Catholic News 2
BRUSSELS (AP) -- Belgian riot police clashed Sunday with hundreds of right-wing hooligans at a temporary shrine honoring victims of the Brussels suicide bombings, as investigators launched fresh anti-terror raids, taking four more people into custody....
BRUSSELS (AP) -- The bomb maker, the transporter, the landlord and the cipher. The four men slipped away after the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, and all but one reappeared as key figures in the Islamic State cell that went on to attack Brussels....
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- Syrian government forces recaptured the ancient city of Palmyra on Sunday, scoring an important victory over Islamic State fighters who waged a 10-month reign of terror there and dealing the group its first major defeat since an international agreement to battle terrorism in the fractured nation took effect last year....
Vatican City, Mar 27, 2016 / 06:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has sent a his condolences following the suicide attack against a football stadium in Iskanderiyah, Iraq which killed more than 30 people last week, many of them young boys.The Pope was “saddened by the news of the great loss of life” caused by the attack, said the message which was addressed to Archbishop, Alberto Ortega Martín Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq, and signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.“Pope Francis offers fervent prayers for the victims and their families, invoking God's mercy upon the dead and divine consolation upon those who suffer.”The attack occurred at the football pitch where trophy ceremony being held and which was attended by many young boys. The AFP reports that 17 of those killed were boys between the ages of 10 and 16, according to a medical official.The suicide bomber himself is said to have been a teenager, the BBC reports.The Islam...
Vatican City, Mar 27, 2016 / 06:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has sent a his condolences following the suicide attack against a football stadium in Iskanderiyah, Iraq which killed more than 30 people last week, many of them young boys.
The Pope was “saddened by the news of the great loss of life” caused by the attack, said the message which was addressed to Archbishop, Alberto Ortega Martín Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq, and signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“Pope Francis offers fervent prayers for the victims and their families, invoking God's mercy upon the dead and divine consolation upon those who suffer.”
The attack occurred at the football pitch where trophy ceremony being held and which was attended by many young boys. The AFP reports that 17 of those killed were boys between the ages of 10 and 16, according to a medical official.
The suicide bomber himself is said to have been a teenager, the BBC reports.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pope Francis “prays that in response to this act of senseless violence the Iraqi people will be strengthened in their resolve to reject the ways of hatred and conflict and to work together fearlessly for a future of mutual respect, solidarity and freedom.”
ATLANTA (AP) -- A battle over background checks for Uber drivers at the world's busiest airport comes as cities like Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, consider more thorough screenings to prevent criminals from getting behind the wheel....
BOSTON (AP) -- From his first days at Harvard, Merrick Garland's classmates pegged him as a star. Smartest guy in the room, self-confident, easygoing and thoughtful are some of the compliments they still pay him 40 years later....
DUBLIN (AP) -- Thousands of soldiers marched solemnly Sunday through the crowded streets of Dublin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ireland's Easter Rising against Britain, a fateful rebellion that reduced parts of the capital to ruins and fired the country's flame of independence....
BRUSSELS (AP) -- The Belgium government sought Sunday to contain criticism of its handling of the Brussels attacks, as investigators launched 13 anti-terror raids in the capital and two other cities and taking four more people in custody....
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims of the deadly terror attack in Iskanderiyeh, Iraq, on Good Friday. At least 29 people were killed in the attack, for which the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria claimed responsibility. Delivered via telegram signed by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq, Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martin, the Holy Father promises prayers for the deceased and for their loved ones, as well as for the resolve of the Iraqi people in the face of such violence.Below, please find the full text of the telegram, in English*********************************************************************The Most Reverend Alberto Ortega MartínApostolic Nuncio in IraqBAGHDADYour Excellency, I would ask you kindly to transmit the following message to the appropriate national authorities:Saddened by the news of the great loss of life caused by the terrorist ...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims of the deadly terror attack in Iskanderiyeh, Iraq, on Good Friday. At least 29 people were killed in the attack, for which the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria claimed responsibility. Delivered via telegram signed by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq, Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martin, the Holy Father promises prayers for the deceased and for their loved ones, as well as for the resolve of the Iraqi people in the face of such violence.
Below, please find the full text of the telegram, in English
*********************************************************************
The Most Reverend Alberto Ortega Martín
Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq
BAGHDAD
Your Excellency,
I would ask you kindly to transmit the following message to the appropriate national authorities:
Saddened by the news of the great loss of life caused by the terrorist attack in Iskanderiyah, His Holiness Pope Francis offers fervent prayers for the victims and their families, invoking God's mercy upon the dead and divine consolation upon those who suffer. He prays that in response to this act of senseless violence the Iraqi people will be strengthened in their resolve to reject the ways of hatred and conflict and to work together fearlessly for a future of mutual respect, solidarity and freedom.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday, following Mass in St. Peter's Square. Speaking to pilgrims and tourists gathered in the Square for the occasion, Pope Francis especially remembered the suffering peoples of Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.Recalling Christ's perfect triumph over evil and sin in the Resurrection, Pope Francis recalled all victims of terrorism everywhere. "May He draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world, as in the recent attacks in Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire," he said."The Easter message of the risen Christ," said Pope Francis, "a message of life for all humanity, echoes down the ages and invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrant...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday, following Mass in St. Peter's Square. Speaking to pilgrims and tourists gathered in the Square for the occasion, Pope Francis especially remembered the suffering peoples of Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.
Recalling Christ's perfect triumph over evil and sin in the Resurrection, Pope Francis recalled all victims of terrorism everywhere. "May He draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world, as in the recent attacks in Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire," he said.
"The Easter message of the risen Christ," said Pope Francis, "a message of life for all humanity, echoes down the ages and invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees – including many children – fleeing from war, hunger, poverty and social injustice."
The Holy Father also spoke directly to all people everywhere, who struggle to keep faith and hope.
"To those in our society who have lost all hope and joy in life, to the elderly who struggle alone and feel their strength waning," he said, "to young people who seem to have no future, to all I once more address the words of the Risen One: 'See, I am making all things new… To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life' (Rev 21:5-6)." Pope Francis concluded, saying, "May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters."
Below, please find the official English translation of the Holy Father's prepared remarks
**************************************************************************
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis
Urbi et Orbi
Easter Sunday, 27 March 2016
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures for ever” (Ps 135:1)
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Easter!
Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God’s mercy, out of love for us, died on the cross, and out of love he rose again from the dead. That is why we proclaim today: Jesus is Lord!
His resurrection fulfils the prophecy of the Psalm: God’s mercy endures for ever; it never dies. We can trust him completely, and we thank him because for our sake he descended into the depths of the abyss.
Before the spiritual and moral abysses of mankind, before the chasms that open up in hearts and provoke hatred and death, only an infinite mercy can bring us salvation. Only God can fill those chasms with his love, prevent us from falling into them and help us to continue our journey together towards the land of freedom and life.
The glorious Easter message, that Jesus, who was crucified is not here but risen (cf. Mt 28:5-6), offers us the comforting assurance that the abyss of death has been bridged and, with it, all mourning, lamentation and pain (cf. Rev 21:4). The Lord, who suffered abandonment by his disciples, the burden of an unjust condemnation and shame of an ignominious death, now makes us sharers of his immortal life and enables us to see with his eyes of love and compassion those who hunger and thirst, strangers and prisoners, the marginalized and the outcast, the victims of oppression and violence. Our world is full of persons suffering in body and spirit, even as the daily news is full of stories of brutal crimes which often take place within homes, and large-scale armed conflicts which cause indescribable suffering to entire peoples.
The risen Christ points out paths of hope to beloved Syria, a country torn by a lengthy conflict, with its sad wake of destruction, death, contempt for humanitarian law and the breakdown of civil concord. To the power of the risen Lord we entrust the talks now in course, that good will and the cooperation of all will bear fruit in peace and initiate the building of a fraternal society respectful of the dignity and rights of each citizen. May the message of life, proclaimed by the Angel beside the overturned stone of the tomb, overcome hardened hearts and promote a fruitful encounter of peoples and cultures in other areas of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, Yemen and Libya. May the image of the new man, shining on the face of Christ, favour concord between Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land, as well as patience, openness and daily commitment to laying the foundations of a just and lasting peace through direct and sincere negotiations. May the Lord of life also accompany efforts to attain a definitive solution to the war in Ukraine, inspiring and sustaining initiatives of humanitarian aid, including the liberation of those who are detained.
The Lord Jesus, our peace (Eph 2:14), by his resurrection triumphed over evil and sin. May he draw us closer on this Easter feast to the victims of terrorism, that blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world, as in the recent attacks in Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire. May he water the seeds of hope and prospects for peace in Africa; I think in particular of Burundi, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, marked by political and social tensions.
With the weapons of love, God has defeated selfishness and death. His son Jesus is the door of mercy wide open to all. May his Easter message be felt ever more powerfully by the beloved people of Venezuela in the difficult conditions which they are experiencing, and by those responsible for the country’s future, that everyone may work for the common good, seeking spaces of dialogue and cooperation with all. May efforts be made everywhere to promote the culture of counter, justice and reciprocal respect, which alone can guarantee the spiritual and material welfare of all people.
The Easter message of the risen Christ, a message of life for all humanity, echoes down the ages and invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees – including many children – fleeing from war, hunger, poverty and social injustice. All too often, these brothers and sisters of ours meet along the way with death or, in any event, rejection by those who could offer them welcome and assistance. May the forthcoming World Humanitarian Summit not fail to be centred on the human person and his or her dignity, and to come up with policies capable of assisting and protecting the victims of conflicts and other emergencies, especially those who are most vulnerable and all those persecuted for ethnic and religious reasons.
On this glorious day, “let the earth rejoice, in shining splendour” (cf. Easter Proclamation), even though it is so often mistreated and greedily exploited, resulting in an alteration of natural equilibria. I think especially of those areas affected by climate change, which not infrequently causes drought or violent flooding, which then lead to food crises in different parts of the world.
Along with our brothers and sisters persecuted for their faith and their fidelity to the name of Christ, and before the evil that seems to have the upper hand in the life of so many people, let us hear once again the comforting words of the Lord: “Take courage; I have conquered the world! (Jn 16:33). Today is the radiant day of this victory, for Christ has trampled death and destruction underfoot. By his resurrection he has brought life and immortality to light (cf. 2 Tim 1:10). “He has made us pass from enslavement to freedom, from sadness to joy, from mourning to jubilation, from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption. Therefore let us acclaim in his presence: Alleluia!” (Melito of Sardis, Easter Homily).
To those in our society who have lost all hope and joy in life, to the elderly who struggle alone and feel their strength waning, to young people who seem to have no future, to all I once more address the words of the Risen One: “See, I am making all things new… To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life” (Rev 21:5-6). May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters.
