The appeal made at the funerals of the three Baptist leaders killed in recent days during renewed clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Naga tribal groups: “I forgive those who killed my father in the name of the Lord and in the broader interest of peace.” The slain pastor had worked tirelessly for reconciliation between the two groups. Concern remains for six people still being held hostage.
At the recent European summit in Armenia, attended by Zelenskyy and marked by a clear desire to strengthen relations with the European Union, Putin responded by warning Armenia not to follow in Ukraine’s footsteps. These are weighty words in a country preparing to go to the polls on 7 June for extremely sensitive parliamentary elections.
Over the past few days, the country’s bishops have been in the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope and the departments of the Roman Curia. The president of the Bishops’ Conference, Shukardin, told Vatican media: “He has given us a new vision and new hope for the future”. Evangelisation, poverty and a lack of educational opportunities are the main challenges.
At Regina Caeli, Pope Leo XIV recalls the message of peace from Francis of Assisi. May Laudato Si' Week serve to renew our commitment to ‘integral ecology’. In the age of AI, we must “promote communication that respects the truth of the human person”. Ascension of the Lord: with the saints “next door”, we must learn “to ascend day by day towards Heaven”.
On 13 May, two Salesian priests, Fr Albert Panmei Aching and Fr Peter Poji Küvisie, were abducted and later released after 24 hours in captivity. The provincial expressed his relief and thanked all those who helped secure the release of his confreres.
Following the scandal involving the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, a new storm has erupted with Hu Chenglin, president of the Shaanxi Taoist Association – the cradle of this ancient religious tradition deeply rooted in China – being publicly accused. All this despite the emphasis on ‘moral rigour’ in the government’s directives to religions. But when faith is reduced to a ritualised political exercise, the exchange of interests becomes an even stronger temptation.
