Pope Benedict XVI underlined the importance of the conference on racism
Italy, April 20, 2009 - Pope Benedict XVI underlined the importance of a U.N.-sponsored international conference on racism and urged participants to take concrete steps to combat discrimination and intolerance around the world.The conference, which opened in Geneva April 20, was being boycotted by the United States and several other Western countries because of fears that it would provide a platform to critics of Israel.The pope, speaking at a noon blessing at his villa outside Rome April 19, said the conference was important because, despite the lessons of history, racist attitudes and actions are still present in contemporary society.He encouraged participants to take "firm and concrete action, at the national and international levels, to prevent and eliminate every form of racism and intolerance." Above all, he said, a vast educational effort is needed so that human dignity and fundamental human rights are better understood and respected."For its part, ...Read More
Christian group organised by CSM visited war refugees in Vavuniya
Colombo April 18, 2009 - Giving a concrete sign of solidarity, and knocking down the wall of hostility between Sinhalese and Tamils built up over 25 years of civil war. This is the meaning of the initiative organized by the Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) of Colombo: to make a weekly visit to the population of Vavuniya, and of the other cities in the northern part of the island.In an interview with AsiaNews, Sarath Iddamalgod, one of the coordinators of the CSM, explains that the idea of making regular visits to the inhabitants in the war zone "was born from a simple question: What can we do for them?""From our earlier visits," Fr. Iddamalgod says, "we sensed that the Tamil community is deeply hurt about the way that they are being treated by the Sinhala government. They also feel that the Sinhala Christians are not sensitive to their grievances and doing anything to support their just struggle. So we realized that we needed to do as much as possible to awaken the ...Read More
Dialogues in Cathedral focus on issue of when life ends
Vatican City, April 18, 2009 - On Monday 20 April, the series of discussions known as the "Dialogues in the Cathedral" will resume in the Roman basilica of St. John Lateran. On this occasion the reflections will focus on the question: "When does life end?"The event will be presented by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, prefect emeritus of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, His Holiness' vicar general for the diocese of Rome and archpriest of the basilica of St. John Lateran.Participating in Monday's meeting, which is due to begin at 7.30 p.m., will be Professor Maria Luisa Di Pietro, an expert on bioethics and co-president of the Science and Life Foundation, and Professor Francesco D'Agostino, a jurist and president of the Union of Italian Catholic Jurists. The meeting will be moderated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life. ...Read More
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 negoti ...Read More
Jerusalem city was more packed for religious celebration
Jerusalem, April 15, 2009 - The Old City of Jerusalem was more packed than it had been in many years as the Catholic Easter coincided with the Orthodox Palm Sunday and the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall for Passover.People jammed the alleyways of the outdoor market as pilgrims made their way to Easter Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Taking the same path, members of the Orthodox churches headed toward their Palm Sunday services while Jews rushed to the Western Wall for the traditional blessing by the cohanim, priests who are descendants of the priests who served in the biblical Jewish Temple before it was destroyed.Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher it was impossible to reach the tomb of Jesus as hundreds of worshippers from around the world and local Catholics participated in an Easter Mass celebrated by Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem.Local Christians of the Orthodox Coptic Church as well as Egyptian Coptic pilgrims -- many ...Read More
Full Text of Benedict XVI's reflection at the end of Via Crucis
At the end of his dramatic Passion narrative, the Evangelist Saint Mark tells us: "The centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, and said: ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’" (Mk 15:39). We cannot fail to be surprised by the profession of faith of this Roman soldier, who had been present throughout the various phases of the Crucifixion. When the darkness of night was falling on that Friday so unlike any other in history, when the sacrifice of the Cross was already consummated and the bystanders were making haste to celebrate the Jewish Passover in the usual way, these few words, wrung from the lips of a nameless commander in the Roman army, resounded through the silence that surrounded that most singular death. This Roman army officer, having witnessed the execution of one of countless condemned prisoners, was able to recognize in this crucified man the Son of God, who had perished in the most humiliating abandonment. His shameful end ought to have marke ...Read More
Benedict XVI's Good Friday Way of the Cross has a distinctly Asian perspective
Vatican City, April 11, 2009 - This year's meditation for Pope Benedict XVI's Good Friday Way of the Cross has a distinctly Asian perspective, referring to Hindu scriptures, an Indian poet and Mahatma Gandhi.But the linchpin of this Eastern reflection is the passion of Jesus Christ. In that sense, it reflects Pope Benedict 's view of Christianity's relationship with the non-Christian world -- that the Gospel enlightens and fulfills the beliefs of other faiths.Indian Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati wrote the meditation on the 14 stations, to be read as the pope leads the candelit "Via Crucis" at Rome's Colosseum.The pope chose Archbishop Menamparampil, a 72-year-old Salesian, after hearing him deliver an impressive talk at last year's Synod of Bishops on Scripture. The archbishop took it as a sign of the pope's interest in Asia."His Holiness regards very highly the identity of Asia, the cradle of civilization. Moreover, our Holy Father has a pro ...Read More
Benedict XVI presided the Mass for Palm Sunday and the Lord's Passion
Vatican City – On Sunday, April 5, the Holy Father Benedict XVI presided the Mass for Palm Sunday and the Lord's Passion in Saint Peter's Square. Many youth from Rome and other Diocese participated in the event marking the XXIV World Youth Day. In the homily, the Pope reflected on the meaning of the Kingdom of God announced by Christ.The Pope explained that “St. John, in his Gospel, after the account of the entrance into Jerusalem...first of all reports that among the pilgrims who 'wanted to worship God' during the feast, there were also some Greeks. Let us note the fact that the true objective of these pilgrims was to worship God...The true scope of the pilgrimage must be that of encountering God, to worship him... Dear friends, that is why we are gathered here together: We want to see Jesus.” From the Gospel it is not clear whether there was a meeting between Jesus and those Greeks. “Jesus' gaze reaches far higher: 'If the grain of wheat falls to the ground and does not die ...Read More
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 confo ...Read More
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 prepar ...Read More
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 Pad ...Read More
Pope offered his prayers for the victims of Italian earthquake
Vatican City, April 07, 2009 - Just hours after an earthquake hit the city and province of L'Aquila in central Italy, causing dozens of deaths and major damage to churches and other buildings, Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for the dead, their loved ones and rescue workers.The quake struck April 6 at 3:30 a.m. local time and was felt strongly even in Rome, about 70 miles west of L'Aquila.Among the victims was Abbess Gemma Antonucci, head of the Poor Clares' cloister of St. Clare in Paganica, outside L'Aquila.Father Dionisio Rodriguez Cuartas, the pastor in Paganica and director of Caritas L'Aquila, said the roof of the Poor Clares convent caved in. As of midday April 6 rescue workers were still trying to free another of the nuns, he told SIR, the news agency of the Italian bishops' conference.Italy's interior minister, Roberto Maroni, said at least 50 people died, including several children, throughout the region.In a telegram to Archbishop ...Read More
Murderer of a missionary runs for election in India
Bhubaneshwar,India, April 07, 2009 - Dara Singh, responsible for the murder of the Australian Protestant missionary Graham Stewart Staines, is a candidate for the upcoming provincial elections in Orissa, in the district of Keonjhar.The supporters of Dara, whose real name is Rabindra Kumar Pal, have presented him as an independent candidate for the legislative assembly of Ghasipura. Dara was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of leading the group that in the village of Manoharpur, on the night of June 22, 1999, set fire to the station wagon of Graham Staines, killing the Australian lay missionary and his two sons, Philip, 7, and Timothy, 9.A fervent supporter of Hindutva (nationalist and fundamentalist Hindu culture) and a fierce opponent of conversion to Christianity, Dara was involved in various trials, including those in the killing of Catholic priest Arul Doss and Muslim merchant Sheikh Rehman, which also took place in 1999, during the Hindu revolt ...Read More
Benedict XVI calls upon young people
Vatican City, April 5, 2009 - A crowd of at least 40,000 people took part in the first ceremonies for Holy Week, with the celebration of Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square, presided over by Benedict XVI. Most of them were young people from Rome and various nations, with multicolored T-shirts, hats, shoes, bandannas, and a thicket of palms and olive branches, who had come for the 24th World Youth Day, which this year is celebrated at the diocesan level. Last year, the Day took place at the worldwide level in Sydney (Australia), and in 2011 will be held in Madrid. For this reason, at the end of the celebration Australian young people handed over the Cross of the young people to their Spanish peers.After the long and moving singing of the Passion of Jesus according to St. Mark, the pope addressed the young people with a profound, demanding proposal. Taking his cue from today's celebration, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the pontiff recalled the value of the days in Sydney ("t ...Read More
Pope John Paul II heading so fast toward sainthood
Vatican City, April 5, 29 - They brought flowers and messages to his grave. They sang songs evoking his memory. And they prayed for his beatification.The fourth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II April 2 was marked by a sense of anticipation following reports that the late pontiff would be beatified on the fifth anniversary next year.The Vatican has played down those rumors. But among the thousands who flocked to his tomb and gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for a memorial Mass, the feeling was strongly hopeful."There's all kinds of talk about him being beatified. It's only a matter of time before it happens. He's heading so fast toward sainthood that they're only waiting to give him a little bit more legitimacy, I guess," said Samantha Coveleski, 22, of Lewes, Del.Coveleski was among hundreds of people who jammed the crypt area of St. Peter's Basilica April 2 to pay their respects at Pope John Paul II's tomb. They left candles, photos and lett ...Read More
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