In Metro Manila and throughout the country, cemeteries will be closed from October 29 to November 4, to avoid gatherings of large crowds. Msgr Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of Manila, has released a pastoral letter in which he asks the faithful to follow and abide by the rules set by the government. Faithful advised to offer a mass and pray as a family for the dead, sharing memories of the dearly departed. At present in the Philippines there are 299,361 Covid positive cases, with 5,196 deaths.
Tacloban: A 'drive-in' mass against Covid infections
| PHILIPPINESIn “a time that obliges us to social distance due to the pandemic, communication can make possible the closeness that is necessary to recognize what is essential, and to understand truly the meaning of things.”
At the Angelus Pope Francis asks for a silent prayer for the conflict in the Caucasus. His meeting with the Armenian Patriarch Karekine II is cancelled. A prayer also for migrants and refugees, on the World Day dedicated to them. Obedience does not consist in saying "yes" or "no", but in acting, in cultivating the vine, in realizing the Kingdom of God. Jesus does not point to tax collectors and prostitutes as models of life, but as "privileged of Grace ”, which God offers to anyone who opens up and converts to Him. God is patient with us:… He anxiously awaits our“ yes ”.
Pope Francis intervenes at the 75th General Assembly of the UN with a video message, extolling the United Nations as a "bridge between peoples". The pandemic is "a concrete opportunity for conversion, for transformation, for rethinking our way of life and our economic and social systems". At the root of everything is the "throwaway culture", which determines exploitation, marginalization, humiliation of human dignity and even abortion and violations of religious freedom. It is time to move from "declarationist nominalism" to the effectiveness of solidarity.
Francis speaks to the St Peter’s Circle charity association, urging them to “heart that knows how to 'see' the wounds of society and creative hands in industrious charity. These two elements are important so that a charitable action can always be fruitful ".
At the United Nations General Assembly, Antonio Guterres warns of the risk of dividing the planet according to the two great economies, which can lead to geostrategic and military divisions. The speeches of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping: the challenge between "two bullies". The United States and China will not participating in an alliance of 156 nations for the creation of an anti-Covid vaccine even for poor countries.
The news was given by Father Gregory Gaston, rector of the Pontifical Philippine college, where the cardinal currently resides, who had tested positive on 11 September, upon his arrival in Manila for a period of holidays.
“Multinational companies are listened to more than social movements”. “Or let's also think about how to treat the virus: the big pharmaceutical companies are listened to more than the health workers, working on the front line in hospitals or refugee camps. This is not the right way ”. “Everyone must have the opportunity to assume their responsibility in the healing processes of the society to which they belong”.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith publishes a document affirming the Church is also opposed to persistent therapeutic treatment, welcoming palliative care, and recommending support for the families of those who are suffering.
"Saying 'thank you' to God is a beautiful prayer. God likes this way of praying. You can also add a small question”, like “Jesus, please help the Pope lead the Church well. If you ask with faith, the Lord will certainly listen to you.”
Her family includes Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and atheists. Other imams refused to pray for her because they "suspected" that she was not Muslim. For Imam Drouiche, this type of Islam “acts with the aim of separating communities, creating conflicts and ultimately increasing resentments between French citizens with different beliefs.”
During the Angelus, Pope Francis noted that "God calls everyone and calls always, at any time". “The Church must be like God, [and] always go out,” he added. God's action "goes beyond justice". He "gives us more than we deserve". The International Eucharistic Congress has been postponed to next year, in the same venue in Budapest.
Pope Francis met with the members of the organisation that is celebrating its 20 years. the foundation is present in several countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon, Niger, Libya, Kosovo, Djibouti, Somalia, Venezuela, South Sudan and Syria, supporting medical aid projects. Pope calls for action against “pharmaceutical marginality”.
In 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.”
