07/28/2014VATICAN - ITALY Pope: for Pentecostals Holy Spirit produces Church diversity but also unity Francis is back in Caserta for a meeting with Rev Giovanni Traettino, a friend from Buenos Aires. He asks for forgiveness for the behavior of some Catholics under Fascist Italy's race laws. Caserta
(AsiaNews)
- Overcoming the boundaries between Christian Churches, which were not
born divided, and awareness that the Holy Spirit produces
Church diversity as well as unity
are ideas Pope Francis voiced today during a meeting at the Pentecostal Church of Reconciliation in Caserta, where he met Rev Giovanni Traettino, a friend from the times when...
07/27/2014VATICAN "Stop! I am asking you with all my heart. Stop!" says pope as he speaks out on the Middle East, Iraq and Ukraine He mentions children, victims of war, "from whom we take away the hope for a decent life," urging the parties to address "every diatribe with the tenacity of dialogue and negotiation and the power of reconciliation". As tomorrow marks 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, "a day of mourning," we should learn the lessons of history. The Gospel makes us know the true Jesus, the living Jesus, who speaks to the heart and is a life changer as he was for Saint Francis of Assisi. "The joy of finding the treasure of the Kingdom of God comes through, can be seen. Christians cannot hide their faith."
07/26/2014VATICAN - ITALY For pope in Caserta, we must "have the courage to say no to evil" to "attain" the Kingdom of God "It is terrible for such a beautiful land to be ruined this way," said the pope as he arrived in a region scarred by dioxin caused by toxic and radioactive waste buried by the Camorra. "Whoever becomes God's friend, loves his brothers, commits himself to safeguarding their life and health, as well as the environment and nature."
07/24/2014VATICAN - SUDAN Pope meets Meriam, thanks her for her courageous witness of faith Today at Domus Sanctae Marthae, Francis received the Sudanese woman, jailed in recent months for her faith, together with her husband and two sons. "Francis wanted to express his closeness, concern and prayers for all those who suffer for their faith," said Father Lombardi.
07/24/2014SUDAN - ITALY Meriam free at last in Rome where she could meet the Pope Sentenced to death for apostasy, the young Sudanese Christian woman arrived in Italy on an Italian government plane. Her story had sparked protests across the non-Muslim world. "Today is a day of celebration," said Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. "The Pope has been informed," said Father Lombardi.
07/21/2014LEBANON - IRAQ Patriarch Rahi: "What do moderate Muslims say" about what is happening to Christians in Mosul? by Fady Noun "We hear no one cry out" against the brutal behavior that contradicts 1,400 years of history of the Islamic world. The Syriac-Catholic patriarch calls on the Vatican to organise a meeting to deal with the situation with the apostolic nuncios from the countries involved, and consider joining forces with the diplomatic efforts of the Patriarch of Moscow.
07/20/2014VATICAN Pope: I am with the persecuted Christians of Mosul and the Middle East "May the God of peace inspire in all a genuine desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence is never defeated with violence. Violence is defeated with peace." At the Sunday Angelus Francis comments on the parable of the wheat and the weeds. God is "patient" He knows "the same weeds in the end, may become good wheat". But "at the time of the harvest, that is, of judgment, the reapers will execute the order of the master separating the weeds to be burned".
07/18/2014VATICAN - ISLAM Christians and Muslims should work fraternally for "justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person" The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Muslims of the world to mark the end of Ramadan. "Despite being aware of our differences, [. . .] We perceive the importance of promoting a fruitful dialogue built upon mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by our shared values and strengthened by our sentiments of genuine fraternity, we are called to work together for justice, peace and respect for the rights and dignity of every person."
07/18/2014CHINA - VATICAN Beijing, seminarians desert graduation ceremony: We will not celebrate Mass with illegitimate bishops The rector of the seminary is the illegitimate bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin: Students refuse to concelebrate with him and reject Msgr. Fang Xingyao, who has participated in several illegal episcopal ordinations. The directors close the year without awarding diplomas and send students home: rumors of some courses being "suspended" in September. The precedent of 2000, when 130 young students chose fidelity to the Pope over compromise with the government.
07/14/2014HONG KONG - CHINA - VATICAN Hong Kong's bishops-elect back civil disobedience, cautious about China Vatican dialogue by Victoria Ma Catholics in Hong Kong and mainland China welcomed papal appointments with joy. A Catholic from northern China hopes to see the Holy See choose new bishops for the Chinese Church. The three new bishops will be ordained on 30 August. Card Tong's episcopal mandate has been extended for another three years.
07/13/2014VATICAN As pope makes "heartfelt appeal" for peace in the Holy Land, he notes that prayer is not "in vain" After the Angelus, Pope Francis called on those present to pray during a minute of silence. He made the same plea to local and international policy makers. Prayer helps us "not allow ourselves be overcome by evil, nor accept that violence and hatred take over from dialogue and reconciliation." The parable of the sower asks, 'How is our heart? To what ground does it look like: a road, rocky ground, or a bush? We must remember that with our words "we too are sowers". Indeed, "Our words can do so much good and so much evil; they can hurt and heal, encourage and depress." And "please, do not forget to pray for me."
07/12/2014ASIA - UNITED NATIONS More than half the world's population lives in cities India will lead the way, as the country's urban population is expected to swell by 404 million people between now and 2050. Tokyo will continue to top the mega-city list followed by Delhi, Shanghai, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Beijing, Osaka, and Cairo. This trend will be challenge for health care, schools, food, and housing.
07/11/2014HONG KONG - VATICAN The Church in Hong Kong has three new auxiliary bishops The Holy Father appointed Vicar General Michael Yeung, Vicar of Opus Dei for East Asia Rev Stephen Lee, and Fr Joseph Ha, former regional superior of the Friars Minor in Hong Kong.
07/11/2014VATICAN Tourism can contribute to "integral human development" In his message for World Tourism Day, the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Itinerant notes that tourism can be an instrument of progress, provided that its benefits reach all sectors of the host society. "It is also essential that these benefits follow ethical criteria that are, above all, respectful to people both at a community level and to each person, and avoid a purely economic conception of society".
