http://www.fides.org/Fides Agency Newsen-ushttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33712-ASIA_PAKISTAN_New_Violence_against_Christians_in_South_Punjab_appeal_to_politicshttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33712-ASIA_PAKISTAN_New_Violence_against_Christians_in_South_Punjab_appeal_to_politicsMultan - More than 250 Christian families have been threatened and thrown out from their homes in the village 'Chak 31 "in Khanewal district, in southern Punjab for fear of mass attacks and arson. What happened in South Punjab "reflects the increase of violence and abuses against religious minorities in Pakistan" and "recalls the serious episode of the attack on Joseph Colony, a Christian area of Lahore, which happened two months ago," says a report sent to Fides Agency, drawn up by two organizations of the civil society in Pakistan, the "Human Rights Commission of Pakistan" and "Organization for Development and Peace" , engaged in promoting peace and defending human rights. While Pakistani politics is involved in the formation of the new government after the general elections, the two organizations have launched an urgent appeal "to all parties: politics, political parties, civil society, religious organizations, in order to operate actively to mitigate religious intolerance and promote social cohesion." The appeal was launched "in the interests of the country and not only for the protection of the rights of minorities."Each of the families put to flight by Islamic extremists had about six people, therefore at the moment the faithful without a home are more than 1,500. The escape was the solution chosen to avoid a massacre. As reported to Fides, it all started with a provocation: About 15 days ago, some Muslims accused a Christian businessman, Asher Yaqoob, owner of a small grocery store, and his Christian customers of having disrespectful attitudes towards Islam, inciting the faithful of the nearby village, "Chak 30" , all Muslims. Christians called the police, but a police officer, instead of protecting them, became the head of a crowd of 60 Muslims who began to beat anyone they encountered and started destroying homes and shops. Clashes followed and Asif Khan was hit by a shot and died. At the news of the death, the crowd threatened a mass attack and set fire to the entire village. The Christian families had no choice but to flee immediately. In the clashes 20 Christians were arrested by the police. The two organizations - the HRCP and ODP reported everything to the police in Multan and have asked the intervention of the civil and religious authorities to restore peace between the two villages. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33711-ASIA_CHINA_Strong_in_tribulation_constant_in_prayer_a_booklet_to_pray_for_Chinese_Catholicshttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33711-ASIA_CHINA_Strong_in_tribulation_constant_in_prayer_a_booklet_to_pray_for_Chinese_CatholicsBologna - In preparation for the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China - which will be celebrated worldwide on May 24 - the first booklet has been prepared to accompany the faithful who want to bear witness to their closeness to the Chinese brothers and sisters through a prayer meeting. The booklet, entitled Strong in tribulation, constant in prayer is published by Editrice Italiana Missionary and offers a prayer vigil supplemented by important insights on the history and life of the Church in China, marked by the suffering and by moving testimonies of faith. The booklet also collects texts of Benedict XVI and excerpts from his Letter to the Chinese Catholics of 2007. In that text, the Pope praised the testimony given by the Catholics of China urging them to unity and remembering that "no difficulty can separate us from the love of Christ." The booklet also proposes the experience of Don Bao, a Chinese priest who tells us about his spiritual journey, always enlightened by faith. "My strength," says Fr Bao "is Jesus himself. He said: It is not you who have chosen me, but I have chosen you. On this path, I find the cross, but also the joy and peace."The publication is edited by Gerolamo Fazzini, editor in chief of Credere, and father Angelo Lazzarotto, PIME missionary with a long history of relations with China. "To publish and spread the booklet seemed a simple and concrete way to be close to our brothers and sisters in faith who live in China," says to Fides Agency Lorenzo Fazzini, director of EMI.The World Day of Prayer for the Church in China was established by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. On May 24, the feast of St. Mary Help of Christians, the Chinese Catholics in particular pay homage to the Virgin Mary in the Shrine of Sheshan, near Shanghai. .Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33710-AMERICA_MEXICO_There_is_less_violence_but_there_are_still_no_social_programs_said_Mgr_Gallardohttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33710-AMERICA_MEXICO_There_is_less_violence_but_there_are_still_no_social_programs_said_Mgr_GallardoVeracruz - The Bishop of Veracruz , Mgr. Luis Felipe Gallardo Martin del Campo has recognized the work carried out by the authorities of the homonymous State with regards to safety and reported that there has been a radical change in two years of administration. The Bishop, however, noted that more effort is needed to eliminate "minor" crimes, when compared to the murders, assaults, robberies, kidnappings and extortion. In this regard, he noted that even the Catholic Church was the victim of a kidnapping for ransom when, five months ago, two young seminarians were kidnapped. The director of the seminary in Veracruz received a ransom demand in order to release the two seminarians. In the note sent to Fides, the Bishop, without offering further details on the case, explained that he informed the governor Javier Duarte de Ochoa in a meeting held last week. "We have also suffered a kidnapping which fortunately did not end badly. The two seminarians were released thanks to the military intervention of the Navy."The governor has pledged to listen to the demands of the Catholic Church. Mgr. Gallardo Martin has stressed the need for social programs that promote a culture of legality, non-violence and family harmony. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33709-AFRICA_ETHIOPIA_The_invisible_children_of_the_continent_are_deprived_of_their_rightshttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33709-AFRICA_ETHIOPIA_The_invisible_children_of_the_continent_are_deprived_of_their_rightsAddis Ababa - Half of the African children are "invisible" because they do not appear in any population register. This is what emerged in a statement released on the occasion of the XXI Meeting of the African Union which has just begun in Addis Ababa. According to UNICEF, only 44% of children under 5 years of age in Africa are registered. Without any legal identity, the young do not have any social services, education, protection against child labor, military recruitment, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. In this context, the AU summit, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity , is a great opportunity for a long-term commitment to the children of the continent. For UNICEF, this commitment must include above all the opportunity to give each child a name and legal assistance. In Sub-Saharan Africa about one child out of 3 works, that is to say 69 million children. In total, about 158 million children between 5 and 14 years of age work in the world. The NGO of the United Nations also declares that child population of the continent before 2015 will reach 130 million. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33708-AMERICA_CHILE_Chile_has_a_debt_with_the_Mapuche_community_said_Msg_Vial_in_his_greetings_to_the_communityhttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33708-AMERICA_CHILE_Chile_has_a_debt_with_the_Mapuche_community_said_Msg_Vial_in_his_greetings_to_the_communityTemuco - "Chile has a debt with the Mapuche community," said Mgr. Manuel Camilo Vial Risopatrón in a statement sent to Fides, who a week ago became Bishop Emeritus of Temuco , who for eleven years as the head of the diocese community was committed with the Mapuche, but there is still much to be done in the field of human rights.This is how Mgr. Vial wanted to greet the community during the celebration of his 78 years of life in the cathedral of the capital of Araucania. Mgr. Vial said that people do not have care and concern for the good of Chile, adding that there is a passion for Chile when it plays in the national football team. Mgr. Vial celebrated 78 years of life, 33 as a Bishop and 11 at the service of the Diocese of Temuco. Seven days ago, Msg. Héctor Eduardo Vargas Bastidas, S.D.B. was appointed Bishop of Temuco. Mgr. Vial told the press that he has established his new residence in the metropolitan area of Temuco, and will continue to work with the Mapuche community. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33707-ASIA_IRAQ_Chaldean_Patriarch_Sako_there_is_no_majority_and_minority_in_the_Churchhttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33707-ASIA_IRAQ_Chaldean_Patriarch_Sako_there_is_no_majority_and_minority_in_the_ChurchBaghdad - The attachment to one’s "Chaldean" ethnic and cultural roots should not become fanatical cult of one’s national identity, if one does not want to obscure the Church's catholicity. This is the key message that the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans Louis Sako Raphael I wanted to express in a letter addressed to the clergy of his Church, to share with bishops, priests and religious concerns and hopes on the present moment lived by the Church led by him. In the letter, sent to Fides Agency, His Beatitude Sako describes the Chaldean Church as a "wounded" and "dispersed" reality, outlining among the causes of this deplorable condition also the destabilization in the Country following the fall of Saddam's regime and "the escape of some priests to the West."With regard to the calls to Chaldean nationalism that sometimes arouse controversy even within the Church, the Chaldean Patriarch said that "it is not a fault to love one’s own country and be proud of it. The defect is to consider it as superior to others, even worse when someone insults those who do not belong to his national identity. This is what has happened lately." The nationalist identity drift - which sometimes seems to infect some websites and some groups of political activists - according to Louis Raphael I very oftern threatens to obscure the same catholicity of the Chaldean Church: today "there are Assyrians, Arabs and Kurds: do we have to make them all Chaldeans? And what should we say about the Chaldean Muslims!" wonders the Patriarch. In his view, the different ecclesial sensibilities about the so-called "chaldeity" should not be interpreted as opposition between a "minority" and "majority". Talking about these dynamics in terms of "victory, as if we were at war," according to the Patriarch is "a disgrace." In the letter, His Beatitude Sako reiterates that the direct commitment in politics is a prerogative of the laity and priests cannot act as militants or members of the various partisan acronyms, because their priestly vocation is "at the service of all, without exception." .Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33706-AFRICA_NIGERIA_Bishops_say_Yes_to_the_State_of_emergency_but_it_is_politicians_have_to_work_for_peacehttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33706-AFRICA_NIGERIA_Bishops_say_Yes_to_the_State_of_emergency_but_it_is_politicians_have_to_work_for_peaceAbuja - "We welcome the President’s efforts to put national challenges under control," said His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria at a press conference, referring to the proclamation of a state of emergency in three States in the northeast, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa . The Nigerian army has started a series of military operations against the Boko Haram sect in these States, which has also seen the use of combat aircraft.Mgr.Kaigama reported the position of the Catholic Bishops' Conference chaired by him at a press conference.The Archbishop stated that after reviewing the situation, the Bishops believe that the initiatives taken by the Head of State, Goodluck Jonathan, are suitable and in the interest of the nation. "We think that, given the seriousness of the crisis, the President should use all the resources and opportunities available to resolve tensions in different areas of the Country," said Msg. Kaigama.The President of the CBCN added that military measures alone are not enough to resolve the situation but a responsible involvement of the political class is also needed. "It seems clear that all these problems are a direct result of the upcoming elections to be held in 2015," said Mgr. Kaigama referring to manipulation by some politicians of the various armed Nigerian groups for electoral purposes."We believe the political class is responsible for ensuring the stability of our dear nation and that is why we are asking the President to mobilize the political leadership to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Country," concluded Mgr. Kaigama. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33705-ASIA_SINGAPORE_Spirituality_of_communion_the_new_Archbishop_s_manifestohttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33705-ASIA_SINGAPORE_Spirituality_of_communion_the_new_Archbishop_s_manifestoSingapore - "Spirituality of communion" is the style and pastoral manifesto of the new Archbishop of Singapore, just appointed by Pope Francis. His Exc. Mgr. William Goh succeeds His Exc. Mgr. Nichols Chia Yeck Joo. As reported in a note sent to Fides Agency by the Church in Singapore, the Archbishop will begin his ministry during a Mass to be celebrated on May 24 at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. "The Church in Singapore wants to thank God for the Archbishop Emeritus’ contribution, for the new Archbishop and implore on him the guidance and protection of God and the Virgin Mary.""The Church in Singapore will be able to renew itself with prayer and spirituality of communion," says the new Archbishop in a message sent to the diocesan clergy. The Archbishop intends to meet all the priests and religious in the coming weeks to share with them his pastoral plans for the Church in Singapore. He will spend his first year of episcopal ministry visiting parishes, religious institutions and organizations, to "better understand the needs and concerns of the faithful," he says.Mgr. Goh recalled the words of Pope John Paul II in the Letter "Novo Milleninio Ineunte": "Our testimony would be hopelessly inadequate if we ourselves do not fix our gaze on the Lord, to contemplate his face. All pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to holiness."In order to depict a "lively and evangelical" Church, the Archbishop intends to strengthen the fraternal bonds between priests and pastoral zeal, so that they, in turn, can help the laity "to be jointly responsible for the Church's mission ". This is particularly true - the message says - "with regards to the protection of marriage and family, in promoting harmony and interfaith dialogue, in becoming carriers of universal values of truth and justice, promotion of life and the dignity of the poor."Mgr. Goh notes the urgency of the "new evangelization" which, he says, starts with the youth. "Many of our young people cannot find meaning in faith, because they do not see the relevance of their faith in this secular, rationalist and relativist world. We must help them meet Jesus Christ: without this personal encounter, there can be no real mission or passion. " In Singapore, there are about 300 thousand baptized Catholics, including immigrants, out of 5 million people. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33704-AMERICA_MEXICO_18_000_street_children_exploited_and_at_risk_of_physical_psychological_and_sexual_violencehttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33704-AMERICA_MEXICO_18_000_street_children_exploited_and_at_risk_of_physical_psychological_and_sexual_violenceMexico City - The phenomenon of street children in Mexico is particularly severe and complicated to solve. In fact, despite local institutions try to propose help both to young children and their families, it is often the parents who force children to continue to beg on the streets of the cities. According to estimates of the System for the Integral Development of the Family of the State of Mexico , in the country there are about 18,000 of these young victims, and the figure could rise due to social and family reasons. In a statement sent to Fides, by the head of DIFEM we read that the phenomenon is growing even when there are government programs that offer the opportunity for children to attend school and parents are offered work that allows them to have some economic income. However, despite these efforts the young continue to be exploited, they are sent to work in the streets, with the risk of suffering physical, psychological and sexual violence. According to experts there is the need to promote family integration and create additional sources of work to prevent minors from begging or doing any other kind of job. Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33703-AMERICA_COLOMBIA_Walking_towards_justice_and_peace_Week_of_Prayer_for_Christian_Unityhttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33703-AMERICA_COLOMBIA_Walking_towards_justice_and_peace_Week_of_Prayer_for_Christian_UnityBogota - "Walking towards justice and peace" is the theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity being held in different cities of Colombia."This year, the reflection is inspired by the complex reality faced by Dalits. According to the caste system of India, Dalits are socially marginalized, under-represented politically, exploited economically and culturally subjugated, " is what is said in a statement sent to Fides by the Colombian Episcopal Conference. Even in Brazil, the situation of the Dalits is at the center of the reflection of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity .In Colombia, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity coincides with the Ecumenical Forum for Peace 2013. The Catholic community has organized several events to support these initiatives for peace in the country. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33702-AFRICA_LIBYA_Attack_near_the_Catholic_church_in_Benghazihttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33702-AFRICA_LIBYA_Attack_near_the_Catholic_church_in_BenghaziTripoli - A bomb attack against the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Benghazi , happened on the night of May 17."They put a bomb at the entrance of the corridor leading to the courtyard where there is the door of the church. The church, therefore, was not touched directly, but the attack is not a positive sign, " says His Exc. Mgr. Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli to Fides Agency.Mgr. Martinelli points out the difficult situation in which the small Christian community in the capital of Cyrenaica lives because of Islamic extremism. "The Church in Libya is suffering. In Benghazi the Coptic Church was hit, their chaplain was killed and now the Catholic Church, " says the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli. "As I reported on other occasions, in Cyrenaica different religious women institutes have been forced to close their doors, in Tobruk, Derna, Beida, Barce, as well as in Benghazi. The nuns who were forced to leave, served the population with generosity " says Mgr. Martinelli."But I must add that yesterday, on Pentecost Sunday, despite the attack in Benghazi, the Mass was attended by several people, mostly Libyans who wanted to show their solidarity to the priests and the few remaining nuns " says the Apostolic Vicar."Enough of this violence that makes no sense, in particular given the desire for dialogue that has always been there on our behalf. But I have confidence in the good will of the Libyan people, who love us, " concluded Mgr. Martinelli. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33701-OCEANIA_AUSTRALIA_New_project_against_trafficking_and_child_labor_in_Indiahttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33701-OCEANIA_AUSTRALIA_New_project_against_trafficking_and_child_labor_in_IndiaMelbourne - Every day, many children are abducted against their will, or sold by their families to be exploited in domestic work and prostitution. Many are also forced to beg on the streets just to survive. Some are forced into selling their organs on the black market. Unfortunately, these young victims are considered to be simple objects. A statement by the Catholic Mission Australia sent to Fides, says that the organization officially promotes the 2013 campaign of the Propagation of the Faith under the theme 'Do not be afraid ... I will save you.' In the coming months the Catholic Mission will deal with the missionary response to the desperate reality of child trafficking and child labor in India and around the world, in all the parishes of Australia, as well as online and through a campaign via e-mail . All donations collected will be used to finance the activities of the Catholic Mission with communities in more than 160 countries around the world, providing support to entire parishes in their pastoral work. The campaign focuses on the great work of Sister Clara Devaraj and her Salesian Sisters who work tirelessly in Chennai, formerly known as Madras, where young girls are saved from the tragic circumstances connected to extreme poverty, they take care and provide them with a safe environment in their Children's Home Marialaya. With the support of the Catholic Mission, the sisters offer these victims, hospitality, counseling, medical care, education and spiritual formation. For the sisters, faith and action go together, therefore the objective is to protect these children and encourage them to see themselves as beloved children of God. Sister Clara will be in Australia on behalf of the Catholic Mission, from 6 to 27 June 2013 to promote the work of Marialaya in parishes and schools. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33700-ASIA_LEBANON_A_harsh_warning_by_Patriarch_Rai_to_Lebanese_politicians_build_your_own_Country_instead_of_getting_involved_in_the_Syrian_conflicthttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33700-ASIA_LEBANON_A_harsh_warning_by_Patriarch_Rai_to_Lebanese_politicians_build_your_own_Country_instead_of_getting_involved_in_the_Syrian_conflictBogota – At the end of the long tour among the Maronite communities in Latin America, the Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites Bechara Boutros Rai addressed a severe reprimand to Lebanese politicians who fail to reach an agreement to prepare a new electoral law and lead the country out of the serious and dangerous political-institutional paralysis in which it has fallen. "I", said the Patriarch on Saturday, May 18 in the appeal relaunched in Bogota and sent to Fides Agency "consider Lebanese politicians accountable to history and national consciousness. If they fail to prepare an electoral law worthy of our country, it will only disappoint the people. " According to Cardinal Rai "Lebanon needs new faces that can govern the country." The perpetuation of the political stalemate, the impasse on the electoral law and the inability to form a new government would confirm that the current Lebanese political class "is unworthy and incapable of assuming the leadership of the country."Strong words were expressed by the Maronite Patriarch also on the attitude of different Lebanese forces concerning the Syrian conflict: "The war in Syria," said Patriarch Rai "has divided the Lebanese into two factions, one siding with the opposition and the other with the government of Assad. But I say out loud that this is not our business, we should not interfere in the internal affairs of any Country. I say to the politicians and Lebanese officials: think about building your country which is in a terrible state, instead of taking part in the war in Syria. Stop playing with the destiny of our Country that has given so much to the world." The Maronite Patriarch especially deplored the plight of young Maronites who after studying at universities are forced to emigrate because of the insecurity that threatens the Lebanese society.With regard to the specific topic of the electoral law, according to Patriarch Rai politicians should not pursue their own unique personal or sectarian gain, but what promotes the common good of the Nation. Above all, one cannot remain without a government in such a delicate historical moment and full of pitfalls. "I hope that this appeal enters in the hearts and minds of politicians in order to prepare an electoral law that gives dignity to the country and the Lebanese people. If not – concluded the Patriarch –leave your seats of government." .Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33699-AFRICA_Greater_financial_transparency_is_what_two_Bishops_ask_the_European_Unionhttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33699-AFRICA_Greater_financial_transparency_is_what_two_Bishops_ask_the_European_UnionRome - "The challenge of implementing the structural reforms needed to counter tax evasion and the opacity of the financial system is urgent," says an open letter signed by Mgr. Gabriel Mbilingi, Archbishop of Lubango, President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Vice President of SECAM , and by Mgr. Ludwig Schwarz, Bishop of Linz, in Austria, on the occasion of the meeting held on 22 May in Brussels on behalf of the European Union Council, which was dedicated among other things to a more equitable taxation and the fight against tax evasion. The document, sent to Fides Agency, stresses that "every year, Countries all over the world lose billions of potential revenue, with an annual average of money illegally taken abroad by developing Countries which ranges from 725 to 810 billion."Recalling the previous commitments of the European Union Council to combat the illicit transfer of money from one Country to another, the two Bishops hope that concrete steps are taken in this field. These include: the creation of an international standard for the automatic exchange of financial information also outside the EU; the creation of national and regional bank records easily accessible to the tax authorities and courts; the strengthening of the rules against tax fraud and illegal financial flows. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33698-ASIA_PAKISTAN_Pentecost_for_Christians_in_Pakistan_United_in_diversityhttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33698-ASIA_PAKISTAN_Pentecost_for_Christians_in_Pakistan_United_in_diversityLahore – An ecumenical vigil marked the Pentecost celebration for the different Christian communities of Lahore, capital of Punjab, who found themselves gathered at a meeting of prayer and reflection, with the aim of strengthening the spirit of communion and sharing. The vigil, held on the eve of Pentecost in the Church of St. Joseph in Lahore, and organized by the "Committee of Ecumenical Unity ", was attended by hundreds of faithful and representatives of the four major Christian communities in Pakistan: Mgr. Sebastian F. Shaw, Apostolic Administrator of Lahore ; the Bishops Samuel Robert Azaria and Irfan Jamil Rev. Salamat Masih rev. Arif M. Siraj ."The faith of the early Christians was based on their personal experience: they had seen and heard the Lord, had touched him and showed him to the faithful through fraternity, the sharing of the bread and testimony," said Bishop Irfan Jamil. "We need to rediscover brotherhood like that of the early Church, which was rooted in the faith." The Bishop also made a point on evangelization, asking the faithful to share the proclamation: "Christ rose from the dead and we are his witnesses."Mgr. Sebastian Shaw OFM, on encouraging initiatives and ecumenical efforts, remarked that solidarity among Christians is seen in difficult moments, but also in social programs that "challenge us to come closer to each other." Rev. Arif Siraj, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan, stressed "the urgency and the beauty of unity, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit." "We thank the Lord for the gift of his Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Spirit is with us always. The unity among the Churches must be visible. In an Islamic country like Pakistan we are called to be witnesses of Christ, " concluded Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah. Christians in Pakistan are in all 3% of the population, in a country which has about 180 million inhabitants. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33697-VATICAN_The_Pope_launches_Missio_an_App_for_smartphones_with_Fides_newshttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33697-VATICAN_The_Pope_launches_Missio_an_App_for_smartphones_with_Fides_newsVatican City - Fides News is available in eight languages, even on an "App" for smartphones, called "Missio", which can be download for free. The service was inaugurated by Pope Francis during the Audience with the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies and with the staff of Fides Agency, on May 17 at the Vatican. Papa Francis clicked on an iPad, launching the application, created by Fr. Andrew Small, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. The app "Missio" contains news posted on the site "news.va", photos, videos and the Pope’s homilies, the news of the Church in the world."Holy Father, we want to put the Gospel in the pocket of every young person in the world," said Fr. Small to the Pope, who touched a button on which "Evangelizantur," was written, which in Latin means "May they be evangelized." On the very first day, the App was downloaded by 1,140 people in 27 different countries. "Our goal is to help people see the world through the eyes of faith," said Fr. Small. The application can be downloaded for free on iTunes App Store and Google Play. It is available in eight languages: English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33696-VATICAN_The_PMS_concrete_sign_for_the_special_attention_to_the_young_Churches_Cardinal_Filoni_at_the_audience_with_Pope_Francishttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33696-VATICAN_The_PMS_concrete_sign_for_the_special_attention_to_the_young_Churches_Cardinal_Filoni_at_the_audience_with_Pope_FrancisVatican City - On May 17, Pope Francis received the participants of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, addressed his greetings to the Pope presenting the Assembly as a moment of reflection and fraternal sharing to raise missionary awareness in the Dioceses around the world."The Pontifical Mission Societies are the most concrete sign that Your Holiness has at your disposal, thanks to the generosity of the faithful, in support of young Churches and universal solidarity. After the II Vatican Council, the sensitivity and responsibility with regards to the cooperation between the Churches of ancient and new evangelization has grown tremendously; this is a beautiful fruit of the Council because it manifests live sensitivity that exists among the Churches. This aspect, however, cannot replace the inalienable solicitude of the Holy Father to all the particular Churches and in particular to the missionary world: that is the raison d'être of the Pontifical Mission Societies. As a result, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Pontifical Societies feel the duty to relaunch with more enthusiasm and ardor their commitment to make the missionary mandate that Jesus left the Church to reach the ends of the earth," the Cardinal said to the Holy Father. Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33695-VATICAN_The_Holy_Father_s_Speech_addressed_to_the_Pontifical_Mission_Societieshttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33695-VATICAN_The_Holy_Father_s_Speech_addressed_to_the_Pontifical_Mission_SocietiesVatican City - At 12:30 , in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis received in Audience the participants of the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies and addressed the following speech:THE HOLY FATHER’S SPEECH:I am particularly pleased, dear brothers and sisters, to meet the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies from all over the world for the first time. I cordially greet Cardinal Fernando Filoni, I thank him for the service that he carries out as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, as well as for the words he addressed to me on your behalf. Cardinal Filoni has an extra task to carry out in this period: he is a professor. Come to me and "teach me something about the Church." Yes, he comes and tells me: this diocese is like this and so forth ... I know the Church thanks to his lessons. These are free lessons. I also greet the Secretary, Mgr. Savio Hon Tai-Fai, the Assistant Secretary Mgr. Protase Rugambwa, and all the employees of the Dicastery and of the Pontifical Mission Societies, priests, religious men and women, laymen and laywomen.1. I would like to tell you that you are particularly dear to me because you help to keep the work of evangelization alive, the paradigm of every act of the Church. The missionary aspect is the paradigm of every act of the Church; it is a paradigmatic attitude. In fact, the Bishop of Rome is called to be a Pastor not only of his particular Church, but also of all the Churches, so that the Gospel can be preached to the world. And in this task, the Pontifical Mission Societies are a privileged instrument in the hands of the Pope, who is the beginning and sign of the unity and universality of the Church . They are called "Pontifical" because they are at the Bishop of Rome’s direct disposal, with the specific purpose of acting so that the precious gift of the Gospel might be offered to all. They are entirely relevant; even more, they are still necessary today because there are so many peoples who have still not known and met Christ and it is urgent to find new forms and new ways that God’s grace might touch the heart of each man and each woman and bring them to Him. All of us are his plain yet important instruments; we received the gift of faith, not to hide it but to spread it so that it might enlighten the path of many brothers and sisters.2. Of course, a difficult mission awaits us ahead, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it becomes an exciting mission. All of us experience our poverty, and weakness in bringing to the world the precious treasure of the Gospel, but we must constantly repeat Saint Paul’s words: "... We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God, and not from us" . This must always give us courage, knowing that the power of evangelization comes from God, and belongs to Him. We are called to open ourselves more and more to the Holy Spirit, to offer all our willingness to be instruments of God's mercy, his tenderness, his love for every man and every woman, and especially for the poor, the excluded, and the marginalized. And this holds for every Christian, for the whole Church. It is not an optional mission, but an essential one. As Saint Paul said: "If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" . God's salvation is for everyone!3. To you, dear National Directors I repeat the invitation that Paul VI addressed, almost fifty years ago, to safeguard zealously the universal scope of the Missionary Societies, «that have the honor, the responsibility, the duty to support the mission [ to proclaim the Gospel], to administer the necessary aid« . Never tire of educating every Christian from childhood, to have a genuinely universal and missionary spirit, and to raise awareness in the entire community about the need to support and help the missions according to the needs of each . Make sure that the Pontifical Mission Societies continue in the path of their centuries-old tradition, to give life and education to the Churches, opening them to the broad dimension of the mission of evangelization. The Pontifical Mission Societies also properly belong to the concerns of the Bishops so that they might be "rooted in the life of particular Churches" , they must truly become the privileged instrument of education towards a universal missionary spirit and an ever-greater communion between Churches to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Faced with the temptation of communal self-centredness, worried about your own problems, your job is to recall the "missio ad gentes", to bear witness prophetically that the life of the Church and the Churches is the mission, a universal mission. The Episcopal ministry and all ministries are certainly geared towards the growth of the Christian community, but they are also at the service of communion between Churches for the mission of evangelization. In this context, I invite you to pay special attention to the young Churches, which often operate in a climate of difficulty, discrimination, and persecution, so that they might be sustained and assisted in witnessing the Gospel in word and in deed.Dear brothers and sisters, in renewing my thanks to you all, I encourage you to continue your work so that the local Churches may ever more generously assume their share of responsibility in the Church's universal mission. Invoking Mary, Star of evangelization I make Paul VI’s words my own, who said: «May the world of our time, which in searching, sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope, be enabled to receive the Good News not from evangelizers who are dejected, discouraged, impatient or anxious, but from ministers of the Gospel whose lives glow with fervor, who have first received the joy of Christ, and who are willing to risk their lives so that the Kingdom of God may be proclaimed and the Church established in the midst of the world« . Thank you.To you, your employees, your families, and to all those you have in your heart, to your missionary work, Blessings to you all. Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33694-AMERICA_CHILE_Candidates_need_to_impress_people_with_a_real_project_said_the_Bishop_of_Rancaguahttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33694-AMERICA_CHILE_Candidates_need_to_impress_people_with_a_real_project_said_the_Bishop_of_RancaguaPunta Arenas - "Today the Country has a formation that did not exist years ago, social networks have caused a huge cultural transformation, and those who want to govern the Country must take this into account" this is what His Exc. Mgr. Alejandro Goic Karmelic, Bishop of Rancagua and vice president of the Episcopal Conference of Chile said about the upcoming presidential elections: "Candidates - added Mgr. Goic Karmelic - must also submit a national project that is able to convince the vast majority of Chileans".Mgr. Goic Karmelic spoke at length with journalists in the context of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Punta Arenas and where he was a pastor 44 years ago.In the note sent to Fides, he also noted that in the next political campaign, the so-called "ethical salary" must be another issue to discuss, "because what is lacking in Chile is a more equitable distribution of income. Experts and studies say it: this is one of the most unequal Countries on earth because there are few who earn much and many who earn little, so how can we make a more equitable society? Stressed the Bishop of Rancagua."We must think about the poor and a worker with a family of 4 or 5 children and how they can live with what today is called the minimum salary" Concluded Mgr. Goic Karmelic.The presidential elections in Chile will be held on November 17 this year, but the choice of candidates on behalf of political parties has already started. Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200http://www.fides.org/en/news/33693-AFRICA_SOUTH_AFRICA_The_Bishops_say_they_want_explanations_for_the_apparent_misuse_of_State_property_for_a_private_weddinghttp://www.fides.org/en/news/33693-AFRICA_SOUTH_AFRICA_The_Bishops_say_they_want_explanations_for_the_apparent_misuse_of_State_property_for_a_private_weddingJohannesburg - "The government owes South Africans a thorough, and quick, explanation for the apparent misuse of state property and personnel by those associated with the Gupta family wedding," says a note of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference. The South African Bishops intervene to ask for transparency on the issue of the Gupta wedding, entrepreneurs of Indian origin who have extensive interests in South Africa in the mining, aviation, media and high technology field, which saw the mobilization of facilities and staff of the State.In their statement, the Bishops recall in particular "the deployment of the police flying squad and other elements of the security forces, the use of an air-force base by a privately-chartered jet, and the fact that the customs and excise authorities were kept in the dark, all point to some extremely irregular decision-making at a very high level."The South African press reported the landing at the airport military Waterkloof, near Pretoria, of a private plane carrying the wedding guests from India. The wedding procession was then escorted by the police to Sun City, the "Las Vegas of South Africa.""It is of particular concern according to newspapers that some 60 police officers were involved in escorting guests and equipment to Sun City," the Bishops said. "The South African Police Services should busy itself with combating crime, for which there is a crying need, not with providing a private security service at taxpayers’ expense.""This whole episode merely reinforces the perception that people who are well-connected politically do not have to observe the same rules as ordinary citizens"."We cannot afford to gain the reputation of being a country where it is ‘who you know’ that counts, and where wealth can buy privileged treatment from the authorities," said the Bishops. Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200