(Vatican Radio) Rights activists have expressed concern about a new local law introduced near the Hungarian-Serbian border which bans the public expression of the Muslim religion as well as activities and awareness-raising that empower homosexuals. The decree in the southern Hungarian border of Ásotthalom was introduced by a controversial mayor and politician. Listen to the report by Stefan Bos: László Toroczkai already produced a Hollywood-style action video showing fast motors and jeeps riding border hunters warning migrants fleeing war and poverty not to arrive in Hungary and especially not in the border town of Ásotthalom. Now the mayor of this town of just over 4,000 goes even further. Mayor Toroczkai, who is also vice president of the far-right Jobbik party, has introduced a decree banning the public expression of the Muslim religion in the area. The measure bans wearing veils and building mosques. And he told Vatican Radio that he...
(Vatican Radio) Rights activists have expressed concern about a new local law introduced near the Hungarian-Serbian border which bans the public expression of the Muslim religion as well as activities and awareness-raising that empower homosexuals. The decree in the southern Hungarian border of Ásotthalom was introduced by a controversial mayor and politician.
Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:
László Toroczkai already produced a Hollywood-style action video showing fast motors and jeeps riding border hunters warning migrants fleeing war and poverty not to arrive in Hungary and especially not in the border town of Ásotthalom.
Now the mayor of this town of just over 4,000 goes even further. Mayor Toroczkai, who is also vice president of the far-right Jobbik party, has introduced a decree banning the public expression of the Muslim religion in the area.
The measure bans wearing veils and building mosques. And he told Vatican Radio that he views this as a model for Hungary where last year some 400,000 migrants arrived, many through Ásotthalom, on their way to more welcoming Western nations. "If every Hungarian city and town will have these local laws we will be able to protect the whole country against this Islamization," Toroczkai said.
On Saturday, activists gathered in his town to protest against the decree, which also includes a ban on propaganda for homosexuality. Yet, hardline Mayor Toroczkai declined to reach out to demonstrators asking for more tolerance. "This demonstration, provocation and propaganda will change the people and will make hatred and intolerance in Ásotthalom and the world. You know the world is changing...", he added.
Not everyone agrees with him. Yet more municipalities may follow his example. Hungary is increasing its anti-migrant rhetoric. And thousands of police and soldiers are involved in trying to stop refugees near a massive razor-wire border fence.
St. Stanislaus of Szczepanów is depicted as the patron saint of Poland in a miniature painted by Stanislaw Samostrzelnik of Mogila. / Credit: Polona Digital Library|Wikimedia|PD-ArtWashington, D.C. Newsroom, May 8, 2024 / 16:53 pm (CNA).Pope Francis during his Wednesday general audience invoked the intercession of St. Stanislaus, patron saint of Poland, for peace in Ukraine and Israel.Addressing Polish pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, the pope said: "Today you celebrate the solemnity of St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr, patron of your homeland.""St. John Paul II wrote of him," Francis went on, "that from high in heaven, he shared in the sufferings and hopes of your nation, sustaining its survival, especially during the Second World War."Francis prayed that the intercession of St. Stanislaus "obtain, even today, the gift of peace in Europe and throughout the world, especially in Ukraine and the Middle East."What does Poland have to do with these wars? This co...
null / Credit: ShutterstockCNA Staff, May 8, 2024 / 17:23 pm (CNA).A trio of Catholic radio networks has filed a petition against the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over new requirements that will soon mandate that all U.S. radio and television stations publish information about the race and gender of their employees.In a 3-2 ruling in February, the commissioners of the FCC reinstated a requirement that radio stations must annually file a document, known as Form 395-B, that lists the race and gender of their employees.The FCC governs radio stations transmitting on AM or FM frequencies, satellite radio and TV stations, cable networks, and broadcast TV stations. These entities are required to maintain a summary of publicly accessible information known as a public file, with varying requirements among the types of stations regarding what must be contained in the file.The FCC had not required Form 395-B since 2004, following a 2001 ruling by t...
Servant of God Nino Baglieri. / Credit: ANS/SalesiansACI Prensa Staff, May 8, 2024 / 17:53 pm (CNA).The diocesan phase of the cause of beatification of the Servant of God Nino Baglieri has been closed in Modica, a town in southern Sicily. Overcoming his bitterness due to his quadriplegic condition, Baglieri gave himself to the mission of evangelizing through the means available to him. The closing of the diocesan phase, according to the Salesian News Agency, took place on Sunday, May 5, in Mother of St. Peter church, where a solemn Eucharist was celebrated by Salvatore Rumeo, the bishop of Noto. In his homily, the prelate related that on May 5, 1951, Baglieri received baptism, "becoming a Christian."Regarding the servant of God, he emphasized that "prayer for Nino was everything: Despite his suffering, like a light that shines and burns, he managed to infect others with the meaning of true prayer."Addressing the servant of God in prayer, Rumeo said: "We are grateful t...