The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in Jordan, Amman office, has organized an international conference in which a number reasearchers took part. The conference discussed what the Western countries can do, particularly Europe and the United States, to protect and guarantee the continued presence of Christians in the Middle East.
One civil court’s ruling has created an important precedent in a country where there is a dual justice system in force – civil and religious, often creating a short circuit for a person’s legitimate choice of faith.
In Cuba discussions have begun to define a legal status for the Church as an institution. A highly confidential process has begun in Havana, that will in all likelihood be long and should lead to the definition of a legal status for the Catholic Church in Cuba (1) Some days ago, delegations representing the government and the Episcopate met officially to launch negotiations. When the delicate and complex discussions conclude, they should place the Cuban Church within a precise legal framework that has been lacking since the triumph of Fidel Castro’s “Revolution” in 1959.
Radical groups such as Sunni Tehreek are rallying for the Christian woman’s immediate execution. Meanwhile, a weakened government has shelved plans to change the blasphemy law.
Execute her. Now. Pakistan’s Islamic radicals have taken another swipe at Asia Bibi, calling for her to be put to death, ignoring the rule of law and the legal proceedings currently underway. The woman has spent seven years in prison and her case is now being heard by the Supreme Court, the third and final stage in her trial.
Vatican Insider publishes some of the drawings that were given to the Pope by children at the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos: “They want peace!”
My uncle Fr. Manuel has accompanied me to the German township of Brakel. There were bronze statues at the entrance of a bank that represent human story to this very day.
Wael Haffar Habbal is 24 years old. He left his country, Syria, four years ago, after spending six months in jail for joining what at the time were peaceful protests against the government of Bashar Assad.
He got to Greece on foot almost two years ago, after walking through his country and Turkey. He took a bus across the Bosporus, and then continued walking across the border.
The Syrian refugees will be hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
As the Pope shook the hands of refugees at Lesbos’ Moria camp, word circulated that Francis could be taking about 10 or so refugees currently living on Lesbos, back to the Vatican with him. 12 are in fact going to be boarding the papal plane to Rome this afternoon and will be hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio.
In a conversation with journalists on board the flight from Lesbos to Rome, Francis said: “The 12 Syrian Muslims we’re bringing back to Rome all have their papers in order.” In Europe “ghettos” are back but “we need to integrate. Still, I understand those who have certain fears”. And he added: “I would invite arms traffickers to spend a day in that refugee camp. I think it would do them good”. About his brief exchange with Sanders this morning, he said: “If someone thinks greeting someone means getting mixed up in politics, I suggest they see a psychiatrist”.
The Pope, Bartholomew and Ieronymos have met refugees at Moria refugee camp: “We have come to call the attention of the world to this grave humanitarian crisis and to plead for its resolution”.
