, will replace Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who was transferred to the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia in October of last year and installed on Dec. 6, 2016.
In a statement on the appointment of Bishop Zarama, announced July 5, Bishop Burbidge said he gives thanks to God for the appointment.
"I am proud to call him a brother bishop and good friend. Bishop Zarama is a holy, faithful and joyful bishop known and respected for his pastoral skills, administrative abilities, zeal and kindness.”
"I have assured Bishop Zarama that he will be truly blessed with the support of such good priests, consecrated religious, deacons, seminarians, colleagues and lay faithful in the Diocese of Raleigh.”
“I promised Bishop Zarama that he and the Diocese of Raleigh will remain in my daily prayers at this joyful and historic moment and always,” he concluded.
The Archbishop of Atlanta, Wilton D. Gregory, said in a statement July 5 that the Pope's appointment is also an honor for Atlanta.
“How fortunate that the local Church is to receive such a devoted and generous servant minister,” he said. “The Holy Father has chosen well even though his decision takes a deeply beloved brother and friend from our midst.”
Bishop Zarama was born in Pasto, Colombia on Nov. 28, 1958. He graduated from the Marian University in Pasto with a degree in philosophy and theology. He also attended the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, receiving a degree in Canon Law in 1991.
He was a philosophy and theology professor at the Carmelite School, the Learning School and the Colombia Military School for 11 years.
In 1993, he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Atlanta and was the first Hispanic priest to be named pastor at the parishes of St. Mark in Clarksville and St. Helena Mission in Clayton. He became a United States citizen in 2004.
In April 2006 Bishop Zarama was named Vicar General of the Archdiocese. He received the title of monsignor from Pope Benedict XVI on March 7, 2007.
He has served as the Judicial Vicar for the Archdiocese's Metropolitan Tribunal since 2008, and is also a member of the Archdiocesan Personnel Review Board.
On July 27, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI named him Titular Bishop of Bararus and Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta. He was ordained a bishop on Sept. 29, 2009.
His Mass of Installation at Raleigh will be on August 29th.
Bishop Gregory said that he joins “Bishop-Elect Shlesinger and all of the clergy, religious, and faithful of The Archdiocese of Atlanta in assuring Bishop Zarama of our prayers and warmest best wishes as he begins this new service to Christ’s Church.”
“While we will have time to celebrate his appointment to The Diocese of Raleigh before he takes leave for his August 29th installation, we promise him our affectionate best wishes and congratulations on this happy moment for him and for all of God’s People in the Diocese of Raleigh.”
IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, ReutersBy Carol GlatzVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While there had been problems andcomplaints in the past, the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital wasworking resolve them, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state,who oversees the hospital.In responding to an investigative report by theAssociated Press, the cardinal told the AP July 4 there had been past problems atthe hospital, but that the hospital's current administration, put in place in2015, was making a "serious effort to resolve them."The AP reported July 3 that the Vatican formed acommission in 2014 to study workers' complaints and concerns about unsafe medicalprotocols, overcrowding and a culture that emphasized practices that might reapgreater revenues.An external audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2014determined the hospital's mission "had been modified in the last fewyears" by emphasizing expansion and revenues without adequate governance,according to the AP.In January ...
IMAGE: CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters
By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While there had been problems and complaints in the past, the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital was working resolve them, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, who oversees the hospital.
In responding to an investigative report by the Associated Press, the cardinal told the AP July 4 there had been past problems at the hospital, but that the hospital's current administration, put in place in 2015, was making a "serious effort to resolve them."
The AP reported July 3 that the Vatican formed a commission in 2014 to study workers' complaints and concerns about unsafe medical protocols, overcrowding and a culture that emphasized practices that might reap greater revenues.
An external audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2014 determined the hospital's mission "had been modified in the last few years" by emphasizing expansion and revenues without adequate governance, according to the AP.
In January 2015, the Vatican assembled a team to conduct an announced onsite inspection of the hospital. That team, led by U.S. Sister Carol Keehan -- a Daughter of Charity and president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association -- determined the commission's report was unfounded and praised the quality of care at the hospital.
Greg Burke, Vatican spokesman, confirmed in a written statement July 3 that "After hearing complaints about care at the hospital three years ago, the Holy See moved quickly and decisively to study them seriously. After collecting the criticism, a clinical team was commissioned to look at the accusations and visit the hospital. The team found an exceptional level of care at the hospital, and that the accusations were unfounded."
"The sole critical note concerned inadequate space in intensive care units, something hospital officials are aware of and working to improve," Burke wrote.
He said the church "welcomes any efforts to help improve that care in its hospitals, including reports of practices that might be below standard. No hospital is perfect, but it is false and unjust to suggest that there are serious threats to the health of children at Bambino Gesu."
Cardinal Parolin told AP that some of the problems reported by former and current hospital staff in 2014 had been "truly unfounded," but that "there was an attempt, and there is currently an attempt and serious effort to resolve" those problems that had been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the hospital's president, Mariella Enoc, told the AP July 4 that the climate at the hospital had become "more serene" since she was appointed by Cardinal Parolin in early 2015. She said she was calling for more open communication and urging people to come forward with any problems in order to talk "and not keep it inside and then have it explode."
Enoc was appointed after the resignation of Giuseppe Profiti, who had been president of the hospital since 2008. He left less than a year into a renewed term right before the January 2015 onsite Vatican inspection of the hospital, amid rumors that a significant amount of money from the foundation supporting the children's hospital was used to help finance the remodeling of the apartment of former Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Profiti and Massimo Spina, former treasurer of the hospital, were then subjected to a Vatican investigation in connection to the financing case.
In November 2015, Cardinal Parolin put in a new board of advisers at the Bambino Gesu Foundation with a new set of statutes aimed improving the fundraising body's transparency.
In December 2015, Pope Francis established a special pontifical commission to study entities operating in the name of the Catholic Church in the field of health care. The body, under the guidance of Cardinal Parolin, who also named Enoc as one of its members, aims to study and propose ways to increase efficiencies, improve governance and collaboration, and protect the religious mission and charisms of the clinics, hospitals or institutes.
When Pope Francis met with staff and patients of the Bambino Gesu hospital Dec. 15, 2016, he emphasized how all those working in the field of health care must help their patients and be on guard against falling down the slippery slope of corruption that begins with special favors, tips and bribes.
"The worst cancer in a hospital like this is corruption," he said. "In this world where there is so much business involved in health care, so many people are tricked by the sickness industry, Bambino Gesu hospital must learn to say no. Yes, we all are sinners. Corrupt, never."
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