Fides News - English

AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Apostolic Administrator of Soddo tells Fides about the landslide that has seriously affected the area: "We are not yet sure how many people have died, it is a disastrous accident"

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 12:33:47 +0200

by Antonella Prenna

Addis Ababa - "A shocking and disastrous accident. Many have lost their lives suddenly, more than 260 bodies have been recovered to date as reported by local news". These are the words that the Apostolic Vicar of Hosanna and Apostolic Administrator of Soddo, Seyoum Fransua, sent to Fides Agency, in reference to the landslide that hit the area of Gofa, Kencho Shacha Gozdi Kebele, Geze Gofa Woreda, on July 22, causing a serious humanitarian crisis.

"We immediately sent an emergency team from the Vicariate of Soddo and they are still at the site of the landslide. This morning, another team from the Soddo Vicariate office, the Executive Director of the Social and Development Commission of the Catholic Bishops‘ Conference of Ethiopia and the Catholic Relief Service of Ethiopia reached the area to meet with survivors, the Head of the Disaster and Prevention Commission of the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the administrative officials of the area and we are waiting further indications –Bishop Fransua added.
"In addition, one of the priests from Soddo went to the scene together with other representatives of different religious denominations and religious institutions. As he just told me, there are 46 registered victims so far, with an average of six children per household. The federal government, regional states, city administrations and other non-governmental organizations are continuing to work together to recover the bodies, bury them and try to support the survivors for their basic needs. We are not yet sure how many have died. The survivors and the people in the surrounding area are in desperate need of immediate humanitarian support. I plan to go to the site as soon as possible to bring aid."
The prelate publicly expressed deep sorrow for the immense suffering caused by the disaster. He stressed the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and called for solidarity and support from local and international partners to effectively address the crisis. In response to this grave situation, the Ethiopian Catholic Church, through its various agencies and in collaboration with other humanitarian organizations, is stepping up its efforts to provide relief and support. The Church is mobilizing resources and coordinating with local communities to ensure that aid reaches those in need quickly and effectively.
“The incident is so serious that we are all focused on being close to the people in need at this time,” echoed Bishop Fransua Fr. Dejene Hidoto Gamo, O.F.M. Cap. This is a real humanitarian crisis,” added Fr. Gamo recently appointed by the Holy Father as Apostolic Vicar of Soddo .
“We are profoundly distressed by the recent landslide that has devastated the Gofa Zone, causing immense loss and suffering - reads the message sent to Fides by the leaders of the Ethiopian Catholic Church to the victims and the Catholic community. As leaders and members of the Catholic Church, we extend our deepest condolences and pledge our steadfast support during this trying time. Our hearts grieve for those who have lost loved ones, homes, and means of livelihood in this calamity. In response, the Catholic Church, through Catholic Relief Services and the Ethiopian Catholic Church-Social and Development Commission , has mobilized quickly to deliver immediate assistance and relief. We stand with you, offering both material aid and heartfelt consolation as you endure this difficult period. Please remember, you are not alone; our thoughts, prayers, and actions are with you.”
In a letter dated July 22, 2024, His Eminence Cardinal Abune Birhaneyesus, Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, the President of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, stressed the grave nature of this catastrophe and conveyed his deep sorrow, assuring the Church of its solidarity and continued support to the affected communities.
Below is an update from the ECC-SDCO/S Emergency Response Team on the current situation, the response and the involvement of the Catholic community and the Church, in which the Bishops express their gratitude for any kind of support that can be given in this grave emergency.
According to data provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , in addition to the loss of life, the disaster has profoundly affected over 50,000 people. This large number includes those who have been displaced, those who have sustained injuries, and individuals who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Specifically, there are 5,776 households across two kebeles that are in urgent need of resettlement due to the extensive damage. Furthermore, a total of 596 households have been evacuated as a result of the landslide. Within these evacuated households, there are 1,367 children, who are particularly vulnerable and in need of immediate support and care.
The situation is escalating rapidly - continues OCHA - with all 28 kebeles within the woreda identified as being at risk. Among these, 6 kebeles have been classified as highly vulnerable due to their geographical location and the intensity of the impact.
These areas are experiencing the most severe effects, including significant damage to infrastructure and homes.
In addition, continued rainfall is a major concern, as it increases the likelihood of additional landslides. This ongoing threat necessitates further evacuations and poses a significant challenge to emergency response efforts. The weather conditions are unpredictable, and the situation could deteriorate further if the rain persists.
Despite the challenging conditions, initial response actions have been implemented. The Red Cross has provided tents for 100 households, offering temporary shelter to those who have lost their homes. Federal government representatives are actively engaged in the affected area, working alongside local officials and humanitarian organizations to assess needs and coordinate further assistance
The Catholic Church’s longstanding presence and infrastructure in the region enable efficient coordination of resources and aid distribution, ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need in a timely manner. Recognizing the urgent health needs of the affected population, including disease prevention and access to clean water and sanitation facilities, the Church has established focused subdivisions within the Emergency Coordination Centers . Additionally, in response to the profound psychological impact on survivors, integrated psychosocial support programs are being implemented. These initiatives, recommended by stakeholders and supported by the Church, aim to provide counseling and mental health services to help individuals cope with trauma and stress effectively.
Furthermore, life-saving activities such as emergency medical services, search and rescue operations, and immediate relief measures are prioritized to protect and sustain lives in the aftermath of the disaster. The collaborative efforts of CRS, ECC-SDCO, and international partners ensure a holistic approach to addressing both immediate and long-term needs, fostering resilience and recovery in the affected communities.
The overview presented by OCHA underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive response. The continued collaboration and support of all stakeholders are essential to address the immediate needs and mitigate the long-term impacts of this disaster.

ASIA - The Ancient Church of the East in China: A Missionary Perspective

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:02:00 +0200

by Gianni Valente

held from 5 to 7 July at the Shaanxi Hotel in Xi'an

Xi'an - In the autumn of 2022 I was lucky to interview Mar Awa III Royel, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, in Rome for Fides. This is a Church that is small today, but with a long history, a direct heir of the Ancient Church of the East which in the first centuries of Christianity was the protagonist of an extraordinary missionary adventure. An adventure that brought the Christian message from the Middle East to the Arabian Peninsula, to India and even to China. In the interview, I asked Mar Awa what he thought was the secret of that great missionary adventure. The young Patriarch of the Assyrian Church replied that the missionaries of the ancient Church of the East were a unique “army”, a spiritual army. He recalled that they were above all monks and nuns, who won the hearts of others “with gentleness, and not with the dynamics of conquest”. For them – Mar Awa added – “every urgent matter, every concrete problem of life became an opportunity to do good, becoming friends and brothers with everyone”.

In my opinion, there are several reasons why that extraordinary historical and ecclesial event is still relevant today. In most of the references in my presentation I must thank the rich and profound studies of the Italian sinologist Matteo Nicolini-Zani, a monk of the Community of Bose. I refer in particular to his essay “Monastic Mission in Dialogue” contained in the volume “The Mission of the Universal Church – an Oriental Perspective”, edited by Professor Germano Marani SJ and published by Urbaniana University Press.

Origin and specific features of the Church of the East

The communities of the Church of the East that had been rooted in China for centuries, from the most remote antiquity, are often called "Nestorian" because at the time of the Council of Ephesus , which condemned Patriarch Nestorius of Constantinople, they wanted to remain linked to the theological and spiritual tradition of the Church of Antioch, from which Nestorius himself came. This Antiochian tradition placed great emphasis on the incarnation and humanity of Christ, on his human nature, recognizing that through Christ's humanity the mystery of his divinity is revealed.

Since the beginning of the 3rd century AD, the Church of the East had begun to structure itself as an autonomous Church, outside the borders of the Roman Empire, distancing itself from the Church of the Empire. The Christians of the Church of the East had their own Patriarch based in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, on the banks of the Tigris River in Mesopotamia.

This distancing from the Churches of the Empire and, above all, of the Church of Constantinople/Byzantium was not due above all to theological or doctrinal reasons, but to reasons that could be defined as political, in the broadest sense. As its presence moved towards the East, in the heart of the Persian Empire and beyond, the Church of the East, in order to avoid persecution, had to demonstrate that its Christians did not belong to communities linked to the Roman Empire, which for centuries had been the enemy par excellence of the Persian world.
The communities of the Church of the East progressively increased their presence towards the East through different means and processes. In some cases, this occurred due to the deportations of populations in the territories conquered by the Persian Empire, when among the deportees there were Christians and also bishops.

In less troubled times, Christians moved towards the East following trade routes. In any case, on their way to the East, the Christians of the Syriac Church came across new peoples, new languages, new cultures and new religious communities. For example, when they came to found new episcopal sees in present-day Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, cities such as Samarkand and Tashkent became meeting points with the Sogdians, a nomadic people of merchants, who in part became Christians. To follow the Sogdian merchants, bishops were ordained who embraced their nomadic condition.

Thus, the East Syrian Church is a Christianity that expands following the vicissitudes of history: migrations, deportations, movements along the flows of trade. In their fundamental work on missionary theology, Stephen Bevans and Roger Schroeder recognize that the originality and relevance of this "missionary movement" were linked to two of its characteristics: its monastic connotation and its openness to a dialogical attitude towards all.

A monastic mission

The missions of the East Syrian Church were monastic enterprises
In the new territories, the first communities were always structured around monasteries.

The missionaries sent to take care of the Christian life of the communities and even the metropolitan bishops of the new ecclesiastical provinces located outside Persian territory were monks, formed in monasteries scattered throughout Mesopotamia and Persia. Historical testimonies document that Patriarch Timothy sent monks from the monastery of Bet'Abe, located northeast of Mosul , to China as bishops. The monks were well formed in the study of the Holy Scriptures and theology, and thanks to their faith they were prepared to live in difficult situations.
A letter from Patriarch Timothy reports that "many monks cross the seas to India and China carrying only a staff and a bag."

In the area now included in the diocese of Zhouzhi, a few kilometres from Xi'an, the "Nestorian Stele" was found in 1625, now preserved in the Xi'an Stele Forest Museum: it is the archaeological relic/testimony that attests to the arrival of the first Christian proclamation in China by missionary monks of the Church of the East as early as 635 AD. Built in 781 with texts engraved in Chinese and Syriac, the Stele represents - as indicated in its heading - the "Memorial of the Propagation in China of the Luminous Teaching of Daqin". In the Chinese language, the term Daqin originally referred only to the Roman Empire. Later, the expression was used to refer precisely to the communities of the Syriac Church that had permanently established themselves in China.
The text on the Stele also suggests that there were also monasteries in Chang'an, the former eastern capital of the Empire, today Xi'an.
The Stele describes the Christian community with monastic traits, made up of people who live without being subjected to worldly passions, practice fasting and penance, live liturgical moments, pray 7 times a day according to the monks' office and carry out works of charity.

The other characteristic of this missionary adventure is openness and dialogue, which can be seen in action in three areas: in dialogue with cultures, in dialogue with religious realities and in dialogue with power and political authorities.

In dialogue with cultures

When they arrived, the missionary monks of the Eastern Church did not put themselves in a position of strength, but acted as humble monks and merchants. And precisely because they were well grounded in their faith and doctrine, they could come into contact with the local culture and literary tradition with an attitude of dialogue, as had already occurred in the encounter of Christianity with Greek-Roman culture.

The Eastern Syriac communities flourished in China during the Tang and Yuan dynasties. Upon arriving in China, the missionary monks encountered a superior culture and, in order to bear witness to their faith, they began a process of adapting Christian theological language to the Chinese cultural context, preserving the heart of the Antiochene faith. In the text of the Stele, many quotations follow the model of expressions taken from the Chinese classics. In this way, the monks began a process of sinicization that was not a flat and mechanical substitution of Chinese cultural data for Eastern Syriac data, but a more gradual and vital process of contamination. Only in this way did the adaptation become true and fruitful.

Mission and dialogue with religions

In the experience of the Eastern Church in China, Christianity took its words from religious forms and doctrines such as Buddhism and Taoism. Even the words chosen to describe monastic institutions, such as the word "monastery", came from Buddhism. Their attempt produced texts in which many key terms belonged to the Buddhist and Taoist religious sphere. And the adoption of this language was not perceived as a loss of Christian identity, but as a means of expounding the 'proprium' of the Christian faith in a pluralistic context. It was an adaptation of the proclamation of Christianity in its essential terms, with words that belonged to cultural contexts other than those of the Greek and Roman cultural world. For example, the mystery of the Trinity is presented by alluding to the salvation granted through the "Three Majesties of the Luminous Teaching."

The effects of this contamination are also documented, for example, in the iconography of the Christian tombs of Zaitun , where crosses are grafted onto the lotus flower and celestial beings resembling angels are represented according to the Buddhist iconographic mode.

Mission and dialogue with politics and power

Another dimension of the dialoguing approach of the missionary practice of the Church of the East in China is that adopted in relation to the authorities and the political power of the emperors Tang and the Mongol Yuan rulers.
The uninterrupted dialogue with the imperial authorities was accepted as a necessary tool to obtain the recognition of a legitimate and "orthodox" teaching in the sense of the Confucian political meaning. This was the only way with which the Christian faith could be accepted in Chinese society and avoid being associated with cults considered pernicious and perverted and persecuted by law.
The Stele itself attests to the intention of Syriac Christianity to gain legitimacy in the imperial court. The entire Stele is permeated with the intention of showing the connection and harmony between the just actions of the rulers and the presence of the Church in China, which contributes to social order and the common good.
Thus, the Stele also testifies to a process of adaptation to the Chinese way of conceiving and managing relations between communities of faith and political authorities.
Several Christians were officials and officers of the political and military administration of the Tang Empire.

The French Cardinal Eugene Tisserant, an expert and lover of Eastern Christianity, recalled in one of his writings on the Eastern Church that "the Nestorian priests of China voluntarily offered their services to the government, occupying public offices."
Among them was the donor of the Stele, the Battrian Yazdbozid, who in China is called Yisi. The Chinese section of the Stele, in the final part, reproduces his biography and highlights his high positions achieved in the imperial administration, and praises his practice of the Christian virtue of charity.
In this attitude of cooperation and service to the political authorities, the Church finds its legitimacy in a political context very different from that of the Roman Empire.

Christianity, as it is lived and witnessed by these communities in China, becomes a confession that can be embraced because it is not perceived as a doctrine of foreigners or subjected to foreign powers or interests.

The names of Christians who became court counsellors and doctors in China in those centuries show that the choice for dialogue and not opposition was useful in spreading the Gospel and bearing witness to it, in that period of history that was in many ways antithetical to what would happen many centuries later, in the era of Colonialism.

Conclusions

The two scholars mentioned above, Bevans and Schroeder, pointed out that the missionary experience of the ancient Church of the East has much to say to our present. The attitude of openness to encounter and dialogue brings us back to the sources of the mission. And in today's world, it is increasingly evident that dialogue and openness to encounter are necessary skills for every Christian witness. This was also demonstrated by the first Council of the Catholic Church in China, held in Shanghai 100 years ago, in 1924. On May 21, a Conference organized in Rome by the Pontifical Urbaniana University, in collaboration with Fides Agency, recalled that important Council. As Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization , said when speaking of the Council of Shanghai, the proclamation of the Gospel is not identified with a civilization and a culture, and for this very reason it protects and promotes the riches of each people and their cultures. Because the liberation and healing that Jesus brings are a gift for each and every person, as Pope Francis always repeats.

OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Tribal war does not stop: massacres of women and children in the Kanduanum parish area

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:50:02 +0200

Port Moresby – Children tortured, women raped. Then murdered and their bodies thrown into the river. This is the most recent and frightening balance of the tribal war that has been ravaging the villages of Papua New Guinea for months, a nation that in just over a month will host Pope Francis in what will be the longest apostolic trip of his pontificate.

Twenty six deaths have been confirmed. Women and children were killed in a series of attacks in three villages in the eastern Sepik province in the north of the country. Just a few months ago, another wave of attacks between tribes devastated the province of Enga, in the heart of the nation, where clashes have become increasingly deadly due to a significant increase in the use of firearms .

Already in the past, the national government had increased operations, military and otherwise, to curb this violence, without much success. In recent years, tribal clashes have increased in intensity: they have gone from simple bladed weapons to automatic and firearms. At the same time, the country's population has more than doubled since 1980, leading to increased tensions over access to resources and land, reigniting tribal rivalries.

Now, as the nation prepares to welcome the Holy Father, the land is once again bathed in blood. According to local police reports, the massacres occurred at different times. They began on July 17 and continued for several days. It is feared that the death toll of 26 could be higher. The number, in fact, has only been calculated based on the bodies found along the river. But, according to authorities, it could even double. The three villages were destroyed and the survivors, about two hundred people, fled into the forest, and are completely abandoned to their fate.

As Fides has learned, the national director of Caritas, Mavis Tito, is in constant dialogue with the diocese of Wewak to closely monitor the situation. In fact, attacks on villages have occurred in the area of the Kanduanum parish: "This is not an isolated case. What is happening is a conflict between four different groups that is becoming more and more accentuated."

The police, points out the director of Cáritas, "are present in the area. But the land is not easily accessible and they arrived when the violence had already ended. Unfortunately, although there is a deployment of police forces, the number of agents is insufficient to manage this increasingly unstable situation. To date, almost ten days after the attacks, no aid has arrived at the site, increasing the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe: "The people who fled to the forest have nothing. There is no kind of help. “Even the temporary care center has run out of supplies.”

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has also weighed in on the matter, declaring himself "horrified by the shocking outbreak of deadly violence in Papua New Guinea, apparently due to a dispute over property and rights of use of land and lakes".

The UN once again calls on local and national authorities in Papua New Guinea “to carry out prompt, impartial and transparent investigations. I also call on the authorities to work with villages to understand the causes of conflicts and thus prevent the recurrence of new violence."

Violence that arises for various reasons, as Father Giorgio Licini, Italian PIME missionary and secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, had already explained to Fides: "The clashes between the indigenous people, some of the whom had their first contacts with the outside world only 70 years ago, may be due to various reasons, but above all they depend on the control of the territory, which is deeply felt in their traditional culture. These tensions are maintained by members of the different groups who have migrated to the cities where they have established businesses and, therefore, can send weapons or pay mercenaries.

The clashes, Father Licini emphasizes, "take place in remote inland, rural or forest areas, with a high incidence of illiteracy, characterized by cultural and social backwardness where, for example, witchcraft practices and even hunting of women believed to be witches are in force. In the past, the situation of these groups was more stable. Today, with mobility and globalization, everything is more chaotic. "We are in a transition phase between the old culture and a new identity that, however, is not yet solid or well defined." The reasons for violence, therefore, must be sought in this process of cultural, social and economic transformation that is affecting the entire nation.

ASIA/INDONESIA - The Director for European Affairs: "Indonesia and the Holy See united to bring a message of peace and fraternity to the world"

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:21:19 +0200

by Paolo Affatato

Jakarta - "The Pope's visit to Indonesia is a historic moment for the nation. It not only has a religious meaning, but also a civil and political one, in the broadest sense of the term. It is the third time that a pontiff touches Indonesian soil . The enthusiasm of the population is evident. There is great expectation among Catholics in Indonesia, it is clear, but we see that the enthusiasm is also shared by all Indonesians", Widya Sadnovic, Director for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, told Fides, in view of the apostolic trip that will see Pope Francis in Indonesia from September 3 to 6, the first of four stops in four different countries.
A young and dynamic man, Director Sadnovic personally participates in the committee created ad hoc for the preparation of the papal visit. “Meetings, messages, issues to resolve, keep me busy twenty-four hours a day," he reveals with a smile that does not make any difference to the extraordinary work that he carries out every day with openness, competence, good will and availability. "What I perceive in the meetings is the feeling of full and joyful welcome. I see government officials, members of the Indonesian Church, representatives of the Vatican, the Apostolic Nunciature, the Grand Imam, all united by the same objective: everyone is trying to do their part to make this visit a happy moment, a memorable event for the nation."
Sadnovic points out: "President Joko Widodo's invitation to the Holy Father had already occurred in 2020. Then, the pandemic caused it to be postponed. But the Government always insisted a lot on that idea and then renewed the invitation. Let us remember that this is a state visit, it is also the visit of a head of state, so there will be a welcome by the state authorities, a bilateral meeting with the president, as well as the meeting of the Pope with the diplomatic community and other civil authorities in Indonesia".

It will be an important moment of bilateral meeting between Indonesia and the Holy See, says the Director, "to reaffirm collaboration and to share our common interests. In particular, I would say that a central aspect in the international community at this moment is the message of peace and tolerance. This is a very important issue for us, in the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world."
"At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - he reports - we are especially committed to cultivating relations between all regions. For several years, the Ministry has been promoting programs, seminars, and interreligious dialogue initiatives with representatives from more than 30 countries. It is part of our ordinary commitment. The state apparatus facilitates the meeting of religious leaders both in Indonesia and throughout the Asian continent, so that also in other nations the meeting of religious leaders serves to nourish and practice the message of peace and fraternity. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, is also fully in line with this message and this commitment. In this sense, he is very active when trying to resolve conflicts, promoting forms of mediation and dialogue: our objectives are the peaceful resolution of conflicts and not losing humanity in them, for example by always guaranteeing humanitarian aid".

The Director focuses on the internal situation of the archipelago of 17,000 islands: "As we know, Indonesia is a very diverse nation, rich in different religions, ethnicities, languages and traditions. And we work for unity in diversity. This diversity should be appreciated and unity should never be taken for granted. We must pay attention to it, cultivate it, live it and take it with us to share it with our neighbors", he points out. From Indonesia, in concentric circles, to all humanity: "We also think that this message of peace, which comes from Indonesia, can spread to other parts of the world that need peace, from Southeast Asia, to the entire continent, to the entire world. We see with pain and bitterness the many contexts of conflict, now also in Europe, just think of Ukraine, or the Middle East. I believe that this aspect could emerge in the conversations between the Holy Father and the President of Indonesia: the presence of the Pope, religious leader and head of State, will remind all peoples of the urgency of spreading and practicing peace".

As a state official, Widya Sadnovic says he is "impressed because I see that the words of Pope Francis are often quoted in the Indonesian media, they are known and accepted not only by Catholics, but also by government representatives, Muslim leaders and commentators. This is impressive for us. Reading some of these messages and teachings of the Pope, we find accents and themes particularly close to the spirit and soul of Indonesia, such as fraternity, tolerance, acceptance of others and peace. Peace is a task that no one can carry out alone: it is built through communication, dialogue. We will see it concretely in the Pope's meeting with the Minister of Religious Affairs, with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque and with other religious leaders, which will have great symbolic force. They are encounters that show a path, indicate a style of human relations. Certainly, it will not be a gesture that constitutes an end in itself, or merely formal: it will rather be proof that this fraternity, this tolerance, this welcome, this dialogue are commitments that must be pursued every day, in politics, in society, in religious communities, throughout the world, for the good of all humanity.

AFRICA/COTE D'IVOIRE - Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Bouaké

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:42:01 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa, until now apostolic administrator of the metropolitan archdiocese of Bouaké, Cote d’Ivoire, as metropolitan archbishop of the same archdiocese.
Archbishop-elect Jacque Assanvo Ahiwa was born on 6 January 1969 in Kuindjabo, in the district of Aboisso, diocese of Grand-Bassam. After completing his formation at the major seminary of Bouaké and the Saint Cœur de Marie Major Seminary of Anyama, he was ordained a priest on 13 December 1997 for the diocese of Grand Bassam.
After ordination, he held the offices of parish vicar of Saint François Xavier, Aboisso , secretary general of the diocese of Grand Bassam and diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies . He was awarded a master’s degree in biblical theology from the Université Catholique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest and a doctorate in biblical theology in Strasbourg , and went on to serve as vicar general of Grand Bassam , and maître de conférences at the University of Strasbourg .
On 5 May 2020 he was elected titular bishop of Elephantaria in Mauretania and auxiliary of Bouaké; he received episcopal consecration the following 3 October and has been apostolic administrator of the same archdiocese since 2024.

AFRICA/MALI - Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Bamako

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:38:20 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Bamako, Mali, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Jean Zerbo.
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Robert Cissé of Sikasso as metropolitan archbishop of the same archdiocese.
Archbishop-elect Robert Cissé was born on 7 June 1968 in Bamako. He studied philosophy at the Saint Augustin Major Seminary of Bamako and theology at the Saint Pierre Claver Major Seminary of Koumi, in Burkina Faso.
He received priestly ordination on 10 July 1993 in Koutiala, and was incardinated in the diocese of Sikasso.
After ordination, he held the roles of parish vicar and parish priest of Sikasso , head of the diocesan Commission for Vocations , chaplain of the laity , national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Mali , and vicar general of Sikasso . He was awarded a doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome , and went on to serve as dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Université Catholique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest and interim rector of the Saint Augustin Major Seminary of Bamako .
On 14 December 2022 he was appointed bishop of Sikasso, and received episcopal ordination on 11 February 2023.

AMERICA/PERU - First Assembly of Native Peoples with missionaries: Feeling, learning, walking together in the construction of the 'monifue'

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:29:55 +0200

San José del Amazonas - "Strengthen intercultural dialogue with the aim of walking together towards 'monifue' and building a Church closer to the reality of indigenous peoples". This is what the representatives of the native peoples of the Peruvian Amazon proposed, gathered together with the Consolata Missionaries in the First Assembly of Native Peoples. It is a "challenge", say the IMC, aimed at local Churches who must reflect daily and concretely on how to walk alongside these people in the here and now.

According to a note from the Consolata Missionaries, representatives of six missions of the Apostolic Vicariate of San José del Amazonas who live directly with the indigenous peoples, along with part of the administrative staff, met in the town of Angoteros to share common concerns and experiences on how to take concrete steps towards a preferential option for indigenous peoples.

"We are aware that this requires a conversion in forms, methods, times, language and spirituality," they noted.
In this way, the proposal to hold a first Assembly of Indigenous Peoples with missionaries who freely wished to be part of this process was consolidated: to feel, learn, walk with them, together in the construction of that fullness of life that in our case is based on gratuitousness and interculturality". The objective was to offer a space for dialogue between cultures that allows them to know each other, value each other, walk together and sow the word of life from their wisdom.

There are 51 indigenous peoples living in the Peruvian Amazon, nine of whom are in the San José del Amazonas Vicariate; a particular Church that has walked and navigated alongside indigenous peoples over the years.

"In the language of the indigenous peoples the concept 'monifue' means abundance and this first assembly represents precisely that: the harvest of this great chagra planted in the diversity that at no time has represented a threat but a promise.
It was significant to see the Kichwa of Ecuador with those of Peru; to the Murui of Colombia with the Murui-Uitoto of Peru," says Father José Fernando Flórez Arias, IMC, missionary in the Vicariate of San José del Amazonas. "The national states wanted to divide, but they could not break the spirituality of the people themselves. And this is also an appeal to the Churches called to walk together, meet and recognize each other. In the Amazon it is not about being, but knowing how to be there. The territory needs joyful missionaries, open to listening, to the word, to the mystery."

The Synod for the Amazon, held in October 2019, proposed new modalities in the relations of the Catholic Church with the territory, cultures and ancestral life. Therefore, it is necessary to walk with the criteria of Pope Francis who, in Puerto Maldonado, told the indigenous peoples "help your missionaries to become one with you" .

OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Spiritual preparation, prayer, meetings of the faithful in view of the Pope's trip

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:07:22 +0200

Port Moresby - Prayers, reflections and moments of discussion. This is how the priests of Papua New Guinea are preparing to live Pope Francis' apostolic journey. The Pontiff, on what has been defined as "the papal trip of records", will remain in the country for just over 48 hours. However, despite the little time at his disposal, his agenda is full of appointments and, despite the fact that the vast majority of the population is Protestant , there is great expectation regarding this historic event. The last Pope to visit Papua New Guinea was John Paul II in 1995. Francis should have gone there four years ago, but the outbreak of the pandemic blocked everything.

Since the announcement of the trip, parishes and communities have strived to offer the faithful moments of prayer and catechetical and formation meetings to help Christians - and not only them - understand why the greatest exponent of the Catholic Church, who is not only a spiritual leader but also a Head of State, will visit not only the capital, Port Moresby, but also Vanimo, a small town of just under 10,000 inhabitants where there is a thriving Catholic community, rich in missionaries, several of them Argentines.

"People are curious and want to know more", Father Victor Roche, Indian missionary of the Society of the Divine Word and currently National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Papua New Guinea, told Fides. But to prepare the faithful, priests also need to meet, reflect and prepare spiritually. And so the traditional spiritual retreat of the clergy in Port Moresby, led by Cardinal John Ribat, M.S.C., Archbishop of Port Moresby, and preached by Dariusz Kaluza MSF, Bishop of Bougainville, has become an occasion to discuss and pray about the many initiatives that will take place between now and the Pope's visit.

Because if it is true that "people want to know more", it is necessary to know how to convey the beauty of a papal trip well in a particular context. According to official data, Papua New Guinea is on the podium for the lowest percentage of population living in cities: 13.2% . If we take into account that the island has an urbanization rate of 2.51% and that a large part of the population is illiterate, the formation of priests becomes even more important. Across the nation, according to the 2021 Statistical Yearbook of the Church, there are 304 diocesan and 295 religious.

ASIA/INDONESIA - Archbishop of Kupang firmly believes that the faithful’s visit to East Timor to meet the Pope will create opportunities for reconciliation

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:16:45 +0200

by Paolo Affatato

Kupang - The main entrance of the bishop's residence in the center of Kupang where Msgr. Hironimus Pacaeenoni has been since taking office as Archbishop of Kupang, Indonesia, in March 2024, is always open, even at night. Priests, missionaries and ordinary faithful who wish to share their joys and suffering can enter in an informal way. Father Raymond Maurus Ngatu, a 31-year-old Indonesian, is a new priest of the congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles. Before going to Pontianak, Indonesian Borneo, to preach, he will preside over the first Mass after his ordination in a parish in his hometown of Kupang. The Archbishop smiles and gives him advice and blessings, above all, when it comes to future missionary work, he says a word or rather a secret: "Always trust in God, not in ourselves. Be instruments in his hands". Kupang is located on the Indonesian part of Timor Island. It is the largest city in West Timor and the capital of East Nusa Tenggara Province. The other half of Timor Island is the independent Republic of East Timor. Kupang has a population of more than 430,000. It is a typical Asian port city, quite chaotic, a mixture of always busy people. It is the only way for merchants and fishermen engaged in trading activities to and from many other islands in eastern Indonesia. The total population of the area covered by the Kupang Diocese is 1.6 million, and it is one of the few dioceses in Indonesia with a majority of Christians. 60% of the local population is Protestant and about 35% is Catholic; Muslims only account for 3-4% of the population. With 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country.

Archbishop "Roni" - as he likes to be called by priests and faithful - is happy that 14 young people have just been ordained deacons and "God willing will soon be ordained priests, 12 of them in November" he tells Fides. "Four of them - he underlines - already know that they will be 'domestic missionaries', as we call the priests sent to serve in other dioceses in Indonesia where priests and brothers are needed, such as Sumatra, Kalimantan or in Indonesian Papua". The bishop spoke with great joy of "the unity among the dioceses of Indonesia". There are 35 parishes in Kupang, and soon, another 9 small churches will become parishes. A large number of parishioners become members of the parish and participate in church life and sacraments. Faith is alive, and we see this especially among young people. We see this in the vocations God continues to give us: in the minor Seminary we have more than 100 seminarians and in the major Seminary we have 90 seminarians. The Gospel continues to attract young people." The bishop said with joy and pride that the local church has opened more than 90 Catholic schools, ranging from primary school to high school, which also benefited from the help of 53 male and female religious groups active in the region.

Archbishop Kupang said that the faithful of the diocese are designing a "shortcut" to welcome Pope Francis who will visit Indonesia from September 3 to 6. "They will not see him so much in Jakarta, the capital, where the Pope will stay for three days - he notes - but in Dili, in East Timor, on the other side of the border. It is expected that about 10,000 Catholics from the diocese will travel to East Timor from the dioceses of Kupang and Atambua to participate in the mass in Tesimolu esplanade, in Dili", confirms Msgr. Pakaenoni to Fides. The journey from Kupang to East Timor takes about eight to ten hours by coach, which is much easier than organizing an expensive trip to Jakarta. In addition, the organizing committee has convened about 100 delegates from each diocese, so that the faithful of West Timor can enjoy this special opportunity: to welcome Pope Francis on their own island. "We are collaborating with the Indonesian government to help Catholics participate in the Pope's activities during his stay in Dili. We have asked priests, nuns and faithful to register in the parish. The diocese has made arrangements with the Immigration Bureau, to apply for travel documents. "Many faithful do not have passports, and we will issue special passes for them, or officials have launched a special process to issue passports within three days instead of the usual two weeks." Some devotees will also come from the neighboring islands of Rote, Alor and Sabu. After his stay in Jakarta, Pope Francis will visit Dili, the capital of East Timor, from September 9 to 11. Indonesian believers will also come. "We have reached a complete consensus with the Bishops' Conference of East Timor to ensure the reception, food and accommodation of Indonesian pilgrims, and the organization has started."

On September 10, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at the Tasitolu esplanade, on the outskirts of Dili. In 1987, when the late Pope John Paul II visited East Timor, he also celebrated the Liturgy of the Holy Word here. At that time, East Timor was under Indonesian rule. Past trauma is almost completely healed through the journey of reconciliation, which is as much a healing of psychological trauma as it is a healing of spiritual trauma. There were still bruises and scars bleeding though. In 1999, East Timor held a referendum under the auspices of the United Nations to declare independence. Since then, East Timor has been plunged into tension and chaos, with pro-Indonesian militias committing violence and massacres. Even in the following years, large numbers of displaced civilians fled East Timor due to the unrest and poured into Atambua and Kupang. In the following years, 250,000 refugees gradually returned to East Timor. At this historical juncture, the Catholic community in Kupang has established close ties with the displaced through solidarity actions, food distribution and medical health care.

Archbishop Pacaenoni emphasized that now God has created another opportunity for us - an opportunity for reconciliation to put an end to this painful experience. "The Pope's visit can support and consolidate the process of peace and reconciliation. His visit is not only a visit to Catholics, but also to all peoples. It must be said that there are no problems between the churches of West Timor and East Timor, we are in full communion. There is still some difficulty and pain among those families who have lost loved ones to violence and still see the executioners on the other side of the border, and I believe that the presence of Pope Francis is providential. It can be a moment of special grace, a moment of reconciliation for families suffering from grief. It can be a moment of prayer and acceptance of forgiveness, of faith in God who heals wounds. This is what I see between people and we, as Catholics, act as mediators and facilitators in this process, we know that it is difficult because it involves emotions and the heart and that is why we ask God for help and trust in Him."

ASIA/INDONESIA - Indonesia prepares for the visit of Pope Francis with the inauguration of the 'Tunnel of Fraternity' that connects the Cathedral and Mosque.

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 16:27:54 +0200

By Paolo Affatato

Jakarta - Pilgrims have not yet walked the "Tunnel of Fraternity", as it has been nicknamed, because it will be officially inaugurated this autumn. But the work is already finished and all that remains is to open it to the public and to the Christian and Muslim faithful, who are already enthusiastic. This is the underground passage that connects the Catholic cathedral of Jakarta with the Istiqlal mosque, a building located in front of the Christian temple.
In the heart of the Indonesian capital, in the heart of Independence Square - a place of great value for national identity - the two imposing structures look at each other benevolently from very close, almost reflecting each other, the result of an architectural choice and urban planning that, from the beginning, intended to signify and symbolize a common purpose, the vision of a coexistence rooted in the Indonesian nation.
This vision was reinforced by the construction and restoration of that underpass , which, thanks to the idea of Indonesian President Joko Widodo - now president of the outgoing government, who will leave this autumn to his successor, the recently elected Prabowo Subianto, has become the symbol of an osmosis, of a continuous exchange of visits, of a path of human and spiritual friendship that, ultimately, characterizes the face of the great metropolis and of the entire vast and plural Indonesian society.

First came the cathedral, a neo-Gothic building built in the first half of the 19th century after the General Commissioner of Batavia of the Dutch East India Company gave the land to build a Catholic church, which in 1829 received the name "Our Lady of Assumption." Due to some structural problems, the building was rebuilt in the last decade of the century: between 1891 and 1901, Father Antonius Dijkmans, SJ, was in charge of the new architectural structure and, thanks to the contribution of the architect M.J. Hulswit, the new church of Our Lady of Assumption was consecrated by Monsignor Edmundus Sybrandus Luypen, SJ, vicar apostolic of Batavia, on April 21, 1901. After the recent restoration completed in 2002, the church shows all its splendor and is a meeting point for pilgrims from all over Indonesia. At the end of the right nave, there is a statue of the Piety that is a place of intense prayer. Marta, a teacher in her 40s, tells Fides that she "comes to entrust all her difficulties and sufferings, so that Mary and Jesus can welcome them, giving them comfort and strength." Inside the church there is currently a special "counter", an electronic device that marks "59" on a screen, that is, the days remaining until Pope Francis' visit to the cathedral itself . And watching over the faithful, to the left of the main altar is the statue of 'Mary, mother of all ethnic groups', an image created in 2015 to give the Virgin "more familiar" features to the faithful in Indonesia, adopted later by the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, as an emblem of national unity. The Virgin wears a traditional Javanese costume called "kebaya." On her chest she wears the "Garuda Pancasila", a bird that is a traditional symbol of Indonesia, while her head is adorned with a red and white veil, the colors of the Indonesian flag, which also indicate the values of bravery and holiness. On her crown a map of the country is represented, entrusting herself to the protection of Mary and welcoming Pope Francis, asking for her blessing.

The silence inside is offset by the festive bustle outside the church: a school group of children from a Protestant Christian school in North Jakarta, accompanied by parents and teachers, joyfully celebrate their visit to the church and the adjoining museum, a stop on a pilgrimage to the city's holy places. Along with them, the children of the Catholic parish of Saint Dominic of Bekasi , who participate in the "Missionary Childhood" movement, of the local Pontifical Mission Societies, spend a day of spiritual retreat in the complex of the cathedral: their motto is “have faith and give Jesus” to everyone they meet.

Equally crowded, a place of socialization and rest, and for many the destination of a Sunday excursion, is the Istiqlal Mosque, a modern and majestic structure built to commemorate the independence of Indonesia and called "Istiqlal", which means "independence" or "freedom" in Arabic.
Children, young people, women, the elderly, entire families who have come to have a picnic, spend a moment of relaxation in the large outdoor space of the temple or in its welcoming courtyard, which, with its arcades, offers some shelter from the heat of the dry season. The Muslim faithful, as tradition dictates, leave their shoes and enter the immense prayer room, bowing in prayer on the red carpet that covers the floor, between imposing silver pillars and the dome that encompasses the entire space as far as the eye can see. Although there is no special celebration , the loudspeakers play the sermon of the great Imam K.H. Nasaruddin Umar. After receiving the unofficial confirmation, the man could not contain his joy and - surprising both the Government and the Indonesian Episcopal Conference - was the first to announce to the media that Pope Francis was going to visit his temple, where the pontiff will hold a meeting with religious leaders of various confessions. "The message of Pope Francis is also the mission of the Istiqlal mosque, which is to transmit humanity, spirituality and civilization, without distinction of religion, ethnicity, language. "Humanity is one," he said, expressing the expectation and satisfaction of the Muslim community of Jakarta for the arrival of the pontiff.

The idea of building this temple arose in 1949 from Wahid Hasyim, then "Minister of Religious Affairs." The construction commission was created in 1953, under the supervision of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, who wanted to build the mosque in Merdeka Square . The president and all members of the government also stressed that the decision to erect the mosque in front of the Jakarta cathedral was intended to symbolize the religious harmony and tolerance inherent in Pancasila, the "Charter of the Five Principles", the national philosophy underlying the Constitution.
That spirit has not been lost at all and can still be seen today when Muslim believers speak with pride of the “silaturahmi tunnel” that connects their house to the Catholic church. The expression is as significant as ever: "silaturahmi", in the Indonesian context and culture - the scholars explain - indicates a form of social interaction through which strong interpersonal relationships are maintained, such as kinship or educational, economic, social and religious ties.
“Silaturahmi,” a term used specifically by Indonesian Muslims, means “the intention to cultivate and nurture a human relationship.”

There is the desire, there is the intention to maintain good relationships, in a "dialogue of life" made of friendly practices, simple gestures and gratuitous benevolence. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo and the imam cultivate them with daily meekness and empathy, which are expressed in a way that can be expressed through that tunnel, an always open channel that, after the restoration completed in 2022, will allow the flow of faithful, in both directions, to admire the works of the Indonesian architect Sunaryo and the sculptor Aditya Novali. The artist has created bas-reliefs that adorn the walls of the marble-clad passage: two hands that touch to "give an idea of humility generated by the interiority of the soul, so that each one feels the connection and unity," we read in the illustration of the sculpture, created both "positively" and "negatively" on the walls of the tunnel. And as the visitor advances along the road where the concentric circles are drawn in granite, "a symbol of hope that gives new light to the path", we discover that Pope Francis will not be able to cross that underpass, a hypothesis ruled out by the authorities for security reasons. But this does not at all affect the atmosphere, the joy, the palpable enthusiasm, both in the Catholic community and on the other side of the street, among the Prophet's people, who smile, ready to welcome and embrace the man dressed in white.

AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - The bishops' appeal for the Sudanese brothers: “Pray and hear the voice of God and the voice of the people”

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:44:14 +0200

Juba - "Although our first responsibility is South Sudan, we cannot distance ourselves from our neighbor Sudan." This is what the bishops of the youngest nation in the world have expressed regarding the ongoing civil war , which broke out in Sudan last year due to the confrontation between the leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces . Adding how the conflict has severely damaged the country to the point of almost complete destruction.

"The fabric of Sudanese society has been torn, people are traumatized and shocked by the level of violence and hatred," report members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sudan and South Sudan , gathered recently in Juba for three days.

The conflict, which Church leaders say has led to horrendous war crimes and human rights violations committed by both sides, has plunged the people of Sudan into a true humanitarian catastrophe. Hence the prelates' call to the people of God to offer their support through the provision of "humanitarian aid, peace work, preparation for the 'post-war period' in terms of reconciliation, rehabilitation, reconstruction and healing of trauma, and above all, prayer."

"So far there is not the slightest sign of a peace dialogue that could bring hope to the Sudanese. I believe that our leaders are not prepared for peace. Struggle and conflict have the upper hand," the bishops reported, quoting Bishop Tombe Trille Kuku, of the diocese of El Obeid, who in his pastoral message outlined the picture of the insensitivity of the parties interested in allowing peace to reign in Sudan, but who instead are fueling war that leads to more suffering for the people.

"It is time for you to think about the people and the nation – they continue. The more the fighting increases, the more the population disperses and hatred grows between the various Sudanese ethnicities. Kneel down to pray and hear the voice of God and the voice of the people, of the children, of the women who cry out for peace, and also the blood that cries on the ground of innocents who have died in the crossfire. Return to dialogue as children of one mother and one father.

Finally, the bishops of the SSSCBC, echoing the recent call that Pope Francis had made after the prayer of the Angelus, on the solemnity of Corpus Christi, in St. Peter's Square, ask all parties to lay down their arms and begin serious peace negotiations. Likewise, they condemn the massacres, rapes and looting of civilians and demand accountability for the crimes committed.

AFRICA/CHAD - A space for reflection, exchange of ideas and experiences intended for the world of youth in a context of tensions

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 13:58:30 +0200

Abéché - This is one of the most significant initiatives of Missionary Animation, in close collaboration with the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation sector of the Comboni missionaries in Chad. “Planet Earth, a common heritage” is the Forum addressed to young Chadians which will be held at the Abéché Youth Center from September 2 to 6, 2024.

The forum - say the Comboni Missionaries, promoters of the 3rd edition of the Forum - pursues a clear option: to offer a space for reflection, exchange of ideas and experiences intended for the world of youth. Like previous editions, this one too will be inspired and guided by the Laudato Sì of Pope Francis to promote the protection of the Common Home by paying attention to situations of marginalization in Chad.

The participants come from local communities, where strong awareness has mobilized young and old, Chadian Christians and Muslims, for a renewed commitment to serving the country. An initiative that goes far beyond religious barriers, the promoters want to emphasize.

The country also continues to experience tensions and, after the recent presidential elections, seeks a delicate balance between different demands, a new phase in continuity. As in the entire Sahel, it is today facing historic changes and will probably have to readjust some of its policies. In May, the Chadian Constitutional Council confirmed the results which gave Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno as the expected winner. It is also necessary to take into account internal ethnic divisions, confirmed by regional differences in the distribution of votes, especially in a country like Chad, marked by decades of war between the north and the south and with significant minorities linked to the activities armed groups in Libya, Sudan and Central Africa.

Since April 2021 at the head of the Transitional Military Council which runs the country following the death of his father, his predecessor, Idriss Déby Itno, killed while participating in an action by his troops against an armed rebel movement, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno was proclaimed winner with 61%, followed by the prime minister of the transitional government and main opponent Succès Masra at 18.5% and another former prime minister close to the Déby clan, Albert Pahimi Padacké, at 16.9%.

ASIA/MYANMAR - The scourge of child labor in a war-torn nation

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:23:43 +0200

Yangon - In the tormented nation of Myanmar, torn by a civil conflict for more than three years, there is an explosion of the phenomenon of child labor, as observed by observers from the international community, United Nations reports , and as confirmed by Fides Agency sources in the nation.
The civil war, in fact, has generated a shortage of workers, and in addition, in recent months, the phenomenon of emigration of young people - who flee the country to avoid the law of compulsory recruitment, approved last February - is further aggravating the phenomenon, which is being alleviated with the recruitment of minors in the most disparate tasks. This is a flagrant violation of the rights of children and the most vulnerable, according to UN experts. According to observers, the increase in child labor is also one of the side effects of the controversial law on compulsory military service with which the military junta in power has attempted to replenish the ranks of its armed forces, after the heavy losses suffered by the coordinated attacks by the People's Defense Forces and armies linked to ethnic minorities. To avoid fighting in the ranks of the Burmese army, thousands of young people have fled to rebel-controlled territories or abroad. A recent report published by the International Labor Organization points out the increase in levels of child labor and, although the ILO has not been able to provide exact figures, the text recalls that "the rates of child labor in countries affected by conflict are 77% higher than the world averages." The ILO calls on Myanmar to take decisive action to end child labor as the security situation in the country worsens, with more than three million internally displaced people, a third of whom are children.
“We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation and escalating conflict in Myanmar,” said Yutong Liu, ILO Representative for Myanmar. “More and more children are living in poverty, experiencing movement restrictions or being forced to move, making them increasingly vulnerable to child labour. Children must be protected and be a beacon of hope for the future of the country," he recalls. Child labor, according to Fides Agency sources present in the country, is widespread in various sectors, such as clothing manufacturing, agriculture, catering, domestic work, construction and street vending.
The Myanmar Workers' Federation notes that in a country where workers already have limited protection of their rights, children are especially vulnerable to exploitation. However, despite widespread violations, there are very few reports of abuse and flagrant violations of children's rights that are often ignored in factories or by companies, where children often seek employment using ID cards belonging to older relatives or friends.
It should be noted that, in 2020, Myanmar ratified the provision of the International Labor Organization on the minimum age for work, but the coup and then the outbreak of civil conflict created a real shock in the social fabric of the nation.
"Families, reduced to poverty by the conflict, often have no choice but to send their children to work," notes a source from Fides, while a report published last June by the Program of the The United Nations Development Agency concluded that 75% of Myanmar's population, that is, 42 million people, live in poverty. A priest from Yangon reports: "In Catholic parishes, where it is still possible, in the areas less affected by the conflict, we try to have special attention for children, for example by celebrating a special mass for them, bringing them closer to Jesus in this condition of suffering for them and their families, trying to satisfy their material, relational and spiritual needs. The children participate in singing and praying. The parish is an oasis for their souls and their lives. Consecrated priests, lay people and catechists take care of them".

AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Resignation of vicar apostolic of Tierradentro

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:25:34 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the apostolic vicariate of Tierradentro Colombia, presented by Bishop Oscar Augusto Múnera Ochoa.

ASIA/IRAQ - The Chaldean bishops: “Two peoples, two States: the solution for peace in the Holy Land”

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 09:49:34 +0200

Baghdad - Two peoples, two States: the Chaldean bishops, gathered in Baghdad for the annual Synod of the Chaldean Church, observe with concern the numerous conflicts that are tearing apart the Middle East, focusing in particular on the situation in the Holy Land.

According to a press release published at the end of the assembly, which was held from July 15 to 19 at the patriarchal seat of Al-Mansour, the prelates sent a letter to the Pontiff before beginning the work, "requesting his fatherly blessing and his prayers that the discussions of the Synod may be fruitful for the well-being of the Church and the country.”

Different themes were discussed. Each meeting, they stressed, took place “in a climate of familiarity, democracy and fraternity, which allowed them to highlight certain aspects” of the life of Christian communities living in the Middle East, starting from the war in the Holy Land and its consequences for the entire region.

The bishops of the Chaldean Synod chaired by Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako, in addition to expressing “their deep concern”, “condemn violence in all its forms”. Hence the invitation to the international community to make serious efforts “to protect and affirm peace at all times”, in order to “immediately end the war”.
On possible solutions, the Chaldean bishops espouse the line that Pope Francis has also expressed on several occasions, namely that of two peoples in two “neighboring States living in peace, security, stability and mutual trust”.

The gaze of the Chaldean bishops then focused on the Christian people living in the region, a people who “have suffered greatly over the last two decades due to deprivation of their rights, marginalization, social exclusion and the seizure of goods and properties”. Abuses “which have pushed many Christians to emigrate in search of a better environment”.

The bishops therefore call on “our dear government to treat the Christian community equitably, giving it confidence and strengthening cooperation, at the national level, taking advantage of each person’s skills to develop this country.” The synod also calls on the government to “fully respect their rights as citizens, with equal representation and employment.”

It is therefore also a reflection on the future of Christians in the Middle East. In this regard, the Chaldean Synod renews “Patriarch Sako's call for unity and solidarity. Our faith and our land are the pillars that unite us.” Then expressing "our fraternal sympathy to the bishops of neighboring countries", the Chaldean Synod Fathers are convinced "that the Church needs a new vision of the future as much as courageous practical measures to stabilize Christians in their land, in preserving their identity and improving their role and presence in society.”

“Unity, they emphasize, is our strength and our salvation. Despite the wounds, we continue to love our countries and our citizens, and we would like to collaborate with them to spread a culture of coexistence, respecting the differences of others and consolidating the hope of a just and civilized society.”

Finally, the Synod having been held immediately after the return of His Beatitude to the official headquarters of the Patriarchate in Baghdad, the Chaldean bishops appreciated and expressed their gratitude for the “legal and courageous” initiative of the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani , who published a decree confirming the designation of Patriarch Sako as head of the Chaldean Church and entrusting the management of its property to the Cardinal.

The Patriarch and the bishops, according to the final communiqué, express "the hope that the government, together with the parties, will take concrete measures to build peace and stability, by applying the laws, restoring national unity, strengthening the concept of citizenship and providing adequate public services so as to ensure a dignified life for all citizens”, which also explains the call to give “priority to the interests of the Iraqi people”.

ASIA/CHINA - “Salt of the earth, light of the world”. 11 new graduates at the Major Seminary of Shaanxi Province

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 15:27:27 +0200

Xi'an - “Be aware of the sacred call of the Lord and have an ecclesial spirit”. It is with these recommendations that Antonio Dang Mingyan, Archbishop of Xi'an and rector of the Philosophical and Theological Seminary of Shaanxi Province, addressed the 11 new graduates during the closing ceremony of the academic year which took place in the Aula Magna at the beginning of July. The bishop conferred the degrees of dogmatic theology, moral theology, biblical theology and spiritual theology upon the new graduates. "At the beginning, all of us, priests and nuns, are very zealous, but over time there is a feeling of inertia and the influence of secularization is felt. As a result, the inner fire of proclamation sometimes weakens. We must always rediscover the sacred calling of the Lord. “We must be careful about what we do and what we say. We must set a good example and move away from worldliness. We must act inthe spirit of the Church by becoming 'salt of the earth and light of the world', to show everyone the path which leads to the Kingdom of God".
The nine professors of the Seminary concelebrated the solemn liturgy of thanksgiving to the Lord with Bishop Antonio Dang. The vice-rector, Father Li Jingxi, expressed his sincere wishes to the graduates and his gratitude for all those who accompanied the vocational journey of the young people of the Seminary , inviting them all “to maintain an attitude of lifelong learning to continue living the Christian life in the love of God”. The new graduates thanked the Seminary, ensuring their prayers for the continuation of its activities for the benefit of the formation of today's students and future students.
In recent weeks, the seminaries of the Church of China are experiencing the “harvest season”. After six years of theological, philosophical, spiritual and human training, new graduates are called to offer their fresh energies to the pastoral work that awaits them in the times to come, at the service of the people of God.

AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Testimonies, reflections and prayers at the VIII Bolivian Missionary Congress, in preparation for CAM6

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 15:18:44 +0200

Oruro - Last week was a very intense week for the more than 400 participants of the VIII Bolivian National Missionary Congress, a fundamental stage of reflection and sharing in preparation for the American Missionary Congress scheduled in Puerto Rico next November.
The diocese of Oruro hosted the congress participants from the 18 ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Among them, bishops, religious men and women, lay people, young missionaries representing different pastoral areas and fields.
The motto "Bolivia, with the power of the Spirit, witnesses of Christ" was the leitmotif of the "five days" in which Eucharistic celebrations and adoration alternated with moments of prayer in the parishes, missionary experiences in the neighborhoods, discernment and community reflection.
The general objective of the Congress was to revitalize missionary fervor in the Church, to respond effectively to pastoral emergencies that also involve reaching out to others and caring for the environment.
The work of the Congress developed around four theological axes: "Communion in the synodal path", "Missionary spirituality", "Custodians of creation", "Language and style of the digital environment", 14 workshops that have highlighted highlighted the work of the Church in Bolivia, moments of prayer and fraternization, and the sharing of missionaries. All these aspects were highlighted in the final conclusion of the Congress presented and read during the closing Eucharistic Celebration held in the Sanctuary of Socavón.
"Being a missionary means opening oneself to all people, all cultures, bringing the Word of God and making it known to all humanity and all peoples," recalled Cristóbal Bialasik, Bishop of the Diocese of Oruro, who together with the Episcopal Conference and Adolfo Bittschi, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sucre and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Bolivia, worked in synergy for this important event.
At the end of the National Missionary Congress, the next Congress was announced which will be held in 2028 in the Diocese of Tarija.

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Legal age for Christian marriage at 18: a step forward to protect girls and abandon child marriage

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:11:51 +0200

Islamabad - The updating of the law on Christian marriage in Pakistan is an important step forward to protect girls from early marriages, says Kamran Michael, Christian politician and former senator, who in recent years has promoted before institutions to protect the rights of minors and the most vulnerable people. On July 9, with a measure that received wide approval in both the political and ecclesiastical communities of Pakistan, the National Assembly of this country raised to 18 years the legal age of marriage for boys and girls belonging to the Christian community, thus adapting the provisions on Christian marriage to Pakistani standards regarding the protection of minors. The bill titled “Christian Marriage Amendment Act, 2024” was introduced by a Christian member of the National Assembly, Naveed Amir Jeeva, with the aim of updating the Christian Marriage Act, 1872, which previously fixed the age of marriage at 16 years for boys and 13 for girls. It was the Christian politician Kamran Michael, a senator in the last legislature, who first proposed the amendment in the Senate in January 2023, pointing out that raising the age of marriage was essential to protect girls from sexual abuse and forced conversions. "The State has the duty to protect children from exploitation and defend their rights," he stated, expressing his satisfaction with the approval of the law, which, after being approved by both chambers , now awaits the President's signature to become a full law and come into force. The amendment to the law is also intended to guarantee the protection of the fundamental rights of children, in particular the right to education and health, he stressed, welcoming the approval of the Churches of all denominations in Pakistan. "The amendment will help prevent forced marriages of underage Christian girls," said Bishop Azad Marshall, President of the Anglican Church of Pakistan and the National Council of Churches of Pakistan, with satisfaction. "The progress is significant because it paves the way for possible action on related issues, such as forced conversions of underage girls and the misuse of blasphemy laws," he added, calling on all Christian Churches in the nation to create a joint group to report to Parliament on issues important to the life and security of the nation's Christian faith communities. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan, through its National Commission for Justice and Peace , has also welcomed the amendment: Bishop Samson Shukardin, National Director of the Commission, and Father Bernard Emmanuel, Executive Director, expressing their "sincere appreciation to the entire Parliament", have declared that "this is a request that the Christian community has been making for some time", and it is a "crucial provision to protect our underage girls", hoping that "the government will take new measures to criminalize forced religious conversions", in order to protect non-Muslim citizens, such as the Hindu and Christian communities, who face problems in this regard. The phenomenon, in fact, is related to that of the kidnapping and forced conversions of Christian and Hindu girls to Islam, since Sharia allows girls who reach puberty to be considered "adults", and therefore the possible age of marriage. Last April, a team of United Nations experts called on Pakistan to pass legislative measures to protect the vulnerability of women and girls belonging to minority faiths, especially with regard to forced marriages and forced religious conversions, requesting Pakistan to raise the legal age of marriage for girls to 18, as a deterrent measure. The experts noted that forced marriages and religious conversions of girls belonging to minority faiths have been "validated by the courts", but "child, early and forced marriages cannot be justified on religious or cultural grounds", underlining the need for provisions "intended to invalidate, annul or dissolve marriages contracted under duress." The UN working group consisted of the special rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, Nazila Ghanea; the special rapporteur on minority issues, Nicolas Levrat; the special rapporteur on human trafficking, Siobhan Mullally; and the special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata. According to data from civil society organizations, around 1,000 underage Christian or Hindu girls are kidnapped each year in Pakistan, forcibly converted and married to their kidnappers.

ASIA/CHINA - Chinese Catholic communities care for “brides from far away”, women wounded by life

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 13:04:27 +0200

by Marta Zhao

Shijiazhuang - They are called “brides from far away”. They mostly belong to ethnic minority groups and often live in conditions of extreme poverty. They suffer from abuse and forms of domestic and social violence. Sometimes they can be considered victims of human trafficking, a scourge that must be fought and which affects millions of people around the world, as recalled by the World Day that the UN dedicates to them on July 30 of each year. The phenomenon of "brides from far away" is very common in less developed and more isolated regions of mainland China.
These are vulnerable and defenseless women, marginalized and often mistreated and forgotten by the very family into which they have been integrated through marriage. Many of them have found the thread of hope and healing in their encounter with the Chinese Catholic communities who care for them. Professor Kang Zhijie, a researcher at the Macau Institute of Jinan University, is the author of a report titled “Study on Catholic Care for brides from far away.” The study shows how certain phenomena and aspects of Chinese society and mentality - the numerical imbalance between the sexes, the preference for sons over daughters and the concept of continuity of lineage - drive some men from remote areas and less developed people to try to marry women from other regions.
In certain cases, “brides from far away”, who are not directly known to their future husband, become the object of a real purchase and sale managed by their family clan.

For many Catholic communities, especially in rural areas, the reality of “brides from far away” has become a new frontier where they can bear witness to the liberation proclaimed by the Gospel. Their condition of fragile and battered women represents one of the “existential peripheries” often evoked by Pope Francis as places where the proclamation of the Gospel must be carried with more solicitude and the healing power of the grace of Christ manifested. in works of charity and mercy, even in a secularized society.
The research carried out by Professor Kang attests that, since the opening of China in the 1980s, the Catholic Church of the People's Republic of China has worked extensively on behalf of leprosy victims, AIDS patients, and orphans or children from disadvantaged families. Groups of fragile people are today joined by “brides from far away”. Some of them, after receiving baptism, testify in a surprising and impressive way to the impact of faith on their lives. A testimony that moves and comforts the local Church, releasing a gratitude that gives energy and breath to works of charity. In some parishes, pastoral groups dedicated to “brides from far away” have emerged, such as the “Sarah Bible Group”, named after Abraham’s wife. The priest who chose this name also explained the reasons for his choice to the researcher: “Sarah suffered many humiliations and offenses, but in the end she was blessed. Even brides who come from far away, like Sarah, can become people embraced and healed by grace. The intention is very simple: by following Sarah's example, they can begin to live a luminous life, illuminated by the light of God.
The communities organize catechism classes and Bible reading meetings, helping them to integrate into the local context, taking into account their needs and conditions . Some of them were also able to free themselves from the hardness of character and the closures caused by the suffering endured, even finding harmony with their husbands. There were also moments of conviviality where the “brides from far away” prepared dishes typical of their region of origin, and were thus able to feel involved in a family and fraternal atmosphere. Some of them were part of the animation team of the whole group, also working as catechists, to “bring to others the love of Jesus, according to the teaching of the Gospel”.

ASIA/JORDAN - 75 years of 'Pontifical Mission': "What Pius XII began continues today with Pope Francis"

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:45:57 +0200

Amman - "What Pius XII began continues today with Pope Francis." The Pontifical Mission for Palestine celebrates its Diamond Jubilee in Jordan, commemorating the 75th anniversary of its foundation, marked by prayer. The highlight of the celebrations was the Holy Mass presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan, Archbishop Giampietro Dal Toso, in the church dedicated to Saint Mary of Nazareth in Sweifieh, a neighborhood in the western part of Amman.

The solemn rite, held on the afternoon of July 17, was attended by priests from various churches, deacons and nuns, among others. The director general of the Pontifical Mission for Palestine in Jordan, Raed Al-Baho, was also present, along with the institution's staff. Representatives of various diplomatic corps and a multitude of faithful also attended.

In his homily, translated into Arabic by Father Rifat Bader , Archbishop Dal Toso praised the work of the Mission, created at the request of Pius XII in order to help the Palestinian people after the Nakba , that is, the forced exodus of the Palestinian Arab population during the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, which occurred after the founding of the State of Israel. At that time, more than 700,000 Palestinians were forced to abandon their cities and towns. The dispute over the fate of these Palestinian refugees and the "right of return" of their descendants remains at the center of the current conflict between Israel and Palestine.

They have been, and continue to be, years of suffering but, as the Nuncio pointed out, "the Lord does not abandon us, and we can see the greatest gift that he has given us, his Son. In Christ there is the proof that God does not abandon us. He sent him to save us". The prelate wanted to highlight that Christ "is the clearest sign that God cares about us."

Following in the footsteps of that love - continued Dal Toso - today we celebrate the fact that 75 years ago the universal Church created a special institution to help the Palestinian people". A suffering "that also included Jordan."

Since then, the Pontifical Mission for Palestine has not stopped providing humanitarian and spiritual assistance to the Palestinians, without forgetting support for the Christian community and all communities in need living in the Holy Land, through cooperation with local Churches, institutions Catholics and international organizations.

The celebration, therefore, takes on not only a festive tone, but also - and above all - one of thanksgiving for the work that the Holy See, at the request of Pope Pacelli, continues throughout the Middle East. "It is a sign - explains Dal Toso - that the Holy See does not forget what is happening here and the difficulties that the storms in this region are going through."

The Nuncio - according to the Abouna.org website - has recalled the continuous efforts, which have increased in recent months, made by both Pope Francis and Vatican diplomacy to "achieve the release of hostages and prisoners, the ceasefire and the end of the war, supporting the Palestinian people with prayer and their right to have a State.

"What Pope Pius XII started continues today with Pope Francis", remarked Dal Toso, who in this regard quoted Paul VI, now a Saint, who fifty years ago said: "The Pontifical Mission is one of the most illustrative signs of the Vatican's concern for the well-being of the Palestinians, who are particularly dear to us." After all, it was precisely the dramatic situation of multitudes of Palestinians after the proclamation of the State of Israel that awakened in Pope Pacelli the desire to create a specific ecclesial body to help them. Hence, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association , an organization dependent on the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, was commissioned to create an organization that would offer support to children, families, the sick, elderly and exiles.

And, while at first the Mission was concerned with assisting displaced people and refugees, after the creation of the “United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” , it adapted its programs to collaborate with the UN to improve the living conditions of Palestinians in refugee camps. In this sense, the Nuncio also recalled the words of Cardinal Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, who a few weeks ago had written: "The Christian communities of the Middle East are a priority for the Holy See." "Your work," the Archbishop said in conclusion, "is the cornerstone of building a peaceful Middle East."