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SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A 35-year-old mother of three children was the lone person killed by a despondent gunman who police said shot seven people at a poolside birthday bash in San Diego after a breakup with his girlfriend....
DALLAS (AP) -- A 36-year-old man with a criminal history killed his roommate, shot his neighbor and opened fire on responding paramedics in a Dallas neighborhood during an attack that prompted police to barricade the area for hours, investigators said Tuesday....
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- A white former police officer whose killing of an unarmed black man running from a traffic stop was captured on cellphone video pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal civil rights charges that could send him to prison for decades....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled the prospect of increased cooperation in Syria Tuesday, in what the White House called a "very good" phone discussion that included a focus on setting up safe zones in the war-torn nation....
(Vatican Radio) “The Lord softens those with hard hearts, those who condemn all who are outside the law.” This was the message of Pope Francis homily, during tuesday’s Mass in the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence. He said that those who are hard hearted do not know the tenderness of God and his ability to remove hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh.Beginning with the first reading, in which St Stephen was stoned to death by the temple authorities in Jerusalem, the Pope reflected on the witness of Christian obedience. He said that those who stoned Stephen to death did not understand the word of God. Stephen had called them “circumcised of heart,” which was the equivalent of calling someone a pagan.According the Pope, there are different ways of not understanding the word of God. For example, when Jesus had met the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, he had called them “fools.” This was not an expression of prais...
(Vatican Radio) “The Lord softens those with hard hearts, those who condemn all who are outside the law.” This was the message of Pope Francis homily, during tuesday’s Mass in the Vatican’s Santa Marta residence. He said that those who are hard hearted do not know the tenderness of God and his ability to remove hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh.
Beginning with the first reading, in which St Stephen was stoned to death by the temple authorities in Jerusalem, the Pope reflected on the witness of Christian obedience. He said that those who stoned Stephen to death did not understand the word of God. Stephen had called them “circumcised of heart,” which was the equivalent of calling someone a pagan.
According the Pope, there are different ways of not understanding the word of God. For example, when Jesus had met the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, he had called them “fools.” This was not an expression of praise, but it was also not a strong word either, unlike Stephen’s expression.
“They did not understand, they were afraid, because they did not want problems, they had fear, but they were good men, open to the truth” said the Pope.
“And when Jesus rebuked them, they let his words enter them and their hearts burned within them, whilst those who stoned Stephen were furious and did not want to listen!” This, according to the Pope, is the drama of the closed hearted.
Turning to Psalm 94, the Lord admonished his people not to harden their hearts. Then Pope Francis said, the prophet Ezekiel makes a “beautiful promise” to change the heart of stone into a heart of flesh, a heart that knows how to listen and receive the witness of obedience.
“This causes suffering in the Church. The closed hearts, the hearts of stone, the hearts which do not want to be open, do not want to hear, the hearts which only know the language of condemnation. They know how to condemn, they do not know how to say ‘Explain it to me, why do you say this? Why this? Explain it to me.’ No, they are closed. That’s all they know. They have no need of explanations,” said Pope Francis.
The rebuke that Jesus speaks of also led to the killing of the prophets, “because they spoke to you what you did not want to hear. A closed heart cannot let the Holy Spirit enter in.”
Pope Francis said “There was no place in their hearts for the Holy Spirit. In fact, the letter today speaks of how Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, he had understood everything, he was a witness to the obedience of the word made flesh, and this was done by the Holy Spirit. He was filled. A closed heart, a hardened heart, a pagan heart doesn’t let the spirit in and feels himself in himself”
According to the Pope, the disciples on the road to Emmaus represent us, “with our many doubts, many sins. Many times we want to move away from the Cross, from the truth, but let us make space to hear Jesus, who makes our hearts burn. The other group, who are closed in the rigidity of the law, who do not want to hear Jesus, are saying worse things than Stephen did.”
The Pope concluded with a reflection on the meeting between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. He said that every one of us enters into a dialogue between Jesus and the victim of the hearts of stone, the adulteress. And to those who want to stone her, Jesus says “Look within yourselves:”
“Today, we look at the tenderness of Jesus, the witness of obedience, that great witness, Jesus, who has given life, which makes us look for the tenderness of God, confronting us, our sins, our weaknesses. Let us enter this dialogue and let us call for the grace of the Lord which softens the rigid hearts of those people who are always closed in the law and condemn all who are outside the law. They do not know that the word became flesh, that the word is a witness to obedience. They do not know the tenderness of God and his ability to take out the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh."
International Workers’ Day was marked on May 1 across several Asian countries with rallies, marches and special events. Here are a few:CAMBODIAIn Cambodia, riot police watched carefully as more than 1,000 garment workers defied a government ban on marching to deliver a petition to the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, demanding a higher minimum wage and more freedom of assembly. The marchers, holding a forest of banners, filled a street a short distance from the parliament complex and advanced noisily until they were stopped by a barricade and lines of police, holding batons, shields and guns capable of firing gas canisters. A standoff of several hours was resolved when a representative from the Assembly came out and accepted the petition.The workers were from the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union. Among their demands was increasing the minimum wage from $153 to $208 per month. The clothing and footwear industry is Cambodia's biggest expo...
International Workers’ Day was marked on May 1 across several Asian countries with rallies, marches and special events. Here are a few:
CAMBODIA
In Cambodia, riot police watched carefully as more than 1,000 garment workers defied a government ban on marching to deliver a petition to the National Assembly in Phnom Penh, demanding a higher minimum wage and more freedom of assembly. The marchers, holding a forest of banners, filled a street a short distance from the parliament complex and advanced noisily until they were stopped by a barricade and lines of police, holding batons, shields and guns capable of firing gas canisters. A standoff of several hours was resolved when a representative from the Assembly came out and accepted the petition.
The workers were from the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union. Among their demands was increasing the minimum wage from $153 to $208 per month. The clothing and footwear industry is Cambodia's biggest export earner.
The major Cambodian labor unions traditionally have been loosely allied with opposition parties, posing a potential political threat to longtime authoritarian leader Hun Sen.
PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, a few thousand left-wing activists and labourers marched and held noisy rallies in the capital to press for higher wages and an end to temporary contractual jobs that deprive workers of many benefits. In sweltering summer heat, the crowds in Manila also protested alleged extrajudicial killings under President Rodrigo Duterte's drug crackdown.
The activists carried murals of Duterte and President Donald Trump, asking the Philippine leader to stay away from the U.S. president, who has invited Duterte for a U.S. visit. Protest leader Venzer Crisostomo fears an ``America First'' policy would be disadvantageous to poorer countries like the Philippines.
TAIWAN
In Taipei, thousands of Taiwanese workers hoisted cardboard signs and banners in a march protesting what they said were unfairly low wages and deteriorating work conditions. A number of them staged a fake funeral procession, carrying a coffin with the words ``basic annual pension'' written on it, while others waved black flags.
Huang Yu-kai, president of the labor union of the Taiwan High-Speed Rail Corp. and a train conductor, said low wages in Taiwan are ``the root of all problems.'' ``This is why we take part in this march every year,'' Huang said.
President Tsai Ing-wen said in a post on her Facebook page that improvements are being made even if major changes would take time. ``Although reform would not be completed in one step, the progress we have made is not small.''
BANGLADESH
Thousands of garment industry workers in the impoverished South Asian nation gathered to demand better wages and legal protection.
About 4 million people are employed in the country's garment industry, the second largest in the world. The industry, with about 4,000 factories, earns $25 billion a year from exports, mainly to the United States and Europe, but working conditions often are grim.
Lovely Yesmin, president of the Readymade Garments Workers Federation, one of several unions representing factory workers, said just increasing salaries is not enough. She said workers must be provided better living quarters and health benefits, and factories must make provisions so the children of factory workers can be educated. ``These are our demands on the great May Day of 2017,'' she said.
Sri Lankan Catholics organized two protest campaigns recently against dumping garbage in Muthurajawela wetlands, the country’s largest marsh that supports myriad species of flora, fauna and birds. Catholics held a Mass, demonstrations and discussions with government officials to raise the issue of protecting the ecological asset, 30 kilometers north of Colombo. "People are campaigning against dumping garbage at Muthurajawela wetland as it is a home to various species," said Father Dinush Gayan, assistant parish priest of St. Nicholas Church, Bopitiya. The wetland acts as a natural hatchery, home to animals and controls floods by acting as a natural buffer zone."We held a Mass on April 26, two demonstrations on April 21-22, discussions with politicians, government officials and spoke to Colombo's municipal commissioner to try and stop garbage being dumped in the wetlands," said Father Gayan. "Over 150 special task force police came to ...
Sri Lankan Catholics organized two protest campaigns recently against dumping garbage in Muthurajawela wetlands, the country’s largest marsh that supports myriad species of flora, fauna and birds. Catholics held a Mass, demonstrations and discussions with government officials to raise the issue of protecting the ecological asset, 30 kilometers north of Colombo. "People are campaigning against dumping garbage at Muthurajawela wetland as it is a home to various species," said Father Dinush Gayan, assistant parish priest of St. Nicholas Church, Bopitiya. The wetland acts as a natural hatchery, home to animals and controls floods by acting as a natural buffer zone.
"We held a Mass on April 26, two demonstrations on April 21-22, discussions with politicians, government officials and spoke to Colombo's municipal commissioner to try and stop garbage being dumped in the wetlands," said Father Gayan. "Over 150 special task force police came to control the demonstrations and throw garbage forcefully into the wetland," the priest said. He was puzzled why government officials were allowing the wetland to be filled with garbage when it was so important. The priest said that he explained to the Colombo municipal commissioner that the Muthurajawela wetlands were set aside as a protected area by the government. The wetland was declared a sanctuary due to its vast bio-diversity in 1996. It is situated at the most populated and economically important area of the island nation.
"Two priests, six nuns, a Buddhist monk and over 1,000 people demonstrated to protect the wetlands," said Holy Family Sister Rangika. Catholics have been organizing the protest ever since a massive mound of garbage collapsed at Meetotamulla town near Colombo on April 14, killing 32 people and damaging homes. Eight people remain missing. (Source: UCAN)
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences wrapped up its Plenary Assembly on Tuesday with a call for inclusion of the most marginalized in society.The five-day Plenary Session focused on the theme “Towards a Participatory Society: New Roads to Social and Cultural Integration”.A message from Pope Francis provided the guidelines for the Plenary. Recalling the movements and the battles for the rights of workers in the past two centuries, the Pope pointed out that “those battles are far from over” and called for a new world vision that has the value of fraternity at its basis.Present at this mornings’ press conference in the Vatican was one of the participants of the Plenary, Professor Paulus Zulu who highlighted the fact that in Africa one of the major causes for exclusion is to be found in political systems which prevent the people from accessing even the basic resources of life.Listen: Professor Zulu explains that in Africa there is a crisis of r...
The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences wrapped up its Plenary Assembly on Tuesday with a call for inclusion of the most marginalized in society.
The five-day Plenary Session focused on the theme “Towards a Participatory Society: New Roads to Social and Cultural Integration”.
A message from Pope Francis provided the guidelines for the Plenary. Recalling the movements and the battles for the rights of workers in the past two centuries, the Pope pointed out that “those battles are far from over” and called for a new world vision that has the value of fraternity at its basis.
Present at this mornings’ press conference in the Vatican was one of the participants of the Plenary, Professor Paulus Zulu who highlighted the fact that in Africa one of the major causes for exclusion is to be found in political systems which prevent the people from accessing even the basic resources of life.
Listen:
Professor Zulu explains that in Africa there is a crisis of representative democracy which leads to major causes of social exclusion. Consequently, he says, there are growing inequalities.
“One of the consequences – migration - often represents a response to these inequalities” he says.
“Some of the excluded populations, he says, try to seek measures of existence – not only just inclusion – measures of existence outside their continent” or country.
Prof. Zulu concludes that that is one of the manifestations which one would refer to as original.
“Part of the solution, or what communities deem as the possible mechanism, is through social movements which are trying to garner mechanisms towards social inclusion, particularly access, where inclusion leads to access of the basic resources of life” he says.
The Indonesia’s Catholic bishops are backing a government minister's appeal against sermons that promote religious or ethnic intolerance. Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, issued the appeal on April 28. It contained nine points targeted at religious preachers and the broader public.Sermons should not "contrast elements of ethnicity, religion or race as they could lead to conflicts," it said. "They should also not contain insults against the belief or practices of other congregations and should avoid provocations to commit discrimination, intimidation or destruction," the appeal added.Bishop Yohanes Harun Yuwono of Tanjungkarang, chairman of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Indonesian Catholic bishops’ conference (KWI) welcomed the appeal and said that sermons should promote harmony. "As a religious leader, I am embarrassed that the call to deliver a good sermon has had to be convey...
The Indonesia’s Catholic bishops are backing a government minister's appeal against sermons that promote religious or ethnic intolerance. Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, issued the appeal on April 28. It contained nine points targeted at religious preachers and the broader public.
Sermons should not "contrast elements of ethnicity, religion or race as they could lead to conflicts," it said. "They should also not contain insults against the belief or practices of other congregations and should avoid provocations to commit discrimination, intimidation or destruction," the appeal added.
Bishop Yohanes Harun Yuwono of Tanjungkarang, chairman of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Indonesian Catholic bishops’ conference (KWI) welcomed the appeal and said that sermons should promote harmony. "As a religious leader, I am embarrassed that the call to deliver a good sermon has had to be conveyed by government officials," he said. "There would be no need for such an appeal if religious leaders understood their tasks better." The Catholic Church, he said, wants priests to preach noble values of humanity that build true brotherhood. "Surely, they must also preach diversity and love for all people," Bishop Yuwono said.
Saifudin said the appeal was in response to complaints against "religious institutions spreading disunity and intolerance" during the recent Jakarta election. "A number of places of worship have been rife with things that could spark conflicts," he added. Elections for Jakarta's governor were marred by religious and ethnic friction. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, an ethnic-Chinese Christian, lost to his Muslim rival, Anies Baswedan. Several mosques were accused of spouting anti-Ahok rhetoric before the poll. Furthermore, a series of mass rallies called for the ousting and arrest of Ahok after he was accused of blasphemy.
Saifudin said that his appeal, was not legally binding. "The government will not go to too far in interfering in houses of worship. The government respects religious autonomy," he said.
Zainud Tauhid Saadi, deputy chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council, the top Muslim clerical body, supported the appeal. However, since the appeal was not legally binding, he was worried that it would not work effectively.
Meanwhile, Hendardi, chairman of rights watchdog the Setara Institute, said the appeal was one way to stop hate speeches. However, the appeal would not have a significant impact if it is not enforced. "In the context of using mosques to spread religious and ethnic sentiments during the election, the authorities should be ready to take action," he said. The Jakarta election has become a lesson for us all. We do not want similar situations to recur in future, especially in the 2019 presidential election, Hendardi said. "The quality of democracy is not merely being rooted in the outcome of an election but in how the electoral process stands and promotes the values of democracy," he added.
With over 87% of an estimated population of some 258 million (2016) professing Islam, Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, although officially it is a secular and not an Islamic country. Christians together form nearly 10%, with Catholics a tiny 2.9%. (Source: UCAN)
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Irish Jesuit CommunicationsBy Susan GatelyDUBLIN(CNS) -- When Jesuit Father John Sullivan is beatified May 13, two archbishops-- one Catholic and one Anglican -- will present the solemn petition asking thatthe priest be declared "a blessed." Thatis unusual, but Father Sullivan's life straddled two centuries, two traditionsand two cultures. Bornin 1861, one of five children, John Sullivan grew up in privileged conditionsin Ireland and Britain. He was raised in the Protestant tradition of hisfather, Sir Edward Sullivan, who rose to be lord chancellor of Ireland. Hismother, Elizabeth, was a devout Catholic.FatherSullivan later wrote of "a blessed childhood in a happy, loving home"although, at age 16, he suffered the loss of an older brother through drowning.In Trinity College Dublin, he excelled in his studies of the classics. He wasan avid player of tennis and the card game whist and was dubbed "the best-dressedman in Dublin." Society mothers viewed him as a ...
IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Irish Jesuit Communications
By Susan Gately
DUBLIN (CNS) -- When Jesuit Father John Sullivan is beatified May 13, two archbishops -- one Catholic and one Anglican -- will present the solemn petition asking that the priest be declared "a blessed."
That is unusual, but Father Sullivan's life straddled two centuries, two traditions and two cultures.
Born in 1861, one of five children, John Sullivan grew up in privileged conditions in Ireland and Britain. He was raised in the Protestant tradition of his father, Sir Edward Sullivan, who rose to be lord chancellor of Ireland. His mother, Elizabeth, was a devout Catholic.
Father Sullivan later wrote of "a blessed childhood in a happy, loving home" although, at age 16, he suffered the loss of an older brother through drowning. In Trinity College Dublin, he excelled in his studies of the classics. He was an avid player of tennis and the card game whist and was dubbed "the best-dressed man in Dublin." Society mothers viewed him as a major trophy in the matrimonial mart.
In 1885, the year of his father's death, Sullivan went to London to study law. He traveled extensively, and even considered becoming a monk at one of the Orthodox monasteries on Mount Athos in Greece. A shy, remote figure, he was nonetheless popular and known for his kindness. His search for God is fictionally recreated in Ethel Mannin's book "Late Have I Loved Thee." In 1895, he traveled as part of a British government delegation to investigate a massacre in Adana, Turkey. A year later, at 35, he became a Catholic.
His reception into the Catholic Church marked a complete break with the life he had lived. Returning to his affluent home in Dublin, he stripped his room down to the floor boards and spent much time visiting the poor and dying. Four years later, he entered the Jesuits.
From the time of his ordination in 1907, reports of miraculous healings began. Cures for meningitis, St. Vitus Dance, breast cancer, tuberculosis, pernicious vomiting, infantile paralysis and many other illnesses were all attributed to his prayers during his lifetime. He willingly cycled long distances to spend hours praying at a patient's bedside while working as a teacher in Clongowes Wood School in County Kildare, where the boys attributed his success more to his prayers than his teaching powers.
After his death in 1933, his graveside in Clongowes became a place of pilgrimage. The healings continued.
Jesuit Father Conor Harper, vice postulator of the Jesuit's sainthood cause, said hundreds of miracles have been attributed to his intercession, many within living memory.
Neil Morton, former headmaster of the Enniskillen school where Father Sullivan was educated, says Portora school is "proud of being the only Protestant school in the history of Ireland that can boast of having a Catholic saint."
But for Father Harper, Father Sullivan's real greatness is that "he is a priest of the poor and the sick -- that is why he is known."
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