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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump proposed dramatic cuts in corporate and personal taxes Wednesday in an overhaul his administration asserts will spur national economic growth and bring jobs and prosperity to America's middle class. But his ambitious plan is alarming lawmakers who worry it will balloon federal deficits....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Trump administration hosted senators for an extraordinary White House briefing Wednesday at a perilous moment with North Korea, marked by the unpredictable nation's nuclear threats and stern talk of military action, if necessary, from the United States....
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had special greetings for Polish pilgrims at the weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which the Holy Father recalled the celebration of the feast of St. Adalbert, one of the Patrons of Poland.Born in the 10th century, St. Adalbert was the bishop of Prague, and a missionary to the Baltic peoples, who received martyrdom for his efforts to bring them the gospel."This past Sunday," said Pope Francis, "on the feast of Divine Mercy, we also commemorated St. Adalbert, Patron of Poland: it was also an occasion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the institution of the Primatial See at Gniezno. To the protection of this great Bishop and Martyr [St. Adalbert], who carried the gospel message and the witness of Christian life into yuor lands, I entrust all the pastors and the faithful of the Church in Poland."The Holy Father went on to say, "Keep your spiritual and cultural tradition alive for future generations, for that traditi...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had special greetings for Polish pilgrims at the weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which the Holy Father recalled the celebration of the feast of St. Adalbert, one of the Patrons of Poland.
Born in the 10th century, St. Adalbert was the bishop of Prague, and a missionary to the Baltic peoples, who received martyrdom for his efforts to bring them the gospel.
"This past Sunday," said Pope Francis, "on the feast of Divine Mercy, we also commemorated St. Adalbert, Patron of Poland: it was also an occasion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the institution of the Primatial See at Gniezno. To the protection of this great Bishop and Martyr [St. Adalbert], who carried the gospel message and the witness of Christian life into yuor lands, I entrust all the pastors and the faithful of the Church in Poland."
The Holy Father went on to say, "Keep your spiritual and cultural tradition alive for future generations, for that tradition grew up from [St. Adalbert's] blood. God bless you all!"
(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, held a briefing for the press on the XIX Meeting of the Cardinal Councillors with Pope Francis.The Council of Cardinals, he said, met with the Holy Father for three days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 24-26 April. All of the members of the Council were present. Pope Francis was absent from the morning meeting on Wednesday on account of the General Audience.The working sessions took place in the mornings from 9-12:30 and in the afternoons from 16:30-19:00. The sessions were dedicated to further considerations on the various dicasteries of the Curia; in particular, there were continued discussions concerning the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide), and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. The Cardinals also considered texts to propose to the Holy Father regarding the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; the Pontifical Council for Legislative...
(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Greg Burke, held a briefing for the press on the XIX Meeting of the Cardinal Councillors with Pope Francis.
The Council of Cardinals, he said, met with the Holy Father for three days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 24-26 April. All of the members of the Council were present. Pope Francis was absent from the morning meeting on Wednesday on account of the General Audience.
The working sessions took place in the mornings from 9-12:30 and in the afternoons from 16:30-19:00. The sessions were dedicated to further considerations on the various dicasteries of the Curia; in particular, there were continued discussions concerning the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide), and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. The Cardinals also considered texts to propose to the Holy Father regarding the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue; the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts; and three tribunals: the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
During the meetings, the Council also studied the selection and formation of the personnel in the service of the Holy See, both clerics and members of the lay faithful. Officials and superiors from the Secretariat of State, from the Council for the Economy, and from the Labour Office of the Holy See took part in the discussions. Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and Archbishop Jan Romeo Pawlowski were present on behalf of the Secretariat of State. For the Council for the Economy, in addition to Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Prof. Franco Vermiglio, a member of the Council, spoke at the meeting. Bishop Giorgio Corbellini and Avv. Salvatore Vecchio addressed the Cardinals for the Labour Office.
Another important theme treated by the Council was the relationship between the Episcopal Conferences and the Roman Curia. Cardinal George Pell gave an update on the work of the Secretariat for the Economy, of which he is the President, with special attention to the review of the budget for the current year. Cardinal Seán O’Malley updated the Council on the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of minors, focussing especially on the programme of global education, the last plenary assembly, and the visits to various dicasteries.
The next meeting of the Council of Cardinals will take place 12-14 June.
Myanmar’s prominent Catholic Church leader on Wednesday reminded his counterparts from other faiths about their moral obligation to build peace and harmony at the grassroots levels in the strife-torn nation. Speaking at an interreligious peace conference in Yangon, Cardinal Charles Bo told leaders from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, that the wish for peace needs to shine through every word and deed, and solutions must be found through "dialogue and mutual understanding." The cardinal who is Archbishop of Yangon, stressed the importance of the Panglong conference which seeks to bring together the country's diverse ethnic groups to discuss how to end conflict and negotiate a permanent solution. "Peace and harmony at the grassroots level will help all the future Panglong peace conferences. Religious people have a role in dialogue and peacemaking," Cardinal Bo said in his keynote speech April 26 while addressing some 200 par...
Myanmar’s prominent Catholic Church leader on Wednesday reminded his counterparts from other faiths about their moral obligation to build peace and harmony at the grassroots levels in the strife-torn nation. Speaking at an interreligious peace conference in Yangon, Cardinal Charles Bo told leaders from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism, that the wish for peace needs to shine through every word and deed, and solutions must be found through "dialogue and mutual understanding." The cardinal who is Archbishop of Yangon, stressed the importance of the Panglong conference which seeks to bring together the country's diverse ethnic groups to discuss how to end conflict and negotiate a permanent solution. "Peace and harmony at the grassroots level will help all the future Panglong peace conferences. Religious people have a role in dialogue and peacemaking," Cardinal Bo said in his keynote speech April 26 while addressing some 200 participants, including delegates from civil society sectors. Organized by the Catholic church, the two-day conference has as its theme, "The role of religions in building a nation of peace and development: Peace is possible, peace is the only way."
Speaking to UCANEWS, Cardinal Bo stressed the crucial role all religious leaders have in bringing peace to the country that has been bedeviled by war for almost 70 years. "We religious leaders are not interfering in politics and it is the duty of all religious leaders to create peace," he said. "The government must officially request faith leaders to contribute to peace building."
In an opening speech to the gathering Union minister for Religion and Culture, Aung Ko said that it is the right time for all stakeholders to work for peace as the country transitions to democracy. "I appeal to all religious leaders to try and discuss suggestions and feedback from this conference which will be sent to the second Panglong peace conference that begins on May 24," Aung Ko said.
Currently, peace remains elusive in Myanmar as sporadic fighting continues in Kachin and northern Shan states where ethnic factions have refused to put down their arms, a prerequisite required for attending the first Panglong peace conference in August 2016. The meeting was the first in a series of peace effort dubbed the “21st Century Panglong Conference”, invoking the 1947 Panglong Agreement between major ethnic organizations and Aung San, the independence hero and father of Aung San Suu Kyi who was assassinated shortly thereafter.
More than 100,000 people in the Christian-majority Kachin State have been displaced since 2011 when a ceasefire between the military and the Kachin Independence Army broke down after 17 years. Ashin Seindita, founder of the Asia Light Foundation, said the government needs to appreciate the role religious leaders can play in spreading peace. "From the national level to district and township levels across the country, the government needs to organize interfaith groups so that these groups can help to curb religious violence and promote peace," U Seindita told ucanews.com. Soe Nay Oo, a Muslim leader from Myoma mosque in Sagaing, near Mandalay city, explained to UCANEWS that religious leaders are important factors of peace if they can avoid extremism. "We really need to give the message of peace to people at the grassroots level beyond this conference as many people struggle with their daily survival and can't concentrate on peace. So all religious leaders must preach peace to their followers," Soe Nay Oo added. (Source: UCAN)
(Vatican Radio) An American Catholic priest ministering in Egypt has said Christians there fear for their safety and talk about wanting to leave their homeland in the wake of the Palm Sunday terrorist attacks north of Cairo that killed dozens of people.Ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Egypt, Father Doug May told Vatican Radio that residents in several predominantly Christian villages that he visited this month are anxious about their future.'Tired of feeling vulnerable'Fr May, a priest of the Maryknoll mission movement, said: “It’s the first time that even the successful [Christian villagers] who have fairly nice houses and a decent lifestyle have told me, "If I could leave, I would leave because I am tired of feeling vulnerable in a country that I should call my own because I am being tolerated at best but I am not being accepted as an equal citizen.”Fr May said he hoped Pope Francis’ visit to Cairo would promote solidarity between leaders ...
(Vatican Radio) An American Catholic priest ministering in Egypt has said Christians there fear for their safety and talk about wanting to leave their homeland in the wake of the Palm Sunday terrorist attacks north of Cairo that killed dozens of people.
Ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Egypt, Father Doug May told Vatican Radio that residents in several predominantly Christian villages that he visited this month are anxious about their future.
'Tired of feeling vulnerable'
Fr May, a priest of the Maryknoll mission movement, said: “It’s the first time that even the successful [Christian villagers] who have fairly nice houses and a decent lifestyle have told me, "If I could leave, I would leave because I am tired of feeling vulnerable in a country that I should call my own because I am being tolerated at best but I am not being accepted as an equal citizen.”
Fr May said he hoped Pope Francis’ visit to Cairo would promote solidarity between leaders and people of the different Christian dominations and the majority Muslim community.
Listen to Susy Hodges' interview with Father Doug May about the current fears of Christian communities in Egypt in the lead up to Pope Francis’ visit to the country.
Indian Catholic Church officials have urged for dialogue with Maoist rebels after the insurgents killed 25 paramilitary police and injured 6 in their latest attack in a remote region in Chhattisgarh state. Hundreds of rebels ambushed a contingent of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force guarding road construction workers in Sukma district on April 24. The attack has raised fears that the five-decade insurgency is seeing a revival. This year is already one of the bloodiest in recent years, with 72 soldiers killed in the rebel heartland of Chhattisgarh. By comparison, 36 were killed during all of last year. Monday’s attack was the second such attack this year. At least 12 paramilitary personnel were killed on March 12 in a similar attack in the same district which is a Maoist-stronghold. Indian soldiers have been battling the rebels across several central and northern states since 1967, when the militants - also known as Naxalites - be...
Indian Catholic Church officials have urged for dialogue with Maoist rebels after the insurgents killed 25 paramilitary police and injured 6 in their latest attack in a remote region in Chhattisgarh state. Hundreds of rebels ambushed a contingent of paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force guarding road construction workers in Sukma district on April 24.
The attack has raised fears that the five-decade insurgency is seeing a revival. This year is already one of the bloodiest in recent years, with 72 soldiers killed in the rebel heartland of Chhattisgarh. By comparison, 36 were killed during all of last year. Monday’s attack was the second such attack this year. At least 12 paramilitary personnel were killed on March 12 in a similar attack in the same district which is a Maoist-stronghold. Indian soldiers have been battling the rebels across several central and northern states since 1967, when the militants - also known as Naxalites - began fighting to demand more jobs, land and wealth from natural resources for the country's poor indigenous communities. The government has said the insurgents, inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, pose the country's most serious internal security threat.
Chhattisgarh is one of India's poorest states despite vast mineral riches. Rebel attacks in other Indian states are less frequent, but also sometimes result in casualties. Church leaders in the area said the continuing violence between government forces and the rebels has made normal life impossible in Sukma and nearby areas. "The government should immediately start the process to set up a dialogue with the rebels to find peace," said Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur, based in the state capital. The language of terrorism cannot be accepted as a method to establish justice for the poor, Archbishop Thakur said. The Church supports tribal people asserting their rights but "stands totally against the method of violence.” “Dialogue should be the only way," he stressed.
Following the Indian Supreme Court's suggestion, the state government, in October 2016, announced plans to hold talks with the rebels. Further plans have been made concerning the surrender and rehabilitation of the Maoists who are mostly young tribal people. However, the government has yet to start the process. More than 6,000 people have died during the rebels' 20-year fight across parts of India although some sources say the death toll is double that.
Father Thomas Kollikolavil, the social work director of Jagdalpur Diocese that covers Sukma, said "a deep-rooted frustration" among local people was the cause of "this unjustifiable violence." "Despite the government doing a lot for the poor, there is a feeling that the government has not taken care of their interests in state programmes and policies," Father Kollikolavil said. The violence could also be seen "as a class struggle between the haves and the have-nots," he said, adding that the poor feel exploited by the rich and their government supporters.
Father Antony Bara, vicar general of Ambikapur Diocese, also in the state, blamed "lopsided government policies" for increasing violence in tribal-dominated areas. He said the state government amended two laws last year, ending tribal peoples' exclusive rights over their land and helping the government to usurp it for industrial projects. "In this process, the poor and illiterate tribal people are harassed and deprived of their basic constitutional rights. They feel frustrated and so many young people support the Maoists and revolt against the government," the priest said. "We want lasting peace in the region so everyone involved in violence should shun it and start the process of dialogue," he said.
Father Abraham Kannampalackal, vicar general and spokesperson of Jagdalpur Diocese, told UCANEWS the killing of the soldiers on duty cannot be justified. "Violence is no solution to any problem," the priest said, also stressing the need for dialogue. (Source: UCAN)
(Vatican Radio) The 2017 Templeton Prize has been awarded to American philosopher Alvin Plantinga for his pioneering work to put religious belief “back on the philosophical agenda”.Beginning in the late 1950s, his research and writing explored a variety of arguments for the existence of God, at a time when academics generally rejected religiously informed philosophy.Listen to our report: His work has influenced three generations of academics, helping to ensure that universities around the world now include philosophy professors who bring their diverse religious convictions to bear on their work.Affirming life's spiritual dimensionThe Templeton Prize is awarded annually to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery or practical works. Previous winners include Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the inaugural award in 1973, Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Anglican...
(Vatican Radio) The 2017 Templeton Prize has been awarded to American philosopher Alvin Plantinga for his pioneering work to put religious belief “back on the philosophical agenda”.
Beginning in the late 1950s, his research and writing explored a variety of arguments for the existence of God, at a time when academics generally rejected religiously informed philosophy.
Listen to our report:
His work has influenced three generations of academics, helping to ensure that universities around the world now include philosophy professors who bring their diverse religious convictions to bear on their work.
Affirming life's spiritual dimension
The Templeton Prize is awarded annually to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery or practical works. Previous winners include Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the inaugural award in 1973, Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama.
Compatibility of science and religion
Plantinga, who was raised in Michigan with a strong Calvinist upbringing, was described by Time magazine in 1980 as “America’s leading orthodox Protestant philosopher of God”. He co-founded the Society of Christian Philosophers in 1978 and over recent years his publications have focused largely on the relationship – and compatibility – of science and religious belief.
The Templeton Prize will be presented to Plantinga at a public ceremony in Chicago on September 24th.
IMAGE: CNS photo/TED.comBy Keanine GriggsVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While searching for a connection today oftenmeans looking for Wi-Fi, Pope Francis said real connections between people arethe only hope for the future."How wonderful would it be if the growthof scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equalityand social inclusion," he said in a video talk played April 25 for 1,800people attending TED 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and posted online with subtitles in 20languages."How wonderful would it be, while we discover faraway planets, torediscover the needs of the brothers and sisters orbiting around us," thepope said in the talk that TED organizers had been advertising as that of a"surprise guest."Pope Francis spoke to the internationalconference about combating the current "culture of waste" and "techno-economicsystems" that prioritize products, money and thingsover people."Good intentions and conventionalformulas, so often used to appease our consc...
IMAGE: CNS photo/TED.com
By Keanine Griggs
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While searching for a connection today often means looking for Wi-Fi, Pope Francis said real connections between people are the only hope for the future.
"How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equality and social inclusion," he said in a video talk played April 25 for 1,800 people attending TED 2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia, and posted online with subtitles in 20 languages.
"How wonderful would it be, while we discover faraway planets, to rediscover the needs of the brothers and sisters orbiting around us," the pope said in the talk that TED organizers had been advertising as that of a "surprise guest."
Pope Francis spoke to the international conference about combating the current "culture of waste" and "techno-economic systems" that prioritize products, money and things over people.
"Good intentions and conventional formulas, so often used to appease our conscience, are not enough," he said. "Let us help each other, all together, to remember that the other is not a statistic or a number. The other has a face."
Many people in the world move along paths "riddled with suffering" with no one to care for them, the pope said. Far too many people who consider themselves "respectable" simply pass by, leaving thousands on "the side of the road."
"The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people," he said, the greater the responsibility one has to act and to do so with humility. "If you don't, your power will ruin you, and you will ruin the other."
"There is a saying in Argentina," he told his audience: "'Power is like drinking gin on an empty stomach.' You feel dizzy, you get drunk, you lose your balance, and you will end up hurting yourself and those around you, if you don't connect your power with humility and tenderness."
"The future of humankind isn't exclusively in the hands of politicians, of great leaders, of big companies," he said, even though they all have power and responsibility. "The future is, most of all, in the hands of those people who recognize the other as a 'you' and themselves as part of an 'us.'"
Pope Francis said that when he visits someone who is sick or in prison or has been forced to flee war, he always asks himself, "Why them and not me?"
Telling the tech-savvy crowd that he wanted to talk about "revolution," the pope asked people to join a very connected and interconnected "revolution of tenderness."
Tenderness, he said, is "love that comes close and becomes real," something that begins in the heart but translates into listening and action, comforting those in pain and caring for others and for "our sick and polluted earth."
"Tenderness is the path of choice for the strongest, most courageous men and women," he insisted. "Tenderness is not weakness; it is fortitude. It is the path of solidarity, the path of humility."
Pope Francis also urged the crowd to hold on to hope, a feeling that does not mean acting "optimistically naive" or ignoring the tragedies facing humanity. Instead, he said, hope is the "virtue of a heart that doesn't lock itself into darkness."
"A single individual is enough for hope to exist." he added. "And that individual can be you. And then there will be another 'you,' and another 'you, and it turns into an 'us.'"
TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a media organization that posts talks online for free distribution, under the slogan "ideas worth spreading." TED was founded in February 1984 as a conference, which has been held annually since 1990.
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Editors: The pope's TED talk is online at https://www.ted.com/talks/pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone
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Copyright © 2017 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
IMAGE: CNS/Paul HaringBy Carol GlatzVATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians always have hope, nomatter how bleak, bad or uncertain the journey, because they know God is alwaysby their side, Pope Francis said.In fact, "even crossing parts of the world (thatare) wounded, where things are not going well, we are among those who, even there,continue to hope," he said at his weekly general audience in St. Peter'sSquare April 26.Just a few days before his visit to Cairo April 28-29,the pope continued his series of talks on the nature of Christian hope, sayingit is rooted in knowing God will always be present, even to the end of time.The Gospel of St. Matthew, he said, begins with the birthof Jesus as Emmanuel -- "God with us" -- and ends with the risenChrist telling his doubtful disciples to go forth and teach all nations,assuring them that "I am with you always, until the end of the age."The apostle shows how "ours is not an absent God,sequestered in a faraway heaven. Instead he is a God 'impas...
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring
By Carol Glatz
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians always have hope, no matter how bleak, bad or uncertain the journey, because they know God is always by their side, Pope Francis said.
In fact, "even crossing parts of the world (that are) wounded, where things are not going well, we are among those who, even there, continue to hope," he said at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square April 26.
Just a few days before his visit to Cairo April 28-29, the pope continued his series of talks on the nature of Christian hope, saying it is rooted in knowing God will always be present, even to the end of time.
The Gospel of St. Matthew, he said, begins with the birth of Jesus as Emmanuel -- "God with us" -- and ends with the risen Christ telling his doubtful disciples to go forth and teach all nations, assuring them that "I am with you always, until the end of the age."
The apostle shows how "ours is not an absent God, sequestered in a faraway heaven. Instead he is a God 'impassioned' with mankind," so tenderly in love that he is unable to stay away, the pope said.
Human beings are the ones who are really good at cutting off ties and destroying bridges, not God, he said.
"If our hearts get cold, his remains incandescent," the pope said. "Our God always accompanies us even if, through misfortune, we were to forget about him."
In fact, the decisive moment between skepticism and faith is "the discovery of being loved and accompanied by our Father," the pope said.
Life is a pilgrimage, a journey in which "the seduction of the horizon" is always calling the human "wandering soul," pushing people to go and explore the unknown, he said.
"You do not become mature men and women if you cannot perceive the allure of the horizon -- that boundary between heaven and earth that asks to be reached" by those who are on the move, he said.
Christians never feel alone "because Jesus assures us he not only waits for us at the end of our long journey, but accompanies us every day," even through dark and troubled times, he said.
God will always be concerned and take care of his children, even to the end of all time, he said. "And why does he do this? Quite simply because he loves us."
The pope said the anchor is one of his favorite symbols of hope.
"Our life is anchored in heaven," he said, which means "we move on because we are sure that our life has an anchor in heaven" and the rope "is always there" to grab onto.
So if God has promised "he will never abandon us, if the beginning of every vocation is a 'Follow me,' with which he assures us of always staying before us, why be afraid then?" the pope asked. "With this promise, Christians can walk everywhere," even in the worst, darkest places.
"It's precisely there where darkness has taken over that a light needs to stay lit."
Those who believe only in themselves and their own powers will feel disappointed and defeated, he said, "because the world often proves itself to be resistant to the laws of love" and prefers "the laws of selfishness."
Jesus promising "I am with you always" is what keeps the faithful standing tall with hope, believing that God is good and working to achieve what seems humanly impossible.
"There is no place in the world that can escape the victory of the risen Christ, the victory of love," the pope said.
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Copyright © 2017 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
