Philippines

The former priest was moved this morning from Zamboanga to Manila. “We hope that he will get better soon, because we were told that he was not doing well,” said Fr Giovanni Re, regional superior of the Philippines. From the start, “we were cautiously optimistic.” Yesterday, Fr Sebastiano D'Ambra tried to visit him; “Unfortunately, they did not let us in.”

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on family love cannot be reduced to problem of communion for divorced and remarried people. The document suggests ways to remake societal life. As a Catholic vision, it links the actual to the infinite, and calls for public policies that protect the rights of families.

The eighth chapter of ‘Amoris Laetitia’ is dedicated to family situations that do not fit Church doctrine. The way forward is not one of casuistry but one of discernment on a case by case basis. Access to the sacraments is mentioned only in a footnote, but doors are open for different ecclesial services. Pastors are invited to listen "with a sincere desire to understand” people’s plight.

Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia "about love in the family" is published. The family is founded on marriage, it is central to the life of the Church and every society, which should support it, rather than hold it hostage; the family has rights such as education, which cannot be violated; the family should not be confused with other forms of union. "Unity of teaching and practice is certainly necessary in the Church, but this does not preclude various ways of interpreting some aspects of that teaching or drawing certain consequences from it."

The central topic of the 23rd meeting of the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee was how we view the ‘Other’. The meeting focused as well on how the Jewish and Catholic “communities now find themselves in the position of being ‘other’.” In fact, anti-Semitism in words and deeds has resurfaced in Europe and elsewhere, whilst anti-Christian persecution, most notably in the Middle East and Africa, has reached levels not seen in a long time.

Later this year the publication of the Joint Theological Commission document "A Call to Holiness". "It is true that we do not as yet think alike in all things, and that on issues regarding ordained ministries and ethics, much work remains to be done. However, none of these differences constitute such an obstacle as to prevent us from loving in the same way and offering a common witness to the world. ".

"What does the Church need today? It needs witnesses, martyrs”: “These are the witnesses, that is, the saints, the saints of everyday, of ordinary life, but life [lived with] consistency; and also the witness ‘to the end,’ even to death". Those who " who attest that Jesus is Risen, that Jesus is alive, and they bear witness through the consistency of their life, with the Holy Spirit they have received as a gift".

Cardinal Parolin has received an official letter of invitation for Pope Francis. On 15 April, the pope, together with the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople and the Orthodox archbishop of Athens will be in Lesbos to meet refugees stranded on the island. "Europe has become insignificant in global terms because it has commodified Christianity". The ecumenical journey is the joint mission of Christians in the contemporary world.

The structure is 55 meters high. According to Beijing it will improve navigation in the area and facilitate relief and emergency response. Construction of two other lighthouses in as many atolls being planned. The commercial value of products in transit in the area is around 5 trillion dollars.

The first is "an inner grace that only the Holy Spirit can make ", the second is a "negotiated", "hypocrite" harmony, in which money plays a key role. "When there is harmony in the Church, in the community, there is courage, the courage to bear witness to the Risen Lord".

Global growth is 1%. US top spenders, followed by China, then Saudi Arabia and Russia. The drop in oil prices has levelled military spending in Venezuela and Angola. Nevertheless, spending increases in Algeria, Russia, Vietnam. Saudi Arabia has so far spent 5.3 billion dollars on its intervention in Yemen. In the period 2006-2015 Iraq has increased military spending by 536%.

With a letter signed by Cotabato governor authorities threaten Methodist prelate Ciriaco Francisco for protecting and assisting "illegal demonstrators". Last week a protest organized by about 6 thousand farmers ended with police opening fire: two dead and dozens injured.