Catholic News 2
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) -- A top U.S. coach is in the Gaza Strip to help set up the territory's first female wheelchair basketball team....
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Animal rights activists plan a Memorial Day vigil for the gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a 4-year-old boy slipped into an exhibit and a special zoo response team concluded his life was in danger....
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) -- Chad's former dictator Hissene Habre was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and sex crimes during his time in power, Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam said Monday, ending the trial that began in July 2015....
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- President Barack Obama laid a wreath Monday at the Tomb of the Unknowns to honor members of the military who died serving their country....
LONDON (AP) -- Stephen Hawking understands the workings of the universe - but says he cannot fathom the popularity of Donald Trump....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats feel a massive disconnect with their political parties and helpless about the presidential election....
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday afternoon met with members of the Pontifical Foundation ‘Scholas Occurrentes’ at the conclusion of their World Congress.The Foundation is an international project based in Argentina that brings together schools and educational networks from different cultures and religious backgrounds.The informal meeting, which consisted in testimonials, music, videos and a “question and answer” session between Pope Francis and those present, took place in the Vatican Synod Hall.It came following a three-day meeting which featured representatives of the Foundation from across the globe gathered in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican to talk on the theme: “University and School: Wall or Bridge".Amongst the public were personalities like Salma Hayek, George Clooney and Richard Gere. The meeting aims to mark the beginning of an interactive initiative launched by Scholas Occurentes with the creation of ...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday afternoon met with members of the Pontifical Foundation ‘Scholas Occurrentes’ at the conclusion of their World Congress.
The Foundation is an international project based in Argentina that brings together schools and educational networks from different cultures and religious backgrounds.
The informal meeting, which consisted in testimonials, music, videos and a “question and answer” session between Pope Francis and those present, took place in the Vatican Synod Hall.
It came following a three-day meeting which featured representatives of the Foundation from across the globe gathered in the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican to talk on the theme: “University and School: Wall or Bridge".
Amongst the public were personalities like Salma Hayek, George Clooney and Richard Gere.
The meeting aims to mark the beginning of an interactive initiative launched by Scholas Occurentes with the creation of a website, askpopefrancis.scholasoccurrentes.org where it will be possible to put questions to Pope Francis.
This virtual exchange will result in a book, to be published by Mondadori.
During the meeting Pope Francis also received the gift of an olive tree; he autographed surfboards and of course answered questions.
One girl asked him how to make the world a better place and Francis immediately said by “lowering the level of violence”.
A young Mexican girl spoke of how she was harassed at school, another young student talked of a letter sent to her by a sister working in Africa which contained photographs of children who had been abused.
In both of these cases, said the Pope, children and adolescents suffer the same type of “cruelty,” that is why our world, he continued “needs to listen, needs gentleness, so we can all walk together”.
And warning against an increased risk of “nuclearization” in the world, the Pope said bridges must be built.
He highlighted that words are not enough saying we must also speak with gestures: “a smile, a hug, a pat on the shoulder”; “we must listen to others, ask questions, and dialogue will provide the bridge” he said.
It was observed that the Scholas Occurentes relies heavily on social networks to further this dialogue.
Other topics touched upon regarded a hashtag campaign against bullying, a series of initiatives for the protection of the environment, the use of art and sport to promote Christian values.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Health is committed to the provision of affordable health care to the less fortunate in the society especially those diagnosed with non-communicable diseases.In an interview with Waumini News Today, the National Executive Secretary of the KCCB Health Commission Jacinta Mutegi said access to health care for hypertension and diabetic patients has now improved as a result of the Commission’s intervention.“In 2011, insulin used to cost as much as KSH 1,800 (US$ 19) for a monthly dose but with partnerships, clients receiving services in faith-based facilities can access the same at less than KSH 500 (US$ 5),” She confirmedMutegi said that many health facilities despite having structural capacity were not serving diabetes patients and would always refer them to bigger facilities for management. With capacity building of health care workers in faith based institutions, care is now happening at lower ...
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Health is committed to the provision of affordable health care to the less fortunate in the society especially those diagnosed with non-communicable diseases.
In an interview with Waumini News Today, the National Executive Secretary of the KCCB Health Commission Jacinta Mutegi said access to health care for hypertension and diabetic patients has now improved as a result of the Commission’s intervention.
“In 2011, insulin used to cost as much as KSH 1,800 (US$ 19) for a monthly dose but with partnerships, clients receiving services in faith-based facilities can access the same at less than KSH 500 (US$ 5),” She confirmed
Mutegi said that many health facilities despite having structural capacity were not serving diabetes patients and would always refer them to bigger facilities for management. With capacity building of health care workers in faith based institutions, care is now happening at lower level facilities including dispensaries and health centres. “Numbers have increased from no patients to hundreds of regular clients.” She said
Mutegi attributed part of the success to to the partnership with Health Heart Africa (HHA), a programme that seeks to address the burden of non-communicable diseases in Africa and particularly hypertension. Early diagnosis of these diseases has now improved. There is now enhanced awareness on the need for regular blood pressure check-ups.
Mutegi expressed gratitude to the KCCB- Commission for Health and several partners. She looks forward to continued mutual collaboration in scaling up health delivery services in other health facilities of the Catholic Church.
(By Rose Achiego in Nairobi)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
Maria Voce, the President of the Focolare Movement addressed law and Social Science students at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa on her visit to Kenya, recently. Speaking to students, Voce told students, “it is not the law that contributes to the common good, but the person who contributes to promoting just laws.”Giving law a human face and seeking justice founded on the values of fraternity was Maria Voce’s strong message. A lawyer herself and President of the Focolare Movement, Voce addressed an audience of 300 people gathered at the Faculty of Law in Nairobi.In her talk “Law in contemporary society” Maria Voce explained how through the evolution of society, correct behaviour had become organised in systems within communities, and as states achieved political identity these systems were incorporated in their Constitutions, codes and other laws.According to the President of the Focolare, with the coming of Christianity, “a superior law...
Maria Voce, the President of the Focolare Movement addressed law and Social Science students at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa on her visit to Kenya, recently. Speaking to students, Voce told students, “it is not the law that contributes to the common good, but the person who contributes to promoting just laws.”
Giving law a human face and seeking justice founded on the values of fraternity was Maria Voce’s strong message. A lawyer herself and President of the Focolare Movement, Voce addressed an audience of 300 people gathered at the Faculty of Law in Nairobi.
In her talk “Law in contemporary society” Maria Voce explained how through the evolution of society, correct behaviour had become organised in systems within communities, and as states achieved political identity these systems were incorporated in their Constitutions, codes and other laws.
According to the President of the Focolare, with the coming of Christianity, “a superior law come to the fore as a reference point. It is a law that comes from God, who is Just and was given to humanity through Jesus. It is the law of love.”
Maria Voce then dwelt on the development of the African legal system where she observed that “there is a very strong communitarian tendency in which the individual is never considered in an isolated way, but always as a member of a community (family, clan, bloodline or tribe) to which the person owes duties of responsibility and from which they receive help, support and protection.”
She affirmed, furthermore, that the spirituality of communion lived by Focolare members is beginning to influence the building up of the social fabric and the rules that govern human communities.
After her talk, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Maurice Owuor, emphasised the relevance of Maria Voce’s speech explaining that “love is a value that can sustain our laws.” He affirmed that “we should place greater emphasis on educating citizens to values such as love, fraternity and obeying the law not out of fear of sanctions but because it is a good thing in itself.”
(Willy Niyansaba; Focolare Movement)
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning. In remarks to the faithful following the Readings of the Day, the Holy Father focused on the threefold theme of the dynamic unity in Christian life, the signs of which are living memory, the prophetic spirit, and the sure horizon of hope.The Pope took as the central focus of his reflection the Gospel passage of the day – from the Gospel according to St. Mark (12:1-12), in which Jesus addresses the Priests, Scribes and Pharisees with the parable of the murderous tenant-farmers. Against the landowner who planted a well-organized vineyard and entrusted them with its care, the tenants decided to revolt, insulting, beating and killing first the servants the master sent to reclaim the land and collect his due, and then, at the climax of the drama, murdering the only son of the owner – wrongly believing that such an act could earn them a right to inherit the owner...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta on Monday morning. In remarks to the faithful following the Readings of the Day, the Holy Father focused on the threefold theme of the dynamic unity in Christian life, the signs of which are living memory, the prophetic spirit, and the sure horizon of hope.
The Pope took as the central focus of his reflection the Gospel passage of the day – from the Gospel according to St. Mark (12:1-12), in which Jesus addresses the Priests, Scribes and Pharisees with the parable of the murderous tenant-farmers. Against the landowner who planted a well-organized vineyard and entrusted them with its care, the tenants decided to revolt, insulting, beating and killing first the servants the master sent to reclaim the land and collect his due, and then, at the climax of the drama, murdering the only son of the owner – wrongly believing that such an act could earn them a right to inherit the owner’s substance.
Casuistry and freedom
The killing of the master’s servants and of the master’s own son – a Biblical image of the prophets and of Christ Himself – shows a people closed in on itself, one not open to the promises of God, a people that does not await the fulfilment of God’s promises: a people without memory, without prophecy and without hope. The leaders of the people, in particular, are interested in erecting a wall of laws, a “closed juridical system”, and nothing else:
“Memory is no concern: as for prophecy, it were better that no prophets come; and hope? But everyone will see it. This is the system through which they legitimate: the lawyers, theologians who always go the way of casuistry and do not allow the freedom of the Holy Spirit; they do not recognize God’s gift, the gift of the Spirit; and they cage the Spirit, because they do not allow prophecy in hope.”
This is the religious system to which Jesus speaks: “A system – as the First Reading says – of corruption, worldliness and concupiscence,’ so St. Peter says in the First Reading.”
Memory makes us free
Pope Francis went on to say that, at bottom, “Jesus was Himself tempted to lose the memory of His own mission, to not give way to prophecy and to prefer security instead of Hope,” i.e. the essence of the three temptations suffered in the desert. Therefore, Pope Francis said:
"To this people Jesus, because he knew temptation in Himself, reproaches: ‘You traverse half the world to have one proselyte, and when you find him, you make him a slave.’ This people thus organized, this Church so organized, makes slaves – and so it is understandable how Paul reacts when he speaks of slavery to the law and of the liberty that grace gives: a people is free, a Church is free, when it has memory, when it makes room for prophets, when it does not lose hope”
An open heart, or a heart in a cage?
The Holy Father stressed that the well-organized vineyard is in fact “the image of the People of God, the image of the Church and also the image of our soul,” for which the Father always cares “with so much love and tenderness.” To rebel against Him is, as it was for the murderous tenants, “to lose the memory of the gift” received from God, while, “in order to remember and not make mistakes on the way,” it is important “always to return to the roots”:
“Do I have the memory of the wonders that the Lord has wrought in my life? Can I remember the gifts of the Lord? I am able to open my heart to the prophets, i.e. to him, who says to me, ‘this isn’t working, you have to go beyond: go ahead, take a risk’? This is what prophets do: am I open to that, or am I afraid, and do I prefer to close myself within the cage of the law? Finally: do I have hope in God’s promises, such as had our father Abraham, who left his home without knowing where he was going, only because he hoped in God? It will do us well to ask ourselves these three questions.”
