Catholic News 2
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The investigation into the sexual assault of a disabled black football player by his white teammates at a small-town Idaho high school showed that crucial evidence was collected by school employees, not law enforcement officials, and that the culture that led to the attack stretched far beyond the locker room....
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The president of the film academy says the two accountants responsible for the best-picture flub at Sunday's Academy Awards will never work the Oscars again....
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota stands to gain more than $110 million annually in tax revenue after oil begins coursing through the Dakota Access pipeline, an analysis by The Associated Press shows....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is spotlighting violence committed by immigrants, announcing the creation of a national office that can assist American victims of such crimes. He said during his address Tuesday night that the Homeland Security Department's Victims Of Immigration Crime Engagement office will provide a voice for people ignored by the media and "silenced by special interests."...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump surprised congressional leaders when he suddenly suggested he was open to broad immigration reform. But while there is appetite on Capitol Hill for legislation, there is also skepticism, and the president's hard-line rhetoric over the past two years could make a compromise bill much harder....
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis marked Ash Wednesday inviting the faithful to renew their hope in Christ’s promises and their commitment to follow Him ever more closely.He was addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly General Audience.Pointing out that on Ash Wednesday we enter the liturgical time of Lent, Pope Francis said this time of penitence and mortification is actually a journey of hope as it is directs us on the path towards Resurrection, and help us renew our Baptismal identity. Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: To better understand what this means, he said, we must refer to the fundamental experience of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, in which the Chosen People journeyed towards the Promised Land and, through spiritual discipline and the gift of the Law, learned the love of God and neighbor. The Scriptures, the Pope said, tell of a tormented journey that symbolically lasted forty years, the time span...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis marked Ash Wednesday inviting the faithful to renew their hope in Christ’s promises and their commitment to follow Him ever more closely.
He was addressing the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly General Audience.
Pointing out that on Ash Wednesday we enter the liturgical time of Lent, Pope Francis said this time of penitence and mortification is actually a journey of hope as it is directs us on the path towards Resurrection, and help us renew our Baptismal identity.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
To better understand what this means, he said, we must refer to the fundamental experience of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, in which the Chosen People journeyed towards the Promised Land and, through spiritual discipline and the gift of the Law, learned the love of God and neighbor.
The Scriptures, the Pope said, tell of a tormented journey that symbolically lasted forty years, the time span of a generation, and that difficulties and obstacles represented continuous temptations to regret Egypt and to turn back. But, he said, the Lord stayed close to the people who finally arrived in the Promised Land guided by Moses.
Their journey, he explained, was undertaken ‘in hope’, and in this sense “it is an ‘exodus’ out of slavery and into freedom.
“Every step, every effort, every test, every fall and every recovery has a sense within God’s design for salvation, as He wants life – not death – and joy – not pain – for His people” he said.
The Pope said Easter is Jesus’ own exodus, his passover from death to life, in which we participate through our rebirth in Baptism.
He said that by following Christ along the way of the Cross, we share in his victory over sin and death; he explained that in order to open this passage for us, Jesus had to cast off his glory, he had to humble himself, he had to be obedient until death on the cross.
“This doesn’t mean that he did everything and we don’t have to do anything” he said.
The Pope went on to highlight that it doesn’t mean “he went through the cross and we will go to heaven in a carriage.” That is not how it works.
He explained that our salvation is Jesus’ gift, but it is part of a love story and requires our ‘yes’ and our participation.
With a heart open to this horizon, the Pope concluded, let us enter into Lent feeling that we belong to the holy people of God: “may we begin our journey of hope with joy.”
(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors [PCPM] has issued the following statement after the resignation of abuse survivor, Mrs. Marie Collins.On Monday, February 13, 2017, Mrs. Marie Collins, a Member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors [PCPM] advised Cardinal Sean O’Malley, President of the PCPM, of her intent to resign from the Commission effective March 1, 2017.Mrs. Collins, a Member of the Pontifical Commission since its inception in 2014 is a survivor of clerical abuse, and consistently and tirelessly championed for the voices of the victims/survivors to be heard, and for the healing of victims/survivors to be a priority of the Church. In discussing with the Cardinal, and in her resignation letter to the Holy Father, Mrs. Collins cited her frustration at the lack of cooperation with the Commission by other offices in the Roman Curia. Mrs. Collins accepted an invitation from Cardinal O’Malley to contin...
(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors [PCPM] has issued the following statement after the resignation of abuse survivor, Mrs. Marie Collins.
On Monday, February 13, 2017, Mrs. Marie Collins, a Member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors [PCPM] advised Cardinal Sean O’Malley, President of the PCPM, of her intent to resign from the Commission effective March 1, 2017.
Mrs. Collins, a Member of the Pontifical Commission since its inception in 2014 is a survivor of clerical abuse, and consistently and tirelessly championed for the voices of the victims/survivors to be heard, and for the healing of victims/survivors to be a priority of the Church. In discussing with the Cardinal, and in her resignation letter to the Holy Father, Mrs. Collins cited her frustration at the lack of cooperation with the Commission by other offices in the Roman Curia.
Mrs. Collins accepted an invitation from Cardinal O’Malley to continue to work with the Commission in an educational role in recognition of her exceptional teaching skills and impact of her testimony as a survivor.
The Holy Father accepted Mrs. Collins resignation with deep appreciation for her work on behalf of the victims/survivors of clergy abuse.
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors was established by Pope Francis in March of 2014. The Chirograph of His Holiness Pope Francis states specifically, “The Commission’s specific task is to propose to me the most opportune initiatives for protecting minors and vulnerable adults, in order that we may do everything possible to ensure that crimes such as those which have occurred are no longer repeated in the Church. The Commission is to promote local responsibility in the particular Churches, uniting their efforts to those of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the protection of all children and vulnerable adults.”
The full statement from Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap., is below
Statement from PCPM President, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap.
“On behalf of the Members of the Commission I have expressed to Marie Collins our most sincere thanks for the extraordinary contributions she has made as a founding member of the Commission. We will certainly listen carefully to all that Marie wishes to share with us about her concerns and we will greatly miss her important contributions as a member of the Commission. As the Commission gathers for the plenary meeting next month we will have an opportunity to discuss these matters. With the members of the Commission I am deeply grateful for Marie’s willingness to continue to work with us in the education of church leaders, including the upcoming programs for new bishops and for the dicasteries of the Holy See. Our prayers will remain with Marie and with all victims and survivors of sexual abuse.”
“Peacemaking is the mandate given to the Church. Therefore, we should not give up working for peace until we have lasting peace in the region,” Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar urged Church leaders.The bishop was speaking during the 5th Annual cross-border peace conference held at St. Teresa Pastoral Centre in Lodwar, recently, on the theme, “Building on Past Peace Efforts.”The Conference brought together delegates from nine dioceses, some of them from countries bordering the Diocese of Lodwar. This includes South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.Kenya was represented by four Dioceses of Kitale, Nakuru, Maralal, and Lodwar whereas Ethiopia was represented by the Vicariate of Sodo and the Vicariate of Jimma-Bonga. Bishops Guiseppe Filippi of the Catholic Diocese of Kotido represented South Sudan, and Damiano Guzzetti of the Catholic Diocese of Moroto represented Uganda.Other peace delegates who attended the meeting were from the Asso...
“Peacemaking is the mandate given to the Church. Therefore, we should not give up working for peace until we have lasting peace in the region,” Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar urged Church leaders.
The bishop was speaking during the 5th Annual cross-border peace conference held at St. Teresa Pastoral Centre in Lodwar, recently, on the theme, “Building on Past Peace Efforts.”
The Conference brought together delegates from nine dioceses, some of them from countries bordering the Diocese of Lodwar. This includes South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.
Kenya was represented by four Dioceses of Kitale, Nakuru, Maralal, and Lodwar whereas Ethiopia was represented by the Vicariate of Sodo and the Vicariate of Jimma-Bonga.
Bishops Guiseppe Filippi of the Catholic Diocese of Kotido represented South Sudan, and Damiano Guzzetti of the Catholic Diocese of Moroto represented Uganda.
Other peace delegates who attended the meeting were from the Association for Development Cooperation (AGEH), Shalom centre for conflict resolution, AMECEA, Caritas Kenya, PAX NL-a Dutch Civil society organisation that works for peace, and Missio Austria.
The Diocese of Lodwar has been hosting the Conference since its inception five years ago.
(CISA in Kenya)
Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va
(Vatican Radio) Responding to Jesus’ call for almsgiving, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has launched its annual nationwide appeal to the people of Scotland.SCIAF is the official aid and international development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland. They work in over 16 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, helping some of the poorest people in the world, regardless of religion, to work their way out of poverty.The annual ‘WEE BOX’ Lent appeal plays on the famous Scottish word ‘wee’ that means ‘small’. It encourages the people of Scotland to give their change to the charity. Boxes are placed in parishes, offices, schools, and even homes; and then the contributions are collected by the Church in Holy Week, and the first week of the Easter season.Bishop Joseph Toal of the Diocese of Motherwell is the Bishop-President of SCIAF. He joined other archbishops and bishops in Scotland in urging people to supp...
(Vatican Radio) Responding to Jesus’ call for almsgiving, the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has launched its annual nationwide appeal to the people of Scotland.
SCIAF is the official aid and international development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland. They work in over 16 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, helping some of the poorest people in the world, regardless of religion, to work their way out of poverty.
The annual ‘WEE BOX’ Lent appeal plays on the famous Scottish word ‘wee’ that means ‘small’. It encourages the people of Scotland to give their change to the charity. Boxes are placed in parishes, offices, schools, and even homes; and then the contributions are collected by the Church in Holy Week, and the first week of the Easter season.
Bishop Joseph Toal of the Diocese of Motherwell is the Bishop-President of SCIAF. He joined other archbishops and bishops in Scotland in urging people to support such a worthy cause: “SCIAF’s work is a great example of how we can all help people in some of the poorest countries in the world to improve their lives.”
Every year, the WEE BOX appeal tells a story about a particular project in which SCIAF is involved. This year, the appeal focuses on the work being done in Zambia, where the challenges of hunger and poverty are made worse by climate change. SCIAF is helping people to overcome these challenges by helping the people of Zambia to grow the food they need, improve soil and harvests, and ultimately build themselves a more secure future.
Reflecting on the important work being carried out in Zambia, Bishop Toal said: “Something as simple as putting your spare change in your WEE BOX this Lent means families in countries like Zambia will get help to grow enough food to eat, earn an income and have hope for a better future.”
Not all of the money goes into the project in Zambia, though. SCIAF is dedicated to raising vital funds so that they can help families affected by hunger, poverty, war and natural disasters around the world. In light of the famine that was recently declared in South Sudan, they have been helping communities in the region with emergency aid including water, food and shelter.
If farming, peacebuilding and emergency work are key themes for SCIAF, then another is education, which they see as something that will help people lift themselves out of poverty. Many of the poorest children around the world are denied a sufficient education. Thus, the cycle of poverty continues. The Fund sets up skills training courses so that people of all ages can earn an income.
Although the charity is an official charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland, it works with people of all faiths to offer help where the need is greatest.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle in his Lenten message, humbly asked the faithful to once again participate in the Fast2Feed program of Hapag-Asa aimed to feed hungry and malnourished children in the country’s poor urban and rural communities.In his Pastoral Letter released on Ash Wednesday, Cardinal Tagle said that we are reminded to “return to the Lord, Our God” (cf. first reading, Jl 2:13), and to “be reconciled to God” (cf. second reading, 2 Cor 5:29).Cardinal Tagle also said that we are called by the Lord to respond to His call to pray, fast and perform acts of charity. “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you…When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites…When you fast, do not look gloomy” (cf. Mt. 6, 1-6, 16-18).According to Cardinal Tagle, “It only takes Php 1,200.00 for six months-or Php 10.00 per day to bring back...
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle in his Lenten message, humbly asked the faithful to once again participate in the Fast2Feed program of Hapag-Asa aimed to feed hungry and malnourished children in the country’s poor urban and rural communities.
In his Pastoral Letter released on Ash Wednesday, Cardinal Tagle said that we are reminded to “return to the Lord, Our God” (cf. first reading, Jl 2:13), and to “be reconciled to God” (cf. second reading, 2 Cor 5:29).
Cardinal Tagle also said that we are called by the Lord to respond to His call to pray, fast and perform acts of charity. “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you…When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites…When you fast, do not look gloomy” (cf. Mt. 6, 1-6, 16-18).
According to Cardinal Tagle, “It only takes Php 1,200.00 for six months-or Php 10.00 per day to bring back a hungry and undernourished child to a healthy state.”
In his circular to his priests in the archdiocese, Cardinal Tagle said that a “Fast2Feed 2017 Fund Campaign envelopes will be distributed to parishes and schools.” He encouraged “the faithful to offer the Fast2Feed envelope with their donation during the mass, or to turn it over to the parish office any day after Ash Wednesday.”
The last part of Cardinal Tagle's Pastoral Letter called on the people to imitate the generosity of the Father and asked the faithful to continue loving and helping the poor people especially the children.
“In this season of Lent, we are especially called to imitate the generosity of God, particularly towards the poor and disadvantaged. Indeed, “mercy demands that we not simply stand by and do nothing…Those who are weak and vulnerable…ought to feel the presence of brothers and sisters who can help them in their need” (Misercodia et misera 19, 21).
Fast2Feed campaign is the flagship program of Pondo ng Pinoy’s Hapag-Asa that aspires to combat the growing problem of hunger and malnutrition among children in the country. The program aims to raise funds to feed at least 20,000 children for the whole year with six months duration for Pondo ng Pinoy member dioceses. The program encourages the people to fast during the season of Lent and to donate the money they save to feed the children. (Manila Archdiocese)
