Fides News - English

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - People celebrate the Parliament's vote to impeach President Yoon

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 13:39:11 +0100

Seoul - Hundreds of thousands of people gathered near the Parliament building in Seoul, cheering, waving banners and colorful light sticks after the National Assembly voted, with 204 out of 300 deputies, to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law on December 3. Civil society groups, associations, religious organizations, Christian communities and Catholic parishes from various parts of the country arrived in Seoul in the early hours of the morning in freezing temperatures.
The Korean population of Seoul also wanted to give concrete support to this peaceful demonstration through a practice typical of the Italian city of Naples: ordinary citizens went to bars, cafes and bistros in the area and paid in advance for hot drinks so that the cold protesters could have a free coffee.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, deposed by parliament, is not allowed to leave South Korea as police authorities are investigating him and other ministers and officials involved in the imposition of martial law on December 3 for rebellion, abuse of power and other crimes. However, the entire impeachment process could drag on for months as it must be confirmed by a ruling of the Constitutional Court, which must decide within 180 days.
Yoon, as president, enjoys immunity from prosecution, but this does not extend to accusations of rebellion or treason. Following a positive decision by the court, Yoon could be investigated, detained or arrested. Yoon's defense minister, the police chief and the Seoul municipal police have already been arrested for their role in the declaration of martial law. Other senior military and government officials are also under investigation.

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Resignation and appointment of bishop of Mannar

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 13:28:36 +0100

Vatican City - The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Mannar, Sri Lanka, presented by Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai, of the clergy of the diocese of Mannar, Sri Lanka, until now administrator of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar, as bishop of the same diocese.
Msgr. Gnanapragasam Anthonypillai was born on 12 July 1965 in Adampan, in the diocese of Mannar, and studied philosophy and theology at the Saint Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Jaffna.
He was ordained a priest on 7 April 1994, for the clergy of Mannar.
After ordination, he held the roles of parish vicar of Murunkan , secretary to the bishop , parish priest of Cheddikulam , parish priest of Pallimunai , parish priest of Vankalai , rector of the diocesan minor seminary , and parish priest of Saint Sebastian Cathedral and Pesalai . After obtaining a licentiate in religious education from Fordham University in New York, United States of America , he attended a course in youth pastoral care in India . Since 2023 he has served as administrator of the Our Lady of Madhu National Shrine in Mannar.

AFRICA/GHANA - Three Indian Capuchins attacked

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 11:42:19 +0100

Accra - Three Indian Franciscan Capuchins were brutally beaten by an angry crowd at a petrol station in Nkwanta, in the eastern Volta region of Ghana.
The three religious are Father Robinson Melkis, Father Frank Henry Jacob and Father Martin George, who live and work in Kpassa, in the Nkwanta-North district of the Oti region, and have been missionaries in Ghana since 2005.
The incident occurred on December 11, when the religious rented a bulldozer from the parish of Nkwanta- South to work on a plot of land where they planned to build a formation house in Chaiso, in the parish of Nkwanta-South.
After paying the agreed rental price for the vehicle, the three Capuchin friars were accompanied by two municipal officials to take it to Chaiso.
When they went to fill up the bulldozer's tank at a petrol station, they were attacked by an angry crowd who accused them of trying to steal the bulldozer.
The religious and the two municipal officials were brutally beaten for 30 minutes until they were rescued by officials from the Ghanaian immigration service. The crowd reported to the police that the religious were committing a theft. The police initially took the three religious into custody. However, thanks to the intervention of the Vicar General of the Jasikan diocese, they were later released and taken to hospital where they received the necessary treatment. The worst affected was Father Frank Henry Jacob, who lost hearing in one ear.
The Ghanaian police chief has meanwhile contacted Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghanaian Bishops' Conference, and assured him that the incident will be fully investigated and those responsible for the attack will be brought to justice.

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - The "Silsilah" movement's commitment to peace, to prepare the ground for social and religious coexistence in Mindanao

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 11:08:58 +0100

Zamboanga - "Prayer is more powerful than war," says the Advent message of the "Silsilah" movement for Islamic-Christian dialogue, which this year celebrated the 40th anniversary of its foundation by Father Sebastiano D'Ambra, missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions . "Today we are called to intensify our prayer and to participate in the prayer and song of harmony in this difficult time for humanity, marked by wars and conflicts in various parts of the world," hopes the missionary, who points out that "Christmas is a great opportunity to reflect on the message of love that Jesus Christ brought to the world, not only for Christians, but for all". The movement reaffirms the message of "love of God, love of neighbor and love of the common good that Christianity, Islam and other religions proclaim" as it prepares to celebrate, together with all social, religious and political forces of the island of Minandao in the southern Philippines, the special World Week of Religious Harmony , which falls during the Holy Year. "The period of the Jubilee Year is also a special time when we open the door of our hearts to everyone. This is what we always advocate in the Silsilah Movement, in the belief that dialogue comes from God and brings people back to God," said Father D'Ambra.
The movement also joined the "Week of Peace" in Mindanao, organized by the Conference of Religious Leaders of Mindanao, which ended on December 4. The annual event was launched in 2001 to promote development and protect peace in the region, to look back on the wounds of the past and build a future of reconciliation in a part of the archipelago where a large part of the Islamic population, about 6 million people, lives.
All of these events serve to raise awareness and provide educational and cultural work and are intended to prepare for a historic step in 2025: the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be able to directly elect their representatives for the first time in the regional parliamentary elections scheduled for May 2025.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao currently consists of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi and was created from a peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The inclusion of the Sulu Islands as another province in the autonomous region is currently being considered. Currently, the region has a transitional government, the so-called "Bangsamoro Transition Authority", which serves as an interim government until elections are held. If the elections are confirmed, voters will elect 80 members of parliament, including 40 party representatives, 25 district representatives and eight sector representatives, as well as local officials. The social structure of the clans will be decisive in the electoral campaign, and there are fears that the so-called "rido" phenomenon, a feud between clans with mutual retaliation, could lead to social conflicts in the region. For this reason, the initiatives and commitment of entities such as the "Silsilah" movement are particularly important and have both a concrete and symbolic meaning.

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Bishops on fake news: "Do not be misled"

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 11:53:56 +0100

Colombo - In a society where everything is interconnected and the flow of information and news is becoming ever faster and more extensive, fake news is the order of the day. It only takes a little for it to go viral and reach every corner of the planet, often causing confusion and chaos, even on issues that affect the lives of believers.

This is what happened in Sri Lanka, where a news story circulated in the local press caused such confusion among the Catholic faithful that the Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka was forced to intervene.

At the end of November 2024, media in the United States of America reported on a "bishop's ordination" of the Sri Lankan evangelical pastor Jerome Fernando, founder of the so-called "Glorious Church", who was ordained bishop by Madhu Krishan, who heads the Synod of the "Global Apostolic Diocesan Churches" in the United States. On their website they describe themselves as "an independent institution legally registered in the USA" which represents "the ecclesiastical spiritual wing of the AUGP GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION USA". It is an evangelical church network.

Jerome Fernando calls himself a "prophet" and has recently set up a prayer room, the so-called "Miraculous Dome", which can hold up to 5,000 people and is located outside of Colombo, where he celebrates rites that are broadcast live on television and where he is said to perform miracles. At the end of November, the news of his ordination as "bishop" of the evangelical network to which he belongs spread like a virus in Sri Lanka, causing unease among Catholic believers because the news of an alleged episcopal ordination that was being spread in the media did not correspond to reality. However, everything indicated that the pastor had been ordained as a Catholic bishop.

With regard to Jerome Fernando, known to many in Sri Lanka for his past as a professional cricketer, a controversial debate arose in May last year when he made statements about Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam during a sermon. The sentence that stopped him was: "Buddha sought the light. So he sought Jesus." This triggered a strong negative reaction from the Buddhist community, who accused him of religious intolerance.

After an investigation by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, he was arrested in December 2023 on his return from a trip to Singapore. He was released on bail in January 2024, with various restrictions on his travel abroad and within the country, as well as his public statements on the subject of religion.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka has now clarified the case, stating: "Jerome Fernando is not a bishop of the Catholic Church." The clarification was made through a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference, Bishop Anthony Jayakody.

"Jerome Fernando is not a Catholic bishop," the statement reads. "A Catholic bishop is in continuity with the successors of the apostles of Jesus. Every Catholic bishop is one of the direct successors of the apostles." Hence the admonition to Catholics in Sri Lanka "not to be misled by such information."

ASIA - Father Anh Nhue: “Ecclesia in Asia” even today it represents a "prophetic call" for the mission in the Asian continent

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:39:33 +0100

Bangalore - "A quick glance at the content of 'Ecclesia in Asia' clearly shows that its key themes are still relevant today, 25 years after its publication, and especially in this period of synodality and with a view to the Holy Year," said the Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union of Clergy, Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen , during the International Symposium to be held in Bangalore on 13 and 14 December on the occasion of the publication of the post-synodal exhortation 25th anniversary of "Ecclesia in Asia" .
Looking back on the document issued by Pope John Paul II in November 1999 at the conclusion of the Special Synod on Asia, the Secretary General of the Missionary Union of Clergy notes: “The Post-Synodal Exhortation serves, in fact, as a prophetic call to the Church to engage with the complexity of Asian societies and to bear witness to the Gospel in a spirit of humility, respect and cooperation. It invites Catholics in Asia to participate in the Church's missionary work while being open to learning from the diverse cultures that make up the continent. This document represents an important step in the Church's efforts to understand and address the unique challenges and opportunities in Asia.”

Father Nguyen recalls that the document was written “within a Christological and missionary framework” and covers the following themes in seven chapters: the Asian context, which analyzes the different realities on the continent and recognizes Asia's rich cultural and religious heritage; the figure of Jesus, the Redeemer, presented as a gift for Asia; the Holy Spirit, as Lord and giver of life for the mission of Christ and his Church in Asia; communion and dialogue for the mission of the Asian Church, especially the importance of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue; the ministry of human development, which addresses social issues in Asia such as poverty, human rights and social justice; and the Church as a witness to the Gospel through deepening of faith, catechesis and sacramental life.
In all these aspects, Pope John Paul II emphasized the missionary dimension of the Church and the crucial role of the laity, especially the family and young people. “The recent synodal process,” said the religious, “which culminated in the final document ‘For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission,’ reflects many of the themes already formulated in ‘Ecclesia in Asia.'” Both the Synod on Synodality and the Apostolic Exhortation emphasize the importance of listening to the Lord, through prayer and Scripture, but also through the lived experiences of the faithful." And the themes addressed in "Ecclesia in Asia", such as evangelization, interreligious dialogue, social justice and cultural engagement, are also reflected in the discussions and documents of the Synod: "This speaks to their relevance today." "The Catholic Church in Asia," said the Secretary General of the Missionary Union of Clergy, "is today at an important crossroads as it reflects on its mission and identity within the diverse and dynamic cultural context of the continent. The Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Asia' is a fundamental document that outlines the mission of the Church in Asia and calls for a revitalization of its pastoral-missionary efforts. This seems even more urgent and important after the recent Synod and in view of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation 'Evangelii Gaudium', in which 'missionary action is the paradigm for all ecclesial activity' .
As the Jubilee Year 2025 approaches, the themes of synodality and missionary renewal formulated in 'Ecclesia in Asia' become more relevant for the Asian Church as a whole and for the individual Churches on the continent." This process must be continued in a new historical context, always in keeping with the spirit of mission and synodality: "'Ecclesia in Asia' exhorts the Church to be a community of listening and learning, capable of appreciating the values inherent in Asian cultures while remaining rooted in the Gospel. A central concern of the Exhortation is that the Church should become more missionary in its outlook. This means not only proclaiming the Gospel, but also living it in a way that is in tune with the local context. The challenge is to embody a faith that speaks to the hopes and aspirations of the people of Asia, and thus to promote a Church that is both a universal and a local face.” “Ecclesia in Asia,” continues Father Anh Nhue, “calls for a synodal Church that listens to the voices of its members, embraces diversity and promotes inclusive dialogue. In this journey, the Exhortation places particular emphasis on listening to marginalized communities, women, youth and indigenous peoples. Their perspectives are fundamental to understanding the realities of the local Church.” In conclusion, Father Anh Nhue notes that “the missionary aspect of Ecclesia in Asia emphasizes the need for the Church to be a beacon of hope and compassion in a world full of divisions and suffering.” While Asia faces pervasive social problems such as poverty, environmental degradation and political unrest, “the Church’s mission must go beyond the mere proclamation of the faith in words, which, however, as Ecclesia in Asia itself notes, remains necessary in the process of evangelization.” It "must include efforts for social justice and reconciliation and remain at the side of the marginalized."

ASIA/INDIA - Call for peace in Manipur to prevent violence from spreading in northeastern India

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:54:50 +0100

Guwahati - In a silent sit-in recently held in Guwahati, capital of the state of Assam, citizens of different religions and ethnicities have asked the rulers for a greater commitment to peace, especially in the state of Manipur; to raise awareness to promote coexistence and peace in the society of northeastern India and have invoked God to grant peace in Manipur, a state affected by a prolonged social crisis characterized by violence, forced displacement and social tensions.
The event held in recent days brought together intellectuals, political representatives, members of civil society, students and workers, who have waved banners demanding peace and stability. The demonstration is also intended to be an expression of solidarity with the population of Manipur and a call to the federal government to intervene urgently, adopting measures to restore harmony and coexistence. The organizers recalled that Manipur has been mired in unrest for over a year and a half, with hundreds of deaths and thousands of displaced people forced to live in refugee camps in extremely difficult conditions. “In a desperate situation, there has been no recognition of the crisis in parliament or by the central government,” said those present, calling for greater government commitment to issues affecting communal coexistence in the country. “The situation is volatile and, without immediate action, there is a real threat that this unrest will spread to other parts of the northeast,” they warned. During the meeting, the urgent need for unity between political parties, civil society groups and citizens to restore peace in Manipur was stressed. The protest concluded with a national appeal to all Indian citizens, urging them to overcome political, ethnic, communal and religious divisions. “Every citizen has a personal and collective responsibility to promote peace, justice and respect for human rights, especially for the suffering people of Manipur,” the message said.

AFRICA/DR CONGO - The Episcopal Conference responds to the accusations of the Deputy Prime Minister

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:48:50 +0100

Kinshasa - "We regret these news stories, which are full of allusions and attacks against the Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo," says a statement from the General Secretariat of the Bishops' Conference of Congo in response to a radio interview with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba. In an interview with "Radio Top Congo" on December 4, the Deputy Prime Minister said, among other things: "There is bad faith among politicians who make speeches inciting hatred against the regime " and "some political leaders of religious faith systematically attack the Head of State with angry hate speech".
Bemba also claimed that the 47 Congolese dioceses each receive one million dollars from the President of the Republic for charitable and development work, insinuating that these funds are mismanaged or embezzled. In the response read by the Secretary of the Episcopal Conference, Bishop Donatien Nshole, in a video posted on social media, he asks: "Where is the hatred in the message of the Catholic Church? We ask for concrete evidence." He further stressed that, within the framework of the Agreement between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congolese government and the Catholic Church "have decided to work together in the implementation of social and economic projects for the benefit of the local population." "To date, more than two years after the signing of the agreement, only two tranches of $300,000 have been made available , the first in 2022, the second in 2023, for a total of $600,000 per diocese," says the statement from the Secretary General, who recalls that "a report with photographic evidence was delivered to the Head of State." The minister's statements are in the context of the controversy surrounding the revision of the constitution, which allows incumbent President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi to run for a third term. Some local church leaders had spoken out against such a reform , while the Deputy Prime Minister's party, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo , expressed its "full support" for the constitutional revision project. In a statement dated December 5, the MLC stated: "The MLC reiterates its full support for the initiative of the President of the Republic to revise or amend the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Bishop Hiiboro-Kussala complains about violence against the church and innocent people which does not stop

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 12:37:49 +0100

by Antonella Prenna

Tombura-Yambio - "Attacks on sacred places are an attack against humanity and a violation of human dignity. A church, a mosque, a hospital, a school and an embassy are sacred places, places of refuge, peace and security. They are places designed to protect the innocent and not to become targets of violence," said the Bishop of the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio in South Sudan, Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, speaking to Fides after an attack on the parish of St. Mary Help of Christians in Tombura on the evening of December 10.

"Armed individuals opened fire indiscriminately in the refugee camp, killing a man and seriously wounding a woman," reported the Bishop. "This is a reprehensible act of violence. I strongly condemn this brutal act of aggression, which cost the life of an innocent person and left others traumatized and injured. I express my deepest condolences to the victim's family and pray for a speedy and full recovery of the injured woman. My solidarity and support goes out to the remaining displaced people and in particular to Father Santino Makuei, the priest in charge of the parish. May God give them strength in these difficult times."

Bishop Kussala described this umpteenth act of violence as unjustifiable and called on those responsible to repent, ask God for forgiveness and turn away from violence. "The path of peace is the only way forward," he stressed, calling on government officials to "immediately protect vulnerable populations, especially the displaced." "The situation in Tombura district is out of control and it is the government's duty to restore order and ensure the safety of its citizens," he explained. “Violence has been raging in Tombura district for three years, and yet the highest authority in the country seems to do nothing and not care. Is it not the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens?”

“On the very day of the attack, we celebrated Holy Mass in the parish with Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako to express our solidarity with the displaced,” the bishop said. “The Cardinal stressed the sanctity of human life and the need for peace. He urged people to stay away from hatred, violence and division and instead seek forgiveness and reconciliation. I have invited Cardinal Zubeir to bless our diocese, especially Tombura, and to call for an end to violence between communities,” Bishop Kussala explained.

“We are in the season of Advent, a time when we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior who came to bring peace to the world. Let us all take responsibility for building peace in our communities, in our country and in our hearts. I invite everyone to pray fervently for peace: peace in Tombura, in South Sudan and in our hearts. Let each of us do our part to create an environment of love, respect and mutual understanding.”

Recalling the ongoing and serious incidents of violence against the Church and its representatives and against the most vulnerable, Bishop Kussala had condemned in an earlier statement the aggression perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces against the Bishop of the Diocese of El Obeid in Sudan, Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali, and his deacon Joseph.

"Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, Bishop Tombe Trille refused to flee and stayed with the people who sought shelter in the episcopal residence, Muslims and Christians alike, even though the door of the Cathedral of Mary, Queen of Africa was blown open by a bomb explosion. They all stayed with him in the church," the bishop told Fides.

The incident Kussala refers to occurred on April 20, 2023, just five days after the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces , when Bishop Tombe Trille and some members of the clergy escaped death after rockets rained down on the cathedral compound , damaging the main gate of the cathedral and the priests' residence. The incident is said to have occurred when the Bishop of El-Obeid and the priests were gathered for prayer.

“All the time since the war broke out,” Bishop Hiiboro continues, “Bishop Tombe Trille has worked under extremely dangerous conditions and spared no effort. Even the government has asked him to take over some services, especially the education of the children in the region. Most of his priests are scattered everywhere without being able to contact him, who in turn is in danger every time he moves from one village to another. In November, he had to travel secretly from Sudan to South Sudan to attend the plenary assembly of bishops in Juba. He had already suffered other attacks in the past. Once they tortured him with the tip of a large knife on his feet, pricking him until he screamed in pain and then they left him there, robbing him of his episcopal ring and pectoral cross.”

"When he arrived in South Sudan, he wanted to tell us about the great difficulties that people are experiencing very close to us," said the bishop. "Sometimes they do not have clean drinking water or they cannot wash for weeks, they lack food, bread, sugar and everything they need. He also told us about the massive loss of life or those caught in the crossfire and other abuses."

"At the end of our meeting, he wanted to return immediately to El Obeid, where on December 5 he was the victim of violence for the umpteenth time, which almost cost him and his deacon their lives. In the message he sent me, he wrote these words: 'I have just arrived in El Obeid with Deacon Joseph. This time they treated us badly. After robbing me, they hit me hard on the neck, forehead, face and head. I can no longer chew and we really risked martyrdom.'

“We, the local Church in South Sudan, have strongly condemned this attack,” said the Bishop of Tombura-Yambio. “It is a very serious act, an attack on Church officials that affects the entire Church. A bishop is not a threat to anyone's government or politics. A bishop is a neutral person who works to proclaim the Word of God and to provide social services to the community. We call on the fighting forces to show ethics, respect and good manners, and to protect minorities and people of different religions. The international community must condemn those responsible for these attacks in the region, including the attack on Bishop Trille Tombe.”

The conversation with Bishop Hiiboro ends with a call for prayer and an appeal for humanitarian aid for the people of Sudan: “I invite everyone to pray for Bishop Trille Tombe, for the Archbishop of Khartoum, Michael Didi Adgum Mangoria, who is also in Sudan in Akbar, as well as for the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, Daniel Adwok, who is in Kosti, and for all the priests who are there for the people in the various villages. I also ask for any humanitarian aid that can alleviate the great suffering of the Sudanese people and their families.” “We entrust all our brothers to the Lord so that they can find peace in their country. We have written to the fighting forces in Sudan and invited them to meet to find a solution to this emergency and to end the fighting so that the people are safe and can return to their areas,” the bishop concluded.

VATICAN - Pope Francis on foreign debt: “Instrument of control” of governments and private financial institutions at the expense of the poorest countries

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:13:39 +0100

by Fabio Beretta

Vatican City - Pope Francis lists three possible measures to overcome foreign debt, this "instrument of control" over poor countries, and thus reopen a "path of hope" towards peace, in his message published today for the 58th World Day of Peace, which the Church celebrates every year on January 1st, in which the Pope calls for a "cultural and structural" change.

It is not enough to carry out "a few isolated acts of philanthropy" to bring about "permanent change", stresses the Pope in the message, which is divided into four parts, formulated in 15 points and also translated into Russian, in order to listen seriously to "the cry of humanity" torn apart by violence. The upcoming Holy Year also encourages us to do this.

The Pope quoted Saint Basil of Caesarea, who said in one of his homilies: "But tell me, what things belong to you? Where did you find them to make them part of your life? … Did you not come forth naked from the womb of your mother? Will you not return naked to the ground? Where did your property come from? If you say that it comes to you naturally by luck, you would deny God by not recognizing the Creator and being grateful to the Giver" , and he points out how "in the interconnected global village, the international system, unless it is inspired by a spirit of solidarity and interdependence, gives rise to injustices, aggravated by corruption, which leave the poorer countries trapped. A mentality that exploits the indebted can serve as a shorthand description of the present “debt crisis” that weighs upon a number of countries, above all in the global South".

According to the Bishop of Rome, "foreign debt has become a means of control whereby certain governments and private financial institutions of the richer countries unscrupulously and indiscriminately exploit the human and natural resources of poorer countries, simply to satisfy the demands of their own markets.

In addition, "different peoples, already burdened by international debt, find themselves also forced to bear the burden of the “ecological debt” incurred by the more developed countries." Both foreign debt and ecological debt are two sides of the same coin, namely the mindset of exploitation that has culminated in the debt crisis."

Hence the appeal, already made in the Bull "Spes non confundit", to the international community to take measures to cancel foreign debt, recognizing the existence of ecological debt between North and South. It is a call for solidarity, but above all for justice.

The Pope proposes "three measures" that can restore dignity to the lives of entire populations and lead them back to the path of hope, so that the debt crisis can be overcome and everyone can once again see themselves as forgiven debtors". Firstly, the Pope takes up the appeal made by Pope John Paul II during the Holy Year 2000 "to think of reducing substantially, if not cancelling outright, the international debt which seriously threatens the future of many nations". However, the Pope says, "so that this is not an isolated act of charity that simply reboots the vicious cycle of financing and indebtedness, a new financial framework must be devised, leading to the creation of a global financial Charter based on solidarity and harmony between peoples".

In addition, the Pope calls for "a firm commitment to respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death", because "without hope for the future, it becomes hard for the young to look forward to bringing new lives into the world". This is why Pope Francis is calling for a "concrete gesture" and is referring to the "elimination of the death penalty in all nations", which, as already stated in the bull "Spes non confundit", "eliminates every human hope of forgiveness and rehabilitation".
Pope Francis dares to make another appeal, following Saint Paul VI and Benedict XVI: "Let us use at least a fixed percentage of the money earmarked for armaments to establish a global Fund to eradicate hunger and facilitate in the poorer countries educational activities aimed at promoting sustainable development and combating climate change".

"We need to work at eliminating every pretext that encourages young people to regard their future as hopeless or dominated by the thirst to avenge the blood of their dear ones. The future is a gift meant to enable us to go beyond past failures and to pave new paths of peace,” said the Bishop of Rome, who recalled in the last part of the message that true peace is that which “God grants to hearts disarmed”, that is, “hearts not set on calculating what is mine and what is yours; hearts that turn selfishness into readiness to reach out to others; hearts that see themselves as indebted to God and thus prepared to forgive the debts that oppress others”.

ASIA/CHINA - Bishop Hangzhou on his experience at the World Synod: "Everyone was amazed by the news about the faith of Catholics in China"

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:28:17 +0100

Hangzhou - "All this was truly a grace and a special gift from God: in the contacts and exchanges with the other participants in the Synod, we experienced the common path of the whole Church. Everyone was able to take a broader and more positive look at the life of the Church in China and was amazed by the stories of devotion and faith of Catholics in China," said the Bishop of Hangzhou, Joseph Yang Yongqiang, summarizing the most important impressions and experiences during his participation in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, held in Rome last October on the theme "For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission". Bishop Vincenzo Zhan Silu was also present in Rome.
These experiences were described by Bishop Yang during his recent meeting with the priests of the Diocese of Hangzhou on December 5, which focused on guidelines and reflections regarding the celebrations in the context of the Holy Year 2025 and the joint planning of pastoral work for the coming year.
As for the celebration of the Jubilee Year, Bishop Han Yongqiang announced that the opening of the Jubilee Year at the diocesan level will take place on December 28 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hangzhou. The Cathedral itself, as well as the churches of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Magi and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, will be Jubilee Shrines for the entire duration of the Jubilee Year. Meetings will be organized in parishes to deepen the Papal Bull for the Holy Year “Spes non confundit” and initiatives will be developed to encourage participation in pilgrimages and obtain Jubilee indulgences in accordance with the norms established by the Church.
In view of Christmas, Bishop Joseph Yang called on all priests to work synodally with their parishioners and to coordinate with the competent civil authorities to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of liturgical celebrations.
With regard to the planning of pastoral activities for 2025, the Bishop stressed the urgency of harmonious collaboration and called on priests to work in communion with all parts of the People of God and to serve the Church in obedience to the faith under the guidance of the diocesan bishop.

ASIA/MYANMAR - War and drugs: Myanmar remains the world's leading opium producer

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:30:41 +0100

Bangkok - Myanmar is once again the world leader among opium producing countries, a consequence of the economic crisis following the military coup of February 1, 2021. This is what the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports in its report on opium production in Southeast Asia, published today, December 12.
The report, entitled "Myanmar Opium Survey 2024", analyzes data collected in Myanmar since the military took power. Although the results show a slight decline , cultivation remains at a very high level, consolidating Myanmar's status as the world's leading opium producer. The UN office estimates that Myanmar produced over a thousand tons of opium in 2024, twice as much as Afghanistan. “With conflict dynamics remaining high in the country and the global supply chain adjusting to the ban on opium cultivation in Afghanistan, there is a significant risk of further expansion of Myanmar’s opium production in the coming years,” the UN report states.
The report highlights regional disparities in cultivation in Myanmar. Shan State remains the country’s main cultivation area, accounting for 88% of the total cultivation area. Cultivation area has declined slightly in North and South Shan, while East Shan, which borders the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand, has seen a 10% increase. In Kachin State, cultivation declined by 10%, while Chin State, where cultivation is concentrated mainly in the area near the Indian border, saw the largest increase, at 18%. Kayah State, where cultivation is generally lower than in other parts of the country, saw an 8% increase in 2024.
Opium prices were likely a key factor: given the shortages resulting from the decline in production in Afghanistan, prices paid to farmers in Myanmar increased. Another factor to consider is the limited ability of farmers to travel to remote fields, due to the intensifying conflict.
By analyzing in depth the socio-economic factors driving cultivation in Myanmar, the study confirms the close link between opium cultivation and poor socio-economic development conditions. In particular, the villages and households of farmers who grow opium are characterized by difficult economic conditions, lack of public services, high levels of debt and great war-related instability. “Opium farmers in Myanmar are not getting rich, they are simply trying to make a living and meet the basic needs of their families in difficult circumstances,” said Yatta Dakowah, UNODC Country Representative for Myanmar. “To transform the economic prospects of these communities, opportunities for long-term income generation must be promoted by discouraging them from growing poppies.”
This confirms the “strong link” between opium production and the escalation of the conflict. On the one hand, the armed militias fighting the regime use opium production as a “financial engine” to subsidize everything from weapons to medicines. But other paramilitary units working with Myanmar’s regular army also support drug production, and analysts say some parts of the armed forces are also directly involved in the trade.
The country’s conflict and instability have stunted major economic sectors and increased the insecure conditions in which drug traffickers can operate. It is therefore not surprising that opium production and trafficking, and even local heroin production, have steadily increased in the three years since the coup.

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - More than 87,000 displaced after volcanic eruption on the Island of Negros

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:21:12 +0100

San Carlos City - More than 87,000 people in the central Philippines were forced to leave their homes following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon, located on the island of Negros, in the central Philippines. The eruption began on December 9 and caused an extremely hot flow of ash, debris and rocks on the southeast flank of the volcano, forcing the surrounding villages to immediately evacuate their populations. Kanlaon, located 2,400 meters above sea level, is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippine archipelago. Although there were no victims, the island's population is affected by evacuation measures. The government has pledged support to the affected families and said it is working to get people to evacuation centers to help them to provide temporary protection.
In the diocese of San Carlos, which covers part of the territory of the island of Negros, the faithful gathered to pray and asked God “that the people be spared from harm.” “We confess our sins against you and against Your creation. We have not been good guardians of nature. Nature suffers from our injustice and indifference. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters are occurring in increasing numbers and intensity. Let us pray and invoke the protection of the Most High,” said a statement from the diocese. “We want to accompany our prayers with concrete help,” said the Bishop of San Carlos, Gerardo Alminaza, who asked for donations for the displaced. “Difficult times can indeed be the best times to witness our faith, show our love for one another and affirm our mission to truly care for our common home”, said the bishop.
Meanwhile, Caritas groups are already working in the diocese of San Carlos and the neighboring dioceses to help the affected communities. The local Caritas office of the diocese of San Carlos has published an appeal for donations, asking for essential goods , drinking water, food parcels and medicines, "in the spirit of Christian charity, as Christmas is just around the corner". The volcano had already shown signs of activity last June and again in September, emitting dangerous gases. According to records from the Institute of Volcanology, Kanlaon has erupted more than 40 times since 1866. In the Philippines, which lie in the Pacific Ring of Fire, there are 75 percent of all volcanoes in the world, and there are 24 active volcanoes.

ASIA/BAHRAIN - Talking about Jesus and spreading His gospel: the first digital magazine in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia released

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:11:27 +0100

Awali - On 10th of December 2024, Avona celebrated the third anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia . On this occasion the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia released its first digital magazine.

"Reading the signs of the times and knowing the vast Northern Apostolic Vicariate’s jurisdiction, we have thought to reach out many through the use of media and so, with the support of the Apostolic Vicar, Bishop Aldo Berardi , we published our first issue," reports Fr. Marcus Fernandes , delegate of Missio-Avona, to Fides.

"Evangelizing, speaking about Jesus and proclaiming his Gospel, promoting the Pontifical Mission Societies and reporting on the activities of Missio-Avona are the priorities of this magazine," explains the missionary. "And for this first Christmas issue, we were inspired by the theme 'Silent Night - Holy Night', written by the Austrian priest Joseph Mohr in 1816 and sung in Austria on Christmas Eve 1818, after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, when Father Joseph and his fellow citizens experienced the Silent Night. Today, this theme reminds the readers and the world, who experience the war and pain, to experience the same Silent Night, Holy Night, in order to live without fear and in peace."

The President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Archbishop Emilio Nappa, welcomes this first issue with a message in which he expresses his particular joy that "Missio-AVONA, recently established as the Delegation of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, has undertaken the project of publishing a quarterly digital magazine, with the aim of providing faith formation, especially in the context of mission and evangelization, to its readers." "I trust that the articles in this magazine will help to inspire prayer and charity for the missions, so that the Gospel may reach the ends of the earth," concludes Archbishop Nappa.

"In a world where information is at our fingertips, this publication stands out as a beacon of creativity, insight and innovation. Through this platform, we have the power to inspire, educate, and connect people in ways that trascend the ordinary," said the President of Missio-Avona, Bishop Aldo Berardi.

EUROPE/RUSSIA - Sign of the Risen Lord and home for all: 25 years since the reopening of the Catholic Cathedral in Moscow

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:43:00 +0100

by Chiara Dommarco

Moscow - On Wednesday evening, December 11, the Catholic Church in Moscow celebrated the 25th anniversary of the reopening of the current Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. "In these years we have shown that this church is a sign of the Risen Lord and a home for all," said the Archbishop Emeritus of Minsk-Mahilee, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, at the beginning of the solemn Mass that he presided over. The anniversary celebration, which was also attended by diplomats and representatives of the city administration and the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as several Catholic bishops and priests, continued with the opening of a photo exhibition on the cathedral and an organ concert.
Archbishop Kondrusiewicz played a key role in the events of 25 years ago: in 1991 he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Moscow by John Paul II and, together with the Presidential Office of the Russian Federation and the capital's administration, took the necessary steps to return the church to local Catholics. Today, the cathedral, the episcopal seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow, is also an integral part of the cultural life of the Russian capital, both at the city and federal level, especially because of the rich concert program that takes place in the church throughout the year. Its history, closely linked to the Polish Catholic community abroad, is "rich and tragic at the same time," as Kondrusiewicz stressed.
Polish Catholics, who were mainly employed in the construction of the city's railway lines, approached the city authorities in 1894 with a request to build a new church, as the other two Catholic churches in Moscow were insufficient to meet the parish's pastoral needs. The project was approved and in 1899 construction began on the neo-Gothic style church. Built entirely with donations from local and foreign Catholics, it was consecrated on December 8 , 1911, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, to which it was dedicated. In 1919, it became an independent parish. In August 1937, as part of the great Stalinist purges, the parish priest Michał Cakul was shot. Eleven months later, the church was officially closed and many parishioners were persecuted. The defaced and looted building was badly damaged during World War II. The authorities subsequently remodeled the interior, which first became dormitories for workers and students of technical institutes, then a food warehouse, and finally the headquarters of a company.
At the end of the 1980s, the Polish expatriate community asked for the church to be reopened, and on December 8, 1990, after more than 50 years, a mass was celebrated in the churchyard in front of the entrance steps. On April 13, 1991, with the bull "Providi quae Decessores" by John Paul II, the Apostolic Administrations of European Russia and Asian Russia were established and Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Moscow. He initiated the re-establishment of the parish of the Immaculate Conception: for five years, liturgical celebrations, confessions, catechisms, and meetings with young people took place in the churchyard. In 1996, the building was made available to the Catholic community again at the request of the Archbishop to the then Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
On December 12, 1999, the then Secretary of State in the Vatican, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, inaugurated the renovated cathedral.
"May the Zacchaeus of today," concluded Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, alluding to the Gospel of the encounter between the tax collector Zacchaeus and the Son of God, "seek and find Jesus here, and may he perform the miracle of spiritual healing."

VATICAN/GENERAL AUDIENCE - Pope Francis: "Hope is the most beautiful gift that the Church can give to all of humanity"

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:58:59 +0100

Vatican City - "The Holy Spirit is the ever-gushing source of Christian hope ". And "if the Church is a boat, the Holy Spirit is the sail that propels it and lets it advance on the sea of history, today as in the past!". Hope is precisely "the most beautiful gift that the Church can give to all of humanity, especially at times in which everything seems to be dragging down the sails".

This is what Pope Francis said this morning in the Paul VI Hall, concluding the cycle of catechisms of the general audience on the theme "The Spirit and the Bride", focusing on the theme "The Holy Spirit and Christian hope". A theme that also coincides with the theme chosen by the Pope for the upcoming Jubilee Year.

In introducing the catechesis, the Pope explained the reference to the title given to the entire cycle, which refers to one of the last verses of the Bible, in the Book of Revelation, which says: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come’” . An invocation, explained the Bishop of Rome, "addressed to the risen Christ". Both Saint Paul and the Didaché, a text from apostolic times, "attest that in the liturgical meetings of the first Christians there resounded the cry in Aramaic, “Maràna tha!”, which indeed means “Come, Lord!”. A prayer to Christ, for Him to come.

Saint Paul and the Didache, a writing from apostolic times, testified "that in the liturgical assemblies of the first Christians the cry 'Maràna tha!' was shouted in Aramaic, which means 'Come, Lord!'"

A prayer, the Pope stressed, with an "eschatological" background, which "expressed the ardent expectation of the glorious return of the Lord. And this cry, and the expectation it expresses, have never been extinguished in the Church". But this expectation of the final coming of Christ "has not remained the one and only". "To this," explained Pope Francis, "has also been joined by the expectation of his continuous coming in the present and pilgrim situation of the Church."

From this perspective, the call "Come!" is not habitually "addressed only to Christ, but also to the Holy Spirit Himself! He who cries out is now Him to whom we cry out." After the Resurrection "the Holy Spirit is Christ’s true “alter ego”, He who takes His place, who makes Him present and operative in the Church," the Pope continued. "The Holy Spirit is the ever-gushing source of Christian hope."

Hope, the Bishop of Rome stressed, "is not an empty word, or a vague desire of ours that things may turn out for the best; hope is a certainty, because it is founded on God’s fidelity to His promises. And this is why it is called a theological virtue: because it is infused by God and has God as its guarantor.

It is not a passive virtue, which merely waits for things to happen. It is a supremely active virtue that helps make them happen”. For the Pope, however, the Christian “cannot be satisfied with having hope”, he or she must also radiate hope. Therefore, hope is “the most beautiful gift that the Church can give to all of humanity, especially at times in which everything seems to be dragging down the sails”.

The Bishop of Rome recalled how the Apostle Peter exhorted the first Christians: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope”. But he added a recommendation: “But do it with gentleness and reverence” . And this is because it is not so much the strength of the arguments that will convince people, but rather the love that we know how to put in them. This is the first and most effective form of evangelization. And it is open to everyon!”

Before the final blessing, Pope Francis' thoughts turned to the Middle East: "I am following what is happening in Syria, in this moment that is so delicate in its history. I hope that a political solution may be reached that, without further conflicts or divisions, may responsibly promote the stability and unity of the country. I pray, by the intercession of the Virgin Mary, that the Syrian people may live in peace and security in their beloved land, and that the different religions may walk together in friendship and mutual respect for the good of the nation, afflicted by so many years of war."

Pope Francis also called for peace in the Middle East, in Myanmar and the "tortured Ukraine" "which is suffering so much from this war". "Let us pray that a way out can be found. And I think of Palestine, Israel, Myanmar. May peace return, may there be peace! War is always a defeat. Let us pray for peace".

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Ongoing protests against election results have significant impacts on the economy

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:19:46 +0100

Maputo - Protests continue in Mozambique against the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections of October 9, won by FRELIMO .
Since the demonstrations began on October 21, at least a hundred people have been killed in clashes with security forces, according to the civil society election monitoring platform "Plataforma Decide".
Venancio Mondlane, the candidate of the opposition party PODEMOS, who came second in the presidential elections behind Daniel Chapo, the FRELIMO candidate, called for the demonstrations to continue "for at least another two or three months".
Last week, protesters managed to disrupt the operation of two power plants in the south of the country, which supply 30% of the region's electricity. The demonstration took place after Mondlane, who is in exile in an unknown location, claimed on social media that he had been the target of an assassination attempt for the second time after the one in South Africa .
The ongoing protests are having a significant impact on the country's economy. South Africa has once again suspended operations at its main border crossing with Mozambique in Lebombo, which is an important hub for the export of coal and chromium, with a significant impact also on the South African economy.
The economic situation is so tense that the Mozambican Business Association has asked outgoing President Filipe Nyusi to enter into negotiations with Venancio Mondlane to find a way out of the crisis.
The Constitutional Court is expected to rule on December 23 on the lawsuits filed by the opposition parties against the October 9 elections.
The new president is expected to be sworn in by January 15, while Mondlane will claim the office for himself.

ASIA/INDIA - A symposium 25 years after “Ecclesia in Asia”, for a synodal and missionary Church

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:14:18 +0100

Bangalore - "Twenty-five years after the publication of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation 'Ecclesia in Asia', we want to deepen, reread and revisit this document in the light of today's changed social and cultural context, on the path of an authentically synodal Church and with a view to the period of the Jubilee Year," said Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi, coordinator of the Holy Year programs in the Latin Rite Catholic Church in India, to Fides. The priest is also one of the organizers of the international symposium to be held in Bangalore on 13 and 14 December, entitled: "Twenty-five years of 'Ecclesia in Asia': towards a synodal and missionary Church in Asia. Rereading 'Ecclesia in Asia' in the Jubilee Year."
The Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Asia" was published in 1999 by Pope John Paul II at the conclusion of the Special Synod on Asia, which took place in Rome from April 18 to May 14, 1998.
The symposium which reflects on the document in Bangalore is being organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies of India, in collaboration with the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Missionary Union and the Conference of Bishops of the Latin Rite in India . The event, which will take place at St. John's Hospital Campus in Bangalore, will also be broadcast online via Zoom for a worldwide audience.
The opening session on December 13 will include a message from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and the introductory talk by Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen , Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union of Clergy in Rome, on “Overview of ‘Ecclesia in Asia’ in the Context of the Synod and the Holy Year 2025.”
This will be followed by a talk by Fr. Clarence Devadass on “Renewing the Divine Mission of Love and Service in Asia.” While Sister Patricia Santos will bring to the attention of the assembly the “Voices from the Margins,” and the family as a model for the Church in Asia and mission in the Jubilee Year will also be discussed.
The questions on the timeliness of the Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in Asia' particularly concern young people, women, priests and non-Christians: how would each of them "rewrite 'Ecclesia in Asia' today?" is the question asked in the panel discussion that aims to develop a document for the future of the Catholic Church in the vast and pluralistic Asian continent.
To this end, the session on December 14 will reflect on the role of the laity and on such important issues as respect for human dignity and social justice and evangelization in the digital continent with the help of new technologies . The conclusions will be presented by Fr. Christopher Vimalraj Hiruthya, of the General Secretariat of the Bishops' Conference of India .

AMERICA/BRAZIL - Parish worker shot dead on his way to Mass

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:02:31 +0100

Rio de Janeiro - On the evening of December 8, in the Penha district, in the north of Rio de Janeiro, 43-year-old architect Steve Maguerith Chaves do Nascimento was shot in the head while he was parking his car near the church of Nossa Senhora da Cabeça to go to mass.

Steve Maguerith Chaves do Nascimento, husband and father of a 6-year-old daughter, was an active member of the parish of Nossa Senhora da Cabeça, where he was particularly committed to preaching the Gospel and carrying out charitable works in the community. The murder occurred at 6:58 p.m., two minutes before the 7 p.m. mass that the architect usually attended.

As reported by the local press, the police are working to reconstruct what happened and the reasons for the murder. The analysis of the images captured by the parish's security cameras provided the first clues to the dynamics of the events.

The video footage shows that two men on a motorcycle approached the car. When the man realized what was about to happen, he tried to flee, but the killer fired a shot that hit him in the head and killed him instantly.

The parish priest Eufrázio Morais, who heard the shot, reports: "He was one of our parishioners. His family is very committed, they are active members of the parish. He attended mass every Sunday at 7 p.m." According to the priest's report to the local media, violence and robberies are a constant occurrence in the area where the church is located. It is not uncommon for believers to be robbed on their way to church.

What happened, continued Father Morais, "is not uncommon. We are like hostages. Unfortunately, violence is common here. We suffer greatly from it. Unfortunately, it happens again and again. And the police are almost completely absent."

Yesterday, Steve Marghuerit Chaves do Nascimento was buried in the parish where he was killed and where he served, in the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, Antônio Catelan. In a statement, the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro expressed its regret for the loss of this parishioner: "It is with deep regret that the Archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro reaches out to the family, the parish priest and all the parishioners of the parish of 'Nossa Senhora da Cabeça' following the loss of Steve Maguerith Chaves do Nascimento. In this time of mourning, we wish to express our sincere condolences and support. Steve was an active presence in our community, to which he always contributed with love and dedication. May the memories of his life and contributions inspire us to follow Jesus Christ."

"May God comfort the hearts of the bereaved and give peace to their souls. Let us remain united in prayer and seek the strength needed to overcome this difficult time. The Archdiocese stands by everyone in this time of grief. May the divine light illuminate Steve's path on his new journey," the statement concludes.

AMERICA/NICARAGUA - By the end of the year, religious sisters must also leave the Country

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:54:40 +0100

Managua - "You have until December to leave the country," was the warning to all religious sisters in Nicaragua, who will be forced to seek refuge in countries, mainly in Latin America, where their respective Congregations are already established.

After the recent arrest and expulsion of the President of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua and Bishop of Jinotega, Carlos Enrique Herrera Gutiérrez, on the evening of November 13 , the Ortega government is now also issuing an ultimatum to the few religious sisters still remaining in the country.

"The nuns have already been banned from working in non-profit organizations , now all their property is being confiscated and most of them have already left Nicaragua," complains Nicaraguan lawyer Martha Patricia Molina, who documents the attacks against the Catholic Church from her exile in Texas.

Most recently, in November, three priests were denied entry into the country. Among them, Father Asdrúbal Zeledón Ruiz from the diocese of Jinotega and Father Floriano Ceferino Vargas, who was arrested by agents of the regime after a mass in the church of San Martín in the diocese of Bluefields, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Managua, and exiled to Panama.

“The loving providence of the Lord is the only sure guide,” writes Pope Francis in a letter to the “pilgrim people of God in Nicaragua”, on the occasion of the novena for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception . “It is precisely in the most difficult moments, when it becomes humanly impossible to understand what God wants from us, that we are called not to doubt his care and mercy. The trust you place in him as children of God and your fidelity to the Church are the two great beacons that illuminate your existence,” said Pope Francis.

According to estimates in a report prepared by Martha Patricia Molino entitled “Nicaragua: ¿Una Iglesia perseguida?”, more than 250 religious have been expelled from the country or forced into exile since April 2018.