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UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- North Korea's latest launches of several suspected anti-ship missiles were short-range and landed well short of past efforts, but they still served as a defiant message for its enemies that Pyongyang will continue to pursue a weapons program that has rattled its neighbors and Washington....
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- Bill Cosby acknowledged to police more than a decade ago that he fondled Andrea Constand after giving her what he said were cold-and-allergy pills to help her relax, according to a statement introduced Thursday at the comedian's sexual-assault trial....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump has said he wants to do "a big number" on the Obama-era financial rules devised after the Great Recession, and House Republicans were poised to fulfill that goal Thursday....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump sought comfort in the figurative embrace of his evangelical supporters Thursday as the FBI director he recently fired told Congress about their conversations, telling a religious gathering that they are "under siege" but will emerge "bigger and better and stronger than ever."...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Latest on developments involving fired FBI Director James Comey (all times EDT):...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former FBI Director James Comey asserted Thursday that President Donald Trump fired him to interfere with his investigation of Russia's role in the 2016 election and its ties to the Trump campaign....
(Vatican Radio) Faith leaders in Canada are calling for a concrete response to famines in four separate countries.The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops together with other Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Baha’i faith leaders are asking for action to tackle the famines that are wreaking death, suffering and displacement in the world today. Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Noting that the United Nations in February this year declared there are 20million people, including 1.4 million vulnerable children at risk of death in South Sudan, Yemen, northeast Nigeria and Somalia as a result of ongoing armed conflicts and severe droughts, the religious leaders have issued a “unified cry from the heart” calling for a threefold response from the faithful.They are appealing for prayers for the suffering people, but also prayers for peace, for government leaders and for humanitarian workers; they are asking for financial contributions to be made throu...
(Vatican Radio) Faith leaders in Canada are calling for a concrete response to famines in four separate countries.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops together with other Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Baha’i faith leaders are asking for action to tackle the famines that are wreaking death, suffering and displacement in the world today.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
Noting that the United Nations in February this year declared there are 20million people, including 1.4 million vulnerable children at risk of death in South Sudan, Yemen, northeast Nigeria and Somalia as a result of ongoing armed conflicts and severe droughts, the religious leaders have issued a “unified cry from the heart” calling for a threefold response from the faithful.
They are appealing for prayers for the suffering people, but also prayers for peace, for government leaders and for humanitarian workers; they are asking for financial contributions to be made through aid agencies; and they are calling on people to be better informed as regards the crises and for them to contact policy-makers and political leaders so that their voices of concern will be taken into account.
They univocally single out the protracted violence in the four countries as the leading cause of the current humanitarian crisis and say that now is the moment for Canadian leaders to speak out clearly and consistently to end the violence taking place in those nations.
Canada's voice – they insist - must be heard in this dire moment, especially as it celebrates 150 years of Confederation."
(CCCB – Ottawa) The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has joined other Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Baha’i faith leaders in Canada in launching a national appeal to help address the famines in South Sudan and the extreme food shortages in Yemen, northeast Nigeria and Somalia. Each of the participating faith communities is mobilizing in response to "one of the world's largest humanitarian crises since the Second World War: the grim reality of multiple famines occurring simultaneously in four separate countries."
In February 2017, the United Nations declared there are 20 million people, including 1.4 million vulnerable children, at risk of death over the coming months in these four countries. This crisis results from ongoing armed conflicts and severe droughts, with hundreds of thousands of people being displaced from their homes and land. According to the UN, the crisis far exceeds the current availability of resources and the amount of funding committed so far by the international community.
The religious leaders' "unified cry from the heart" calls for a threefold response from their faithful:
Pray: To remember the people of South Sudan, Somalia, northern Nigeria and Yemen in their personal and community prayer, and to pray also for peace, for government leaders and for humanitarian workers in the region.
Give: To make a financial contribution to one or more of the various reputable Canadian aid agencies working to alleviate this crisis. Contributions made to a recognized Canadian charity between 17 March to 30 June 2017 will be matched by the Government of Canada with its recently announced "Famine Relief Fund".
Speak out: To take the time to become better informed about the crisis in the four countries; to speak about it with family, friends and neighbours; to discuss it with local community agencies; and to contact Members of Parliament.
The religious leaders unequivocally single out the protracted violence in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen as the leading cause of the humanitarian crisis, insisting: "Our federal government has made known its intention to participate more fully at the UN Security Council in the coming years. Now is the moment for our Prime Minister and all Canadian leaders to live up to that aspiration by speaking out clearly and consistently to end the violence taking place in South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen [...] Canada's voice must be heard in this dire moment, especially as it celebrates 150 years of Confederation."
In addition to the joint appeal by the religious leaders, the CCCB has circulated to the Catholic Bishops of Canada and also published on its own website suggested Prayers of the Faithful relating to the crisis, which can be adapted, and a factsheet outlining the dire humanitarian dimension of the situation. Catholic parishes across the country are organizing special collections, and many are expected to plan efforts to respond to this appeal this June as well as over summer and into the fall. Donations can be sent electronically to any of the following Catholic aid agencies ready to forward contributions to assist efforts in the four countries:
The 1-minute prayer for peace initiative of Pope Francis on June 8 underscores the fact that solutions to all the world’s problems lie only with God who uses human efforts and initiatives to carry out his plans. It is more so with peace, Indian Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona said on Thursday in Rome. The 63-year old bishop is participating in the June 7-9 plenary assembly of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue that is discussing the role of women in educating to universal fraternity. “Hence we need to back the efforts of peace with constant prayers, indicating we depend on God,” he told Vatican Radio. At the end of his general audience on Wednesday in the Vatican, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to pray for peace for a minute at 1pm on June 8, Thursday. The date was the third anniversary of his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the late Israeli President Shimon Peres in...
The 1-minute prayer for peace initiative of Pope Francis on June 8 underscores the fact that solutions to all the world’s problems lie only with God who uses human efforts and initiatives to carry out his plans. It is more so with peace, Indian Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona said on Thursday in Rome. The 63-year old bishop is participating in the June 7-9 plenary assembly of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue that is discussing the role of women in educating to universal fraternity. “Hence we need to back the efforts of peace with constant prayers, indicating we depend on God,” he told Vatican Radio.
At the end of his general audience on Wednesday in the Vatican, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful to pray for peace for a minute at 1pm on June 8, Thursday. The date was the third anniversary of his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the late Israeli President Shimon Peres in the Vatican gardens in 2014. “In our time there is a great need to pray – Christians, Jews and Muslims – for peace,” the Pope said.
Bishop Dabre also said that Pope Francis is heard not only by Catholics in the world and in India, but also “across the board by people of all religions and cultures, with great admiration and confidence.”
Commenting on the discussion of the plenary assembly, the Bishop of Poona referred to Pope Francis who said that great ideas if not translated into action and reality are useless. Values about women, Bishop Dabre said, are excellent but one must get them down to action “so ground reality must change.”
Asked about the growing phenomenon of rape and disrespect for women’s dignity in India, he said that besides the efforts of the judiciary, lawmakers, government and police, what is needed most is the “formation of the minds and hearts, so people really think differently that women are persons and not bodies to be exploited or killed and thrown away.”
(Vatican Radio) What do women bring to the table of interreligious dialogue? How do they contribute to promoting interfaith harmony? How can the Church affirm their role, while tapping into their specific gifts and skills?Those are some of the questions under the spotlight at the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, taking place in the Vatican from June 7th to 9th.At the opening session on Wednesday, Council President, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran noted how much still needs to be done in some countries to defend women’s rights and stamp out “shameful violence” against women. Stressing the Church’s vision that all are equal members of the body of Christ, the cardinal asked what else needs to be done to live up to that vision and enable women and men to promote better interfaith education.Among the key note speakers is Dr Clare Amos, programme coordinator for interreligious dialogue and cooperation at the World Council Churche...
(Vatican Radio) What do women bring to the table of interreligious dialogue? How do they contribute to promoting interfaith harmony? How can the Church affirm their role, while tapping into their specific gifts and skills?
Those are some of the questions under the spotlight at the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, taking place in the Vatican from June 7th to 9th.
At the opening session on Wednesday, Council President, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran noted how much still needs to be done in some countries to defend women’s rights and stamp out “shameful violence” against women. Stressing the Church’s vision that all are equal members of the body of Christ, the cardinal asked what else needs to be done to live up to that vision and enable women and men to promote better interfaith education.
Among the key note speakers is Dr Clare Amos, programme coordinator for interreligious dialogue and cooperation at the World Council Churches (WCC). She talked to Philippa Hitchen about her concerns over visibility and inclusive language, beginning with the title of the plenary session: ‘The role of women in educating towards universal fraternity’
Listen:
While English may differ from French or Italian perceptions, Amos says, to “an English ear, the very word ‘fraternity’ has got a gender bias to it”.
Inclusive language is important, she continues, because it’s no longer acceptable to assume that “what is male is normative”, and the female is seen as secondary. While that may not be the intention, she says, it’s important to understand how such words are perceived in the English language today.
Speaking of the challenges facing the WCC, which represents some 348 Chuches across the Orthodox, Protestant and Reformed traditions, Dr Amos notes that in 2013 the WCC elected a Kenyan Anglican, Dr Agnes Abuom, as the first female moderator of the organisation. She describes the move as “quite a breakthrough”, adding that it may have been easier “because she’s a lay woman”.
Amos also stresses her concerns about “the visibility of women” at interfaith dialogue meetings, saying that “if you don’t have women represented in those meetings, you’re actually, implicitly, making a statement”.
Another point which Amos is raising at the plenary is related to her extensive work in the area of religion and violence, which is often caused when religious people or institutions “think they have nothing to learn”. There is something particularly feminine, she says, about being willing to acknowledge that we’re not perfect and don’t know the whole truth, which is an important contribution “to bring to the table of interreligious dialogue”.
(Vatican Radio) Men and women of goodwill across the globe on Thursday responded to Pope Francis' call to join in prayer to participate in the “One Minute for Peace” initiative.The Pope's appeal for prayers and international participation in the initiative came during his Wednesday General Audience when he recalled that the initiative represents a short moment a of prayer on the recurrence of the meeting in the Vatican between the Pope, the late Israeli President Peres, and the Palestinian President Abbas.Their encounter took place in the Vatican Gardens on 8 June 2014, during which the three men prayed together for peace.“In our days, Pope Francis said, there is a great need to pray – Christians, Jews, and Muslims – for peace.”Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni spoke to Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, in Syria, about the significance of “One Minute for Peace”:Listen: Bishop Antoine Audo says it is important and he expresses ...
(Vatican Radio) Men and women of goodwill across the globe on Thursday responded to Pope Francis' call to join in prayer to participate in the “One Minute for Peace” initiative.
The Pope's appeal for prayers and international participation in the initiative came during his Wednesday General Audience when he recalled that the initiative represents a short moment a of prayer on the recurrence of the meeting in the Vatican between the Pope, the late Israeli President Peres, and the Palestinian President Abbas.
Their encounter took place in the Vatican Gardens on 8 June 2014, during which the three men prayed together for peace.
“In our days, Pope Francis said, there is a great need to pray – Christians, Jews, and Muslims – for peace.”
Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni spoke to Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, in Syria, about the significance of “One Minute for Peace”:
Listen:
Bishop Antoine Audo says it is important and he expresses his admiration for Pope Francis, whom he said, “uses little things to not forget peace and to say that everybody is able to build peace in the world”.
Audo says this is a very Christian way to oppose war and to express our faith, with our roots in the reality it is a way, he explains to be incarnate – to be “hic et nunc” as it is defined in theology.
“I admire this initiative: it helps us a lot. But at the same time as bishop living in Aleppo and Syria I have to say we are very tired about the perspective of peace; we wait, we wait, we wait, and at the same time our families and young people are leaving to emigrate and this is a very big sadness for us” he says.
The bishop says the situation, in particular of Christians in Syria, who are a small minority is difficult, but “we continue to stay rooted in the faith and in the truth and after that, we will see.”
Audo speaks of the current situation in Syria's largest city, which in over six years of violence has become the biggest symbol of the damage wrought by the Syrian war. He says that since Christmas there have not been bombings as the fighting is now continuing outside the city.
He says they can hear the bombing but generally the situation is more peaceful, the situation less stressful than a few months ago.
“But without regular water, without electricity, and the big problem is the economic situation; there are no jobs and 80% of the people are without a job” he says.
As Pope Francis points out, Audo says, “Work is dignity”: “we have lost our dignity; everybody has become poor and asking for food aid to live”.
He also said that a big problem today is the obligation for young people to enroll in the military service, so you have so many young people who are very afraid of being forced to fight and they flee.
“This means the war is not finished yet” he says.
Regarding the current fear of terrorist attacks and the idea that situations of conflict, marginalization and exclusion provide fertile soil for radicalization, Bishop Audo says he believes that most of those attracted to extremist militancy are Sunnite youths, without any hope.
“If we look at the psychological level I think they are experiencing a big humiliation before the West generally; the powerful West is dominating, is leading politically with its provocative culture of ‘teaching’ others; ‘the West is bringing human rights, civilization.’ And on the other hand, according to the point of view both of educated and of simple people, they are experiencing a big humiliation” he says.
This, Audo says, is a big fault of the western world because “I think the West has lost faith in God and in Christ so it is not able to have the sensitivity to respect the other; everything is power, everything is finance, everything is strategies and there is no future for these politics.”
