South East Asia

The "Relatio post disceptationem" (midterm report) urges greater openness to the "positive realities" found even in individualism, civil marriages and civil partnerships, greater Christian involvement of families in the work of evangelization, "greater involvement of the entire Christian community in preparing engaged couples for marriage "and to" a pastoral accompaniment that goes beyond the celebration of the sacrament ", with the need for subsequent formation of pastoral workers.

At the Mass of thanksgiving for the canonization of two Canadian missionaries - Saint François de Laval and Saint Marie de l’Incarnation - Francis emphasizes how "missionary brothers and sisters continue to live the Gospel in the world even at the cost of their own life. The devil is envious of Quebec’s missionary richness, may it once again give evangelizers to the world."

Before the Angelus, Francis comments on the passage from Matthew on the king’s invitation to a wedding feast: a "free, broad and universal call. They Gospel, rejected by someone, is warmly and unexpectedly welcomed in so many other hearts. God’s goodness has no boundaries and does not discriminate. "Mary's intercession for persecuted Christians and to the work of the Synod”. Francis prays for flood stricken Genoa: "Our Lady of the Guard will help the city overcome this tragedy."

Hundreds of people launch a "public petition" to repeal of the norm cancelling the direct election of mayors and local councillors. Attempts to target president-elect Jokowi, just days before he takes office. Oligarchies, power brokers and the opposition, led by the defeated Subianto, promise battle inside and outside Parliament.

The speeches of the fraternal delegates highlighted the importance of the family for all the Churches and Christian denominations. The need for adequate preparation for marriage and an adequate reflection on marriage between believers and non-believers. "Some differences in approach were found, for example on the issue of regulation of births, emphasizing the freedom of conscience of believers, while always respecting the meaning of love and marriage".

"To guard, to watch, so that the demons don’t enter in, we must be able to gather ourselves, that is, to stand in silence before ourselves and before God, and at the end of the day ask ourselves: ‘What happened today in my heart? Did anyone I don’t know enter? Is the key in its place?’And this will help us to defend ourselves from so much wickedness, even from that which we could do if these demons, who are very clever and at the end would cheat all of us, even if they enter.” "

Marriage, divorce and the future of the family future are some of the topics discussed at a three-day conference in the Diocese of Makassar. Participants expect the Synod in Rome to provide guidelines for better training of priests since they will be called to guide couples. Pre-marriage courses are important and must be improved to strengthen the union between future spouses in accordance with the "Catholic model."

For the director of NASSA, the Church must "remain on the side of the poor and oppressed," particularly in case of human rights violations. The Year's official launching is on 23 November with AK 40, a fundraiser aiming at raising 40 million pesos over 40 weeks to fund micro-development and fight the culture of begging.

"The unity of the Christian Family in the Middle East is deeply shaken." "We call on the international community to take action to re-establish peaceful coexistence in Iraq, Syria and throughout the Middle East". "Some countries and organizations in the Western world" consider concepts (including abortion and same-sex unions), as 'human rights', linking economic aid campaigns and exerting strong pressure to acceptance of these concepts".

The attack took place in the late afternoon yesterday, during a prayer service. Two men on a motorcycle threw a grenade at the place of worship. So far no official claims, the assailants managed to escape. Pastor Jerry Sanchez condemns violence.

2014-15 forecasts for Myanmar put growth at 8.5%, higher than all the countries in East Asia, including China. For the Asian Bank, the data will peak at 9.5% by 2030. Inflation must be kept under control, essential to promote infrastructure. But behind the facade of optimism there is a situation of violations of freedom, abuse and exploitation.

God never gives you a gift, something that you ask for, without wrapping it up well, without adding something extra to make it even more beautiful. And that little bit more that the Lord, the Father gives us is the Spirit, the true gift of the Father is the one that prayer does not dare to hope for". The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, they are persons, they are not a vague notion in the clouds ... This God spray does not exist! There are persons”.