04/24/2014VATICAN Pope: there are "bat-like Christians” who "prefer the shadows to the light of the Lord’s presence". Like the disciples at the appearance of the Risen Jesus, we "are afraid of the closeness of Jesus, because it gives us joy." "The Christian life should be a dialogue with Jesus, because - this is true - Jesus is always with us, always in times of problems, difficulties and good works". Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - There
are Christians who are afraid of the joy of the Resurrection , "we could say
in good humour that they are bat-like Christians who prefer the shadows to the
light of the Lord's presence". This was Pope Francis message during...
04/24/2014INDONESIA Bogor: Christians appeal to new mayor to let Yasmin Church reopen On 7 April, Bima Arya Sugiarto replaced controversial Mayor Diani Budiarto, who had the church closed. His decision, which violated a Constitutional Court ruling, was taken under pressures from Islamists. The new mayor now has to put "an end" to abuses against the Christian community, which this year celebrated Easter in the open air.
04/24/2014VATICAN Canonised popes as model for Francis' Church by Franco Pisano On several occasions, the current pope highlighted Pope John XXIII's humility and surrender to God's and John Paul II's consistency, courage and missionary strength as examples of how the Catholic world ought to be.
04/23/2014VATICAN Pope warns against placing hope in "dead things" such as vanity, money and success At the General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the Angels’ words at the tomb: "Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?". And what do I do ? Which route do I follow to encounter the living Christ . He will always be close to us to correct our course if we have gone wrong".
04/23/2014SINGAPORE - CHINA Singapore archbishop: With Benedict XVI's words pray for the Church in China by William Goh Seng Chye* Citing the Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan, the bishop calls on the faithful to "reach out" to Chinese migrants living in the city-state, and show "them our genuine love and concern." On 23 May, a special prayer is set for St Bernadette Church.
04/23/2014VIETNAM Parents slam government as measles outbreak kills 123 children in Vietnam The country's Health Ministry comes in for criticism for hiding the extent of the outbreak and failing to take appropriate action. Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien dismisses fear-mongers, claims "only" 25 children have died so far. Some 3,430 cases have been confirmed with an additional 5,800 suspected. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the situation. Alarmed parents rush their children to hospital.
04/23/2014INDONESIA Jakarta, new corruption scandal overwhelms Audit Agency’s Chief by Mathias Hariyadi Poernono Hadi has come under fire of the Anti-Corruption Commission (KBK) for a story in 2004 , when he was head of the Department of Taxation and Treasury. Charged with erasing million dollar tax fine for major bank owned by a Tabaco giant. A prominent personality in the political and economic landscape of the country.
04/22/2014VIETNAM Kontum: Easter among Vietnamese Catholics is stronger than Communist repression by TT For many communities in the diocese, Christmas and Easter are the only time when they can attend Mass. The local bishop celebrated Mass in a private home because the local administration has not allowed the construction of a place of worship. He performed the rite of the 'Washing of the Feet' to 100 people, including women and children.
04/22/2014MYANMAR Yangon: Catholics and activists mourn death of Burma's democracy leader Win Tin by Francis Khoo Thwe Co-founder of the National League for Democracy, he spent 19 years in prison and 12 in isolation. Aung San Suu Kyi speaks of "grave loss", but points out that "his words and his example will remain with us" the Archbishop of Yangon speaks to AsiaNews of the "tireless fighter against the dictatorship". In protest, even as a freeman he continued to wear the blue shirt of detainees.
04/22/2014BRUNEI-ISLAM Sultanate of Brunei "postpones" introduction of Sharia Due to be introduced today the new norms have been postponed until a later date to "due to unavoidable circumstances". Government promises implementation "in the very near future". Experts await return of Sultan from foreign visit, real moral leader and biggest supporter of the "Islamized" Criminal Code.
04/21/2014VATICAN Pope: Easter joy "is not a masquerade! It is impressed on our hearts and shines through our actions". Before reciting the Regina Caeli, that replaces the Angelus prayer during the Easter season, Francis invites the faithful "to take the Gospel, read the chapters on the Resurrection" and turn to the figure of Mary "Mother of all the disciples, Mother of the Church, Mother of hope". Easter Monday "prolongs the joy of the Resurrection of Christ".
04/20/2014VATICAN Pope: The Resurrection, an invitation to rediscover our baptism and become witnesses to Christ At the Easter Vigil Francis speaks of the "return to Galilee, the place where they were first called" where Jesus spoke to the apostles, drawing new energy from the sources of our faith". "It is not to go back in time; it is not a kind of nostalgia. It is returning to our first love, in order to receive the fire which Jesus has kindled in the world and to bring that fire to all people, to the very ends of the earth".
04/19/2014VATICAN Way of the Cross: "Evil will not have the last word; love, mercy and forgiveness will," pope says In the Cross of Jesus, we find "all the bitterness of the betrayal perpetrated by Judas and Peter, all the vanity of bullies, and all the arrogance of false friends." Yet, in front of so many evils, "we also see the vastness of God's love for he does not treat us according to our sins but according to his mercy."
04/18/2014PHILIPPINES Central Luzon: making learning fun in summer camp for 150 "special" children Organised every year by the GUIDE association and its chief and founder Gerry Duwin Dela Zerna, the event this year is set for 25 April to 4 May. The NGO works with children with disabilities, like Down syndrome or other physical and learning disorders. Dedicated, the activist has turned down offers from abroad worth thousands of dollars in order to take care of Filipino children.
