Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two Russian intelligence agents and two hackers have been charged in a devastating breach at Yahoo that affected at least a half billion user accounts, the Justice Department said Wednesday in bringing the first case of its kind against Russian government officials....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Reports of sexual assaults increased at two of the three military academies last year and an anonymous survey suggests sexual misconduct rose across the board at the schools, The Associated Press has learned....
BEIRUT (AP) -- The Latest on the developments in Syria and peace talks that have been extended in Kazakhstan (all times local):...
YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) -- President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the administration will re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth....
(Vatican Radio) The pastor of Aleppo in Syria says a recent donation from Pope Francis and the Roman Curia of €100,000 will go to couples and young families in need.Franciscan Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh is the parish priest of the Latin rite St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Aleppo.Listen to Devin Watkins’ report: “When I heard about the Pope’s donation I immediately thought about the hundreds of couples and young families who have decided to get married despite the crisis in Syria.” Those were the words of Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh, the pastor from the Syrian city of Aleppo in an interview with the Italian Catholic radio station, InBlu.Fr. Alsabagh was commenting on Pope Francis’ donation of €100,000 to the poor and needy of Aleppo, made possible by a contribution from the Roman Curia.The Pope made the donation at the end of his Spiritual Exercises last week in Ariccia with the Roman Curia, where he celebrated a Mass for Syria before retur...
(Vatican Radio) The pastor of Aleppo in Syria says a recent donation from Pope Francis and the Roman Curia of €100,000 will go to couples and young families in need.
Franciscan Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh is the parish priest of the Latin rite St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Aleppo.
Listen to Devin Watkins’ report:
“When I heard about the Pope’s donation I immediately thought about the hundreds of couples and young families who have decided to get married despite the crisis in Syria.”
Those were the words of Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh, the pastor from the Syrian city of Aleppo in an interview with the Italian Catholic radio station, InBlu.
Fr. Alsabagh was commenting on Pope Francis’ donation of €100,000 to the poor and needy of Aleppo, made possible by a contribution from the Roman Curia.
The Pope made the donation at the end of his Spiritual Exercises last week in Ariccia with the Roman Curia, where he celebrated a Mass for Syria before returning to the Vatican. The donation was distributed by the Papal Almoner.
Fr. Alsabagh said young couples are “suffering greatly from poverty and continue to go hungry. The first thing that came to mind was a project to aid these young couples of Aleppo in any way possible.”
“This is a great sign of hope for us,” he said. “Therefore, this money will go to supporting these persons and will be used for food packages, paying utility bills, health coverage, and all the needs of pregnant women and newborn babies.”
Aleppo was retaken by government forces in December last year after four years of rebel control.
This month marks six years since the beginning of Syria’s civil war.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message of encouragement and thanks to members of the International Association for Charity (AIC) as it celebrates the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the first Confraternity of Charity by Saint Vincent de Paul in Châtillon, France. This very first group has grown into today’s AIC, an international network for fighting against poverty, which now has over 150,000 volunteers in 53 countries.In his message the Pope notes that true promotion of human dignity cannot take place without the proclamation of the Gospel.“It is with joy, he writes, that I am spiritually united to you to celebrate this anniversary and I hope that your beautiful work continues its mission of bringing an authentic testimony of God's mercy to the poorest”.Pope Francis points out that the Charities were born of the tenderness and compassion of Monsieur Vincent for the poorest and the marginalized. “His work with them wanted...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message of encouragement and thanks to members of the International Association for Charity (AIC) as it celebrates the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the first Confraternity of Charity by Saint Vincent de Paul in Châtillon, France.
This very first group has grown into today’s AIC, an international network for fighting against poverty, which now has over 150,000 volunteers in 53 countries.
In his message the Pope notes that true promotion of human dignity cannot take place without the proclamation of the Gospel.
“It is with joy, he writes, that I am spiritually united to you to celebrate this anniversary and I hope that your beautiful work continues its mission of bringing an authentic testimony of God's mercy to the poorest”.
Pope Francis points out that the Charities were born of the tenderness and compassion of Monsieur Vincent for the poorest and the marginalized.
“His work with them wanted to reflect the goodness of God towards his creatures. He saw the poor as the representatives of Jesus Christ, as the members of His suffering body. He understood that the poor too were called to build up the Church and to convert us”.
The Pope says that in the wake of Vincent de Paul, who had entrusted the care of these poor people to lay people, and especially to women, AIC aims to promote the development of the most disadvantaged and to alleviate their material, physical, moral and spiritual pain.
“It is in the Providence of God that the foundation of this commitment is to be found” he says.
For “what is Providence but the love of God who acts in the world and asks for our cooperation?” the Pope continues, encouraging AIC members to continue to accompany the person in full and to pay particular attention to the precarious living conditions of many women and children.
He says it is faith that allows us to perceive the reality of the person, his or her incomparable dignity which is not limited to material goods, to social, economic and political problems, but as a person created in the image and likeness of God, a brother, a sister, a neighbor for whom we are responsible.
This is why, Pope Francis continues, human promotion, the authentic liberation of man, does not exist without the proclamation of the Gospel “for the most sublime aspect of human dignity lies in this vocation of man to communicate with God”.
Pope Francis recalls that in the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy he expressed the hope that “the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God” and he invites all to pursue this path as the credibility of the Church goes through the path of merciful love and compassion that open to hope.
“This credibility, he concludes, passes also through your personal testimony: it is not only a question of meeting Christ in the poor, but that the poor perceive Christ in you and in your action. By being rooted in Christ's personal experience you can contribute to a "culture of mercy" that deeply renews hearts and opens up to a new reality”.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has told a group of employees of the Italian branch of the TV platform “Sky” that it is a “very grave sin” to fire employees “as a result of economic operations and unclear negotiations”.He made the remarks at the end of his weekly General Audience.“Work gives dignity,” the Pope said, “and managers are obliged to do all possible so that every man and woman can work and so carry their heads high and look others in the eye with dignity.”He added: “He who shuts factories and closes companies as a result of economic operations and unclear negotiations, depriving men and women from work, commits a very grave sin” he said.Sky Italy is currently undergoing downsizing and has announced plans to move 300 employees and their families from Rome to Milan.The Holy Father expressed his hope for a rapid solution that “takes into account the respect for the rights of all, especially fo...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has told a group of employees of the Italian branch of the TV platform “Sky” that it is a “very grave sin” to fire employees “as a result of economic operations and unclear negotiations”.
He made the remarks at the end of his weekly General Audience.
“Work gives dignity,” the Pope said, “and managers are obliged to do all possible so that every man and woman can work and so carry their heads high and look others in the eye with dignity.”
He added: “He who shuts factories and closes companies as a result of economic operations and unclear negotiations, depriving men and women from work, commits a very grave sin” he said.
Sky Italy is currently undergoing downsizing and has announced plans to move 300 employees and their families from Rome to Milan.
The Holy Father expressed his hope for a rapid solution that “takes into account the respect for the rights of all, especially for families”.
The people of Kenya have been reminded to elect men and women who prioritise dialogue in campaigning for votes and who treat other people’s ideas with due consideration and respect.Kenyans are expected to vote for a president, governors, senators and other representatives on on 8 August, this year.According to the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, Pope Francis encourages dialogue even in the most difficult of situations. The Nuncio added that this dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other person and a conviction that the other person has something good to say. The Nuncio was speaking, this week, at his Niarobi residence during a ceremony to mark Pope Francis’ fourth anniversary as the Pontiff,“Pope Francis’ wish is that dialogue should help to build bridges between all peoples, in such a way that everyone can see in the other not an enemy, not a rival, but a brother or sister to be welcomed and embr...
The people of Kenya have been reminded to elect men and women who prioritise dialogue in campaigning for votes and who treat other people’s ideas with due consideration and respect.
Kenyans are expected to vote for a president, governors, senators and other representatives on on 8 August, this year.
According to the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, Pope Francis encourages dialogue even in the most difficult of situations. The Nuncio added that this dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other person and a conviction that the other person has something good to say. The Nuncio was speaking, this week, at his Niarobi residence during a ceremony to mark Pope Francis’ fourth anniversary as the Pontiff,
“Pope Francis’ wish is that dialogue should help to build bridges between all peoples, in such a way that everyone can see in the other not an enemy, not a rival, but a brother or sister to be welcomed and embraced,” Archbishop Balvo said
Speaking on the same occasion, the Bishop of Homabay and Chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Philip Anyolo highlighted Pope Francis’ important statements on human life and solidarity with the poor.
“My view on the Holy Father’s messages is that humanity should be embraced by all. When humanity wins a battle, liberty naturally manifests,” Bishop Anyolo said
Bishop Anyolo expressed his appreciation to Pope Francis for his love towards Kenyans. He invited Kenyans to pray for the Holy Father, that God grants him good health and wisdom to guide the universal Church.
Kenya's Catholic Bishops graced the anniversary celebrations. Also in attendance were Kenya’s first lady, Margaret Kenyatta; government officials, diplomats, the clergy, religious and representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
(By Rose Achiego in Nairobi)
email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had special greetings and prayers for the people of Syria, Lebanon, and the Middle East at his General Audience on Wednesday, saying hypocritical love is worse than hate.The Pope told them, “A love lived with hypocrisy is worse than hate: it is self-centeredness masked and dressed up as love.”The Holy Father said, “Rather, true love, as St. Paul teaches us, ‘is patient, is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’ (1Cor 13,4-7)”He then blessed the pilgrims, saying “May the Lord protect you from the Evil One”.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had special greetings and prayers for the people of Syria, Lebanon, and the Middle East at his General Audience on Wednesday, saying hypocritical love is worse than hate.
The Pope told them, “A love lived with hypocrisy is worse than hate: it is self-centeredness masked and dressed up as love.”
The Holy Father said, “Rather, true love, as St. Paul teaches us, ‘is patient, is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’ (1Cor 13,4-7)”
He then blessed the pilgrims, saying “May the Lord protect you from the Evil One”.
Mandalay, in Myanmar will host a national-level interfaith peace talks next Saturday attended by Union government authorities and organisations representing various ethnic groups and religions.Titled “Meeting of Friendly Interfaith Brothers and Sisters who Coexist Forever in Myanmar”, the event will be held at Mandalay City Hall and focus on national peace talks in the presence of the country’s main religious leaders, and representatives of the central government.The aim is to ease sectarian tensions and promote dialogue between the country’s various religions and ethnic groups.Mandalay Region National League for Democracy (NLD) chairman U Tin Tun Oo said Union-level authorities would be invited to the meeting to discuss how to promote peaceful coexistence for all Myanmar citizens at a time of strong ethnic and religious tensions.Although Myanmar authorities want peace and co-existence and have recently pushed again for a ceasefire among all rebel gro...
Mandalay, in Myanmar will host a national-level interfaith peace talks next Saturday attended by Union government authorities and organisations representing various ethnic groups and religions.
Titled “Meeting of Friendly Interfaith Brothers and Sisters who Coexist Forever in Myanmar”, the event will be held at Mandalay City Hall and focus on national peace talks in the presence of the country’s main religious leaders, and representatives of the central government.
The aim is to ease sectarian tensions and promote dialogue between the country’s various religions and ethnic groups.
Mandalay Region National League for Democracy (NLD) chairman U Tin Tun Oo said Union-level authorities would be invited to the meeting to discuss how to promote peaceful coexistence for all Myanmar citizens at a time of strong ethnic and religious tensions.
Although Myanmar authorities want peace and co-existence and have recently pushed again for a ceasefire among all rebel groups, violence, confrontation, and bloodshed continue in the north with the Kachin, in the west with the Rohingya, and with nationalist monk U Wirathu at the cost of the country’s development.
The Catholic Church in Myanmar strongly backs the peace process and has called for a "pilgrimage of peace across Myanmar". (AsiaNews)
