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(Vatican Radio) The Vatican on Tuesday said it is “urgent” to begin immediately the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population of Syria.

Monsignor Richard Gyhra, the Chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, was speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“Recent developments coming from Syria seem to reinforce the feeling of helplessness in front of an endless human tragedy caused by the continuation of the conflict and its procession of refugees, disrespect of human rights and international humanitarian law,” – Msgr. Gyhra said – “Crimes against humanity are frequent and unpunished; intentional attacks against the civilian population are daily.”

The Vatican diplomat said “all parties” should be involved in the peace process.

“A crucial dimension for reaching a sustainable solution in the peace building process is respect for a pluralistic society where ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities have their place as full members of society and the Syrian State,” said Msgr. Gyhra.

“The survival and the well-being of the aforesaid minorities is the guarantee of a democratic State, respectful of differences,” – he continued – “In fact, the recognition of their rights does not weaken in any way the State, on the contrary, it enriches and strengthens it. In this sense, the return of refugees and IDPs is an essential condition for reconciliation, reconstruction and sustainability of any solution of the conflict.”

The full text of the Holy See’s intervention at the UN Human Rights Council is below

Intervention by Msgr. Richard Gyhra, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the Holy See

to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva

at the 31 st Session of the Human Rights Council

Item 4 – Interactive Dialogue on Syria

Geneva, 15 March 2016

Mr. President,

Recent developments coming from Syria seem to reinforce the feeling of helplessness in front of an endless human tragedy caused by the continuation of the conflict and its procession of refugees, disrespect of human rights and international humanitarian law. Crimes against humanity are frequent and unpunished; intentional attacks against the civilian population are daily. The findings of the International Commission are more than alarming. On the other hand, some bright spots, in particular the negotiations that started this week, should push all people of goodwill not to give up in the search to minimize this human, humanitarian and political tragedy, and, above all, to continue to work towards a peaceful and negotiated solution that takes into account the best interests of Syria and all components of the Syrian nation.

The Holy See, as it was stated by Pope Francis at the Sunday Angelus Prayer on February 28th last, would like to give its support to regional and international efforts underway to consolidate the recently negotiated ceasefire accepted by the majority of parties involved in the conflict. Regional and international contributions are indispensable and they should be thoroughly devoted to the interests of the Syrian people. Any approach attempting to defend in the first place regional or international interests, using the different parties to the conflict without considering the future of the country and without taking into account the unbearable human suffering, are unethical. These would not meet the requirements for peace and stability in Syria and in the region. Any policy that ignores the true interests of Syria will be counterproductive, prolong the conflict with its miseries and will have serious consequences for the region and the world.

In the process of reconciliation and peace building the inclusion of all parties is necessary. All parties involved in the conflict and the International community have a role to play. They are called to look at the long-term interests of the entire region and primarily the real interests of Syria. Obviously the war and the instability do not favor any player but impact negatively all countries involved, directly or indirectly, in this ongoing conflict. The United Nations, in the first place, has an encouraging and facilitating role. Any solution must be based on the rule of law, justice, freedom and respect for human rights. Donor countries also have an interest in investing in peace and reconstruction. Indeed, the continuation of the conflict is a blatant failure of all stakeholders and will only bring grief and instability for all.

A crucial dimension for reaching a sustainable solution in the peace building process is respect for a pluralistic society where ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities have their place as full members of society and the Syrian State. The survival and the well-being of the aforesaid minorities is the guarantee of a democratic State, respectful of differences. In fact, the recognition of their rights does not weaken in any way the State, on the contrary, it enriches and strengthens it. In this sense, the return of refugees and IDPs is an essential condition for reconciliation, reconstruction and sustainability of any solution of the conflict.

As the Holy See has previously stated it is urgent to begin immediately the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the population in need and to remove all obstacles so that humanitarian organizations can have access to all areas. Without the protection of civilians and their human rights there cannot be a just political solution. Special care should be given to the weakest groups of society.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, I would like to recall what Pope Francis recently stated: “I have received with hope the news of the cessation of hostilities in Syria, and I invite everyone to pray that this break may bring relief to the suffering population and open the path to dialogue and to the peace that is so desired.”1

Thank you, Mr. President.

1 Pope Francis, Angelus, February 28, 2016.

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(Vatican Radio) The parliament of Myanmar, also known as Burma, Tuesday elected Htin Kyaw as the country’s new president. His election ushered the longtime opposition party of Aung San Suu Kyi into government.

The 70-year-old, a longtime confidant of the Nobel laureate, will take office on April 1 to become Myanmar's first democratically elected leader after more than half a century of military rule.

Suu Kyi is the party's unquestionable leader but is blocked from becoming president because of a constitutional clause that excludes anyone with a foreign spouse or children.

Speaking to Vatican Radio, Anna Roberts, Executive Director of the Burma Campaign UK says that  Suu Kyi will be ruling from behind the scenes. “Aung San Suu Kyi will effectively be the decision maker and Htin Kyaw more sort of a figure head for government. So he’s chosen because he’s very close to Aung San Suu Kyi, he’s a completely trusted and loyal aid over many years.”

Listen to Lydia O'Kane's interview with Anna Roberts 

Htin Kyaw's secured 360 votes from among 652 ballots cast, winning a solid majority.

After the he said, "Victory! This is sister Aung San Suu Kyi's victory. Thank you," .

Aung San Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy party to a sweeping victory in Nov. 8 elections.

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(Vatican Radio) At a public Consistory held on Tuesday, Pope Francis gave his approval for the canonization of five new saints.

Christopher Wells reports:

The Public Ordinary Consistory for the Canonisation of Blesseds began with the celebration of Terce (Midmorning Prayer), presided over by Pope Francis in the Consistory Hall at the Apostolic Palace.

Following the liturgical prayer, the Holy Father announced the upcoming canonization of five new saints, including Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata (née Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu), whose work among the “poorest of the poor” won her worldwide acclaim. Hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, members of the religious order founded by Mother Teresa, are expected to be in Rome for her canonization, set for 4 September 2016.

From Poland, Blessed Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary (né Jan Papczynski) was a member of the Piarist Order. After leaving the Piarists, Bd Stanislaus founded the Marians of the Immaculate Conception.

Blessed Maria Elizabeth Hesselblad of Sweden, a convert from Lutheranism, founded a new branch of Bridgettine sisters, dedicated to working and praying for the unity of Scandinavian Christians with the Church. She will be the first Swedish saint in more than 600 years.

The two northern Europeans will be canonized together on Sunday, 5 June, of this year.

The Holy Father also announced the canonization of Blessed José Gabriel del Rosario, from Pope Francis’ native Argentina, known as the “gaucho priest.” Like the famous Argentinian cattlemen, he travelled on a mule throughout the vast territory of his parish in order to be close to the members of his flock.

He will be canonized on 16 October 2016, along with Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río of Mexico. Blessed José was just fourteen-years-old when he was martyred by the Mexican government during the Cristeros War, after refusing to deny his Faith.

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(Vatican Radio)  Children and young people are among the biggest victims of Syria’s five-year-old conflict.  According to the U.N. children’s fund, UNICEF, 2.4 million refugees from the war are children; thousands of youngsters have been killed and many have been recruited as fighters – some as young as age seven.

UNICEF reports that 2.8 million Syrian children within Syria and in neighboring countries do not attend school – leading some to describe them as Syria’s “lost generation.”

Education knocks down walls, builds futures of peace

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)  has quietly been trying to change the odds against Syria’s future generations through its educational programs, some which continue in Syria despite the conflict. 

In an interview with Vatican Radio’s Tracey McClure, JRS Country Director for Syria, Fr. Nawras Sammour s.j. says “education is not only about curriculum – it’s about values, about giving possibilities to people to accept [the differences of others] .”

JRS schools in Syria – a model for peaceful coexistence

In Damascus, Fr. Nawras explains, JRS runs three centers for 800 young boys and girls – most of them Muslim.  In the Christian valley around Homs, JRS operates another educational center for 350 Muslim and Christian kids and plans are in the works for another program in Aleppo.

“We believe that building the future starts today and it starts with education,” asserts Fr. Nawras.  Though from mixed backgrounds and faiths, our students get along with each other, says the Jesuit priest:  “so if they are able to live together, what about the adults?”

Through its Mercy in Motion campaign, sign of its commitment to the Jubilee Year of Mercy, JRS has pledged to increase its educational services to reach 100,000 more of the world’s refugees by the year 2020.

“Today, we are all over the world in multi-cultural countries…if  [people] are not able to recognize the differences and inherent value in each person, [these countries] could end up at war like in Syria today,” Fr. Nawras adds.

Speaking about Syrian kids in JRS schools, Fr. Nawras asks, “ if they are able to live together today and build projects and dream about the future together, why not live together in the future?”

Syria: “today and tomorrow are in our hands” and those of powerbrokers

This is “our way of having a new Syria – a new Syria for everybody.”  The “new” Syria, he stresses, “is not going to be the Syria of February 2011 – never again.  It will be the Syria of today and tomorrow.  And today and tomorrow are in our hands.”

Syria’s future, he affirms, is also in the hands of the international community, especially in those of powerbrokers like the United States and Russia and their regional partners. 

“The only solution is to put an end to the war…it’s not going to happen through launching another war.”  Peace and a new beginning for Syria can only come, he asserts, through diplomacy and dialogue. 

“The logic of war is not going to lead anywhere…because if we are stubborn to this point, of not having the will [to live together], of accepting the presence of the other and [his/her] differences, it’s going to be the end of Syria.”

“Each one of us, including myself” concludes Fr. Nawras, needs “to make an historic analysis” and admit we are each at fault for the war and recognize ‘I have my share of responsibility.’

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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said the story of God’s love for us can be found on the Cross where Jesus emptied himself of his divinity and dirtied himself with sin in order to save humanity. He said that the biblical story of salvation features the serpent, an animal he describes as both a powerful symbol of damnation and mysteriously of redemption as well. The Pope was speaking at his morning Mass on Tuesday at the Santa Marta Residence.

The mystery of the serpent

Using the day’s readings from the Book of Numbers and the gospel of St. John, Pope Francis’s homily reflected on the link between the meaning of Jesus’ annihilation of himself on the Cross and the story of how the people of Israel implored Moses to pray to God to take away the serpents that had been sent among them as punishment by the Lord.

Pope Francis pointed out that the symbol of the serpent features twice in this story from the Book of Numbers.

“The Lord said to Moses: ‘make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live.’ It’s a mystery: God doesn’t kill the serpents but leaves them alone. But if one of these (serpents) harms a person, look at that bronze serpent and he will be healed.  Lift up the serpent.”

The Pope noted that this verb, ‘lift up’ is at the heart of the argument between Christ and the Pharisees described in the reading by the gospel of St. John. At a certain point, Jesus says: ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realise that I AM.” First of all, he explained, ‘I AM’ is also the name that God used to describe himself and gave to Moses for communicating with the people of Israel.  And, then there is that recurring expression: ‘Lift up the Son of Man…”   

God’s annihilation

“The serpent is a symbol of sin. The serpent that kills but also a serpent that saves. And this is the Mystery of Christ.  Paul, when speaking about this mystery, said the Jesus emptied himself, humiliated himself and annihilated himself in order to save us.  And (what’s) even stronger, ‘he became sin.  Using this symbol, he became a serpent. This is the prophetic message of today’s reading. The Son of Man, who like a serpent, ‘became sin,’ is raised up to save us.”

Pope Francis went on to explain that this is “the story of our redemption, this is the story of God’s love. If we want to know God’s love, let us look at the Cross, a man being tortured” a God, “emptied of his divinity,” “dirtied by sin.” But at the same time, he concluded, a God who through his self-annihilation, defeats for ever the true name of evil, that which the Book of Revelation calls the ancient serpent.

“Sin is the work of Satan and Jesus defeats Satan by “becoming sin” and from there he lifts up all of us. The Cross is not an ornament or a work of art with many precious stones as we see around us. The Cross is the Mystery of God’s annihilation for love.  And the serpent that makes a prophecy in the desert is salvation, it is raised up and whoever looks at it is healed.  And this is not done with a magic wand by a God who does these things: No! This is done through the suffering of the Son of Man, through the suffering of Jesus Christ.” 

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Washington D.C., Mar 15, 2016 / 03:12 am (CNA).- March 15 marks five years since civil war broke out in Syria. The conflict has had devastating consequences for the people of the country, many of whom have been forced to flee.

Since 2011, Catholic Relief Services has helped to assist more than 1 million Syrians in the Middle East and Europe who have been affected by the war. The following Q-and-A is offered by Kevin Hartigan, who serves as CRS’ regional director for the Middle East.

 

Q: What would you consider to be the most pressing needs of Syrian refugees at this stage in the conflict?

The priority needs remain food, shelter and health care, but most refugee families are also desperate to find a means of earning their livelihood and a way to educate their children. After five years of war, most Syrian refugees have exhausted their resources and are barely getting by on humanitarian aid, support from distant family members, and marginal income from informal labor. Meanwhile, the number of displaced Syrians continues to grow rapidly, most recently as a result of current fighting in Aleppo.

CRS continues to provide a great deal of emergency relief but we have also steadily increased efforts to provide refugees with education and livelihoods support. More than half of Syrian refugees are children and most have been out of school for years. There is a real danger that they’ll become a lost generation. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, CRS and our local Church partners are providing tens of thousands of Syrian refugee children with education and psychosocial support.

Q: What sets the CRS response apart from that of other organizations?

Thanks to our Catholic identity, we have long-established partnerships with Church agencies in most countries where we work. Throughout the Middle East and Europe, we work with local Catholic social services agencies that are at the forefront of the humanitarian response; providing comprehensive, dignified support to people of all religions. This enables us to work outside of refugee camps, reaching the least-served groups of refugees as well as the host communities that support them. This is particularly important given the strain that the refugee influx has put on the social infrastructure and economies of host countries.

Q: Now that the conflict is going into its sixth year, what are some of your biggest concerns for those who have fled to neighboring countries or to Europe?

The needs of displaced Syrians grow every day and the neighboring host countries are overwhelmed. These countries must be supported to provide decent opportunities for refugees, including education and employment. Otherwise refugees will continue to be drawn the attempt the journey to Europe, with all of the dangers, costs, and perils of family separation that this entails.   

Q: What do you think is the biggest misperception people have of Syrian refugees?  

Unfortunately, and somewhat incredibly, the refugees have sometimes been wrongly associated with the very terrorism that they have been victim to. No group of people in the world has suffered more at the hands of extremists than the overwhelmingly peaceful population that has fled Syria. For this group to be stigmatized by that extremism is cruelly ironic. It is worth noting that the refugees - more than half of whom are women and children – have been living largely without incident, in their millions, in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey these past years.  

Q: What are your hopes for the future?

Our only hope has to be for peace in Syria. We won’t see an end to the suffering until the conflict ends. The United States should continue to take a leadership role in promoting negotiations and a peaceful settlement.

 

 

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Vatican City, Mar 15, 2016 / 03:57 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After months of anticipation, the date of Mother Teresa’s canonization has finally been announced. It falls on Sept. 4, which this year will also mark a special jubilee for workers and volunteers of mercy.

Though it's been rumored for months that Mother Teresa’s canonization will take place Sept. 4, the Vatican made the date official during a March 15 consistory of cardinals.

Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu Aug. 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia. After joining the Sisters of Loretto at age 17, she was sent to Calcutta, where she later contracted tuberculosis, and was sent to rest in Darjeeling.

On the way, she felt what she called “an order” from God to leave the convent and live among the poor.

After she left her convent, Mother Teresa began working in the slums, teaching poor children, and treating the sick in their homes. A year later, some of her former students joined her, and together they took in men, women and children who were dying in the gutters along the streets.

In 1950, the Missionaries of Charity were born as a congregation of the Diocese of Calcutta. In 1952, the government granted them a house from which to continue their mission of serving Calcutta's poor and forgotten.

She died Sept. 5, 1997, and was beatified just six years later by St. John Paul II Oct. 19, 2003.

In addition to Mother Teresa, the consistory also decided on the canonization dates of four other blesseds: Bl. Maria Elisabetta Hesselblad, Bl. Jose Sanchez del Rio, Bl. Stanislaus of Jesus Mary and Bl. Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero.

The canonization of Bl. Jose Sanchez del Rio is also noteworthy. He will be made a saint Oct. 16, alongside Bl. Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero.

Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río was brutally tortured and killed when he was 14 years old during the 1924-1928 religious persecution by Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles. José Luis had enlisted in the ranks of the Cristeros, under the command of General Prudencio Mendoza.

He was martyred by the Federal Army Feb. 10, 1928. According to the story, the soldiers cut off the soles of his feet and forced him to walk barefoot to his grave. Moments before he was killed, the boy shouted, “Viva Cristo Rey!” or “Long live Christ the King!”

His character was one of the main protagonists in the 2013 film “For Greater Glory.”

Blessed Jose Gabriel del Rosario Brochero, frequently referred to as the “gaucho priest,” will be Argentina's first saint.

Born March 16, 1840, the priest suffered from leprosy throughout his life, and is known for his service to the sick and the dying. He died in 1914 and was beatified by Pope Francis Sept. 14, 2013.

Sweden will also receive a new saint in Bl. Maria Elizabeth Hesselblad, who will be canonized June 5 alongside Polish Blessed Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary Papczynski.

Born in the small village of Faglavik, in Sweden’s western coast province of Alvsborg June 4, 1870, Bl. Maria Elisabeth was a nurse and a convert to Catholicism. After her conversion, she went on to found a new order of Bridgettines, called the Most Holy Savior of Saint Bridget.

She died in Rome April 24, 1957, and was beatified April 9, 2000, by St. John Paul II.

Blessed Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary Papczynski is a Polish priest born in 1631 and beatified by Benedict XVI in 2007.

Often referred to as the “Father Founder,” Bl. Stanislaus is known for his writings and constant encouragement to contemplate God’s mercy and to turn to Mary Immaculate for guidance and protection.

In addition to founding the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the priest also experienced visions of Holy Souls in Purgatory, and urged penance and prayers on their behalf.

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Salt Lake City, Utah, Mar 15, 2016 / 06:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Utah's state legislature recently passed a resolution warning about the harm pornography does to individuals, families and society.

The resolution says that the state legislature “recognizes that pornography is a public health hazard leading to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.”

Susan Dennin, a spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, said the move “affirms our belief in the inviolable dignity of the human person revealed fully in Christ and the gift of human sexuality and marriage in God’s plan.”

She told CNA March 14 that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had discussed this topic in their November 2015 document “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography.”

The Utah House of Representatives passed the resolution March 11 near the close of its legislative session. The Utah Senate had approved the bill in February by a unanimous vote of 24-0.

The resolution charges that pornography perpetuates “a sexually toxic environment” and contributes to the “hyper-sexualization” of young children and teens. It is critical towards technological advances that have made it easier for young children to access pornography.

It also cites pornography’s potential impact on brain development and functioning, its potential to harm users’ ability to form intimate relationships, and its potential to lead to “problematic or harmful sexual behaviors and addiction.” The resolution charged that pornography “treats women and children as objects.”

The legislature says that pornography has a detrimental effect on the family due to a link with “lessening desire in young men to marry, dissatisfaction in marriage, and infidelity.”

In response to these problems, the resolution advocates unspecified “education, prevention, research, and policy change.”

State Sen. Todd Weiler, a sponsor of the resolution, told the Salt Lake Tribune that pornography is “a serious issue.”

“For us to pretend that this has no impact on our values and on our society and culture and the brain development of our adolescents is very naïve,” he said.

He said the response to pornography should model itself on efforts to control access to and promotion of tobacco after evidence showed it was harmful.

“My goal in passing this resolution is to start a national movement to do the same thing with pornography – not to ban it, but to protect our children from it,” he said.

Sen. Weiler said he would like to see internet providers allow pornography only on an opt-in basis.

Utah is a predominantly Mormon state. The resolution won praise from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Society must see this evil like the epidemic it is,” he said, according to KSL-TV.

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