On 19-21 November, economists and entrepreneurs under 35 from around the world will meet online. More than 40 countries will be connected, with live streaming from Assisi. Some 2,000 people have registered with at least 12 link-ups to 115 countries, four hours a day plus a 24-hour marathon on the second day, and contributions from more than 20 countries.
The meeting with the president of the German Bishops Conference, in all likelihood touched upon the assembly with "deliberative power" convoked by the Germans to address issues such as the separation of power in the Church, priestly life, women's access to ministry and to offices in the Church and sexual morality.
On Holy Thursday, the day of the priesthood, the testimony of Fr. Wun Kyaw Htway, a priest from Kengtung who joined the protests immediately after the military junta's coup and is now a refugee in Thailand. He asks the international community for help and points the finger at China for the protracted civil conflict. His appeal to the world: "Enough words, we need concrete actions".
Today's headlines: Three Palestinians killed by the Israeli army in the West Bank; "outlawed" Hong Kong pro-rights statues on display in Taiwan; the World Bank cuts growth forecasts for India (and South Asia); Damascus among possible venues for the meeting between Francis and Kirill, the Moscow Patriarchate praises the Pope for his "balanced position" on the conflict; in Turkmenistan police raids on beauty centres.
Today's headlines: a 17-year-old Palestinian boy is the latest victim of the wave of violence; Burmese military abandons Mandalay Cathedral;2021 sees a doubling of human trafficking victims in Cambodia; Yerevan and Baku are close to an agreement on the normalization of bilateral relations; Kazakh governmen to pay 12 million euros to demolish the former presidential palace; Patriarch Kirill invitesRussians to "rally around" Putin.
In the country's second largest city, 40 soldiers yesterday forced their way into the Sacred Heart cathedral during Lent preparations, holding scores of worshippers for hours, including Archbishop Marco Tin Win. Meanwhile, in Yangon, the military took a 4-year-old boy hostage in lieu of his father, accused of supporting the resistance.
