Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Latest on President Donald Trump's announcement that he's pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord. (all times EDT):...
(Vatican Radio) 800 million internet users today are children - that’s over a quarter of all the internet users in the world. The so-called ‘millennial’ generation is smart, fast and quick to master the tricks of the trade when it comes to digital technology. But children are also the most vulnerable to new forms of harm and abuse such as trolling, cyberbullying, sextortion and grooming for sexual exploitation. That’s why a pioneering congress - "Child Dignity in the Digital World" - on the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse is to be hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Center for Child Protection in October.Prof. Hans Zollner SJ, President of the Center for Child Protection spoke to ‘Rome Reports’ about how the congress aims to provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and good practice on the risks and prevention as children navigate this new digital world.Listen: Prof...
(Vatican Radio) 800 million internet users today are children - that’s over a quarter of all the internet users in the world. The so-called ‘millennial’ generation is smart, fast and quick to master the tricks of the trade when it comes to digital technology.
But children are also the most vulnerable to new forms of harm and abuse such as trolling, cyberbullying, sextortion and grooming for sexual exploitation. That’s why a pioneering congress - "Child Dignity in the Digital World" - on the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse is to be hosted by the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Center for Child Protection in October.
Prof. Hans Zollner SJ, President of the Center for Child Protection spoke to ‘Rome Reports’ about how the congress aims to provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge and good practice on the risks and prevention as children navigate this new digital world.
Listen:
Prof. Zollner explained that what triggered the need for such a forum is the understanding that while the internet is a very precious instrument for communication and for connecting people, it brings with it many risks.
“One of the major risks is the abuse of minors on the internet by the dissemination of sexual images and videos, and the use and abuse of this instrument in social media also by young people themselves” he said.
Zollner said that one phenomenon that is growing steadily is what is called “sexting” in which young people take images of themselves, either naked, or in sexual action, and then they post them on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms.
“Once this is out there, these images are downloadable, and people can save them on their gadgets, on their computers or smartphones or tablets” he said.
What this means, he said, is that one can never be sure when such an image will appear, where will it appear, and who is looking at it. He said that so many victims of this kind of abuse are thrown into despair and don’t know how to deal with the problem because they don’t know what has happened to the image, and who will use it.
“Sextortion”, he explained, is when someone uses those images as a sort of ‘revenge’ or to try and extort money from the victims.
“Now there is a growing number not only of the images that are posted but also a major problem is that those who posted, or the images of those who are posted, are younger and younger in age” he said.
Zollner pointed out that the phenomenon is also closely connected to trafficking through the internet: “So you can buy, in one part of the world, images and film of the rape of young children and even babies that is taking place another part of the world. Unfortunately this is increasing with lots of these kinds of crimes being committed. Many people are shocked about it and very few people have any idea of what can be done so that we can avoid this kind of abuse”.
He said these are the reasons that have led the Pontifical Gregorian University and its Centre for Child Protection, to invite experts from different sectors -, from internet companies and providers like Facebook and Twitter to law enforcement experts who try to prevent this kind of abuse and punish those who disseminate this kind of images.
Zollner said the congress will also include participants from the world of science, psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists who have been working in this field for many years and who have been researching the consequences of people who have been abused, and the profile of online abusers, as well as NGOs and the Church “working together so that we can discuss and possibly work out what can be the means and measures so that young people are protected online as well as in families, in schools, in public, in whatever sports organization, and whatever church activities. Whatever young people are involved in, we need to work together so they are safe, also online”.
Zollner illustrates several existing initiatives and projects and highlighted how they imply a debate on limits to be set, on how the legal definition of limits are interpreted as well as the philosophical concepts regarding free expression, and where does this free expression violate the rights of other people, never forgetting that the internet is a valuable instrument to be used in the best way possible and without causing harm to oneself or to others.
The Centre for Child Protection of the Pontifical Gregorian University is spearheading the congress and working in collaboration with an initiative led by the UK government, called “We Protect” which includes about 40-45 governments. The Italian NGO “Telefono Azzuro” is also a partner in the congress together with other representatives of civil and Church organizations that help young people in difficulty. All this, of course, with the support of the Holy See.
Zollner revealed that Pope Francis readily accepted to receive participants in audience at the end of the Congress, and said that on this occasion a Declaration on “Child Dignity in the Digital World” will be presented to him.
(Vatican Radio) Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has pledged to hold a referendum on a new constitution he has proposed to try and quell two months of anti-government protests that have killed at least 62 people.The move comes after criticism from opponents and some within his own government that his plan to create a constituent assembly, to rewrite the national charter was anti-democratic.The Chief State prosecutor had said creating the assembly without a vote, threatened to "eliminate" democracy in Venezuela.Hundreds of thousands of protesters, angry with the government have been taking to the country’s streets since the beginning of April.People are experiencing acute food and medicine shortages and are calling for freedom of expression.Carmen Hernandez, a Venezuelan who currently lives in Rome, spoke to Vatican Radio about what she been hearing from her country.Listen:
(Vatican Radio) Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has pledged to hold a referendum on a new constitution he has proposed to try and quell two months of anti-government protests that have killed at least 62 people.
The move comes after criticism from opponents and some within his own government that his plan to create a constituent assembly, to rewrite the national charter was anti-democratic.
The Chief State prosecutor had said creating the assembly without a vote, threatened to "eliminate" democracy in Venezuela.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters, angry with the government have been taking to the country’s streets since the beginning of April.
People are experiencing acute food and medicine shortages and are calling for freedom of expression.
Carmen Hernandez, a Venezuelan who currently lives in Rome, spoke to Vatican Radio about what she been hearing from her country.
Listen:
Vatican Weekend for June 4th, 2017 features our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel reading, “There’s more in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye,” plus our resident Vatican watcher Joan Lewis reviews the past week’s events in the Vatican.Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for June 4th, 2017 features our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel reading, “There’s more in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye,” plus our resident Vatican watcher Joan Lewis reviews the past week’s events in the Vatican.
Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for June 3rd, 2017 features a report on Pope Francis’ Wednesday general audience where he spoke of how the Holy Spirit helps us to abound in hope and warned Christians against sowing bitterness and uncertainty, the 2nd in our 3-part series on contemplation featuring the renowned preacher, Father Paul Murray and a look back at the figure of Saint Pope John XXIII on the anniversary of his death.Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for June 3rd, 2017 features a report on Pope Francis’ Wednesday general audience where he spoke of how the Holy Spirit helps us to abound in hope and warned Christians against sowing bitterness and uncertainty, the 2nd in our 3-part series on contemplation featuring the renowned preacher, Father Paul Murray and a look back at the figure of Saint Pope John XXIII on the anniversary of his death.
Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
(Vatican Radio) Jesus entrusted his sheep to Peter, the most sinful of the remaining eleven apostles, and invited him to shepherd the People of God with humility and love, despite his mistakes and sins. That was Pope Francis’ message at Mass on Friday morning in the Casa Santa Marta.Listen to Devin Watkins’ report: Pope Francis commented on the Gospel of the day (Jn 21:15-19), in which the Risen Jesus converses with Peter on the lake shore where he had first been called. The Pope said it was a calm, serene dialogue between friends and took place in the atmosphere of the Resurrection. In that event, Jesus entrusts his sheep to Peter, asking him three times if he loved him.“Jesus,” the Pope said, “chose the most sinful from among the apostles. The others escaped but Peter denied him: ‘I don’t know him.’ And Jesus asked him, ‘Do you love me more than these?’ Jesus chose the worst sinner.”Shepherd the People of Go...
(Vatican Radio) Jesus entrusted his sheep to Peter, the most sinful of the remaining eleven apostles, and invited him to shepherd the People of God with humility and love, despite his mistakes and sins. That was Pope Francis’ message at Mass on Friday morning in the Casa Santa Marta.
Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:
Pope Francis commented on the Gospel of the day (Jn 21:15-19), in which the Risen Jesus converses with Peter on the lake shore where he had first been called. The Pope said it was a calm, serene dialogue between friends and took place in the atmosphere of the Resurrection. In that event, Jesus entrusts his sheep to Peter, asking him three times if he loved him.
“Jesus,” the Pope said, “chose the most sinful from among the apostles. The others escaped but Peter denied him: ‘I don’t know him.’ And Jesus asked him, ‘Do you love me more than these?’ Jesus chose the worst sinner.”
Shepherd the People of God with humility, despite mistakes
The Holy Father said Jesus’ choice to choose the most sinful of the remaining eleven apostles to shepherd the People of God with love “makes us think”.
“Do not shepherd with your head held high,” he said, “like a conqueror. No, shepherd with humility, with love, as Jesus did. This is the mission which Jesus gives to Peter. Yes, with sins and mistakes. In affirmation of this, right after this dialogue Peter slips up, makes a mistake, and is tempted by curiosity to say to the Lord, ‘But this other disciple, where will he go, what will he do?’ But with love, in the midst of his mistakes and sins… with love: ‘Because these sheep are not your sheep but mine,’ says the Lord. ‘Love. If you are my friend, you must be a friend to these.’”
Peter chooses to be crucified with his head down
Pope Francis then recalled how Peter denied Jesus before the High Priest’s servant and how Jesus looked at him in that moment, he who had just denied his Lord. But, he said, the apostle who is “courageous in denying is capable also of bitter tears”.
“After an entire life spent in service of the Lord,” the Pope said, “his life ended like his Lord’s: on the cross. But he does not boast: ‘I end as did my Lord!’ Rather he asks, ‘Please, put me on the cross with my head down, so that at the very least it is seen that I am not the Lord but a servant.’ This is what we can learn from this beautiful, serene, friendly, and modest dialogue: We hold our heads high for the dignity that God gives us, but we lower our head, knowing that we are sinners and that the only Lord is Jesus; we are servants.”
The "selfless commitment" of parents was honoured at the UN and around the world on 1 June, which marks the Global Day of Parents.The day was instituted by the UN General Assembly in 2012 with resolution A/RES/66/292 and honours parents throughout the world. The Global Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.Since the 1980s, the important role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community. The General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions, and proclaimed the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.Emphasizing the critical role of parents in the rearing of children, the Global Day of Parents recognizes also that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. For the full and harmonious development of their ...
The "selfless commitment" of parents was honoured at the UN and around the world on 1 June, which marks the Global Day of Parents.
The day was instituted by the UN General Assembly in 2012 with resolution A/RES/66/292 and honours parents throughout the world. The Global Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.
Since the 1980s, the important role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community. The General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions, and proclaimed the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.
Emphasizing the critical role of parents in the rearing of children, the Global Day of Parents recognizes also that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. For the full and harmonious development of their personality, children should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.
It also emphasizes the link between the key 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of ending poverty, hunger and promoting well-being, with strong family-orientated policies.(UN)
(Vatican Radio) For the Islamic Month of Ramadan and the feast of ‘Id al–Fitr, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has published a message to Muslims entitled “Christians and Muslims: Caring for our Common Home.In the message, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the President of the Counci (PCID), offers best wishes to Muslims and "prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of ‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it."The PCID points out that this year it is drawing from Pope Francis' encyclical "Caring for our Common Home", which it notes is addressed to the whole of humanity.Pope Francis, Cardinal Tauran says, "draws attention to the harm our lifestyles and decisions are causing to the environment, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings".The greeting goes on to say that "as believers, our relationship with God should be increasingly shown in the ...
(Vatican Radio) For the Islamic Month of Ramadan and the feast of ‘Id al–Fitr, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has published a message to Muslims entitled “Christians and Muslims: Caring for our Common Home.
In the message, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the President of the Counci (PCID), offers best wishes to Muslims and "prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of ‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it."
The PCID points out that this year it is drawing from Pope Francis' encyclical "Caring for our Common Home", which it notes is addressed to the whole of humanity.
Pope Francis, Cardinal Tauran says, "draws attention to the harm our lifestyles and decisions are causing to the environment, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings".
The greeting goes on to say that "as believers, our relationship with God should be increasingly shown in the way we relate to the world around us. Our vocation to be guardians of God’s handiwork is not optional, nor it is tangential to our religious commitment as Christians and Muslims: it is an essential part of it."
The Cardinal concludes with, "May the religious insights and blessings that flow from fasting, prayer and good works sustain you, with God’s help, on the path of peace and goodness, to care for all the members of the human family and for the whole of creation."
The month of Ramadan concludes with celebration of ‘Id al–Fitr on June 25th.
Below please find the English translation of the the message from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for the month of Ramadan and ‘Id al–Fitr.
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
Christians and Muslims:
Caring for our Common Home
MESSAGE
FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN AND ‘ID Al-FITR
1438 H. / 2017 A.D.
Vatican City
Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters,
We wish to assure you of our prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of ‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it, and we extend to you our heartfelt best wishes for serenity, joy and abundant spiritual gifts.
This year’s Message is especially timely and significant: fifty years ago, in 1967, only three years after the establishment of this Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) by Pope Paul VI on 19 May 1964, the first Message was sent for this occasion.
In the years that have followed, two Messages have been particularly important: the Message of 1991, during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, entitled “The Path of Believers is the Way of Peace”, and the Message of 2013, in the first year of Pope Francis’ pontificate, entitled “Promoting Mutual Respect through Education”. Both Messages were signed by the Pontiffs.
Among the many activities of the PCID for promoting dialogue with Muslims, the most important and longstanding is this yearly Message for Ramadan and for ‘Id al-Fitr addressed to Muslims throughout the world. To share this Message in the widest way possible, the PCID is assisted by local Catholic communities, as well as Papal Representatives present in almost every country.
The experience of both our religious communities affirms the value of this Message for promoting cordial relations between Christian and Muslim neighbours and friends, by offering insights on current and pressing issues.
For this year, the PCID offers a theme related to Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter “Laudato Si’– On Care for Our Common Home”, which was addressed not only to Catholics and Christians, but to the whole of humanity.
Pope Francis draws attention to the harm our lifestyles and decisions are causing to the environment, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings. There are, for example, certain philosophical, religious, and cultural perspectives that present obstacles which threaten humanity’s relationship with nature. To take up this challenge involves all of us, regardless of whether or not we profess a religious belief.
The Encyclical’s title itself is expressive: the world is a “common home”, a dwelling for all the members of the human family. Therefore, no one person, nation or people can impose exclusively their understanding of our planet. This is why Pope Francis appeals “for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet…, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affects us all” (n. 14).
Pope Francis states that “the ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion” (no. 217). What is needed is education, spiritual openness and a “global ecological conversion” to adequately address this challenge. As believers, our relationship with God should be increasingly shown in the way we relate to the world around us. Our vocation to be guardians of God’s handiwork is not optional, nor it is tangential to our religious commitment as Christians and Muslims: it is an essential part of it.
May the religious insights and blessings that flow from fasting, prayer and good works sustain you, with God’s help, on the path of peace and goodness, to care for all the members of the human family and for the whole of creation.
With these sentiments, we wish you once again serenity, joy and prosperity.
From the Vatican, 19 May 2017
Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran
President
Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.l.
Secretary
Western diplomats on Thursday condemned violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka and urged the government to uphold minority rights and freedom of religion. More than 20 attacks on Muslims have been recorded since April 17, including including arson at Muslim-owned businesses and petrol-bomb attacks on mosques. Muslims have blamed the attacks on Body Bala Sena (BBS) or the "Buddhist Power Force", an organisation that says the spread of Islam is a threat to Buddhism as the dominant religion. It denies any involvement."It is important that the rule of law be applied against those perpetrators and it's important that minority rights and freedom of religion are upheld," one of the diplomats, Canadian high commissioner Shelley Whiting, told reporters. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe have ordered police to uphold the law, but the violence against Muslims has not ended.Muslims comprise around 9 percent of...
Western diplomats on Thursday condemned violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka and urged the government to uphold minority rights and freedom of religion. More than 20 attacks on Muslims have been recorded since April 17, including including arson at Muslim-owned businesses and petrol-bomb attacks on mosques. Muslims have blamed the attacks on Body Bala Sena (BBS) or the "Buddhist Power Force", an organisation that says the spread of Islam is a threat to Buddhism as the dominant religion. It denies any involvement.
"It is important that the rule of law be applied against those perpetrators and it's important that minority rights and freedom of religion are upheld," one of the diplomats, Canadian high commissioner Shelley Whiting, told reporters. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe have ordered police to uphold the law, but the violence against Muslims has not ended.
Muslims comprise around 9 percent of Sri Lanka's population of 21 million. Buddhists make up about 70 percent of the population.
Buddhist groups accuse some Muslim organizations of radicalizing the community and forcibly converting people to Islam. Muslim leaders have denied the claim. Tung-Lai Margue, ambassador of the European Union, said he hoped the police would make arrests in the coming days.
Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson said acts of hate had been directed "unacceptably at the Muslim community".
Unprecedented collective public diplomatic intervention
"To my knowledge, this kind of collective public diplomatic intervention is unprecedented in Sri Lanka," Alan Keenan, Sri Lanka project director at the International Crisis Group, said on Twitter. Recently human rights groups, religious leaders, lawmakers and the United Nations had also called on the Sri Lankan government to take immediate action against sectarian violence and growing tensions in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
In 2014, three Muslims were killed in riots stirred up by hardline Buddhist groups. President Sirisena was elected the following year after a campaign in which he promised to solve the issues faced by ethnic minority Tamils and Muslims. Churches also have faced similar attacks in the past. (Source: Reuters/…)
(Vatican Radio) The Bishops of the United States have decried President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement saying his decision “not to honor the U.S. commitment” to the Paris climate deal is “deeply troubling.” Listen to the report by Sean Patrick Lovett: In a statement released shortly after the President’s announcement at the White House, Bishop Oscar Cantu, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace pointed out that “The Scriptures affirm the value of caring for creation and caring for each other in solidarity”, and that “the Paris agreement is an international accord that promotes these values”.He said that “President Trump’s decision will harm the people of the United States and the world, especially the poorest, most vulnerable communities”.The statement also notes that the impacts of climate change are already be...
(Vatican Radio) The Bishops of the United States have decried President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement saying his decision “not to honor the U.S. commitment” to the Paris climate deal is “deeply troubling.”
Listen to the report by Sean Patrick Lovett:
In a statement released shortly after the President’s announcement at the White House, Bishop Oscar Cantu, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace pointed out that “The Scriptures affirm the value of caring for creation and caring for each other in solidarity”, and that “the Paris agreement is an international accord that promotes these values”.
He said that “President Trump’s decision will harm the people of the United States and the world, especially the poorest, most vulnerable communities”.
The statement also notes that the impacts of climate change are already being experienced in “sea level rise, glacial melts, intensified storms and more frequent droughts”.
Bishop Cantu continued saying that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pope Francis and “the entire Catholic Church have consistently upheld the Paris Agreement as an important international mechanism to promote environmental stewardship and encourage climate change mitigation.”
“I can only hope – he concluded – that the President will propose concrete ways to address global climate change and promote environmental stewardship.”
