12/05/2013VATICAN Pope to create Commission for the Protection of Children On 22 February consistory for the appointment of new cardinals. The Commission, proposed by the Council of Cardinals, will advise the Pope on the Holy See’s commitment in the protection of children and ministry for victims of abuse. Vatican City ( AsiaNews ) - Pope
Francis has decided to establish a special Commission for the Protection of
Children and February 22 will hold a consistory for the appointment of new
cardinals. This
is the main news that emerged from the briefing today,...
12/05/2013VIETNAM Haiphong: Church and local organisations together for AIDS patients by Thanh Thúy Due to the lack of interest on the part of the Vietnamese government, thousands of people die of HIV every year. Haiphong alone has had more than 10,000 people with HIV/AIDS by June of this year. In the Year of Faith, the local Caritas and the Health Education Centre worked together to provide care and psychological and spiritual support to patients.
12/05/2013SRI LANKA Catholics and Tamil activists view civil war census with suspicion by Melani Manel Perera A government-sponsored survey of damages (to people and property) caused by the country's civil war gets underway. For some priests and activists, the investigation is "not credible" because it is being conducted by the government, which has been accused of war crimes. Tamil activist says, "The president creates commissions to escape awkward situations."
12/05/2013TIBET - CHINA Young Tibetan father sets himself on fire calling for an end to Chinese repression Konchon Tseten, 30, burnt for more than an hour before he was taken away by police. His current condition is unknown. When a group of Tibetans try to defend him, police intervene to arrest people, including his wife and relatives. Tseten's self-immolation is the 124th of its kind since protests began.
12/05/2013INDONESIA South Sulawesi: Islamists and local authorities pull down Protestant church by Mathias Hariyadi Pangkep District leaders order the demolition of the GKSS's only place of worship. For extremists, the building did not have the necessary permits. For the faithful, this was a "senseless operation" in violation of religious freedom. Christian activist slams the Indonesian president and government for failing to protect minorities.
12/05/2013INDIA Indian Hindu leader against inter-religious violence bill India's parliament opens its winter session today with the Communal Violence Bill on its agenda. Narendra Modi, prime ministerial candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defines the bill as a "recipe for disaster" that must be stopped. He has been blamed for deadly violence between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, which led to the drafting of the bill currently before parliament.
12/05/2013SYRIA Greek orthodox patriarch Youhanna X Yazigi appeals to "conscience" of nun’s kidnappers by Fady Noun "We appeal to the international community and to the rulers of the whole world to intervene for the release of the hostages. This abduction , which continues despite all the contacts made, is a flagrant violation of human dignity and path of peace and prayer”. Maronite bishops join call for the liberation of women religious .
12/05/2013THAILAND Thai king marks birthday with call for peace and solidarity amid protest truce Today, Thailand celebrates the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej . The monarch addresses the nation and invites the people to preserve "the public interest, stability and security." The anti-government protests promise to continue after festivities. AsiaNews sources : intellectuals, government, military and religious leaders want a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
12/05/2013SAUDI ARABIA The Saudi monarch opens to women at the wheel King Abdullah orders authorities to examine the 72 reforms proposed by the Commission for Human Rights ( HRC ) . Among these, the opportunities for women to drive to and from work : greater protection from family violence . Under examination the right to citizenship for children born in mixed marriages , in which the mother is Saudi Arabian.
12/04/2013INDIA Mumbai: inspired by Ecclesiastes, young Catholics say goodbye to the Year of Faith by Nirmala Carvalho Students at St Andrew's College stage a musical performance to celebrate the feast of their patron saint and mark the end of the Year of Faith proclaimed by Benedict XVI. Songs and dances are interspersed with readings on topical issues like drugs, family problems, violence against women and suicide.
12/04/2013SRI LANKA Mangalika's story: an HIV-positive Catholic woman helps fellow AIDS patients by Melani Manel Perera
The 53-year-old woman discovered she had contracted the virus from her husband, a migrant worker, who could not resist the shame and committed suicide. Faith in God, family support and the encouragement of an HIV-positive doctor led Princy Mangalika to establish an NGO for people with HIV/AIDS. In Sri Lanka, the disease is still stigmatised, even though at least 3,000 people are affected. "They threatened me and tried to set fire to my house," she said, "but I thank the Lord for showing me the way."
12/04/2013INDONESIA Indonesian bishops call for war on drugs and rehabilitation programmes for victims by Mathias Hariyadi The Bishops' Conference warns that prison is not the solution for drug addicts who need instead help to reintegrate in society. At the same time, the fight against drug producers and traffickers should be total. In 2013, more than 4.9 million Indonesians made use of illicit drugs.
12/04/2013SYRIA Maaloula sisters in Yabrud, Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate reports The nuns are said to be in good condition. At present, it remains unclear why Islamist insurgents took them or when they will be released. In the now deserted town, Islamists have started torching all Christian-owned homes.
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