05/24/2013INDIA Marian devotion overcomes religious barriers in India by Nirmala Carvalho People of all religions flock to Mary, so much so that 80% of the pilgrims to Marian shrines are non-Catholics, including Muslims. On the occasion of the feast of Mary Help of Christians, AsiaNews speaks with an expert in the scriptures, Fr. Errold Fernandes, to understand this phenomenon of interfaith harmony. Mumbai (AsiaNews)
- Marian devotion in India overcomes religious barriers and more than 80% of pilgrims
to Marian sanctuaries are non-Catholics. They
bring all kinds of offerings - flowers, garlands, coconuts - and it is not
unusual to see women dressed in burqas who pray to Our Lady. On
the...
05/24/2013VATICAN-CHINA Archbishop Savio Hon: The World Day of Prayer for China together with Pope Francis by Bernardo Cervellera The Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples comments on the words of Pope Francis, his first in explicit reference to China for the Day of Prayer launched by Benedict XVI in 2008. The intercession of Our Lady of Sheshan to strengthen the unity of the Chinese Church with the universal Church and the Pope, the successor of Peter.
05/24/2013VIETNAM Vinh, four Catholic activists sentence reduced on appeal, but peaceful protest continues Sentence confirmed for four other defendants. They are part of a group of 14 people in prison on charges of "subversion" against the state. Pro human rights NGOs speak of "scandalous" judgment. The judges state that "any request for pluralism is against the law."
05/23/2013VATICAN Pope: bishops should not be career-oriented, interested in money or compromises with the spirit of the world Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Italian Bishops, Francis outlines how the pastors of souls ought to be. They must be men capable of "listening to the silent stories of those who suffer, and help those who are afraid of not making it." We must also lift, reassure and inspire hope by leading our "life in accordance with God's plan, and fully commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus. From this, comes the discernment that recognises and takes on the thoughts, expectations, and needs of the people of our times."
05/23/2013VATICAN - CHINA Chinese priests and young people to attend Mass with Pope Francis
The celebration is set for tomorrow morning at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The Pope invited Chinese priests, men and women religious, as well as young people to celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Church in China and the feast of Our Lady of Sheshan.
05/23/2013INDONESIA Mt Rokatendo's 2,000 Catholic refugees still in a critical situation by Mathias Hariyadi Lava flow forced islanders to abandon their homes in February. A medical team that visited them complains that they live in a situation of neglect and distress. The Central government and local authorities have failed to help the refugees. For a Jakarta doctor, eating twice a day is "a luxury" for them.
05/23/2013SRI LANKA - INDIA Sri Lanka to build new homes for war refugees with Indian support by Melani Manel Perera With the help of the Indian High Commission, the Sri Lankan government continues its three-year plan to re-house IDPs. The Indian High Commissioner and Sri Lanka's Economic Development Minister launch the project, "an unprecedented humanitarian action," in the east of the island.
05/23/2013VATICAN Pope: 'salt' of faith, hope and love gifted us by Jesus must be shared, or Christians risk becoming “a museum piece” There are two “outlets” to prevent this salt from growing stale. Firstly: using this salt “at meals, in the service of others, to serve people". Second, "transcendence toward the author of this salt, the Creator". "Christian originality is not a uniformity! It takes us all as we are, each with our own personality, characteristics, culture and leaves us with that, because it is a treasure. "
05/23/2013CHINA - UNITED STATES Chinese activists appeal to white house against “Dog meat Festival” An online petition calls for U.S. intervention to stop a "bloody tradition." The promoters state: no "politics" motives behind the appeal. For the defenders of tradition, dog meat cures disease and improves sexual performance in men. In recent days, a rapper has spoken out against the festival.
05/23/2013NEPAL Catholics, Muslims and Hindus remember the attack on Kathmandu cathedral by Kalpit Parajuli Hundreds of people attended today's Mass in the Church of the Assumption. "Extremist threats do not scare us," clergyman says. "We shall pursue our mission even more." Muslims and Hindus express their solidarity.
05/23/2013IRAN IAEA reports "significant progress" in Iran's uranium enrichment programme In its quarterly report, the UN says Tehran has accelerated the installation of centrifuges at Natanz and is making further progress in the construction of a reactor at Arak. The West fears it could produce plutonium and enriched uranium, necessary for military purposes.
05/23/2013AFGHANISTAN Afghan university students protest against women's rights During yesterday's protest in Kabul, protesters called for the repeal of a decree that defines domestic violence as a crime, bans child and forced marriages and says that rape victims cannot be prosecuted for adultery. It also outlaws "ba'ad", the traditional practice of exchanging women or girls to settle disputes or pay debts.
05/23/2013SYRIA - JORDAN Jordan’s Catholics march in silence for release of Syrian Orthodox bishops A candlelight vigil yesterday in Amman. Initiative was attended by hundreds of people. The march is a message of solidarity with the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Greek-Orthodox and the Syrian Orthodox Church. The kidnap of Msgr. Yohanna Ibrahim and Msgr. Boulos Yaziji afflicts not only Christians, but also secular society and Muslim.
05/23/2013TAIWAN - PHILIPPINES Taiwanese students promote "friendship" with Filipino immigrants by Xin Yage The initiative aims to show solidarity with Filipinos impacted by controversy over a naval incident between Manila and Taipei on May 9 last. Immigrants contribute to social development and co-operate in the protection of children and the elderly. Student: The person who shot is responsible, not "the honest workers here."
05/23/2013PAKISTAN - CHINA Quetta, 12 people die in an attack on the military. Beijing and Islamabad discuss energy A bomb aboard a rickshaw targets a security forces convoy. The bomb was made up of more than 100 kg of explosives. Meanwhile, the Chinese premier arrives in Pakistan for a two-day official visit. Objective: To strengthen ties, enhance trade and help solve the energy crisis.
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