03/09/2014VATICAN Pope: Do not argue with Satan, defened yourself with the Word of God Pope Francis dedicates his Sunday Angelus to the Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent on Christ’s temptation in the desert, "Jesus does not dialogue with Satan, as Eve did in the Garden of Eden . Jesus knows that there is no dialogue with Satan, because he is too cunning. This is why Jesus, instead of entering into a dialogue like Eve, chooses to take refuge in God's Word and responds with the power of this Word. We should remember this when we are tempted". Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Lent "is a fitting occasion for all of us
to undertake a journey of conversion, by sincerely taking this Gospel passage into
consideration. Let us renew the...
03/08/2014TURKEY Fanar: Churches reach agreement on pan-Orthodox Holy Synod in 2016 Representatives of the various expressions of orthodoxy have agreed to meet in synod in two years. Meanwhile, a Preparatory Commission consisting of a bishop from each church will prepare the introductory documents.
03/07/2014UKRAINE - RUSSIA Crimea: Church and pro-Ukraine Crimeans demonstrate for peace The Orthodox Metropolitan of Simferopol prays for Ukraine's territorial integrity. Crimean Muslims also demonstrate. Tensions persist between pro-Russia and pro-Ukraine Crimeans. As US and EU threaten Putin with financial sanctions if he does not accept negotiations with Ukraine, fears rise in the Baltic republics.
03/06/2014UKRAINE - RUSSIA Crimea's Parliament asks to Join Russia A referendum date has been set for 16 March in violation of Ukraine's constitution, which provides for a pan-Ukrainian referendum. Christian leaders are united to defend the territorial integrity of the country, including Metropolitan Onufry, who has ties with the Moscow Patriarchate.
03/06/2014VATICAN Pope: Time of mercy, closeness to wounded for entire Church Encountering priests of the diocese of Rome, Francis says that “we must think of the Church today like a ‘field hospital'". "I always carry a small cloth pouch" containing a cross, in memory of a "great confessor", and when I have bad thoughts about someone my hand reaches for it". Confessors must be neither too "lax" nor too "rigorous".
03/05/2014VATICAN Pope: Lent, a time of conversion to be able to "react to the reality of evil that always challenges us " Francis points out two "commitments" for the period leading up to Easter: live the redemptive work of Christ with greater awareness and live our baptism with greater commitment. The "risk of not no longer being shocked by the sad reality that surrounds us", such as violence, injustice, "a society that claims it can make do without God".
03/04/2014VATICAN Pope: Remember that among Christians "there are more martyrs today than in the early days of the Church" "The world does not tolerate the divinity of Christ. It doesn’t tolerate the announcement of the Gospel. It does not tolerate the Beatitudes". "They are condemned because they have a Bible. They can not make the sign of the Cross", "they can not go to Mass, because it is forbidden". How often "does a priest come in secret, among them, they pretend they are having a meal, taking tea and there they celebrate Mass", "so they will not see them".
03/04/2014RUSSIA - UKRAINE As Putin stops exercises on Ukraine border, Yanukovych asks him to invade the country The Russian president's decision is announced today. The ousted Ukrainian president calls for Russian intervention because "the life and security and the rights of people, particularly in the southeast part in Crimea, are being threatened" and that there were "open acts of terror and violence".
03/03/2014UKRAINE - RUSSIA As Russian soldiers are deployed to counter "ultra-nationalist" threats, contact group gives some hope Russian flags fly on Donestk regional government buildings. Armoured vehicles are ready on the Russian side of the channel of Kerch in what appears to be a repeat of the Georgia action of 2008. As the United States, Great Britain and Sweden slam Russia, Germany and other EU nations seek talks with Putin. Even the UN tries ways to reduce tensions.
03/03/2014RUSSIA - UKRAINE Ukrainian Church calls on Moscow Patriarchate to help peace by Nina Achmatova The pro tem leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (tied to Russia) appeals to Kirill to do everything possible to avoid war. His plea comes after the Kremlin gets the green light to use military force. Russian Orthodox patriarch speaks to President Turchynov by phone.
03/03/2014VATICAN Pope: May God send us priests and nuns free from the idolatry of vanity, power and money "How many young people feel this ' call ' to get closer to Jesus in their hearts, and are enthusiastic " and "want to follow him, but when they have a heart full of something else and are not brave enough to empty it, the take a step back, and that joy becomes sadness".
03/02/2014VATICAN Pope launches "pressing appeal" for Ukraine, for "all initiatives in favor of dialogue and harmony" "This week we begin Lent, which is the journey of the People of God towards Easter, a journey of conversion, to combat evil with the weapons of prayer, fasting and mercy". "The shroud has no pockets! It is better to share, because we bring into Heaven only what we have shared with others".
