The central bank governor has suggested the end of subsidies for basic necessities, including medicines. Frightened citizens have emptied shelves in an unprecedented rush on pharmacies. For experts, the cuts to an already impoverished population could have "catastrophic" effects. The "In aid of devastated Beirut" campaign.
Rockets from Gaza, protests in Palestine and Bahrain mark Abraham Accords
| MIDDLE EAST – UNITED STATESIn his meeting with journalists from a Belgian Christian weekly, Francis said that “the presence of Christian media specialised in quality information on the life of the Church in the world, capable of contributing to the formation of consciences, is very important.” Christian journalists can “nurture hope in the pandemic situation the world is [now] going through.”
The 46-year-old priest returned home yesterday at 6.30pm. Msgr.Julius Jia Zhiguo was taken from his residence last August 15.
The episcopal ordination took place yesterday in Solin (Split, Croatia) led by Card Pietro Parolin. The ordination was postponed twice because of an accident and the pandemic. Mgr Jozić was appointed nuncio to Belarus a few months ago.
The underground priest was kidnapped by members of the Religious Affairs Bureau. This isn't the first time he's been arrested. His father, 86, and his mother, 70, are in need of his assistance. At least 20 priests of the diocese are under pressure to sign up for membership of the "independent Church".
“I think of the indigenous peoples in a special way, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude. And also of penance, for all the harm we have done to them”. The glaciers of Antarctica, which are melting: "It will be terrible, because the sea level will rise and this will bring so many difficulties and so much harm. And why? Global warming, by not caring for the environment, not caring for the common home ".
The situation of the Church in China has become increasingly worse since the signing of the agreement. The concordat with Nazi Germany in 1933 gave the Church freedom for a few months. Then crucifixes were removed from the schools; Catholic associations were brought back under the Nazi party; everyone was obliged to study Nazism. Fritz Stern: The concordat with the Holy See boosted Hitler's respectability in Germany and abroad.
In 24 hours a British convoy, the US embassy and US vehicles were targeted. Diplomatic sources report that paramilitary groups and militias close to Iran are behind the attacks. Retaliation against the Prime Minister's reformist and anti-corruption policies. Changes at the top of the Central Bank and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The agreement establishing diplomatic relations will be signed at noon today at the White House. This will help Trump in his election campaign and Netanyahu, who is contested at home. Both sides will enjoy mutual benefits in terms of technology and financial resources. Meanwhile, the Palestinians remain increasingly divided and isolated. The number of people present at the ceremony will be limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Since the beginning of 2020, at least 25 villages in northern Iraq have emptied. The bombings, followed by heavy fires, destroyed plants, houses and cemeteries. A scenario similar to those of the 1980s. Fr. Samir: Many people killed, just because they were near areas controlled by the PKK. A car carrying aid was hit.
For Fr. Francis Hu, a priest from central China, the "experts" celebrating the agreement have no idea of the real situation in China and the Church. Since the agreement was signed, the sale of Christian material on the internet has been blocked; churches and crosses continue to be destroyed; minors are prohibited from entering church or receiving religious formation. The agreement risks being just a political gesture, which has no relevance for Catholics in China.
The cardinal appeals to the United Nations to impose an international investigation into the incident of 4 August. And it attacks an executive who risks "resembling the previous ones", marked by sectarianism and divisions, unable to solve problems. Nabih Berry threatens the lack of support for the executive without the control of the Ministry of Finance.
Frustration, critical comments and contrary voices dominate social media. Many emphasize the "complexity" of the situation and the "problems" of a thaw in relationships. Former parliamentarian speaks of a "black day". The Shiite group Al-Wefaq denounces the "betrayal of Islam and the Arab world".
At the Angelus Pope Francis urges forgiveness in families and society. In God "justice is pervaded by mercy, while our human attitude is limited to justice". Bearing a grudge is "like an annoying summer fly". Solidarity and closeness to all the victims of the fire that broke out in the Moria (Lesbos) refugee camp which the Pope visited in 2016. May the Churches work "in favor of dialogue and in favor of reconciliation" in places of conflict between civil society and political powers. The Collection for the Holy Land.
Francis affirms, generic commitments are not enough for an integral ecology and one cannot look only to the immediate consent of one's constituents or financiers. Far reaching vision is needed, otherwise history will not forgive us”.
