The rector of St Ephrem's Theological College of Satna speaks out against the attack against 30 seminarians and two priests, held hostage for several hours by young Hindu militants. The man who accused a priest of giving him money to embrace Christianity appears to have retracted his original claim.
The choice of the location, symbol of Indonesia’s struggle for independence, is inappropriate. The attempt to gain "political benefits" by exploiting the religious festivity is criticised.
The status quo must be preserved until a just peace agreement between Israel and Palestine is reached. In Bethlehem, the angels announced the dawn of a "new day" and the birth of a "divine" economy, God's providence, “bringing forth joy, hope and peace to a world torn apart by violence, injustice and greed.”
The story of the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church attack in the words of the rev. Simon Bashir. First the shots in the compound, then "the people hit the head that collapsed on the banks". The son of Salman Taseer: "Death clinics supported by internal extremists and financed by the collection of taxes from the victims themselves".
Carols are a reminder of the incarnation of Jesus. Choirs asked the audience to reflect, not applaud. "People rush through shopping. We rely on worldly things as we prepare for Christmas". Advent instead invites us "to straighten our crooked paths."
The event dates back to the 17th century and is also celebrated abroad. During the novena, Filipinos pray for their families, as well as peace in the country and in the world. Card Tagle calls for an end to bickering and discrimination against different cultures and beliefs. Unemployment, drugs and human rights violations are some of the country’s most serious social problems.
