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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Eating like a caveman meant chowing down on woolly rhinos and sheep in Belgium, but munching on mushrooms, pine nuts and moss in Spain. It all depended on where they lived, new research shows....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A freakishly balmy February broke more than 11,700 local daily records for warmth in the United States, but it didn't quite beat 1954 for the warmest February on record, climate scientists said....
BOSTON (AP) -- FBI Director James Comey said Wednesday he plans to serve his entire 10-year term, even as controversy swirls over his attempt to rebut President Donald Trump's claim that the Obama administration tapped his phones during the election....
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Casey Anthony - the Florida woman accused, then acquitted, of killing her 2-year-old daughter - spoke with The Associated Press five times over a weeklong period. During the interviews, she talked about her love for her daughter, Caylee Marie, and showed photos of her and artwork she finger-painted. Anthony maintains her innocence in the death and insists she doesn't know how the last hours of Caylee's life unfolded....
A district attorney in North Carolina is asking for a state investigation of two of his assistant prosecutors who are members of a North Carolina church that former congregants say beat members and derailed criminal investigations....
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Many American women stayed home from work, joined rallies or wore red Wednesday to demonstrate how vital they are to the U.S. economy, as International Women's Day was observed with a multitude of events around the world....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks raised the prospect Wednesday of sharing sensitive details it uncovered about CIA hacking tools with leading technology companies whose flagship products and services were targeted by the U.S. government's hacker-spies....
(Vatican Radio) Monsignor Janusz S. Urbanczyk on Wednesday spoke about gender equality in the military at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).The Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE said, “The Holy See fully supports the political, economic, social and cultural participation of women alongside and on the same level as men.”Msgr. Urbanczyk said the Holy See cautioned against “reducing the role of women… to a mere matter of numbers or percentages”.He also reminded those present of Pope Francis’ definition of the feminine genius: “the moral and spiritual strength of a woman” that compliments the moral and spiritual strength of a man – shows itself in a particular way in “[e]ncouraging others to promote sensitivity, understanding and dialogue in settling conflicts big and small, in healing wounds, in nurturing all life at every level of society, and in embodying the m...
(Vatican Radio) Monsignor Janusz S. Urbanczyk on Wednesday spoke about gender equality in the military at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The Holy See’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE said, “The Holy See fully supports the political, economic, social and cultural participation of women alongside and on the same level as men.”
Msgr. Urbanczyk said the Holy See cautioned against “reducing the role of women… to a mere matter of numbers or percentages”.
He also reminded those present of Pope Francis’ definition of the feminine genius: “the moral and spiritual strength of a woman” that compliments the moral and spiritual strength of a man – shows itself in a particular way in “[e]ncouraging others to promote sensitivity, understanding and dialogue in settling conflicts big and small, in healing wounds, in nurturing all life at every level of society, and in embodying the mercy and tenderness which bring reconciliation and unity”.
Please find below the full text of his address:
Mr. Chairman,
The Holy See is grateful for the decision of the Romanian FSC Chairmanship to conduct – within the context of the Forum – a security dialogue on the issue of the participation of women in the Armed Forces of the participating States. Like previous speakers, my Delegation notes the appropriateness of holding this event today, which is International Women’s Day. Allow me also to thank the speakers for their valuable contributions to our discussions.
The Holy See fully supports the political, economic, social and cultural participation of women alongside and on the same level as men. This obviously includes the just participation of women in the Armed Forces, reflecting the indispensable contribution which women make to society and to the international community.
At the same time, my Delegation would caution against reducing the role of women, in society as a whole or in the military in particular, to a mere matter of numbers or percentages for their own sake. Giving true value to the role of women means recognising what Pope Francis has defined as the feminine genius. This feminine genius – “the moral and spiritual strength of a woman” [1] that compliments the moral and spiritual strength of a man – shows itself in a particular way in “[e]ncouraging others to promote sensitivity, understanding and dialogue in settling conflicts big and small, in healing wounds, in nurturing all life at every level of society, and in embodying the mercy and tenderness which bring reconciliation and unity”. [2]
My Delegation is pleased to recognise that today’s discussion takes place in the context of the emphasis which the Austrian OSCE Chairmanship has decided to place on women and security. Greater involvement of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in the maintenance of peace and security, in peacekeeping and post-conflict peace building is an issue that deserves further attention. As the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister Kurz, said in his address to the Permanent Council on 12 January: “The participation of women is essential for the sustainability of efforts to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts. Peace processes can only be successful in the long term if the voices, views and needs of society are taken into account”.
In conclusion, my Delegation once more thanks the speakers for their presentation and the Romanian FSC Chairmanship for this event, and assures it of the continued engagement of the Holy See on this issue.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[1] John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem (1988), n. 30.
[2] Message of His Holiness Pope Francis on the occasion of the International Conference "Women and the post-2015 development agenda: the challenges of the sustainable development goals”, May 2, 2015.
Vatican City, Mar 8, 2017 / 06:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ appointment of Fr. Roy Edward Campbell, Jr., a former vice-president for Bank of America, as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington.“All of us in the Archdiocese are deeply grateful that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has named Father Roy Campbell to be an auxiliary bishop in our Church of Washington,” Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, said in a statement March 8.Father Campbell, who was born, raised and who has worked and served in the archdiocese, “brings to his new ministry recognized talent and demonstrated ability. He also bears witness to the great cultural and ethnic richness of the Church of Washington reflected in all of the faithful, lay, religious and clergy.”“Personally I look forward to continuing to work closely with our new auxiliary bishop, who over the years has made significant contributions to the...
Vatican City, Mar 8, 2017 / 06:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ appointment of Fr. Roy Edward Campbell, Jr., a former vice-president for Bank of America, as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington.
“All of us in the Archdiocese are deeply grateful that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has named Father Roy Campbell to be an auxiliary bishop in our Church of Washington,” Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, said in a statement March 8.
Father Campbell, who was born, raised and who has worked and served in the archdiocese, “brings to his new ministry recognized talent and demonstrated ability. He also bears witness to the great cultural and ethnic richness of the Church of Washington reflected in all of the faithful, lay, religious and clergy.”
“Personally I look forward to continuing to work closely with our new auxiliary bishop, who over the years has made significant contributions to the pastoral life of this archdiocese,” he said.
Fr. Campbell, 69, had a 33-year long career with Bank of America, beginning as a teller and working his way up to vice president and “Project Manager” before taking an early retirement in 2002 to follow a priestly vocation.
Born on Nov. 19, 1947, in southern Maryland, the Campbell was raised in D.C. and was interested in the priesthood as a child, but never committed to entering the seminary.
After high school he attended and graduated from Howard University in 1969 and later received a master’s degree in banking from the University of Virginia, working in the retail banking industry in the Washington-Baltimore area until taking an early retirement in 2002.
He was an active Catholic both in parishes and the broader Washington-area community, serving as a lector and usher and as a member on the Pastoral and Finance Councils at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart.
An encounter with a homeless man in December 1995, prompted him to reflect on his relationship with Jesus, and as a result he entered the archdiocese’s permanent diaconate program in 1999. He entered the seminary in January 2002, and was ordained a priest May 26, 2007.
Since his ordination, bishop-elect Campbell has been parochial vicar and pastor at several parishes. He said in a video interview for the Archdiocese of Washington that “the Lord himself has bestowed upon me through the Holy Father,” a great honor by the appointment.
“The only thing I was looking forward to doing in answering our Lord's call is to be a priest for his people. To love and serve those who he's called me to,” he continued.
“And if he's calling me to serve on a larger scale than a parish, as a bishop, then I know I will have his grace, his direction, and his love to help me do so. So, outside of that, what it will entail, I will find out.”
IMAGE: CNS photo/David AgrenBy David AgrenFRONTERA COMALAPA, Mexico (CNS)-- In the early 1980s, parishioners at the Santo Nino de Atocha parish in thistown on the Mexico-Guatemala border opened their church and homes to refugees fleeingcivil war in Guatemala. Three decades later, they're preparing for anotherinflux of asylum seekers -- this time from countries farther south as CentralAmericans seek safety from the gang violence gripping El Salvador and Honduras."The parish has always beena welcoming place for migrants," said Sister Maria del Carmen Diaz, a nunworking in the parish. "People here don't have much money. But they offerwhat they can and, what little they have, they share. There's a sense ofsolidarity."The parish opened the St.Raphael shelter for migrants in 2011, but it went unused as Central Americans,fresh from crossing the border, tended to move on quickly and head north towardthe U.S. border. But the shelter was recently expanded -- in cooperation with theJesuit Migr...
IMAGE: CNS photo/David Agren
By David Agren
FRONTERA COMALAPA, Mexico (CNS) -- In the early 1980s, parishioners at the Santo Nino de Atocha parish in this town on the Mexico-Guatemala border opened their church and homes to refugees fleeing civil war in Guatemala. Three decades later, they're preparing for another influx of asylum seekers -- this time from countries farther south as Central Americans seek safety from the gang violence gripping El Salvador and Honduras.
"The parish has always been a welcoming place for migrants," said Sister Maria del Carmen Diaz, a nun working in the parish. "People here don't have much money. But they offer what they can and, what little they have, they share. There's a sense of solidarity."
The parish opened the St. Raphael shelter for migrants in 2011, but it went unused as Central Americans, fresh from crossing the border, tended to move on quickly and head north toward the U.S. border. But the shelter was recently expanded -- in cooperation with the Jesuit Migration Service and with financial support from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees -- and inaugurated as a longer-stay shelter for those seeking asylum in Mexico.
The renovations and change of mission reflect the new reality of Central Americans arriving in Mexico in search of shelter and a safe place. They're increasingly staying put and seeking asylum status in Mexico instead of risking trips to the United States.
"The grand illusion of the American Dream is still there, but it's diminished somewhat," said Jesuit Father Conrado Zepeda.
Father Zepeda cited several reasons for the diminished interest, including difficulties in transiting the country: Kidnapping, extortion and crimes committed against migrants are common. Mexico has detained and deported more than 300,000 Central Americans since 2014 as part of the Southern Border Plan, which the government unveiled to make migration safer and to stop migrants from riding atop freight trains. Critics contend the increased enforcement has prompted migrants to take even riskier and less-plied paths through Mexico and has led to abuses against them by criminals and crooked authorities.
The thinking now among migrants, said Father Zepeda, is: "If I cannot make it to the United States, then I'll stay in Mexico. It's a little safer than my country and salaries are better."
The expanded shelter provides more space for families, rather than just single men spending a night or two. Most refugees require a stay of several months and some sort of legal assistance in order to process their asylum claims, Father Zepeda said.
Manuel, 23, is among those seeking refugee status in Mexico. He worked as a security guard and did not think about migrating, but ended up fleeing violence in his native El Salvador, saying members of the MS-13 street gang accused him of robbing a house.
"They threatened me with a knife to my throat," said Manuel, who did not give his surname for security reasons. "Thankfully, they didn't kill me."
Manuel arrived in Mexico, but was robbed and detained some 150 miles from the border. He suffered a broken arm while in detention and was subsequently allowed to stay in the country. Manuel has since applied for asylum in Mexico, saying it would be impossible to return to El Salvador.
He is among the thousands of Central Americans fleeing some of the most violent countries in the world: Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras -- with the murder rate topping 80 per 100,000 in the latter two nations.
Mexican government figures show an increase in asylum claims of 156.4 percent in 2016, when compared with the previous years, while the acceptance rate has increased and fewer claims are being abandoned.
It's not the first time Mexico has experienced an influx of asylum seekers. Starting in 1982 an estimated 80,000 refugees -- many of them indigenous Maya -- arrived from Guatemala after being driven from their lands. Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia, then leader of the San Cristobal de Las Casas Diocese, organized parish teams to receive and pastorally tend to the refugees, while ordinary citizens opened their homes.
The tradition of serving migrants continues in the diocese and in parishes like Santo Nino de Atocha, where a migrant ministry of more than 20 lay members helps those arriving.
"Migration has structural issues, which we here cannot resolve, but we can do our part in the diocese," said Coadjutor Bishop Enrique Diaz of San Cristobal de Las Casas. "Almost all of the parishes have a group attending to it, but undoubtedly, Comalapa is the parish that has committed the most."
The solidarity shown with refugees in towns like Frontera Comalapa, where small-scale agriculture underpins the economy and poverty is pervasive, serves as an example for others turning toward isolation and prioritizing parochial matters, says one Jesuit leader.
"In the beginning it was poor indigenous and campesino families that offered hospitality to refugee families," said Jesuit Father Jose Luis Gonzalez, southern coordinator for Jesuit Migration Service in Mexico. "We're showing today, in the times of Donald Trump, that it's the poor who are the first ones to show hospitality."
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