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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 2005 28/02/2005 VATICAN - The Pope’s Angelus message: “It is by contemplating Christ and following him with patient trust that we come to understand that every form of human suffering holds within it God’s promise of salvation and happiness”. EUROPE/AMERICA - New paths for Church co-operation Italy/Peru: meeting for Italian missionaries in Peru, closing message AFRICA/BURUNDI - Referendum on the Constitution: “The majority is expected to approve the new draft” local sources tell Fides AFRICA/CÔTE D'IVOIRE - Fighting in west Côte d'Ivoire: “There had been rising tension over the past few days” says a Fides source in the country’s vital economic centre AFRICA/TUNISIA - “How he is loved!” Missionary from Tunis tells Fides how Muslims are concerned for the health of Pope John Paul II ASIA/CHINA - Death of ‘good and zealous Bishop Gao Kexian ’ ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Example of a community in dialogue: Catholic priest receives a doctorate from Buddhist university ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Reconciliation between North and South Korea: wish of Archbishop of Seoul in Lenten message ASIA/CHINA - Attention for the Holy Father in mainland China: while Catholics pray for the Pope many more people are beginning to ask “who is John Paul II” ASIA/INDONESIA - Ad Aceh tsunami victims, poor people, disabled people pray that Pope John Paul II may make a speedy recovery ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Missionaries, children, the poorest of the poor living in Manila slums pray for the Pope AMERICA - Every year more than 11 million babies and 15% of mothers die of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. World Health Day 2005 will focus on health of mother and child MISSIONARY PRAYER INTENTION - Pope John Paul II’s missionary prayer intention for March 2005: For the local Churches: may they realise the need to educate Christians to holiness in order to face the challenges of new evangelisation. Comment by Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar es Salam, Tanzania. 26/02/2005 VATICAN - “I am forever TOTUS TUUS” AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - “Spontaneous prayers for the Pope: thank you Holy Father, with your suffering you restore dignity to the elderly” a missionary in South Africa told Fides ASIA/CHINA - We are getting calls from Catholics all over China asking about the Pope’s health and promising prayers, says editor of local Catholic newspaper ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Catholics in the Philippines use SMS messages to build chain of prayer across the country to sustain and comfort the Pope in hospitalL “the Holy Father has always shown deep affection for our people” OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Widespread attention in Solomon Islands for the health of Pope John Paul II: Sunday Masses offered for the Holy Father ASIA/THAILAND - “The Holy Father’s difficulty with old age, sickness and suffering makes him all the more loved, just as he is,” says Father Contarin, director of the Camillian Social Centre for HIV/AIDS patients AMERICA/BRAZIL - Testimonial from one of those missionaries sent by don Giussani and who is now a bishop in Brazil. 25/02/2005 EUROPA/SPAIN - Cardinal Archbishop of Madrid asks Catholics in the capital to pray for the health of the Pope; Archbishop of Toledo calls on contemplative orders to pray for the Pontiff AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “The heart of Africa sends message of good wishes for a speedy recovery to the Shepherd of the universal Church” director of Radio Maria in Bukavu east Congo AFRICA/BURUNDI - “The Pope’s pain is the same as the pain of war suffered by Burundians” a Catholic priest in Burundi told Fides AFRICA/EGYPT - “Muslims follow the condition of Pope John Paul II’s health with affection and concern” a missionary in Cairo tells Fides ASIA/TURKEY - Christians of all confessions are praying for the Pope who is greatly esteemed by all in Turkey: national media give continual updates on the Pontiff’s condition ASIA/ SRI LANKA - “The Holy Father is in the hands of God in whom we have total trust and so we go about our pastoral duties” President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka tells Fides ASIA/INDONESIA - “We pray the Lord will sustain the Holy Father at this time of suffering in his person”: says Catholic Bishop in Sumatra ASIA/HONG KONG - “News that the Pope had been admitted to hospital again spread via SMS messages. We love the Pope and are praying for him non-stop. We can assure you that Catholics on mainland China are praying for the Holy Father too” Bishop John Tang auxiliary of Hong Kong told Fides ASIA/TAIWAN - Father Francis King notary for Taipei archdiocese recalls appeal launched by Bishops’ Conference and assures prayers for the health of the Pope ASIA/INDIA - Catholic Bishops encourage all dioceses to organise special prayers for the speedy recovery of Pope John Paul II ASIA/HOLY LAND - Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah calls on Christians in the Holy Land to offer special prayers for the Pope AMERICA/MEXICO - The Church in Mexico shares this time of apprehension but is convinced that the Pope will carry on his mission and like Jesus, he will not come down from the cross: the Bishops pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe to protect the Pope AMERICA/URUGUAY - “We ask Our Lady to protect the Pope with her maternal love to help him overcome this difficult moment so he may continue to lead the Church" say Catholic Bishops of Uruguay AMERICA/BRAZIL - The Church in Brazil is close to the Pope with affection and prayers: Bishops urge Catholics to pray for the Pope that God may strengthen and comfort him at this time of suffering 24/02/2005 VATICAN - Pope John Paul II gives general Wednesday audience via video conference from his private library: “May selfishness give way to love so we may all experience the joy of forgiveness and profound reconciliation with God and with our brothers and sisters”. Special greetings in different languages for visitors from all over the world and a group of Italian missionaries EUROPE - Saturday 5 March: European University Day, Prayer Vigil with John Paul II in the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican and simultaneous events in 10 European Cathedrals and sanctuaries EUROPE/SPAIN - “New parchments” monks of the third millennium write on magnetic tape: Monastic Fraternity of Peace committed to proclaiming Christ from television aerials AFRICA/KENYA - On mission in Africa with the charisma of don Luigi Giussani. Testimonial from Fr Alfonso Poppi, missionary of St Charles Boromeo Fraternity ASIA/HONG KONG - Harmonising ancient Chinese culture with the teaching of the Church: Caritas puts into practice the Pope’s request for Lent 2005 to show more concern for the elderly ASIA/SIBERIA - On mission in Siberia with the charisma of don Luigi Giussani. Testimonial from Fr Francesco Bertolina, missionary of St Charles Boromeo Fraternity ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Catholic Bishops of the Philippines call for national reconciliation and peace ASIA /INDIA - All is ready for assembly of Latin Rite Catholic Bishops in Ranchi tribal area: the poor and the excluded are priorities for the Church AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Pontifical Mission Societies promote Young Missionaries programme for 2006: a year of mission commitment and service in another diocese OCEANIA/NEW ZEALAND - Four congregations of Sisters of Mercy decide to become one to face challenge of new evangelisation more effectively 23/02/2005 VATICAN - Issues examined by assembly of Pontifical Academy for Life day two, range from health policies to religion of health, from the figure of the doctor to the right to life EUROPE/GERMANY - World Youth Day Cross stops at Aachen: “The Cross is a sign of salvation and hope for the world” says National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies Germany AFRICA/KENYA - The Church in Nyeri central Kenya welcomes back the earthly remains of its founder and first Bishop an Italian Consolata missionary ASIA/INDIA - Catholic nun in Rajasthan attacked and beaten for being a Christian ASIA/IRAN - Caritas Italy ready to intervene to help earthquake victims in Kerman south east Iran ASIA/INDIA - Two months after the tsunami disaster Papal Nuncio visits affected areas ASIA/MALAYSIA - United Nations High Commission for Refugees protects Burmese refugees in Malaysia AMERICA/PERU - Helping children live Holy Week and Easter with more awareness and to realise that mission is a result of an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist: Lenten retreat for children in Arequipa AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Diocesan Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies hold annual meeting: busy agenda of initiatives to make missionary dimension part of all pastoral activity AMERICA/GUYANA - Three weeks of worst floods in a century in much of Guyana thousands abandon homes, thousands are missing: disaster completely ignored by international media OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Announcing Christ through art and music and computer science: Catholic school in Tenaru adds new subjects to its programme SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA - Missionaries of Africa founded for evangelisation and dialogue with Islam, also serve in dialogue with other religions, ecumenical dialogue and in the field of healthcare 22/02/2005 VATICAN - “Do not be afraid of new technologies!! Do not be afraid of being opposed by the world!...Do not be afraid even of your own weakness and inadequacy!” Pope John Paul II addresses Apostolic Letter “The Rapid Development” to media operators VATICAN - Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples addresses letter to Rev. Don Julian Carron and to all Friends of Communion and Liberation on the occasion of the death of Mons. Giussani VATICAN - “The human person must be recognised and respected whether healthy, infirm or disable.” Pontifical Academy for Life starts 11th Assembly EUROPE/ITALY - Don Massimo Camisasca shares with Fides thoughts on the death of don Luigi Giussani EUROPE/ITALY - Expectation for meeting of different Franciscan realities gathered in assembly EUROPE/ITALY Collaborate in the mission of the Church in every area of society. This is the goal of Communion and Liberation, started in Milan in 1954 by don Luigi Giussani and today present all over the world. AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - More than 10,000 escape fighting in north east Congo taking refuge in Uganda AFRICA/BURUNDI - 3 die of hunger in camp for former rebel soldiers in Burundi AFRICA/LIBERIA - “More financial transparency or aid will stop”: World Bank issues stern warning to Liberia’s interim government AFRICA/UGANDA - Government cease fire expires today but “negotiations continue” says Internal Minister ASIA/SRI LANKA - Italian post-tsunami aid in Sri Lanka: volunteers for development (VIS) and Italy’s national civil protection unit sign two agreements ASIA/INDONESIA - “If only the conflicting parties would see how the people suffer!”: director of Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ “Crisis and Reconciliation Service” says to Fides ASIA/INDONESIA - All is calm in the Moluccas but missionaries warn against possible infiltration of terrorists ASIA/CHINA On the Feast of the Chair of Peter Chinese Catholics confirm fidelity and communion with the Pope and the universal Church CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/SUDAN - National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies confirmed CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/MALI - National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies appointed 21/02/2005 VATICAN - The Pope’s reflection at the Angelus prayer: “The Petrine ministry is essentially at the service of the unity of the Church… To Jesus the Good Shepherd I entrust to whole People of God on this Lenten journey towards Easter” EUROPE/GERMANY - A video with German and International sign language illustrates World Youth Day: latest addition to official web site for World Youth Day 2005 in Germany AFRICA - New look for United Nations Security Council: Africa wants to have its say AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - 32 countries invited to send observers for March elections in Zimbabwe AFRICA/TOGO - Togolese parliament holds special session: are we nearing a turning point in the crisis? AFRICA/SUDAN - Heritage of war in southern Sudan: 4 million displaced persons and more than 500,000 refugees neighbouring countries ASIA/CHINA - Young Catholics in China anxious to take part in World Youth Day 2005 in Germany ASIA/INDIA - Thousands make the Lenten pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Bandel taking part in 400 year old traditional procession ASIA/INDIA - “Interreligious dialogue is all the more important at times of misunderstanding and inequality”, says Bishop of Mangalore AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “The media should promote development of the human person and society rather than de-humanisation”: Bishops of all America launch pressing appeal OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - 70 years of mission, witness and service in the Solomon Islands: new leadership for Daughters of Immaculate Mary DIM OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Applications to take part in World Youth Day in Germany pour in ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/BANGLADESH - Bishop of Khulna resigns, the Pope appoints new Bishop ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/VIET NAM The Pope appoints new Auxiliary Bishop of Hue ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/VIET NAM - Archbishop of Hanoi resigns, the Pope appoints new archbishop 18/02/2005 VATICAN - Special Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament tomorrow in St Peter’s Basilica to conclude annual retreat made by the Pope and the Roman Curia; all Vatican City employees warmly invited to take part VATICAN - Letter from Cardinal Angelo Sodano to President of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel: “Twenty five years later we see the fruits of this providential institution and the aid which thanks to it was distributed to the peoples in the Sahel” VATICAN - “Quality of life and ethics of health salute, concepts of great importance and significance”: 11th general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life EUROPE/ITALY - Paul, from Tarsus to the world: a film in seven parts on the missionary adventure of the Apostle of the Gentiles and the life of the first Christian communities AFRICA/SUDAN - “We have inherited 20 years of war and 2 million dead” Pastoral Letter from Catholic Bishops of Sudan AFRICA/GHANA - “Unemployment, illiteracy, clashes among 22 different ethnic groups are main obstacles for evangelisation” says Bishop Naameh of Damongo diocese in northern Ghana ASIA/INDIA - Syro-Malankara Church raised to the rank of Major Archdiocese and Archbishop Cyril Baselios of Trivandrum raised to the rank of Major Archbishop ASIA/CAMBODIA - underdevelopment and landmines, real problems in certain regions of Cambodia: Caritas Australia assists farming families ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Buddhists join Catholics caring for people with leprosy at St Lazarus Centre, Suwon ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - 11th Meeting of Japanese-Korean Youth to promote Reconciliation ASIA/INDIA - 100 years of Salesian service in India AMERICA/BRAZIL - New missionary animation and activity for missionary congregations in Brazil in the light of Vatican II: goal of 1st Inter-Congregational Mission ad gentes Congress in April 17/02/2005 EUROPE/SPAIN - Through its New Evangelisation Fund the Spanish Bishops Conference provides 300,000 Euro for pastoral programmes in 21 mission territories AFRICA/ANGOLA - Italian Capuchins in Venice celebrate 100 birthday of most senior confrere in the world. Testimonial of a life given for Africa AFRICA/UGANDA - Ever more isolated LRA rebels threaten to kill negotiator in favour of surrender: the army comes to his rescue. A comment for Fides ASIA/INDIA - Twenty five years of courses on Christianity in a state university help remove objections posed by radicals and fundamentalists of other religions ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Three days after bomb blasts people still afraid - President Gloria Arroyo may be given special powers AMERICA/PERU - Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado holds 6th Assembly in Lima on the theme “Lay Catholics helping to build a better world” AMERICA/PANAMA - Concerning scarcity of formation, accompaniment and sending of lay missionaries ad gentes says 3rd Continental Lay Missionaries Meeting in Final Statement OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Little Church in the Pacific welcomes new vocations: new members for Dominican sisters and brothers SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Doctors with Africa CUAMM provides basic health care material in country’s neediest Zambezi province 16/02/2005 EUROPE/ITALY - Charity of Christ towards migrants: ethnic mobility calls religious life to reflect on mission ‘at home’ AFRICA/TOGO - “We are waiting to hear a government statement that the crisis is over” says Fides source in Togo AFRICA/GHANA - Exploited child workers on Lake Volta rescued and rehabilitated by international programme AFRICA/GUINEA BISSAU - School meals, health and education in Sahel: Italian initiative in support World Food Programme. 1.250 tonnes of rice for about 200,000 people AFRICA/UGANDA - Missionaries in northern Uganda build home to protect for high-school girls from violence ASIA/MYANMAR - More than 80,000 Catholics attend National Eucharistic Congress in Myanmar ASIA/KAZAKSTAN - On mission to “bear witness to the faith and sow the Gospel in the steppe lands of Kazakstan”: Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga of Karaganda diocese speaks with Fides ASIA/MYANMAR - Thousands gather at Nyaunglebin Marian shrine for recitation of the rosary and special Mass on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes ASIA/CHINA - Chinese New Year offers opportunity for inter-religious dining and dialogue AMERICA/CHILE - “National Youth Mission 2005”: young Chilean Catholics reach out to evangelise their peers. New web site offers information on mission CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/ANGOLA AND SÃO TOMÉ - National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies appointed 15/02/2005 EUROPE/BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - The social situation, stability and solidarity focus of 5th annual meeting of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of South East Europe AFRICA/ZAMBIA - “Political tension must stop, or we risk a civil war” warn Catholic Bishops of Zambia AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Local Church’s intervention to help process of disarmament, demobilisation and reinsertion of militia: Meeting in Kinshasa ASIA/INDIA - “Saint Thomas Mount” shrine in Malayatoor, Kerala, celebrates 'international pilgrimage centre' status ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Islamic separatists organise bomb blasts in various parts of the country: “Dialogue must be resumed: violence can only bring death”, a missionary tells Fides AMERICA/VENEZUELA - The Church in front line to provide emergency aid following floods in six states of Venezuela: at least 16,000 people homeless AMERICA/BRAZIL “The murder of Sister Dorothy highlights the need to disarm hands and spirits without succumbing to intimidation, making a patient effort to promote a culture of peace” say Catholic Bishops of Brazil OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - "Be a Light for all to see" says former parish priest now Bishop of Auki at blessing of new parish at Noro attended by Christians of various denominations ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/SRI LANKA - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Galle CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - New Rector appointed for São Pio X Inter-Diocesan seminary in Maputo FIDES SIGNALS - To mark the 150th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception a new edition of “Biblioteca Mariana” by Rev. Ippolito Marracci first published in 1648 to be presented in Rome on 19 February 14/02/2005 VATICAN - The Pope’s Angelus reflection: “We cannot enter eternal life unless we carry our cross united with Christ. We cannot obtain happiness and peace without facing with courage the interior battle” EUROPE/GERMANY - Mission of communities of consecrated life central topic of German Bishops plenary Assembly EUROPA/ITALY - Meeting for Italian missionaries in Peru: Church in Italy and Church in Peru dialogue on mission AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Lendu and Hema clash in north eastern Ituri region of Congo: pastures and farmlands on top and gold, coltan uranium and oil underground! - Who aims for these resources? AFRICA/TOGO - Pray to God who is Lord of difficult even impossible situations” : appeal from Christian religious authorities Togo in a situation of political crisis since the death of President Eyadema ASIA/JAPAN - Saitama diocese holds 3rd ‘Latino to Obispo’ Meeting ASIA/PHILIPPINES - A bridge of reconciliation in Mindanao’s Christian/Muslim society: priority mission of Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines and new provincial superior ASIA/IRAQ - 6 Christians elected as members of national parliament and 5 in the Kurdish bloc. Father Nizar Semaan comments for Fides. ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AMERICA/PANAMA - The Pope appoints new Vicar Apostolic of Darien ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/ANGOLA - Bishop of Cabinda resigns, successor appointed SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - Camillian missionaries at Ouagadougou Hospital in front line for over 40 years in prima SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA - El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua: dysentery epidemic affects mainly children under five 10/02/2005 AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Archbishop of Bangui among guarantors for presidential elections in Central African Republic. Missionary comments for Fides AFRICA/SUDAN - “May peace encourage cultural renewal and eventually bring democracy” says missionary in Sudan ASIA/INDIA - “Renounce your Christian faith, reconvert to Hinduism or you will die”: Hindu fanatics threaten Catholic villagers in west India ASIA/TAIWAN - Cardinal Paul Shan issues Message for Lunar New Year ASIA/HONG KONG - Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong issues pastoral Letter for Lent: “Love life and treasure divine grace” ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Fighting in Jolo, peace threatened in southern Philippines- some fear that different guerrilla groups will join forces AMERICA/MEXICO - "Maria, your priests want to see Jesus " theme of 5th International Retreat for Priests AMERICA/BRAZIL - “Christians who take part in efforts to promote peace and solidarity become valid channels of evangelisation”, says Pope John Paul II in a message to the Church in Brazil for the 2005 Fraternity Campaign 09/02/2005 AFRICA/TOGO - part of the country wants “a return to constitutional rules to allow the country to vote” AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Pray for the conversion of hearts” says a Catholic Bishop in the Democratic Republic of Congo according to DIA new agency of the Congolese Bishops’ Conference ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Archdiocese of Seoul launches mission to America: priests, religious and lay people on mission for new evangelisation ASIA/TAIWAN - Young people begin to sign up for pilgrimages to Germany for Word Youth Day 2005 ASIA/INDONESIA - Christians and Muslims will work together to care for “tsunami orphans”: running new Children’s Home in Aceh AMERICA/COSTA RICA - Bishops’ Conference signs important co-operation agreement with the Ministry for Education to re-launch the country’s school system AMERICA/ECUADOR - Minute of Mission radio ‘pill’ of missionary animation produced by Pontifical Mission Societies in Ecuador informs, forms and animates OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - “Lent forces us to come to terms with the ‘tsunami’ of sin and evil in our lives” Archbishop of Melbourne says in Lenten Letter 2005 08/02/2005 EUROPE/GERMANY - German Bishops launch annual Lenten Campaign: “United we share. United we fight disease” AFRICA/TOGO - “Unreal silence increases people’s fear” say Fides sources in Lome capital of Togo following death of President Eyadema in power for 38 years AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Congo is ours: the time has come for full commitment for democracy” say Catholic Bishops of Congo AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Emeritus Bishop of De Aar in South Africa dies at the age of 92 ASIA/HOLY LAND - “We are witnessing a renewed involvement of the international community. We thank God for this”: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem issues Lenten Message 2005 ASIA/CHINA - Chinese Catholics all over the world hope for a new year of peace and prosperity: Lunar New Year celebrated in mainland China and Chinese speaking communities overseas ASIA/INDIA - New direction in Gujarat: Good Friday restored as a public holiday AMERICA/VENEZUELA - National Youth Day on the theme “We have come to adore Him”, in preparation for World Youth Day in Germany AMERICA/ECUADOR - “Migration and development”: Andes-Hispanic Symposium 14-17 February in Quito on migration and ensuing pastoral challenges facing the Church AMERICA/BRAZIL - Help eliminate violence by promoting solidarity and building a culture of peace: Church in Brazil launches 41st Fraternity Campaign 2005 on Ash Wednesday, ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Bishop of Mariannhill resigns 07/02/2005 EUROPE/GERMANY - Missio Institute of Missiology positive annual activity: more offerings for study grants and students of philosophy and theology 2004 EUROPE/SPAIN - Preparations for 5th World Meeting of Families in 2006 in Valencia ASIA/JAPAN - ‘World Youth Day spreads very good atmosphere throughout the whole Church’ says Japanese Bishop: young Japanese Catholics prepare to take part in this universal Church even in Germany in August ASIA/MONGOLIA - Celebration, proclamation and testimony of young Catholics for the feast day of St John Bosco Bosco ASIA - UN High Commission for Refugees continues to assist tsunami victims in isolated areas AMERICA/CANADA - “The bill under discussion is offensive to the moral and religious sensibility of a great number of citizens, both Catholic and non-Catholic”: open letter by Cardinal Marc Quellet in answer to a proposed Bill to include same sex partnerships within the same legal framework as the conjugal relation between a man and a woman. AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “We want a country which respects freedom, promotes truth and installs justice”, Catholic Bishops of Colombia say at the 98th plenary assembly MISSIONARY PRAYER INTENTION - Pope John Paul II’s missionary prayer intention for February 2005: For missionaries: may they have a passionate love for Christ, indispensable for proclaiming the Gospel with conviction. Comment by Cardinal Ricardo J. Vidal Archbishop of Cebu (Philippines) 04/02/2005 EUROPE/ITALY - S.Egidio community spokesman tells Fides about celebrations for Community’s 37th anniversary. AFRICA/UGANDA - We hope that peace in Sudan will bring peace in Uganda” says missionary involved in teaching children in tormented northern region of Uganda AFRICA/ANGOLA - 300,000 students, 230 primary schools, 59 middle schools and a university with 1,700 students preparing to accommodate 10,000: Catholic education in Angola - concrete commitment of Catholics in favour of Africa ASIA/INDIA - “The Church’s mission is to promote peace and reconciliation”: intervention by Archbishop Felipe Neri Ferrao of Goa on “National Day for Peace” commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Solemn celebration of the Eucharist with Cardinals Ennio Antonelli and Silvano Piovanelli, in the presence of members of the Church in Korea, in a church in Empoli: a side chapel dedicated to Korea’s first Catholic priest Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, martyred in 1846 at the age of 25 AMERICA/MEXICO - Towards National Mission Congress: 3rd national meeting for missionary animation and formation on the theme “Eucharist and Mission” OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - Youth of Solomon Islands (Tetere, Tanagai and Tenaru) attend leadership encounter in preparation for World Youth Day 2005 in Germany. “We have come to adore Him”: testimony of encounter and also against abuse of drugs and alcohol 03/02/2005 VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe blesses new tabernacle in refurbished Foyer Paul VI chapel. On the Day for Consecrated Life nuns renew their vows : “The call to religious life is like light kindled in our heart. A light we must carry to all peoples” EUROPA/SPAIN - "The entire diocesan church says yes to evangelisation": missionary dimension of 3rd Diocesan Synod in Madrid AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - “Most of Tulear is still under water. Mission structures seriously damaged”: Testimonial from, Tulear, south west Madagascar after cyclone Ernest AFRICA/KENYA - Masai and Kikuyu agree to share water resources. “Local Church played an important part in helping to solve the dispute” Consolata missionary told Fides AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - “Every week in the world poverty kills like a tsunami” say Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa ASIA/INDIA - In the footsteps of Don Bosco in the Far East: Don Bosco old pupils of Asia and Australia committed to mission in society and the world of work ASIA/NEPAL - Isolation and state of emergency but no social disorder in Nepal: concerns and hopes of Christian community ASIA/HONG KONG - Salesian Youth Centre prepares pilgrimage for World Youth Day 2005 ASIA/INDIA - Bishops of Latin Rite will discuss themes concerning the Family at next assembly 02/02/2005 VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe presides Mass in St Peter’s Basilica with Friars Minor from the Far East: “With the same faith as St Peter go and proclaim the Lord to your brothers and sisters in Asia. Be light with your life witness, be bearers of Christ’s love and charity for all humanity” EUROPE/ITALY - Day for Consecrated Life - entering a convent at the age of twenty for love of God: testimonial from Michaela. AFRICA/CÔTE D'IVOIRE - Thousands of refugees along no man’s land between rebels and army troops helped only by missionaries ASIA/INDIA - Mons. Jude Paulraj, Bishop in Tamil Nadu, speaks with Fides: “The government must keep its promise to eliminate the anti-conversion law ASIA/TURKEY - From Franciscans in Turkey testimonial of hospitality and service: Superior of Franciscan Fraternity in Istanbul reports to Fides ASIA - Holy See solidarity with tsunami victims: Archbishop Cordes carries Pope’s message of comfort to stricken peoples ASIA - Solidarity must be concrete not only verbal: governments and aid organisations must produce promised funds in aid of tsunami victims AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “Help find peaceful solution for problems at the root of the deterioration of Colombian” goal of international symposium attended by 3 Nobel Peace prize winners, 20 international experts and some 800 participants 01/02/2005 AFRICA/KENYA - “30 dead in clashes in Kenya arising from water dispute between sedentary farmers and nomad herdsmen rather than political manipulation” Father Ferrari, Consolata Mission and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Kenya told Fides AFRICA/BURUNDI - Parishes in Burundi collect aid to face food shortage. The future of the country and outcome of constitutional referendum: local priest talks to Fides AFRICA - special African Union summit on crises in Côte d'Ivoire, Darfur and Congo adopts Common Defence pact and fight against AIDS ASIA/IRAQ - “Iraqi Christians expect democracy to mean respect for equal rights and full religious freedom to believe and practice” lay Christian in Baghdad told Fides ASIA/INDIA - “Growing role of lay Catholics ever more aware of their mission ”: Fides listens to testimonial from Catholic Bishop in Tamil Nadu ASIA/TAIWAN - Catholic community united in prayer for unity among Christians in keeping with indication issued by Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference AMERICA/BRAZIL - National directors of Pontifical Mission Societies of America and Caribbean to discuss Mission, Globalisation and Migration 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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