Bernardo Cervellera

Kofi Annan’s resignation casts a dark shadow over the situation in Syria. The escalation of violence is the responsibility of Assad and the opposition, whose plans for the nation’s future rest on eliminating each other. Divisions mire the Security Council: member states choose sides and sponsor their military and economic support. Annan: We need a comprehensive political process. The Pope: "wisdom of heart " to reach a political settlement.

By coming out openly on TV, with the danger of recognition and persecution for 'apostasy,' Mohammed Christophe reasserted the importance of conversion and baptism. In Muslim nations, various bishops and priests refuse to baptise Muslims who want to become Christian. Yet, conversion means a revolution in the relationship with God, the father, and Jesus, who gave his life, for one gives up everything putting one's life at risk.

Bishop Ma Daqin, by refusing the imposition of hands from an excommunicated bishop and quitting the Patriotic Association, is upholding the very religious freedom that the Chinese constitution guarantees, but that is betrayed by religious regulations. His rejection of the Patriotic Association has theological reasons (the PA is "incompatible with Catholic doctrine"), but also pastoral and social. For months, pastors are kept at a distance from their dioceses, on a tour of government sponsored banquets while their faithful have to face poverty. The "opportunist" bishops are like tasteless salt. The value of the lay faithful in reconciliation with the pope.

In a statement to undermine the Propaganda Fide Note, the Religious Affairs Bureau criticizes the Holy See of "stifling freedom” and “intolerance." Threats of more "self-elected" and "self-ordained” bishops, without papal mandate. Party lacks a sense of history. But not a sense of "business" and corruption: the control of "religious affairs" fruits bureaucrats about 13 billion Euros.

The Episcopal ordination was to have taken place tomorrow, the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, as a "slap in the face to the Holy Father." Underground and official community united in prayers against the move. Voices warn the ordination only "postponed until next month." The United Front, which controls the Patriotic Associations, loses a supporter of Stalinist control over religions, Zhu Weiqun.

The winning story of two young Koreans of the eighteenth-nineteenth century who loved each other virginally and supported each other until martyrdom. Director Kim Suhyeong: It is a thanksgiving to God for the faith given to Koreans. Today there are Korean missionaries in many countries around the world.

Unlawful bishop of Kunming, Ma Yinglin is the president of the Chinese Catholic Bishops' Conference (which is not recognised by the Catholic Church), and vice president of the CPCA (which is incompatible with the Catholic Church). For some time, Hilarion has been trying to convince Chinese authorities to recognise the country's small Orthodox communities and boost the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Far East. Two plates with watermelon are placed in front of the picture of the pope.

The Tunisian president reiterates the point that freedom of conscience is the basis of the Jasmine Revolution in his country. This means the right to change religion or have none at all. The transition is difficult in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Arabian Peninsula and Morocco. In such places, conversion and baptism are prevented by fear of what consequences they might entail. However, the Arab revolution has changed people's mindset, carving greater space for the individual rather than the 'Ummah'. The West has failed to understand what is taking place.

During the first session of the Oasis meeting in Tunis, the country's transition is the main topic of discussion. In a country recently freed from dictatorship, Salafist groups are trying to impose Sharia. Leftwing and atheist parties, which took part in the revolution, are instead trying to ensure freedom for everybody. It is urgent for Islam to be receptive to the principle of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience and protect the rights of those who do not believe. Card Scola addresses the conference. Tunisia's revolution does not depend on the West.

Tunisia, the most secularized Arab country, after the success of "Jasmine Revolution", is facing the danger of Salafi Islam, also bankrolled by al Qaeda, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The struggle between different kinds of Islam and the place that religion should have in a modern and pluralistic society. The concerns of Christian minorities. The pragmatism of the West.

The Vatican secretary of Propaganda Fide prays a new illicit episcopal ordination in Harbin will not take place. This gesture "hurts the pope," but also Chinese Catholics, especially the newly baptized. "Inconsistency" between liberalism preached by the government and the actions of the Patriotic Association, that wants to create "a new Protestant church", independent of the pope. The Gospel in China "highly relevant" to overcoming the materialism and pragmatism of power and money.

Sources tell AsiaNews that no one wants this order - not the official Catholic or dungeons and even the candidate - but the PA has decided this show of force against the Holy See. P. Joseph Yue Fusheng is considered a 'weak' in 2010 was elected vice president of the Association.