Senior officials from the Ministry of Energy met with Monsignor Kleden to discuss development projects. The prelate confirmed the Church's opposition, to protect the population and the territory. In the area, 80% of the inhabitants are farmers. Behind Jakarta's pressure are the interests of multinationals.
At the end of a twelve-hour marathon the lower house of the Indian parliament passed the law that introduces controls on the management of properties donated to the Muslim organisation. The bishops of Kerala also expressed their support in the wake of the Munambam land affair. The warning of the Jesuit from Gujarat, Fr Cedric Prakash: ‘This is not the way, this law must be opposed’.
The Kremlin would like to create a traditionalist far-right party, led by special military operation veterans, to be merged with the heirs of Vladimir Zirinovskij to spur the same deputies of United Russia into more convinced patriotic activism. But the move is viewed with nervousness by Zyuganov's communists, who represent the traditional ‘popular and leftist’ Russian soul.
The great pontiff who visited India twice is remembered with a Mass in the Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus. “Pope John Paul II was a prophet, he showed a far-sighted vision,” Card Gracias told AsiaNews. He was “a popular figure for the Hindu community” as well since “his message recalled the urgency to protect personal integrity, and the commitment to charity and love towards all.” He gave “new impetus to evangelise.”
The authorities have announced “Detailed Rules” coming into effect on 1 May. Non-Chinese are asked to "respect independence and self-government" and obey the Party's instructions. Foreigners and Chinese are not allowed to take part in the same celebrations, while the number of books foreigners can bring in from abroad "for personal use" has been restricted. Extra tight control is the true face of sinicisation.
Archbishop Marco Tin Win released a message reporting the destruction of the diocesan house in Mandalay forcing the priests to sleep outdoors together with others. Despite calls for a stop to the hostilities, the military junta continues to attack resistance forces, but has admitted that it also hit a group of Chinese rescuers.
