The leader of the Islamic State died three days ago in a US military operation. Southeast Asia has more than a hundred Jihadi networks loyal to the Islamic State group. in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, security forces are ready to respond to reprisals.
Church leaders express fear the country might be “slipping into the unknown”. They call on the government to take “historic and courageous” steps towards reform. They stress the need for “courageous and responsible” cultural dialogue, and call for prayers for the dead and wounded. Overnight violence in Kerbala has left 18 people dead and 865 wounded.
"It is not easy to live in hope, but I would say that it should be the air that breathes a Christian, an air of hope; on the contrary, he will not be able to walk, he cannot go on because he will not know where to go. Hope - yes, of course - gives us security ".
The place of Marian worship was abandoned during Sri Lanka’s civil war. It preserves relics from the shepherds Jacinta and Francisco. The Church wants to improve the place to return it to the devotion of the faithful.
Xinhua has not published a single line on the gathering. The neighbourhood where it is taking place has been isolated and traffic stopped. Dissidents and activists are under house arrest or strict surveillance.
The church façade became a large screen for historical and artistic images, part of celebrations for the 91st anniversary of Sumpah Pemuda, the ‘Youth Pledge’. Card Suharyo said he was “very happy to share these moments with other religious leaders”.
