Central African Republic: thousands of Christians displaced, hundreds killed Harrowing reports have come through over the weekend from missionaries in the Central African Republic where there have been violent clashes between Seleka Moslem rebels and Anti Balaka militias in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic. French troops and those of the African Mission in Central Africa (MISCA) have now started to control the streets, Fides reports. Two Carmelite missionaries working in the country gave eyewitness reports. Fr Frederico Trinchero, who works at the Carmel mission in Bangui. Fr Frederico said: "Around 6am shots were heard Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 10:45 pm
Southern African bishops pay tribute to Mandela "'Let us now sing the praises of famous men, great men in their generations... They ruled their governments wisely, were known for their valour. Their counsel displayed wisdom, they saw things from afar' (Ecclesiasticus 44:1-3).' With these words we, the Catholic Church in Southern Africa, express our gratitude to uTata Mandela for the sacrifice he made for all peoples of South Africa and for the leadership and inspiration he gave in leading us on the path of reconciliation" - writes Mgr Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town and President Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 10:10 pm
London: Pax Christi Advent Service and Market The annual Pax Christi Advent Service takes place at 7.30 this Monday evening, 9 December at St Aloysius Church, Phoenix Road, London NW1. There will be readings, prayers and carols for peace, with music led by Julie McCann. After the service there will be a Christmas Market with goods from Palestine, the Philippines, Africa Peru, as well as Christmas cards, books - and mulled wine and mince pies! If you would like to join the choir, there will be a rehearsal at 6.30pm. Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 9:45 pm
CARJ honours two black leaders On Saturday, the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) remembered Nelson Mandela and Haynes Baptiste was made a Member of the Order of the Knights of St Gregory for his services to CARJ, to the Catholic community and to the wider society. CARJ also announced that it would be celebrating its 30 anniversary by organising a Young People’s Congress for World Citizenship 10-12 July 2014 at Liverpool Hope University. The following statement was released after the meeting, which was held at St Thomas More Church, Manor House, Read More ... Richard Zipfel - Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 9:27 pm
Holy Land: Rain falls after longest drought in 60 years - answer to prayers After the longest drought in more than half a century - it has started raining in the Holy Land and further rain is expected from the South of Jerusalem up to Tiberias, passing through Haifa and Ramallah. "Rainfall is rare, but when it pours, it overflows" the website of the Latin Patriarchate says. The region has experienced the hottest temperatures on record in recent months and the shortage of water was beginning to be such a matter of concern that last week Patriarch Fouad Twal called on the faithful of the Holy Land to “pray for God’s blessing, Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 5:30 pm
US Bishops protest against demolition of Church property in Holy Land Bishop Richard Pates, Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has written to the recently-appointed Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Mr Ron Dermer, supporting the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s protest against the recent demolition of its property by the Municipality of Jerusalem. on 28 October this year, a house which belonged to the Catholic Church for many years, was demolished by the municipality of Jerusalem - making a family of 14 people homeless. Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 4:17 pm
Pope Francis: Use internet to offer 'real reasons for hope' The internet is an essential tool of evangelisation for the Church today, but must be used with discernment, Pope Francis, told participants of the 26th Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, meeting under the theme “Proclaiming Christ in the digital age,” on Saturday. Pope Francis said the rise and development of the internet raises the question of the relationship between faith and culture. Looking back to the first centuries of Christianity, the Pope pointed out Christians encountered the “extraordinary legacy” of Greek culture.
Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 11:49 am
The Bible: 'answer to seasonal stress and anxiety' "The Bible offers everyone, especially those experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety in these weeks leading up to Christmas, life-changing words of peace and hope," affirmed the Catholic bishop who oversees the work of mission in England and Wales. Speaking ahead of Bible Sunday which falls in the Catholic calendar on 8 December 2013, Bishop Kieran Conry, Chair of the Bishops’ Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis, said: “Advent and Christmas can be times of great stress for many people, Read More ... Posted: Sunday, December 8, 2013 1:20 am
Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 8 December 2013 The Jesse tree was a much loved image in the religious art of the medieval world, we had some great examples in Britain and a few survived the destructive forces of reformation iconoclasm. The design always starts with the recumbent Jesse, out of whose body ‘a shoot springs’ and the tree grows through prophet and king until it blossoms in the Virgin Mary holding her child, the scion thrusting from his roots, just as Isaiah describes it. But Isaiah goes on to portray a world surrounding this tree, Read More ... Posted: Saturday, December 7, 2013 10:33 am
ADVENT REFLECTIONS 2013 - Week 2: A Church for the Poor As we continue our Advent preparation Pope Francis reminds us of the poor in our midst. Are we too caught up with planning gifts and celebrations to focus on the real meaning of Christmas? How can we live more simply to allow everyone to have a fair share of the world’s resources? Francis of Assisi is the man of peace. That is how the name came into my heart. For me, he is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation. Read More ... Anne O'Connor - Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 5:24 pm
Missio director expresses sorrow at death of Nelson Mandela Mgr Canon James Cronin, National Director of Missio in England and Wales spoke on behalf of Catholics throughout the two countries as he expressed his sorrow on hearing the news of the death of Nelson Mandela. "As Catholics we believe that death is not the end of life: it is a transition into the fullness of life with God and the end to which we all aspire. Life is the real 'long walk to freedom'. Our hearts have all been touched and enriched by the magnificent example of such a great man."
Read More ... Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 5:06 pm
Memories of Mandela As the world learns of the death of Nelson Mandela, Thinking Faith asks two South Africans to reflect on the life and legacy of a great leader. Frances Correia and Fr Peter-John Pearson tell us what Madiba means to them. Frances Correia writes: I was 16 when the ANC was unbanned. We were sitting, appropriately, in our History class and suddenly over the school loudspeaker they began to play FW de Klerk’s speech from the radio. As a Catholic school we were, by South African standards in 1990, very unusually multi-racial. Read More ... Frances Correia and Peter-John Pearson - Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 2:58 pm
CAFOD: 'Today we lost a brother, a leader, a legend' Following the sad news of Nelson Mandela's passing, CAFOD's Director Chris Bain has issued the following statement: "Today, we have lost a brother, a leader, and a legend. But more than ever now, we must dedicate ourselves in Nelson Mandela's memory to the fight for freedom, peace and justice. The greatest honour we can pay him - the legacy that he warrants - is that we build the world he wanted to see: a world free from any form of division, whether between black or white, rich or poor, man or woman. Read More ... Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 1:25 pm
Peru: Open letter on destructive mining in Latin America César Correa, the Justice Peace & Integrity Of Creation Co-ordinator in Chile for the Missionary Society of St Columban recently participated in a meeting on mining in Latin-America, held in Lima, Peru. The gathering involved Catholics concerned about this issue from throughout Latin America. The group produced the following declaration at the end of the meeting, amidst wide-spread concern about destructive mining in the continent. We are religious and lay men and women from Latin America moved by the critical situation of our peoples Read More ... Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 1:13 pm
Pope Francis pays tribute to Nelson Mandela Pope Francis paid tribute to Nelson Mandela this morning, expressing his hope that the late President's example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and common good at the forefront of their political aspirations. The Pope's words came in a telegramme of condolences that he sent to the South African President, Jacob Zuma. The full text follows: It was with sadness that I learned of the death of former President Nelson Mandela, and I send prayerful condolences to all the Mandela family, to the members of the Government and to all Read More ... Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 12:21 pm
The world mourns Nelson Mandela Prayers are being said around the world for Nelson Mandela, following the announcement of his death late last night by the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. Mr Zuma said: "Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation has departed. He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father." Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: "How blessed we have been. Read More ... Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 12:17 am
Pope Francis establishes Commission on child protection Pope Francis is setting up a Commission on the protection of minors. Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, archbishop of Boston and member of the Council of Cardinals, announced on Thursday afternoon, 5 December. The Cardinal read the following statement: “Continuing decisively along the lines undertaken by Pope Benedict XVI, and accepting a proposal presented by the Council of Cardinals, the Holy Father has decided to establish a specific Commission for the protection of minors, Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 11:29 pm
Zimbabwe: Everyone deserves a fair share of country's natural resources The wealth of natural and human resources of Zimbabwe must benefit the poor of the country, not simply its elite, according to the Jesuits in Zimbabwe. Their call for a more just distribution of the country's resources has been echoed by Zimbabwe Bishops' Conference in a pastoral letter issued on 3 December, in which they said that three months after the July elections, 'there are no visible prospects for improvement in the spheres of life in Zimbabwe that cry for restoration to give people hope for a better life.' Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 3:18 pm
Text: Bishops of Zimbabwe pastoral letter In our Pastoral Letter published in March 2013 before the 31 July 2013 national elections, we called upon all Christians and people of goodwill in Zimbabwe to commit themselves to 'promoting peace in Zimbabwe and overcome the culture of intolerance, intimidation and political violence.' Soon after the election results were announced, we congratulated all Zimbabweans for conducting a generally and relatively peaceful poll during which reported incidents of intimidation, intolerance and violence were minimal compared to the last poll in 2008. Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 3:12 pm
CSAN fears total cap on welfare spending will penalise vulnerable families CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network), the social action arm of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has voiced fears that the Chancellor’s announcement of an overall cap on welfare spending risks penalising poor families. Commenting on the proposal, CSAN’s Head of Policy, Liam Allmark said: “This runs the risk of being extremely inflexible and we fear that setting an arbitrary ceiling for overall welfare spending may fail to take account of growing levels of poverty and rising costs of living. Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 3:03 pm
Call for halt to Philippines eight billion dollar debt payments (+ petition) A month on from the Philippines being hit by Typhoon Haiyan, Jubilee Debt Campaign (UK) and Christian Aid have joined with the Freedom from Debt Coalition and Jubilee South to call for the Philippines debt to be cancelled. Over $20 million a day - $8 billion a year - leaves the Philippines as debt payments to international lenders. Since Typhoon Haiyan struck on 8 November, over $550 million (£335 million) has been spent on debt payments. Because of interest payments, over the last 40 years, the Philippines has been lent $115 billion, Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 12:39 pm
Pope Francis reflects on 'when eternity begins' Yesterday morning, Pope Francis continued his reflection on the Creed with pilgrims in St Petere's Square, focusing on what the resurrection of the body means. He also asked the faithful to pray with him for “Orthodox nuns of St Tecla in Maaloula, Syria, who were taken by force two days by armed men”..."and for all people who have been sequestered because of this ongoing conflict.” .. Today I wish to return to the affirmation “I believe in the resurrection of the body”. This is not a simple truth and it is anything but obvious; Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 12:24 pm
UK's 'economic recovery' is not helping millions in dire poverty warns Catholic Church Responding to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) the social action arm of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has warned that despite some signs of economic recovery, “the poor are being left behind” as poverty levels continue to soar and inequality is growing each month - with 350,000 people relying on foodbanks and 5,500 in hospital with malnutrition.....“Catholic charities are witnessing increased demand for their services, with more and more families struggling to meet even the basic costs of living.” Read More ... Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 10:26 am
Pope asks to meet reformed Indian killer Eighteen years after Samunder Singh stabbed and murdered a Catholic nun in northern India, the former prisoner has been invited to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican. Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for Family, invited Singh after the pope expressed his desire to meet him. Accompanying him will be a Catholic priest and a nun, the younger sister of the slain Rani Maria. “I am excited after getting the news," said Singh, who with the guidance of the Catholic priest became a Christian while serving a 12-year jail term, Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 9:26 pm
Hope still standing in the Philippines A cross stands high over the city of Palo, a little askew and battered by the wind but holding on strong – a symbol of hope.
Much has been written about Super Typhoon Haiyan and the destruction it left in its wake. The destruction is as bad as I’ve seen, and I’ve been to many disasters round the world. The devastation wreaked by the wind, and the storm surge that followed, is difficult to put into words. Barely a house has survived intact in Palo. Read More ... Mark Mitchell, Caritas Emergency Team Leader - Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2013 9:03 pm
