Maronite bishops call for a safe and dignified return of refugees. But the bases for peace and security are still missing. Lebanon risks economic and social collapse. For the UN, a repatriation plan is still premature. Fr Karam wants the international community to promote a peace process in Syria that respects everyone involved.
Muslim cleric visits Israel and meets Netanyahu, sparking anger among radicals
by Mathias Hariyadi | INDONESIA-ISRAELJerusalem, five Salesian deacons ordained in the Basilica of Gethsemane
by Matthew Coutinho* | ISRAEL - INDIADuring the Angelus, Pope Francis called on the international community to revive talks between the parties in Yemen, where a humanitarian catastrophe is underway due to war. He also focused attention on World Refugee Day, which falls on 20 June. He explained the parables of the "mysterious growth of the seed" and the "mustard seed". He called for prayers for the people of Venezuela on the occasion of the beatification of Maria Carmen Rendiles Martinez in Caracas.
Putting aside his prepared speech, Pope Francis spoke about a married couple "in love" for 60 years. He stressed the importance of "patience" in times of crisis and infidelity. The fourth chapter "is the core of Amoris Laetitia". Those who reduce the apostolic exhortation to a "sterile casuistry of 'we can' and 'we cannot' ‘did not understand anything’." The sensitivity of the Forum should not be “labelled as a confessional in order to accuse - wrongly - of partiality. It is based instead on the dignity of the human person and therefore can be recognised and shared by everyone."
An Iranian government spokesman warns that Washington could pull out of any deal as it did with the Iranian nuclear agreement. State TV expresses scepticism and doubts. Online some people are more positive, praising the two leaders for their "courage". Others note that nuclear bombs do not fill the stomachs of the people.
The Christian community opens its doors to its Muslim brothers and sisters, offering an iftar meal. In Ramallah, parish priests welcome the marginalised. For Fr Shomali, “There is an Arab saying, 'when there is bread and salt between us, we have the same blood'.”
"Man without woman – as a mother, a sister, a wife, a colleague, a friend - that man alone is not an image of God". "Jesus doctrine on woman changes history. Women before Jesus is one thing, women after Jesus is something else”.
For the end of Ramadan festival, Mar Sako addresses a message of good wishes to Muslim brothers and sisters. He expresses hopes that winning parties in the recent elections will take responsibility, overcome allegations of fraud and promote unity for an executive that moves towards reconciliation, peace, stability and reconstruction.
With today's signature, the two leaders commit to a lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula. The deal calls for the recovering the remains of prisoners of war. Kim makes an "Unwavering commitment" to denuclearise the peninsula. Trump offers security guarantees to North Korea. China approves; France has doubts. South Koreans “hope” for peace. North Korean refugees are concerned.
The civil war in the northern state has entered its seventh year. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has exceeded 150,000. Some tell of their flight from their homes and of their life in the reception facilities.
Writer Liao Yiwu spoke with Liu Xia, wife of the late dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was left to die in prison from cancer. Under house arrest, Liu Xia was promised by the government that she could leave China for treatment. But nothing has happened so far. Despite her request, Angela Merkel could not meet her. Liao pleads with politicians and ordinary people.
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