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NEW YORK (AP) -- Martin Shkreli, the eccentric former pharmaceutical CEO notorious for a price-gouging scandal and for his snide "Pharma Bro" persona on social media, was convicted Friday on federal charges he deceived investors in a pair of failed hedge funds....
Vatican Weekend for August 6th, 2017 features our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel reading, “There’s more in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye,” plus our resident Vatican watcher Joan Lewis reviews the past week’s events in the Vatican.Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for August 6th, 2017 features our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel reading, “There’s more in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye,” plus our resident Vatican watcher Joan Lewis reviews the past week’s events in the Vatican.
Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for August 5th, 2017 features a report on Pope Francis’ Wednesday general audience where he spoke about the sacrament of baptism in his continuing reflections on Christian Hope, we explore the life and personality of St. Teresia Benedicta of the Cross, born as Edith Stein, whose death at the hands of the Nazis in Auschwitz took place 75 years ago this week and we end with a tour of the stunning artworks inside Rome’s basilica of St. Mary Major to coincide with the anniversary of the church’s consecration on August 5th.Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
Vatican Weekend for August 5th, 2017 features a report on Pope Francis’ Wednesday general audience where he spoke about the sacrament of baptism in his continuing reflections on Christian Hope, we explore the life and personality of St. Teresia Benedicta of the Cross, born as Edith Stein, whose death at the hands of the Nazis in Auschwitz took place 75 years ago this week and we end with a tour of the stunning artworks inside Rome’s basilica of St. Mary Major to coincide with the anniversary of the church’s consecration on August 5th.
Listen to this program produced and presented by Susy Hodges:
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has released a video message accompanying his monthly prayer intention for August.This month’s intention is for artists: "That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation."The text of the video message reads:The arts give expression to the beauty of the faith and proclaim the Gospel message of the grandeur of God’s creation.When we admire a work of art or a marvel of nature, we discover how everything speaks to us of Him and of His love.That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation.The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed the "Pope Video" initiative to assist in the worldwide dissemination of monthly intentions of the Holy Father in relation to the challenges facing humanity.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has released a video message accompanying his monthly prayer intention for August.
This month’s intention is for artists: "That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation."
The text of the video message reads:
The arts give expression to the beauty of the faith and proclaim the Gospel message of the grandeur of God’s creation.
When we admire a work of art or a marvel of nature, we discover how everything speaks to us of Him and of His love.
That artists of our time, though their creativity, may help us discover the beauty of creation.
The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed the "Pope Video" initiative to assist in the worldwide dissemination of monthly intentions of the Holy Father in relation to the challenges facing humanity.
(Vatican Radio) Sister Antasia Gill, newly elected Christian member in the Delhi Minority Commission, has set her priorities right. “I have to bring out the unheard voices and concerns of the community before the administration,” says the Presentation nun who goes by the name Sister Sneha.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal included teacher-turned-social-worker-turned lawyer when his government reconstituted the minority commission on July 14.Sister Gill sees the new position as an opportunity to work for the people. “It is also a huge responsibility,” says the nun who hails from Jammu and Kashmir.Speaking to Ajay Kumar Singh of Matters India in an interview she said, it is a moment of joy for her congregation and for her too, as she deems it an opportunity to work for her community and people who are in troubled waters from all directions. She feels it is also a huge responsibility entrusted to her on behalf of Delhi minority groups, who feel voicel...
(Vatican Radio) Sister Antasia Gill, newly elected Christian member in the Delhi Minority Commission, has set her priorities right. “I have to bring out the unheard voices and concerns of the community before the administration,” says the Presentation nun who goes by the name Sister Sneha.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal included teacher-turned-social-worker-turned lawyer when his government reconstituted the minority commission on July 14.
Sister Gill sees the new position as an opportunity to work for the people. “It is also a huge responsibility,” says the nun who hails from Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to Ajay Kumar Singh of Matters India in an interview she said, it is a moment of joy for her congregation and for her too, as she deems it an opportunity to work for her community and people who are in troubled waters from all directions. She feels it is also a huge responsibility entrusted to her on behalf of Delhi minority groups, who feel voiceless, helpless and even sidetracked from the main stream of the population in the country.
Her task will be to do advocacy and lobby for the minority communities. She is expected to represent and redress concerns, issues and needs of the community.
The commission she says would prioritize issues. They will follow up on atrocities, cases and attacks on Christians and churches; monitor the progress made in those cases, take note of complaints from every individual as well as community, keep a tab on media reports to understand the community’s concerns and pursue and monitor the progress.
Another priority she says is developing Christian Heritage Centre in Delhi; where Christians from every part of India — from Kanyakumari to Kashmir irrespective of their languages and cultures –find a place to live. For her the proposed center would make the Christian community feel at home and show to the world the face of unity and solidarity as much as kindness and love.
In collaboration with the National Council of Churches in India, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and other Christian groups she wishes to address the community’s problems.
Sr. Sneha was born in Ranbir Singh Pura in Jammu and Kashmir, close to International Border with Pakistan. Influenced by an Irish Sister, Loyola Beck, who visited the poor and needy families, hospitals, orphanages as well as prisoners and touched by her love, kindness and compassion for the poor and needy people, she embraced religious life. As a junior sister, she started visiting slums and other areas in Old Delhi. She told herself that if her ministry is socially relevant, her life will be meaningful. She did her masters in Social Work and then went on to study law.
When she completed the course, the legal unit of the Indian Social Institute (ISI) had a vacancy and she was asked to join. Her role was to prepare document on legal issues and organize para-legal trainings. She later joined Human Rights Law Networks (HRLN) in 2012.
Now as a member of the Minority Commission she is sure of addressing address the concerns of her people. She wishes to make the concerned people and authorities accountable for the lapses as well as make the administration responsible for the good of the community. (mattersindia)
On the second day of the SACBC Plenary being held at Mariannhill, South Africa’s Bishop João Rodrigues of the Diocese of Tzaneen has said that racism is not only a problem but a sin. He stated that failure to address this issue now would lead South Africa to a worse-off situation in the future.Bishop Rodrigues said that those who are racists are sick and are injured people who need healing, as much as those who were affected by racism. He added that South Africa should be healed from memories of the past, and this does not mean forgetting past events. Instead, past events should be approached with a new spirit.The Bishop of Tzaneen says that tackling the problem of racism requires fraternal sharing and confrontation of past experiences. He said that the Church should be the first agent to address this issue because she understands better the dignity of the human person made in the image of God. She also knows what the Kingdom of God is all about.Explaining the Kingdom...
On the second day of the SACBC Plenary being held at Mariannhill, South Africa’s Bishop João Rodrigues of the Diocese of Tzaneen has said that racism is not only a problem but a sin. He stated that failure to address this issue now would lead South Africa to a worse-off situation in the future.
Bishop Rodrigues said that those who are racists are sick and are injured people who need healing, as much as those who were affected by racism. He added that South Africa should be healed from memories of the past, and this does not mean forgetting past events. Instead, past events should be approached with a new spirit.
The Bishop of Tzaneen says that tackling the problem of racism requires fraternal sharing and confrontation of past experiences. He said that the Church should be the first agent to address this issue because she understands better the dignity of the human person made in the image of God. She also knows what the Kingdom of God is all about.
Explaining the Kingdom of God in relation to the problem of racism in South Africa, Bishop Rodrigues used the analogy of the parable of the net found in the Bible. He said that the Kingdom of God is something dynamic other than static. It requires all to take part in it and experience it. The Kingdom of God is inclusive and knows no race. Before God everybody is equal, and all have the same dignity.
Bishop Rodrigues said that there is a possibility that some people in South Africa were not racists before but may now be racists because they are not able to embrace change. He gave an example of the late 1970s when he was in the seminary. At the time, white people were dominant even in the whole administration, but the reality now is different. The seminary is black with a white minority. This kind of change should be embraced, he said. It reflects the dynamism of the Kingdom of God; It has to be always discovered.
According to Bishop Rodrigues, life should not be seen in terms of race distinctions. All persons are equal in dignity before God. The Bishop also referred to the Genocide in Rwanda where people of the same race killed each other. Another group undermined the dignity of the other. It was not about colour; it was the sickness of perceiving another person as not being equal in dignity.
“In South Africa, we are a rainbow nation, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu declared and this should be treasured. We are making one beautiful nation,” the Bishop said. He urged South Africans not be afraid of fraternal confrontation where racism is concerned.
“Fraternal confrontation is very important in addressing the problem of racism in South Africa. We need to sit around and tell each other fraternally about what they did to us so that healing and reconciliation can be achieved. The wounds of the past should be touched as to bring healing to them,” Bishop Rodrigues said
The Bishop of Tzaneen also underscored the importance of the Eucharist as a place where all should come for healing. He invited fellow Bishops to be the first agents of this healing. Bringing healing to matters of race, in South Africa, should be part of the mission of Bishops. Bishops should work together to bring about healing and reconciliation within the Church and in society. He concluded by urging Southern Africa’s Bishops to do all they can to bring healing and reconciliation to South Africa.
For more information about the Southern Africa Bishops’ discussion on racism kindly contact Archbishop William Slattery and arrange time for an interview. Contact: +27-834685473
(SACBC)
Email:engafrica@vatiradio.va
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ueslei Marcelino, ReutersBy Junno Arocho EstevesVATICANCITY (CNS) -- In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican called on thegovernment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to respect the will of thepeople and respect the nation's current constitution. The Vaticanurged Maduro "tosuspend ongoing initiatives such as the new Constituent Assembly, which,rather than fostering reconciliation and peace, encourages a climate of tensionand confrontation and mortgages the future," said a statement released Aug. 4 by the Vatican Secretariat of State.Elections for seats on the assemblywere held around the country July 30 amid massive protests and internationaloutcry. Maduro's push for the assembly, comprised mainly of his supporters and designed to rewritethe nation's constitution, has led to violent demonstrations in whichmore than 100 people have died.TheVatican's statement echoed a declaration made by members of the presidingcouncil of the Venezuelan bishops' conference ...
IMAGE: CNS photo/Ueslei Marcelino, Reuters
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican called on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to respect the will of the people and respect the nation's current constitution.
The Vatican urged Maduro "to suspend ongoing initiatives such as the new Constituent Assembly, which, rather than fostering reconciliation and peace, encourages a climate of tension and confrontation and mortgages the future," said a statement released Aug. 4 by the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Elections for seats on the assembly were held around the country July 30 amid massive protests and international outcry. Maduro's push for the assembly, comprised mainly of his supporters and designed to rewrite the nation's constitution, has led to violent demonstrations in which more than 100 people have died.
The Vatican's statement echoed a declaration made by members of the presiding council of the Venezuelan bishops' conference who condemned the elections as "unconstitutional as well as unnecessary, inconvenient and damaging to the Venezuelan people."
"It will be a biased and skewed instrument that will not resolve but rather aggravate the acute problems of the high cost of living and the lack of food and medicine that the people suffer and will worsen the political crisis we currently suffer," the bishops said July 27.
Maduro declared victory following the election, claiming high voter turnout. While the government said that 8 million citizens voted in favor of establishing the Constituent Assembly, the company that provided voting machines for the election said the turnout numbers results were tampered with.
According to the BBC, Antonio Mugica, CEO of Smartmatic, announced at a news conference in London July 31 that voter turnout result estimates were falsified by the country's National Electoral Council.
The news agency Reuters reported Aug. 2 that it had reviewed official election documents that stated only 3.7 million votes were registered 30 minutes before polls were closed.
Two days after the vote, security forces raided the homes of opposition members Leopoldo Lopez and Antonio Ledezma. Government intelligence officials said both men were arrested for violating the terms of their house arrests, claiming they planned to flee the country after the elections.
Expressing concern over the "radicalization and worsening" of the crisis and "the increased number of dead, wounded and detained," the Vatican said Pope Francis was "closely following the situation."
The pope "assures his constant prayer for the country and for all Venezuelans, while inviting the faithful around the world to pray intensely for this intention," the Vatican said.
The Vatican called for a "negotiated solution" that would provide humanitarian aid, fair elections and the release of political prisoners, and it appealed for an end to the violence that has plagued the country.
"The Holy See addresses an urgent appeal to the whole society to avoid any form of violence, in particular by inviting the security forces to refrain from the excessive and disproportionate use of force," the Vatican statement said.
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Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju.
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MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The memes and mockery abound, but "Sharknado," which has conquered audiences, netted dozens of celebrity cameos such as George R.R. Martin, Ne-Yo and Kelly Osbourne, and has turned into an annual event. The fifth installment of the TV movie series about airborne sharks arrives Sunday with new celebrities and international settings....
BETHELEHEM, West Bank (AP) -- Has Banksy struck again in familiar territory?...
ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) -- Authorities say two baby sitters have been charged with putting five children infested with fleas, bedbugs and lice into the back of a U-Haul truck in Ohio....
