Inability to foster long-lasting reconciliation has been described as a major challenge in the quest for political stability, sustenance of democracy and lasting peace on the continent of Africa. This assertion was made by Secretaries-General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) in a communiqué issued at the end of their four-day meeting held recently, in Accra, Ghana.The African Secretaries-General, however, added that the Catholic Church has an indispensable role to play in the finding of solutions to the need to bring about healing and reconciliation on the African continent. The theme of the meeting was, “The Role of the Secretaries General of national and regional (episcopal) conferences in the process of Reconciliation, Good Governance, the Common Good and the Transitions to Democracy in Africa, in the light of the post- Synodal Apostolic Exhortations: Ecclesia in Africa and Africae Munus.”The communiqué, signed...
Inability to foster long-lasting reconciliation has been described as a major challenge in the quest for political stability, sustenance of democracy and lasting peace on the continent of Africa. This assertion was made by Secretaries-General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) in a communiqué issued at the end of their four-day meeting held recently, in Accra, Ghana.
The African Secretaries-General, however, added that the Catholic Church has an indispensable role to play in the finding of solutions to the need to bring about healing and reconciliation on the African continent. The theme of the meeting was, “The Role of the Secretaries General of national and regional (episcopal) conferences in the process of Reconciliation, Good Governance, the Common Good and the Transitions to Democracy in Africa, in the light of the post- Synodal Apostolic Exhortations: Ecclesia in Africa and Africae Munus.”
The communiqué, signed by Fr. Joseph Komakoma, the Secretary General of SECAM, stated that the role of the Church in the area of reconciliation was important and decisive.
“The commitment of the Church remains decisive in this area, hence, through the episcopal conferences, the Church ought to continuously cultivate and encourage the values of peace, justice, and dialogue, as recommended by and is the content of the Church's Social Doctrine. Africa needs these values because of what is happening in many countries of our dear and beautiful continent,” the communiqué reads.
The Secretaries General reiterated their commitment to remain dedicated in their service to the episcopal conferences of the continent to enhance the work of evangelization in Africa
“We wish to renew our commitment to serve our Church in Africa and our national Churches in close collaboration with our Bishops who count on our availability and our valuable services,” the Secretaries General said.
The Secretaries General also resolved to do more concerning the protection of minors and vulnerable persons in Africa. The next meeting of the Secretaries General will take place in March 2019. It has been scheduled for Zambia.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, during the course of which he began a new chapter in his catecheses on mercy, one focusing specifically on Christ’s fulfillment of the promise and action of mercy revealed to humanity through God’s Chosen People, as expressed in the New Testament.The Holy Father said that the Gospels show us a Jesus who, in every moment of His earthly life, made mercy visible: meeting the crowds, announcing the Gospel, healing the sick, drawing close to the forgotten, pardoning sinners.Click below to hear our report The Pope went on to say that the love Christ showed was a love open to all, a love which was fulfilled on the Cross. “Jesus,” said Pope Francis in an emphatic departure from his prepared remarks, “did not bring hatred, nor did He bring enmity: He brought love – a great love – a heart open to all – to all of us – a love that s...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, during the course of which he began a new chapter in his catecheses on mercy, one focusing specifically on Christ’s fulfillment of the promise and action of mercy revealed to humanity through God’s Chosen People, as expressed in the New Testament.
The Holy Father said that the Gospels show us a Jesus who, in every moment of His earthly life, made mercy visible: meeting the crowds, announcing the Gospel, healing the sick, drawing close to the forgotten, pardoning sinners.
Click below to hear our report
The Pope went on to say that the love Christ showed was a love open to all, a love which was fulfilled on the Cross. “Jesus,” said Pope Francis in an emphatic departure from his prepared remarks, “did not bring hatred, nor did He bring enmity: He brought love – a great love – a heart open to all – to all of us – a love that saves.”
The Holy Father went on to say that no one is excluded from God’s merciful love – and that He proved this once and for all from the Cross. “We are all sinners,” he said in another emphatic departure, “but we are all forgiven: we all have the possibility of receiving this pardon, which is the mercy of God; we need not fear, therefore, to recognize ourselves sinners, confess ourselves sinners, because every sin was carried by the Son to the Cross.”
Pope Francis concluded with an exhortation to frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation, saying that it offers us the forgiveness that flows from the Cross and which renews us in His grace, and inviting everyone everywhere in this Jubilee Year to embrace the Gospel with greater vigor and be heralds of the Father’s mercy and forgiveness.
Fr Santino Maourino has advised the military in South Sudan to desist from killings and abuse of citizens.Fr Santino Maourino advised the South Sudan army that the military uniform worn by them must be used to bring honour to the country and to themselves.Preaching in Arabic, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Wau, South Sudan, Fr Santino Maourino said the organised forces should protect the lives of citizens and property instead of robbing and killing them, ‘Radio Voice of Hope’ reports.Fr. Maourino urged the military to build good relationships with citizens. “The army should reflect a positive image of the nation not shame,” He stressed. The army, he said, should always dialogue with the civilian population as opposed to the use of guns.Government soldiers under Salvar Kiir and opposition rebel fighters controlled by Riek Machar have both been accused by the international community of committing serious human rights violations during the conflict that erupt...
Fr Santino Maourino has advised the military in South Sudan to desist from killings and abuse of citizens.
Fr Santino Maourino advised the South Sudan army that the military uniform worn by them must be used to bring honour to the country and to themselves.
Preaching in Arabic, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Wau, South Sudan, Fr Santino Maourino said the organised forces should protect the lives of citizens and property instead of robbing and killing them, ‘Radio Voice of Hope’ reports.
Fr. Maourino urged the military to build good relationships with citizens. “The army should reflect a positive image of the nation not shame,” He stressed. The army, he said, should always dialogue with the civilian population as opposed to the use of guns.
Government soldiers under Salvar Kiir and opposition rebel fighters controlled by Riek Machar have both been accused by the international community of committing serious human rights violations during the conflict that erupted in 2013 and continues to this day.
Last month, Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, called for the establishment of a war crimes court in order to stem the abuses and send a message that the crimes will be punished.
According to Human Rights Watch, “The August peace agreement envisions a range of steps to hold violators accountable, including a hybrid court established by the African Union (AU) Commission to try the most serious crimes. Hybrid courts, which include both international and domestic judges and other staff, have been used in other countries to deliver justice where national courts lack expertise to try these crimes. The AU Commission has yet to make significant progress on creating such a court, which will need a statute, infrastructure agreements, and a budget before it can begin functioning. These steps can be taken in parallel to other developments, such as the formation of a transitional government,” reads a statement from Human Rights Watch.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday gave his support to the third International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), sponsored by the United Nations.To mark the day, the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace launched a campaign “Let’s play for Sustainable Development Goals”, which will encourage organisations and individuals who carry out initiatives on the day to take a picture or a short video of their team or beneficiaries with a “SDG card” that best describes their activity.In his remarks at the General Audience, Pope Francis said “sport is a universal language that brings together peoples, and can help persons meet and overcome conflicts.”“Therefore, I encourage you to live the dimension of sports as the gymnasium of virtue in the full development of individuals and communities,” Pope Francis said.
To mark the day, the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace launched a campaign “Let’s play for Sustainable Development Goals”, which will encourage organisations and individuals who carry out initiatives on the day to take a picture or a short video of their team or beneficiaries with a “SDG card” that best describes their activity.
In his remarks at the General Audience, Pope Francis said “sport is a universal language that brings together peoples, and can help persons meet and overcome conflicts.”
“Therefore, I encourage you to live the dimension of sports as the gymnasium of virtue in the full development of individuals and communities,” Pope Francis said.
Rome, Italy, Apr 6, 2016 / 03:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Yan Xu is an artist from the central China city of Wuhan. What she drew one day would change her life.Confused about her future after resigning from a job in 2003, she found herself at an unlikely place.“At that time, I used to carry a sketchbook and pen with me, and spent all the day time on urban sketching,” she told CNA. “I like to sketch the classical buildings of the city, and this is how I found St. Joseph's Cathedral, which is built downtown.” She said she found the Church to be “magnificent, beautiful.”“I stayed there and then came back there to sketch my painting,” she said. “On the third day, a Catholic priest came and talked to me about the Catholic faith. For years, I had not cared about religion, and I wanted to know more about faith.”“I attended the Mass every Sunday, and prayed to the Lord that he show me the way, even though I was not Catho...
Rome, Italy, Apr 6, 2016 / 03:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Yan Xu is an artist from the central China city of Wuhan. What she drew one day would change her life.
Confused about her future after resigning from a job in 2003, she found herself at an unlikely place.
“At that time, I used to carry a sketchbook and pen with me, and spent all the day time on urban sketching,” she told CNA. “I like to sketch the classical buildings of the city, and this is how I found St. Joseph's Cathedral, which is built downtown.”
She said she found the Church to be “magnificent, beautiful.”
“I stayed there and then came back there to sketch my painting,” she said. “On the third day, a Catholic priest came and talked to me about the Catholic faith. For years, I had not cared about religion, and I wanted to know more about faith.”
“I attended the Mass every Sunday, and prayed to the Lord that he show me the way, even though I was not Catholic.”
It took her nearly seven years to be baptized, and she came into the Church at St. Joseph's Cathedral during the Easter Vigil of 2011.
Yan said there is a sense in China that “more and more people are looking for a way, and for real life… the true life that is meaningful and filled with mercy and the glory of God. So, praise be to the Lord.”
“China is far from Rome, but Catholics in China always pray that the Pope will visit our land someday in the future,” she said.
Being a Catholic in China, however, means being part of a minority. Out of 10 million people in Wuhan, just 30,000 people are Catholic.
“The People's Republic of China is a socialist country. Most of the people have no religious preferences,” Yan said.
Yan Xu's art.
However, the faith is lived in a very lively way. “I love my Church, there are so many wonderful young Catholics,” Yan said. “We often attend Mass, pray the Rosary together… the Catholic Faith makes me a better person.”
Among the main difficulties in living the faith in China, she said, is the lack of public holidays for Catholic feasts.
“Especially on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. If you want to attend the celebrations, you have frequently to ask for the day off,” she said.
Yan always attends Mass on Sundays, serves as a lector, and is a member of the choir in the cathedral. She said that they can certainly celebrate Mass publicly, but this is “only permitted within the Church building.”
“We can't parade outside the courtyard.”
Though Rome is very far away, she has a perfect way to feel closer to Rome: EWTN. “I watch daily Mass on EWTN every day. We can read the news about the Pope and the Holy See on the Internet.”
Aside from keeping themselves informed on the life of the Church worldwide, local Catholics try to take part in it as well. Some young people are planning a trip to Krakow for World Youth Day this year, and St. Joseph's Cathedral opened its Holy Door on Dec. 8.
“The celebration was very important,” Yan said, adding that she wasn't able to attend because of work. “The Holy Door is a very important symbol, for Jesus said, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.' People have to go through the Door of Christ to get the salvation.”
Yan Xu's art.
But the opening of the Holy Door had another symbolic meaning in Yan's view, because “it connected us with the Holy Catholic Church. One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”
There are some tensions between the Catholic Church and the Chinese government, which has set up a parallel Catholic Patriotic Association that has sometimes named bishops without Vatican approval. Some Catholic clergy, including bishops, have been imprisoned for their loyalty to the Holy See.
There is some legacy of these problems in Wuhan. Yan said she always faces “prejudice from other people.”
“I would love to attend Mass every day, but I cannot, because Mass time conflict with my working time.”
In 2007, she went back to school and took a graduate degree in art history. She saw this as “another way to help me be in touch with the Catholic faith.”
Yan has now created a special portrait of St. Thomas Aquinas. She won honors for the portrait in the “Veritas et Amor” international contest run by Circolo San Tommaso D’Aquino. The Italy-based cultural society is dedicated to the influential theologian, philosopher and saint of the 13th century.
Her portrait depicted Thomas Aquinas in the style of an illuminated manuscript.
“Thomas Aquinas makes me reflect about how to build the goal of my life, and find out the plans of God for me. In fact, the plans of God are often unfathomable, but you have just to pray,” she said.
Yan said she finds comfort in art. “Painting, or depicting, things of God is a special way for me to pray.”
NEW YORK (AP) -- Janet Jackson is delaying her "Unbreakable" tour, saying Wednesday that she and her husband are planning their family and that she is under doctor's orders to rest....
NEW YORK (AP) -- Janet Jackson is delaying her "Unbreakable" tour, saying Wednesday that she and her husband are planning their family and that she is under doctor's orders to rest....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is unveiling rules that will require that brokers who recommend investments for retirement savers meet the stricter standard that now applies to investment advisers: They must act as "fiduciaries" - trustees legally obligated to put their clients' best interests above all....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is unveiling rules that will require that brokers who recommend investments for retirement savers meet the stricter standard that now applies to investment advisers: They must act as "fiduciaries" - trustees legally obligated to put their clients' best interests above all....
ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Tackling extremism is a political minefield in Pakistan, where politicians openly consort with leaders of banned militant groups and sympathy exists within the security forces and civil administration for perpetrators of crimes committed in the name of religion. As a result, many remain skeptical of the state's ability to put an end to the militant violence that kills hundreds of Pakistani civilians each year....
ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Tackling extremism is a political minefield in Pakistan, where politicians openly consort with leaders of banned militant groups and sympathy exists within the security forces and civil administration for perpetrators of crimes committed in the name of religion. As a result, many remain skeptical of the state's ability to put an end to the militant violence that kills hundreds of Pakistani civilians each year....
BERLIN (AP) -- The president of Ukraine became the latest prominent politician to deny wrongdoing Wednesday after his name was linked to secretive offshore accounts arranged by a Panama law firm....
BERLIN (AP) -- The president of Ukraine became the latest prominent politician to deny wrongdoing Wednesday after his name was linked to secretive offshore accounts arranged by a Panama law firm....
The biggest U.S.-based drugmaker, Pfizer Inc., will stay put thanks to aggressive new Treasury Department rules that succeeded in blocking Pfizer from acquiring rival Allergan and moving to Ireland - at least on paper - to reduce its tax bill....
The biggest U.S.-based drugmaker, Pfizer Inc., will stay put thanks to aggressive new Treasury Department rules that succeeded in blocking Pfizer from acquiring rival Allergan and moving to Ireland - at least on paper - to reduce its tax bill....
