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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 marzo 2005 31/03/2005 EUROPE/ITALY - There are 19.850 Jesuits in the world: numbers of priests and brothers continue to decline AFRICA/BURUNDI - “We the people of Burundi have suffered deeply but we also believe deeply in the redemptive value of suffering”: Catholic Bishops send John Paul II message of sympathy from Burundi where more than 300,000 died in civil conflict AFRICA/ZAMBIA - “Stay with us Lord…” Catholic Bishops of Zambia issue Pastoral Letter on the Year of the Eucharist ASIA/HONG KONG - Easter Pastoral Letter from Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong: “Let his joy surprise us once more !” ASIA/HOLY LAND - Christians around the world invited to pray for peace: “A Lamp for peace in the Holy Land” initiative ASIA/CHINA - From Hawaii to Australia, from the United States to Europe, Chinese Catholics pray for the Pope with lighted candles ASIA/HONG KONG - Catholics in Hong Kong and mainland China united in prayer for the Pope - government officials voice great respect and concern for Pope John Paul II AMERICA/BRAZIL - “Evangelisation and bearing witness - Mission of the Church to face challenges of the present day”: 43rd General Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Brazil will focus on the dignity of human life and bio-technology, cultural and religious pluralism, ecclesial and social commitment OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - The Tasmanian Catholic, a new Catholic periodical SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Every child, every human being has the right to adequate medical care, a healthy diet and a dignified existence CEP APPOINTMENTS - ASIA/JAPAN - New Rector appointed for Inter-diocesan Seminary in Fukuoka 30/03/2005 VATICAN - In his Easter Message the Pope prays for peace in the Holy Land, in the Middle East, in Africa, “where so much blood continues to be shed” and for all humanity and he says. “We men and women of the third millennium we too need you, Risen Lord!” VATICAN - From his study window the Pope greets and blesses crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square EUROPE/ITALY - 10th general assembly of the priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St Charles Borromeo AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - In pastoral letter on elections Catholic Bishops of Zimbabwe urge all citizens to play their part to ensure a vote which is fair and peaceful AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Elections 2005 in Zimbabwe: less violence but a vote nevertheless marked by irregularities in the electoral campaign ASIA/INDIA - Lay people make Easter pilgrimage to leprosy centre: solidarity, prayers for the Pope, sharing and brotherhood ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - God’s justice, truth, love will overcome: principle theme of Bishops’ Easter messages ASIA/INDONESIA - “Endless moments of terror. Exhausted and close to despair, people want to escape the earthquake threat ever-present”: Jesuit eyewitness gives dramatic account of what happened OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Caritas Australia is among the first to help earthquake victims in Nias MISSIONARY PRAYER INTENTION - Pope John Paul II’s missionary prayer intention for April 2005: “For Christian communities: filled with burning zeal for holiness may they kindle numerous missionary vocations”. Comment by Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/ANGOLA - Alarm persists in the province of Uige for the spread of the deadly Marburg virus ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/GHANA - Archbishop of Accra resigns, successor appointed 23/03/2005 EUROPE/RUMANIA - “This people and this land in this part of eastern Europe are a field for new evangelisation”: Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate report on popular mission ASIA/MONGOLIA - Catholic Community welcomes 50 newly baptised Christians - “The little Church in Mongolia grows steadily”, Apostolic Prefect of Ulan Bator told Fides ASIA/HONG KONG - Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong praises the work of Catholic volunteers who put the virtue of charity into practice in every day life ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/MOROCCO - Archbishop of Tangiers resigns 22/03/2005 EUROPE/GERMANY - Where and when to go to church: information on Easter services via the Internet. Ecumenical initiative involving 12,000 different Catholic and Lutheran parishes ASIA/INDIA - “From our cloister we help promote peace and harmony in India and all over the world” say Carmelite Sisters in Pune ASIA/CHINA - Faithful flock to celebrate Palm Sunday, many come from the country to live Holy Week and Easter in Beijing in crowded churches ASIA/IRAQ - Easter under curfew, with fear and concern. Christians will keep Holy Week services but only in daylight:- “Our prayer is that the Lord will grant our children harmony, serenity and freedom” AMERICA/PERU - Confessions via the Internet are not valid, the indispensable requisite for the celebration of a Sacrament, including the sacrament of Reconciliation, is the physical presence of the believer and the minister: Peruvian Bishops warn the faithful about “cyberspace confessions” AMERICA/PARAGUAY - “Speak Lord your Church is listening!”: Catholic Bishops of Paraguay launch nation wide consultation in view of new pastoral guidelines to respond to the real needs of the People of God AMERICA/PERU - “Everyone can rediscover the beauty of what it means to life the life of Christ”: interview with Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, Archbishop of Lima, on the eve of the final stage of the Great City Mission “Remar Mar Adentro” OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - PMS Mission collections in 2004 a great success: Australian Catholics gave 8 million dollars for education, development, struggle against AIDS and poverty ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/CÔTE D'IVOIRE - Bishop of Daloa resigns the Pope appoints new Bishop CEP APPOINTMENTS - EUROPE/AUSTRIA - New National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/NIGERIA - Despite an overall drop in the number of deaths due to measles there is alarm for 76 deaths already this year SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Thursday 24 March, World TB Day: about 9 million people have TB. To fight it new diagnostic tests are needed 21/03/2005 VATICAN - The Pope’s reflection at the Angelus: “Dearest young people, continue tirelessly along the path you have undertaken to be everywhere witnesses to Christ. Do not be afraid! May the Lord crucified and risen be your strength and may Most Holy Mary be ever at your side” VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe confers Episcopal ordination on Archbishop Henryk Hoser: “Render the missionary Church an ever more splendid reflection of the face of Christ!” AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - 500 diocesan and 50,000 parish volunteers: local Church committed to prepare people to take part in elections which will end the interim period AFRICA/TUNISIA - St Joseph’s Catholic church on the tourist attraction Island of Djerba to reopen AFRICA/CÔTE D' IVOIRE - 4 April decision on presence of international peacekeepers in Côte d'Ivoire. Demonstrations for and against withdrawal of French and UN troops. Increasing threat of possible ethnic war ASIA/INDIA - Kerala diocese adopts Tamil Nadu village affected by last year’s tsunami ASIA/INDIA - Jesuit declared best Christian headmaster in India 2004-2005 ASIA/VIETNAM - Small group of Montagnard refugees in Cambodia repatriated to Vietnam with the help of UN High Commission for Refugees ASIA/TAIWAN - Hsinchu diocese recalls zeal and spirit of service of Sr. Antsila Yao of the Missionary Servants of the Holy Spirit ASIA/CHINA - Xian Xian diocese regains possession of Jesuit missionaries’ tombstones ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/ARABIAN PENINSULA - The Pope accepts resignation of Vicar Apostolic of Arabia and appoints a successor ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - OCEANIA/NEW ZEALAND - Archbishop of Wellington resigns, Coadjutor Archbishop takes over 18/03/2005 VATICAN - Interview with the President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, who will be ordained tomorrow VATICAN - The Pope’s annual Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday: “The words of institution of the Eucharist must be more than a formula of consecration: they must be a "formula of life". AFRICA/TOGO - Boys and girls sold as slaves: hidden scourge in Togo militarised with technical support for North Korea ASIA/INDONESIA - Lenten pastoral includes Sacrament of Reconciliation at home for Catholics in remote villages, and the elderly and the sick ASIA/CHINA - Chinese Catholics very devoted to Saint Joseph the saint of humility, Patron Saint of China ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - New translation of the Bible, a statement on bio-ethics: fruits of Assembly of Korean Bishops ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AMERICA/HONDURAS - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Trujillo ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/THAILAND - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Ratchaburi ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Manono ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Kilwa-Kasenga SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - Our Lady of Fatima Centre opens new paediatric ward: 12 beds for HIV+ children SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/SUDAN - World Food Programme warns it has not enough food supplies for the estimated about 5.5 million people in need of food aid in 2005 SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Every 15 minutes a child dies of AIDS, one out of every 8 babies dies at birth. Precarious health structures: food shortage threatens more than 55% of the country’s 12 million people 17/03/2005 EUROPE/ITALY - "FamilyFest 2005": series of International of Family Congresses to connect 120 world cities will highlight families striving to live the Gospel and the family’s important role for the development of humanity EUROPE/PORTUGAL - Portuguese Missionários dà Boa Nova celebrate 75th anniversary. “The activity of the laity in the Church is very important today and so we aim to involve more and more lay persons in missionary work” Superior General Fr. Antonio José da Rocha Couto speaks with Fides AFRICA/TANZANIA - “Eucharist sign of unity and bond of Charity”: Lenten Message in the Year of the Eucharist. “The Family of God must always be a community which grows in the one spirit united in the one bond of love” AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Climate of tension in Central Africa waiting for results of first round of presidential and legislative elections AFRICA/SENEGAL - 10,000 young people for a national meeting for World Youth Day, in former separatist region Casamance. “a meeting under the banner of peace” says national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies ASIA/INDIA - Anti-Christian violence: India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, announces a speech to Parliament and a letter to the leaders of the states of the federation asking them to take suitable measures ASIA/INDONESIA - “Foreigners and NGOs must not leave Aceh we need them to help with reconstruction”: tsunami refugees fear they will be alone to fend for themselves ASIA/PAKISTAN - The challenges of Justice Peace in Asia: missionaries, religious and lay people operating in Catholic communities all over the continent focus on human rights 16/03/2005 VATICAN - “We all have the sublime vocation and grave responsibility to see that the proclamation of the Good News resounds everywhere with joy”: Cardinal Sepe celebrates Mass in Propaganda Fide chapel for Portuguese Missionários dà Boa Nova marking the 75th anniversary of their foundation AFRICA/KENYA - Clashes between Somali clans in Kenya: at least 28 killed. At the root, a fight over meagre water resources in arid region AFRICA/BURUNDI - Tension in Burundi: UN High Commission for Refugees sounds the alarm ASIA/INDIA - Bishops in Rajastan oppose anti-conversion law and call for a signature campaign SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - ASIA/CHINA - The problem leprosy cannot be tackled in an isolated manner it must be part of an integrated health programme for basic health services. AIFO in China ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Peace between government and Muslim separatists more difficult after militants of Abu Sayyaf terrorist group were killed when police intervened to suppress Manila prison revolt OCEANIA/ISOLE SALOMONE - “Young people, build a new community in Solomon Islands”: Radio Don Bosco broadcasts seminar to promote moral and cultural renewal in the Pacific 15/03/2005 EUROPE/ITALY - “Bread broken for others”: 24 March 13th Day of Prayer and Fasting to commemorate Missionaries killed for the Gospel Cause EUROPE/GERMANY - “With their sincerity, enthusiasm and joy as they reach out to others, their desire to celebrate and pray together and work for a world of more justice, children and young people are the most convincing messengers of God’s love”: main focus of latest issue of Schule und Mission magazine published by Holy Childhood Germany AFRICA/LIBERIA - At this stage of political change and preparation for elections the role of the local Catholic Church is fundamental: Pontifical Mission Societies Germany, missio Aachen, looks at commitment of local Church in Liberia AFRICA/TANZANIA - “We are very grateful to the Holy Father for offering his suffering and his prayers for the Church in Tanzania. His words are encouragement for our mission”. Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam speaks with Fides. ASIA/LAOS - Apostolic Delegate blesses first new church built in north Laos since the Communist revolution ASIA/INDONESIA - Jesuit Refugee Service helps with reconstruction in Aceh AMERICA/CANADA - Canadian ecumenical delegation representing various Christian churches and communities visits Mexico to assess effects of ‘free trade’ on the people of Mexico, the poorest in particular 14/03/2005 VATICAN - The Pope appoints delegate Presidents, Relator and Secretary for the 11th Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held in October in Rome at the end of the Year of the Eucharist VATICAN - The Pope’s reflection at the Sunday Angelus: “In this season of Lent which invites us to nourish ourselves more abundantly with the Word of God, I wish to recall that it is possible to nourish the spirit also through radio, television and the Internet. I am grateful to those committed to this new form of evangelisation which valorises the mass media” VATICAN - Three priorities for the Bishops of Tanzania on ad limina visit: the family, the clergy and the common good of society. The Pope writes his message at Gemelli Hospital “where I offer my prayers and suffering for you” EUROPE/RUSSIA - Saint Francis of Assisi is a popular figure in Russia AFRICA/ANGOLA - “Light a lamp in Africa!”. The lamp of education, a school for everyone. Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix open a new school in Luena ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Christian and Muslim leaders work together for peace in Mindanao ASIA/INDIA - Christian delegation meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voices concern for repeated Hindu fundamentalist attacks on religious minorities: 19 in the first two months of 2005, and 6 against Catholic communities AMERICA/BRAZIL - First national Meeting of Missionary Youth representatives 27-30 May in Brasilia: “The idea is not to create a new movement but to co-ordinate and support young people anxious to operate in the field of mission ad gentes” National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies in Brazil told Fides AMERICA/CHILE - “A journey of communion and hope”: 4 to 7 April International Congress on Family Eucharistic Catechesis, Eucharistic path travelled in 40 years by millions of children and parents extends to other continents OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Vocations flourish in Australia’s Catholic communities: Church commitment in the new millennium ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - ASIA/INDIA - Bishop of Punalur resigns the Holy Father appoints successor SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Cooperation Agreement between Sant’Andrea Hospital in Rome and the State of Tigray in Ethiopia 11/03/2005 VATICAN - In Mexico Cardinal Sepe addresses missionaries: “Revive the grace of your vocation and intensify, faithful to your original charisma, your path towards mission ad gentes. Prefer the most places most humble and arduous, to the far ends of the earth!” EUROPE/RUMANIA - Personal and direct proclamation of the Word of God to people at home and at work: Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate undertake new evangelisation in Romania EUROPE/SPAIN - “We will continue”: after 57 of commitment and the present scarcity of mission resources, Basque dioceses opt to continue to support missions in Ecuador and Angola, because “for a diocese being missionary is not an option” AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Consecrated brothers and sisters, wake up! Put out into the deep” Bishops say to religious in Congo AFRICA/ANGOLA - “Bombers of peace” to carry real peace to the hearts of Angolans after 25 years of civil war. Head of “Pro Peace” speaks after the movement’s second congress ASIA/INDIA - Three months since the tsunami, great progress has been made to resettle refugees and rebuild infrastructures in south east India: great effort on the part of the local Catholic Church ASIA/HONG KONG - Over 60 Orthodox icons from various part of the world on show in Hong Kong provide opportunity for Christians to meditate on the mysteries of faith ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Commission for Lay Apostolate programmes and initiatives to strengthen lay Catholics’ Christian identity and render them more effective agents of new evangelisation ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christian women ready for courageous proclamation of the Gospel of Salvation. Seminar in Lahore focuses on struggle for women’s rights in Pakistan: Women ‘objects’ never again ASIA/KOREA - 30.000 members of the Korean Catholic Health Association recently instituted with the support of the local Bishops’ Conference ASIA/INDIA - White Paper on Religious Minorities: satisfaction for government attention to rights of Christians AMERICA/BRAZIL - “Human life is of sacred and inviolable value: any exception tends to consider it a good at our disposal, which can be negotiated, wounded, destroyed”: President of Brazilian Bishops’ Conference comments on Bio-Ethics Bill being discussed by parliament AMERICA/COLOMBIA - “Everywhere on the Continent profound cultural and religious changes are taking place, the Church is called to speak out in fidelity to her mission”: conclusions of meeting of general secretaries of Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean 10/03/2005 VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe ordains new Bishop of Tarahumara in Mexico: “A Church called to offer from the riches of its faith and testimony of communion among its different peoples an important contribution to the universal Church” VATICAN - Cardinal Sepe meets the clergy in Tarahumara, Mexico: “Have trust in Jesus Christ who called you and trust the Church our Mother; offer your trust also to the new Bishop, who is the foundation of your own ministry” EUROPE - Solidarity and commitment for peace in Colombia: from the network of Caritas Europe a new appeal to favour the process of reconciliation and support for 3 million internally displaced persons ASIA/MYANMAR - Global Day of Prayer for Burma 13 March promoted by ‘Christians Concerned for Burma’ ASIA/INDIA - “You young people have the task of building a better India!” Superior major of the Salesian Fathers present for centenary celebrations in India AMERICA/MEXICO - “John Paul II leans on the staff of our prayers, the prayers of the Church”: children, adolescents, young people, adults, the elderly, in the city and beyond, regardless of race or ideological divisions, unite in a crusade of prayer for the Pope AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Religion is a factor of peace. This was the subject of a meeting sponsored by the American Embassy to the Holy See held at the S. Egidio Community centre in Rome OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - New monthly newsletter on the Internet on Mission and Spirituality, information service for Australian Catholics 09/03/2005 VATICAN - From the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cardinal Sepe makes new appeal for Mission: “There is no more urgent task, no higher vocation than that of co-operating like Mary with the apostolic mission of the Church” EUROPE/GERMANY - Largest organisation for Turkish Muslims in Germany sends best wishes to Pope John Paul II: “May the All Merciful God bless him and restore his health EUROPE/SPAIN - Mission ad Gentes in Europe, missionary formation of young priests Fidei donum: themes of meeting for National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Europe AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Women direct and indirect victims of 650 million small arms in the world AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - For the first time in 9 years 50,000 mothers take to the streets to celebrate international Women’s Day in a city for years at the centre of a conflict whose principal victims were women of all ages ASIA/CHINA - Shan Xi Seminary resumes its original name “Seminary Giovanni da Montecorvino”, in memory of a great evangeliser of China AMERICA/PERU - “Women with their work and selflessness, at times heroic, make human life worth living, as the sign of the infinite love of God who desired to be born of a woman”. AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Catholic Bishops call for changes in proposed Bill to impose on women a life style contrary to their nature and role: “the Church does not oppose the promotion of women but recognition of equality must be accompanied by the valorisation of the gifts with God has endowed them” SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - EUROPE/ITALY - Communication doctor-patient at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital via “emotycons”. Formation Day highlights empathy and rights of little patients 08/03/2005 EUROPE/ITALY - Japan contributes 113,000 Euro for S. Egidio education and healthcare programmes in Lezha, Albania VATICAN - The under-secretary for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Rev. Sister Enrica Rosanna, shares with Fides her happy missionary experience among women in Congo. Religious Sisters help women of Africa to promote a culture of peace AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - Madagascar prays for Pope John Paul II ASIA/IRAQ - “The people of Iraq are the victims of common criminals. Every day ordinary people are kidnapped and families are ruined to pay ransom ” Fr Nizar tells Fides ASIA/INDIA - 8 March: a Catholic Sister works to promote development among tribal farmers in north east India ASIA/PAKISTAN - 8 March: Christians and Muslims unite to promote more respect for women’s rights ASIA/INDONESIA - Peace in the Moluccas: Reconciliation Conference in Australia this Summer OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - “I am ready for mission in Australia”, says new Papal Nuncio in Canberra 07/03/2005 VATICAN - The Pope’s Sunday Angelus reflection: “Together we continue our preparation for Easter, offering God also our suffering for the good of humanity and our own purification” VATICAN - Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples Card. Crescenzio Sepe on pastoral visit to the diocese of Tarahumara the only territory in Mexico still under the care of the missionary Congregation. EUROPE/BULGARIA - “Poor Catholic families suffer but they are certain the Pope’s suffering is worse than their own and they pray for him”, Capuchin friar in Sofia tells Fides AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Catholic refugees from Sudan pray for Pope John Paul II with happy memories of his visit in 1993 AFRICA - 500,000 illegal arms in eastern Africa: Catholic Church commitment with regard to small arms misuse five years after Nairobi Declaration ASIA/HONG KONG - Over 2.300 catechumens will be baptised at Easter: a happy occasion for Bishops and faithful ASIA/NORTH KOREA - Ten years of aid for the most vulnerable, children, pregnant and nursing mothers, the elderly in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea: Caritas feeds the hungry and strives to guarantee food security AMERICA/ECUADOR - “The country is precipitating in a situation of illegality, confusion mistrust and fear”: concerned Catholic Bishops appeal for more democracy and justice OCEANIA/SOLOMON ISLANDS - New Catholic radio broadcasts over the Pacific: Salesians fathers launch Radio Bosco to spread Good News 05/03/2005 VATICAN - Contemplation of beauty helps penetration of the mystery and prompts conversion of life: The Immaculate Conception in Art, exhibition in the Vatican, interview with Archbishop Mauro Piacenza EUROPE/AZERBAIJAN - “The Pope is close to the elderly, and in our community there are many of them. They all love him and are concerned about his health”, Father Jan Kapla Superior of the Baku Catholic Mission told Fides EUROPE/SPAIN - Javierada Pilgrimage this year anticipates celebrations for 5th hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Patron saint of missions: " Our young pilgrims to Javier must be courageous like Francis Xavier, filled with enthusiasm for Jesus " ASIA/CHINA - “We always pray for the Pope but now that he is in hospital we are praying even harder”: Chinese speaking Catholics in Toronto Canada pray for the Pope ASIA/BANGLADESH - “People in one of the world’s poorest countries are praying for the Holy Father, Muslims too voice sympathy and solidarity”, head of Caritas Bangladesh tells Fides AMERICA/ECUADOR - “Dear Pope, we hope you will be better soon because we boys and girls in Chone want you to be well and hope you will never be ill again. We children of Chone love you and pray for you always": young school children in Ecuador offer simple, spontaneous prayers for the Pope ACTA OF THE HOLY SEE - AFRICA/BENIN - Archbishop of Cotonou resigns, the Pope appoints new Archbishop 04/03/2005 EUROPE/RUSSIAN FEDERATION - Worshippers in Moscow’s Catholic cathedral shed tears as they pray for the Pope. Also at times like this the Pope shows the strength of his faith and sends us a message: "Be strong in your faith", Catholic Archbishop Kondrusiewicz tells Fides. EUROPE/ITALY - Inmates in Rome’s Regina Caeli prison pray for the Pope and in a letter to the Pontiff in hospital they “express their love for a man who opened their eyes to a horizon of light, hope, love, freedom and salvation in Jesus Christ” inspector general of Italian prison chaplains tells Fides EUROPE/SPAIN - “Since the Pope was admitted to hospital a second time, prisoners themselves have been intensifying prayers for his recover ” prison chaplain in Valencia tells Fides AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Pope: the prayer of the Church in Mozambique AFRICA/BENIN - Radio which denounces trafficking of child slaves broadcasts prayers for John Paul II AFRICA/RWANDA - “Community prayer is an important means to promote reconciliation in Rwanda” says Pallottine Father Filipeck ASIA/LEBANON - “Even individual Muslims send messages of solidarity with the universal Church at this time of suffering ” say sources at the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Maronites ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Bishops’ Commission for Communications promotes plan to increase awareness among the faith in this Year of the Eucharist ASIA/IRAN - Iranian president Mohammad Khatami sends the Pope “best wishes” ASIA/SYRIA - Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims united in concern and prayers for the Pope ASIA/HOLY LAND - Pope’s illness prompts special prayers and gestures of inter-religious friendship: he is truly a great Pontiff, a great ‘bridge-builder’ says Franciscan Custodian of the Holy Land ASIA/CHINA - Overseas Chinese communities share news of improvement of Pope’s health; official Church reports news about the Pope, Chinese Catholics all over the world pray for the Holy Father AMERICA/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Catholic street children, many of them in poor health, share the Pope’s suffering and pray for him every day AMERICA/PERU - Quechuas in Peru : “We want the Holy Father to know at this time of suffering that he has the support of our humble prayers offered for his recovery” 03/03/2005 VATICAN - “It is urgent that in parish communities and church associations and movements adequate formation be guaranteed so that the liturgy and the richness of its language may be better known and lived to the full” the Pope says in a message to the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments EUROPE/ALBANIA - Disabled people and terminally ill patients at Missionaries of Charity Home in Tirana pray for Pope John Paul II AFRICA/UGANDA - “Even here where the main preoccupation is how to stay alive and death is such a commonplace event that we are resigned to it, we find the strength to pray for the health of the Pope” a missionary in northern Uganda told Fides AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - In remote areas of Ituri where the din of fighting is still heard Catholics pray for the Pope AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE - “Since the Pope was admitted to hospital people all over the country are debating on the value of life and the role of the elderly” says a missionary in Sierra Leone, where in the 1960s children with polio were seen as “children of the devil” ASIA/SRI LANKA - Orphans and abandoned children pray daily Rosary in spiritual communion with the Pope ASIA/CHINA - Old people, the sick and children pray for the Pope with the Sisters of St Joseph who ask Fides for latest news about the Pope ASIA/INDONESIA - Young Christians and Muslims worked together to prepare for the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Christians in the Moluccas ASIA/INDIA - “Shalom Television”: new Catholic TV channel in Kerala, southern India SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Epidemic of dysentery in Nicaragua continues to spread: 33,655 cases in eight weeks 02/03/2005 EUROPE/BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA - Fifth meeting of the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of South East Europe: common responsiblity for peace and the Gospel in this part of Europe EUROPE/GREECE - More than 500 are expected to attend to a Conference on World Mission and Evangelism organised by the World Council of Churches in Athens in the month of May AFRICA/CÔTE D' IVOIRE - What is this new militia which has appeared in the west of Côte d'Ivoire ASIA/IRAQ - Iraqi Christians say they too are praying for the Pope's health ASIA/NEPAL - Although still traumatised and suffering orphans, former child soldiers and street children cared for in Catholic institutions offer special prayers for the Pope ASIA/CHINA - Two months after the tsunami solidarity effort of Catholic communities in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan continues AMERICA/BRAZIL - In a Guarani Indian reserve 290 children suffer from acute malnutrition and 35% of those under age six is underfed. The death of six Guarani children brings to the fore the drama of Brazil’s forgotten people ASIA/MALAYSIA - UNHCR in Malaysia to assist refugees: maxi government clamp-down on illegal immigration AMERICA/PERU - Hundreds of evangelisers ready to announce the Gospel door to door: Ica diocese launches Great Catholic Mission OCEANIA/ SOLOMON ISLANDS - Caritas Solomon Islands collaborates to fight AIDS in Papua New Guinea CEP APPOINTMENTS - AFRICA/CAMEROON - New rector for Notre Dame d’Espérance Interdiocesan major seminary in Bertua SCIENCE AND MEDICINE - AMERICA/PERU - “Towards a culture of education and prevention”, seminar on the Church and HIV, organised by the health pastoral office of Lima 01/03/2005 EUROPE/ITALY- “A just man among the nations” award in memory of medical doctor Borromeo top clinician at St John of God Brother Hospital on the River Tiber during World War II who saved the lives of many Roman Jews ‘infected with K disease’ EUROPE/SPAIN - “America receives and sends missionaries”: Church in Spain confirms mission commitment on Hispanic-America Day; Spain has 946 diocesan priests on mission in various different countries AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Doctor what is a tracheotomy?” children in Bukavu, east Congo ask when they hear that the Pope is in hospital AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Foreign hands behind massacre of 9 UN peace keepers in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo AFRICA/CÔTE D 'IVOIRE - Côte d'Ivoire crisis enters new stage of uncertainty following fresh fighting in the west ASIA/MONGOLIA - In Mongolia rescued street children at Catholic centre pray every day for the Pope who is a point of reference for their fledging faith ASIA/INDIA - Government ready to launch “direct attack on poverty”: financial law to promote development, attention for disadvantaged sectors of society AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Peace, a gift and a commitment, for harmony in fraternity: Forum and prayer-meeting to demonstrate how ecumenical and interreligious dialogue can promote peace AMERICA/BRAZIL - “As National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies you must be the soul of the Church’s mission in your respective countries”: Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples says in message to National PMS Directors of all America meeting in Brasilia OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Catholic Bishops launch Australian Catholic Church Television OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Mission in Australia past and present: Fides Dossier with documentation from Propaganda Fide mission history archives 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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