Fides News English

AMERICA/PARAGUAY - "The people demand justice": the cry which concludes the feast of Our Lady of Caacupé

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Caacupé - "Family is the center and guides the integral growth of the human person, this is what our authorities must understand", is what His Exc. Mgr. Claudio Giménez Medina, Bishop of Caacupé said in His homily, before thousands of faithful who filled the square of the basilica on December 8, the last day of the feast of Our Lady of Caacupé, the patron saint of Paraguay .
According to the note sent to Fides, all national authorities attended the celebration, including the President of the Republic Horacio Cartes. Mgr. Gimenez in his homily highlighted isuues concerning the latest political and social situation : "Thank God there is an outrage that arises in various sectors of the population, to ask for justice, and that has given amazing results", said the Bishop. He then invited to be indignant about the ongoing violence, especially in the north, where on the 8th December, a soldier was killed and another was injured after a clash with suspected members of the Paraguayan People's Army terrorist group.
"In Paraguay there are evils that affect the family and have to be urgencly dealt with, including corruption", said Mgr. Gimenez, inviting us to repudiate the traffic of intercessions and nepotism. "The words: transparency, honesty, are not empty words" reiterated the Bishop of Caacupé, expressing deep regret because Paraguay continues to be among the most corrupt countries in the world. Finally Mgr. Giménez urged the youth to be "Protagonists of history".

AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA – Mandela; Cardinal Napier: "Grateful for what he did for South Africa and the world"

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Johannesburg - "When I learned of the death of Mandela, my first reaction was one of gratitude. Gratitude for what Nelson Mandela did for South Africa and for the world", says Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, Archbishop of Durban, in an interview with the French newspaper "La Croix".
"This man was a model. He embodied humility and had great respect for all those around him", the Cardinal added.
The funeral of the South African leader to be held today, December 10, will see the participation of Heads of State and government from all over the world.
The South African Bishops have urged priests to ring the bells of their churches at noon tomorrow, December 11, to honor the memory of the leader of the anti-apartheid struggle and the first President of democratic South Africa.

ASIA/THAILAND - New elections on February 2, but "the situation changes day by day", says the Director of the PMS

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Bangkok - "The King has announced that the new general elections will be held on February 2, but the situation remains fluid and unstable. Everything can still change. We hope that this wave of protest is a further evidence for the growth of our democracy", says to Fides Agency Fr. Peter Watchasin, a priest from Bangkok and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Thailand. We hoped to see the end of street protests that have been going on for several days in Bangkok after the dissolution of Parliament and the announcement of early elections, proclaimed by Premier Yingluck Shinawatra. But the claims of the so-called "yellow shirts" - an expression of the conservative part of society – have not finished, while the army, one of the great powers of the country, has reiterated a position of neutrality.
"We do not know what will happen. There is so much uncertainty which has an impact on tourism and economy. According to some observers, there are people behind the scenes who want to fight and overthrow the government of Yingluck, daughter of the well-known tycoon Thaksin, who had ruled in the past", explains Fr. Watchasin. The protest, after those which took place in recent years, confirms that "society is divided and one has to work hard for a serious process of reconciliation, for the common good. We hope that this wave of popular participation, however, is useful for the growth and development of our democracy, and that the people can learn from this experience", he continues.
The Church has not taken an official position with regards to the protest, "but is always on the side of the poor and the excluded, transparency and human rights". "In the Christian laity – concludes the Director - the faithful are divided between those who support and those who do not agree with the protest". The Thai government was elected democratically in 2011.

ASIA/HOLY LAND - Agreement on the water between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The Director of Caritas Jerusalem: it is a good start

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Jerusalem - "I am happy. I dreamed of this agreement for many years, also to save the Dead Sea, which is really dying". This is what Father Raed Abusahliah, Director General of Caritas Jerusalem, says to Fides Agency, commenting the signing of the trilateral agreement signed in Washington on December 9 between representatives of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority and aimed at improving the distribution of water resources in the area, putting a stop to the drying up of the Dead Sea. According to Fr Raed, "if the Palestinians really benefit from the use of larger amounts of water, this will have a positive impact on their lives, especially since the Palestinian Territories suffer from water shortage. In addition - the Palestinian priest adds - the agreement implicitly recognizes the sovereignty of the Palestinian Authority - involved as a partner - on the lands of the northern part of the Dead Sea, which are part of the Palestinian Territories. I hope that after this Agreement, shared solutions are found related to other problems that affect us all".
The trilateral agreement on water comes after eleven years of negotiations. This involves the creation of a pumping system in the Gulf of Aqaba, in order to channel nearly 200 million cubic meters of water per year in areas that suffer most from the lack of water resources. A part of the water will be drained into the Dead Sea, that without this intervention is likely to dry up by 2050.
The agreement was signed at the World Bank headquarters, which is a partner of the project. "We demonstrated that we can work together in spite of our political problems", said Palestinian Minister Shaddad Attili at the signing of the Agreement.

ASIA/INDIA - Human Rights Day, the cry of Bishops: "India has failed in promoting them"

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

New Delhi - "India is miserably failing in its obligation to respect, protect and promote the human rights of its citizens. The Indian situation shows widespread and flagrant violations of the rights that adversely affect the lives and the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable groups": is what is stated by the Commission for the justice, peace and development in the Episcopal Conference of India, on the UN Human Rights Day, which is celebrated today, December 10. In a message sent to Fides Agency and signed by Fr. Charles Irudayam, Secretary of the Commission, the blatant sore spots are recalled, ie all cases in which the basic rights have been trampled on in India. Among the examples: the Bhopal tragedy in 1984; the pogroms based on caste or religion; impunity related to the perpetrators of the pogrom in Gujarat, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. For all Indian citizens, the text continues, "the indifference of the state to demand to remove laws that discriminate on the basis of religion, the stubborn refusal to end the death penalty, and to repeal the law on special powers to the Armed Forces, show a lack of respect for human rights".
In addition, it states "the state has chosen to sacrifice the rights of its citizens on the altar of development". There are, in fact, "mass displacement of tribals for mining activities or construction of power, thermal or nuclear power plants to the detriment of the living conditions of the fishermen or farmers". "The failure of the state - continues the statement - is evident in the failure to protect women and children from abuse and sexual violence, despite the laws".
In this context, the Church offers its contribution to make India better: the Church is committed to promoting the weaker sections of society like the tribals, women, dalits, children and tries to be the "voice of those who have no voice". This approach, say the Indian Bishops "is reiterated by Pope Francis in his recent Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, when he says: "Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their aid" .

ASIA/INDIA - Resignation of the Bishop of Balasore and appointment of successor

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Vatican City - The Holy Father, on December 9, 2013, accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Balasore , by His Exc. Mgr. Thomas Thiruthalil, C.M., in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed Fr. Rev. Simon Kaipuram, C.M., Dean and Professor of Aquinas College in Gopalpur, in the Diocese of Berhampur as Bishop of the Diocese of Balasore .
Rev. Fr. Simon Kaipuram, C.M., was born on February 9, 1954, in Thanneermukkom, diocese of Kottayam, Kerala. He studied Philosophy at Aquinas College in Gopalpur , as a novice in the Congregation of the Mission and Theology at the Pontifical University of Pune.
He was ordained a priest on 20 December 1980 by the Congregation of the Mission. After ordination he has held the following positions: 1981-1982: Assistant priest in Aligond, Diocese of Berhampur; 1982-1983: Parish Vicar in Mohana, Diocese of Berhampur; 1983-1985: Studies for the Licentiate at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome; 1985-1990: Formator and Professor at Aquinas College, Gopalpur; 1990-1993: Studies for a Doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome; 1993-1999: Rector of Vidya Sadan Theology House, Pune; 1999-2007: Formator, Professor and Dean of Studies at Aquinas College; 2007-2011: Formator at the Vincentian minor Seminary in Baripada, Diocese of Balasore; since 2011: Dean and Professor at Aquinas College, Diocesan Consultant and Assistant Provincial and appreciated Visiting Professor in various Theological Seminaries and Institutes in India.

EUROPE/POLAND - Support vocations in mission countries: prayer vigil and missiological session

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Czestochowa - Promoted by the Pontifical Missionary Union of Poland, on 7 and 8 December, at the Shrine of Jasna Gora, a prayer vigil and missiological session under the theme - support for vocations in mission countries was held.
According to information sent to Fides Agency, the Mass in the chapel of the miraculous Image, presided by Fr. Jan Fecko, director of the Missionary Formation Center in Warsaw opened the session. The meeting was attended by Fr. Thaddeus Wojda, UnderSecretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, who spoke of the priorities of the mission ad Gentes in the contemporary world.
The theme of local vocations is part of the national initiative "Adopt missionary seminarians", launched last October, of which Father Bogdan Michalski, National Secretary of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith and St. Peter the Apostle, presented the first fruits. His Exc. Mgr. Marek Solarczyk, a delegate of the Polish Bishops' Conference for vocations, presided at the Mass at midnight.
The meeting, which was attended by about 250 people, including missionaries, members of missionary groups and other people sensitive to the issue, was enriched by some testimonies of missionaries who offered their services in Africa.

AMERICA/MEXICO - Caravan of mothers: "The Church condemns all forms of violence against anyone, including immigrants", says the Bishop of Cordoba

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Veracruz - "The Catholic Church condemns all forms of violence against anyone, including immigrants, this is why we join in prayer, to ask for tragedies to end during their journey": this is what His Exc. Mgr. Eduardo Patiño Leal, Bishop of Cordoba, Veracruz said after the celebration of the Immaculate Conception. The Bishop mentioned the Caravan of Central American mothers who this week will arrive in the community of La Patrona, in Amatlán de Los Reyes, in search of their children .
After celebrating Mass in the Cathedral of Cordoba, during a press conference, Mgr. Patiño Leal condemned the violence the Central American immigrants are subjected to when crossing Mexico, highlighting the fact that they are always asked a bribe to travel without any problems on the train. "This should make us think - said the Bishop - because we demand respect for the Mexican people in the United States".
According to the note sent to Fides, Mgr. Patiño Leal complained that illegal immigrants continue to be
seen as criminals and their human rights are not respected. The Bishop concluded by reaffirming that the clergy will continue to defend the rights of all, despite the threats that sometimes he receives, as "the most important thing is to keep fighting".

AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - "Political divisions increase while conditions of life worsen", denounce the Bishops

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Harare - "The political fault lines and their impact on all aspects of the lives of Zimbabweans are set not only to deepen, but also to stand in the way of progress and ultimately in the way of peace" the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference said in a December 03 pastoral letter.
"We note with apprehension that … there are no visible prospects for improvement in the spheres of life in Zimbabwe", denounces the document, reported by CISA Agency in Nairobi.
The Bishops recall "daily water and power cuts, shortage of medicines, equipment and professional personnel in our hospitals, chaos and carnage on our roads, raw sewage flowing in the streets of our towns and cities".
The pastoral letter also stresses that it is necessary to "restore Zimbabwe’s historical status as the breadbasket of the southern Africa region with guaranteed food security for her people" while "our industrial sites carry the appearance of ghost towns because the once-vibrant manufacturing sector is now largely moribund".
The July elections in which 89-year-old President Robert Mugabe was re-elected "have left Zimbabweans more polarized than they were before and during the unity government formed after disputed 2008 elections", the bishops said.
Although the unity government drew criticism, “it would be hard to deny that some visible progress was made to improve the lot of our people, particularly the lot of the poor in our society .What made this improvement possible was the fact that Zimbabweans, including the political parties, worked together for the common good", said the pastoral letter.
"Zimbabwe is blessed with abundant natural resources and resilient, God-fearing and highly skilled people,” they said, noting that this abundance “gives us encouragement and hope that Zimbabweans can transform this unsatisfactory situation and in its place create a better life for all Zimbabweans" conclude the Bishops.

AFRICA/EGYPT – New Draft Constitution now available. Religious freedom guaranteed

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Cairo - The Arab Republic of Egypt is "a sovereign state, united and indivisible, a democratic republic, based on citizenship and the rule of law". This is how the Egyptian nation is defined in the new draft constitution prepared by 50 members of the Constitutional Assembly and destined to be subjected to a popular referendum by January 2014. An unofficial version of Egypt’s new draft Constitution is now available.
Article 2 defines Islam as the state religion and the principles of Islamic law are recognized as "the main source of legislation".
Article 3 states that the principles of the laws of the Egyptian Christians and Jews’ legislation are the main source of legislation governing their personal status and their religious affairs, and the choice of their spiritual leaders.
In Article 50, the Coptic era is listed among the elements that fall under the shared Egypt heritage of civilization.
In Article 64, freedom of belief is defined as "absolute". The freedom of religious practice and the establishment of houses of worship for members of the Abrahamic religions is guaranteed and regulated by the law. Article 74 gives citizens the right to form political parties, but it is forbidden to "establish political parties based on religion", or on the basis of discrimination on grounds of sex, origin, sectarian membership. Article 244 establishes the commitment of state institutions to work so that in the next parliament "the youth, Christians and persons with disabilities" are presented in an appropriate manner.

AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Strong condemnation of the attack committed by the FARC, that declare a truce for Christmas

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Cali - The Archbishop of Cali, His Exc. Mgr. Dario de Jesus Monsalve, expressed his strong condemnation with regards to the attack carried out by the FARC in the municipality of Inza, in the area of Cauca , on the morning of 7 December, which caused 9 deaths and 48 people were injured, in addition to the destruction of a police barrack and a dozen shops.
The population of Inza immediately visited the scene of the attack by bringing candles to pray for the dead . "Many of the military and the police are not from here. They come from far away to carry out a security service. We cannot leave them alone", said a man who had gone there with the whole family.
While the news of the attack appeared in the media in Colombia, in Cuba, where peace talks are being held between the Colombian government and the FARC, a publication of a joint statement was postponed. In fact, the government withdrew its approval of the declaration because of this terrible act of terrorism. Some observers point out the urgent need to recognize the presence of subversive forces and other counterinsurgencies, and in any case there are attacks that do not consider the consequences on the civilian population.
In the meantime the media inform that the FARC has declared a 30-day truce for the Christmas period, starting from December 15. This decision was taken just after President Santos spoke to the nation , promising to "give no respite to the guerrillas, so they will not have a minute of peace and cannot perform acts such as these".

AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - "The situation in Bangui is slowly normalizing, but there are still thousands of refugees in parishes"

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Bangui - "The situation in Bangui is slowly normalizing, but there are still thousands of people in parishes", says to Fides Agency Mgr. Juan Jose Aguirre Muños, Bishop of Bangassou, who has been blocked in the capital of the Central African Republic since December 5, when clashes between the Seleka rebels and "anti Balaka" militias broke out in the city causing chaos and violence. With the arrival of 1,600 French soldiers in support of the African forces already deployed, Bangui is finding a little bit of order.
"The airport has finally reopened and I hope soon to be able to return to my diocese tomorrow or maybe the day after tomorrow. Taxis are circulating and shops are reopening" says Mgr. Muños. "But there are still thousands of people in parishes, where food is scarce. During the night, safety is not guaranteed. The other night, some boys from displaced families ventured in their neighborhoods to see what the situation was like, but they were intercepted by some men of Seleka who killed them. The people, therefore, are still afraid to return home".
"The French troops -continues the Bishop - are going to all the neighborhoods to disarm members of Seleka. Many of them have already been disarmed and President Michel Djotodia has accepted that former rebels return to their barracks".
We ask Mgr. Aguirre if he has news about what is happening in his diocese. "From what I was told, in spite of the 400 deaths in Bangui, there has been no violence in Bangassou and the situation is normal to the point that schools have reopened. This is due to the fact that the men of Seleka in Bangassou remained calm and did not try to take revenge on civilians for what was happening in the capital. There is also African military who contribute to help ensure safety, without forgetting the valuable work of interreligious mediation by the committee that has allowed us to calm down the population, with meetings at the local mosque on tolerance, mutual respect".
"We hope we have peace at Christmas", concluded Bishop Aguirre.

ASIA/SYRIA - The monastic Community in Deir Mar Musa works for reconciliation

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Nabek - The monks and nuns of the monastic Community of Khalil Allah in Deir Mar Musa - founded by the Roman Jesuit Dall'Oglio Paolo, who was abducted by unknown kidnappers at the end of July - have issued a Christmas letter in which they express to their friends and acquaintances the feelings and deeds that mark their path towards the feast that celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In the letter, sent to Fides Agency, information is given on the initiatives carried out last year by members of the Community with regards to the dynamics and consequences of the conflict in Syria. In particular, we have the testimony of Brother Jacques, who works in the city of Qaryatayn, where "he dedicates all his time to accommodate refugee families who came to the monastery of Mar Elian looking for help and protection". The refugees who arrived in Mar Elian from the same town of Qaryatayn in recent months – says the letter - have been more than five thousand, with a Muslim majority: "They slept like scouts, everywhere, in church halls and even on roof tops in the cold weather. We thank the Lord that their escape was in spring and not during the winter season". The refugees hosted in Mar Elian by nearby villages are currently 450, with 97 children under 10 years of age. "In Qaryatayn" explain the monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa "the situation is good at the moment, the city is quiet and almost stable, while the nearby villages are still suffering". To save the city from destruction were "the efforts of monk Jacques along with the Mufti of the city with some respectable people among the Muslims" who preserved it from the battle that was about to erupt in the area. "In fact a truce was ordered", explains the letter, "which produced a local solution between the two parties in conflict and ensured peace in the city as well as preparing the ground for a future deeper reconciliation".
The monks and nuns of Deir Mar Musa also expressed their anxiety about "the fate of our founder, Father Paolo. We have not had any news since his disappearance", the letter reads, "We do not know who to ask or who to turn to for any help. But we know we can rely on God, Merciful and Compassionate, and on the prayers of so many people of good will in the world, of different religions and nations for our beloved brother and teacher".

AMERICA/MEXICO - Evening Mass restarts, the communities want to prepare themselves for upcoming feasts

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Ciudad Victoria - The Diocese of Ciudad Victoria restarts the celebration of evening Masses, which had been suspended in various church villages for security reasons. The Bishop of the diocese, His Exc. Mgr. Antonio González Sánchez, in the note sent to Fides Agency, comments: "About two years ago evening Masses had been suspended in some parishes, because people did not go anymore. Now, we are returning to a life which can be considered more normal".
Mgr. González Sánchez points out that in this time of the year parishioners show the same enthusiasm as the past: in fact they want to get together to organize the celebrations that are approaching, such as "las mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe", a feast that takes place in all Catholic churches starting from the evening of 11 December.
"People know very well that in this month of December, we have a lot of feasts - continues the Bishop - such as the Sundays of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12, which here, as in many places around the country, starts on the 11th , and then, the Christmas 'posadas' from 16 December, Christmas Eve and Christmas". Mgr. González Sánchez, however, urges the priests and the faithful to be cautious in these difficult times.

ASIA/BANGLADESH - Among social and political unrest, missionary activity continues

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Dinajpur - "For months, strikes, riots, killings, attacks against party headquarters and Hindu villages have multiplied. The opposition wants to paralyze the country to force the government to amend the electoral law: road blocks, train derailments, fires are on the rise. But our activities so far have not been affected directly: all this causes inconveniences, especially when it comes to fulfilling school programs for young people and taking care of the sick". This is what is said in a message sent to Fides by Fr. Franco Cagnasso, PIME missionary in Bangladesh, highlighting how the activities of the missions are preparing for Christmas. We are talking especially about educational activities: "Among these activities - he explains - I recall the first hostel in Tong Khyang Para, where there are about 100 boys and girls who have the desire to study and commit themselves toward the marginalized and dispersed.
"Even the girls of the Santal Hostel - he continues - are about to take their exams. With them, we help, other 270 students of various ages, in different places and in different ways".
Another area of commitment, explains Fr. Cagnasso, is that regarding health care: "A recent meeting with the clergy of the Diocese of Rajshahi confirmed to me that the"Sick Service Center" is dear to all. In 2013, more than 4,000 patients, including 400 with tuberculosis, received attention, care, assistance in the year that is coming to an end", concludes Fr. Cagnasso.

AFRICA/GUINEA BISSAU - On December 13, National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace convened by the Bishops

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Bissau - In the spirit of the liturgical season of Advent, the Bishops of the dioceses in Guinea Bissau and Bafata , His Exc. Mgr. Pedro Zilli and His Exc. Mgr. José Camnate na Bissign have invited all the diocesan communities to a "Day of fasting and prayer for peace in the world, in Africa and in Guinea-Bissau" to be held on December 13. According to information sent to Fides Agency by the Diocese of Bissau, in presenting the initiative, the Bishops point out: "May our prayer and our fasting lead us to accept peace through a life marked by truth, justice and reconciliation. World leaders, Africans and Guineans must think about the poorest of the poor. The democratic spirit must fill the hearts of everyone, especially of politicians and the military".
In tune with the wave of international solidarity in favor of the Philippines, a nation deeply wounded by Typhoon Haiyan, the Bishops recommend to all parish communities that "the fruit of fasting has to be destined to the victims of this natural disaster". Furthermore, the Catholic Church promotes a fundraiser for the Filipino people until Sunday, December 22.
On 6 and 7 December there was the usual Marian Pilgrimage to the Guinean National Shrine of Our Lady of the Nativity in Cacheu. Since we have just concluded the Year of Faith, the motto of the pilgrimage chosen was: "With Mary, we walk in the light of faith". As usual there were many young people and adults who carried out the pilgrimage on foot, marked by prayer and sacrifice. More than four thousand faithful then took part in the Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, concelebrated by the Bishops of the two dioceses , which was also attended by representatives of the state and the Muslim community.

AFRICA/BURUNDI - Appointment of the Coadjutor of Bubanza

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Vatican City - The Holy Father, on December 7, 2013, appointed Rev. Georges Bizimana of the clergy of Ngozi, Rector of the Jean Paul II major Seminary of Gitega as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Bubanza .
Rev. Georges Bizimana was born on March 12, 1965 in Buraniro, Diocese of Ngozi. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at the major Seminary in Bujumbura. He was ordained a priest on 20 August 1994. He later obtained a Doctorate in Moral Theology in Rome. After ordination he has held the following positions: 1994-1997: Formator at the minor Seminary in Mureke; 1997-2001: Assistant priest in Gasenyi; 2001-2002: Pastor of Mubuga; 2002-2004: Chancellor of the diocese; 2004-2008: Studies for a Doctorate in Moral Theology at the Alfonsianum, in Rome, residing at the Belgian College; 2008-2010: Professor at the Theological Jean Paul II major Seminary of Gitega; since 2010: Rector of the same Seminary.

AFRICA/MALAWI - Resignation of the Bishop of Mangochi and appointment of successor

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Vatican City - The Holy Father, on December 6, 2013, accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Mangochi , by His Exc. Mgr. Alessandro Pagani, S.M.M., in accordance with can. 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed His Exc. Mgr. Monfort Stima, as Bishop of Mangochi .

ASIA/SYRIA - The nuns of Maalula, the Lebanese security chief in Qatar to try and find a solution

Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Beirut - General Abbas Ibrahim, leader of the Lebanese security apparatuses, on behalf of the Lebanese President Michel Sleiman visited Qatar on Saturday, December 7 in an attempt to find a solution to the case of the nuns of Maalula abducted from the monastery of Santa Tecla and transferred to a place so far unidentified.
The mission - which takes into account the links between the Emirate and some armed factions in conflict with the Syrian government army - has been confirmed by Lebanese sources consulted by Fides Agency.
It seems that General Ibrahim also contacted the TV station Al-Jazeera to have news on the source of the video transmitted by the network on Friday, December 6, in which the nuns appear sitting on the sofa in a large room, solicited by a male voice who pronounced reassuring phrases on their conditions, presented not as an abduction but as a kind of humanitarian operation to protect them from the dangers, after the city of Maalula was again occupied by rebel militias.
So far, the only claim with regards to the "abduction" of the nuns comes from the anti-Assad faction that calls itself "Free Qalamun", whose spokesman Mohannad Abu al-Fidaa said that the nuns will not be freed only in exchange for the release of thousands of women held in the prisons by the Syrian regime.

AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICA - "The whole country is terrorized": new testimonies on the drama of Central Africa

Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Bangui - Fides received further dramatic testimony from the Central African Republic, gripped by clashes between former Seleka rebels and "anti Balaka" self-defense groups, while the French troops of the African Union are doing their best to ensure a minimum of security.
"The whole country is terrorised" refers to Caritas Internationalis Fr. Anicet Assingambi of the parish of St. Carlo of Lwanga, in the north of Bangui, the capital. Tens of thousands of people are seeking shelter in Bangui’s church buildings and church compounds throughout the country.
"There are five thousand people hiding in our parish buildings. A woman told me she’d seen her brother gunned down. All men are shot at if they go outside. There is a young man dead on the street outside, but it’s too dangerous to go outside to remove his body", says Fr. Assingambi.
"We have nothing to give them" - says Fr . Assingambi. "Their homes have been looted. They’re mourning their dead. When they arrived in the church, the children were crying. We sang hymns and said prayers and that has helped calm people down. We have never seen anything as bad as this before. We’re at the mercy of God, please pray for us".
The statement sent to Fides says that at the moment it is impossible for Caritas workers to reach out to the people in need.
In Bossangoa in the north of the Country , Caritas fears for the safety of over 40,000 people camped out in the Catholic mission compound and 1,600 people who are hiding in a school. Yesterday, December 6, a rocket landed in the mission miraculously not killing anyone.
The Catholic Church in Central African Republic is calling for an immediate cease-fire and for humanitarian aid to be allowed.