Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday gave the White House a plan to "rapidly defeat" the Islamic State group, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday. The strategy includes significant elements of the approach President Donald Trump inherited, while potentially deepening U.S. military involvement in Syria....
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump declared Monday that "Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated." Yet the opposite has long been painfully obvious for top congressional Republicans, who face mounting pressure to scrap the law even as problems grow longer and knottier....
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) -- A bartender at the restaurant where a man was arrested last week for an apparently racially motivated bar shooting of two Indian men told a 911 dispatcher that the suspect admitted shooting two people, but described them as Iranian....
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A look at how the Academy Awards' winners envelopes are handled before being opened live onstage:...
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Intelligence chairman Devin Nunes said Monday that Congress should not begin a McCarthy-style investigation based on news reports that a few Americans with ties to President Donald Trump had contacted Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign....
(Vatican Radio) Calls for the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama to step down have continued ahead of elections slated to take place on June 18. Listen to the report by correspondent Nathan Morley in Tirana: Hundreds of protestors gathered again in the blazing sunshine in front of the main government offices in Tirana, demanding change.The leader of Albania's main opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, made an appearance at the rally on Monday telling correspondent Nathan Morley that he defended his decision to boycott parliament, which is causing delays to much-needed judicial reforms required by EU."This is now a republic run by crime and drugs”, Basha said."We are not blocking the justice reform; we want the vetting to be done. But we want it to be done according to the constitution - not according to the criminals that control this government and its agenda".Existing judges and prosecutors are being vetted due to a lack of confidence in t...
(Vatican Radio) Calls for the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama to step down have continued ahead of elections slated to take place on June 18.
Listen to the report by correspondent Nathan Morley in Tirana:
Hundreds of protestors gathered again in the blazing sunshine in front of the main government offices in Tirana, demanding change.
The leader of Albania's main opposition Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, made an appearance at the rally on Monday telling correspondent Nathan Morley that he defended his decision to boycott parliament, which is causing delays to much-needed judicial reforms required by EU.
"This is now a republic run by crime and drugs”, Basha said.
"We are not blocking the justice reform; we want the vetting to be done. But we want it to be done according to the constitution - not according to the criminals that control this government and its agenda".
Existing judges and prosecutors are being vetted due to a lack of confidence in the legal establishment. Observers argue that a more credible legal system is vital to securing greater foreign investment and trust both at home and abroad.
Basha was charged with inciting violence last week after calling "on citizens to react violently against state institutions."
If found guilty; he could spend up-to three years behind bars.
This tiny Balkan country of 3 million people has been a candidate to join the EU since 2014 – and is hopeful of launching accession negotiations this year.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has said he wishes to travel this year to war-ravaged South Sudan together with the Archbishop of Canterbury.Answering questions put to him on Sunday by parishioners of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome during his visit to the Anglican community, the Pope said his “staff is studying the possibility of a trip to South Sudan in response to an invitation from the Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic bishops of the country whom, he said, “hope the presence of the Bishop of Rome and the Primate of the Anglican Communion can help pacification”.Last week Pope Francis made a strong appeal for South Sudan asking for concrete aid for the population which is suffering a severe food crisis which, he said, “condemns to death by starvation millions of people, including many children”.Vatican Radio’s Debora Donnini asked the South Sudanese Bishop of Yei, Erkolano Ludu Tombe, whether his people would be happy to welcome the P...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has said he wishes to travel this year to war-ravaged South Sudan together with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Answering questions put to him on Sunday by parishioners of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome during his visit to the Anglican community, the Pope said his “staff is studying the possibility of a trip to South Sudan in response to an invitation from the Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic bishops of the country whom, he said, “hope the presence of the Bishop of Rome and the Primate of the Anglican Communion can help pacification”.
Last week Pope Francis made a strong appeal for South Sudan asking for concrete aid for the population which is suffering a severe food crisis which, he said, “condemns to death by starvation millions of people, including many children”.
Vatican Radio’s Debora Donnini asked the South Sudanese Bishop of Yei, Erkolano Ludu Tombe, whether his people would be happy to welcome the Pope:
Listen:
“Everybody, even the non-Christians, all South Sudanese, are delighted to hear that the Pope may come to South Sudan” Bishop Ludu Tombe said.
The bishop pointed out that the Pope did not promise, but ‘hopes’ to make the journey so the people are praying for the coming of the Holy Father to their country.
His coming would be “full of meaning for our faith and for our lives, even for non-Christians” he said.
Bishop Ludu Tombe describes a situation of ongoing civil war in the country, with killings and thousands of people fleeing to neighboring countries, with attacks and the destruction of churches.
However, highlighting the fact that the Church, the government and the people want the war to end he said there is hope that the violence will soon be stopped.
Independent since 2011, South Sudan in 2013 has become theater of a new and bloody civil war that, despite peace agreements, was reawakened in July 2016 among the groups that support President Salva Kiir belonging to Dinka ethnicity and those linked to former deputy, Riek Machar of the Nuer ethnic group.
The country has returned to be an area of "deliberate killings of civilians, rapes and looting," as denounced by international organizations and missionaries, while famine has left 100,000 people on the verge of starvation and almost 5 million people, more than 40% of the country's population, in need of urgent help.
Bishop Ludu Tombe spoke of the local Church’s first concern which, he said, is for the humanitarian crisis “which has gripped the country: famine is going on, insecurity is going on, there is economic hardship, people are struggling to survive – there have even been poor rainfalls in some areas”.
At the root of all this, he said, is economic mismanagement.
As regards the intervention of the Church, the Bishop said, first of all the Church is “looking into the suffering of the people.”
“The humanitarian catastrophe in South Sudan needs to be responded to and we are asking the international community to come to the aid of the dying people of South Sudan of hunger. It is useless to talk about other things when you don’t, first of all, save lives” he said.
Bishop Ludu Tombe also spoke of the process of national dialogue and reconciliation launched by the South Sudanese President that encompasses all the country’s rival political parties and groups, and said it includes the Catholic Church which is taking an active part in the process for mediation and dialogue.
“It is part and parcel of the mission of the Church to contribute to peacebuilding and dialogue” he said.
He explained that the process includes ideas that are taken from the social doctrine of the Church and he said the Church in South Sudan welcomes the process of national dialogue for peace and reconciliation.
“This kind of process is not new to the Church, he said, that has been involved in peacemaking in the region many times before”.
India’s home minister has honoured a Catholic priest on the occasion of Arunachal Pradesh’s 31st statehood day. Salesian Father Cyriac Pulinthanathumalayil of Dimapur province received a state award Gold Medal for Excellence in Youth work from home minister Minister Rajanath Signh at a function on February 20 in the state capital of Itanagar. The priest set up two youth centers in the northeastern Indian state over past 16 years. Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil set up the first youth center at Khonsa in East Arunachal, district headquarters of Borduria, in 2000. In 2007 he started the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Itanagar in West Arunachal. The citation reads, “The Don Bosco Youth center has helped hundreds of young people from the state to find jobs in various parts of the country.”The award function, held at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, was attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu; federal Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju; Depu...
India’s home minister has honoured a Catholic priest on the occasion of Arunachal Pradesh’s 31st statehood day. Salesian Father Cyriac Pulinthanathumalayil of Dimapur province received a state award Gold Medal for Excellence in Youth work from home minister Minister Rajanath Signh at a function on February 20 in the state capital of Itanagar. The priest set up two youth centers in the northeastern Indian state over past 16 years. Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil set up the first youth center at Khonsa in East Arunachal, district headquarters of Borduria, in 2000. In 2007 he started the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Itanagar in West Arunachal. The citation reads, “The Don Bosco Youth center has helped hundreds of young people from the state to find jobs in various parts of the country.”
The award function, held at Indira Gandhi Park in Itanagar, was attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu; federal Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju; Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein; Arunachal Home Minister Kumar Waii and Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin.
Chief Minister Khandu visiting the youth center to inaugurate Tadar Taniang Hall and unveil the foundation slab of Dorjee Khandu Annexe said, “I appreciate that Don Bosco Youth Centre in Itanagar for last many years have been channelizing the youth’s potential enabling them to live a dignified life. I am happy that most of the passed out trainee from the center have been able to secure a livelihood for themselves.”
Training programs at the youth center include skill training in computer, hospitality, spoken English and other soft skills. The center has also collaborated with India’s major vocational training providers such as SBJ, Greater Noida; VLCC, New Delhi; MIE, New Delhi, Orion Edutech, Kolkata; O2 Skills, Hyderabad; Chrysallys Accademy, New Delhi and International Institute of Wellness, Greater Noida from 2011. Besides providing career guidance to youth to join for appropriate courses in these centers, Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil also followed them up throughout their training by visiting them and providing them follow-up counseling. The youth center in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, has also initiated the much-appreciated North East Youth Fest at Chandigarh which has become yearly feature for NE youth residing in Chandigarh.
Public Health Engineering Minister Bamang Felix endorses Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil’s youth empowerment style saying, “His novel idea of developing the trainees` personality and leadership skills during a residential motivational soft skills training, before venturing out of the state for further specialized training and placement, has enhanced the success rate of the government`s skill training programs.” “Most of the skilled entrepreneurs lack financial support to start their business,” says 52 year old Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil who has engineered pro-investment policies and land reforms which helps investors feel secure to invest in the state.
In Itanagar Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil has established also Literacy Centre and Computer Centre with a Library at E-Sector as well as a Residential Skill Development Training Centre with residential facilities for 100 boys and girls at Vivek Vihar. He has also constructed the Tadar Taniang Hall in memory of late Minister of State who held many important portfolios. It can seat 400 people.
Construction is soon to start for Dorjee Khandu Annexe in memory of chief minister’s father late Dorjee Khandu former Chief Minister of Arunachal at Vivek Vihar at an estimated cost of 60 million rupees. The facility will have Administrative block, Smart Class Rooms, Computer Rooms, Mini-Conference Hall, Labs for hospitality and beauty training and a Gym.
Fr. Pulinthanathumalayil also manages a Childline in collaboration with Childline India Foundation for children in distress in Itanagar. (Source: Matters India)
On Monday, Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:MARTYRDOM- Servant of God Tito Zeman, Slovakian professed priest of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco (1915-1969).HEROIC VIRTUES- Servant of God Octavio Ortiz Arrieta, Peruvian bishop, of the Salesians of St. John Bosco (1878-1958);- Servant of God Antonio Provolo, Italian diocesan priest, founder of the Society of Mary for the Education of the Deaf-Mutes, and the Sisters of the Society of Mary for the Education of the Deaf-Mute (1801-1842);- Servant of God Antonio Repiso Martínez de Orbe, Mexican professed priest of the Society of Jesus, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd (1856-1929);- Servant of God María de las Mercedes Cabezas Terrera, Spanish founder of the Missionary Workers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1911-1993);- Servant...
On Monday, Pope Francis received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorised the promulgation of decrees concerning the following causes:
MARTYRDOM
- Servant of God Tito Zeman, Slovakian professed priest of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco (1915-1969).
HEROIC VIRTUES
- Servant of God Octavio Ortiz Arrieta, Peruvian bishop, of the Salesians of St. John Bosco (1878-1958);
- Servant of God Antonio Provolo, Italian diocesan priest, founder of the Society of Mary for the Education of the Deaf-Mutes, and the Sisters of the Society of Mary for the Education of the Deaf-Mute (1801-1842);
- Servant of God Antonio Repiso Martínez de Orbe, Mexican professed priest of the Society of Jesus, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd (1856-1929);
- Servant of God María de las Mercedes Cabezas Terrera, Spanish founder of the Missionary Workers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1911-1993);
- Servant of God Lucia of the Immaculate Conception (née Maria Ripamonti), Italian professed religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity (1909-1954);
- Servant of God Pedro Herrero Rubio, Spanish layperson (1904-1978);
- Servant of God Vittorio Trancanelli, Italian layperson and father (1944-1998).
(Vatican Radio) The bishops of Malta have issued an invitation to Catholics on the island nation to show “mercy and pastoral discernment” to those living in difficult family situations.In a letter, to be read out in churches all over Malta and Gozo, the two Bishops Charles Scicluna and Mario Grech explain that they have recently issued guidelines for priests, aimed at accompanying couples and families “in complex situations, especially those involving separated or divorced persons who have entered a new union”. The bishops say that although these people may have “lost their first marriage”, many of them “have not lost their hope in Jesus” and “earnestly desire to live in harmony with God and with the Church”.The bishops note that people in this situation “ are asking us what they can do in order to be able to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.” The Church leaders urge such people &ld...
(Vatican Radio) The bishops of Malta have issued an invitation to Catholics on the island nation to show “mercy and pastoral discernment” to those living in difficult family situations.
In a letter, to be read out in churches all over Malta and Gozo, the two Bishops Charles Scicluna and Mario Grech explain that they have recently issued guidelines for priests, aimed at accompanying couples and families “in complex situations, especially those involving separated or divorced persons who have entered a new union”. The bishops say that although these people may have “lost their first marriage”, many of them “have not lost their hope in Jesus” and “earnestly desire to live in harmony with God and with the Church”.
The bishops note that people in this situation “ are asking us what they can do in order to be able to celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.” The Church leaders urge such people “ to continue to enlighten their conscience and to seek the assistance of a priest to accompany them”.
The two bishops published their guidelines for priests in January, with a focus on the application of Chapter VIII of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love). This chapter, they note, is “an invitation to mercy and pastoral discernment in the light of various social realities present today”.
The guidelines have been handed out to every priest in the dioceses of Malta and Gozo. They stress “If, as a result of the process of discernment, undertaken with “humility, discretion and love for the Church and her teaching, in a sincere search for God’s will and a desire to make a more perfect response to it”, a separated or divorced person who is living in a new relationship manages, with an informed and enlightened conscience, to acknowledge and believe that he or she are at peace with God, he or she cannot be precluded from participating in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist”.
