On the feast of Divine Mercy instituted by John Paul II who was inspired by St. Faustina Kowalska, Francis called on faithful to go out and be bearers of unifying peace. In the Regina Coeli he prayed for Ukraine and announced a collection that is to be held in all Catholic Churches across Europe on 24 April, in support of the country.
From Molenbeek to Saint Denis, the peripheries of Europe’s capitals are associated with terrorism. But Francis warned that no form of intel is going to help us if we abandon a section of society. Degradation leaves the door open to manipulation by criminal organisations. Walls of selfishness must be broken down so relationships of mutual support and open communities can be built.
Pope Francis has strongly condemned those who make a profit from terrorism and war. Behind every act of violence lies one of the most thriving markets in the world, fuelled by states, criminal networks and poor checks. It is a global phenomenon; a look at Belgium, the no man’s land and the war in Syria.
Faithful Catholics in the British Isles feel a deep sense of gratitude to Mother Angelica for beaming EWTN into our homes. Desperate to receive good-quality Catholic catechesis, authentic Catholic devotions and reliable news about the Church, many of us purchased satellite dishes and receivers to watch EWTN from St. Clare Media (the EWTN Global Catholic Television and Radio charitable foundation for Great Britain). After a diet of secular programming from the BBC and mainstream media, watching Mother Angelica and EWTN was like finding an oasis in a very barren desert.
Accounts of peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. A journey to the city of Aleppo where the fragile ceasefire seems to be enduring. Franciscan friar Fr. Alsabagh says: “I see signs of solidarity and mutual respect between faithful of both religions on a daily basis”.
The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS) has hosted Abbot Notker Wolf OSB, the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation of the Order of Saint Benedict, which is the order that had been established by St. Benedict in the 6th century. This order is still in the prime of its youth as its followers spread in various parts of the world. Within the numerous activities he undertook during his visit to Jordan, Abbot Notker Wolf delivered a lecture at the Arab Thought Forum with an outstanding title that reads, “From Dialogue to Friendship among the Followers of Religions”.
Pope Francis on Monday, March 28, lamented the killings of at least 70 people in a public park in Pakistan on Easter Sunday. The Pontiff said the holiday "was bloodied by an execrable attack" and called anew for international efforts at reconciliation.
Pope Francis has lamented what he has called the "cowardly and senseless" killings of at least 70 people, mostly Christians, celebrating the Easter holiday in a public park in Pakistan on Sunday.
In his Easter message, Pope Francis said “only an infinite mercy can bring us salvation” and he mentioned Belgium, Turkey, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast and Iraq. Terror is a “blind and brutal form of violence which continues to shed blood in different parts of the world”. He also spared a thought for Syria, Yemen and Libya and urged people not to forget about migrants and refugees.
Via Crucis meditations at Rome’s Colosseum include themes varying from abuse to those fleeing war-torn countries.
Refugees, abused children and broken families were among Stations of the Cross’ reflections led by Pope Francis on Good Friday.
During a “Way of the Cross” meditation in Rome’s Colosseum the Pope took part in prayers for those couples whose marriages had broken down and the downtrodden “ruthlessly cast aside by a rich and careless society.”
We are witnessing a heightened focus on public school curricula by many stakeholders, primarily NGOs and a variety of emerging pressure groups.
This is a welcome development.
Much is being said by way of informed analysis and constructive criticism that the ministry could benefit from: on the content of the curricula, the modes of teaching/learning, and the disconnect between the output and societal needs.
This heightened focus is, in part, a result of decades of dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
