Violence against religious minorities in Sri Lanka
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=162225&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Human rights groups, religious leaders, lawmakers and the United Nations have all called on the Sri Lankan government to take immediate action against sectarian violence and growing tensions in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. The groups blame the government for failing to halt a wave of attacks on minority groups following the illegal installation of Buddhist statutes. Anglican pastor Marimuttu Sathivel, a human rights advocate and coordinator of the National Movement for the Release of Political Prisoners, said many Buddha statutes have been erected despite the low number of Buddhist worshipers in the region. "Extremist Buddhist monks and their organizations spread their religion through harvesting racism, hate and communal disharmony," Sathivel said.The Secretariat for Muslims, a civil society organization, has documented 20 such incidents over the last six weeks, including several attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses. Reports include a...
Human rights groups, religious leaders, lawmakers and the United Nations have all called on the Sri Lankan government to take immediate action against sectarian violence and growing tensions in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. The groups blame the government for failing to halt a wave of attacks on minority groups following the illegal installation of Buddhist statutes.
Anglican pastor Marimuttu Sathivel, a human rights advocate and coordinator of the National Movement for the Release of Political Prisoners, said many Buddha statutes have been erected despite the low number of Buddhist worshipers in the region. "Extremist Buddhist monks and their organizations spread their religion through harvesting racism, hate and communal disharmony," Sathivel said.
The Secretariat for Muslims, a civil society organization, has documented 20 such incidents over the last six weeks, including several attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses. Reports include an attack by unidentified masked motorcyclists on Kohilawatta Ibrahim Jumma Mosque May 15 and at least six petrol bombs caused damage to Kurunegala Mallawapitiya Jummah Masjid mosque on May 21.
The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a leading public policy research and advocacy think tank, condemned the violence and called on the government and law enforcement agencies to hold those responsible to account and take preventative measures without delay. "The existing legal framework provides law enforcement authorities with ample tools to prevent such incidents and arrest perpetrators," the CPA said in a statement May 23. "None of our fellow citizens should have to live in fear or be subjected to abuse and violence on religious grounds," the statement added. The CPA said the government must honestly and actively pursue reconciliation. "The basic tenets of good governance require that the law of the land be applied equally to all, without fear or favor, irrespective of the identity of the perpetrators of division and hate," the CPA statement said.
Civil rights groups blame hard-line Buddhist groups, such as Bodu Bala Sena, the Sinhala Ravaya and Ravana Balaya, for whipping up hatred against Muslims and other minority religions through hate speech on social media. In 2014, hard-line Buddhist groups attacked Muslim-owned shops and houses resulting in the deaths of four people and injuring 80.
Speaking in parliament May 23 opposition lawmakers blamed the government for failing to halt the attacks on minority Muslims. Lawmaker Bimal Rathnayake described the attacks as preventable and called on the government to take responsibility to prevent future incidences.
The U.N. has also called on the government to take immediate action against the violence. "I implore the government and all Sri Lankans to stand united against those inciting hatred," Una McCauley, U.N. resident coordinator in Sri Lanka, said in a statement, May 22.
Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist nation with a diverse group of minority communities including Tamils, Muslims, Christians and the Burgher people, an Eurasian ethnic group. Approximately 70 percent of the island nation's population of 21 million are Buddhist, 15 percent Hindu, 8 percent Christian and 9 percent Muslim.
A majority of Buddhists are ethnic Sinhalese who make up most of the population. Hindus are mostly from the Tamil ethnic minority. Christians come from the Sinhalese, Tamil and Burgher communities. (Source: UCAN)
Full Article
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=275795&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The Immaculata statue from Immaculate Conception Parish in Detroit was placed in a niche in the church where a confessional used to be, along with stands displaying news articles chronicling Immaculate Conception's history, a reminder of what was lost and what has been saved. "The statue meant a lot to parishioners who came in here and adopted St. Hyacinth as their new home after Immaculate Conception was torn down," sacristan Susan Kraus said. "It is only out of fairness and respect toward them that we restore her to her original beauty." / Credit: Daniel Meloy | Detroit CatholicDetroit, Mich., May 12, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Susan Kraus got goosebumps when she discovered a decorative crown adorned with 12 stars in the basement of St. Hyacinth Parish in Detroit.The treasured piece of local Church history at the east-side Detroit parish was once considered a long-lost piece of parish lore, the headpiece for the parish's Immaculata statue, a forgotten gem from a tumultuous time."I...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=275794&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
"We reflect with gratitude on all mothers, and let us also pray for mothers who have gone to heaven. We entrust mothers to the protection of Mary, our heavenly mother," said Pope Francis on May 12, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaRome Newsroom, May 12, 2024 / 10:45 am (CNA).On Mother's Day, Pope Francis entrusted all mothers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking everyone to remember to also pray for all the mothers who have gone to heaven.Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace on May 12, Pope Francis asked the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square for a round of applause to celebrate all mothers."Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries today. We reflect with gratitude on all mothers, and let us also pray for mothers who have gone to heaven. We entrust mothers to the protection of Mary, our heavenly mother," the pope said.Pope Francis also asked for the Virgin Mary's intercession to help in life's journey towards heaven."May Mary, she who has already arrived at...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=275789&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe inside Christ Cathedral in Orange, California. / Credit: Kate Veik/CNAWashington D.C., May 12, 2024 / 04:00 am (CNA).On Mother's Day, Catholics recognize the mothers in our lives as well as Mary, Mother of God. In celebration of all that mothers do, here are 12 quotes from saints and other Catholic figures on the beauty and significance of motherhood:St. Thérèse of Lisieux: "The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother."St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein): "To be a mother is to nourish and protect true humanity and bring it to development."Pope Francis: "A society without mothers would be a dehumanized society, for mothers are always, even in the worst moments, witnesses of tenderness, dedication, and moral strength. … Dearest mothers, thank you, thank you for what you are in your family and for what you give to the Church and the world."St. John Paul II: "Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings ...