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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Monday said the U.S.-led coalition is making progress against Islamic State militants in both Iraq and Syria, as he delivered an update on the campaign aimed at reassuring Americans worried about the spread of extremism-fuel terrorism....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- After terrorist attacks at home and abroad, more Americans than ever - but still less than half - support sending U.S. ground troops to fight the Islamic State, according to a new Associated Press-GfK Poll. A large majority also want a clearer explanation from President Barack Obama about his strategy to defeat the group....
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.
Bishop Seitz' testimony can be found at http://www.usccb.org//about/migration-policy/congressional-testimony/upload/seitz-ongoing-migration.pdf
Keywords: Bishop Mark J. Seitz, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Congress, Senate, Committee on Migration, migration, unaccompanied children, violence, Pope Francis
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(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on Monday released a new document focused on the role and vocation of religious brothers in the life of the Church. The document, entitled ‘Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church’, was presented at a press conference by the head of the Congregation, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, and its secretary, Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo.Listen to our report: Lay religious men, or brothers as they’re commonly called, make up about a fifth of all male religious in the Catholic Church today. They are men who are not ordained to the priesthood but are normally consecrated to a life of service within the different orders, societies or congregations.In his presentation Archbishop Carballo noted that the origin of this figure in the Church dates back to the centuries following Emperor Constantine’s Edict ...
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on Monday released a new document focused on the role and vocation of religious brothers in the life of the Church. The document, entitled ‘Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church’, was presented at a press conference by the head of the Congregation, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, and its secretary, Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo.
Listen to our report:
Lay religious men, or brothers as they’re commonly called, make up about a fifth of all male religious in the Catholic Church today. They are men who are not ordained to the priesthood but are normally consecrated to a life of service within the different orders, societies or congregations.
In his presentation Archbishop Carballo noted that the origin of this figure in the Church dates back to the centuries following Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan recognizing Christianity as an official religion. From this point on, he said, people began using the faith for their own interests, losing the fervor of the first Christian communities who often lived in fear of their lives. From that time on, men seeking to maintain an authentic witness to Christ’s teachings consecrated themselves to a life of solitude, or later, to a life of community service.
Cardinal Braz de Aviz explained that the document addresses the identity of the religious brother in three ways, firstly, as the mystery of a gift received from God; secondly, as a communion of the gift shared; and, thirdly, as a mission of the gift to be freely given away.
The document refers to some of the most famous brothers of the East and Western traditions, such as St Anthony, St Pachomius, St Benedict and St Francis, as well as the founders of more recent orders and institutes dedicated to different areas of religious life. It underlines the prophetic role of religious brothers, as well as that of consecrated women or sisters who similarly dedicate their lives to God.
Since that “vocation of religious men and women is not always well understood and appreciated within the Church”, the document says it hopes to shed light on the value and vital role that such people play in reflecting the face of Jesus who told his followers that “You are all brothers”.
Some six thousand religious men and women from around the world will meet in Rome from January 28th to February 2nd 2016 for a Jubilee Year encounter focused on the theme ‘Consecrated Life in Communion’
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Chairman Bishop Philip Anyolo has launched the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the Kenya Catholic Secretariat on 10 December 2015, two days after Pope Francis opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica.During the staff weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Anyolo who is the Bishop of Homabay expressed gratitude to the Holy Father, Pope Francis for declaring the Year of Mercy calling on the faithful to reflect, open their hearts and let Jesus Christ in their lives.“Let us serve the Lord with one heart, one spirit and with the understanding that our God is merciful and he comes with a lot of mercy and wants us to unite”. The Bishop said.In his Homily at the Catholic Secretariat launch, the Bishop of Marsabit, Peter Kihara said that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had given permission for dioceses all over the world, that feel that their faithful live far from the Cathedral to have ...
Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Chairman Bishop Philip Anyolo has launched the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the Kenya Catholic Secretariat on 10 December 2015, two days after Pope Francis opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica.
During the staff weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Anyolo who is the Bishop of Homabay expressed gratitude to the Holy Father, Pope Francis for declaring the Year of Mercy calling on the faithful to reflect, open their hearts and let Jesus Christ in their lives.
“Let us serve the Lord with one heart, one spirit and with the understanding that our God is merciful and he comes with a lot of mercy and wants us to unite”. The Bishop said.
In his Homily at the Catholic Secretariat launch, the Bishop of Marsabit, Peter Kihara said that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, had given permission for dioceses all over the world, that feel that their faithful live far from the Cathedral to have some shrines and some parishes designated as Holy Doors. These doors need to be of shrines or Churches with some particular relevance. It is an opportunity that the Bishop of Marsabit intends to utilise fully due to distance and pastoral challenges in Marsabit.
During this Jubilee Year, the faithful are called to repentance and given the opportunity to experience God’s mercy and grace through Sacraments such as the Sacrament of Confession. The faithful will receive indulgences and blessings focusing particularly on God's forgiveness and mercy.
(By Rose Achiego in Nairobi)
Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong Diocese opened the Holy Door of Mercy of his cathedral Saturday evening, inaugurating the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the diocesan local level. The ceremony after Vespers was attended by hundreds of faithful. In his homily, Cardinal Tong said that "God will be a friend of sinners,” explaining that in the four Gospels there are dozens of passages in which Jesus is full of mercy. “Mercy and reconciliation,” he said, “are so closely connected but reconciliation is not only between peoples and nations. It is also internal to families and individuals.” “These dimensions are interrelated". The opening of the Holy Door ceremony included reading of passages from four documents of Vatican II and blessing of those present and the Holy Door. There were many representatives of parish councils and dozens of priests. Card. Tong blessed the stoles of the confessors with the logo of t...
Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong Diocese opened the Holy Door of Mercy of his cathedral Saturday evening, inaugurating the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the diocesan local level. The ceremony after Vespers was attended by hundreds of faithful. In his homily, Cardinal Tong said that "God will be a friend of sinners,” explaining that in the four Gospels there are dozens of passages in which Jesus is full of mercy. “Mercy and reconciliation,” he said, “are so closely connected but reconciliation is not only between peoples and nations. It is also internal to families and individuals.” “These dimensions are interrelated".
The opening of the Holy Door ceremony included reading of passages from four documents of Vatican II and blessing of those present and the Holy Door. There were many representatives of parish councils and dozens of priests. Card. Tong blessed the stoles of the confessors with the logo of the Jubilee.
Hong Kong diocese has decided that there will be seven Holy Doors, among them the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, where Card. Tong will open the door on Jan. 1. (Source: AsiaNews)
(Vatican Radio) In the Philippines, around three quarters of a million people are said to have fled their homes in the path of an approaching storm, Typhoon Melor. Waves pounded the coast, and strong winds threatened to tear apart houses, and around 750,000 people were advised to leave their homes.Listen to the report by Alastair Wanklyn: When Typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines two years ago, the storm left more than 7,000 people dead or missing. Authorities this time urged people to take cover in good time.The Philippines is typically hit by around 20 typhoons every year.
(Vatican Radio) In the Philippines, around three quarters of a million people are said to have fled their homes in the path of an approaching storm, Typhoon Melor. Waves pounded the coast, and strong winds threatened to tear apart houses, and around 750,000 people were advised to leave their homes.
Listen to the report by Alastair Wanklyn:
When Typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines two years ago, the storm left more than 7,000 people dead or missing. Authorities this time urged people to take cover in good time.
The Philippines is typically hit by around 20 typhoons every year.
(Vatican Radio) More than 40 police officers have died and more than 20 others were seriously injured, after a bus carrying them veered off a bridge and plunged down 20 metres into a ravine in northern Argentina.Listen to the report by correspondent James Blears: The accident happened near the city of Rosario Del Fuente in the Province of Salta, fifteen hundred kilometres to the north of the Capital Buenos Aires. An investigation is underway.
(Vatican Radio) More than 40 police officers have died and more than 20 others were seriously injured, after a bus carrying them veered off a bridge and plunged down 20 metres into a ravine in northern Argentina.
Listen to the report by correspondent James Blears:
The accident happened near the city of Rosario Del Fuente in the Province of Salta, fifteen hundred kilometres to the north of the Capital Buenos Aires. An investigation is underway.
IMAGE: CNS/Paul HaringBy Junno Arocho EstevesVATICANCITY (CNS) ?- On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis announcedthat he would travel to the Marian shrine in Mexico City and pray to Mary sothat Christian communities "may become oases and rivers of mercy.""Toask her this, in a strong way, I will travel to venerate her at her shrine onFeb.13. There, I will ask this for all of America, of whom she isespecially a mother," the pope said. Thepope made the announcement during a Dec. 12 Mass in St. Peter's Basilicahonoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531. Inhis homily, the pope said that God's merciful love is his "most surprisingattribute" and is not only manifested through Mary but also directed towardthe church and every person. God, he said "loves us with a free love, withoutlimits, expecting nothing in return."Thepope said that no sin could cancel out God's mercy but only shine forth hislove with greater strength. "No matter how great or ser...
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) ?- On the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Francis announced that he would travel to the Marian shrine in Mexico City and pray to Mary so that Christian communities "may become oases and rivers of mercy."
"To ask her this, in a strong way, I will travel to venerate her at her shrine on Feb.13. There, I will ask this for all of America, of whom she is especially a mother," the pope said.
The pope made the announcement during a Dec. 12 Mass in St. Peter's Basilica honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531.
In his homily, the pope said that God's merciful love is his "most surprising attribute" and is not only manifested through Mary but also directed toward the church and every person. God, he said "loves us with a free love, without limits, expecting nothing in return."
The pope said that no sin could cancel out God's mercy but only shine forth his love with greater strength. "No matter how great or serious the sins of the world may be, the Spirit, who renews the face of the earth, makes possible the miracle of a more human life, full of joy and hope," he said.
Recalling Mary's words to St. Juan Diego, the pope said the presence of the Lord and his mother is the source of peace and joy even in the midst of suffering.
Mary, he continued, became the "mother of mercy" after having received in her womb "the very source of that mercy: Jesus Christ." Entrusting the sufferings and joys of "the whole American continent" to her, Pope Francis prayed that Mary may "sow merciful love in the hearts of people and families" during the jubilee year.
"I beseech her to guide the footsteps of the American people, a pilgrim people who look for the mother of mercy, and I only ask her one thing: to show us her son Jesus," the pope said.
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Copyright © 2015 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
IMAGE: CNS/Paul HaringBy Carol GlatzVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With the opening the Holy Door atthe Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis declared that the time fortenderness, joy and forgiveness had begun.As holy doors around the world were opened at citycathedrals, major churches and sanctuaries Dec. 13, the pope said this simplegesture of opening God's house to the world serves as "an invitation tojoy. The time of great pardon begins. It is the Jubilee of Mercy."Dressed in rose vestments on Gaudete Sunday, the thirdSunday of Advent, marking the joyful expectation of Christmas, the pope beganthe ceremony outside the basilica in front of the bronze holy door. The doordepicts a bas relief of the crucified Christ looking down on Mary tenderlyholding the baby Jesus, whose small foot shone like bright gold from thecountless kisses and touches of visiting pilgrims."This is the door of the Lord. Open for me the gatesof justice. I will enter your house, Lord, because of your great mercy,...
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With the opening the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Pope Francis declared that the time for tenderness, joy and forgiveness had begun.
As holy doors around the world were opened at city cathedrals, major churches and sanctuaries Dec. 13, the pope said this simple gesture of opening God's house to the world serves as "an invitation to joy. The time of great pardon begins. It is the Jubilee of Mercy."
Dressed in rose vestments on Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, marking the joyful expectation of Christmas, the pope began the ceremony outside the basilica in front of the bronze holy door. The door depicts a bas relief of the crucified Christ looking down on Mary tenderly holding the baby Jesus, whose small foot shone like bright gold from the countless kisses and touches of visiting pilgrims.
"This is the door of the Lord. Open for me the gates of justice. I will enter your house, Lord, because of your great mercy," the pope read solemnly before climbing two marble steps and pushing open the large door. He crossed the threshold decorated with a garland of flowers and greenery and bowed his head in silent prayer inside the darkened interior of the basilica.
The church and the people of God are called to be joyful, the pope said in his brief homily.
With Christmas approaching, "we cannot allow ourselves to become tired, no form of sadness is allowed even if we have reason for it with the many worries and multiple forms of violence that wound our humanity," he said.
Amid the bullying, injustice and violence wrought, "above all, by men of power, God makes it known that he himself will rule his people, that he will never leave them at the mercy of the arrogance of their leaders and that he will free them of all anguish," the pope said.
People today are called to listen to the words of the prophet Zephaniah in the day's first reading, as he told God's people not to be afraid or discouraged "because of doubt, impatience or suffering."
God always protects his people, he is always near, the pope said, and that is why "we must always be joyful and with our kindness offer everyone witness of the closeness and care God has for everyone."
The Holy Year of Mercy is meant to be a time for people to rediscover God's real presence in the world and his tenderness, he said.
"God does not love rigidity. He is father. He is gentle. He does everything with fatherly tenderness."
As Christians are called to cross the threshold of "the door of mercy," they are asked to welcome and experience God's love, which "re-creates, transforms and reforms life."
From there, people of faith must then go out and be "instruments of mercy, aware that we will be judged by this," the pope said. Being a Christian calls for a lifelong journey and a "more radical commitment" to be merciful like God the father, he added.
Christians are asked to be joyful as they open their arms to others and give witness to "a love that goes beyond justice, a love that knows no limits. This is the love we are responsible for despite our contradictions," and weaknesses, he said.
Later in the day, the pope appeared at the window of the apostolic palace to recite the noonday Angelus with visitors in St. Peter's Square.
He focused on the day's Gospel reading according to St. Luke, in which people in the crowd, including tax collectors and soldiers, asked St. John the Baptist "What should we do?" in order to convert and become acceptable for the coming of the Lord.
St. John does not leave them waiting for an answer, the pope said, and replies with concrete instructions: to live justly, in moderation and in solidarity toward those most in need. "They are the essential values of a life that is fully human and authentically Christian," the pope said.
The saint said to share food and clothing, do not falsely accuse others, do not practice extortion and do not collect more than the tax prescribes, which means, the pope said, "no bribes. It's clear."
By addressing people who held various forms of power, the prophet showed that God excludes no one from being asked to follow a path of conversion in order to be saved, not even the tax collectors, who were considered among the worst of all sinners.
God "is anxious to be merciful toward everyone and welcome everyone in the tender embrace of reconciliation and forgiveness."
Advent is a time of conversion and joy, he said. But today, in a world that is "assailed by so many problems, the future weighed down by the unknown and fears," he said, people really need courage and faith to be joyful.
In fact, life lived with Christ brings the gift of solid and unshakable joy because it is rooted in knowing "the Lord is near" always.
The same morning, U.S. Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, opened that basilica's holy door.
Pope Francis was scheduled to open the fourth and last holy door in Rome at the Basilica of St. Mary Major Jan. 1, the feast of Mary, Mother of God.
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Copyright © 2015 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
