The death of the 19 Catholics during the civil war of 1990s is a great testimony of faith and truth. The fidelity of the martyrs and the Lord, who never abandoned them, stands out.
The Patriarchate led by Kirill has begun to redevelop the centre of Sergiyev Posad, a city that is home to Russia’s most important monastery. The goal of the project is to build an "open-air” church of almost 20 hectares.
At the 62nd IAEA International Conference, Msgr. Gallagher appreciates the efforts of the UN body with regards Iran and North Korea. We need a total ban on nuclear weapons, against "uncontrolled release of radioactive materials directly into the environment" and in order not to deviate from the "real priorities of suffering humanity". A "task force" on climate change and the launch of strategies for cancer treatment.
The official list of Synod Fathers includes three delegate presidents – cardinals Louis Raphaël I Sako (Iraq), Charles Maung Bo, SDB (Myanmar), and John Ribat, MSC (Papua New Guinea) – as well as seven assistants (four from Lebanon, two from India and one from the Philippines.) A nun from Hebei is among the auditors.
Some 271 people have been charged with various offences but only the names of the clergymen were made public. Hindu radicals accuse them of spreading false information about Hinduism and convincing Hindus to convert through the use of drugs.
In the capital, Mgr Marek Zaleski held talks with government representatives and met bishops, priests, religious and faithful in the archdiocese. "It is my responsibility to 'guarantee' the bond of communion among bishops, between bishops and priests, between bishops and the community of God, and between the Vietnamese clergy and the Holy Father".
