Hong Kong

The Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent reminds us of “this cunning enemy, interested in our eternal condemnation, our failure”. Yesterday afternoon Francis visited Ms Edith Bruck, a poet who survived the Holocaust.

The Sunday Gospel: Jesus and the desert (VIDEO)

The Holy See’s total revenues reached € 260.4 million against € 310.1 million in expenses, with an expected deficit of € 49.7 million in 2021. Most spending (68 per cent) will go apostolic activities; 17 per cent will pay for patrimony and other assets management, and 15 per cent to administration and service activities.

Michael Ngan organised protests against Hong Kong’s extradition bill, its handling of the pandemic, and the security law. For him, Hong Kong civil servants are accountable only to Hong Kong authorities. Police arrest university student for supporting Hong Kong independence.

The church was built in 2000, with all the permits and praise of the local authorities. There are two reasons for the destruction: the land’s commercial value and erasing the "showy" symbolism of the religious building. The policy of "sinicization" launched by Xi Jinping and implemented in Zhejiang and Xijiang. 16,000 mosques were also destroyed or damaged. The appeal to the Pope and the Vatican.

In a video message to the 65th Religious Education Congress organised by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Francis states that there is a need for a community that can support us, that can help us and in which we help each other to look forward, to a tomorrow in which we will have to “act in the Samaritan’s style”, that is, by “letting myself be struck by what I see.”

Global debt is equal to 355 percent of global GDP. China's debt jumped by 335 per cent of GDP. Countries are going into greater debt to support companies and workers. The trend will continue in 2021. Finding a balanced exit strategy will be the big challenge.

He will have to await trial for threats to national security in custody. Judge Pang: If released he could repeat the offense. Also indicted for helping 12 democratic activists escape, later arrested and sentenced in Shenzhen. Already on trial for his role in the anti-extradition movement.

Note from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on the celebrations of Holy Week in times of Covid-19. "It is suggested to facilitate and privilege the media coverage of the celebrations presided over by the bishop, encouraging the faithful who are unable to attend their own church to follow the diocesan celebrations as a sign of unity".

The media tycoon is now charged with helping a group of 12 pro-democracy activists trying to flee to Taiwan. Arrested in Shenzhen, the twelve are now on trial. This is the second charge against Lai under national security legislation; he is currently held in a maximum security prison. His bail hearing is set for tomorrow.

On Ash Wednesday, Francis recalls “our journey then is about letting him take us by the hand. The Father who bids us come home is the same who left home to come looking for us; the Lord who heals us is the same who let himself suffer on the cross; the Spirit who enables us to change our lives is the same who breathes softly yet powerfully on our dust.”

Francis has introduced changes to the Vatican Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure. The changes reflect “the changed sensitivities of the times” and go beyond “outdated inspirational criteria and functional solutions”.