After decades of moving from place to place, the Tesalonika Ecumenical Christian Congregation in Banten province celebrated Good Friday in their own house of prayer. However, they still have to contend with the seals placed on the place of worship by local authorities who refuse to issue permits, partly due to hostility from local residents. Minority groups often face this kind of obstacle in Indonesia.
Today's news: The United States and Iran said to be brokering a 45-day truce, but Tehran denies negotiations and threatens retaliation. South Korea’s president expresses "regret" to North Korea for a drone incursion in the north. Afghanistan is seeking to boost trade with Central Asia to US$ 10 billion. The Gulf War is causing unsustainable price hikes for Thai families.
The Pope’s Urbi et Orbi message on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Against a backdrop where war is felt everywhere this year, the Pope did not mention specific places but invited people to reflect on the ‘true strength’ that reconciles humanity by overcoming indifference. A special prayer vigil for peace has been called, which the Pope will preside over on 11 April in St Peter’s Basilica.
The Easter message from the editorial director of AsiaNews: ‘From Lebanon to Myanmar, and to the streets of Hong Kong, a long ordeal of suffering. May the spirit of the Risen Jesus, present in our time and in our world, bring comfort and grant peace and freedom.’
In many Catholic communities across Asia, the sacrament of Christian initiation for adults is celebrated during the Easter Vigil. The testimony of Iwane Toshiya, published on the Japanese Catholics’ website. His encounter with the Catholic community through his wife and his daughters’ questions. “Little by little, I felt that surprising words such as those of the Beatitudes were entering my daily life.”
The Franciscan Amedeo Ricco – one of the key figures in the excavations that have brought to light new evidence supporting the Gospel accounts – comments on the celebrations in Jerusalem following the ‘incident’ on Palm Sunday. ‘We are experiencing a quieter Easter, which takes us back to our roots. But the Sepulchre remains the living heart from which to proclaim that death does not have the final say.’
