(Vatican Radio) In Mexico investigations continue into the disappearance of 43 students on September 26, 2014.In September a report by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission disparaged the government’s claim that the students were killed, kidnapped and incinerated in a rubbish dump because they were mistaken for members of a drug gang. Instead, it says they were victims of “forced disappearances.” For over a year the families of the missing students have been leading protests in Mexico and the United States, hoping to find out the truth about their children’s fate.In the latest turn of events, the top brass of the Mexican Army has finallly agreed to allow investigators to meet with members of a Battalion, which was in the área at the time when 43 student teachers were abduced and disappeared. James Blears in Mexico reports that this could be a significant breakthrough.Listen to the report by James Blears: The...
(Vatican Radio) In Mexico investigations continue into the disappearance of 43 students on September 26, 2014.
In September a report by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission disparaged the government’s claim that the students were killed, kidnapped and incinerated in a rubbish dump because they were mistaken for members of a drug gang. Instead, it says they were victims of “forced disappearances.”
For over a year the families of the missing students have been leading protests in Mexico and the United States, hoping to find out the truth about their children’s fate.
In the latest turn of events, the top brass of the Mexican Army has finallly agreed to allow investigators to meet with members of a Battalion, which was in the área at the time when 43 student teachers were abduced and disappeared. James Blears in Mexico reports that this could be a significant breakthrough.
Listen to the report by James Blears:
The student teachers were arrested by Municipal Pólice during a protest rally on September 26th 2014, in the Southern City of Iguala, and then handed over to gangsters. They were never seen alive again. Only one bone fragment has been identified.
Up to now and on direct orders, the 27th Battalion of the Mexican Army, which was in this área at the time, but didn't intervene, have refused point blank to be interviewed. But now...and belatedly, investigators of an Independent Inquiry, have been granted access to them. Several are demanding to question individual soldiers. But as yet...the exact format for gleaning data and information has yet to be mutally agreed by both sides.
Minister of defence General Salvador Cienfuegos, who's stood firm until now concerning Access or interogations, has also spoken of the discontent of the Military being caught up in a policing role for which they're neither trained or suited, in Mexico's eight year Drug War.
The ghastly fate of the 43 students is known, if not accepted by all. The search for their remains continues.
(Vatican Radio) Police in Serbia have detained scores of people in what has been called as the Balkan nation's biggest anti-corruption investigation in decades. Those held in the multi-million dollar scam is a former minister as a time when Serbia seeks membership of the European Union. Officials said Serbian police arrested 80 people, including former Minister of Agriculture Slobodan Milosavljevic, for alleged involvement in massive corruption. Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: Milosavljevic from the opposition Democratic Party is charged with abuse of office during his term and while serving as Chamber of Commerce head. His Democratic Party has already described the arrests as politically motivated. Many of those held are from his party, although some are members of the governing Socialist Party.Among others being held are at least two former interior ministry officials, several serving and former mayors, and a number of executives in state-owned...
(Vatican Radio) Police in Serbia have detained scores of people in what has been called as the Balkan nation's biggest anti-corruption investigation in decades. Those held in the multi-million dollar scam is a former minister as a time when Serbia seeks membership of the European Union.
Officials said Serbian police arrested 80 people, including former Minister of Agriculture Slobodan Milosavljevic, for alleged involvement in massive corruption.
Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:
Milosavljevic from the opposition Democratic Party is charged with abuse of office during his term and while serving as Chamber of Commerce head.
His Democratic Party has already described the arrests as politically motivated. Many of those held are from his party, although some are members of the governing Socialist Party.
Among others being held are at least two former interior ministry officials, several serving and former mayors, and a number of executives in state-owned firms were also reportedly detained.
SERIOUS CHARGES
Serbia's Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic told reporters that the charges for those are serious. "Criminal charges have been brought against the detained because there is reasonable doubt that from 2004 until today, they have committed several crimes such as money laundering, embezzlement, the forging of documents," he said.
"Also, issuing the certification for false documents, abuse of office, bribery and misuse of public procurement are among the charges.”
The alleged embezzlement is believed to total more some 66 million dollars. Serbia's latest crackdown came after it opened talks to join the European Union.
The EU has pressure Belgrade to end a legacy of corruption and organized crime.
(Vatican Radio) Each year at Christmas, Vatican Radio invites Church leaders from around the world to help our listeners get into the spirit of the season. Here are greetings and best wishes at Christmastide for all our listeners from the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl.Listen to Christmas greetings from Cardinal Wuerl:
(Vatican Radio) Each year at Christmas, Vatican Radio invites Church leaders from around the world to help our listeners get into the spirit of the season. Here are greetings and best wishes at Christmastide for all our listeners from the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl.
Listen to Christmas greetings from Cardinal Wuerl:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message of encouragement to some 30,000 young people gathered in the Spanish city of Valencia for the 38th European Meeting of Young Adults organized by the Taizé Community.Please find below the full text of the message sent by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father: Dear young people, Thousands of you have come together in Valencia, Spain, for the 38th European Meeting animated by the Taizé Community. The theme of mercy that brings you together and that you will deepen throughout 2016 makes Pope Francis particularly close to you, since the Jubilee of Mercy that he proposed began on December 8. And it is his wish that “the Christian people may reflect during the Jubilee on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy” (Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy). The Holy Father thanks you from all his heart for committing to this the cr...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message of encouragement to some 30,000 young people gathered in the Spanish city of Valencia for the 38th European Meeting of Young Adults organized by the Taizé Community.
Please find below the full text of the message sent by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father:
Dear young people,
Thousands of you have come together in Valencia, Spain, for the 38th European Meeting animated by the Taizé Community. The theme of mercy that brings you together and that you will deepen throughout 2016 makes Pope Francis particularly close to you, since the Jubilee of Mercy that he proposed began on December 8. And it is his wish that “the Christian people may reflect during the Jubilee on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy” (Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy). The Holy Father thanks you from all his heart for committing to this the creative forces and imagination of your youth.
You also want mercy to be manifested in all its dimensions, including the social ones. The Pope encourages you to continue on this path, to have the courage of mercy which will lead you not only to receive it for yourself, in your personal lives, but to come close to people who are in distress. You know that the Church is there for all humanity and “where there are Christians, anyone should be able to find an oasis of mercy.” This is what your communities can become.
This applies particularly to the many migrants who need your welcome so much. The Pope recently wrote to Brother Alois for the hundredth birthday of the founder of the Taizé community, “Brother Roger loved the poor, the disadvantaged, those who apparently do not matter. He showed by his life and that of his brothers that prayer goes together with human solidarity.” By your practice of solidarity and mercy, may you live that demanding happiness, rich in meaning, to which the Gospel calls you.
The Holy Father wishes that during these beautiful days that you gather in Valencia, praying and sharing among yourselves, you may better discover Christ, “the face of the Father’s mercy.” He already spoke through the prophet Hosea when he transmitted to his people the message “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.”
From his heart, Pope Francis gives his blessing to you, the young participants in the meeting, to the brothers of Taizé, and to all those who are welcoming you in Valencia and the surrounding region.
ATLANTA (AP) -- Carolina's bid for an undefeated season ended Sunday when Julio Jones' dramatic 70-yard touchdown reception powered the Atlanta Falcons to a 20-13 victory over Cam Newton and the Panthers....
ATLANTA (AP) -- Carolina's bid for an undefeated season ended Sunday when Julio Jones' dramatic 70-yard touchdown reception powered the Atlanta Falcons to a 20-13 victory over Cam Newton and the Panthers....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The crew of a Dallas police helicopter was searching for a capsized boat last March, when there was a loud explosion and wind rushed through a huge hole in the windshield....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The crew of a Dallas police helicopter was searching for a capsized boat last March, when there was a loud explosion and wind rushed through a huge hole in the windshield....
BAGHDAD (AP) -- Islamic State fighters are putting up a tough fight in the militant-held city of Ramadi, slowing down the advance of Iraqi forces, a senior Iraqi commander said Sunday....
BAGHDAD (AP) -- Islamic State fighters are putting up a tough fight in the militant-held city of Ramadi, slowing down the advance of Iraqi forces, a senior Iraqi commander said Sunday....
CHICAGO (AP) -- Grieving relatives and friends of two people shot and killed by Chicago police said Sunday the slayings raised concerns about why officers "shoot first and ask questions later," adding that law enforcement officials had failed the city's residents....
CHICAGO (AP) -- Grieving relatives and friends of two people shot and killed by Chicago police said Sunday the slayings raised concerns about why officers "shoot first and ask questions later," adding that law enforcement officials had failed the city's residents....
WASHINGTON- The United States has a moral obligation to protect unaccompanied children and families from persecution in Central America, said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, October 21. Bishop Seitz is an advisor to the USCCB Committee on Migration and a member of the board of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).The humanitarian outflow, driven by organized crime in the northern triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, continues, with nearly 40,000 unaccompanied children and an equal number of mothers with children having arrived in the United States in Fiscal Year 2015."If we do not respond justly and humanely to this challenge in our own backyard, then we will relinquish our moral leadership and moral influence globally," Bishop Seitz said.Bishop Seitz pointed to the human consequences of U.S. policies which are designed to deter migration from the region, i...
WASHINGTON- The United States has a moral obligation to protect unaccompanied children and families from persecution in Central America, said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, October 21. Bishop Seitz is an advisor to the USCCB Committee on Migration and a member of the board of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).
The humanitarian outflow, driven by organized crime in the northern triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, continues, with nearly 40,000 unaccompanied children and an equal number of mothers with children having arrived in the United States in Fiscal Year 2015.
"If we do not respond justly and humanely to this challenge in our own backyard, then we will relinquish our moral leadership and moral influence globally," Bishop Seitz said.
Bishop Seitz pointed to the human consequences of U.S. policies which are designed to deter migration from the region, including U.S. support for Mexican interdiction efforts which are intercepting children and families in Mexico and sending them back to danger, in violation of international law.
Bishop Seitz recommended an end to these interdictions and the introduction of a regional system which would screen children and families for asylum in Mexico and other parts of the region. He also called for Congress to approve and increase a $1 billion aid package proposed by the Administration.
"If we export enforcement," Bishop Seitz said, "we also must export protection."
Bishop Seitz recalled the words of Pope Francis before Congress in September, when he invoked the golden rule in guiding our nation's actions toward those seeking safety in our land.
Quoting the Holy Father, Bishop Seitz repeated to the committee, "'The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.'"
"Mr. Chairman, I pray that time, and history, will conclude that we honored this rule in meeting this humanitarian challenge," Bishop Seitz concluded.
Keywords: Bishop Mark J. Seitz, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Congress, Senate, Committee on Migration, migration, unaccompanied children, violence, Pope Francis # # # MEDIA CONTACT: Norma Montenegro Flynn O: 202-541-3200
