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Gospel Saints Papal Teaching Congregation Pontifical Mission Societies Urban University Mission texts Animation Statistics From the Holy See Testimonies Martyrology Jubilee 2000 Church life Missionaries Religious institutes Movements & Associations Catholic universities Culture History Art Cinema / Photo Radio & tv Music Poetry Health Technology Geography News 360° Dossier In-depth study Interviews Stories Book review Children’s corner		INDEX febbraio 2004 27/02/2004 VATICAN - Papal Message for Fraternity Campaign 2004 in Brazil: “A gift of God, water is a vital element, indispensable for life and therefore a right for every person” EUROPE/GERMANY - “Give us our daily bread…today.” - Hunger in the world is the theme of a 2004 Lenten Solidarity Campaign organised by the German Bishops starting on the first Sunday of Lent AFRICA/NIGERIA - Clashes in Plateau state. At least 48 protestant Church of Christ worshippers killed in church AFRICA/CONGO RD - Political tension and massacre of civilians. Is peace still a long way off? AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - 2nd meeting of Mater Christi Consortium focuses on Formation for religious men and women ASIA/INDIA - Christians in Karnataka want Good Friday state holiday to stay ASIA/INDIA - Salesians in southern India mark silver jubilee: 25 years of service, youth programmes and flourishing vocations ASIA/INDONESIA - Civil and religious leaders meet to discuss prospects for peace in Indonesian Papua AMERICA/CHILE - “If the Church in Latin America had not been enriched by the pastoral ministry of Pope John Paul II it would not be working to overcome its weaknesses, (mentioned by Paul VI at the end of the Council), it would not be so united in missionary activity and in building a more reconciled society more in keeping in every way with the Will of God”: Puebla 25 years on: a reflection by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz, President of CELAM, AMERICA/HAITI - Caritas Haiti fears a humanitarian crisis as rebels approach the capital - The Bishops of the Church in America voice concern and solidarity with the people of Haiti 26/02/2004 VATICAN - The Pope’s annual meeting with his priests of Rome diocese: “Marriage and the family cannot be considered simply a product of circumstances or a superstructure imposed on human love from outside … We must see our apostolate with families as a source of grace, a gift given to us by God” EUROPE/FRANCE - On the first day of Lent French Cardinal Barbarin calls Christians and all people of good will to show solidarity with earthquake victims in Morocco AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Some school doors open, some pupils arrive but no teachers. A missionary from northern Ivory Coast tells the story CEP APPOINTMENTS - AMERICA/BOLIVIA - New National Director Pontifical Mission Societies Reverend Eugenio Scarpellini Mazzoleni OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Building peace with culture: Catholic school pupils turn ethnic and cultural differences into enriching theatre CEP APPOINTMENTS - AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Reverend Ismael Serrano Gudiel confirmed National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/CAPE VERDE - Reverend Caietano Pimenta Pereira confirmed National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies FIDES SIGNALS - Fides inuagurates new powerful modern search techniqe: see 470 exclusive photos documentation of the history of Catholic missionary work SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/UNITED NATIONS - United Nations vaccination campaign to prevent feared epidemic of yellow fever in Liberia SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/GUATEMALA - epidemic of rotavirus continues to strike in South America, now also in El Salvador where 18 cases are reported 25/02/2004 VATICAN - The Pope starts Lent by presiding Ash Wednesday Liturgy in St Peter’s: “To be authentic disciples of Christ it is necessary to renounce self, to take up our cross every day and follow Him. This is the difficult path to holiness which every baptised Christian is called to walk.” VATICAN - “Catholic moral teaching cannot accept artificial procreation whatever methods are used ”, said Archbishop Elio Sgreccia at the end of the 10th general assembly of the Pontifical Academy of Life VATICAN - Catechesis and Communication: integrating the Christian message in the new culture of the third millennium: a reflection by Prof. Pighin AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Catholic Church says draft of new Firearms Control Act must give greater attention to protecting women from domestic violence AFRICA/MOROCCO - Earth tremor in Morocco: official toll of death and destruction; the Pope sends message of sympathy AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE “Have we taken the commitment to evangelise seriously?” asks Catholic Bishop of Makeni in a recent Pastoral Letter ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Muslim and Christian school teachers from all over Mindanao agree that peace begins at school, where children must be educated to reciprocal esteem and respect ASIA/INDIA - Tragedy of thousands displaced by ethnic disputes in India’s north east states a mosaic of tribal peoples: local Church committed to mediation ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Young Catholic volunteers on mission to East Timor 24/02/2004 EUROPE/SERBIA - MONTE NEGRO - Presidents of Catholic Bishops Conference of South East Europe end annual meeting: the Church must strengthen its Christian witness, proclaiming the Gospel and promoting fundamental values including respect for life and the family AFRICA/CONGO RD - In a letter UN Secretary General the Catholic Bishops of Congo call on the United Nations to make a greater effort “to help Congo stop the civil war” AFRICA/CONGO RD - Everyday life of a missionary in Congo shared by missionary Father Sergio Vandini AFRICA/KENYA - “We must work to promote respect for the dignity of every human being ”. the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace visits second largest shanty town in Nairobi AFRICA/UGANDA -: “The army and rebels are locked in mortal combat to destroy each other but innocent citizens pay the price” Catholic Archbishop of Gulu tells Fides ASIA/INDONESIA - www.hampapua.org: Justice and Peace Commission of Jayapura Catholic diocese opens web site of to promote respect for human rights ASIA/HONG KONG - “Show compassion by giving, and evangelise by serving” and support Caritas Hong Kong Campaign: Lenten Letter to Catholics from Hong Kong’s Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Official talks between government and Muslim separatists will resume in April: “A milestone” in the peace process, says president Arroyo ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “No cloning of human embryos ”: local Catholic Church and associations in Korea protest against experiments carried out by local scientists AMERICA/BRAZIL - Church in Brazil starts annual Lenten “Fraternity Campaign” to evangelise in a spirit of conversion, interior renewal and community commitment BOOK REVIEW - Fidel González Fernández mccj - DANIELE COMBONI E LA RIGENERAZIONE DELL’AFRICA - Urban University Press 23/02/2004 CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/UGANDA - Rev. Augustine Lukenge confirmed as Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Uganda VATICAN - On the feast of the Chair of Peter, at the midday Angelus prayer Sunday 22 February, the Pope reflected on “the singular ministry entrusted by the Lord to the head of the Apostles, to confirm and guide the Church in unity of faith” the special service which “the Bishop of Rome is called to render to the entire Christian people”. VATICAN - The Pope addresses the plenary of the Pontifical Academy for Life: “Ever more emergent the inseparable bond between the procreation of a new person by means of conjugal union... This plan of the Creator is inscribed in the very physical and spiritual nature of man and woman and as such it is universally valid” EUROPE/SPAIN - “International Days for Charity and Voluntary Work” organised by San Antonio Catholic University in Murcia: conferences, testimony, exhibitions and initiatives of solidarity AFRICA /KENYA AIDS in Kenya 750 people die of AIDS every day, more than 31 per hour, more than 1 every 2 minutes. First conference of Kenyan women AFRICA/KENYA - 10th anniversary Institute for Social Ministry: renewing society in the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching ASIA/JAPAN - An average of 600 new HIV carriers every year; numbers continues to rise; 87% of new infections due to sexual transmission: the Church in front line to fight the scourge of AIDS ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “The mission of the Church in Korea is founded on Korea’s martyrs”: Bishop Lazzaro You Heung Sik, coadjutor Bishop of Daejeon speaks with Fides. ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AMERICA/JAMAICA - Archbishop Edgerton Roland Clarke of Kingston resigns, Archbishop Lawrence Burke appointed ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AMERICA/BAHAMAS - New Metropolitan Archbishop of Nassau FIDES SIGNALS - EUROPE/ RUSSIAN FEDERATION - See exclusive photos of German Cardinal Walter Kasper President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity visiting Orthodox Church leaders in Moscow 21/02/2004 VATICAN - “Biblical Notes on Human Procreation”: Cardinal Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Workers and the Sick addresses the general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life MISSIONARY PRAYER INTENTION - for March 2004:That in Africa cooperation between missionary Institutes and local Churches may grow with respect for the variety of gifts” Comment by Cardinal Francis Arinze Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments FIDES SIGNALS - VATICAN- Cardinal Saraiva Martins presents film-dossier on the Martyrs for the Faith of the 20th Century 20/02/2004 VATICAN - “As the years pass the importance of the Pontifical Academy for Life is ever more evident. While progress in bio-medical science offer glimpses of promising prospects for the good of humanity and for the treatment for serious and distressful illnesses, not rarely serious problems arise with regard to respect for human life and the dignity of the human person” the Pope says in a Message to the Pontifical Academy for Life VATICAN - Pope John Paul II sends Iranian authorities a message of sympathy after the tragic train accident on 18 February EUROPE/SCOTLAND - In the battle against meningitis courageous Glasgow Mum calls on George the gorilla to help. EUROPE/ RUSSIAN FEDERATION - Visit of President of Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Unity of Christians, Cardinal Walter Kasper in Moscow: brief report on meeting with Orthodox Metropolita Kirill EUROPE/SLOVENIA - The role of Consecrated Life in formation of a moral conscience in the new multi-cultural Europe: Meeting of the Union of European Conferences of Religious Major Superiors EUROPE/FRANCE - Sacred Heart Missionaries (MSC): 150 years proclaiming God’s love for all men and women AFRICA/KENYA - “We must work to promote respect for the dignity of every human being ”. the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace visits second largest shanty town in Nairobi AFRICA/CONGO RD - Everyday life of a missionary in Congo shared by missionary Father Sergio Vandini ASIA/NORTH KOREA - Missionary Childhood children in Germany help provide food for starving children in North Korea ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “No cloning of human embryos ”: local Catholic Church and associations in Korea protest against experiments carried out by local scientists AMERICA/MEXICO - “A poor Church encourages us not to pass by the afflicted but to be pilgrims following the footsteps of Jesus the Good Shepherd” says President of CELAM closing celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the Puebla Conference AMERICA/BRAZIL - Church in Brazil starts annual Lenten “Fraternity Campaign” to evangelise in a spirit of conversion, interior renewal and community commitment OCEANIA/ TUVALU - Tuvalu submerged by giant tidal wave 19/02/2004 VATICAN - The Pope announces that Blessed Luigi Orione and five other new Saints will be canonised on May 16 EUROPE/ RUSSIAN FEDERATION - In Moscow Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, speaks on “Orthodox Christianity and the Catholic Church forty years after the Vatican II decree on ecumenism Unitatis redintegratio” EUROPE/ITALY - Growing synergy among religious engaged in evangelisation through culture and publications: in January 2005 third meeting for operators in the sector AFRICA/BURUNDI - Elections cannot be organised in 9 months: open debate AFRICA/RWANDA - Clean water for 100,000 people ASIA/IRAN - Tomorrow elections in Iran. Turnout uncertain: women and youth expected to stay at home ASIA/INDIA - Local Church fully supports peace talks between India and Pakistan AMERICA/HAITI - Haiti’s Catholic Bishops plead: “take necessary measures to prevent a blood bath of civilians” OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - After the Olympic Games, World Youth Day: the Church in Australia is a candidate for World Youth Day 2007 18/02/2004 VATICAN - “God passionately desires and ardently longs for our salvation” the Pope said in his Wednesday teaching focused on the ancient hymn of blessing for “the wonders God has worked for us in Christ”: FIDES SIGNALS - VATICAN - Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Council for Life opens with celebrations to make the 10th anniversary of its institution EUROPE/SERBIA-MONTENEGRO - Annual Meeting of the South-East European Bishops’ Conference with strong ecumenical and interreligious emphasis EUROPE/RUSSIAN FEDERATION - Visit to Moscow by Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Unity among Christians. See Cardinal Kasper’s homily at the Catholic Cathedral of Immaculate Mary AFRICA/ERITREA - Dramatic appeal from Caritas Internationalis: Eritrea urgently needs clean water, seed for farmers, medical care for millions of impoverished people AFRICA/REPUBLIC OF CONGO - Radio Magnificat first Catholic Radio station in the Republic of Congo still waiting for licence ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - A Korean priest on mission in Japan to help the local Church with pastoral and missionary work ASIA/HONG KONG - Hong Kong journalist one of five new women Consultors to the Pontifical Council for Culture AMERICA/PERU - “We want a country without divisions, where everyone lives under the same conditions”: the Catholic Bishops of Peru address difficult national situation AMERICA/COSTA RICA - “CAM 2 marked an unprecedented milestone in preparation and celebration this means we have entered a new era which we call, with an expression of John Paul II, “a great Christian springtime in the Church’s evangelising activity”. SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA - Cholera is still spreading in Africa, Africans still die of a disease which today can be prevented with simple precautions FIDES SIGNALS - ROME - “The spiritual heritage of Gregory the Great” Symposium to mark 14th centenary of death of Pope Gregory the Great 17/02/2004 AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE - Bishops of Sierra Leone and Gambia concerned about spreading imported Muslim fundamentalism AFRICA/GUINEA - Students demand better conditions of life and study AFRICA/CONGO RD - “We are grieved by the fact that instead of working for social development our national leaders assign social advantages to themselves openly demonstrating disinterest for the people’s wellbeing ” say Catholic Bishops of Congo ASIA/VIETNAM - More than 430 Vietnamese youth prepare to follow in the foot steps of Don Bosco: the calling to love and to serve wins the hearts of boys in a communist country ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Migrants a resource both for society and for the Church: Scalabrini Fathers organise formation week for pastoral workers assisting migrants ASIA/INDONESIA - “Many still living in camps need money to move and rebuild a home: religious communities must forgive and forget and start rebuilding society”: Catholic Bishop appeals for help for Moluccas Islands still suffering affects of violent inter-ethnic clashes AMERICA/PERU - “Increase efforts to guarantee ongoing, systematic missionary formation designed to meet the needs of mission today”: one of several commitments taken by diocesan and regional directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Peru. AMERICA/HAITI - Humanitarian emergency in Haiti: “260,000 people including 80,000 children have no food”. Dramatic report from Carlo Maria Zorzi AVSI representative in Haiti SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA/INDONESIA - Dengue Alarm: break-bone fever kills 91 people SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA - BIRD FLU- Two new outbreaks in China, suspect seed bed in Japan, 14 new outbreaks in 9 provinces of Thailand 16/02/2004 VATICAN - The Pope recalls the important cultural and evangelising work of Saints Cyril and Methodius in eastern Europe: “Also in our day may the universal Message of Christ entrusted to the Church be the light of truth and source of justice and peace for peoples of the continent and of the whole world EUROPE/SWITZERLAND “We must not make the victims of mines victims also of oblivion and discrimination.”: Holy See permanent Observer Archbishop Tomasi, tells standing committee of experts on the Convention prohibiting anti-personnel mines. EUROPE/GERMANY - “Children have a Voice ” is the slogan for 2005 Holy Childhood Star Singer collection for children in need and the symbol country is Thailand where “between 60.000 and 200.000 children are forced to prostitute themselves”, says Andreas Mauritz, president of the Association of German Catholic Youth BDKJ EUROPE/GERMANY - “It is time to act! - Uganda needs new peace initiatives“. Following talks with representatives of the different Churches in Germany organised by the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Ugandan leaders hope for new commitment for peace EUROPE/ITALY - 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary: Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate renew devotion to Our Lady and commitment to holiness: letter from Superior General AFRICA/THE GREAT LAKES REGION - Democratic Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Rev. Ferdinando Colombo, vice president of VIS reports on progress of development programme launched three years ago by this Salesian volunteer aid agency AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Reports of more fighting in south west Ethiopia where ethnic tension, oil, gold and foreign interests make an explosive mixture AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - Camillian Fathers caring for the sick in Africa: Fides speaks to one of the many missionaries who have chosen to live among some of the poorest people on earth ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Postponed explorative talks between government and Muslim separatists: missionary tells Fides what’s in the way of peace SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - WHO and FAO concerned for bird flu: the epidemic continues. Out of 10 cases in Vietnam studied 8 persons died, only one recovered and the other is in critical conditions 14/02/2004 ASIA/SRI LANKA - Politics, society religion in the present stage of the Island’s history AMERICA/COSTA RICA - 4th Central American Meeting for vicars of pastoral and diocesan delegates for missions will outline pastoral plans suited to implement the conclusions of the Second American Mission Congress (CAM 2) 13/02/2004 VATICAN - Cardinal Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Health Workers and the Sick, speaks about costs of drug therapy VATICAN - Half a century of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Iran celebrated at the Gregorian University in Rome AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Rising crime rate, bad management of resources, AIDS. Association of Catholic Women Religious in Zambia voice concern ASIA/SRI LANKA - “Island in situation of political uncertainty. Dangerous mix of politics and religion”: a local missionary reports to Fides ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Seoul archdiocese opens an Institute of Theological Studies for lay people ASIA/SRI LANKA - Tomorrow Fides presents: Special report on Sri Lanka - politics, society and religion in the present phase of the country’s history OCEANIA/FIJI - Making music to announce the Gospel to Youth “We shall not give up”: CD ROM by young Salesian in the South Pacific SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Solidarity fundamental resource in health care: St John of God Brothers reflect on“ solidarietà tra professionalità e umanizzazione ” 12/02/2004 VATICAN - The Pope’s Wednesday Audience teaching: “To a simply human vision, pain and sickness may appear to be absurd realities: but if we let ourselves be illuminated by the light of the Gospel we are able to grasp their profound salvific significance”. VATICAN - In St Peter’s the Pope meets and blesses the sick: “As we look at Mary our heart opens to hope…Immaculate Mary is the wonderful sign of the victory of life over death, love over sin, salvation over all sickness of body or soul ”. AFRICA/SUDAN - Officially the war in Darfur is over but some say the exact opposite is true and they ask for dialogue to prevail. “The government must behave like a father who has a problem with his son and sits down to talk to solve it together” says Sudanese Bishop Macram Max Gassis ASIA/IRAN - Earthquake: in the villages of Nartich and Esfikan Caritas will build 500 new homes with the direct involvement of local people. Another convoy of aid has reached Bam and supplies are being distributed to 303 families. ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Terrorists or guerrillas? Government in a hurry to negotiate with rebels ASIA/IRAQ - “It is amazing to see that at the slightest signal of a return to normality, murderous hands are ready to strike causing death, destruction and terror” Father Nizar Semaan in Iraq tells Fides ASIA/INDIA - Following attacks by fundamentalist Hindus in Madhya Pradesh, police mount guard in front of churches and schools SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA - New case of bird flu confirmed in Vietnam and new suspected outbreak in China BOOK REVIEW - Gloria Germani - “TERESA OF CALCUTTA MYSTIC OF EAST AND WEST ” - Her thought in relation to India and Gandhi - Pauline Publications SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - AIDS: in Mozambique mother-child transmission stopped in 97% of cases by S. Egidio DREAM project. Report to Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infection in San Francisco one of the most authoritative meetings for the prevention and treatment of the virus FIDES SIGNALS - EUROPE/ITALY - “Diverse understanding of the truth in philosophy, science and theology: searching for a common basis ”: Pontifical University Lateran Day of Study 10/02/2004 EUROPE/SPAIN - “Witnesses of Christ for a Europe of Hope”: 50.000 young people expected to make Youth Pilgrimage to Santiago di Compostela in August EUROPE/RUSSIA - To mark ten years of service in Moscow the Daughters of St Paul have published the first edition of the Roman Breviary in Russian: the two volume work will be on sale from Easter this year AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - Head Master of the Brothers of Christian Schools College in Bobo Dioulasso found murdered in his office AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Dismissed governor of Bukavu hands arsenal to United Nations Mission: details of disarmament operation: download photos of weapons consignment AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Catholic missionaries in Korhogo attacked and robbed by militia of “warlord” killed on Sunday ASIA/HOLY LAND – World Wide Web offers “Today’s Gospel” in Arabic, thanks to a team of volunteers in the Middle East ASIA/PAKISTAN - Missionary Childhood Day in Pakistan: all over the country Catholic children “Heralds of hope, peace and reconciliation” pray and celebrate AMERICA/HONDURAS - “It is Not Possible to be Living Members of the Body of Christ and Accomplices in Methods of Abortion”: Catholic Bishop of Honduras issue severe warning FIDES SIGNALS - Iran and the Holy See: Past, Present and Future”. To mark 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Islamic republic of Iran SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - 130 million women victims of infibulation, one of the many faces of how women are tortured and abused. Every year two million girls risk the same destiny 09/02/2004 ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/SUDAN – Bishop Paride Taban of Torit resigns VATICAN - The Pope entrusts World Day for the Sick to Our Lady: “May the Blessed Virgin Mary watch over those taking part in the various events in Lourdes in the next few days: meetings on Health Pastoral in Europe and the special relationship between Immaculate Mary and the sick” VATICAN - “The Dignity of human Procreation and Reproductive Techniques: Anthropological and Moral Aspects”: General Assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life EUROPE/FRANCE - Celebrations in Lourdes for the 12th World Day for the Sick open today – Papal Message: “If Jesus is the source of life which triumphs over death Mary is the loving mother who answers the call of her children obtaining for them health of body and soul ” EUROPE/ITALY - Lay Franciscan call for peace in the Holy Land: “Europe cannot simply stand and watch” : Second year running “Painting Piazze with Peace” young people create awareness EUROPE/GERMANY - “Uganda: a war the world has forgotten”. Religious leaders visit Germany to win support from government and Churches to put an end to 18 years of civil war AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Governor of Bukavu, in east Congo, suspended. Disquieting questions reported to Fides with regard to latest events AFRICA/CHAD – The role of women in the Church and in Society: Pastoral Letter by Bishop Edmond Djitangar of Sarh ASIA/PAKISTAN - “Make me a channel of your peace!” pray Muslims and Christians together, condemning terrorism and issuing a message of tolerance and harmony ASIA/SRI LANKA - President announces early elections, Tamil Tigers disapprove: peace process threatened: fervid debate in the country ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - The local Church comes to the aid of women immigrants, victims of abuse and prostitution: Taejon diocese opens Home for Women in Need SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA/VIETNAM - Bird influenza: 70% of infected humans die: 19 dead 06/02/2004 VATICAN - The Pope addresses the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: “May the evangelising activity of the whole Church never falter before a world which has still to meet Christ or before those who have met him but still live far from him ”. EUROPE/RUSSIA – Archbishop Kondrusiewicz voices grief of Russia's Catholic community after tragic bomb blast in Moscow metro: "This is another appearance of the terrible face of terrorism…we ask all Catholics to pray for the repose of the souls of the dead, the recovery of the injured and the consolation of the families” AFRICA/SUDAN - “Father what is peace? A pause between battles?”… This is the challenge facing the Church in Sudan: to help bring peace to hearts hardened by 20 years of war AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Mysterious shooting in Bukavu, fear that fighting has resumed. Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani reports to Fides AFRICA/SUDAN - White House sends letter to Catholic Bishop of El Obeid: “The President shares your concern for Sudan and is with you in the struggle for peace in your country ” ASIA/PAKISTAN - Interreligious dialogue women’s style: Pakistani Christian and Muslim women work together to promote reconciliation and rebuild social harmony ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Suwon diocese starts country’s first Catholic weekly: for information, formation and evangelisation ASIA/VIETNAM - Special two year theology course for former seminarians never ordained and clandestine priests now free to minister SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - SARS: an Italian study shows how virus mutates SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/GUATEMALA - Every day 250 new cases of diarrhoea among children. 23 die of rotavirus: 90% under 5 05/02/2004 VATICAN - “Christ left us two commands: to preach and to heal. The Church cannot fail to offer her missionary testimony in the world of health”. Interview with Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Health Workers and the Sick EUROPE/ITALY - S. Egidio Community marks 36th anniversary of its foundation: Cardinal Ruini presides special Mass of Thanksgiving AFRICA/CONGO RD - Promote democracy and respect for human rights; stop arms trafficking. Pax Christi International appeals to international community to restore peace in the Great Lakes Region of Africa ASIA/MYANMAR - Thousands of Karen, Karenni and Shan refugees hope cease fire holds and steps are taken to stop conflict between army and ethnic separatist groups ASIA/INDIA - “We must not be afraid to announce Christ’s message!”: Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, president of the Indian Bishops’ Conference encourages fearful Catholics after Hindu fundamentalist attacks and ant-Church campaigns FIDES SIGNALS - 18/21 February: 14th International Colloquium and Mariology dedicated to Ippolito Marracci - “The Immaculate Mother of God in the 17th Century ” 04/02/2004 VATICAN - THE POPE’S WEEKLY AUDIENCE TEACHING: TO BE IN COMMUNION WITH THE LORD IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE LITURGY IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO PURIFY THE EXTERIOR BUT TO PURIFY CONSCIENCE. VATICAN - PONTIFICAL YEAR BOOK 2004: NUMBER OF PRIESTS REMAINS STABLE, INCREASE IN PERMANENT DEACONS AND LAY MISSIONARIES, NUMBERS OF SEMINARIANS RISING IN AFRICA AND AMERICA EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN BISHOPS’ CONFERENCES (CCEE) AND OF THE CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN CHURCHES (CEC) LOOK TOWARDS THIRD EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY ON THE THEME ‘CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE FUTURE’ AFRICA/CHAD - SUDANESE MILITIA PUSH AS FAR AS 70 KM INTO CHAD CHASING REFUGEES FROM VIOLENCE IN WEST SUDAN ASIA/PHILIPPINES - FIRST COMMUNITY OF DON ORIONE SISTERS NOT FAR FROM EVIL-SMELLING DUMP IN QUEZON CITY AMERICA/CHILE - “IN THE LIGHT OF THE FAITH, EVERYTHING IS GRACE”: MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLES AND FAMILIES OF AMERICA AT THE END OF 20TH INTERNATIONAL CIEC CONGRESS ON THE FAMILY IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM MILLENNIO MISSIONARY PRAYER INTENTION - POPE JOHN PAUL II’S PRAYER INTENTIONS 2005 ASSIGNED TO THE APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER FOR THE YEAR SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/GUATEMALA - ROTAVIRUS ATTACKS GUATEMALA, CHILDREN FIRST HIT: 12 DEAD AND 11,000 INFECTED FIDES SIGNALS - FROM TOMORROW NEW LOOK FOR FIDES NEWS 03/02/2004 VATICAN – THE POPE CELEBRATES DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE: “IN THE QUIET OF THE MONASTERY OR CLOISTER, OR BESIDE THE POOR AND THE EXCLUDED, AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, OR IN CHURCH STRUCTURES, ENGAGED IN VARIOUS APOSTOLIC ACTIVITIES OR IN MISSION LANDS, GOD WANTS YOU TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIS MISSION AND DEDICATED TO THE GOOD OF OTHERS.”. EUROPE/SPAIN – DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE - “OUR MISSIONARY CONCERN WITH REGARD TO THE FUTURE MUST BE NOT TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF COMMITMENTS BUT TO FILL WHAT WE DO WITH LIFE AND MEANING ” EUROPE/GERMANY – CONCRETE COMMITMENT FOR PROMOTING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS A DUTY FOR ALL BELIEVERS: GERMAN BISHOPS FOCUS THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN OF SOLIDARITY ON PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA AFRICA/ANGOLA - TRAGIC ACCIDENT AT CHIULO INVOLVING HEALTH WORKERS SENT BY CUAMM MEDICI CON L’AFRICA: ONE KILLED THE OTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED AFRICA/SUDAN – FIGHTING CONTINUES IN WEST SUDAN. REPORTS OF VIOLENCE AND MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS. MORE THAN 100,000 TAKE REFUGE IN NEARBY CHAD. SINCE FEBRUARY LAST YEAR 3,000 KILLED ASIA/PHILIPPINES – ISLAMIC GUERRILLA AND PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT RESUME EXPLORATIVE TALKS FOR PEACE PROCESS ASIA/INDIA - AFTER RECOVERING FROM ATTACKS BY HINDU FUNDAMENTALISTS SALESIAN SCHOOL REOPENS WITH 75% OF PUPILS BUT ONLY 50% OF STAFF AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO – ELIMINATE CORRUPTION TO RESTORE PEACE. RADIO MARIA MALKIA WA AMANI DI BUKAVU EXPLAINS SITUATION TO FIDES AMERICA/GUATEMALA – “AUTHORITIES AND PEOPLE ARE CALLED TO WALK THE PATH OF SOLIDARITY AND JUSTICE TO BUILD A FUTURE OF AUTHENTIC PEACE”: SAY BISHOPS IN ANNUAL STATEMENT SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/ANGOLA: WORST HEALTH INDICATORS ON THE PLANET; LIFE EXPECTANCY 47 YEARS; INFANT MORTALITY RATE 125 FOR EVERY 1.000 BORN ALIVE; MORTALITY OF MOTHERS ESTIMATED 1,500 FOR EVERY 100,000 BORN ALIVE. 02/02/2004 VATICAN - 2 FEBRUARY: DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE - “THE MISSION OF CONSECRATED LIFE IN THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH, CONCERNS NOT ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THIS SPECIAL CHARISMA, BUT THE ENTIRE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY” VATICAN - THE POPE’S REFLECTION AT THE ANGELUS: "THE FAMILY NUCLEUS, FORMED THROUGH MATRIMONY, IS THE FIRST CELL OF SOCIETY. WITHIN THE FAMILY, LIKE IN A REASSURING NEST, LIFE MUST ALWAYS BE PROMOTED, DEFENDED AND PROTECTED ” VATICAN - AT ABU DHABI CATHEDRAL CARDINAL SEPE ORDAINS NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP OF ARABIA: “TAKE UP THE STAFF OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND WALK AHEAD OF YOUR PEOPLE WITH COURAGE AND FARSIGHTEDNESS”. EUROPE/RUSSIA - A DELEGATION OF S. EGIDIO COMMUNITY LED BY MONS. VINCENZO PAGLIA VISITS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN MOSCOW EUROPE/GERMANY – “AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED” OPENS NEW RADIO STUDIOS WHICH WILL FOCUS ON AREAS WHERE THE CHURCH IS PERSECUTED OR IN PARTICULAR NEED AFRICA - DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE – SPANISH SISTER MARINA HAS SPENT 20 YEARS HELPING AFRICAN WOMEN REALISE THEIR DIGNITY AND SPECIAL ROLE IN SOCIETY AFRICA/LIBERIA - MISSIONARY FATHER ARMANINO, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SERVING LIBERIANS, EXPLAINS UNSOLVED PROBLEMS AT ROOT OF CIVIL CONFLICT AFRICA/LIBERIA – TWENTY YEARS OF CONFLICT: INFO UPDATE 2 FEBRUARY 2004 AFRICA/LIBERIA “CHILDREN KILLING CHILDREN” TRAGEDY OF LIBERIA’S CIVIL WAR ASIA/PAKISTAN – PAKISTAN’S LARGEST MOSQUE WELCOMES FIRST CHRISTIAN DELEGATION BEARING MESSAGE OF PEACE FOR 3,000 WORSHIPPERS INCLUDING 100 ULEMAS ASIA/INDIA – DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE: SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH OF TARBES MARK 100 YEARS OF MISSION HELPING POOR CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN INDIA ASIA/INDIA – DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE: CHRISTIAN ASHRAM VALORISES LOCAL TRADITIONS FOLLOWING IDEALS OF GANDHI Archivio 2005 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DICEMBER Archivio 2004 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DICEMBER Archivio 2003 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DICEMBER Archivio 2002 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DICEMBER

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