Archbishop Timothy Paul Broglio appointed to serve U.S. Military

Vatican City, Nov 19, 2007 (CINS/CNA).- The Vatican announced today that ArchbishopTimothy Paul Broglio has been selected to be the Archbishop of United States Military Services, taking the place of Archbishop Edwin Frederick O’Brien who was named Archbishop of Baltimore in July 2007.

Archbishop Broglio was born in 1951, and was ordained in 1977 to the Diocese of Cleveland.  After serving there for two years, he returned to Rome to continue his studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

Currently, Archbishop Broglio serves as Apostolic Nuncio to Dominican Republic as well as the Papal Delegate to Puerto Rico.

Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams should tackle Anglican homophobia, says Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Canterbury, U.K, Nov.19,2007 (CINS/Ekklesia) - Nobel Peace Laureate and South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu says that Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams should be tackling homophobia in the church and making it a welcoming place for lesbian and gay people.

In a BBC radio interview to be broadcast next Tuesday, 27 November 2007, Archbishop Tutu says that he is depressed by the Church's "obsession" with the issue of gay priests, and believes that its Gospel message is being undermined by "extreme homophobia".

Tutu says Christians should instead be focusing on global problems such as combatting prejudice, poverty, AIDS/HIV and the environment.

"Our world is facing problems - poverty, HIV and Aids - a devastating pandemic, and conflict," said the archbishop, who is now aged 76 and has survived ill health to continue his work for a more just world.

"God must be weeping looking at some of the atrocities that we commit against one another. In the face of all of that, our Church, especially the Anglican Church, at this time is almost obsessed with questions of human sexuality."

Of Dr Rowan Williams, whose own pro-gay attitude has been submerged in his desire to keep a warring Church together, Dr Tutu says: "Why doesn't he demonstrate a particular attribute of God's which is that God is a welcoming God?"

In the interview, Archbishop Tutu refers to the US and worldwide furore surrounding the election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, to serve as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.

He says the Anglican Church has seemed "extraordinarily homophobic" in its handling of the issue, and that he had feels "saddened" and "ashamed" of his church at the time.

Asked if he still felt ashamed, he says: "If we are going to not welcome or invite people because of sexual orientation, yes. If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God."

The radio programme, From Calvary To Lambeth will be aired on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, 27 November at 20.00 GMT.

Message for the World Aids Day - Archbishop Bernard Moras

Youth: Take the Lead - The future is now!

“With the power of the Holy Spirit … you will be my witnesses”

(Acts 1:8)

1. December 1, 2007 marks another ‘World AIDS Day’. This is an opportune time for us, as one community of believers, to reflect on how this epidemic has changed life around us and the challenges it has posed. Inspired by the mandate of Jesus, the Divine Healer, the Catholic Church in India considers it a special mission to provide compassionate care and solace to the many living with HIV and AIDS, and take concerted and sustainable measures towards preventing further spread of this pandemic. The enduring assurance of Jesus, “I will be with you!” (Mathew 28:20), serves as a source of hope to the sick, and provides great encouragement to the caregivers. As Chairman of the CBCI Commission for Health, I would like to reflect with you on this challenge of HIV and AIDS with a special focus on the population which is currently at the highest risk – the youth of our country.

2. The HIV pandemic has emerged as one of the greatest threats to adolescents. Alarmingly, every 14 seconds a young person between the age of 15 and 24 becomes infected globally (UNFP, State of World’s Population Report, 2003, p. 16). According to a recent report, in India out of the total number of AIDS cases 35.5 percent were in the age group of 15 to 29 years (Ref. NACO & Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India, Children and AIDS Programme Update India, 31, July 2007, p. 5). The rate of new infections also is growing rapidly in most parts of the country. We know that discussing sexual behavior is a taboo in many societies. We need to impart true and lasting values to our youth in order to help in the formation of their right conscience. Grooming them with skills to follow the `promptings of their inner self’ is an important task that is often neglected. As a result, many young people do not know how to truly protect themselves. If this trend continues, the next generation of adults will face greater challenges, both as individuals and as members of the civil society.

3. Even though in India the first patient with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) was diagnosed in India in 1986, twenty one years ago, people living with and affected by HIV continue to face a lot of discrimination due to stigma in society – a stigma that is born out of ignorance. Why are the children of people living with HIV been refused admissions in schools even today? Why are men and women thrown out of their families and homes causing some of them to go to the extent of committing suicide? For many of them, there is no one to hear their cry, to deliver them from their affliction, to understand their suffering, to provide them with a glimmer of hope and joy. As a community we need to do more to address this issue. More attention must be made in youth-friendly services and education programmes to address the reproductive health issues of young people. Their educational and health status, readiness to take on adult roles and responsibilities, and the support they receive from their families, communities, governments and Church will determine their own future and the future of our society. The future is now!

4. Recognizing this significant risk, the various stakeholders involved in the formulation of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase III of the Government of India, have highlighted an urgent need to strategize and develop relevant tools for addressing HIV prevention, care and support needs of youth infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in the country.

5. Working with and helping young people have always been a priority for the Church across time and cultures. Pope John Paul II of happy memory appropriately expressed this as he said, “You, young people, are the hope of the Church” (Ap. Letter, Dilecti Amici, p.17). The HIV epidemic challenges us with an urgency to find the means to protect and empower our young people to help them become happy, healthy and productive adults.

6. On the occasion of World AIDS Day-2007, the Catholic Church in India, with active participation of youth, has planned on-going programmes, which I strongly feel would help us to have a focused-approach in our interventions. These include the following:

i. Pledge by One Million Youth: 1000 youth in each of the 1000 places will take an oath to educate themselves and others with accurate information on HIV, to be personally responsible not to spread the virus, to avoid discrimination against people living with HIV and to care for all those affected and infected. This pledge has to be an expression of a genuine inner conviction, an act of well formed conscience, `that echoes in their depths’ (GS, 16). Therefore, this commitment, formally taken in schools, colleges, parishes and communities, is to be organized with meaningful in-put sessions, and is to be followed up with youth leadership programmes, which can be taken as a special activity in the year 2008. As the World AIDS Campaign reminds us, each one should `take the lead - To stop AIDS. Keep the promise’.

ii. Life Skills Education Programme: At the National Catholic Youth Convention held in October 2007 at Cuttack, Orissa, on the theme, “Prophetic Youth for a Progressive Nation”, a module on Life Skill Education was finalized. I sincerely thank the Catholic Medical Mission Board and the Partners in Development Initiative for supporting both the CBCI Youth and Health Commissions in preparing the module. This manual aims at enhancing capabilities of the youth to take informed decisions and guide them to lead healthy and productive lives. We are happy that both Arya Samaj and the Art of Living Foundation will adapt the same module for the training of their youth as well. On the occasion of the World AIDS Day-2007, this manual will be launched officially in 11 ecclesiastical regions. May I appeal to everyone, especially the youth and their animators, to make the most of this resource. Together with knowledge, skills, and above all inner conviction, prevention is both efficient and cost-effective. It is a tough path, but true and secure.

iii. Community AIDS Talk: The biggest weapon we have against discrimination and stigma toward people living with HIV and AIDS is knowledge. Leaders of communities – Bishops, priests, and lay faithful - and heads of families, need to speak openly about HIV in our gatherings and family get-togethers, so that people get accurate information about it and develop the right attitudes of respect and care for them. Awareness programmes need to be initiated in parishes, schools, workplaces, etc., especially with active participation of people living with HIV. Such programmes will facilitate the creation of a generation better equipped to live in the world of AIDS. In all our programmes we need to assure the active participation and greater involvement of the people living with HIV and AIDS and encourage them to live life to the fullest.

iv. AIDS Sunday: It will be opportune to observe December 2, 2007 as AIDS Sunday. This is a moment for all of us as one community to receive strength from the Eucharistic Lord, especially for those infected and affected, who carry the cross in their daily lives. Let us recommit ourselves to a life of caring for one another in love and fellowship. Following the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the World Youth Day 2008, let us hope that `the Spirit of Fortitude and Witness give us the courage to live according to the Gospel and to proclaim it boldly’. The future is now – youth, take the lead! With the power of the Holy Spirit be true witnesses of life, love and hope!

7. We have before our eyes the image of Mary, our Mother, who accompanied Christ at the beginning of his mission among his people. This is the Mary of Cana of Galilee, who interceded for the young newly-married couple when at the marriage feast wine ran out. Then Christ's Mother said these words to those serving at the feast: “Do whatever he tells you”. Let her gentle advice inspire us to do our best. And, He will do the rest.

Yours in Jesus, the Divine Healer,

+ Archbishop Bernard Moras,

Archbishop of Bangalore, India and

Chairman, Commission for Health

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India

November 1, 2007

New Delhi, India

===============================================================

For further information, for copies of poster and other materials, Health and HIV/AIDS Policies, Journal “Health in Abundance”, etc. kindly write to:

The Executive Secretary

Commission for Health

CBCI Centre, Goledakkhana

Tel. 011-23340772 /24

Website: www.cbcisite.com; www.cbcihealth.com

New Delhi, India -110 001

Email: info@cbcihealth.com

Thai Bishops: The call to vote, participation in political life, a moral duty

Bangkok, Thailand, Nov.19,2007 (CINS/AsiaNews) – Thailand’s Catholics “must take part in politics i.e. to use the vote with the instinct of righteousness in order to restore political and social unity.” This is the sense of the message published yesterday by the President of Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Msgr.  Philip Banchong Chaiyara, centred on the parliamentary elections due December 23rd next.

Msgr. Chaiyara explains that the responsibility to vote, “is a virtue, the partaking in political process is a morale obligation; it is the significant fundamental of all Christian.  It is a sacred duty as consideration based on reason and conscience are needed to vote for the good candidates who are capable, with moral conduct and sacrifice for the benefit and happiness of all”.

The prelate concludes by underlining that “This coming December is very significant to all Thais not only that we, Thai people, will celebrate the King’s 80th birthday anniversary but it will also be the 75th anniversary of the Democracy system in Thai political history. Let us celebrate these anniversaries in the best possible way”.

Decembers’ elections will be the first to take place since the military junta took power in a peaceful coupe- with the blessings of King Bhumibol – to overthrow Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accused of corruption. There are only 480 seats available to the 800 candidates who have been presented by the 22 parties on the electoral list.

Archbishop Nicholas Chia: More young priests needed in Singapore

Singapore, Nov.16,2007 (CINS/Singapore Catholic News) – Archbishop Nicholas Chia spoke about the vocation crisis faced in Singapore and many developed countries, where there is a serious shortage of priests, during the Day of Prayer for Vocations on Sep 29.

During his homily at Mass at Church of St. Teresa, the archbishop highlighted to the some 200 people present, the need for young priests in Singapore and he urged parents to cultivate in their children an awareness of the various vocations present in the Catholic Church.

The crowd included people of all ages from the various parishes. A large number of youths, diocesan seminarians and five priests were present.

The Day of Prayer for Vocations is jointly organized by the Archdiocesan Vocation Team, the Serra Club of Singapore, the diocesan seminarians, and Living Stones Campus Outreach (LSCO).

The theme chosen for the prayer session was “For greater love of the Eucharist”, since it is only when we have a greater love for the Eucharist can we truly see the need for more priests.

Father William Goh, rector of St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, gave participants a briefing on the mission and lives of diocesan priests. He said that priests are “people who have given their lives to the service of the people of God”, and that the priestly life, “a life lived with the Lord, for the Lord, and for the people” is worth living. He urged all present to pray that more people will be attracted to join the diocesan priesthood, as prayer is the basis for more vocations.

The day included LSCO leading a contemporary praise-and-worship session and the recitation of the Rosary, the Serra Club leading a Holy Hour prayer session with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Father Richards Ambrose giving a talk on the Eucharist, and the seminarians leading Vespers.

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