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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump's revised travel ban "speaks with vague words of national security, but in context drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination," a federal appeals court said Thursday in ruling against the ban that targets six Muslim-majority countries....
(Vatican Radio) On Saturday, May 27th, Pope Francis will travel to the northern Italian city of Genoa for a one-day apostolic visit.One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be represented by his meeting with sick children and their families in the “Giannina Gaslini” Paediatric Hospital.Awaiting Francis’ visit, many of the little patients have been busy preparing small gifts and messages, but meanwhile, the Pope himself decided to surprise them ahead of time with a personal greeting.Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Linking-up live via telephone to a parish radio in Genoa that broadcasts a Wednesday weekly programme especially dedicated to the children’s hospital, Pope Francis told the little patients that it is with joy that he is preparing to be with them.“Dear children of the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, I greet you all with affection” he said.The Pope said he is coming to be close to them, to listen to them, and to bring the...
(Vatican Radio) On Saturday, May 27th, Pope Francis will travel to the northern Italian city of Genoa for a one-day apostolic visit.
One of the highlights of the day will undoubtedly be represented by his meeting with sick children and their families in the “Giannina Gaslini” Paediatric Hospital.
Awaiting Francis’ visit, many of the little patients have been busy preparing small gifts and messages, but meanwhile, the Pope himself decided to surprise them ahead of time with a personal greeting.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
Linking-up live via telephone to a parish radio in Genoa that broadcasts a Wednesday weekly programme especially dedicated to the children’s hospital, Pope Francis told the little patients that it is with joy that he is preparing to be with them.
“Dear children of the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, I greet you all with affection” he said.
The Pope said he is coming to be close to them, to listen to them, and to bring the caress of Jesus.
“He is always close to us especially when we are in difficulty and in need. He always gives us trust and hope” he said.
Pope Francis concluded his call with assurances that he is praying for the sick children and their families, and as he always does, he asked them to pray for him!
Established in 1931, the Istituto Giannina Gaslini is a tertiary level paediatric hospital affiliated with the University of Genoa. It is considered one of the foremost children’s hospital in Europe and it is formally recognized as a Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare.
Church leaders in the Philippines have appealed to the armed abductors of over a dozen people, including a Catholic priest, in southern Mindanao islands on 23 May, to spare the lives of the hostages. "I appeal to the consciences of the hostage takers not to harm the innocent as the Islamic faith teaches," said Cardinal Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato in a statement. Members of the Maute group, which claims to be linked to the international terror group Islamic State, clashed with security forces in Marawi City on May 23, and have taken Father Teresito “Chito” Suganob, vicar of the Prelature of Marawi, and several other people hostage. As of early morning on May 25, nothing had been heard of the whereabouts of the priest and the prelature's staff and some churchgoers who were taken captive.Cardinal Quevedo also appealed to Muslim religious leaders to intercede with the gunmen, who claimed to be Muslims, for the safety of...
Church leaders in the Philippines have appealed to the armed abductors of over a dozen people, including a Catholic priest, in southern Mindanao islands on 23 May, to spare the lives of the hostages. "I appeal to the consciences of the hostage takers not to harm the innocent as the Islamic faith teaches," said Cardinal Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato in a statement. Members of the Maute group, which claims to be linked to the international terror group Islamic State, clashed with security forces in Marawi City on May 23, and have taken Father Teresito “Chito” Suganob, vicar of the Prelature of Marawi, and several other people hostage. As of early morning on May 25, nothing had been heard of the whereabouts of the priest and the prelature's staff and some churchgoers who were taken captive.
Cardinal Quevedo also appealed to Muslim religious leaders to intercede with the gunmen, who claimed to be Muslims, for the safety of the hostages who were reportedly used as "human shields" when the militants attacked the city. "I appeal to religious leaders of Islam to influence the hostage takers to release the hostages unharmed," said the Mindanao prelate. He also prayed for the "safety of the innocent people" of Marawi.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila also issued an appeal "to set the hostages free" as he prayed for the situation in Marawi "to be resolved without any further violence."
The conflict in Marawi started after soldiers and policemen launched an operation aimed at arresting Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf who was reportedly hiding in the city. An ensuing firefight between security forces and members of the Maute group who were protecting Hapilon escalated and spread to several villages in downtown Marawi. Thousands of residents have already fled the city and sought shelter in nearby towns and cities.
Extremists demand unconditional ceasefire
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said on Thursday the abductors have threatened to kill the hostages if the government assault against them is not withdrawn. Bishop Edwin de la Peña of Marawi Prelature who received a call from an IS militant also said the kidnappers were demanding a “unilateral ceasefire from the military to allow them passage out of Marawi. Otherwise, they will kill the hostages,” Bishop la Peña said. He said he was able to talk with Fr. Chito to make sure that their demands were clearly conveyed.
Filipino Muslim religious leaders condemned what they described as "the barbaric and satanic terror attacks” in Manchester, UK and in Marawi City. "We must face this challenge of violent extremism and terrorism together as one human family facing common enemies — injustices and terrorism," said the Ulama Conference of the Philippines.
The United Religions Initiative, a global community of some 850 interfaith groups in 101 countries, also issued a call for the immediate release of the hostages. The group described Father Suganob as a "long-time leader and an active member" of the organization who works to "help heal lasting wounds of conflict in local communities in Mindanao." Rev. Victor Kazanjian Jr., the group's executive director, said the priest "envision[s] a world in which people of all religions and cultures affirm their common humanity and work together for peace, justice, and healing for the Earth."
The military in Marawi confirmed that five soldiers were killed and 31 others injured in the attack on the city. At least two policemen were also reported killed. Philippine authorities refuse to release the number of casualties and fatalities as "clearing operations" continue. (Source: UCAN)
The Bishops of South Africa have condemned the “agony” of violence against women and children in the country, as new figures reveal that a woman is killed every eight hours by someone she knows and one in five children has been sexually abused. In a 19 May statement, the bishops said although the nation is shocked by these statistics, “domestic violence is common.” The statement signed by Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town and President of the South African Bishop’s Conference notes that “Each crime against a woman and child causes the delicate fabric of our society to unravel that much more.” Below is the full statmentSACBC CONDEMNS CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDRENThe recent unfolding agony of violence against women and children has resulted in a nation numbed with shock. The brutality of this and the knowledge that so many of these crimes have been perpetrated by individuals known to the victims raise questions that demand ans...
The Bishops of South Africa have condemned the “agony” of violence against women and children in the country, as new figures reveal that a woman is killed every eight hours by someone she knows and one in five children has been sexually abused. In a 19 May statement, the bishops said although the nation is shocked by these statistics, “domestic violence is common.” The statement signed by Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town and President of the South African Bishop’s Conference notes that “Each crime against a woman and child causes the delicate fabric of our society to unravel that much more.”
Below is the full statment
SACBC CONDEMNS CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN
The recent unfolding agony of violence against women and children has resulted in a nation numbed with shock. The brutality of this and the knowledge that so many of these crimes have been perpetrated by individuals known to the victims raise questions that demand answers. Our society has been shaped by enduring which has compromised healthy family life, as well as the very fabric of our society.
A recent study indicated that 1 in 5 children have been sexually abused. Furthermore, 75% of boys experienced bullying at school. While corporal punishment has been banned at school the practice remain prevalent. Domestic violence is common. The physical integrity of women and children is not respected. There is a pervasive culture of alcohol and drug abuse which exacerbates the violence. Binge drinking among the young is common which undermines good judgement and social morals and can result in irresponsible and violent behaviour. Participation in gangs is commonplace and may result in collective violence and gang rape.
Each crime against a woman and child causes the delicate fabric of our society to unravel that much more. While some perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted through the criminal justice system, survivors face secondary victimization as the matter progresses through the courts. The social and human cost is immense.
Relying on successful criminal prosecution and subsequent incarceration as a solution is not going to result in the change we need. We have to go back to the beginning and look at the way we socialize our children if we wish to curb this violence in the future. Instead of only investing huge sums of money in the criminal justice system and correctional facilities more allowance should be made for parenting programmes and support. This would do much to address the intergenerational spiral of violence and disregard for the corporal integrity of others. We need interventions to combat the normalization of violence at home, at school, at church and in our communities.
Our hearts and prayers go out to all victims of such violence. Victims sometimes blame themselves for what has happened to them but there is nothing that can justify such blatant cruelty.
+ Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town, President of the SACBC
19th May 2017
Catholics in Laos have welcomed the appointment of the country’s first ever cardinal, in the wake of the government’s warming relations with the Catholic Church. "We are extremely happy to hear that our Bishop Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun has been named as the first ever cardinal in Laos," Martha Le Thi Thuy Hanh from Sacred Heart Parish, in the southern province of Champasak, told UCAN. In a surprise announcement on Sunday, 21 May, Pope Francis named five new cardinals from around the world, including the lone Asian, Bishop Ling of the Apostolic Vicariate of Paksé. The 73-year old bishop has been heading the vicariate since 30 October 2000, and on Feb. 2, Pope Francis also appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Vientiane. The other cardinals are from Mali, Spain, Sweden and El Salvador. The consistory is scheduled for June 28, the vigil of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.Hanh, a cloth trader ...
Catholics in Laos have welcomed the appointment of the country’s first ever cardinal, in the wake of the government’s warming relations with the Catholic Church. "We are extremely happy to hear that our Bishop Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun has been named as the first ever cardinal in Laos," Martha Le Thi Thuy Hanh from Sacred Heart Parish, in the southern province of Champasak, told UCAN.
In a surprise announcement on Sunday, 21 May, Pope Francis named five new cardinals from around the world, including the lone Asian, Bishop Ling of the Apostolic Vicariate of Paksé. The 73-year old bishop has been heading the vicariate since 30 October 2000, and on Feb. 2, Pope Francis also appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Vientiane. The other cardinals are from Mali, Spain, Sweden and El Salvador. The consistory is scheduled for June 28, the vigil of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.
Hanh, a cloth trader at a local market, said the parish priest told the congregation about the "great news" during Sunday Mass on the day of the announcement. "As a cardinal, Bishop Ling will have better prospects for developing the local church and integrating it into the international community," she said. The 62-year-old woman hopes the cardinal-designate, who has good relations with communist government authorities, will be able to improve religious freedoms for Catholic communities in the country. She said the government restricts religious activities in many areas of the country. "Soldiers with guns pretend to guard places of worship. They walk around and even enter Christian churches while people gather for services," she said. Hanh said religious congregations are also restricted in giving pastoral care to Catholics.
Dialogue not confrontation
Father Raphael Tran Xuan Nhan of Vinh Diocese in central Vietnam has worked in Laos since 2005. He said the appointment of Bishop Ling as cardinal shows that the Holy See understands the need to support the development of small and impoverished churches in the communist country. "Bishop Ling is a kind, friendly, wise and open-minded man. He is interested in evangelization work and welcomes all foreign missionaries to his country," Father Nhan told UCAN. "Bishop Ling expertly uses dialogue rather than confrontation when addressing church issues and has helped government officials to understand that the Catholic Church is focused on social development," he said.
Inculturation of Gospel
Father Nhan explained that the cardinal-elect has worked hard to integrate Christian values into Laotian cultures and traditions so that the church can live in harmony with the Buddhist-majority nation. The future cardinal has also worked to improve the conditions for the restoration of Legion of Mary groups across Laos since 2005. "Five hundred Legion of Mary members teach catechism to Catholics and converts in the communities, bring Communion to the sick, and do other pastoral work," Father Nhan said.
Cardinal-designate Ling is an ethnic Khamu, a hill tribe from northern Laos and southern China. He studied at Voluntas Dei Institute in Canada before he was ordained as a priest in 1972. In 2000, he was made Apostolic Vicar of Pakse. From Dec. 2000 to 2014, he served as the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Laos and Cambodia, known by its French acronym CELAC.
Warming Church-state relations
The Beatification ceremony of the 17 martyrs of Laos on Laotian soil, in the capital Vientiane, on 11 December, is an indication of warming relations between the state and the Catholic Church in the communist nation. The group of 17 martyrs known as “Joseph Tien and his 16 companions” died for their faith in the last century at the hands of Communist Pathet Lao forces. In the first rows of the beatification ceremony were representatives of the government and delegates of religions recognized in Laos, including Protestants and Muslims. Papal envoy, Philippine Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato and 15 other bishops from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and other heads of religious congregations led the ceremony.
The Catholic Church in the south-east Asian nation does not have fully fledged dioceses, only four apostolic vicariates - Luang Prabang, Paksé, Savannakhet and Vientiane. Catholics number some 45,000, about 1 percent of an estimated 7 million population, mostly Buddhist. There are only 4 bishops, 2 of them retired. The faithful are served by 21 Lao priests and deacons and a few dozen nuns.
Foreign missionaries were expelled and Catholics persecuted after Pathet Laos communists took over the country in 1975. (Source. UCAN/…)
IMAGE: CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, ReutersBy MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Gunmen claiming to have linkswith the Islamic State group threatened to kill hostages, including a Catholicpriest, who were taken from the southern Philippine city of Marawi May 23.President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across theentire Muslim-majority region of Mindanao late May 23, but ucanews.com reportedthat many, including church leaders, characterized the imposition of martiallaw as an overreaction.As ofearly morning May 25, nothing had been heard of the whereabouts of the priestand the prelature's staff and some churchgoers who were taken captive.CardinalOrlando Quevedo of Cotabato appealed to Muslim religious leaders to intercedewith the gunmen, who claimed to be Muslims, for the safety of the hostages whowere reportedly used as "human shields" when the militants attackedthe city.ArchbishopSocrates Villegas, president of the Philippine bishops' conference, said theterrorists "have threatened to kill...
IMAGE: CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters
By
MANILA, Philippines (CNS) -- Gunmen claiming to have links with the Islamic State group threatened to kill hostages, including a Catholic priest, who were taken from the southern Philippine city of Marawi May 23.
President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law across the entire Muslim-majority region of Mindanao late May 23, but ucanews.com reported that many, including church leaders, characterized the imposition of martial law as an overreaction.
As of early morning May 25, nothing had been heard of the whereabouts of the priest and the prelature's staff and some churchgoers who were taken captive.
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato appealed to Muslim religious leaders to intercede with the gunmen, who claimed to be Muslims, for the safety of the hostages who were reportedly used as "human shields" when the militants attacked the city.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Philippine bishops' conference, said the terrorists "have threatened to kill the hostages if government forces pitted against them are not recalled."
"As the government forces ensure that the law is upheld, we beg of them to make the safety of the hostages a primordial consideration," he added.
Initial reports received by ucanews.com said Father Teresito Suganob, vicar general of the Prelature of Marawi, and several staff of St. Mary's Cathedral, which was set on fire, were taken hostage. The gunmen also forced their way into the residence of Bishop Edwin de la Pena of Marawi.
Bishop de la Pena confirmed reports that the attackers took Father Suganob, several of the prelature's staff, and some churchgoers. He said he received a call from "a member of Islamic State" who used his kidnapped secretary's phone and demanded a "unilateral cease-fire" in exchange for the life of the priest and the other hostages.
"They want a cease-fire and for the military to give them access out of Marawi," said Bishop de la Pena. "Otherwise they will kill the hostages."
Archbishop Villegas said Father Suganob was performing priestly duties at the time of his capture.
"He was not a combatant. He was not bearing arms. He was a threat to none. His capture and that of his companions violates every norm of civilized conflict," said Archbishop Villegas.
Fighters of the Maute group, which has vowed allegiance to the Islamic State, also burned several buildings, including the cathedral, a Protestant school and the city's jail.
The bishop said the gunmen used the hostages as "human shields" as fighting continued with security forces May 24.
In Marawi, the military confirmed that five soldiers were killed and 31 others injured in the attack on the city. At least two policemen were also reported killed.
Philippine authorities refuse to release the number of casualties and fatalities as "clearing operations" continued.
Duterte placed all of Mindanao's 27 provinces and 33 cities, roughly a third of the country, under martial law for a period of 60 days. Mindanao is home to an estimated 20 million people.
Duterte warned that the martial law in Mindanao "will not be any different" from the martial law declared by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
"I'll be harsh," said Duterte. "I have to do it to preserve the Republic of the Philippines," he said, even as he assured Filipinos "not to be too scared."
Ucanews.com reported that religious leaders and civil society groups, however, said there was no need for Duterte to put Mindanao under military rule. Filipinos have been wary of martial law since it was used by Marcos to remain in power for two decades, until his ouster in 1986.
"Putting the whole of Mindanao under martial law is very dangerous and vulnerable to abuse," said Alih Aiyub, secretary-general of the Ulama Council of the Philippines.
The Muslim religious leader told ucanews.com that "innocent people might be caught in the crossfire or might be arrested illegally by mere suspicion."
"Fighting terrorism does not need the declaration of martial law, because our existing laws are more than enough to enforce it," said Aiyub.
Bishop Jose Bagaforo of Kidapawan said the declaration of martial law could have been limited to Marawi City and surrounding areas, "not all of Mindanao."
Redemptorist Father Amado Picardal, who works with basic ecclesial communities and the bishops' conference, said declaring martial law across Mindanao while only Marawi was attacked "is either idiotic or an excuse to expand dictatorial control."
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