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(Vatican Radio) For the Islamic Month of Ramadan and the feast of ‘Id al–Fitr, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has published a message to Muslims entitled “Christians and Muslims: Caring for our Common Home.In the message, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the President of the Counci (PCID), offers best wishes to Muslims and "prayerful solidarity during this time of fasting in the month of Ramadan and the celebration of ‘Id al–Fitr that concludes it."The PCID points out that this year it is drawing from Pope Francis' encyclical "Caring for our Common Home", which it notes is addressed to the whole of humanity.Pope Francis, Cardinal Tauran says, "draws attention to the harm our lifestyles and decisions are causing to the environment, to ourselves and to our fellow human beings".The greeting goes on to say that "as believers, our relationship with God should be increasingly shown in the ...
Western diplomats on Thursday condemned violence against Muslims in Sri Lanka and urged the government to uphold minority rights and freedom of religion. More than 20 attacks on Muslims have been recorded since April 17, including including arson at Muslim-owned businesses and petrol-bomb attacks on mosques. Muslims have blamed the attacks on Body Bala Sena (BBS) or the "Buddhist Power Force", an organisation that says the spread of Islam is a threat to Buddhism as the dominant religion. It denies any involvement."It is important that the rule of law be applied against those perpetrators and it's important that minority rights and freedom of religion are upheld," one of the diplomats, Canadian high commissioner Shelley Whiting, told reporters. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe have ordered police to uphold the law, but the violence against Muslims has not ended.Muslims comprise around 9 percent of...
(Vatican Radio) The Bishops of the United States have decried President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement saying his decision “not to honor the U.S. commitment” to the Paris climate deal is “deeply troubling.” Listen to the report by Sean Patrick Lovett: In a statement released shortly after the President’s announcement at the White House, Bishop Oscar Cantu, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace pointed out that “The Scriptures affirm the value of caring for creation and caring for each other in solidarity”, and that “the Paris agreement is an international accord that promotes these values”.He said that “President Trump’s decision will harm the people of the United States and the world, especially the poorest, most vulnerable communities”.The statement also notes that the impacts of climate change are already be...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with Raimonds Vejonis, President of the Republic of Latvia, and his wife, Iveta Vejone, in a private audience in the Vatican.A communique from the Holy See Press Office said, "During the cordial discussions, appreciation was expressed for the cordial bilateral relations and the positive contribution of the Catholic Church to Latvian society. Attention then turned to themes of common interest, such as the acceptance of migrants and the prospects for the future of the European project, focusing on the regional context."Mr. Vejonis then met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
Denver, Colo., Jun 2, 2017 / 02:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Here’s what you need to know about the feast day:The timing and origins of PentecostPentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven. Because Easter is a moveable feast without a fixed date, and Pentecost depends on the timing of Easter, Pentecost can fall anywhere between May 10 and June 13.The timing of these feasts is also where Catholics get the concept of the Novena - nine days of prayer - because in Acts 1, Mary and the Apostles prayed together “continuously” for nine days after the Ascension leading up to Pentecost. Traditionally, the Church prays the Novena to the Holy Spirit in the days before Pentecost.The name of the day itself is derived from the Greek ...
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- LeBron James had a simple explanation for what stood out in Game 1 of the NBA Finals: KD....
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Philippine police know the attacker was a tall, English-speaking white man with a moustache. They know he carried an assault rifle, and that he used gasoline to start a casino fire that caused clouds of smoke that left at least 36 people dead Friday morning in a sprawling entertainment complex in Manila....
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A demonstration in downtown Kabul turned violent Friday as police fired at rock-throwing protesters demanding better security in the Afghan capital in the wake of a powerful truck bomb attack that killed 90 people. Several demonstrators were killed and police injured, authorities said....
BRUSSELS (AP) -- Top officials from China and the European Union were set Friday to reaffirm their commitment to a landmark climate change agreement, a day after President Donald Trump said he was pulling the United States out of the Paris accord....
Baltimore, Md., Jun 1, 2017 / 10:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Maryland Catholic Conference has issued a statement of guiding principles for Catholics and state legislators to better encounter immigrants with compassion in both personal and political arenas.Members of the Maryland community, they said, should encounter migrants with “a spirit of compassion, prudence, and cooperation to address the challenges faced by immigrants, elected officials, law enforcement and our communities as a whole.”The May 30 document, signed by bishops in Maryland, Washington, and Delaware, refers to immigration enforcement on local and federal levels.The bishops encouraged politicians and legislators to foster a spirit of equality throughout the state and trust among migrant communities, while at the same time ensuring that civil authorities stand against criminal activity.“Build trust with our immigrant communities by establishing a clear division of duties between local law enforceme...
