Fr Paul talks about the many families from North America and Europe who have come back for Holy Week. Heavy rains are hindering the celebrations, but the desire to participate is very strong. A father brought his daughter from Canada to Mart (Saint) Barbara shrine in Karamles to baptise her. “We must stop looking back and think about the past, about the Islamic State,” says the clergyman. “We must build a future here, in this land, and help those who have left to come back.”
Abu Dhabi, Islamic-Christian dialogue after the Pope's visit
by Bernardo Cervellera | EMIRATES - VATICANThe Chaldean primate invites us to deepen our understanding of scripture, to better understand the events of Holy Week. We must fight against intellectual poverty and spiritual decline. From the Church the example to be humble and know how to ask forgiveness. In a Muslim society find answers to the question: how to witness to Christ?
Bridges, houses and farmland hit; the oil sector spared. The toll (still provisional) is 76 victims and 220,000 displaced persons. 25 provinces and 4400 villages hit. Rouhani asks Khamenei to release two billion from the sovereign fund. Pope sends 100 thousand euros "for the first phase of the emergency".
Persecution and martyrdom are signs of today's Christians. In Holy Week, we should remember our commitment to evangelization. Even as a minority.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are closely monitoring the situation, calling for "stability" and a "peaceful transition". The two countries are ready to support the transitional military council and want the military to stay in control. For now, Qatar is silent. A climate of instability pervades the region.
Vida Movahedi was arrested last October for showing her head uncovered in Tehran’s Enghelab Square. She was convicted of "fomenting corruption and debauchery" on 2 March, but her sentence was made public only recently. She describes her fight as “civic revolt”.
The Bengali New Year or Pohela Boishakh is celebrated in various parts of South Asia and among migrant communities. It began during the Mughal era and celebrates national harmony.
The victim, Prakash Lakra, was lynched to death by a group of 25 "cow protectors". Bishops General Secretary: "In Jharkhand politics fuels hatred". The list of harassment of Christians.
Thousands of faithful participate in the different masses. Palm Sunday celebrated on Friday and Saturday to to allow for workers to attend and given the impossibility of gathering all the faithful together at one time. For the Easter Sunday there will be 23 masses in 13 languages, from 5.30 am until midnight. The economic crisis and the unemployed. Bishop Hinder: The Master needs us.
Shalet Javet testified to Lahore High Court against her captor. She is ready "to do it again and again until he is jailed". The 15 year old was used as a sex slave. "It is not true that I converted to Islam by my own choice," she says bravely.
The market is located in an area with many Hazaras, an ethnic group targeted in the past. The IED was hidden in a sack of potatoes. About 509 Hazaras were killed between January 2012 and December 2017.
84 million first time voters. The next election date is April 18 (Holy Thursday). Episodes of violence at the polling stations; Maoists cause two attacks. The radical "secret" faction of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh launches door to door search for votes.
A bazaar will be organised for holy week to collect food, drugs and clothes for the neediest families. For Fr Samir, many families are still experiencing difficulties at a time when aid has fallen off. Grateful to AsiaNews and PIME for their financial support, he voices local concerns about the winds of war blowing in the Middle East and a possible attack against Iran. Prayers for peace are needed.
The trial of Jennifer Wenisch, 27, a former IS morality policewoman, opened yesterday in Munich. Together with her husband, a Caliphate fighter, she bought a child and her mother. Chained under the sun, the girl died "in scorching heat". The accused could get life in prison. The case highlights the problem of foreign fighters returning to their countries of origin.
The Maldivian Democratic Party, led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, won 65 seats out of a total of 87. The agreements signed with China are under careful scrutiny.
