Middle East

Benedict XVI will deliver the Instrumentum Laboris to pastors of churches in the Middle East during his next trip to Cyprus. This was announced by the secretariat of the synod as a " valuable opportunity to also examine the religious and social situation, to give Christians a clear vision of how to be active witnesses of Christ in the context of a Muslim-majority society” .

Prohibited any kind of demonstration for the holiday which is not officially recognised. Parades in Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz and Qazvin. A statement of Karroubi against the militarization of the economy and in defence of the rights of workers, especially teachers.

Benedict XVI visits the city for the special display of the Shroud, the cloth in which Jesus was buried in the Sepulchre. In it, “we see our own afflictions reflected in the suffering of Christ, this allows us to see his Easter. Loving each other “like Jesus loved us” is a “truly credible, eloquent and useful sign to announce to the world the coming of the Kingdom of God.” The Holy Father also mentions the marginalised and immigrants, and encourages priests, families, cultural workers, the city administration and young people to never lose hope. He prays to the Virgin Consolata, patron saint of the city.

The holy shroud is a reminder of Holy Saturday, the silence of God and the love that comes “in the extreme darkness of human solitude”. After two world wars, Nazi and Communist death camps, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, our age has become more like Holy Saturday. However, the Shroud is also “a source that whispers in silence. We can hear it and listen to it in the silence of Holy Saturday.”

An international conference might be proposed should indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks fail. The US president has already contacted European leaders on the issue. Palestinian President Abbas might call on the United Nations to recognise officially a Palestinian state. Israel’s Netanyahu is set to meet Egypt’s Mubarak after winning a decisive victory against Likud’s hardliners.

The conference organized by AsiaNews, at the Capitoline Museums in Rome reaffirms the message of the Jesuit missionary. A fruitful encounter between East and West can only happen in a friendship that welcomes both, material and spiritual elements, creating a truly "harmonious society" within and outside the country of China. Freedom of religion and unity of the Church in China is the first urgent step.

The leader of the secular Iraqiya coalition also wants a caretaker government to break the post-election stalemate. The vote recount sought by al Maliki has not yet begun. The unconstitutional Justice and Accountability Commission has banned 52 elected candidates with links to Saddam Hussein; its chairman is tied to Tehran.

Teachers want their “critical” colleagues released and an end to the repressive atmosphere within the Education Ministry, which is promoting spying in schools. They also want more support for public schools. Despite a ban by the authorities, independent workers’ organisations announce demonstrations and a week of labour action.

All markets down in Asia down 2-3%. The Greek government bonds described as "junk." Fears of a new crisis in the eurozone and worldwide.

Layoffs increase by 49% in Tehran and 70% nationally. The country is rich in resources, wasted on nuclear projects. Imports destroy local economies, but favour China in exchange for international political support.

Ahmed al-Ghamdi says that the strict separation between the sexes that exists today did not exist at the time of Muhammad. Conservatives respond harshly: a fatwa says that he "must be killed." The official Saudi news agency reports his removal and a few hours later deletes the story. The issue also has economic implications.

The Instrumentum laboris in preparation calls for the same freedoms for Christians that Muslims enjoy in announcing Islam. Vatican proposal of "two peoples, two states” for Israel and Palestine. Response also from the Jewish world. Three cardinals among presidents.