The Christian Marriage and Divorce Act 2019 is set to replace two British-era laws. The changes were long overdue, but Christian stakeholders were not consulted. The draft bill has flaws and problems, and leaves too much discretionary power in the hands of the courts.
Lahore Archbishop says Christians are close to Muslims in Indian Kashmir
by Shafique Khokhar | PAKISTAN – INDIAThe meeting of the joint working group concluded at the Vatican. The Vietnamese delegation received by Pope Francis. In a joint statement released today, there is also talk of the establishment "as soon as possible" of the non-permanent papal representative in Vietnam.
At the general audience in the Paul VI hall, Pope Francis highlights the practice of sharing and helping the poor, typical of the first Christian communities. The positive example of Barnabas; the negative example of Ananias and Sapphira, marked by hypocrisy. "A life set only on profiting and taking advantage of situations at the expense of others inevitably causes inner death". The little girl who played in front of the pontiff.
The Court of Appeal of three judges dismissed the appeal by 2 to 1. He remains in prison, serving a sentence of six years. Card. Pell's lawyers plans to appeal to the High Court. The note from the Vatican.
At the Angelus, Pope Francis explains that "the fire" that Jesus came to ignite, pushes disciples "to abandon every attitude of laziness, apathy, indifference". Christianity has spread "overcoming every division between individuals, social categories, peoples and nations". It is urgent to live in "adoration of God" and in the "willingness to serve others". One cannot "combine Christian life and worldliness", "superstitious practices" and "a hostile attitude to one's neighbor".
At the Angelus, Pope Francis explains the words used by Mary in the Magnificat: Magnify and rejoice. "If we want our life to be happy, God must be placed first, because he alone is great". Closeness to the peoples of South Asia affected by the monsoons. The rosaries blessed by the Pope will be distributed to Syrian families.
National Minorities Day was established thanks to Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic minister who killed for defending Asia Bibi. Christians are discriminated against in the workplace and ignored in school books. In 2018, 16 people were charged for alleged blasphemy.
In a message published today, the pontiff expresses closeness to all those who have been touched by the tragedy and acknowledges that he does not have "pre-packaged answers". He does however reach out to the people of the city, saying "you are not alone", entrusting to Christ "our questions, our pain, our anger", urging people to look “towards the Madonna della Guardia", and calling for reconstruction in solidarity, together with the Church of Genoa.
During the Angelus, Pope Francis suggested attitudes to "grasp God’s passage in one's life". Like pilgrims, we must “be ready with clothes tight around the hips” and keep “lights burning” to enlighten with faith "the many ‘nights’ of life". The eternal joy of heaven means that “the servants, that is, us, will no longer serve God, but God himself will put himself at our service." The pontiff cited the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, which "impose limits on the use of force and are aimed at protecting civilians and prisoners in time of war." War and terrorism represent "the great human defeat".
The new statutes of the Institute for the Works of Religion will be valid for two years ad experimentum. Changes were necessary to adapt them to the needs of the times and use the collaboration and responsibility of experienced lay Catholics.
For Mgr Arshad, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, India's move will create "many problems for peace in South Asia" and the world. UN chief urges "maximum restraint". Calls are made to defuse the crisis.
For the World Resources Institute, Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Iran and Jordan are among the countries at risk. They use over 80 percent of their total water resources. Prolonged droughts and ever-rising temperatures are compounded by inadequate investment in wastewater reuse. Waste must be limited to avoid a catastrophe.
Tension remain high following India’s security measures in the disputed territory. Jammu and Kashmir is the only Indian state with a Muslim majority. The former executive secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission calls for a referendum to decide the issue of sovereignty.
At the resumption of catechesis after the summer break, Pope Francis comments on the first miracle described in the Acts of the Apostles. The "game of looks" between the cripple, Peter and John. The Church "place of liberation and healing". The memory of Edith Stein and her courageous choices: "an authentic conversion to Christ", the "gift of her life against all forms of intolerance and ideological perversion". Many pilgrims from Asia are present.
Panic among residents. The latest frictions with Pakistan began 10 days ago, after India deployed over 10,000 soldiers in the disputed region. About 20,000 tourists and pilgrims are evacuated. The army accuses Pakistani rivals of having attempted an incursion yesterday. Islamabad: "Unjustified accusation".
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