Putting aside his prepared speech, Pope Francis spoke about a married couple "in love" for 60 years. He stressed the importance of "patience" in times of crisis and infidelity. The fourth chapter "is the core of Amoris Laetitia". Those who reduce the apostolic exhortation to a "sterile casuistry of 'we can' and 'we cannot' ‘did not understand anything’." The sensitivity of the Forum should not be “labelled as a confessional in order to accuse - wrongly - of partiality. It is based instead on the dignity of the human person and therefore can be recognised and shared by everyone."
Church celebrates the end of Ramadan with bazaars and interfaith meetings
by Mathias Hariyadi | INDONESIACanis Choir, a choir of seminarians to encourage priestly vocations (photos)
by Mathias Hariyadi | INDONESIAIn his message for World Day of the Poor, Francis writes that poverty is caused by sins like selfishness, pride, greed and injustice, whilst society “elevates riches as the primary objective”. Believers cannot limit their concern to providing assistance but need to show "loving attentiveness".
The People's Peace Network document indicates the guidelines for a real reconciliation process, in a territory devastated by armed conflicts. Armed groups and authorities are invited "to mutual respect, to sincere dialogue and to truthful negotiations".
In a message, Francis writes that in order to meet and respond to the current migration phenomenon, the Pope writes, "the help of the whole international community is needed". "Particular concern must be shown for migrant children and their families, those who are victims of human trafficking rings".
The 21st World Cup starts tomorrow with the host nation playing against Saudi Arabia. Asian teams have little chance of winning, but Asian businesses are swooping up sponsorship deals. Nike denies Iran boots as a result of Trump’s sanctions. Child labour used in making World Cup goods emerges as an issue.
The law was approved by an 86 per cent margin. For critics it will restrict political and religious freedom. Foreign companies will be forced to provide private user data to the government. In the past, Catholic sites, including AsiaNews, have been blocked. For Catholic priest, Vietnam’s Communist regime deems Catholic social doctrine unacceptable.
Saint Mary is the oldest Cistercian monastery in Indonesia. It grows coffee, runs a dairy and makes bread and pastry, contributing to the community's self-sufficiency. In 1987, Trappist monks established the first female community in Gedono, on the slopes of Mount Merbabu. In 1996, the Abbey of Lamanabi was built on Flores, a predominantly Catholic island.
With today's signature, the two leaders commit to a lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula. The deal calls for the recovering the remains of prisoners of war. Kim makes an "Unwavering commitment" to denuclearise the peninsula. Trump offers security guarantees to North Korea. China approves; France has doubts. South Koreans “hope” for peace. North Korean refugees are concerned.
The civil war in the northern state has entered its seventh year. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has exceeded 150,000. Some tell of their flight from their homes and of their life in the reception facilities.
Writer Liao Yiwu spoke with Liu Xia, wife of the late dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was left to die in prison from cancer. Under house arrest, Liu Xia was promised by the government that she could leave China for treatment. But nothing has happened so far. Despite her request, Angela Merkel could not meet her. Liao pleads with politicians and ordinary people.
