Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House said Friday that as many as 116 civilians have been killed by drone and other U.S. strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Africa since President Barack Obama took office in 2009....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Attorney General Loretta Lynch is expressing regret that she sat down with Bill Clinton while his wife is under federal criminal investigation, a chance encounter she acknowledges "cast a shadow" on the public's perception of a case bound to influence the presidential campaign....
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The FBI is being sued by survivors of the Charleston church shooting, who say federal negligence enabled Dylann Roof to buy the .45-caliber handgun he used....
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Weekend for July 2, 2016 features a special programme stemming from a remark made by Pope Francis relating to the concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz Birkenau which he is scheduled to visit at the end of July. In a remark made during the inflight press conference on his way back to Rome from Armenia when reflecting on his upcoming journey to Poland he said that in a place like this, he likes to reflect silently, “alone,” praying that the Lord might grant him “the grace of crying.” So to set the scene for this sobering visit we bring you a couple of features focusing on the visits there of his predecessors to the See of Peter: Benedict XVI and Saint John Paul II. On a different note, for the series 'Blood, Sweat and Tears in the Bible' we share with you the story of the Prophet Nathan, recounted for us by scripture scholar and Archbishop of Brisbane in Australia Mark Benedict Coleridge. The programme ends w...
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Weekend for July 2, 2016 features a special programme stemming from a remark made by Pope Francis relating to the concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz Birkenau which he is scheduled to visit at the end of July. In a remark made during the inflight press conference on his way back to Rome from Armenia when reflecting on his upcoming journey to Poland he said that in a place like this, he likes to reflect silently, “alone,” praying that the Lord might grant him “the grace of crying.” So to set the scene for this sobering visit we bring you a couple of features focusing on the visits there of his predecessors to the See of Peter: Benedict XVI and Saint John Paul II. On a different note, for the series 'Blood, Sweat and Tears in the Bible' we share with you the story of the Prophet Nathan, recounted for us by scripture scholar and Archbishop of Brisbane in Australia Mark Benedict Coleridge. The programme ends with our popular 'Latin Lover', Carmelite Father Reginald Foster speaking to us of a man whose mausoleum lies opposite the front of our building here at Vatican Radio. You may have guessed he's no other than the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
A programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Weekend for July 3, 2016 features our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel presented by Jill Bevilacqua for the series 'There's More in the Sunday gospel than Meets the Eye'. The programme ends with 'Joan knows...', a bird's eye view of the past week in the Vatican with Joan Lewis, EWTN bureau chief here in Rome.Listen to a programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:
(Vatican Radio) Vatican Weekend for July 3, 2016 features our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel presented by Jill Bevilacqua for the series 'There's More in the Sunday gospel than Meets the Eye'. The programme ends with 'Joan knows...', a bird's eye view of the past week in the Vatican with Joan Lewis, EWTN bureau chief here in Rome.
Listen to a programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had a private meeting in the Vatican on Friday with Rome’s newly elected mayor, Virginia Raggi of the ‘5 Star Movement’.The 37 year old lawyer is the youngest person ever to head Rome’s City Council, as well as the first female mayor of the Eternal City.Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report: Virginia Raggi swept to victory in the run-off election last month, capturing over 67% of the vote for her anti-establishment party. She pledged to tackle the city’s most enduring problems, from traffic congestion, to waste management, from lack of social housing to the endemic corruption that erupted most recently in the Mafia Capitale scandals.At the meeting with Pope Francis, Raggi was accompanied by her parents and her six year old son Matteo, as well as by members of her staff. She also brought with her a tablet, on which she showed the Pope a collection of video-messages recorded by Roman citizens living in some of the po...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had a private meeting in the Vatican on Friday with Rome’s newly elected mayor, Virginia Raggi of the ‘5 Star Movement’.
The 37 year old lawyer is the youngest person ever to head Rome’s City Council, as well as the first female mayor of the Eternal City.
Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report:
Virginia Raggi swept to victory in the run-off election last month, capturing over 67% of the vote for her anti-establishment party. She pledged to tackle the city’s most enduring problems, from traffic congestion, to waste management, from lack of social housing to the endemic corruption that erupted most recently in the Mafia Capitale scandals.
At the meeting with Pope Francis, Raggi was accompanied by her parents and her six year old son Matteo, as well as by members of her staff. She also brought with her a tablet, on which she showed the Pope a collection of video-messages recorded by Roman citizens living in some of the poorest and most run-down parts of the capital.
Voices from Rome's peripheries
These voices of “forgotten Rome”, as she called them, included messages of encouragement for the Pope’s reform programme, but also requests for an end to tax exemptions for church properties that are involved in commercial activities.
At the end of the half hour meeting, the new mayor told Vatican Radio she was very moved by her first encouter with the Pope.
Virginia Raggi on Vatican Radio
Raggi said the meeting was a “very good” one and that she was particularly struck by the humanity of the Holy Father. She went on to say that after so many years of people focused on their own profits, her goal is to get people working for the common good and to bring those positive values into the heart of her administration.
Raggi is the third mayor of Rome to meet with Pope Francis since his election in March 2013. Later on Friday she was due to attend celebrations at the Apostolic Nunziature to Italy marking the third anniversary of Jorge Bergoglio’s pontificate.
A priest in the western Indian Archdiocese of Bombay is committed to bringing in the life of the faithful the environmental encyclical of Pope Francis, “Laudato Si.” Fr. Magi Murzello, the new rector of St. Andrews College in Bandra, in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), describes himself as eco-friendly. The priest who has a doctorate in Environmental Sciences, intends "to translate into a creative and pedagogical manner, Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Sì" including its content in the worship and devotional practices. Fr. Magi conducted a ‘Stations of the Cross” focussing on issues of environmental degradation, which led to a discussion on "Do not waste God’s gifts" and ended with the cleaning of a beach. He explained to Vatican’s Fides news agency that he wants to deepen the different chapters of Laudato Sì, to raise awareness in all the people of God on issues such as dialogue, integral...
A priest in the western Indian Archdiocese of Bombay is committed to bringing in the life of the faithful the environmental encyclical of Pope Francis, “Laudato Si.” Fr. Magi Murzello, the new rector of St. Andrews College in Bandra, in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), describes himself as eco-friendly. The priest who has a doctorate in Environmental Sciences, intends "to translate into a creative and pedagogical manner, Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Sì" including its content in the worship and devotional practices. Fr. Magi conducted a ‘Stations of the Cross” focussing on issues of environmental degradation, which led to a discussion on "Do not waste God’s gifts" and ended with the cleaning of a beach. He explained to Vatican’s Fides news agency that he wants to deepen the different chapters of Laudato Sì, to raise awareness in all the people of God on issues such as dialogue, integral ecology, ecological spirituality, transparency and thanksgiving. St. Andrews College is a place frequented not only by Catholics but also by people of other religions. (Source: Fides)
Nepal has finalized rules for granting aid money to families seeking to rebuild homes destroyed in a set of devastating earthquakes that hit the Himalayan country last year. Under pressure to speed up reconstruction, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli said that payments of an equivalent of $1,850 would be made to families in two installments, instead of three as originally planned. He also said the first installment would cover 75 percent of the total. The decision was cheered by some of the millions left homeless by the disaster, many of whom have been living in tents or makeshift shacks through winter snows and the monsoon rains.Nearly 1 million homes were destroyed in the April 25, 2015, earthquake and strong aftershocks. Since then, only 13,616 families have received partial aid money for reconstruction. Nepal estimates the total reconstruction bill will come to $7.86 billion, of which $4.1 billion has been pledged by foreign governments and donor a...
Nepal has finalized rules for granting aid money to families seeking to rebuild homes destroyed in a set of devastating earthquakes that hit the Himalayan country last year. Under pressure to speed up reconstruction, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli said that payments of an equivalent of $1,850 would be made to families in two installments, instead of three as originally planned. He also said the first installment would cover 75 percent of the total. The decision was cheered by some of the millions left homeless by the disaster, many of whom have been living in tents or makeshift shacks through winter snows and the monsoon rains.
Nearly 1 million homes were destroyed in the April 25, 2015, earthquake and strong aftershocks. Since then, only 13,616 families have received partial aid money for reconstruction. Nepal estimates the total reconstruction bill will come to $7.86 billion, of which $4.1 billion has been pledged by foreign governments and donor agencies.
Nepal's government, mired by political infighting, has been criticized for the delays. It took almost a year for Nepal to form an agency and appoint officials to oversee the reconstruction efforts, while millions of people were left without homes. (Source: AP)
“Be inspired by confidence and hope despite the problems, risks and difficulties that you face,” This was the message of the Bishop of Garissa, Joseph Alessandro, who is also Chair of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) – Commission for Refugees, Seafarers and Migrants. The Bishop was speaking when he addressed refugees at Divine Word Parish in Kayole, Nairobi. This was on the occasion to mark this year’s World Refugee Day.The Bishop’s consoling message came to the refugees amidst plans regarding the Kenyan government’s intention to close Garissa’s Dadaab refugee camp due to security concerns. Dadaab camp is home mostly to refugees of Somali origin. Bishop Alessandro assured the refugees that the Church stands with them under all circumstances. “You have a special place in the heart of the Church, and you help the Church to enlarge her heart, to manifest her motherhood towards the entire human family&rdq...
“Be inspired by confidence and hope despite the problems, risks and difficulties that you face,” This was the message of the Bishop of Garissa, Joseph Alessandro, who is also Chair of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) – Commission for Refugees, Seafarers and Migrants. The Bishop was speaking when he addressed refugees at Divine Word Parish in Kayole, Nairobi. This was on the occasion to mark this year’s World Refugee Day.
The Bishop’s consoling message came to the refugees amidst plans regarding the Kenyan government’s intention to close Garissa’s Dadaab refugee camp due to security concerns. Dadaab camp is home mostly to refugees of Somali origin. Bishop Alessandro assured the refugees that the Church stands with them under all circumstances.
“You have a special place in the heart of the Church, and you help the Church to enlarge her heart, to manifest her motherhood towards the entire human family” he observed.
The Bishop told refugees that the Church accompanies them on their journey, she seeks to understand the causes of migration and works to overcome the adverse effects by highlighting the positives to the international community.
“Dear migrants and refugees, never lose the hope that you too are facing a more secure future, that on your journey you will encounter an outstretched hand, and that you can experience fraternal solidarity and the warmth of friendship,” the Bishop of Garissa affirmed.
Refugee Day celebrations in Kenya were organised by the Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers together with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). In attendance were refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Congo.
KCCB General Secretary, Fr. Daniel Rono concelebrated at the Holy Mass.
(Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications in Nairobi)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
Vatican City, Jul 1, 2016 / 07:06 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Though he has rarely spoken since resigning from the papacy, Benedict XVI granted several lengthy interviews to German journalist Peter Seewald shortly after stepping down - conversations that touched on themes such as the reform of the Curia, his resignation and his thoughts on Pope Francis.The interviews, conducted a few months after Benedict’s Feb. 28, 2013, resignation, are set to be released in one book simultaneously worldwide Sept. 9, according to Italian daily “Corriere della Sera.”About 240 pages in length, the book in German is titled "Letzte Gespräche," or, "Final Conversations," and “touches upon all the most important stages of life of Joseph Ratzinger.”These stages include Benedict’s childhood under the Nazi regime, the discovery of his vocation to the priesthood, the hardships of the war and his time in the Vatican until his election to the pap...
Vatican City, Jul 1, 2016 / 07:06 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Though he has rarely spoken since resigning from the papacy, Benedict XVI granted several lengthy interviews to German journalist Peter Seewald shortly after stepping down - conversations that touched on themes such as the reform of the Curia, his resignation and his thoughts on Pope Francis.
The interviews, conducted a few months after Benedict’s Feb. 28, 2013, resignation, are set to be released in one book simultaneously worldwide Sept. 9, according to Italian daily “Corriere della Sera.”
About 240 pages in length, the book in German is titled "Letzte Gespräche," or, "Final Conversations," and “touches upon all the most important stages of life of Joseph Ratzinger.”
These stages include Benedict’s childhood under the Nazi regime, the discovery of his vocation to the priesthood, the hardships of the war and his time in the Vatican until his election to the papacy. It also covers “the anxiety” of his first few days as successor of St. Peter, as well as his “painful” decision to resign and his thoughts on Pope Francis.
In his responses to Seewald, Benedict speaks about himself, his faith, his weaknesses, his private life, the scandals and controversial issues of his reign, and his papacy in general, explaining the reason for his choice to resign – "initially only communicated to a few trusted people to avoid leaks," Corriere della Sera reports.
The retired Pope also speaks about the reform of the Roman Curia, the “Vatileaks” scandal that many pinned as the reason for his stepping-down, and outlines the differences between him and Francis in light of “his own peculiarities” and those of his Argentine successor.
In a June 28 ceremony at the Vatican marking his 65th anniversary as a priest, Benedict told Pope Francis that from the moment of his election and every day since “your goodness…moves me interiorly, brings me inwardly more than the Vatican Gardens.”
“Your goodness is a place in which I feel protected,” he said of his successor.
Seewald, the author of the new book, is also the author of the 2010 book-length interview with Benedict titled “Light of the Word: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times.” He had previously published two other books on then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, “The Salt of the Earth,” and “God and the World.”
“Final Conversations,” then, will mark the journalist's fourth book on Benedict from before his election to the throne of Peter, during his papacy and now after his resignation.
CNA contacted Seewald for comment on the book, however, the author said that for the moment, he prefers not to speak.
In an interview with CNA when “Light of the World” came out in 2010, Seewald said Benedict “is one of the greatest minds of the Catholic Church; someone with a great heart and…a fighter by nature, someone who remains standing amidst the storms, someone who is not afraid.”
“He is someone who does not get stuck in the past or in the present. He is someone who is very much a part of our times,” Seewald said, adding that he has always considered Benedict “a very modern man, someone who is always accessible, who promotes and seeks dialogue.”
“I would say he is an upright man and by far one of the greatest figures of our time…he is man who is always willing to listen, because he is not only a great thinker, he is also a great spiritual teacher.”
In a world that is “often blind,” it’s important to have someone “with this unbreakable attitude of openness,” he said, voicing his belief that Benedict “will be much better appreciated in the future” than he was at that time.
