"The dictatorships, all of them, began like this, by adulterating communication, by putting communication in the hands of an unscrupulous person, of a government without scruples". "Communicating scandals is hugely seductive, a great seduction. You can seduce by scandal. Good news is not seductive".
Jerusalem, five Salesian deacons ordained in the Basilica of Gethsemane
by Matthew Coutinho* | ISRAEL - INDIAIslamabad High Court hands three years to culprits in the torture case of a 10-year-old maid
by Shafique Khokhar | PAKISTAN"Man without woman – as a mother, a sister, a wife, a colleague, a friend - that man alone is not an image of God". "Jesus doctrine on woman changes history. Women before Jesus is one thing, women after Jesus is something else”.
The complaint started with the father of a young tribal ethnic Sarna who wanted to marry a Christian. The girl, the future husband and two Christians allegedly tried convert even the elderly father. The anti-conversion law provides for severe penalties for those who force the conversion of minors and tribals.
Following Pope Francis, Fr Cedric Prakash hopes the Church in India will be "bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets”. Hindu nationalists criticise the bishops' views about the country's politics. The hullabaloo by fundamentalists has only one explanation, they “are either too afraid or too ashamed of the reality."
In his message for World Day of the Poor, Francis writes that poverty is caused by sins like selfishness, pride, greed and injustice, whilst society “elevates riches as the primary objective”. Believers cannot limit their concern to providing assistance but need to show "loving attentiveness".
In a message, Francis writes that in order to meet and respond to the current migration phenomenon, the Pope writes, "the help of the whole international community is needed". "Particular concern must be shown for migrant children and their families, those who are victims of human trafficking rings".
Pakistan goes to the polls on 25 July. The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, an alliance of five ultraconservative regional parties, is using religion “to attract votes”. The Constitution already promotes Islamic law. Some want to see a focus on women's rights and unbiased education.
With today's signature, the two leaders commit to a lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula. The deal calls for the recovering the remains of prisoners of war. Kim makes an "Unwavering commitment" to denuclearise the peninsula. Trump offers security guarantees to North Korea. China approves; France has doubts. South Koreans “hope” for peace. North Korean refugees are concerned.
The civil war in the northern state has entered its seventh year. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has exceeded 150,000. Some tell of their flight from their homes and of their life in the reception facilities.
Writer Liao Yiwu spoke with Liu Xia, wife of the late dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was left to die in prison from cancer. Under house arrest, Liu Xia was promised by the government that she could leave China for treatment. But nothing has happened so far. Despite her request, Angela Merkel could not meet her. Liao pleads with politicians and ordinary people.
