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mediazioni e arbitrati, risoluzione alternativa delle controversie e servizi di mediazione e arbitrato
12/29/2014 ARMENIA - TURKEY
Encyclical Letter for the centennial of the Armenian genocide
by Karekine II
Armenian Patriarch Karekin II announces the canonisation on 23 April of all of Turkey's victims. The next day will become a memorial day for the nation's "holy martyrs". According to unconfirmed reports, Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass on 12 April in memory of the terrible event. AsiaNews publishes below the patriarch's full message.
Etchmiadzin (AsiaNews) - Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Karekin II issued a solemn encyclical letter to launch a year of official events to remember the Armenian Genocide The massacre of 1.5 million Armenians took place in the twilight years of the Ottoman Empire,...

12/29/2014 CHINA - BANGLADESH
China proposes free trade agreement to Bangladesh
The goal is to improve road and rail connections, especially those through Myanmar. Dhaka relaunches with a proposal for improved connectivity through Chittagong-Cox's Bazar-Myanmar-Kunming.
12/29/2014 AFGHANISTAN
As NATO "leaves" Afghanistan, the Taliban gets stronger
The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) ended its combat operations yesterday, replaced, after more than ten years, by the Resolute Support mission, which will provide assistance and training to local troops. If "the West's goal was to lead the country on the path of democracy, very little seems to have been done," local source told AsiaNews.
12/29/2014 SYRIA - ISLAM
Islamic State blamed for almost 2,000 executions in less than six months
Of those killed, 1,175 were civilians, including women and children. Almost half of the victims are members of the Sunni Shaitat tribe, which rebelled against the Islamic State domination. The group also executed 120 of its own members, who wanted to return to their home countries.
12/29/2014 BAHRAIN
Bahrain opposition leader arrested
Sheikh Ali Salman leads al-Wefaq, which challenged the monarchy boycotting the elections last November. Summoned for questioning about "violating certain aspects of law," was then held by the Ministry of the Interior. His group warns: "Mr Salman's arrest is a perilous and arbitrary adventure which will seriously complicate the political and security scene in Bahrain".

12/29/2014 CHINA
Beijing to publish list of "legal" religious venues to "eradicate" illegal religious activities
by Wang Zhicheng
The list will be completed within two years. It already includes 16,140 registered Buddhist and Taoist temples and places of worship. For 20 years, the UN has called on Beijing to drop the distinction between "legal" and "illegal" religious activities. A law on religions seems urgent. Taoist and Buddhist monks criticise the use of temples and places of worship as moneymaking tourist destinations.
12/29/2014 BANGLADESH
Bishop of Rajshahi: the vocation for the priesthood is a call to responsibility
by Sumon Corraya
Bishop Rozario celebrates the ordination of a new priest. In recent years many priests, nuns and religious have abandoned consecrated life, unable to resist temptation. The faithful "must help their priests with prayer."
12/29/2014 CHINA
For the first time, China will not meet five-year plan targets
Trade and investment goals set out in the 2011-2015 plan will not be met. For Chinese economists, the decision by Chinese policymakers to boost quality is behind the trend. For international experts, the very concept of five-year plans is outdated and unworkable.
12/29/2014 RUSSIA
Despite devaluation, sanctions and recession, Russians are preparing for the New Year
by Nina Achmatova
The year 2015 is expected to be difficult. The ruble is in free fall and sanctions remain in place. Even though the recession and double-digit inflation are eroding their living standards; Russians remain united around President Putin, whose approval rating stands at 85 per cent. Some 96 per cent will celebrate Novi God and 72 per cent will celebrate Orthodox Christmas.
12/29/2014 INDONESIA
The search continues for the AirAsia Airbus that has vanished with 162 people on board
This morning an Australian plane detected objects in the sea. According to the Head of the Search and Rescue operations, the aircraft could have precipitated into the Java Sea. Among the 155 passengers, most of them Indonesian, there are three Koreans, a Briton, a Malaysian, a Singaporean. They include 17 children and a baby. Emergency number set up for relatives and friends.
12/29/2014 INDIA
Christmas in jail for Christians in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh
by Nirmala Carvalho
Two different communities (one Protestant the other Pentecostal) were attacked by Hindu fundamentalist groups while celebrating the birth of Christ. Local police arrested the faithful and their leaders on charges of forced conversion.
12/28/2014 VATICAN
Pope: Let us pray in silence for the families that are suffering, that they may not lack concrete help
On the feast day of the Holy Family, Francis calls on the faithful in St Peter's Square to pray in silence (and then with a Hail Mary) in support of families in need. The pontiff mentioned the importance of grandparents and intergenerational solidarity in households. At the end, his thoughts go to the plane that disappeared between Singapore and Indonesia, and for people in distress in the waters of the Adriatic, saying "I am close to you affection and prayer."
12/27/2014 MALAYSIA
Five people dead and 160,000 forced to flee in Malaysia's record-breaking floods
Seasonal monsoon rains and strong winds devastate the country's north-eastern states. Photographed playing golf with Obama, Malaysia's prime minister rushes home to deal with the emergency.
12/27/2014 CHINA
As police stops woman who tried to "bring the Gospel" to Xi Jinping, Wenzhou bans Christmas celebrations in schools and universities
by Wang Zhicheng
The woman, a member of an underground Protestant community, denies having mental problems, but wants to spread the Gospel to change party members' "corrupt thoughts". In Wenzhou (Zhejiang), the authorities crack down on Christmas celebrations, deemed "Western spiritual pollution". Surveys indicated that some 60 per cent of university students want to learn about Christianity. In Beijing, 3,000 people are baptised on Christmas night. Zhejiang supplies 60 per cent of the world's Christmas decorations.
12/27/2014 PHILIPPINES - VATICAN
Manila: Islamic leader calls on Muslims to follow Pope Francis for world peace
Ebra Moxsir M. al-Haj, head of the Imam Council of the Philippines and chaplain of the Philippine National Police, speaks on Know The Truth programme, praising Francis' efforts in favour of the good and peace in the world against all forms of extremism, which must be backed all the way. He calls on Muslims to welcome the pontiff and understand his words.

Altri articoli
12/27/2014 BANGLADESH
Christmas in Bangladesh, a faith that grows without being overcome by dejection by Franco Cagnasso*
12/27/2014 NEPAL
For Kathmandu bishop, a country that welcomes Christ is a fairer country by Christopher Sharma
12/27/2014 IRAQ
For Chaldean Patriarch, Christmas is the source of hope for Iraqi Christians "displaced" like Jesus by Louis Raphael I Sako*
12/26/2014 VATICAN
Pope: like Saint Stephen, in the trials accepted because of one's faith, violence is defeated by love
12/25/2014 VATICAN
Pope; May Christmas bring the hope of peace to those suffering in the Middle East and the world, especially the children
12/25/2014 VATICAN
Pope: May the world and each of us accept "God's tenderness" at Christmas
12/24/2014 INDIA
As India shifts towards fundamentalism, Indian priest urges Christmas prayers for religious freedom by Dominic Emmanuel*
12/24/2014 VIETNAM
Christmas among the poor fishermen of Thanh Hoa by Thanh Thuy
12/24/2014 IRAQ - VATICAN
For Chaldean Patriarch, pope's letter to the Christians of the East is an "oracle," a source of courage and hope
12/24/2014 JAPAN
Christmas in Japan, studying Evangelii Gaudium to understand the faith better
12/24/2014 SOUTH KOREA
Christmas in Korea amongst the migrants, putting the person first
12/24/2014 ASIA
Tears (and Best Wishes) for Christmas by Bernardo Cervellera
12/24/2014 INDIA
Assam: separatist guerrilla attacks, 56 dead and over 80 injured. Curfew imposed.
12/23/2014 CHINA
As more than 400 crosses are destroyed in Zhejiang, violence spreads to Henan, Shandong, and Anhui by Bernardo Cervellera
Editor's choices
IRAQ - VATICAN
As 'Adopt a Christian from Mosul' continues, Mosul bishop notes that Jesus is born amid refugee containers
by Amel NonaPersecuted by the Islamic state, refugees have lost everything: belongings, home, jobs, school, and their future. Yet, their faith and mission remain strong. For them, almost 900,000 euros have been raised and sent. Pope Francis sends a message of closeness. The campaign continues according to the Patriarch of Baghdad's proposal of fasting and moderation at Christmas and New Year, with the money saved offered to the Christians of Mosul.
IRAQ
Chaldean Patriarch calls for fasting on Christmas Eve for refugees' return to Mosul
by Joseph MahmoudMar Louis Sako calls on the faithful not to celebrate Christmas and New Year in a "worldly" fashion, with pomp and abundance, out of solidarity with the people who fled the Nineveh plains, persecuted by the Islamic Army. AsiaNews is joining the fast proposed by the Patriarch and calls on all readers to give what they would have otherwise spent in support of the campaign 'Adopt a Christian from Mosul'.
Dossier
Top 10
12/23/2014 CHINA
As more than 400 crosses are destroyed in Zhejiang, violence spreads to Henan, Shandong, and Anhui
by Bernardo Cervellera
12/27/2014 CHINA
As police stops woman who tried to "bring the Gospel" to Xi Jinping, Wenzhou bans Christmas celebrations in schools and universities
by Wang Zhicheng
12/24/2014 INDIA
As India shifts towards fundamentalism, Indian priest urges Christmas prayers for religious freedom
by Dominic Emmanuel*
12/23/2014 PHILIPPINES - VATICAN
Manila, rector of Catholic University: the meeting with the Pope, an inspiration for young people
12/23/2014 VATICAN
Pope: the suffering of Christians and other persecuted religious groups in the Middle East "cries out to God"
12/27/2014 PHILIPPINES - VATICAN
Manila: Islamic leader calls on Muslims to follow Pope Francis for world peace
12/24/2014 IRAQ - VATICAN
For Chaldean Patriarch, pope's letter to the Christians of the East is an "oracle," a source of courage and hope
12/23/2014 INDIA
Church prepared to use "any means" to stop laws that violate religious freedom, says Card Gracias
12/24/2014 ASIA
Tears (and Best Wishes) for Christmas
by Bernardo Cervellera
12/23/2014 SINGAPORE
For Singapore archbishop, through "humility and lowliness," the Child Jesus traces the path of love

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by Giulio Aleni / (a cura di) Gianni Criveller
pp. 176
Copyright © 2003 AsiaNews C.F. 00889190153 All rights reserved. Content on this site is made available for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not reproduce, republish, sell or otherwise distribute the content or any modified or altered versions of it without the express written permission of the editor. Photos on AsiaNews.it are largely taken from the internet and thus considered to be in the public domain. Anyone contrary to their publication need only contact the editorial office which will immediately proceed to remove the photos.

This is the root of our hope:

God is with us, God still trusts us!

God comes to dwell with men,

choosing the Earth as his home

to be with man himself

and so He can be found there where man

spends his days in joy or in pain.

Therefore, earth is no longer

just a valley of tears, but is the place where God himself

has pitched His tent,

it is the meeting place between God and men,

of solidarity between God and men.

 

Pope Francis

 

AsiaNews wishes all its readers an happy and Holy Christmas 2014,

With an happy New Year 2015


Photo: "Family on the run" by Mauro Valsangiacomo (Chiasso - CH, 1950 -) gift to the campaign "Adopt a Christian from Mosul"