Archbishop of Chennai calls for international pressure on the government of Colombo
Chennai, India, April 23, 2009 - "It has become a mass graveyard - the bloody war in Sri Lanka has led to a mass massacre, and nothing can justify this military option." Malayappan Chinnappa, archbishop of Chennai, comments to AsiaNews on the reports from Sri Lanka, where the army has launched a military operation to wipe out the resistance of the Tamil Tigers.
All over the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, there are demonstrations against the war that is making hundreds of thousands of refugees, and a growing number of victims among civilians. A general strike called by Tamil associations and groups in the state is receiving support from some local political groups, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, an ally of the Congress Party, but as India goes through the second of five rounds in the national elections, many parties prefer to steer clear.
The archbishop of Chennai calls for international pressure on the government of Colombo, and says: "World leaders should utilize all their power to stop the war in Sri Lanka. The operations of the international bodies and world communities should be exhaustive. History has proved that military solutions never bring about a resolution, rather political negotiations and peaceful dialogue can hope to bring about some resolution.
"To the Tamils currently living all over the world - we are with you in spirit, prayer and solidarity." The Indian Church "is also with all the suffering people, all the victims of the war in the killing fields of Sri Lanka." "The Church is Mother to all peoples," Archbishop Chinnappa adds, "all are children of God, and we the Church prays incessantly for an immediate end to the war for suffering masses in the so-called 'safe zone', and their views reflect the realities on the ground."
-Asianews
Bishops of Sri Lanka pray for Cease Fire
Colombo, April 15, 2009 - Easter recalls the victory of Jesus Christ, the living God, over the forces of darkness and destruction. Looking at Christ, humanity can rise again to a new life by overcoming the logic of death, war, and division. This is the message issued on the occasion of the Easter celebrations by Oswald Gomis, the archbishop of Colombo, Anglican bishop Duleep de Chickera, and Fr. Sebastian Maria Anthony, superior general of the Jesuits of Sri Lanka, who asks for "peace in the country, and the end of the suffering for the civil population."
Today, the Tamil rebel militias announced that they want to negotiate a ceasefire with the government forces, and resume the peace talks, to put an end to the decades of bloody conflict on the island. The Tamil Tigers are asking for a long term ceasefire, under the supervision of the international community. The Sinhalese government has rejected the request, saying that the rebels must lay down their weapons before any negotiations can be undertaken.
The archbishop of Colombo recalls that with war, "no lasting results are obtained," because the peace and prosperity of the nation "can be built only with dialogue." "As we enter this Easter," Archbishop Gomis says, "all Sri Lankans are experiencing the dangers of the war, the sorrows and pains of the internally displaced people, and the harsh reality of the anti-conversion bill."
The archbishop is reiterating the Church's efforts "to uproot" the sufferings of the population, which does not want to perpetuate "an ethnic conflict." "We strongly condemn every and each effort which is trying to fulfill narrow goals by keeping innocent Tamil civilians as human shield," he continues. Archbishop Gomis is also calling for a "political solution" to put an end to the civil war.
Peace and justice in the country are at the center of the message from Anglican bishop Duleep De Chickera. "The good news of Easter," he affirms, "is a call to transformation for all our leaders and people. But for this to happen, we need to engage in self-scrutiny." only this will make it possible to "put an end to the suffering" of the refugees, the civilians, the poor, and the unemployed. The Anglican bishop recalls those who are hit by the economic crisis and the young people, whose difficulties endanger "the future development of the nation." He also defends the right of "freedom of expression," and the possibility of "expressing disagreement" in civil and democratic terms.
Fr. Sebastian Maria Anthony, superior general of the Jesuits of Sri Lanka, issues a warning for the unity of the country: "Let not our caste, creed, ethnic and linguistic identities prevent us from exercising our Identity as children of God - brothers and sisters of the Risen Christ." "Let the Risen Christ," he continues, "give us the power to transcend the identities that limit and prevent us from working for a just and humane society. Let the Risen Christ give us the power and courage to speak for the voiceless and marginalised brothers and sisters of our country. Let the Risen Christ empower us to work for reconciliation and peace."
-Asianews
Bishops appointed for Bomadi, Poona, Chanthaburi diocese
Vatican City, April 07, 2009 - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on April 4, 2009, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Poona (India) presented by Bishop Valerian D’Souza, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed as Bishop of Poona (India), Bishop Thomas Dabre, Bishop of the Diocese of Vasai (India).
The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on April 4, 2009, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Bomadi (Nigeria) presented by Bishop Joseph O. Egerega, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed as Apostolic Vicar of Bomadi (Nigeria), Bishop Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo, until now Titular Bishop of Lacubaza and Auxiliar of the same Apostolic Vicariate.
The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on April 2, 2009, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Chanthaburi (Thailand) presented by Bishop Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed as Bishop of Chanthaburi (Thailand), Fr. Silvio Siripong Charatsri, Vicar General of Ratchaburi.
Fr. Silvio Siripong Charatsri was born on December 10, 1959 in Ban Nok Kwaek, in the Diocese of Ratchaburi. He studied at the Diocesan Minor Seminary and attended elementary and high school studies in Ratchaburi. He then attended the National Major Seminary “Lux Mundi” in Sampran (Bangkok), finishing his philosophy and theology studies. He was ordained a priest on May 19, 1987 for the Diocese of Ratchaburi. He has since ministered as follows:1987-1988: Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Watplunh, Ratchaburi; 1989-1991: Vice-Rector of the Ratchaburi Diocesan Minor Seminary; 1991-1992: Diploma in Pastoral Studies in Manila (EAPI), Philippines; 1992-1995: Rector of the Ratchaburi Diocesan Minor Seminary; 1996-1998: Pastor of Saint John Bosco Church, Ratchaburi; 1998-2000: Studies for a Licentiate in Teology at the Angelicum, in Rome; 2001-2005: Vice-Rector of the “Lux Mundi” Major Seminary in Sampran; since 2006: Vicar General of Ratchaburi, Rector of the Diocesan School in Ratchabri, Pastor of Saint John Bosco Church.
The Diocese of Chanthaburi was erected in 1944, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Bangkok. It has an area of 34,000 km, with 4,454,615 inhabitants (38,918 Catholics), 42 parishes, 112 priests (89 diocesan and 23 religious), 16 religious brothers, 15 seminarians, and 199 religious.
-Agenzia Fides
Fr.Edmund Woga appointed as Bishop of Weetebula Diocese
Vatican City, April 07, 2009 - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on April 4, 2009, appointed Fr. Edmund Woga, C.Ss.R, Administrator of the Diocese of Weetebula (Indonesia), Bishop of the same diocese.
Fr. Edmund Woga, C.Ss.R was born on November 17, 1950 in Hewokloang, in the Diocese of Maumere (Flores). He entered St. John Berchmans Minor Seminary in Mataloko, Flores, and then the Redemptorist seminary in Sumba, studying philosophy and theology in the Major Seminary of Kentungan Yogyakarta (1971-1977).
He was ordained a priest on November 29, 1977 for the Diocese of Weetebula. He later entered the Redemptorists (1980) and took his perpetual vows in 1985. Since his ordination, he has ministered as follows: 1978: Director of the Religion Teachers’ Training Institute, Waingapu; 1978-1979: Pastor of St.Clemens, Katikuloku; 1979-1982: Director of the Pada Dita Boarding, Waingapu; 1982-1984: Studies for a Licentiate in Missiology in Sankt Augustin, Germany; 1985: Return to prepare for perpetual vows in Sumba; 1986-1992: Studies for a Degree in Fundamental Theology in Monaco, Germany; 1993-2002: Professor of Missiology at Wedhabakti Theological Faculty, Yogyakarta; 2002-2008: Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists in Indonesia with headquarters in West Sumba; since 2008: Diocesan Administrator of Weetebula.
The Diocese of Weetebula (1969), is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Kupang. It has an area of 11,052 km, with 706,000 inhabitants (135,107 Catholics), 21 parishes, 85 priests (28 diocesan and 57 religious), 5 religious, 49 seminarians, and 73 religious women.
Fr.James Wainaina Kungu appointed as Bishop of Muranga
Vatican City, April 07, 2009 - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on April 4, 2009, appointed Fr. James Wainaina Kungu of the clergy of Nyahururu, Rector of the Christ the King Major Seminary (Archdiocese of Nyeri), Bishop of Muranga (Kenya).
Fr. James Wainaina Kungu was born on December 23, 1956 in Ngenya, at the Parish of North Kinangop (Archdiocese of Nyeri), now territory of the Diocese of Nyahururu. He studied philosophy at the St. Augustine Major Seminary (1978-1980) and theology at the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Nairobi (1980-1984).
He was ordained a priest on December 13, 1984 for the Archdiocese of Nyeri and later joined the clergy of the Diocese of Nyahururu, following its erection in 2002. Since his ordination, he has ministered as follows: 1984-1986: Professor of St. Paul Minor Seminary in Nyeri; 1986-1996: Financial Administrator for the Archdiocese of Nyeri; 1996-2001: Studies for the Licentiate in Theology at the Pontifical University of Saint Anselm in Padua; 2002-2003: Professor of Liturgy at Christ the King Seminary; since 2003: Rector of Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri.
The Diocese of Muranga (1983) is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Nyeri. It has an area of 4,016 kmq, with 1,522,000 inhabitants (716,950 Catholics), 35 parishes, 99 priests (85 diocesan and 14 religious), 15 religious, 29 seminarians and 105 religious women.
-Agenzia Fides