12/10/2009VATICAN - MIDDLE EAST Fr. Samir: Disappearance of Churches of the Middle East, a tragedy for Christians and Muslims by Samir Khalil Samir The Synod of the Churches in the Middle East called by the pope for October 2010, will seek to highlight their difficult external situation and many internal problems. The biggest plague is emigration, which erases the mission of Christians. If Christians disappear from the Middle East, it will also create problems for Islam. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Benedict XVI has called synod of the churches in the Middle East for an October 2010. Preparation for this event requires understanding of the situation that surrounds this part of the world and the difficult problems that the...
12/10/2009VATICAN If God disappears, humanity could destroy itself, Pope says Pope Benedict XVI sends a message to the conference on God organised by the Bishops’ Conference of Italy. Cardinal Bagnasco greets participants. Cardinal Ruini presents his paper. When rationalism marginalises God, irrational religions emerge. God and truth separate man from animals and machine.
12/10/2009VIETNAM Vietnamese President Triet’s visit to the Pope raises hopes and fears among Vietnamese Catholics Hopes to see the situation of the Church improve after much suffering are mixed with concern that the government might gain a lot without giving anything in exchange. Partial improvements in terms of religious freedom do not remove the fact that abuses and violence continue.
12/10/2009HONG KONG – CHINA China stifles human rights lawyers, Hong Kong colleagues say by Annie Lam The China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group has released the English-language edition of a book on human rights in China. In it, the group describes lawyers’ work, government repression, the biographies of frontline activists and the trials in which they are involved. It notes that mainland lawyers are a sword to defend people in human rights cases, but also in need of a shield of their own to protect themselves from persecution. The Chinese-language edition will be released next month.
12/10/2009INDONESIA Human rights award to Indonesian priest working among Papuan rebels by Mathias Hariyadi Fr Johannes Jonga has been a parish priest in Keerom district since 2001. The area has been the scene of clashes between pro-independence fighters and the army. He has helped rebels and local civilians alike against abuses by the military and multinationals. The president of the Indonesian Human Right Commission praises his for doing his work despite “threats from the military.”
12/10/2009PAKISTAN Fear of new attacks means “silent” Christmas for Christians by Fareed Khan Outdoor recitals, carols and decorations are cancelled. Liturgical services and Midnight Mass will go ahead as usual. Bishops talk about an “atmosphere of fear;” yet the faith of Christian believers is stronger than the violence. The commission of inquiry investigating last summer’s violence in Gojra calls on the government to change the blasphemy laws.
12/10/2009INDIA – HUMAN RIGHTS Human rights violated by extremism as well as religious and social discrimination by Nirmala Carvalho For activist Lenin Raghuvanshi, “the human rights situation in India is shameful”. Religious fundamentalism but also “torture by police” and the “collapse of rule of law” are to blame. The country suffers from a “mindset” that hurts the weakest and non-Hindu minorities.
12/10/2009KOREA - UNITED STATES Swine Flu: Pyongyang accepts South’s "unconditional" offer to contain pandemic by Theresa Kim Hwa-young North Korea has accepted the offer of medical supplies and confirmed nine cases of infection. Closure of primary and secondary schools. South Korea NGO reports seven deaths from H1N1. Ended of three-day visit by U.S. diplomat to Pyongyang.
12/10/2009PHILIPPINES - NEPAL Developing countries the main victims of climate change by Santosh Digal In Copenhagen, the Filipino delegates denounce damages for 4 billion dollars generated by typhoons the result of global warming. Developed countries urged to make greater efforts to reduce emissions. In Nepal Buddhists and Hindus offer prayers for the success of the conference.
12/10/2009INDIA – RUSSIA New Delhi back at the centre of the international nuclear power business India reaches deal with Russia for the construction of nuclear power plants and possible cooperation in space and diamonds. “Reactor diplomacy” takes off, tying India to Russia, United States and France.
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