The 39-year-old metropolitan was elected to the Unification Council two days ago. Also present were Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, a representative of the Patriarch of Constantinople, two bishops linked to the patriarchate of Moscow, accused of being "Judas". The autocephalous Tomos should be delivered by Constantinople on January 6th.
Saudi arms race threatens the Middle East
| SAUDI ARABIA – MIDDLE EASTFounded by pastor Samuel Lamb, the Rongguili Church is the home of one of the first underground communities, with some five thousand members. The police seized sacred books and mobile phones. The government seems increasingly concerned about the growth of Christianity. Beijing’s Church of the Immaculate Conception is closed for repairs just before Christmas.
On the 19th the seventh meeting of the Joint Working Group of the Holy See -Vietnam. The meeting aims to deepen and develop bilateral relations. Pending diplomatic relations that provides for a "non-permanent" nuncio. Issues related to ecclesiastical properties and religious freedom are more delicate.
The school has been accused of raising fees in 2016. The school has been open for 48 years and the Indian Constitution grants it the power of self-regulation. Children will be transferred to public schools. The “goal is to control minority schools.”
Protests, led by Communist Party, destined to continue and increase. In imitation of the "yellow vests", the demonstrators wore red scarves and sang anticorruption slogans and chants, as well as against the lack of public services and the growing debts. The internal divisions on Syria weigh on the political scene.
The incident occurred in the village of Chapatoli. The detainees are accused of having desecrated the Catholic Church of St. Thomas. A group of 16 "Christmas carolers" assaulted in Tamil Nadu by a crowd of 150 people.
About 5.24 million people of working age are not employed as of last May. Economic growth will end in 2027 when those employed will account for less than 66.7 per cent of the population. Agreement protects Indonesian migrant workers.
During the Angelus Pope Francis commented on the liturgical readings of Gaudete Sunday. “In a remote village in the Galilee, in the heart of a young woman unknown to the world, God ignited the spark of happiness for the whole world. And today the same proclamation is addressed to the Church,” he said. “No concern, no fear shall ever take away the serenity that comes from knowing that God lovingly guides our lives, always.” The pontiff urged the international community to implement the directives of the Marrakech conference on migration. He also mentioned the blessing of the Little Children (Bambinelli) brought by the children of Rome.
Today a Council of Unification is being held in Kyiv to establish a Ukrainian Church independent of the Patriarchate of Moscow. Ukrainian security forces have subjected pro-Moscow priests to searches, arrests and “talks”. At least 56 pro-Moscow bishops are refusing to take part in the Council sponsored by Bartholomew I.
The returning prime minister is getting ready for tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony. The political crisis was triggered by the UNP leader’s removal and the appointment of the former strongman. The Supreme Court ruled against President Sirisena’s illegal decision to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections.
In this way Jesus comes,
to be born again in each of our lives
and, through us,
he continues to be the gift of salvation
for the little ones and the excluded.
Pope Francesco
Photo Credit: Trappiste-Vitorchiano (www.edizionitrappiste.it)