After two major Philippines quakes, Catholic bishops call for prayers and aid

Quezon City, Philippines, Dec 10, 2019 / 04:01 pm (CNA).- Listening is the first step in evangelization, the newly-appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples said Tuesday in Quezon City.

“Evangelization is communication. God is a God who communicates, who dialogues. But He is also a God who listens,” Cardinal Luis Tagle said Dec. 10, according to ABS-CBN News.

He was speaking during a meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, which included the groundbreaking of the Veritas Asia Institute of Social Communications.

Cardinal Tagle encouraged a “spirituality of listening, to God, to neighbors and to the signs of the times.”

“Listening comes first,” he stated. “Many people are longing for someone and a community to listen. Even if you have no words, you communicate your presence, your compassion, your unity.”

The cardinal commented that “we are all in a hurry, rushing to say something, to issue a statement even when we have not heard yet. We have already something prepared without knowing what the question or statement is.”

He added that the Church needs people “who generate greater trust and confidence, as “in our world today [there is] so much fear, suspicion and prejudice. We don’t know whom to trust. We need people who can generate that atmosphere of trust.”

Cardinal Tagle also reflected that “having a beautiful building in itself does not guarantee evangelisation; it is the training and formation of people,” saying that “some of the most memorable catechetical lessons were learned under a tree” when he was a child. “If I were asked where we had these catechetical lessons, I could not name any building. Children were gathered. We had cookies. We had candies. And we came to the lessons.”

The cardinal, who is 62, was appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Dec. 8. He had served as Archbishop of Manila since 2011.

He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Imus at age 24, and was appointed bishop of that see in 2001.

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Colombo, Sri Lanka, May 2, 2019 / 02:09 pm (CNA).- Following terrorist attacks and ongoing threats to safety, Masses will be suspended in the Archdiocese of Colombo for a second week, Catholic leaders have said.

Fr. Edmund Tillakaratne, a spokesperson for the archdiocese, told journalists Thursday that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had decided to suspend weekend Masses for a second weekend, according to the AP.

Two weekends ago, on Easter Sunday, bombs detonated at two Catholic churches, an evangelical church, three hotels, and a private residence, killing at least 257 people and injuring at least 500 others. Of the injured, 47 are still hospitalized for their injuries, the AP reported.

Last weekend, Cardinal Ranjith celebrated a televised Mass at his residence in lieu of the cancelled public Masses. A funeral service was held April 23 for many of the victims of the attacks.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and Sri Lankan officials believe that nine suicide bombers were involved in the attacks, according to the AP. Multiple arrests have also been made as officials search for additional suspects connected to the attacks, but officials have warned that some suspects are still at large.

Even though Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war ended in 2009, the island nation has suffered periodic bouts of violence ever since. Sri Lanka is a majority-Buddhist country; the small minority of Christians in the country (fewer that 8%) are mostly Catholics. Roughly 10% of the population are Muslims.

Cardinal Ranjith criticized the government for “absolutely unacceptable” behavior, in ignoring intelligence that may have led to the prevention of the attacks. The country’s chief of police and defense minister have both resigned following criticisms of mishandling intelligence related to the attacks.

Sri Lankan officials have taken several safety precautions in the wake of the attacks, including banning face veils, and banning the Islamist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath which was reportedly behind the attacks.

Ranjith has also warned that failure to provide sufficient security in the aftermath of the attacks may lead to more violence.

In his April 28 sermon Ranjith reflected on the mercy of God: “The finest expression of God’s love is God’s mercy. Therefore we must love and respect each other,” he said.

He also prayed for a greater respect for human life, and for the victims of the Easter attacks.

“We feel truly sorry for all the families that have lost their loved ones and their dear ones. And I ask you dear brothers and sisters, please pray for them. They were the treasure of our lives, of our faith, of our existence. We pray for them; Lord receive them into your care and your love.”

“We will help all those who are left destitute,” he added. “Let’s think of this today as we commemorate one week of (the loss of these people). I ask you please do something good today to another person, and (offer it) for the wellbeing of these people. May the Good Lord bless and keep each and everyone of them always in his love.”

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Broome, Australia, Mar 11, 2020 / 10:00 am (CNA).- Australian Bishop Christopher Saunders of Broome has temporarily stepped back from his duties following allegations of historical sexual abuse. The Vatican has begun an investigation into claims t… […]