Minneapolis, Minn., Sep 25, 2019 / 05:08 pm (CNA).- The Catholic Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis has begun a series of “prayer and listening events” to help prepare for the 2021 archdiocesan synod.
In an interview with Relevant Radio,… […]
Urumqi, China, Sep 25, 2019 / 04:16 pm (CNA).- As China’s detention of Muslims of the country’s northwest in re-education camps continues, few countries are openly denouncing the practice in the face of the clout of the world’s second-largest economy.
An estimated 1 million Uighurs, members of a Muslim ethnoreligious group, have been detained in re-education camps in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, a region in China’s northwest that is roughly the size of Iran.
Inside the camps they are reportedly subjected to forced labor, torture, and political indoctrination. Outside the camps, Uighurs are monitored by pervasive police forces and facial recognition technology.
The Chinese government has said reports on the camps by Western governments and media are unfounded, claiming they are vocational training centers and that it is combatting extremism.
During a Sept. 23 UN event on religious freedom, US vice president Mike Pence mentioned that “the Communist Party in China has arrested Christian pastors, banned the sale of Bibles, demolished churches, and imprisoned more than a million Uighurs in the Muslim population,” and a fact sheet issued by the White House said the administration “is deeply concerned” for the interned Uighurs.
And the US State Department hosted a panel on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Sept. 24 to draw attention to the “human rights crisis in Xinjiang,” where partipants heard first-hand accounts of repression of Muslim groups in Xinjiang.
John Sullivan, deputy secretary of state, said at the panel that “The UN must seek the immediate, unhindered, and unmonitored access to Xinjiang for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The United Nations, including its member states, have a responsibility to stand up for the human rights of people everywhere, including Muslims in Xinjiang. We urge the UN to investigate and closely monitor China’s rights abuses, including the repression of religious freedom and belief.”
“We cannot be the only guardians of the truth nor the only members of the international community to call out China and demand that they stop,” Sullivan stated.
The panel was co-sponsored by Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and in attendence were representatives of more than 20 non-governmental organizations and 30 UN member states, as well as the European Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Pakistan is among the few Muslim-majority countries to have warned against the escalating persecution of the Uighurs.
In September 2018 Noorul Haq Qadri, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, advised Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing that Beijing’s crackdowns on Uighur activity would only fuel extremism, rather than mitigate it.
Earlier this year, the US ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, said Islamic countries should be more vocal in criticizing China’s mistreatment of the Uighurs.
“I have been disappointed that more Islamic countries have not spoken out. I know the Chinese have been threatening them and but you don’t back down to somebody that does that. That just encourages more actions,” Brownback said in an interview with The Guardian published June 10.
Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, said earlier this year that “China has the right to take anti-terrorism and de-extremism measures to safeguard national security,” and that “Saudi Arabia respects and supports it and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China.”
And according to The Guardian, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation passed a resolution in March praising China for “providing care to its Muslim citizens”.
The Guardian also reported that Brownback “applauded Turkey for taking a outspoken approach.”
In an article published Sept. 25 in the New York Times, Jane Perlez detailed China’s success in encouraging other states to refrain from speaking about its internment camps for Muslims.
Perlez wrote that during a recent visit to Beijing, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan “was largely silent” on the incarceration and forced assimilation of Muslims in Xinjiang, which she called “an about-face from a decade ago.”
According to Perlez, China, “backed by its diplomatic and economic might … has largely succeeded in quashing criticism.”
Perlez noted that China helped Turkey to secure a $3.6 billion loan last year, and that the prime minister of New Zealand – which sells much of its main exports to China – said that she brought up Xinjiang “privately” with Chinese president Xi Jinping when she visited Beijing.
The Times’ Beijing bureau chief wrote that three EU diplomats visited Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang this year, during which “at one camp, the class sang the Communist Party anthem. As they did, one Uighur man caught the eye of a diplomat and held up his wrists as if clamped together by handcuffs.”
During the Sept. 24 panel on the human rights crisis in Xinjiang, Sullivan stated that “China has hosted Potemkin tours in a failed attempt to prove … that its actions are undertaken in a humane manner.”
“If there were nothing to hide, diplomats and independent investigators would be allowed to travel freely throughout Xinjiang, and for that matter, Tibet. We must ask ourselves: what is the Chinese Communist Party afraid of? What are they trying to hide?”
Sullivan concluded, saying, “I would like to take the opportunity to commend those who have already joined us in standing up for the rights of the more than one million members of ethnic and religious minority groups the Chinese government is abusing. We invite others to join the international effort to demand and compel an immediate end to China’s horrific campaign of repression.”
Washington D.C., Sep 25, 2019 / 03:15 pm (CNA).- A federal judicial nominee during his confirmation process was questioned by a U.S. senator over an op-ed on abortion that he wrote as a college undergraduate.
“In 2001, you wrote an article … […]
Metuchen, N.J., Sep 25, 2019 / 02:48 pm (CNA).- More than 700 people participated in a nine-mile pilgrimage through the streets of New Jersey’s Hunterdon County on Saturday in order to call for a spiritual awakening and increased discipleship in the Diocese of Metuchen.
The Sept. 21 pilgrimage was part of the diocese’s preparation for consecration to Christ through Our Lady of Guadalupe, which will take place on her feast, Dec. 12.
The journey was a loop that began and ended at Immaculate Conception Parish in Annandale, about 30 miles west of Metuchen.
During the pilgrimage the participants, among whom were 23 priests, prayed the rosary in both English and Spanish, and sang Marian hymns. The priests were available to hear confessions during the walk, and there was Eucharistic Adoration and a Holy Hour at the six-mile point of the pilgrimage.
Those who couldn’t join the procession, the parish held day-long Eucharistic adoration.
The choice of a nine-mile pilgrimage was significant to the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s apparition in Mexico.
“Deep in our spiritual tradition ‘pilgrimages’ signify and make present our ultimate journey home to heaven, recalling the truth that ‘as Christians, we have no earthly home,’” said Fr. Timothy Christy, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Metuchen. “Our pilgrimage commemorated the miles that St. Juan Diego regularly walked from his home to attend his catechesis to become Catholic in 1524.”
Christy hopes that the people of the diocese will be moved to imitate St. Juan Diego’s spirituality in their own lives, and be centered on Christ and the Church.
“St. Juan Diego’s heart was so moved by the love of Jesus and His Church and love of the Virgin Mary, no obstacle was too much to keep him from being joined to the Body of Christ and so to be able then to be prepared to receive Holy Communion,” said Christy.
“It is our hope that the people of our diocese will be reinvigorated by that same love for Jesus, the same love for His Church and the inspiration and protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Sr. Anna Nguyen, SSC, described being “overwhelmed with emotion,” and said the experience of the Eucharistic procession was one she will never forget.
Nguyen, a delegate for religious, helped coordinate the spiritual aspects of the pilgrimage.
“To see the faces of the people, all ages – clergy, religious, Eucharistic youth, young people, little children in carriages being pushed by their parents – all experiencing that we do not walk alone, Christ travels the ‘Way’ of our life with us!” said Nguyen.
“Even if (pilgrims) couldn’t see the Eucharist from the back of the procession, the Lord’s presence was palpable,” she added.
Bishop James Cecchio of Metuchen participated in the last three miles of the pilgrimage and celebrated Mass at the conclusion. An additional 300 people were present for the anticipated Mass.
Checchio encouraged those present to be open to sacrifice in their discipleship, and to commit their lives to Jesus.
“By this Eucharist today, by our pilgrimage – 9 miles walking with the Lord and one another – we make a public statement to our Lord and to one another of where we choose to place our heart,” said Checchio.
“We ask the Lord to light our hearts on fire, we ask the Lord to strengthen us for the challenges and the difficulties that we and our families face…as we strive to bring the merciful presence of Christ to all who do not know Him yet,” he said.
“I thank God for your striving to live this way, and I thank God for your witness today that you give through this pilgrimage – the times we live in, our times need more witnesses to Christ.”
Buffalo, N.Y., Sep 25, 2019 / 12:53 pm (CNA).- The district attorney in Erie County has begun a criminal investigation into claims of sexual harassment raised by a former seminarian against a local priest.
Former seminarian Matthew Bojanowski says he … […]
New York City, N.Y., Sep 25, 2019 / 12:30 pm (CNA).- A priest of the Archdiocese of New York has been cleared of accusations of sexual abuse after the judge dismissed the case at the request of District Attorney’s office.
“We we… […]
Today’s first reading is from an explication of the academic program of the reconfigured Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences by Msgr. Pierangelo Sequeri, the institute’s rector (translation provided by […]
Vatican City, Sep 25, 2019 / 05:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis said Wednesday that slander is a ‘diabolical cancer’ that seriously damages the Church.
“We know that slander always kills. This ‘diabolical cancer,’ which arises from the desire to destroy a person’s reputation, also attacks the rest of the ecclesial body,” Pope Francis said Sept. 25 in his general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
The pope warned that slander seriously damages the Church when “there is a coalition to smear someone” due to “petty interests or to cover up their own inadequacies.”
The Catholic Church teaches that the sins of slander, or calumny, involve remarks contrary to the truth that harm the reputation of others and give occasion for false judgments concerning them.
“To avoid rash judgement, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favourable way,” paragraph 2478 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states.
“Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity,” the catechism states.
Pope Francis pointed to the Sanhedrin’s false witnesses and accusations made against Jesus before his crucifixion, and the slanders against Christian martyrs throughout history.
He focused on the Acts of the Apostles account of St. Stephen’s strong words in response to his slanderers’ before his martyrdom.
“Stephen bravely denounces the hypocrisy with which the prophets and Christ himself have been treated,” Francis said. “He speaks clearly, he tells the truth.”
“This causes the violent reaction of the listeners, and Stephen is sentenced to death, sentenced to stoning,” he added.
Pope Francis noted that Stephen did not “look for loopholes” or “appeal to personalities who could save him” after his death sentence, but instead “put his life back into the Lord’s hands.”
“Stephen’s prayer is beautiful at that moment: ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,’” he said.
“He died as a son of God, forgiving: ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ These words of Stephen teach us that it is not fine speeches that reveal our identity as children of God, but only the abandonment of one’s life in the hands of the Father and forgiveness for those who offend us, who see the quality of our faith,” Pope Francis said.
The pope said that the Acts of the Apostles also recounts “the emergence of some problems within the Christian community.”
“There have always been problems,” the pope said.
The apostles had to determine how to harmonize the differences that coexisted within the early Christian community “without conflicts or splits happening,” he said.
“The Apostles begin a process of discernment which consists in considering the difficulties well and seeking solutions together,” Pope Francis explained. “They find a way out in dividing up the various tasks for peaceful growth of the entire ecclesial body and avoiding neglecting both the ‘race’ of the Gospel and the care of the poorest members.”
The pope said that martyrdom also ensured the growth and fruitfulness of the People of God.
“We also ask the Lord that, looking at the martyrs of yesterday and today, we can learn to live a full life, welcoming the martyrdom of daily fidelity to the Gospel and of conformation to Christ,” Pope Francis said.
Manila, Philippines, Sep 25, 2019 / 12:03 am (CNA).- A Catholic bishop in the Philippines called for a strong response from the government to fight poliovirus, following an announcement last week from health officials that the once-eradicated disease h… […]
Cornwall, Canada, Sep 24, 2019 / 07:01 pm (CNA).- Beginning the plenary assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Monday, Bishop Lionel Gendron of Saint-Jean-Longueuil called his fellow bishops to embrace their role as teachers, especially of the younger generations.
“We are blessed this week with an opportunity, afforded to us only once a year, to gather as the episcopate in Canada and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to address important questions, to shed light on emerging concerns as well as to identify and chart the course of pastoral activity which deserves special attention on the part of the Church in our country,” Bishop Gendron, president of the Canadian bishops’ conference, said Sept. 23.
“As pastors with a mandate to evangelize, we owe it not only to the current generation, but to future generations to ensure that our words and actions are imbued with the Gospel and reflect the holiness of the Church established by Christ himself,” he reflected.
The Canadian bishops’ plenary is being held in Cornwall Sept. 23-27.
The keynote address was given by Archbishop Giampietro Dal Toso, president of the Pontifical Mission Societies and adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, on the missionary nature of the Church.
The plenary assembly will also address the challenges to religious freedom and freedom of conscience, particularly after the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia in the country; as well as the northern dioceses; youth protection; the youth synod; and pastoral care of indigenous peoples.
Regarding the prevention of sexual abuse, the assembly is emphasizing action, accompaniment, and atonement.
In his report to the assembly, Bishop Gendron said that “as Scripture insists, we must exercise special solicitude for young people. Their faith, which can be expressed with the greatest fervour, is also the most fragile.”
“We shall reflect further on the awareness that the entire community is called to evangelize the young, and the urgent need for the young to exercise greater leadership through forms of service in their local communities,” he said.
The bishop said that “legislation and policies of governments at all levels as well as recent court rulings across the country have, as of late, shown contempt for those moral beliefs of Christians which run counter the thrust of other, ostensibly more progressive, social views.”
“The moral fabric of our country is well in the process of being reshaped,” he said, noting the legalization of recreational cannabis and a court decision overriding conscientious objection to euthanasia and abortion for medical professionals.
Bishop Gendron added that “while moral setbacks, such as these, are reason for deep concern, it remains important, as faith leaders, to make our voices heard –when possible in consort with other faith leaders –for change is not beyond hope, however moderate it may be, as witnessed this past year with the Canada Summer Jobs program.”
He noted that young people’s faith is “the most fragile,” and said that technological change, social media, and gender theory “are shaping a new generation of young people,” adding that youth “remain susceptible to powerful and enticing social and ideological forces outside the Church.”
Bishop Gendron lamented the fragility of the family, for “it is within the context of the family that the seeds of a lifelong and stable commitment to Christ and to the faith are both planted and cultivated over the course of many years through the ups and downs of daily life.”
He said evangelical efforts must foster deep roots in the Church. While events such as World Youth Day and the International Youth Forum are “great celebrations of faith designed with the pastoral care of young people in mind,” they “do not always lead the young participants to make commitments to Christ and the Church which live on at the same level of intensity after the events have faded into the background of their busy lives.”
He said it is the role of the Church to educate future generations and even the parents of those children. He encouraged clerics to embrace their duty as the “teachers of the teachers of the faith.”
“In all that pertains to teaching and formation, then, we must give great priority, be it our work in revising the national programs for priestly formation or supporting lay catechists and Catholic teachers in their mission as witnesses to the faith,” he said.
“Whatever we pass on by whatever means (and anything we may fail to) has a direct bearing, above all, and sometimes more than we realize, on future generations of Catholics in Canada.”
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