Lebanese bishops warn failure to reach consensus will mean chaos
Beirut, Lebanon, Nov.11,2007 (CINS/CNS) -- Lebanon's Catholic bishops warned that rival politicians' failure to agree on a consensus candidate for the presidency will lead the country to unprecedented disruption.
The prelates admonished pro-government and opposition leaders and insisted that elections take place "on time and in line with the constitution."
"The general situation (that) Lebanon is suffering does not call for tranquility, especially the presidential issue, which the Lebanese wait for with anxiety because of the strong tension between the pro-government (forces) and the opposition," said the Maronite bishops, following their Nov. 7 meeting.
"That's why we reiterate with insistence our appeal for unity, so the presidential issue will be held in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution," they said.
Time is running out for Lebanon's parliament to elect a new head of state before current Lebanese President Emile Lahoud steps down Nov. 24. Lahoud served one six-year term as stipulated by the constitution. In 2004 his term was extended three years by mandate, under pressure from Syria.
According to Lebanon's Constitution, the presidential post is reserved for a Maronite Catholic.
Presidential elections have been delayed twice, in September and October, due to a lack of consensus, and the scheduled Nov. 12 session was unlikely to occur unless there was a deal between Lebanon's ruling majority and the opposition.
Lebanon's need to fill the presidential post has been accompanied by a flurry of diplomatic activity, both inside and outside the country.
A few hours before meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman Nov. 8, Cardinal Nasrallah P. Sfeir, Maronite patriarch, told reporters, "No one can solve our problems better than us (the Lebanese)."
Cardinal Sfeir noted that "the situation we are going through now is worse than what it was 30 years ago."
"Some are saying the Lebanese will try to use arms to settle matters," he warned, adding that history has proved that violence "solved nothing."
The cardinal repeated the importance of electing a president "who is at an equal distance" from political forces and who can bring about Lebanese stability.
In their statement, the bishops said: "The persistence of both sides (the ruling majority and the opposition) to stick to their positions puts the whole country in a critical situation and complete paralysis. This not only obstructs the democratic system which characterizes Lebanon, it will lead Lebanon to a disruption it has never faced before."
They placed blame on both parties for the current political deadlock -- the ruling majority for monopolizing the vote and the opposition for threatening to boycott the election.
In recent weeks, Bkerke, the headquarters of the Maronite Catholic Church, was the venue for a series of meetings among rival Christian leaders on the issue of the presidency. No consensus was reached.
"Finally," the bishops pointed out, "the responsibility (for the presidency) falls upon the parliament. It is a historic responsibility before God, conscience and the country."
"The Lebanese people, in general, are fed up with politicians," the bishops added. At this point, they said, people are concerned about "their daily bread, their children's tuition and daily worries because of the dreadful high cost of living, lack of job opportunities and economic paralysis."
Since the summer of 2006, for example, food costs have increased approximately 25 percent.
Pope names the new Bishop of Ambanja
Madagascar, Nov.11, 2007(CINS/Agencies) - On Wednesday Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rev.Fr. Rosario Saro Vella, S.D.B., parish priest and
He succeeds Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona who was appointed archbishop of the capital,
He has been a missionary in
New Bishop for the Diocese of Musoma
Rev.Fr.Michael Msonganzila, aged 51 of Mwanza Archdiocese, has been appointed as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Musoma by the Holy Father Benedict XVI.
The Catholic Secretariat in
Speaking to the ‘Sunday News’ yesterday, Father Msonganzila said he has received the great news with faith and he was looking forward to working with the people of God in Musoma.
“I know I won’t be alone. People are there to sustain me and give me their assistance.
With solidarity and cooperation, I am confident that I will be able to execute my services in a rightful manner”, he said.
Fr. Msonganzila was ordained a priest on December 2, 1984, and he later did pastoral work in various parishes of Mwanza archdiocese. In 1990, he went to Rome-Italy where he studied Canon Law at the
Rev.Fr. Msonganzila replaces the late Bishop Justine Samba who died of cancer in August last year.
Bishop urges no military action in Iran until other options exhausted
Washington, U.S.A, Nov.10,2007(CINS/CNS) -- Although "the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons is unacceptable," the U.S. government must exhaust every option before considering military action to resolve the situation, the chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee on International Policy told Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"The use of force must always be a last resort," Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., said in a letter to Rice made public Nov. 09.
"In addition, the failure to be transparent about one's nuclear energy program is not grounds for military intervention, nor is the possession of nuclear weapons or the issuing of bellicose statements," he added.
But Bishop Wenski noted that the Iranian government "continues to ignore its international responsibilities" regarding nuclear weapons. "Such resistance undermines the stability of the region and the pursuit of nuclear nonproliferation," he said.
In U.S. efforts to ensure Iran's compliance with international law in developing its nuclear energy program, "dialogue is essential," the bishop said. "It is not a reward for good behavior, but rather is a means to achieve important ends."
The bishop offered several suggestions that the U.S. government should consider before exploring military options.
"For example, the United States could consider offering security guarantees that it will not attack Iran," he said. "In coordination with other nuclear powers, it could supply Iran with nuclear fuel for peaceful uses, and could consider opening up more economic opportunities in the world economy for Iran."
If economic sanctions are imposed, they "should be carefully targeted so as not to impact the most vulnerable civilians," Bishop Wenski said.
"From a practical standpoint, the use of sanctions ought to be continuously evaluated for their effectiveness and impact, e.g., the possibility that sanctions will strengthen public support for the current regime in Iran," he added.
Similarly, "actual or threatened military strikes are likely to strengthen the regime in power in Iran and would further marginalize those in Iran who want to abide by international norms," Bishop Wenski said. "Emphasizing the military option sows doubts about the seriousness of our nation's commitment to negotiations in the minds of Iranians and allies alike."
The U.S. experience in Iraq has taught that "the use of force can have unintended consequences," he added.
Bishop Wenski praised Rice for her earlier statement that the United States and other nations "remain fully committed to a diplomatic solution with Iran."
"For the sake of our nation and the world, I pray that efforts by you and others to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation will be successful," he added.
Karnataka Bishops’ Council to organise ‘Kristhotsava’, Celebration of the life and mission of Jesus Christ
Bangalore, India, Nov.09, 2007 (CINS/SAR) - The Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops’ Council (KRCBC) will organise ‘Krishthotsava’, a three-day celebration of the life and mission of Jesus Christ, November 8-10, at the Good Shephered Convent Auditorium, Museum Road, Bangalore.
Speaking to reporters November 6, president of KRCBC, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore, said the congress would help spread the message of Jesus Christ through Christian educational institutions and hospitals.
“The theme this year is ‘Retelling the Story of Christ’. His message must be made relevant for everyone and it has to be lived and shared with others through self-less love and service,” he said.
The congress will host over 1,200 participants from the 11 Catholic dioceses of Karnataka. It will be inaugurated by Cardinal -designate Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, and president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in India.
The event will be celebrated with prayers, worship, music and sharing of art and culture. An exhibition depicting the life and mission of Christ will also be organised, Archbishop Moras said.
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