Latest news with #Asor
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Face to face with Pope Leo XIV
He's not Father Bob anymore. That's what Eskasoni's Father Antolin Neo Asor has been calling his friend, former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, for the past 20 years or so. But now, Asor will have to get used to calling 'Bob' 'His Holiness Leo XIV.' And he doesn't seem to mind it one bit. 'Of course we've met face to face,' the Eskasoni priest said while standing in Holy Family Church on the Eskasoni First Nation where he has served for over four years. 'We've eaten together and joked around just like anybody would.' Worked together As members of the Order of Saint Augustine, Asor and Pope Leo XIV met in person at least three times. In fact, they've worked together many times in Asor's various roles with the Augustinians. Asor said he thinks the announcement of his friend's papacy was a surprise even to the Pope. He explains that the Conclave that chose a successor to Pope Francis, who died on Easter weekend, is made up of 133 people – and every one of them is in the running for the position. Even before the death of Francis, high-profile names were being bandied about as his successor – but few spoke the name of American Cardinal Prevost. Asor said usually the Conclave has a more Europe-centric focus or looks to Asia or South America. 'I'm confident it was the right decision. Leo XIV is shy, quiet, a good listener and he really looks at you and listens. Then, he takes the time to summarize what has been said in the fullness of his wisdom. 'He's very approachable and welcoming.' New Pope 'global' In Sydney, Father Bill Burke of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish said he too was surprised not only at the choice, but the speed with which a new pope was announced. Burke has been through eight popes in his lifetime and couldn't be more grateful for the latest to be chosen. 'The first day the Pope was chosen, I had 30 calls from people asking who he was and 'Is he a nice guy,' said Burke. 'I knew of this man before because I used to be an Augustinian. I kept friendships in the community and know people who know him. I know of this man and of the qualities he has. 'One hundred and thirty-three people making a decision. I thought it would take longer and I never expected an American. It tells me that they certainly knew what they wanted. They don't want a carbon copy of Francis, but want someone who can fulfil his agenda.' Although born in the United States, both Burke and Asor refer to the new Pope as 'global.' He speaks English, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and reads German and Latin. The two Cape Breton priests explain that for 12 years Leo XIV headed the Augustinian Order and would have had to visit 50 countries around the world in his work. 'He's Augustinian to the core,' said Burke. 'They live by: 'We all beat with the same heart.' Burke said as an Augustinian, Leo XIV would be steeped in the spirituality of 'common good for all.' The new Pope has worked among the poor of Peru for the last 20 years. 'He's walked the walk. He knows the poor,' said Burke. 'Theologically he's a bit of a conservative, but he views the church as a big tent where all are welcome.' In Eskasoni, Asor said his parish is very happy with the successor to Francis. They hope he continues taking the church in the same direction. And Asor has told his parish members about another reason they should look for hope, comfort and strength from the new Leo XIV, whom he describes as 'experienced, in-tune with culture and a very smart person.' 'He has had a lot of experience with aboriginal Peruvians. He integrated himself into the lifestyle and understands poverty and the beautiful culture of a faithful people.' Augustinians, said Asor, take a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience to God. They cling to and love the simplicity of life. 'Their mission is to live out what they have promised to God all for the sake of the kingdom.' Unions sacred In Sydney, Burke has a different reason why he thinks his parish will relate to and be hopeful in Leo XIV. He's most interested in why Leo chose his name. Leo XIII was head of the Catholic Church from 1878 until his death in July 1903. Burke said he is credited with bringing the church into the modern era at the turn of the last century. It was a time (in the 1890s) when capitalism was unbridled and the great divide between the rich and the poor exploded. 'Human dignity was not prioritized,' said Burke. 'We were all just cogs in a wheel.' Leo XIII spent his entire papacy fighting for the working person and their dignity, even going as far as insisting that labour unions were sacred. With Cape Breton's history of labour and unions that improved the quality of life for so many, Burke believes Leo XIV will resonate with Cape Breton's largely Catholic population, should he be using Leo XIII as a model. 'The new Pope Leo XIV gave everyone a message through the choice of his name,' said Burke. 'I am so grateful he was chosen. I am very optimistic.'
Muscat Daily
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Micronesia: Activists push for Chuuk islands' independence
Chuuk islands – The Chuuk islands – a seemingly idyllic spot in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Indonesia and north of Australia and Papua New Guinea – is one of the four states making up the Federated States of Micronesia, an island nation strategically aligned with the US. Despite Micronesia's small population, (around 113,000 in 2024) the island chain allows for control of vast swathes of the Pacific. And its alliance with the US runs deep – Washington provides millions of dollars in assistance every year to help with administration, education and health care as well as meeting other critical needs. But former Chuuk State attorney general Sabino Asor fears Micronesia is too reliant on America. 'I believe our present leaders have developed a culture of dependence, but that gives the US the power to tell us what to do,' he told DW. Who could step in to replace US? Asor has spent decades campaigning for Chuuk islands to separate from Micronesia and become an independent state, though he admits that the population is still very much divided on the issue. In recent weeks, however, the debate seems to be getting more serious. With the new US administration under President Donald Trump looking to cut costs at every opportunity, Washington appears unconcerned with its global alliances. Asor thinks that it is only a matter of time before the US turns its attention to the islands of Micronesia. Then, the decades-long 'special relationship', based on the deal known as the Compact of Free Association, could be unceremoniously axed. 'Ideally, if we were independent from the rest of (Micronesia), then we could negotiate our own compact with the US, but we cannot be sure that the US would agree to that,' 66-year-old Asor said. Yet he insists that Chuuk cannot continue as it is at present. 'An association with the broader global community would also appeal to us, perhaps to some of the nations that were colonial powers here, Spain, Germany or Japan, but it would have to be a concrete agreement that would benefit our people.' The only other alternative, according to Asor, is an economic relationship with China, which is already ramping up its influence in other Pacific states such as the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Nauru. The Chuuk islands were first settled by Melanesians, then claimed by the Spanish before being sold to the German empire in 1899. After Germany's defeat in World War I, the islands passed to the control of Japan, which transformed it into its most important naval base in the central Pacific. The islands were the target of the US Operation Hailstorm in February 1944, in which at least 50 Japanese warships and cargo vessels were sunk. Today, those ships make Chuuk the most famous wreck diving site in the world, bringing in a large percentage of the state's tourism income. After the war, Chuuk became a trust territory administered by the US under charter of the United Nations until the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) gained independence in 1979. The original Compact of Free Association with the US went into effect in November 1986 and has been renewed periodically ever since, most recently in 2023. Lawyer and politician Johnny Meippen told DW that there were 'clear benefits of remaining with the FSM while that agreement is in place, but we have to be prepared'. 'When someone as erratic as Trump is in charge, the compact could be unilaterally cancelled with little or no warning,' he said. And if Chuuk were to become a sovereign nation, that would allow its people to regain 'territorial jurisdiction over our surrounding waters and all the resources they contain', Meippen said. For Asor, the issue of independence goes beyond strategic interests. 'The islands' history is of colonisation by other powers for many years, so we are obviously losing our own cultural identity,' he said. 'And it is good in some ways that we are clustered together with the other island states of the FSM, it is good to have friends, but we do not always share the same priorities.' 'We have a different emphasis when it comes to economic development and when we do receive money from the US under the compact, it always comes with strings attached,' he said. 'Much of our agriculture has already gone and we rely on imports of food for our people,' Asor added. 'Independence would be challenging, but it would give us freedom on many matters.' Rumblings over Chuuk independence have been ongoing for many years, with the Chuuk Political Status Commission created in 2012 to examine the issue. Both Asor and Meippen have served on it. An independence referendum was initially set for March 2015, but the vote has been repeatedly delayed, with pro-independence campaigners saying the government was afraid that it would go in their favour. Officials of the Chuuk state government were contacted for comment. DW
