07/20/2014VATICAN Pope: I am with the persecuted Christians of Mosul and the Middle East "May the God of peace inspire in all a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated with violence. Violence is defeated with peace." At the Sunday Angelus Francis comments on the parable of the wheat and the weeds. God is "patient" He knows "the same weeds in the end, may become good wheat". But "at the time of the harvest, that is, of judgment, the reapers will execute the order of the master separating the weeds to be burned". Vatican City (AsiaNews)
- This Sunday at the Angelus, Pope Francis invited all to pray for "situations of tension and conflict that persist in
different parts of the world especially in the Middle East and Ukraine".
The Pope said he had learned with "concern the...
07/18/2014VATICAN - ISLAM Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person" The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."
07/17/2014JAPAN Japan: immigrants, "key" to economic and social development by Pino Cazzaniga Analysts have long warned of the inherent risk in the aging population and low birth rate: two factors that could destroy the competitiveness of the nation in 50 years. The Catholic Church is called to work in this field, giving its contribution.
07/15/2014JAPAN Japanese Christians resolutely against changes to the constitution's pacifism For r Marco Villa, a PIME missionary working in Japan, "the Abe government's decision to revise Article 9 has divided Japanese society and public. As the memory of World War II fades, so are old certainties. The belligerent position of China and North Korea is not helping." In a letter to the prime minister, Japan's Catholic bishops say his choice is wrong and "dangerous".
07/14/2014JAPAN May Sea Sunday help us understand that "before God we are all truly one family" Mgr Goro Matsuura, auxiliary bishop of Osaka and president of the Episcopal Commission for Refugees and Migrants, released a message for Sea Sunday, a day celebrated yesterday and mentioned by Pope Francis. As part of God's creation, it is not enough to think globally. Christians must act "based on the perspective of the changeless Gospel;" hence, "if they were to meet with some great difficulties," please "pray for seafarers".
07/13/2014VATICAN As pope makes "heartfelt appeal" for peace in the Holy Land, he notes that prayer is not "in vain" After the Angelus, Pope Francis called on those present to pray during a minute of silence. He made the same plea to local and international policy makers. Prayer helps us "not allow ourselves be overcome by evil, nor accept that violence and hatred take over from dialogue and reconciliation." The parable of the sower asks, 'How is our heart? To what ground does it look like: a road, rocky ground, or a bush? We must remember that with our words "we too are sowers". Indeed, "Our words can do so much good and so much evil; they can hurt and heal, encourage and depress." And "please, do not forget to pray for me."
07/12/2014ASIA - UNITED NATIONS More than half the world's population lives in cities India will lead the way, as the country's urban population is expected to swell by 404 million people between now and 2050. Tokyo will continue to top the mega-city list followed by Delhi, Shanghai, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Beijing, Osaka, and Cairo. This trend will be challenge for health care, schools, food, and housing.
07/11/2014ASIA WHO: Coronavirus alert remains high in Asia but its spread is "unlikely" Experts downplay alaram, Philippine government warns to citizens to postpone their pilgrimage to Mecca. However, those who must travel to Saudi Arabia invited to pay particular attention to personal hygiene and avoid contact with likely carriers.
07/09/2014ISLAM The desperate dream of the Islamic Caliphate by Samir Khalil Samir Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s rhetoric is bankrupt. No Muslim wants to live in a caliphate. Moreover, no-one accepts him as "caliph". But he is correct in pointing out that the Islamic world is in decline, and Muslims themselves are responsible for this. Israel and "conspiracy” theories. The rebirth of Islam through open dialogue in society, based on universal and shared values. Otherwise the demise of Islam is likely.
07/08/2014JAPAN Okinawa: Maximum alert for typhoon Neoguri, 500 thousand people evacuated Schools and airports closed; winds up to 250 km per hour and torrential rains expected. High risk of floods, landslides and damage. Waves of up to 14 meters forecast. Nuclear plants on the island of Kyushu shut down. Neoguri is the eighth typhoon to cross the region.
07/07/2014VATICAN Pope: "no place" in the Church for those who commit sexual abuse To a group of abuse victims, Francis insists on "zero tolerance" against those who commit what is "something more than despicable actions". "It's like sacrilegious worship, because these children were entrusted to the priestly charism, to lead them to God." "God grant me the courage to follow this path for the sake of the children."
07/06/2014VATICAN Pope: Jesus gives rest to the "harassed and helpless", those in the poorest countries, but also those on the margins of wealthy nations At the Angelus Pope Francis recalls that Christ’s invitation to give rest to those who are "weary and burdened" is also true in our day. "Human indifference" hurts those in need and "especially the indifference of Christians." A "special and affectionate" greeting to the people of Molise, where the pontiff travelled yesterday on a pastoral visit. Please do not forget to pray for me. I pray for you".
07/05/2014VATICAN - ITALY Pope in Molise: overcome the "culture of the provisional" to be truly free To young people and prisoners Francis repeats that "God never gets tired of forgiving." A statue of St. John the Evangelist that the diocese has gifted for the reopening of the Cathedral of Izmir. At Isernia, birthplace St Celestine V, the Celestine Jubilee Year is launched.
07/05/2014VATICAN-ITALY Pope in Molise: Witness to charity, high road of evangelization On a one day pastoral visit to one of the poorest regions in Italy, Pope Francis urges faithful to be like Mary, the "handmaid of the Lord" and in the service of their "brothers who are in need". God frees us from sadness and selfishness. At the University of Campobasso, the call for a "jobs pact" that safeguards the dignity of the unemployed. "Safeguarding" the earth without "exploiting it". We need to "waste time with our children". "Maybe it's time to ask whether it is true freedom to work on Sundays."
