12/11/2009VATICAN - ISRAEL Holy See-Israel: still no agreement, but work moving forward by Arieh Cohen The plenary meeting held yesterday at the Vatican described as "friendly" and further meetings scheduled for January and May 2010. The delegation led by Msgr. Balestrero and Daniel Ayalon. Fr Jaeger optimist: The slowness is due to the complexity of the matter. But there is no legal vacuum: the commitment of the Parties to negotiate a new treaty is 'without prejudice' of existing rights. Tel Aviv (AsiaNews) There was not much surprise in the Church in Israel that the Thursday 10 December Plenary meeting, in the Vatican, of the Bilateral Permanent Working Group between the Holy See and the State of Israel did not end with an announcement that the Agreement on fiscal and Church...
12/11/2009VATICAN - ISRAEL Holy See-Israel talks in crisis, according to Yedioth Aharonot by Arieh Cohen The most popular newspaper quotes the head of Israeli delegation Daniel Ayalon who speaks of failure in sight. Yet the joint statement exalts "mutual understanding". According to experts, an Israeli government trick to placate anti-Christian fundamentalist Israelis. Concerns over the possibility of confiscation of Capharnaum and the basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
12/11/2009CHINA Liu Xiaobo charged for subversion; open letter of 200 signatories of Charter '08 The trial of the author of the document for democracy in China should start between four to six weeks. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Among the "evidence" against him is the text of the Charter. The 200 signatories - 165 in China - also ask to be indicted, "we share the same values."
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.
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