During a parliamentary debate in Damascus, criticism was levelled at the “excessive number of female teachers” and calls were made for corporal punishment (which the Minister of Education has, however, ruled out). Meanwhile, an estimated two million children have dropped out of school due to poverty. And the issue of safeguarding the identity of minorities remains unresolved.
The cardinal calls for Christian-Muslim collaboration for "peace and progress". Sunni Imam: we are "brothers and sisters". Shiite leader: Christians "flowers in the garden." In the governorate Christmas will be a public holiday and vacation "for all". After the anti-Christian fatwa, Al Baghdadia TV channel blocked.
All three were taken on the road that leads from Homs to Tarsus where Moscow has its only naval base in the Mediterranean. One of the Russians also has Syrian citizenship. More Russian naval ships are on the way to the area.
The youthful 57-year-old was elected yesterday. In his first statement at a press conference, he reiterated the right of Christians to remain in the Middle East. He equally stressed the importance of dialogue with other Churches and with Muslims. "Christians are staying," he said. "This is their land."
Sixth meeting between the Palestinian president and Benedict XVI. The end of the conflict "only by resuming negotiations in good faith". The contribution that Christian communities offer the common good of society in the Palestinian Territories and throughout the Middle East.
At the Angelus, Benedict XVI illustrates the relevance the Baptist’s comments on justice, overcoming "the imbalance between those who have the superfluous and those who lack basic necessities”; on taxes that must be exacted with "honesty"; on power, that must be exercised with respect for others. Appeal to Roman families to welcome young people in Rome from 28 December to 2 January for the European meeting of Taizé. The blessing of the statues of the baby Jesus and greeting to children.
From an Egyptian TV Jihad leader Ahmad Al Baghdadi Al Hassani speaks of Christians as polytheists and friends of the Zionists. Sources tell AsiaNews: a grave fact, but the government is attentive to these claims. Card. Sandri reconsecrates the cathedral scene of the massacre in October 2010. The tears, said the cardinal, "are seeds of communion and witness".
In addition to the practices to spread abortion and euthanasia, the enemies of peace are radical economic liberalism, false rights and referees, technocracy. Subjective and relativistic cultures and policies, not akin to common good, need to be reviewed, by launching a new "cultural revolution" to rebuild a humanism open to transcendence.
Orthodox Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II last night confirmed his support. Christians will be free to vote for or against the proposed constitution in accordance with their conscience. Catholic Church spokesman believes 'No' side will grow against the Islamist constitution, and that this cannot be ignored.
It is the Islamist group's first public rally after it defeated Fatah in Gaza in 2006. Palestinian President Abbas and veteran Hamas leader are set to meet in the near future.
In his masterful speech for the feast of St. Ambrose, the Archbishop of Milan traces the foundations for coexistence between state and religions for the third millennium. It must be based upon respect for the religious dimension, freedom of worship, witness and activity in society of the various religions. A contribution to Western societies and those in Asia that all too often marginalize the forces of faith.
Some 200 prelates are meeting in southern Vietnam at the 10th FABC General Assembly. For the papal delegate, it is urgent "to review" the mission to reach out to non-Catholics. For the assembly's secretary, the meeting sanctions "good relations" between the Holy See and Vietnam, represented by the country's deputy Interior minister. Parishioners are the ultimate "witnesses" of the faith, sad Mgr Girelli.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Tahrir Square and in front of the presidential palace demonstrated against the constitutional referendum of 15 December. The Islamist front loses support. The liberal movements the true voice of Egypt.
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