Christian families attacked, threatened and forced to flee their village
by Nirmala Carvalho | INDIAThe blackmail of the Jinzhou authorities: you can reopen the churches - after the pandemic - if you ban entry to minors. Mgr. Jia Zhiguo, 83, has been a bishop since 1980 and is responsible for a community of over 150,000 faithful, with a hundred priests and as many nuns. The government wants to take over the orphanage for disabled children housed in the bishop's house. Benedict XVI sends a greeting.
Premier Lee Hsien Loong has announced that he will leave office once the coronavirus emergency ends. Battle against the pandemic and the economic crisis are the main themes of the election campaign. The country is in recession. The prime minister's brother sides with the opposition.
A "rare honor" for the Philippines: in the only Catholic majority nation in Asia, there are only 17 churches with this title. The place of worship dates back to 1590, is dedicated to San Pedro Bautista and is managed by the Franciscans. The ceremony will take place by the end of the year, but there is still no certain date due to the ongoing pandemic.
Since yesterday, pro-Erdogan Turkish media are reporting that the Council of State has already "unanimously" decided to transform the Christian basilica into a mosque. But the legal reasons for the "right of the sword" are not "Islamic". Pro-Kurdish deputy: "Hagia Sophia should serve the creed of those who built it."
The prelate notes that “In these tragic times of COVID lockdown there cannot be a lockdown of the fire of hunger” which “forced those poor to seek the crumbs of jade that fall from mega companies' bulldozers.” For him, “This mine tragedy is a grim reminder of the need for sharing God given natural treasures.” Indeed, “The treasures of Myanmar belong to the people of Myanmar.” Sadly, “This is not the first time of this merciless tragedy and if the relevant stakeholders do not respond with compassion and justice, this will not be the last time of this inhuman tragedy.”
The grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un was a trusted Soviet ally. Historians have doubts about his role in the anti-Japanese resistance. He founded the first communist dynasty in history. After his death, the country entered a period of crisis.
The media exaggerate the Covid-19 emergency in Asia's largest slum. Coronavirus has been contained despite the inability to respect social distancing. The slum is "periphery of the city’s consciousness". The help of the Catholic Church.
Zhang Hai brought his sick father from Shenzhen to Wuhan during the outbreak. Nobody had warned them of the danger. After he complained, police placed him under surveillance.
Today, 9 July, marks the tragic and glorious martyrdom of the Báb. The basis of Baha'i belief is unity in God, religions and humanity. Many believers are still persecuted and attacked in today’s Iran. Baha'is have been present at the meetings in Assisi, from Saint John Paul II to Benedict XVI.
Journalist Ivan Safronov arrested, accused of "betrayal of the state". He was investigating the catastrophe of the Losharik nuclear submarine. Scholars, human rights activists, members of humanitarian and charitable associations are now "groups at risk", given that they maintain relationships with foreign colleagues. The ex-Sergeant Sergij Romanov also sentenced by a civil court. His resistance continues in the Sredneuralskij monastery in Verkhoturja.
At least 13 million people have lost their jobs because of the virus. 36% reported a decrease in wages and 84% consider the pandemic a threat to their economic situation. Part-time and smart-working are growing. Greater disparities for women.
They must swear allegiance to institutions and the Basic Law in writing. Democracy activists: They want to align state officials with government positions. Students will no longer be able to sing the anthem of the democracy movement.
Minorities are increasingly discriminated. A Christian dies after he was shot for buying a house in a Muslim neighbourhood. The Archbishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi calls on the authorities to protect all citizens, without distinction of belief. Attempts to block the construction of a Hindu temple are unconstitutional.
Card Bo remembers the clergyman who died yesterday. A former executive secretary of the FABC Social Communications Office, he was also a consultant for Radio Veritas Asia. “He loved the poor as is evident in his painstaking work to found and nurture the Andhra Pradesh Social Service Society (APSSS), which ensured sustainable livelihood and economic development for thousands of families.”
