Catholic News 2
PARIS (AP) -- A Paris fire service spokesman says 11 people including eight children have been hit by lightning in a Paris park after a sudden spring storm overtook a child's birthday party....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Few Americans have much confidence in the U.S. political system, the government in general, or in either political party....
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- Mary Heintzelman shakes her head in disgust over the presidential election....
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with Hebe de Bonafini, 87, the founder and president of the Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Association of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo). The Association was formed by the mothers of those dissidents who “disappeared” (los desaparecidos) during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship in Argentina. During this period, Hebe de Bonafini lost two sons and her daughter-in-law.She spoke after her meeting with the Holy Father, and told journalists the two had embraced and that apologized for earlier criticisms she had made of the Pope.She also said they discussed the current situation in Argentina, especially the large number of people out of work, and struggling to survive.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with Hebe de Bonafini, 87, the founder and president of the Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Association of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo). The Association was formed by the mothers of those dissidents who “disappeared” (los desaparecidos) during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship in Argentina. During this period, Hebe de Bonafini lost two sons and her daughter-in-law.
She spoke after her meeting with the Holy Father, and told journalists the two had embraced and that apologized for earlier criticisms she had made of the Pope.
She also said they discussed the current situation in Argentina, especially the large number of people out of work, and struggling to survive.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday met with Mr. Tony Tan Keng Yam, the President of the Republic of Singapore, who subsequently met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States.A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office said the meeting was “cordial” and the parties spoke about “the good relations between the Holy See and Singapore, as well as the collaboration between Church and State, especially in the educational and social fields.”The statement also said they also spoke about certain international issues and the regional political situation, with particular reference to the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the promotion of human rights, stability, justice and peace in Southeast Asia.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday met with Mr. Tony Tan Keng Yam, the President of the Republic of Singapore, who subsequently met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States.
A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office said the meeting was “cordial” and the parties spoke about “the good relations between the Holy See and Singapore, as well as the collaboration between Church and State, especially in the educational and social fields.”
The statement also said they also spoke about certain international issues and the regional political situation, with particular reference to the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue for the promotion of human rights, stability, justice and peace in Southeast Asia.
Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of Kafanchan Diocese in Nigeria has called for a “new world order, where the human family lives in peace, freedom, harmony and love, freed from violence, better still, freed from violence inspired by and motivated by religion.”The Bishop’s call is contained in a paper that he presented at an international congress whose theme was,'Defending religious freedom and other human rights: Stopping mass atrocities against Christians and other believers.’ Various experts and witnesses of the atrocities suffered by Christians and other religious minorities in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria were invited to speak at the congress. The congress held in New York was organised by CitizenGO and was co-sponsored by the Holy See.Speaking extensively on atrocities by Boko Haram and other Islamic fundamentalists such ISIS, Bishop Bagobiri outlined three different approaches or responses adopted by Christians in his country when faced with...
Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of Kafanchan Diocese in Nigeria has called for a “new world order, where the human family lives in peace, freedom, harmony and love, freed from violence, better still, freed from violence inspired by and motivated by religion.”
The Bishop’s call is contained in a paper that he presented at an international congress whose theme was,'Defending religious freedom and other human rights: Stopping mass atrocities against Christians and other believers.’ Various experts and witnesses of the atrocities suffered by Christians and other religious minorities in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria were invited to speak at the congress. The congress held in New York was organised by CitizenGO and was co-sponsored by the Holy See.
Speaking extensively on atrocities by Boko Haram and other Islamic fundamentalists such ISIS, Bishop Bagobiri outlined three different approaches or responses adopted by Christians in his country when faced with such atrocities. These include: A pacifist approach, direct reprisal attacks and the use of proportionate force as a deterrent to protect Christians from becoming victims of mass murder (genocide).
According to Bishop Bagobiri, the third option, described as the legitimate use of force in self-defence “could be described as moderately pacifist. He added, “It combines spiritual variables such as fasting, praying, repentance, but in addition, the readiness to employ the use of reasonable and proportionate force as a way of self-defence, self-protection and as an act of deterrence to the occurrence of greater and unimaginable evil that could take the character of genocide,” he said.
Bishop Bagobiri expressed dismay that Christians were not taught to be courageous and fearless in the face of persecution.
“If Christians are not educated to be fearless and courageous in the face of persecution, and where necessary employ legitimate and proportionate means of self-defence in their various communities, then sooner or later they will become an endangered species.” He added that, a “faith-inspired resistance of evil will serve the cause of the gospel or at least save and protect some life and property from death and destruction, rather than that of flight, acquiescence, self-surrendering as is often promoted by those who adore martyrdom,” Bishop Bagobiri said.
The Bishop said he accepted that there was a place for Christians to be open to persecution and martyrdom when these become absolutely necessary to bear witness to Christ. He, however, was of the view that Christians should not go in search of martyrdom.
“Neither should we behave in a manner that creates the impression that the drivers and actors of unwarranted violence on the Church are helping the Church, by their atrocities, to live the gospel,” Bishop Bagobiri emphasised.
The Bishop was nonetheless quick to stress that all this should not be construed as Christians fighting Islam and Muslims but rather Christians resisting Islamists and extremists.
(CNSNg.org)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
Erbil, Iraq, May 28, 2016 / 05:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Friday, the first of three rounds of displaced Iraqi children made their First Communion in a refugee camp in Erbil, providing a silver lining to an otherwise bleak situation.Out of the 5,500 people living in Erbil’s Aishty 2 camp for the displaced, the majority – more than 2,000 – are children. Of these, 470 will make their First Communion in the coming weeks.The number of children receiving the sacrament is up from last year’s class, which numbered about 400.Since this year’s number of recipients is so high, the children have been divided into three groups. The first, numbering around 175, made their First Communion on Friday, May 27.Next Friday, June 3, a second group of about 145 will receive the Eucharist, while the third and final group of about 150 will receive the sacrament Friday, June 10.All of the children are from the Syriac-Catholic rite, and most fled the city of Qaraqosh, the forme...
Erbil, Iraq, May 28, 2016 / 05:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Friday, the first of three rounds of displaced Iraqi children made their First Communion in a refugee camp in Erbil, providing a silver lining to an otherwise bleak situation.
Out of the 5,500 people living in Erbil’s Aishty 2 camp for the displaced, the majority – more than 2,000 – are children. Of these, 470 will make their First Communion in the coming weeks.
The number of children receiving the sacrament is up from last year’s class, which numbered about 400.
Since this year’s number of recipients is so high, the children have been divided into three groups. The first, numbering around 175, made their First Communion on Friday, May 27.
Next Friday, June 3, a second group of about 145 will receive the Eucharist, while the third and final group of about 150 will receive the sacrament Friday, June 10.
All of the children are from the Syriac-Catholic rite, and most fled the city of Qaraqosh, the former Christian capitol of Iraqi Kurdistan, with their families when ISIS militants attacked the night of Aug. 6, 2014.
The May 27 Mass for the first group was celebrated by Syriac-Catholic Archbishop of Mosul Yohanno Petros Moshe in the camp’s large, prefabricated church.
With a capacity for roughly 800 people, the church started out as a tent when the Christian refugees first poured into Erbil two years ago, asking for a place to pray. Now it serves as the main parish for the city’s Aishty camp, which is the largest in Erbil and is divided into three smaller camps: Aishty 1, 2 and 3.
The majority of people in the camp are from Qaraqosh, which is where the former See of their Church had been located before ISIS’ assault in 2014.
After moving the official See of their Church from Mosul to Qaraqosh several years ago due to both security concerns and the fact that most of the faithful resided in the city, Syriac-Catholics have now been left without any official diocese or headquarters whatsoever.
Now residing in a largely Chaldean dominated Erbil, they have been welcomed by the local Church and are working daily to keep up the spirits of their faithful, who face an uncertain future in the country.
For nearly 500 children to receive their First Communion in the camp is a sign of hope in a place where the flame of Christianity is flickering, growing dangerously closer to burning out.
Another sign of hope for Iraq’s Christians was the March ordination of four deacons in the same prefabricated parish. They are now working with refugees around the clock, and will likely be ordained priests in a few months’ time.
Three of the deacons, alongside the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena – who largely make up the backbone of Erbil’s extensive displaced Christian community – have been in charge of teaching the children’s catechesis in scripture and liturgy.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Fans can be deeply forgiving, willing to look past their favorite star's terrible drug addiction, ugly custody battle or ignorant remarks. But accusations of domestic violence often leave a lasting impression on a celebrity's image. Chris Brown may be winning Grammys, but nobody's forgotten what happened with Rihanna....
BRENHAM, Texas (AP) -- At least one person was dead and three others were missing after torrential thunderstorms caused flooding in Texas, officials said as they braced for the possibility of more rain over the long Memorial Day weekend....
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) -- The survivors of the world's first atomic bomb attack are used to hearing grand vows to rid the world of nuclear weapons. They just don't usually come directly from the leader of the country that dropped the bomb on them in the first place....
