For pope, interreligious relations can alleviate the wounds of the Nice attack

The Archbishop of Cotabato, in the heart of the predominantly Muslim Mindanao, condemns the actions of Abu Sayyaf, calling its members “practical atheists” who have “inadequate knowledge” of their own religion. Many Christians also “do not know the Bible very well”. They say they know “Christ and his teachings” but show “a stark dichotomy between belief and practice”.

At Mass celebrated before leaving for Assisi, Francis says that religions, overcoming their divisions, are to pray for peace in the common belief that "God is peace." ". "We frightened" by "some act of terrorism" but "this has nothing to do with what happens in those countries, in those lands where the bombs fall and fall day and night" and "kill children, old, men, women…".

The goal is to have 193 member states sign the ‘New York Declaration’, a joint charter to coordinate aid for “refugees and migrants". However, some states might undermine it for “self-serving interests”. Ban Ki-moon reminds the world that 86 per cent of refugees are in the developing world.

The Filipino president has called for a six-month extension to his "war on drugs" which, so far, has resulted in more than 3,000 deaths. Despite his wish, he “cannot kill them all”, he said. Analyst told AsiaNews that his “first steps after coming to power closely resemble those of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos,” acting as “loving father of the nation” whilst seeking “military backing”. For Card Tagle, “We are here for you. Let us not waste life."

At Mass this morning Francis recalls Christ’s council: "Be children of light and not of darkness; guard the light that was given as a gift on the day of Baptism ". In all of us there is "a piece of mafia", “that takes advantage of the trust of others to plot evil."

The Dutch priest (1863-1926) proclaimed first Christianity on the island, where he aligned the Catholic faith with indigenous religions. A great educator, he set up a number of schools from which some prominent Indonesians graduated, like Mgr Soegijapranata SJ, the country’s first native bishop. He is also remembered for baptising 171 indigenous people on 14 December 1904.

At the end of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis urges people to take part in the Assisi meeting  on September 20 as "a day of prayer for peace". In life we choose "between two roads: between honesty and dishonesty, between fidelity and infidelity, between selfishness and selflessness, between good and evil." A greeting to the participants in the National Eucharistic Congress of Genova. The beatification of Elizabeth Sanna.

Francis celebrates Mass in Santa Marta in the presence of the papal representatives from around the world, in Rome for the Jubilee. Their’s "is a vagabond’s life , constantly on the move. But you must remember three ways of going out: physically, culturally and spiritually. Never forget this ."

The Catholic Commission for Education (CCE) lays down the guidelines to be followed in the coming years. Msgr. Charatsri: "The cooperation between the school and the family is crucial, but unfortunately the latter is changing radically." The secretary general of CCE: "Catholic schools must not only communicate knowledge, but also to educate to a beautiful and peaceful coexistence."

Francis met participants at the annual training course organised jointly by the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for Eastern Churches. Mercy is a "summary of what God offers to the world."

"We are afraid to accept and bear the ultimate consequences to the flesh of Christ. a spiritualistic piety is easier, a gossamer pietism; but to enter into the logic of the flesh of Christ, this is difficult. And this is the logic of the day after tomorrow. We will be resurrected as Christ is risen, with our flesh".

National Conference of catechists held in Makassar (South Sulawesi). Theologians, bishops, priests and laity from 37 dioceses met to discuss the relationship between family, technological innovations and faith transmission for five days.

 

In a message published yesterday, the Bishops' Conference condemns the escalation of violence that exists in the Philippines. Abortion, acts of terrorism and extra judicial killings of drug dealers are "sins that harm the dignity of the human person". In the last 10 weeks 3500 people killed in the country. Addicts "are brothers who deserve a second chance, not death."

 

For three days, 106 papal representatives will take part in seminars and moments of spirituality. Francis will receive them on Saturday, but the diplomats will have more opportunities to meet with him. A Jubilee day will be held on 18 November for the nunciature employees.

Yesterday the US president held talks with Aung San Suu Kyi in the Oval Office. He praised Myanmar’s “remarkable social and political transformation”. He also called for its reinstatement to the generalised system of preferences (GSP). Republican senator is “appalled by her [Suu Kyi’s] dismissive reaction to concerns I raised this morning about the problem of human trafficking”.