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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed the authority to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia, saying in a pair of tweets he has "an absolute right" as president to do so....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Latest on the report that President Donald Trump shared classified information with Russian officials (all times EDT):...
Around 3,000 people, Catholics and of other religious confessions, crowded the celebrations for the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in the sanctuary of Karjat in Maharashtra, India on May 13. The statue of Our Lady in Karjat was brought by the Portuguese in 1920, whilst the shrine itself was consecrated in 1935, the first to be dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary in Asia.. Since then, the site has become a place of pilgrimage. On the 13th of every month, the faithful gather to mark the first apparition.Marking the occasion, Card. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, consecrated and blessed the new altar of the church. The cardinal also renewed the act of consecration of the archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He told the crowd: "Let us live the message of Fatima. Pray for peace and make sacrifices emphasizing the power of prayer."Speaking in front of the devotees of Our Lady, whose worship is increasingly widespread among non-Christian...
Around 3,000 people, Catholics and of other religious confessions, crowded the celebrations for the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in the sanctuary of Karjat in Maharashtra, India on May 13.
The statue of Our Lady in Karjat was brought by the Portuguese in 1920, whilst the shrine itself was consecrated in 1935, the first to be dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary in Asia.. Since then, the site has become a place of pilgrimage. On the 13th of every month, the faithful gather to mark the first apparition.
Marking the occasion, Card. Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, consecrated and blessed the new altar of the church. The cardinal also renewed the act of consecration of the archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He told the crowd: "Let us live the message of Fatima. Pray for peace and make sacrifices emphasizing the power of prayer."
Speaking in front of the devotees of Our Lady, whose worship is increasingly widespread among non-Christians, the cardinal said: "At Fatima the Blessed Virgin spoke of World War. Wars continue today, with different forms and dangers, turmoil, upheaval and violence all over the world. Wars are also in our personal lives, in the struggle between good and evil. " For this, he stressed, "It is important to pray, pray for peace".
According to Card. Gracias, "in families there is a growing need to pray." So he invited everyone to "pray the Rosary in families, praying for peace in our homes, in family relationships and in the world."
The shrine had organized a novena of votive prayers that culminated on this day with the Eucharistic sacrifice, act of consecration of families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Eucharistic adoration. (AsiaNews)
As a practical response to the AMECEA Pastoral Strategic Plan 2014-2024, AMECEA has published a training handbook for facilitators of Small Christian Communities (SCCs), which fulfils an emerging need for inducing training contents and methodologies for individuals and groups actively involved in the facilitation of SCCs Processes.The handbook which was edited by a team of experts in SCCs including AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo and his predecessor Rev. Fr. Febian P. Mulenga, Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM, a renowned promotors of SCCs in Eastern Africa together with his team Mrs. Rose Musimba and Alphonce C.L. Omolo was published by Paulines Publication and aims at Strengthening the growth of Small Christian Communities in Africa.According Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM, the handbook is unique because it is a guide for the facilitators and is not just to be given out to SCCs members but rather to Pastoral Agents who are responsible for forming others about SCCs Pr...
As a practical response to the AMECEA Pastoral Strategic Plan 2014-2024, AMECEA has published a training handbook for facilitators of Small Christian Communities (SCCs), which fulfils an emerging need for inducing training contents and methodologies for individuals and groups actively involved in the facilitation of SCCs Processes.
The handbook which was edited by a team of experts in SCCs including AMECEA Pastoral Coordinator Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo and his predecessor Rev. Fr. Febian P. Mulenga, Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM, a renowned promotors of SCCs in Eastern Africa together with his team Mrs. Rose Musimba and Alphonce C.L. Omolo was published by Paulines Publication and aims at Strengthening the growth of Small Christian Communities in Africa.
According Rev. Fr. Joseph Healey, MM, the handbook is unique because it is a guide for the facilitators and is not just to be given out to SCCs members but rather to Pastoral Agents who are responsible for forming others about SCCs Processes.
“For years, we used the term Training of Trainers but then we realized that in the structure of the SCCs facilitators, it has a deeper meaning, therefore the handbook is called the Training Handbook for facilitators,” Fr. Healey explained.
The handbook has been inspired by two important Apostolic Exhortation of Pope France, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium) of 2013 and the Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia) of 2016.
“There is a dramatic change going on, the doctrines are changing therefore, the need for servant leadership. The facilitators of SCCs processes have to also be the servant leaders; they are not bosses;” he said.
The handbook among other things provides the methodology of training for facilitators on SCCs as well as topics and sessions for the trainings. It is therefore hoped that the handbook will be outstandingly utilized to achieve the ultimate goal of promoting new and deeper evangelization in AMECEA Region.
The handbook retails at two US Dollars ($2) and is available at AMECEA Secretariat Pastoral Department and Pauline’s Catholic Bookshops in Kenya. Orders can be made through AMECEA Pastoral Departments through the following email addresses: pastoral@amecea.org
The handbook has already been launched in Kakamega Diocese as well as the Archdiocese of Kisumu recently.
By Pamela Adinda
The Archdiocese of Lilongwe is planning to build a new state of the art Cathedral to be constructed in the Capital, Lilongwe and has since launched a fundraising drive to solicit funds for the project worth Billions of Malawi Kwacha.As part of this fundraising drive, the fundraising committee has lined up a number of initiatives, the latest one being on Saturday, May 20, 2017 where they will launch the fundraising campaign at Maula Cathedral Podium, a site ear-marked for the new project.Several Catholic faithful and people of goodwill including guest of honor; Retired Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa have been invited for the launch.According to a press release by the Archdiocesan leadership, at the launch all faithful and the clergy shall be briefed on the nature and scope of the project hence sensitize them on the project activities in order for them to understand its importance and the need for everyone’s participation and contribution towards the realization of the project....
The Archdiocese of Lilongwe is planning to build a new state of the art Cathedral to be constructed in the Capital, Lilongwe and has since launched a fundraising drive to solicit funds for the project worth Billions of Malawi Kwacha.
As part of this fundraising drive, the fundraising committee has lined up a number of initiatives, the latest one being on Saturday, May 20, 2017 where they will launch the fundraising campaign at Maula Cathedral Podium, a site ear-marked for the new project.
Several Catholic faithful and people of goodwill including guest of honor; Retired Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa have been invited for the launch.
According to a press release by the Archdiocesan leadership, at the launch all faithful and the clergy shall be briefed on the nature and scope of the project hence sensitize them on the project activities in order for them to understand its importance and the need for everyone’s participation and contribution towards the realization of the project.
“This decision has been arrived at because the old cathedral of the archdiocese which is at Maula was built a long time ago and as such, it does not have facilities characteristic of a cathedral and its seating capacity cannot contain the population of the archdiocese which has grown,” reads part of the statement as co-signed by Fr. Gerald Kubetcha and Wilfred Dodoli; Financial Administrator and Fundraising Committee Chairperson respectively.
The statement says, it is against this background therefore that the Archdiocese has considered building a new cathedral that will match the modern world and spacious enough to accommodate the growing population.
According to the statement, this campaign launch will help sensitize the people to cooperate in the activities of the project, considering the fact that the construction of a new cathedral is a big project that will require a lot of resources and participation of all the Christians in the archdiocese.
“The construction of the new cathedral is a big project which will require a lot of resources; it is for this reason that the Archdiocese, through the fundraising committee, is launching the fundraising campaign for the project,” reads the statement.
We gathered in a separate interview with Fr. Kubetcha, that the launch will be marked by various activities which include parish contributions towards the set targets, Christians and individual contributions.
“A Church and a Cathedral are houses of God which symbolize the body of Christ; as such the archdiocese of Lilongwe needs to have a befitting house of God that corresponds with the modern world as God deserves the best from us all the times”. Said Fr. Kubetcha.
A Cathedral is a mother of all church buildings in a diocese in which the local ordinary, Bishop of a diocese has his Cathedra or throne. It symbolizes the unity of all Christians in the Diocese.
By Stella Zulu and Prince Henderson- Episcopal Conference of Malawi
(Vatican Radio) The Press Office of the Holy See has released a statement regarding the briefing scheduled this morning for the presentation of the annual report of the Financial Information Authority (Autorità di Informazione Finanziaria - AIF) on the 2016 activities of the Holy See's financial organizations in compliance and cooperation with international oversight and law-enforcement organisations tasked with preventing money-laundering and combatting terrorism. Below, please find the full text of the official communiqué, in English...*********************************************************AIF press release | Annual Report 2016 | Fostering international cooperation and further strengthening of the regulatory frameworkThe Autorità di Informazione Finanziaria (AIF) of the Holy See and the Vatican City State has presented its Annual Report for 2016. The report reviews the activities and statistics of AIF for the year 2016. A significant fos...
(Vatican Radio) The Press Office of the Holy See has released a statement regarding the briefing scheduled this morning for the presentation of the annual report of the Financial Information Authority (Autorità di Informazione Finanziaria - AIF) on the 2016 activities of the Holy See's financial organizations in compliance and cooperation with international oversight and law-enforcement organisations tasked with preventing money-laundering and combatting terrorism. Below, please find the full text of the official communiqué, in English...
*********************************************************
AIF press release | Annual Report 2016 | Fostering international cooperation and further strengthening of the regulatory framework
The Autorità di Informazione Finanziaria (AIF) of the Holy See and the Vatican City State has presented its Annual Report for 2016. The report reviews the activities and statistics of AIF for the year 2016.
A significant fostering of international cooperation of the Vatican competent authority with its foreign counterparts to fight illicit financial activities, a consolidation of the reporting system as well as a further strengthening of the regulatory framework have been some of the key achievements in 2016.
“International cooperation is a precondition to fight financial crimes and the Vatican is fully committed to it.” said René Brülhart, President of AIF. “In 2016, AIF has seen a significant increase of bilateral cooperation with competent authorities of other jurisdictions and will continue to be an active partner to combat illicit financial activities globally.”
“The number of suspicious activity reports (SARs) by different reporting subjects decreased in comparison to 2015 (207 in 2016, 544 in 2015). But the number of SARs was still higher than in previous years, indicating an ever-increasing and effective implementation of reporting requirements by supervised entities.”, said Tommaso Di Ruzza, Director of AIF. “In parallel, SARs show an improvement in terms of quality with a positive impact on the reports AIF disseminated to the Vatican Promoter of Justice, which are leading to domestic prosecution, and on the international cooperation with foreign FIUs, registering a notable development”. In 2016, 22 reports have been submitted for further investigation by Vatican judicial Authorities. The number of cases of bilateral cooperation between AIF and foreign FIUs has increased from 81 in 2013, to 113 in 2014, to 380 in 2015 and 837 in 2016.
Furthermore, the transitional period to implement the requirements established by the
prudential regulatory framework expired in 2016 and the domestic system – based on Title III of Law n. XVIII dated 8th October 2013 and AIF Regulation on “Prudential supervision of entities carrying out financial activities on a professional basis” n. 1 dated 13th January 2015 –, has been further strengthened with the issuance of new Circulars on accounting standards and statistical reporting requirements.
About AIF
The Financial Information Authority is the competent authority of the Holy See and Vatican City State for supervision and financial intelligence for the prevention and countering of money laundering and financing of terrorism as well as prudential supervision.
Established by Pope Benedict XVI with the Apostolic Letter in form of Motu Proprio of 30 December 2010, AIF carries out its institutional activities in accordance with its new Statute introduced by Pope Francis with Motu Proprio of 15 November 2013 and Law No. XVIII of 8
October 2013.
In 2016, AIF signed MOUs with supervisory Authorities and FIUs of Austria, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Panama, Poland and Russia. In previous years, AIF had already signed MOUs with Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Cuba, Cyprus, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, San Marino Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
AIF has been a member of the Egmont Group since 2013.
(Vatican Radio)Pope Francis has sent a telegram to the new President of France, Emmanuel Macron.The telegram began with the words “On the occasion of your investiture as the President of the Republic of France, I send you my very cordial wishes for the exercise of your high office, at the service of all your people.”The message went on to say that the Pope prays that France always strives to “build a more just and fraternal society, drawing on the rich diversity of moral traditions, of which Christianity is one.”The Pope also highlighted those “In danger and at risk of being excluded” and said he prayed that France would continue to promote cooperation and solidarity amongst nations.Before blessing the new president, the Pope also said he prayed “That France continues to promote the search for peace and the common good, respect for life and the defense and dignity of every person and all peoples, both in Europe and throughout the wor...
(Vatican Radio)
Pope Francis has sent a telegram to the new President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
The telegram began with the words “On the occasion of your investiture as the President of the Republic of France, I send you my very cordial wishes for the exercise of your high office, at the service of all your people.”
The message went on to say that the Pope prays that France always strives to “build a more just and fraternal society, drawing on the rich diversity of moral traditions, of which Christianity is one.”
The Pope also highlighted those “In danger and at risk of being excluded” and said he prayed that France would continue to promote cooperation and solidarity amongst nations.
Before blessing the new president, the Pope also said he prayed “That France continues to promote the search for peace and the common good, respect for life and the defense and dignity of every person and all peoples, both in Europe and throughout the world.”
True peace is not man-made but a gift of the Holy Spirit. "A peace without a cross is not the peace of Jesus" for it is only the Lord who can give us peace amidst tribulations. This was the central message of the homily of Pope Francis at Mass, Tuesday morning, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. Developing his homily on the words of Jesus at the Supper in John’s Gospel, "I leave you peace, my peace I give you,” the Holy Father focused on the meaning of the peace given by the Lord. The day’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, he noted, speaks of the many tribulations that Paul and Barnabas experienced in their journeys to proclaim the Gospel. "Is this the peace that Jesus gives us?" the Pope asked, and immediately answered saying Jesus emphasizes that the peace He gives is not the one given by the world.The world wants anesthetized peace to prevent us from seeing the Cross"The pe...
True peace is not man-made but a gift of the Holy Spirit. "A peace without a cross is not the peace of Jesus" for it is only the Lord who can give us peace amidst tribulations. This was the central message of the homily of Pope Francis at Mass, Tuesday morning, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican.
Developing his homily on the words of Jesus at the Supper in John’s Gospel, "I leave you peace, my peace I give you,” the Holy Father focused on the meaning of the peace given by the Lord. The day’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, he noted, speaks of the many tribulations that Paul and Barnabas experienced in their journeys to proclaim the Gospel. "Is this the peace that Jesus gives us?" the Pope asked, and immediately answered saying Jesus emphasizes that the peace He gives is not the one given by the world.
The world wants anesthetized peace to prevent us from seeing the Cross
"The peace that the world offers us," the Pope said, "is a peace without tribulations. It offers us an artificial peace "reduced to "tranquility". It is a peace "that is only concerned about one’s affairs and one’s security, lacking in nothing,” a bit like the peace of the rich Dives in the parable of Lazarus, a tranquility that “shuts” oneself without seeing "beyond":
"The world teaches us the way to anesthetized peace: it anesthetizes us from seeing another reality of life: the Cross. This is why Paul says that one must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven on the road with many tribulations. But is it possible to obtain peace amidst tribulation? From our side, no; we are unable to make peace that is tranquility, a psychological peace, our peace, because tribulations are there, whether pain, illness or death. But the peace that Jesus gives is a gift: it is a gift of the Holy Spirit; and this peace lasts through tribulations and beyond. It's not a sort of stoicism of the ‘fakir’. No. it’s something else.”
God's peace cannot be bought, without Cross is not real peace
According to Pope Francis, God's peace is “a gift that keeps us going." After granting peace to His disciples, Jesus suffers in the Garden of Olives and there "He offers everything to the will of the Father and suffers, but He does not lack God’s consolation". In fact, the Gospel, says that "an angel appeared to him from heaven to console him":
"God's peace is real peace, that enters the reality of life, that does not deny life; that is life. There is suffering, there are the sick people, there are many bad things, there are wars ... but that peace within, which is a gift, is not lost, but goes ahead bearing the Cross and suffering. Peace without the Cross is not the peace of Jesus: it is a peace that can be bought, that can make. But it does not last; it comes to an end. "
Let’s ask for the grace of inner peace, a gift of the Holy Spirit
When I get angry, the Pope said, "I lose peace." When my heart is "troubled," "it is because I am not open to the peace of Jesus,” because I am unable to "bear life as it comes, with its crosses and sorrows that accompany it.” Rather, we must be able to ask for the grace to ask the Lord for his peace:
"'We must enter the Kingdom of God through many tribulations'. The grace of peace – of not losing that inner peace. Regarding this a saint said, 'The life of the Christian is a journey between the persecutions of the world and the consolations of God' (St. Augustine). May the Lord make us understand well what this peace is which He gives us with the Holy Spirit. "
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged football champions to be models of loyalty, honesty, harmony and humanity.Speaking to football players, coaches and staff of the Italian football teams, Juventus and Lazio, who are about to dispute the final game of the national “Italy Cup” tournament, the Pope reminded the football stars of their responsibility as public figures towards their fans, especially the young ones.To the teams that he received in the Vatican, the Pope said: “I would like to reflect, briefly, on the importance of sport and consider the fascination it exerts and the impact of professional football on people, especially young people, towards whom you have a responsibility.” .Pointing out that “champions” are role models for many young fans, the Pope said every match is a test in which they must show balance, self-control, and respect for rules and regulations.“He, who through his behavior, puts all of this into practice,...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has urged football champions to be models of loyalty, honesty, harmony and humanity.
Speaking to football players, coaches and staff of the Italian football teams, Juventus and Lazio, who are about to dispute the final game of the national “Italy Cup” tournament, the Pope reminded the football stars of their responsibility as public figures towards their fans, especially the young ones.
To the teams that he received in the Vatican, the Pope said: “I would like to reflect, briefly, on the importance of sport and consider the fascination it exerts and the impact of professional football on people, especially young people, towards whom you have a responsibility.” .
Pointing out that “champions” are role models for many young fans, the Pope said every match is a test in which they must show balance, self-control, and respect for rules and regulations.
“He, who through his behavior, puts all of this into practice, provides a good example for his followers, and this is what I wish for each of you: to be witnesses of loyalty, honesty, harmony and humanity” he said.
Unfortunately, the Pope said, episodes of violence do take place at imes in football stadiums, disrupting games and spoiling the healthy enjoyment of spectators.
My hope, Pope Francis said to the football champions, is that you may always play a part in keeping sport – sport – and thanks to the commitment of all, be promoters of harmony and cohesion between athletes and the rest of society.
Pope Francis concluded the audience wishing those present a “great match”.
Juventus and Lazio play the “Italy Cup” Final at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday 17 May at 9pm local time.
ILFRACOMBE, England (AP) -- As a vast "ransomware" attack raced from computer to computer, infecting tens of thousands around the world, a young tech expert worked from his bedroom in England to bring the rampage to a halt....
