Catholic News 2
LUCKNOW, India (AP) -- Indian police are reviewing reports of missing children to try to identify a girl who was found living in a forest with a group of monkeys....
HAMDANIYA, Iraq (AP) -- Bahaa Franshaw spikes pieces of meat onto a skewer on a recent day, ready to sell to the passing trade. His potential customers include civilians coming through Hamdaniya from Mosul to escape the fighting there. Heading toward Mosul are military reinforcements and non-governmental organization workers trying to help get the war-torn city back on its feet....
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- By design, World War I never strays from Matt Naylor's thoughts: His grandfather's wartime shaving kit is on display in his office where he oversees a museum in Kansas City, Missouri, dedicated to all things involving "The Great War."...
MOSCOW (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin's spokesman tells The Associated Press that Russia's support for Syrian President Bashar Assad is not unconditional....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Citing ethics complaints, the chairman of the House intelligence committee announced Thursday he is temporarily surrendering his leadership post in the panel's probe into Russian meddling in last year's presidential election....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats blocked President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee with a historic filibuster on the Senate floor Thursday, but their victory was short-lived....
(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Nations, has addressed a commission on the changing population age structures and sustainable development.He said the world is experiencing a significant transition from a youthful, growing population to one with a larger share of older people with lower levels of fertility.This, he said, will have “marked consequences on the level of consumption and the pace of economic growth”.Despite these changes, Archbishop Auza said “sustainable development, poverty eradication, and the defense of the dignity of the human person must remain central to our collective response.”He said the world’s problems come not so much from changing demographics as from man-made conflict and corruption.“Corruption, protracted conflicts and other man-made disasters, especially in the developing world, do far more to perpetuate injustice and entrench poverty than a healthy, growing population....
(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Nations, has addressed a commission on the changing population age structures and sustainable development.
He said the world is experiencing a significant transition from a youthful, growing population to one with a larger share of older people with lower levels of fertility.
This, he said, will have “marked consequences on the level of consumption and the pace of economic growth”.
Despite these changes, Archbishop Auza said “sustainable development, poverty eradication, and the defense of the dignity of the human person must remain central to our collective response.”
He said the world’s problems come not so much from changing demographics as from man-made conflict and corruption.
“Corruption, protracted conflicts and other man-made disasters, especially in the developing world, do far more to perpetuate injustice and entrench poverty than a healthy, growing population.”
Archbishop Auza said the best responses to these “root causes” are “solidarity, peace and security”.
Please find below the full text of the address:
Intervention of H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza
Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
Fiftieth Session of the Commission on Population and Development: Agenda Item 3(b): Changing population age structures and sustainable development
New York, 3 April 2017
Madam Chair,
As outlined by the Secretary General’s recent report entitled Changing population age structures and sustainable development (E/CN.9/2017/2), the world continues to experience significant shifts in the distribution of population by age, and is transitioning from more youthful, growing populations associated with high levels of fertility and low mortality, to populations with a proportionally larger share of older people, linked to much lower levels of fertility and to longevity, with marked consequences on the level of consumption and the pace of economic growth. While these demographic changes present a new set of challenges and opportunities, nonetheless sustainable development, poverty eradication, and the defense of the dignity of the human person must remain central to our collective response.
For decades, talk of an impending population bomb has led certain governments to adopt policies that encourage population control measures, some of them draconian, as the easiest response to the fear of resource scarcity and underdevelopment. While noting the complexity of the issues involved, my delegation would like to emphasize the need to take into account the differing regional and even country specific situations. For example, the populations of some countries will continue to increase in the short term; others are stabilizing around zero growth; and still others have started to experience spiraling demographic decline, with the attendant challenges of providing adequate social protections and care for the elderly, as well as meaningful employment for youth in the face of stagnant economic growth due to population aging and decline.
Madam Chair,
While it is true that an unequal distribution of the population and of resources creates obstacles to development and a sustainable use of the environment, it must also be recognized that demographic growth is fully compatible with shared prosperity. Resources are sufficient, but they are often inefficiently used and improperly distributed. The developed world, with high levels of consumption and low levels of poverty, is often responsible for the imbalances in trade, the inequitable distribution of resources and environmental degradation. Corruption, protracted conflicts and other man-made disasters, especially in the developing world, do far more to perpetuate injustice and entrench poverty than a healthy, growing population. With regard to these root causes, which have a bearing on the problem of sustainable development, the best responses are solidarity, peace and security. This presupposes, however, a dramatic change in the policies of both developed and developing nations, especially in terms of investment in time, resources, and policies.
Madam Chair,
The demographic transition happened in the developed world before it had access to modern methods of contraception. It occurred with economic and technological advancement, as well as investments in education, infrastructure and institutions. It is well known that economic growth corresponds with lower fertility rates and, when accompanied by investment in education and health, increases productivity and the wellbeing of societies. While responsible parenthood and sexual behavior are always moral imperatives, the coercive regulation of fertility, especially under the guise of empowerment and rights, undermines individual freedom and responsibility. Respect for life from the moment of conception to natural death, even in the face of the great challenge of birth, must always inform policies, especially when it comes to international aid, which should be made available according to the real priorities of the receiving nation, and not by an imposed will of the donor.
This respect for life must also guide the policies governments put in place to ensure that they benefit from “demographic dividends”. Investment is best spent not only in education and health-care, but in adequate housing and sanitation, and in access to clean water, particularly in the developing world. These investments better address the root causes of conflict, resource scarcity, and over-urbanization. These are the investments that will empower our youth.
This right to life must also lead us to keep the elderly, the disabled and the most vulnerable at the forefront of our development policies. Not only must they be enabled by society to attain full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life, but their inherent value must not be reduced merely to a question of what they can produce or how physically able they are. Leaving no-one behind also means recognizing that the value of every person is greater than his or her economic contribution and that our burdens are meant to be shared. We must begin from a more sustainable, human-centered approach to development, rooted in solidarity and genuine responsibility for the needs of all, especially of the most vulnerable.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Biblical Commission is set to hold its annual plenary Assembly on 24-28 April 2017.A communique released by the Holy See Press Office said the plenary Assembly will be held at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.The meeting takes place under the presidency of Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.Fr. Pietro Bovati, SJ, the Commission’s Secretary General, will direct the Assembly’s proceedings.The communique said the Commission Members will reflect on several themes related to biblical anthropology.The mission of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, as stated in its statutes, is to "effectively promote study of the bible among Catholics, contrast erroneous opinions related to Sacred Scripture with scientific means, and study and illuminate debated questions and emerging issues in the biblical field".
(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Biblical Commission is set to hold its annual plenary Assembly on 24-28 April 2017.
A communique released by the Holy See Press Office said the plenary Assembly will be held at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
The meeting takes place under the presidency of Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Fr. Pietro Bovati, SJ, the Commission’s Secretary General, will direct the Assembly’s proceedings.
The communique said the Commission Members will reflect on several themes related to biblical anthropology.
The mission of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, as stated in its statutes, is to "effectively promote study of the bible among Catholics, contrast erroneous opinions related to Sacred Scripture with scientific means, and study and illuminate debated questions and emerging issues in the biblical field".
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a letter to José María Arancedo, Archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz and President of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, to express his closeness to the people of Argentina who have been hit by torrential rains which have battered the country in recent days.In the correspondence the Holy Father said that he was spiritually near to the thousands of people who have been evacuated from their homes and who have lost everything; “the fruits of many years of sacrifice and work,” he added.Pope Francis also wrote that he wished to accompany and offer words of encouragement to his brother bishops, priests and parishioners in this moment of need.In conclusion, and imparting his Apostolic Blessing, he prayed that collaboration between authorities, institutions and volunteers, in a spirit of unity, would bring to all those affected a testimony of fraternal solidarity.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a letter to José María Arancedo, Archbishop of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz and President of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, to express his closeness to the people of Argentina who have been hit by torrential rains which have battered the country in recent days.
In the correspondence the Holy Father said that he was spiritually near to the thousands of people who have been evacuated from their homes and who have lost everything; “the fruits of many years of sacrifice and work,” he added.
Pope Francis also wrote that he wished to accompany and offer words of encouragement to his brother bishops, priests and parishioners in this moment of need.
In conclusion, and imparting his Apostolic Blessing, he prayed that collaboration between authorities, institutions and volunteers, in a spirit of unity, would bring to all those affected a testimony of fraternal solidarity.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a letter to the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, Blasé J. Cupich, in support of local efforts to promote nonviolence.The Chicago Archdiocese launched a campaign on nonviolence on 4 April to coincide with the 49th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.The event culminates with a march for peace on Good Friday.In his letter, Pope Francis assured the people of Chicago of his support for the initiative and of his prayers for those who “have lost loved ones to violence”.He wrote that he will remember the city in prayer as he leads the Way of the Cross in Rome that same day.The Pope invited all not to exclude others based on their “ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds”.“We must reject this exclusion and isolation, and not think of any group as ‘others,’ but rather as our own brothers and sisters. This openness of heart and mind must be taught and nurtured in the homes...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a letter to the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, Blasé J. Cupich, in support of local efforts to promote nonviolence.
The Chicago Archdiocese launched a campaign on nonviolence on 4 April to coincide with the 49th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The event culminates with a march for peace on Good Friday.
In his letter, Pope Francis assured the people of Chicago of his support for the initiative and of his prayers for those who “have lost loved ones to violence”.
He wrote that he will remember the city in prayer as he leads the Way of the Cross in Rome that same day.
The Pope invited all not to exclude others based on their “ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds”.
“We must reject this exclusion and isolation, and not think of any group as ‘others,’ but rather as our own brothers and sisters. This openness of heart and mind must be taught and nurtured in the homes and in schools.”
He said, “Walking the path of peace is not always easy, but it is the only authentic response to violence.”
Pope Francis then quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Humanity ‘must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love’”.
He urged everyone “to respond to Dr. King's prophetic words and know that a culture of nonviolence is not an unattainable dream, but a path that has produced decisive results.”
In conclusion, the Holy Father prayed that the “beautiful city” of Chicago “never lose hope” and that they “work together to become builders of peace, showing future generations the true power of love”.
Please find below the full text of the Pope’s letter:
To Cardinal Blase J. Cupich Archbishop of Chicago
Dear Brother,
Please convey to the people of Chicago that they have been on my mind and in my prayers. I know that many families have lost loved ones to violence. I am close to them, I share in their grief, and pray that they may experience healing and reconciliation through God's grace. I assure you of my support for the commitment you and many other local leaders are making to promote nonviolence as a way of life and a path to peace in Chicago. You are marking that effort by inviting people of goodwill to walk for peace on Good Friday in areas afflicted by violence. As I make my own Way of the Cross in Rome that day, I will accompany you in prayer, as well as all those who walk with you and who have suffered violence in the city. Sadly, as you have told me, people of different ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds suffer discrimination, indifference, injustice, and violence today. We must reject this exclusion and isolation, and not think of any group as "others," but rather as our own brothers and sisters. This openness of heart and mind must be taught and nurtured in the homes and in schools. Walking the path of peace is not always easy, but it is the only authentic response to violence. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, humanity "must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love". I urge all people, especially young men and women, to respond to Dr. King's prophetic words and know that a culture of nonviolence is not an unattainable dream, but a path that has produced decisive results. The consistent practice of nonviolence has broken barriers, bound wounds, healed nations—and it can heal Chicago. I pray that the people of your beautiful city never lose hope, that they work together to become builders of peace, showing future generations the true power of love.
I ask you to pray for me too.
From the Vatican, 4 April 2017
Francis
