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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 giugno 2004 30/06/2004 VATICAN - Pope John Paul II receives in audience His Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople: may the memory of the history making encounter between Patriarch Athenagoras I and Pope Paul VI in 1964 “prompt a leap forward in dialogue and restoration mutual brotherly relations” VATICAN - At his general Audience the Pope explains the significance of the Pallium: “it expresses the fundamental principle of communion, it recalls that this communion is organic and hierarchical, it shows that the Church, to be one, needs the special service of the Church of Rome and its Bishop, the head of the College of Bishops, lastly it emphasises the Catholicity of the Church” VATICAN - Pope John Paul II: “the unity we search for is first of all a gift of God. We are aware however that to hasten the hour of its full realisation depends also on us, on our prayer, our conversion to Christ.” EUROPE - The Internet, positive communication, the family: three main topics at Meeting of Spokespeople and Media Officers of Europe's Bishops' Conferences AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - “Plan to destabilise the government behind attacks on national independence day” missionary with long experience in Madagascar tells Fides ASIA/TURKEY - Feast of Saints Peter and Paul in Antioch strengthens ecumenical ties ASIA/SRI LANKA - No to a law which banning conversion violating freedom of conscience: joint message from Catholic Bishops and Protestant church leaders AMERICA/PERU - Archbishop Juan Antonio Ugarte Pérez of Cuzco, in Rome to receive the Pallium: “Our peoples hunger for God! Our priests are scarce we cannot reach all our people. Religious sects take the opportunity to make new members ” SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA/VIETNAM - New outbreak of bird flu in Vietnam kills at least 3,000 chickens SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - UNITED NATIONS - Drug abuse among least 185 million people, 3% of the world population: UN Drugs and Crime Report presented in Moscow 28/06/2004 VATICAN - On the solemnity of Saint Peter and Paul Pope John Paul II will impose the Pallium on 44 newly appointed metropolitan Archbishops: Fides spoke with four of the new Metropolitan Archbishops from Taipei, Manila, Calabar and Antequera,Oaxaca VATICAN - At the Angelus prayer the Pope recalls history-making meeting of Paul VI and Orthodox Patriarch Athenagora I of Constantinople in 1964 and urges Catholics to pray “for full unity of Christians”. EUROPE/RUSSIA - Two local Catholic priests ordained for Western Siberia AFRICA - More than 30 million small arms in 44 countries Sub-Saharan Africa: we are concerned experts say but “the problem can be solved” ASIA/CHINA - Evangelisation reaches remote villages thanks to team of women religious and catechists led by a priest MISSIONARY PRAYER INTENTION - Pope John Paul II’s missionary prayer intention July 2004: “That in young Churches the laity may receive more attention and be led to greater effort in evangelisation”. Comment Prof. Andrea Riccardi, founder S. Egidio Community SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Every year 1.8 million die due lack of access to clean water, 40% of child deaths are due to diseases caused by environmental conditions. World Health Organisation issues Atlas on the health of children in the world. 26/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope addresses European Symposium of University Docents: “The family is the future of Europe. We can say that the family is the mirror of society and therefore also of the new Europe which is being built ” EUROPE/SPAIN - “It is not a question of ‘doing’ many things, however important they may be, but rather of spreading the spirit born from Christ’s command: Go and announce the Gospel to all men and women ” Spanish Diocesan Directors of the PMS say at the conclusion of their annual meeting AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - From Congo swept once again by the winds of war the last tesimony of a Xaverian missionary ASIA/TAIWAN - National Council of the Apostolate of the Laity stresses the importance of mission cooperation OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Prime Minister praises Christians for contribution past and present to growth of the nation: celebrations mark 100 anniversary of arrival of first Catholic missionaries in these remote Pacific islands AMERICA/COLOMBIA - 500 years of evangelisation or 500 years of slavery? Colombian Bishops concern for project which threatens to undermine the evangelisation of indigenous peoples SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA - United Nations High Commission for Refugees reaffirms commitment to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS 25/06/2004 VATICAN - “Sport and Tourism, two Vital Forces at the Service of Reciprocal Understanding”: Pope John Paul II issues Message for the Church’s 25th World Tourism Day VATICAN - “Tourism at the service of the meeting of peoples”: 6th Congress on Pastoral of Tourism EUROPE/POLAND - Priests, men and women religious laity and seminarians reflect on missionary commitment in their respective communities in the light of the post synodal exhortation “Ecclesia in Europa”. EUROPE/FRANCE - France’s annual national pilgrimage to Lourdes led by Cardinal Barbarin will include a special pilgrim this year, Pope John Paul II EUROPE/ITALY - ACN Italian branch presents Report 2004 on Religious Freedom in the World AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Radio Liseli new channel of hope opened by Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate AFRICA/BURUNDI - “In Burundi all the warring parties are guilty of crimes against civilians” Human Rights Watch denounces AFRICA/SUDAN - “Only justice brings real peace. I will tell this to the American Secretary of State when he comes to Sudan” said Bishop Macram Max Gassis, Catholic Bishop of El Obeid ASIA/IRAQ - “Zarqawi the terrorist wants to free Iraq from foreign invaders? Well he should be the first to go, seeing he is not Iraqi and he is shedding the innocent blood of Iraqis” a priest in northern Iraq told Fides ASIA/TAIWAN - Local community of Opus Dei celebrates Mass of thanksgiving to God for its founder Saint San Jose Maria Escrivá ASIA/INDIA - Kerala’s “barefoot missionary” proclaimed “Venerable”, first step towards sainthood ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Message for Day of Prayer and Reconciliation and Unity of the Korean People AMERICA/ARGENTINA - "Espíritu y Carisma’", 25 years of evangelisation through the press to bring people closer to the Word of God SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/LATIN AMERICA - Every year thousands of children die due to lack of clean water and basic healthcare 24/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope receives participants at a meeting of the Union of Aid Agencies for Eastern Catholic Churches: “Your visit brings to mind the situation of the Christian communities in the Churches of the East, in our times sorely tried because of wars, terrorism and other difficulties ” EUROPE - A new historic responsibility for the Church in Africa and Europe: in November a Symposium in Rome of African and European Bishops AFRICA - From Africa to the Americas sects thrive on religious syncretism VATICAN - It has been announced that Pope John Paul II will go to Lourdes on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception ASIA/CHINA - Love of faith stronger than love of money: all together priest and parishioners, adults as well as children, promote reconciliation and settle disputes over money ASIA/HONG KONG - The most solemn Eucharistic Procession in fifty years for the feast of Corpus Christi and Saint Anthony, patron saint of the parish. ASIA/INDIA - Papal Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana makes first visit to Gujarat, birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi AMERICA/PERU - “In Peru, today… Mission is alive!”: slogan chosen for National Mission Exhibition in Lima next October to promote awareness of missionary work in all its variety AMERICA/HONDURAS - First Bishop of Trujillo dies in tragic car accident, funeral tomorrow June 25 SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA - WHO warning: Africa threatened by the most serious epidemic of polio recent years 23/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope’s weekly Wednesday teaching: “ Expectation for judgement present in every culture, the need for truth and love felt by every spirituality contain a tending towards the Lord which only on reaching Him is placated ” AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Ethnic violence in Congo can be stopped on the condition that foreign interference is stopped” says Enoch Ruberangabo Sebineza a member of the Banyamulege Tutsi people in east Congo AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Not everyone knows that according to tradition the Tables of the Law are kept in Ethiopia. Local people tell the story ASIA/TURKEY - Historical step forward towards juridical recognition of the Catholic Church in Turkey: for the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey Prime Minister meets with Catholic Bishops AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “We do not want Colombia to be known only for terrorism and drug trafficking, we want people to talk about a young Colombia with people who want peace and are working for peace ”: Colombian Bishops in Rome for ad limina visit launch an appeal. CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/NIGERIA - Mgr Hypolite Adigwe, confirmed National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Nigeria SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Over 500,000 women all over the world die during pregnancy or childbirth and 18 million pregnant mothers develop disabilities or chronic diseases SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/SUDAN - Darfur faces food and water emergency and risk of epidemics: Save the Children denounces serious situation 22/06/2004 VATICAN - Special holiness of numerous Catholic priests, men and women religious and lay people, persecuted in Mexico and Spain in the 20th century recognised with 16 solemn decrees by Congregation for the Causes of Saints VATICAN - On the feast day of Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome, the Pope will preside a solemn Mass in St Peter’s Square. This year a most welcome guest will be Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I EUROPE/SPAIN - Returned missionaries on leave start course of renewal, updating and missionary spirituality EUROPE/ITALY - “Forty hours of prayer for the Church in Need”: from 24 June marathon of prayer and information for the Church all over the world EUROPE/GT BRITAIN - «Authentic and lived Fraternity is the fruit of love which is capable of dialogue, relationship, of that love which far from closing itself proudly in its own world, opens to others and works with all people of good will to build unity and peace in the world» said Chiara Lubich, On June 19 at Westminster Central Hall in London during a meeting “Imagine a World enriched by Diversity” AFRICA/MALAWI - Disappointment in Malawi after last month’s elections. Disbanding of Opposition could cause precipitation of precarious balance of democracy AFRICA/RWANDA - “ I have never known peace or justice, neither has my father nor has my son ”. Testimony from a displaced Rwandan refugee ASIA/TAIWAN - “Day Pilgrimage ” in Chia Yi diocese congratulates three priests and a Sister celebrating 50 years of service ASIA/IRAQ - Turkey and Iraqi Kurds start dialogue: “A very important step towards peace in Iraq” says Nizar Semaan, Iraqi priest in Mosul ASIA/HONG KONG - History of Chinese Christian Art in Hong Kong: conference by Prof. Gu Wei Min of Shanghai University ASIA/INDONESIA - Delegation of Indonesian Religious leaders visiting the Vatican confirms commitment to work for peace in South East Asia and the rest of the world AMERICA/ARGENTINA - “May our Eucharistic Congress be an authentic source of renewal for Church and society": Argentinean Bishops convoke 10th National Eucharistic Congress in September AMERICA/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Papal Envoy Archbishop Cordes, concludes his visit to Hispaniola: “I bring you the Pope’s blessing and the assurance that you are in his prayers". FIDES SIGNALS - St Egidio Community to meet multiethnic and multi-religious delegation from Indonesia 21/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope’s Sunday message : “Everyone needs a safe place in which to live. This is something to which Refugees aspire but in many countries millions are still at collection points or in any case are limited for a long time in the exercise of their rights.” VATICAN - Statement from Director of Holy See Press Office on newly approved European Constitutional treaty: satisfaction for new step towards integration but regret for failure to recognise the continent’s Christian roots VATICAN - Pope sends President of Pontifical Council Cor Unum to Haiti and Dominican Republic where at least 2,000 people perished in recent floods EUROPE/ITALY - “Angels in the Desert”: photograph exhibition fund raising campaign for Centre of Education and Culture for 80,000 people 58% poor children and adolescents in Peruvian diocese of Carabayllo. EUROPE/RUSSIA - Crowds gather for Corpus Christ Mass with Papal Nuncio in Moscow’s Catholic cathedral: for the sixth year running local authorities give permission for a public procession AFRICA/BURUNDI - Good chance for Burundian refugees in Tanzania to return home AFRICA/SUDAN - “How can it be that people asking for a school and a hospital get only bullets and bombs in reply?” asks Sudanese Catholic Bishop Macram Max Gassis with regard to the war in Darfur AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Crisis in supplies heightens in Bukavu in eastern Congo. “ If this continues we will soon run out of fuel ” local sources told Fides ASIA/TAIWAN - Catholic hospitals gives loving care to Alzheimer patients ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “Family for Life”: local Church organises Symposium SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Hunger in the world: a third of the world’s population eats too little and over 600 million have no clean water SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - VATICAN - International Workshop for health-workers, educators and journalists on Italia-USA formation at distance hosted by Bambino Gesù Hospital 19/06/2004 DOSSIER - DOSSIER FIDES - EUROPE OF RELIGIONS FRANCE AND ISLAM DOSSIER - THE DIMENSIONS OF THE MUSLIM PHENOMENON IN FRANCE DOSSIER - NUMERICAL COMPARISON WITH OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES DOSSIER - THE 1905 LAW ON THE SECULARITY OF THE STATE DOSSIER - THE FRENCH COUNCIL OF MUSLIM FAITH (CFCM) DOSSIER - PROBLEMS AND TENSIONS DOSSIER - DIALOGUE WITH OTHER RELIGIONS 18/06/2004 EUROPE/FRANCE - Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) mark 150th anniversary. “In the third millennium the Church will be the main source of hope and life for people.” said MSC Superior General, Father Michael Curran in an interview with Fides EUROPE/ITALY - World Refugee Day: “ A Place to call home: Rebuilding lives in safety and dignity”. In 2003 the number of refugees fell by 18 %; Europe has 5.4 million and Italy about 23,000. AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Bukavu diocesan broadcaster attacked by rebels: Dramatic report from operators at Radio Maria,: “Our Lady protected her Radio and her cathedral ” AFRICA/ CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - “Religious cults are a threat to public order ”. Central African government is concerned ASIA/HONG KONG - Salesian provincial Superior Rev. Savio Hon, elected new President Union of Major Superiors of Institutes of Men Religious ASIA/CHINA - Catholic women religious are “ward angels” at Wang Du Hospital for Lepers ASIA/IRAQ - A Catholic priest in Iraq says “Like any other people, Iraq citizens are part of the United Nations Organisation. We expected more determination on the part of the international community”. ASIA/PHILIPPINES - More than 3,000 priests expected in Manila for National Clergy Congress 5 to 9 July: local families will provide accommodation ASIA/INDIA - Salesians receive award from State Labour Minister for commitment to eliminate child labour AMERICA/ UNITED STATES World Refugee Day: number of refugees falling by 18% commitment on the part of the international community rising ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AMERICA/GUYANA - Rev. Emmanuel Lafont appointed Bishop of Cayenne 17/06/2004 VATICAN - A reflection on the occasion of the Church’s World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests: Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 18 June 2004 VATICAN - Papal Message to 95th Katholikentag in Germany: “Let us take the opportunities offered by united Europe to spread further the Gospel of Christ so that no one is denied God’s gift of salvation!” ASIA/TAIWAN - Catechism for Children available for free downloading from the Internet ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Laity and youth active agents of evangelisation, thanks to Focolari Movement in Korea ASIA/IRAQ - “Young people, please stay in Iraq!” says Iraqi Catholic priest Father Bashar Warda working to keep hope alive AMERICA/ARGENTINA - CAM 2 bears more fruits: seven new vocations for mission sent by the Church in Argentina to Kazakhstan and Guatemala. ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/INDIA - The Pope creates new Ecclesiastical Province of Trivandrum of the Latins and appoints first Metropolitan Archbishop ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/INDIA - Reverend Andrew Marak appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Tura SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - “The future as it is - new challenge to blood cancer”: European week against Leukaemia FIDES SIGNALS - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - THE COURAGE OF LOVE!, “ten words inscribed on the human heart”: Wednesday evenings starting on June 23: seven 50 minute programmes on RAI UNO and RAI International. 16/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope’s teaching at the General Audience: unwavering trust in God “our refuge and our strength always near in times of anguish…the world and its vicissitudes are governed by the Lord ” VATICAN - The Pope addresses members of the post-synodal Council for the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops: the new chains binding the continent must be broken “a joint effort must be made by all the forces of society, and especially those of the Church already at work with interventions at every level with abnegation and dedication ”. EUROPE - “Now is the time of a new discovery and proposal of the Gospel for our continent”. Conclusions of General Secretaries of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe CCEE Meeting in Belgrade ASIA/MYANMAR - New institute of consecrated life opened in Myanmar based on the spirituality of Saint Theresa the Little Flower ASIA/PHILIPPINES - “We have a real opportunity for peace in Southern Philippines ”: analysis by Father Eliseo Mercado, head of the Office for Justice and Peace of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate ASIA/HONG KONG - Form laity to carry out pastoral and social tasks: urgency for the Church in Hong Kong ASIA/CHINA - Chinese Catholics learn the joy of voluntary work: more Catholics serving at centres for disabled persons and leprosy sufferers OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Solomon Islands consolidates social peace and restarts engines of economy and tourism - local Church works to promote social reconciliation and offer psychological assistance to heal traumas caused by violence ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/INDONESIA - Bishop Darius Nggawa of Larantuka resigns, he is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Franciscus Kopong Kung, 15/06/2004 VATICAN - “The Church wished to ask forgiveness not in a disordered manner but with effective knowledge of that happened because from the truth there is nothing to fear ” Card. Georges Cottier said at the presentation of the Acts of a 1998 International Symposium on the Inquisition EUROPE/GERMANY - Universal mission at Germany’s 95th ‘Katholikentag’ opening tomorrow in Ulm: funds collected will go to help street children in various parts of the world EUROPE/AFRICA - Dialogue with cultures and religions, particularly with Islam, building peace, fighting the AIDS pandemic, promoting African values: objectives discerned by White Fathers General Chapter which closes tomorrow. Fides interviewed new Superior General Father Gérard Chabanon. AFRICA - Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo humanitarian emergencies. UN sounds the alarm AFRICA/CONGO RD - Dramatic humanitarian situation in east Congo. “The alarm sounded by the UN is a positive fact but it should not be forgotten that war is the cause of all this” say local Fides’ sources ASIA/TAIWAN - Seminar on “Evangelisation and Ecumenical Encounter” for young Catholics and young Presbyterians ASIA/CHINA - Salesian Superior of the Chinese province leads course of spiritual theology for the Sisters of St Joseph in Beijing AMERICA/VENEZUELA - 3rd National Youth Mission Congress now imminent: about 700 participants will “celebrate, study and proclaim the gift of faith and the challenge of Mission Ad Gentes starting from the situation of youth in the Third Millennium” OCEANIA/NEW ZEALAND - Catholic schools, appreciated for high quality education, teaching corps and structures, grow steadily in number and number of pupils 14/06/2004 VATICAN - At the Angelus prayer the Pope recalls Corpus Christi and newly called Year of the Eucharist: “Contemplating more assiduously the face of the Incarnate Word, truly present in the Sacrament, the faithful will learn the art of prayer and commitment themselves to that high measure of Christian life indispensable to development effectively new evangelisation.” EUROPE/IRELAND -Ireland rediscovers its rich missionary heritage through Mission Alive 2004: initiatives include three day Festival of Mission on evangelising activity AFRICA/NIGERIA - Clashes in Nigeria: “the religious element is not the only provocation” Fides sources say. The shadow of oil stretches across the country AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Faced with misinformation supplied by those who want war, we must let the moderates have their say” say Fides sources in Bukavu ASIA/CHINA - Twelve hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to mark Corpus Christi: Chinese Catholics welcome with enthusiasm the Year of the Eucharist announced by the Pope AMERICA/MEXICO - The Church in Mexico lives ‘national year of the Eucharist’ as it prepares to host 48th International Eucharistic Congress in October preceded by Theological Pastoral Symposium on “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” Encyclical OCEANIA/NEW ZEALAND - Following the example of the Good Shepherd: reflection by Archbishop John Dew, new Coadjutor of Wellington 12/06/2004 VATICAN - “Carry Christ to every environment of daily life” is the mission of Cursillos of Christianity Mons. Ubaldo Speranza of the Italian branch of the movement told Fides the day after the consignment of the Decree of Canonical Recognition. EUROPE/RUSSIA - President Putin praises Catholic Church’s commitment for street children in Russia EUROPE - Only by voting in these elections will Catholics be able to help build a European Union of men and women committed to bearing the fruit of Christian values, putting themselves at the service of all for the sake of a Europe of the human person, in which the face of God is reflected”: Europe’s Catholics Bishops issue statement in view of elections . AFRICA/KENYA - “Katiba Kama Ilivyo”, Catholic radio programme in Nairobi informs people about final draft of new Constitution ASIA/INDIA - Form laity for mission in Communications: an antidote to spreading Hindu fundamentalism in Orissa State ASIA/INDIA - Local Church in Goa committed to protect nature ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AMERICA/GUATEMALA - Vicar apostolic Izabal, Bishop Luis Maria Estrada Paetau resigns and Rev. Gabriel Peñate Rodriguez appointed ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/CHAD - Rev. Joachim Kouraleyo Tarounga appointed Bishop of Moundou ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/VIETNAM - Reverend Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh appointed Bishop of Thanh Hoa 11/06/2004 VATICAN - On the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Pope speaks of the “close bond between “celebrating the Eucharist and proclaiming Christ. To enter into communion with Him in the memorial of Easter means at the same time to become missionaries of the event relived in the liturgy”. - The Pope announces a ‘Year of the Eucharist’ starting in October on the occasion of the International Eucharistic Congress AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Military ‘coup attempt’ in capital Kinshasa fails. “Coup leaders miscalculated absence of presidential guard and President’s apparent loss of popular support” local sources told Fides ASIA/TAIWAN - Taipei diocese prepares for annual Corpus Christi procession through the streets and National Eucharistic Congress in December ASIA/IRAQ - “I disagree with a sort of pacifism which I would call “ideological” which thinks in theory but not in reality” says Iraqi priest ASIA/INDIA - Complete Bible now in the local language spoken in Assam state: the Word of God accessible to Christians and non ASIA/NEPAL - On mission in Nepal for 25 years serving the poor and the needy: Nazareth Sisters of Charity and the rest of the local Church continue mission to assist people suffering from war and violence AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Successful Children’s Pastoral in Colombia: assures integral development of children, particularly in poor areas through evangelisation in families and communities ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/INDIA - Archbishop Michael Augustin of Pondicherry and Cuddalore resigns, Mgr Anthony Anandarayar appointed ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Mgr Robert Christopher Ndlovu appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Harare 09/06/2004 VATICAN - At the General Wednesday Audience the Pope reflects on his meeting with youth in Switzerland: “Christ himself, Risen and Living, calls young people of the third millennium to “rise up”, to give full meaning to their life ” EUROPE - The role of Christianity and the Churches in Europe today: General Secretaries of European Bishops’ Conferences meet in Belgrade AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Who wants to increase tension in Ivory Coast and why? ASIA/IRAQ - “Only now Iraqis slowly discover democracy. Ideological pacifism plays the game of fundamentalism” Iraqi priest comments UN resolution ASIA/CHINA - Recent fruits of evangelisation: more than 1,300 new Catholics welcomed into the Church at Easter ASIA/JAPAN - Formation programmes to encourage vocations to the religious life among women ASIA - “Martyrs are a gift for the Church in Asia and inspiritaion and encouragement for missionaries”: a reflection by Prof. Jose Vidamor Yu, theologian AMERICA/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - “After the first emotional impact, people are forgetting: solidarity cannot be momentary, we must build a Culture of Solidarity” a priest in Dominican Republic which suffered severe floods in May launches and appeal through Fides SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA - 36 African countries afflicted by sleeping sickness, 30,000 new cases every year 08/06/2004 EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - “The Pope’s visit will certainly give fresh impulse to new evangelisation in Switzerland” Bishop Kurt Koch of Basle told Fides. EUROPE/SPAIN - King and Queen of Spain offer warm welcome to group of children members of Holy Childhood Society and are amazed to learn that every year with their efforts these missionary children help as many as 20 million less fortunate little ones all over the world EUROPE/ITALY - “The aim of occult and satanic organisations is to try eliminate the presence of God from society” says Rev. Oreste Benzi, who for years has worked to rehabilitate young people caught in the trap of satanic sects AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - “Caring for the sick helps me realise their agony and distress”, Camillian Missionary reports to Fides… AFRICA/CONGO RD - Bukavu: situation of confusion persists after official withdrawal of guerrillas. “Vexation of civilians continues ” say local Fides sources AFRICA/MALAWI - Disappointment in Malawi when an Opposition candidate joins President’s Party AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Is peace ever further way in Ivory Coast? Fighting in the north, fierce protest in the economic capital ASIA/NEPAL - Bomb blast in a Catholic school in Nepal: no casualties - the local Church carries on with its pastoral and service of education ASIA/HONG KONG - Combining sport with solidarity: city march to raise funds for evangelisation among prison inmates ASIA/INDIA - Reconciliation among communities: a task for all religious beliefs”: Seminar on Dialougue among religions and cultures ASIA/INDONESIA - The church attacked on June 6 in Jakarta belong to a protestant community: religion exploited in view of presidential elections AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Promote ecumenical pastoral in Particular Churches: one objective of an intensive course on “Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue ” given at the Theological and Pastoral Institute for Latin America and the Caribbean. AMERICA/PERU - “Eucharist, nourishment for Mission”: as part of the great city Mission in the archdiocese of Lima the month of June is dedicated to the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Sunday June 13 solemn procession for Corpus Christi. SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/SUDAN - World Health Organisation and UNICEF launch measles immunisation campaign to protect millions of children in Darfur SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Globalising hospitality, health care, humanisation of treatment: challenges launched by St John of God Hospitaller Brothers 07/06/2004 EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - The Pope in Switzerland: “The Church is mission! The time has come to prepare young generations of apostles who are not afraid to proclaim the Gospel. For every baptised person it is essential to grow from a faith of habit to a mature faith expressed through clear, convinced and courageous decisions.” EUROPE/SPAIN - Members of Holy Childhood Society pay a visit to the King and Queen: a group of little members of Holy Childhood tell Royals about their prayers, sacrifices and concrete acts of solidarity to help children in need EUROPE/ITALY - “Seas and Oceans: alive and healthy or polluted and dead”: World Environment Day for Oceans and Seas AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Fresh fighting in Bukavu, martyr city in east Congo. Rwanda says it has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Religious leaders call on politicians to stop the tragedy AFRICA/SUDAN - Darfur: huge humanitarian tragedy. More than 2 million refugees and internally displaced persons ASIA/PAKISTAN - In front of the UN Human Rights Commission, Franciscans and Dominicans support request to abolish blasphemy law in Pakistan ASIA/HONG KONG - Alarming rise in requests for marriage annulments: diocesan chancellor stresses need for adequate pastoral care for couples in crisis OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS One hundred years of service and blessings in the Solomon Islands for the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary 05/06/2004 AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - People of Bukavu live in terror. “Manhunt for journalists and human rights activists” local sources inform Fides AFRICA/CONGO RD - Bukavu chronology of a tragedy. Another war imminent in Congo? ASIA/TAIWAN - “Christian Formation Centre in TaoYuan”: information and social communication to promote growth of local community ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Thousands in Cagayan take part in celebrations to mark 400th anniversary of the arrival of Spanish Dominican missionaries who brought with them devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary ASIA/HONG KONG - Canossian Sisters and Third Order members celebrate Foundress with profession of three new nuns and renewal of promises of 90 Third Order members SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA/CHINA - Spanish Jesuit who started 145 leprosy centres caring for 10.000 patients opens home in Hunan province for people with HIV/AIDS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA/THAILAND - Five days to vaccinate 14,000 Hmong refugees accepted by the United States against diphtheria, measles, German measles, tetanus 04/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope grants private audience to the President of the United States of America: “May God grant strength and success to all those who do not cease to hope and work for understanding between peoples, in respect for the security and rights of every man and woman” EUROPE/ITALY - French Father Gérard Chabanon will guide the White Fathers for the next six months EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - “The people of Europe and Switzerland need to hear the Good News of the Gospel, especially young people ” Bishop Denis Theurillat, Auxiliary of Basle and national youth delegate pastoral told Fides EUROPE/ITALY - Holiness should not be the privilege of a few but rather a mass phenomenon involving all Christians. Frascati diocese opens process for the beatification of the Servant of God Igino Giordani: writer, journalist, politician, ecumenist and patrologist. AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “The rebels have not withdrawn from Bukavu and they continue to terrorise the people ” local sources in the eastern city of Congo report ASIA/PHILIPPINES - “A Reconciled family becomes agent of reconciliation” theme for “Week for Peace” in Mindanao ASIA/INDIA - With regard to the case of Brian Savio O’Connor Indian Catholic tortured and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, the Catholic Bishops of India call on the government to take official diplomatic action ASIA/IRAQ - Not only bad news from Iraq: “Highlighting only violence is playing the game of the extremists” Iraqi priest tells the media. ASIA/HONG KONG - Catholics among 60,000 at Vigil to commemorate the dead on the 15th anniversary of the tragedy in Tiananmen Square Beijing ASIA/TAIWAN - Franciscans Third Order creates group of volunteers to meet social urgencies ASIA/INDIA - “Parents co-authors of creation”: Seminar organised by the Commission for the Family of the Indian Bishops’ Conference AMERICA/ECUADOR - The Church in Ecuador sends its first lay missionary ‘across frontiers’ to the Church in Guatemala: fruits of CAM 2 continue to mature. 03/06/2004 EUROPE/SLOVENIA - “Ethical Responsibility in the World in Transformation”: Interdisciplinary Convention on Science and Faith promoted by the Pontifical Counsel for Culture and by the Slovenian Academy of Science AFRICA/CONGO DR - The Congolese Bishops express alarm for the hundred thousand Congolese expelled from Angola and forced to survive in desperate conditions in southern Congo. AFRICA/CONGO RD - Bukavu. Enraged crowd plunders UN offices in four Congolese cities, accusing international troops of not having defended east Congo cities from the guerrilla ASIA/INDIA - India and Pakistan start new negotiation on Kashmir and nuclear safety on June 27th and 28th. ASIA/INDIA - New Regional Seminary in Gujarat ASIA/AFGHANISTAN - The courageous witness of five doctors urges us not to sell off the values of democracy, peace and development. ASIA/CHINA - The Catholic Church exhorts the families to promote religious vocations ASIA/HONG KONG - The parish of St Joseph of FanLing celebrates its fiftieth anniversary at the presence of the Bishop, H.E. Monsignor Joseph Zen SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/SUDAN - In the past three months 5% of the children under five years old have died, most of them simply because of hunger, diarrhoea and malaria: it is the Darfur emergency. There are huge necessities, caused by the violence, hunger and by the people’s vulnerability to very simple diseases 02/06/2004 VATICAN - The Pope’s catechesis at the general audience: “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfil the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.” (Jn 13,18). VATICAN - His Excellency Monsignor Michel Gagnon, Bishop of Laghouat, unexpectedly passed away. AFRICA/DR CONGO - Bukavu: Fighting has broken out once again and Radio Maria has been hit. The situation is becoming increasingly serious in Eastern Congo. AFRICA/UGANDA - New rules for Nile water management are the focus of a meeting in Uganda. ASIA/IRAQ - The new Iraqi government is “a decisive step towards free and democratic Iraq” said Fr Nizar Semaan, Iraqi priest ASIA/HONG KONG - The executive secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Laypeople Committee visits Hong Kong and stresses the importance of promoting women in society today ASIA/THAILAND - Young Buddhists and Christians united in interreligious and intercultural dialogue ASIA/CINA - The Catholic Church in China helps poor children to continue their studies ASIA - For Asian Bishops interreligious dialogue represents their hope to build harmony throughout the whole continent ASIA PHILIPPINES - “In the Philippines we need a government of national unity to bring peace to the country and resolve economic problems” is the opinion of a Fides Agency missionary FIDES SIGNALS - ANNOUNCEMENTS - Acli and Focsiv join the wake of prayer on June 3rd organised by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome. BOOK REVIEW - BOOK REVIEW - EUROPE/ITALY - Guarire fino in fondo (To Recover Completely) - Elisabetta Garuti - Maria M. Rossi - Antonio Pari - Sandra Malacci -EMI, 2004, pp. 176, Euro 9,00 01/06/2004 VATICAN - Papal message at the end of the Marian Month of May: “Be light in your homes, in every place and under every circumstance of life. Be light with your faithful witness to the Gospel, learning day after day from Mary the perfect disciple of her Divine Son.” EUROPE/SPAIN - Revive at all levels the awareness of being one “great family” the Church of Jesus Christ, and as such naturally inclined to be missionary “ad gentes”: one objective of Diocesan Mission Day in Madrid, Sunday 6 June. AFRICA/SOMALIA - Quarrel among merchants caused clashes in Mogadishu in which at least 100 died AFRICA/CONGO RD - “Split among guerrillas besieging the city”: report from Fides sources in Bukavu in east Congo ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Health emergency in one of the world’s poorest countries. Tuberculosis continues to be the third cause of death for people who cannot afford treatment for 16,00 Euro. St John of God Brothers helping far away sick (AFMAL) promote initiatives for the people of the Philippines ASIA/CHINA - More than a thousand young Catholics take part in 1st Diocesan Youth Congress in Cang Zhou on the theme “Rise and go your way ” (Lk 17, 19) ASIA/TAIWAN - Cardinal Paul Shan tells Fides: “The Church is working to get the death penalty abolished in Taiwan and to promote full respect for life at eve level of society ” ASIA/SRI LANKA - New hope for Sri Lanka’s peace process with Indian mediation ASIA/PAKISTAN - Respect for human rights, religious freedom, and tolerance, to build a better: appeal from Forum of Religious Leaders AMERICA/COLOMBIA - From Colombia missionaries for Africa and Asia: 14th edition of Course for Missionaries ad gentes promoted by Colombian Bishops’ Conference FIDES SIGNALS - Prayers for peace promoted by S. Egidio Community to mark 60 years since Allies liberated Rome - Basilica di S. Maria in Trastevere, Thursday 3 June 18. 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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