Catholic News 2
GLUCKSTADT, Miss. (AP) -- Three young Mississippi men were arrested hours after a 6-year-old boy was found shot dead in his mother's stolen car and the suspects will be charged with capital murder, authorities said....
STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Sweden's top prosecutor on Friday dropped an investigation into a rape claim against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after almost seven years, saying that's because there's no possibility of arresting him "in the foreseeable future."...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Trump's attorneys originally wanted him to submit an updated financial disclosure without certifying the information as true, according to correspondence with the Office of Government Ethics....
NEW YORK (AP) -- Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, whose penchant for sexting strangers ended his political career and led to an investigation that upended the presidential race, pleaded guilty Friday to criminal charges in connection with his online communications with a 15-year-old girl....
Catholic women in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, last Saturday joined the rest of Catholic women worldwide in commemorating the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) day.The day is aimed at bringing together all women under the banner, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) to share different skills, pray together and encourage each other on different development initiatives.Speaking at this year’s commemorations which took place at St. Mary’s (Kamuzu Barracks) Parish hall CWO Chairlady of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Anita Kaliu said, the day is important as all women come together and celebrate their unity through singing and other activities. “This day was set aside to bring together all women who belong to WUCWO to pray and dedicate their problems to God and pray for those women being ill-treated in the country. Also, various activities are organized on this day like the singing competition so that women should share skills in the Church,&rdq...
Catholic women in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, last Saturday joined the rest of Catholic women worldwide in commemorating the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) day.
The day is aimed at bringing together all women under the banner, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) to share different skills, pray together and encourage each other on different development initiatives.
Speaking at this year’s commemorations which took place at St. Mary’s (Kamuzu Barracks) Parish hall CWO Chairlady of Lilongwe Archdiocese, Anita Kaliu said, the day is important as all women come together and celebrate their unity through singing and other activities.
“This day was set aside to bring together all women who belong to WUCWO to pray and dedicate their problems to God and pray for those women being ill-treated in the country. Also, various activities are organized on this day like the singing competition so that women should share skills in the Church,” she said.
Commemorated under the theme “Praying for all women facing ill treatments in the world”, Catholic Women choirs from the Archdiocese held a singing competition whereas Fr. Augustine Kaliu was the guest singer.
In a message, WUCWO President, Maria Giovanna Ruggieri said women in the world should embrace the spirit of Virgin Mary who appeared in Fatima and pray for peace in the whole world and families.
“I encourage all women of WUCWO to give themselves fully to the works of God in the church and by holding different positions in societies to fulfill their discipleship of spreading the gospel. In addition, women should work hard in education in the fight against poverty and promotion of human rights”. reads part of the message.
CWO Chaplain for Lilongwe Archdiocese, Fr. Francis Lekaleka said the day is crucial for it helps sensitize the women to realise the importance of prayer and unity.
“The one struggling is not always alone, God is always with them, the women rejoice on this day not because they do not have problems, but because they know they are not carrying their problems alone which is encouraged in this group," said Fr. Lekaleka.
He said women are not only encouraged to pray, but also to venture into entrepreneurship to support and develop their families than depending on men who mostly, do not care much about the welfare of their families.
WUCWO was founded in the years 1910 to 1914 by Madame Verald who suggested uniting the Leagues of catholic women throughout the world.
It aims at promoting the presence, participation and co-responsibilities of catholic women in society and the church, in order to enable them to fulfil the mission of Evangelisation and to work for human development, particularly in increasing educational opportunities, poverty reduction and the advancement of human rights beginning with the fundamental right of life.
BY STELLA ZULU (Communications Office of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi).
The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deserve to get the support and protection they deserve for their sacrifices and for their contributions to the Philippine economy, said Bishop Ruperto Santos. Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the Church’s Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said the OFWs are not just “modern day heroes” but “our blessings. To show our gratitude to them is to protect them and to promote their rights and dignity.“To value their labors is to take care of remittances that this remittances will not be stolen, corrupted and misused for non essential or non existent government projects,” he said.Cash remittances from OFWs reached their highest monthly level in March with $7.71 billion, up by 8.1% compared to the same period last year.The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas attributed the increase in remittances to the strong demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad.Bishop Santos said this manifests that the OFWs sustain a...
The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deserve to get the support and protection they deserve for their sacrifices and for their contributions to the Philippine economy, said Bishop Ruperto Santos.
Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the Church’s Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said the OFWs are not just “modern day heroes” but “our blessings. To show our gratitude to them is to protect them and to promote their rights and dignity.
“To value their labors is to take care of remittances that this remittances will not be stolen, corrupted and misused for non essential or non existent government projects,” he said.
Cash remittances from OFWs reached their highest monthly level in March with $7.71 billion, up by 8.1% compared to the same period last year.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas attributed the increase in remittances to the strong demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad.
Bishop Santos said this manifests that the OFWs sustain and support the country. “They are the best, our outstanding Filipinos in the world,” he added. “With their sacrifices they uplift our economy and build up our image as honest, hardworking and trustworthy Filipinos,” he said.
On the first day of Pope Francis’ State visit to the Philippines in 2015, he called on the Philippine government to fulfill its pledges to put an end to corruption and likewise observed the “scandalous social inequalities” in the country.
According to the ASEAN Trade Union Council, the Philippines has the highest rate of economic and social inequality in Southeast Asia. Inequality in the Philippines portrays inequitable distribution of economic opportunities and is not limited to personal wealth. Land distribution, educational and vocational opportunities and basic welfare programs are also affected by the growing disparity between the Philippines' richest and poorest citizens.
The glaring unequal opportunities in the country push millions of Filipinos to go abroad. High unemployment rate, low wages and deepening poverty fuel the desire to leave despite known and unknown dangers. (CBCP)
Vatican Weekend for May 20th, 2017 features a report on Pope Francis’ Wednesday general audience where he reflects on Mary Magdalen as an Apostle of hope, a look at how one charity in Jordan is repairing 'collateral damage' arising from war and conflict, a timely musical meditation to mark the feast of the Ascension and we step back in history to find out how American Catholics reacted to the 2nd Vatican Council at that time. Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for May 20th, 2017 features a report on Pope Francis’ Wednesday general audience where he reflects on Mary Magdalen as an Apostle of hope, a look at how one charity in Jordan is repairing 'collateral damage' arising from war and conflict, a timely musical meditation to mark the feast of the Ascension and we step back in history to find out how American Catholics reacted to the 2nd Vatican Council at that time.
Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
As the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is preparing to host the 19th AMECEA Plenary in 2018 the University and College Catholic Student Movement (otherwise known as IMCS) in Addis Ababa is reflecting on the theme “Vibrant Diversity, Equal Dignity, Peaceful Unity in God in the AMECEA Region”.According to Ms. Elsabeth Efrem, ECS University Students Program Officer, the students who come from all the 13 ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Church are encouraged to internalize the theme which invites people to embrace diversity as a gift from God.“IMCS is a very active group in terms of spreading Catholic spirituality and serving the Church in various ways. These are students who will soon be joining the workforce in our country in different fields and the Catholic values they foster as students will be lived as workers. As Ethiopia is a diverse country, the students will play a big role in witnessing unity in diversity in their campuses and in their future work place,&rd...
As the Catholic Church in Ethiopia is preparing to host the 19th AMECEA Plenary in 2018 the University and College Catholic Student Movement (otherwise known as IMCS) in Addis Ababa is reflecting on the theme “Vibrant Diversity, Equal Dignity, Peaceful Unity in God in the AMECEA Region”.
According to Ms. Elsabeth Efrem, ECS University Students Program Officer, the students who come from all the 13 ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Church are encouraged to internalize the theme which invites people to embrace diversity as a gift from God.
“IMCS is a very active group in terms of spreading Catholic spirituality and serving the Church in various ways. These are students who will soon be joining the workforce in our country in different fields and the Catholic values they foster as students will be lived as workers. As Ethiopia is a diverse country, the students will play a big role in witnessing unity in diversity in their campuses and in their future work place,” she said.
In an effort to promote the theme of the 19th AMECEA Plenary, IMCS as a choir performed spiritual songs in 12 different local languages in the 2 days conference on “Catholic Identity” organized by the St. Michael Catholic Parish in the Archdiocese of Addis Ababa from May 13 – 14, 2017.
The University Students Program Officer also said that IMCS members all over Ethiopia are eagerly waiting for the coming of the 19th AMECEA Plenary to Addis Ababa and are ready to play a part in hosting the guests from the AMECEA region and other participants.
The University and College Catholic Students Movement in Ethiopia comprises of over 2,100 Catholic students in the over 35 universities (and colleges) and found in all the 13 ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the country. Its main mission is the evangelization of the student milieu. Students are encouraged to live their faith by getting involved in society, locally, nationally and internationally. Inspired by the Gospel values and the Social Teachings of the Church, it encourages students are able to live a Spirituality in Action, linking faith, intellect and service of others through praying, reflecting and acting on issues at all levels of society.
By Makeda Yohannes (Ethiopia Catholic Secretariat).
Vatican Weekend for May 21st, 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 May 21st, 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:
Cheyenne, Wyo., May 19, 2017 / 06:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The only Planned Parenthood office in Wyoming will close along with another five offices in the organization’s Rocky Mountain region, though officials said it would still exercise a presence in the state.The organization’s Casper clinic opened in 1975 and served about 480 clients each year. While Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the U.S., the Casper clinic’s services include abortion referrals, not abortions themselves. The clinic is set to close July 21.North Dakota is the only other U.S. state without a Planned Parenthood location.Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains official Adrienne Mansanares, speaking to the Casper Star-Tribune, said the organization looked at the services and financial health of the Wyoming clinic. Most Planned Parenthood patients in the state go to the Fort Collins, Colorado location.The Casper clinic has been staffed by a part-time manager and a traveling ...
Cheyenne, Wyo., May 19, 2017 / 06:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The only Planned Parenthood office in Wyoming will close along with another five offices in the organization’s Rocky Mountain region, though officials said it would still exercise a presence in the state.
The organization’s Casper clinic opened in 1975 and served about 480 clients each year. While Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the U.S., the Casper clinic’s services include abortion referrals, not abortions themselves. The clinic is set to close July 21.
North Dakota is the only other U.S. state without a Planned Parenthood location.
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains official Adrienne Mansanares, speaking to the Casper Star-Tribune, said the organization looked at the services and financial health of the Wyoming clinic. Most Planned Parenthood patients in the state go to the Fort Collins, Colorado location.
The Casper clinic has been staffed by a part-time manager and a traveling nurse who visits from northern Colorado.
Planned Parenthood will continue its presence in the state through the Wyoming Abortion Fund, which connects women to abortionists. The organization will continue to offer sex education resources, and its advocacy work will also continue in collaboration with NARAL Pro-Choice Wyoming.
“The political footprint and the education we provide will continue to remain,” said Mansanares.
Whitney Phillips, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said the capacity of other Casper providers to supply comprehensive reproductive health care was a factor in the decision to close the clinic. Patients are being referred to several other providers in Casper.
Planned Parenthood’s Rocky Mountain region includes Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and southern Nevada. The Longmont and Parker, Colorado offices will also close, as will New Mexico offices in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Farmington.
In a May 17 statement, Phillips said the closures are “difficult but necessary organizational changes” driven by a desire for long-term sustainability.
“This strategic decision will allow us to maintain a fiscally solvent operation that will keep our doors open to patients in the region for the long term,” she said.
The organization’s abortion work has always been controversial, but it has come under severe scrutiny since 2015, when undercover journalists with the Center for Medical Progress recorded Planned Parenthood staff and leaders appearing to plan the sale of aborted baby parts and fetal tissue for profit, which is illegal under federal law.
The Center for Medical Progress videos strengthened efforts to defund the abortion provider, which has received about $500 million in federal funding each year for non-abortion services. Planned Parenthood and its allies responded to the videos with a multi-million dollar publicity campaign to control the damage.
Two videos released in July 2015 appeared to show Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains vice president and medical director Savita Ginde negotiate the sale of aborted baby parts.
The Planned Parenthood affiliate also recently settled a civil lawsuit alleging that two of its employees failed to comply with Colorado law by performing an abortion on a 13-year-old girl who was sexually abused. The lawsuit said employees neglected to report the abuse of a minor to authorities or obtain consent from her parents prior to performing the abortion.
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains also contested a 2013 lawsuit by the former executive director of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regarding $14 million of taxpayer subsidies that the group received from the state despite a Colorado constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of tax dollars to fund abortions.
In November 2015, a man fatally shot three and wounded nine in attacks at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. He was later ruled mentally unfit for trial. One victim’s widow, who was wounded in the attack, filed a lawsuit charging that the clinic should have had better security given the history of attacks on clinics.
