The convoy of 100 buses was bound for Mannar. There were no casualties. The presidential election is today. As of 2 pm (local time), the average turnout topped 60 per cent. Official results are expected on Monday.
Pope Francis will have lunch with poor people on World Day of the Poor in Paul VI Hall. Dioceses and parishes around the world have promoted similar initiatives of solidarity. The pontiff asked for a round of applause for Father Emilio Moscoso, a Jesuit martyr priest who was killed in 1897 and proclaimed blessed yesterday in Riobamba (Ecuador). “[H]ope in God [. . .] allows us not to be overcome by tragic events. Indeed, they are an opportunity to give ‘testimony’.” The Christian martyrs of our times, despite persecutions, are men and women of peace.
On World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis spoke of the poor as “the gatekeepers of Heaven” who make access to God who is love easier. He warned against the temptation of “haste” and “everything right now”, which makes us think as “useless” and “disposable” those who are left behind: “elderly, unborn, disabled and poor persons". We are tempted to speak “the language of the self” and not “the language of Jesus”, which is “the language of the you”. “Do I, a Christian, have at least one poor person as a friend?”
“I hope,” said the Pope in Spanish, “that my visit will help to highlight the importance of interreligious dialogue, mutual understanding and fraternal cooperation, especially in the service of the poor, those most in need, and in the service of peace.”
Pope Francis sends a video message to the pilgrims of the Fratello association who have gathered in Lourdes to celebrate the third World Day of the Poor (November 17). He addresses those who are "alone, isolated, abandoned, homeless, expelled from your family or from your country, victim of alcohol, prostitution, illness": "God hears your prayer in a special way". Live the sacraments and be "witness of God's love in your environment".
Gonila Gill is married to Husnain Jamil, a Muslim. Neither the man nor his family ever imposed her conversion to Islam. This is why everyone is persecuted. "I ask the government to protect mixed faith families like ours."
Rev Basant Kumar Paul heads the Evangelical Church in the village of Parihara. For activist, they were attacked because of their faith in Jesus Christ. The injured are in hospital in critical conditions and must undergo further surgery which they cannot pay for. The anti-conversion law is used to harass religious minorities.
Receiving participants at the "Promoting Digital Child Dignity - From Concept to Action" Conference, Francis says that tech companies must take responsibility and, while respecting privacy in general, ensure restrictions for "net surfers".
Dr Pascoal Carvalho addressed the 21st convention of India’s Catholic nurses in Mumbai. He spoke about the ethical aspects of genetic engineering, citing the doctrine of the Church towards human cloning and stem cells. Respect for human dignity must prevail “from conception to natural death”.
The vote was held on 28 September. After a first postponement until October 19th, the results had to be published today. Meanwhile, in the country ravaged by 18 years of civil war, people continue to die. Yesterday, 12 people were killed in an attack in Kabul, including a child who was going to school.
The desire could be fulfilled if - as a press release from the Holy See Press Office states - "the political situation should allow the establishment of a transitional government of national unity in the next 100 days, at the end of the agreement signed in recent days in Uganda" .
The election will be held on Saturday. A well-known environmentalist, Perera has lived in the West and would like to see more “transparency” in her country’s governance model. She is convinced that she can cut Sri Lanka’s debt to China by 60 per cent through “dialogue".
The Catholic Nurses Guild of India held its 21st convention in Mumbai. Cardinal urges them to care for the sick who are “an integral part of the Church’s life and mission". Equally, he calls on them to protect “the gift of human life from womb to tomb.”
At the general audience, Pope Francis warns against the resurgences of anti-Semitism and also remembers that "even today" there are Christians who live the faith "secretly in their homes". An appeal for Burkina Faso, after several attacks cost the lives of 100 people. The audience took place in two places: in the square and in the Paul VI hall where the sick were gathered, due to bad weather.
For five days he has been under the supervision of public security personnel, under pressure. The Party wants to force him to attend a meeting of the "independent" clergy of Fujian. A member of Mindong: Pray for him, because he is very tired.
