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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bishops' Council expresses concern over increasing persecution of minorities
Kochi, Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council has expressed deep concern over the increasing persecution of Christian minorities in various parts of the country. Bishops' Council expresses concern over increasing persecution of minorities In a statement on Wednesday, KCBC reiterated its solidarity with the nuns and "brothers" who had been unjustly imprisoned in Chhattisgarh. "It is appalling that the unjustifiable case registered against them is still pending before the court, though they had been released on bail. The case should be withdrawn and all the constitutional rights given to them should be fully restored," the statement said. At the time of this crisis, the great solidarity of the Kerala Church, the Christian community and all the people with good will was evident, it noted. The KCBC also registered its protest against the state government order dated July 31, regarding the appointment of differently-abled candidates in aided schools in a 'discriminatory manner.' The Council said that in a judgment relating to a plea from Nair Service Society , the Supreme Court had ruled that if vacancies have been legally reserved for candidates belonging to the differently-abled category in aided schools, other appointments should be approved and regularised. The government had issued a favourable order accordingly. In the SC judgment, it was clarified that the verdict can also be implemented by societies of similar nature. As per the SC order, the Consortium of Catholic Managements approached the High Court on behalf of the KCBC Commission for Education, and obtained a favourable order that the application of the Catholic managements would be considered in the light of the SC judgment relating to NSS. However, the government's July 31 order implementing this judgment states that the SC verdict is applicable only to the NSS and that a separate court order is required to implement it in other managements, the statement said. "The order issued by the government in the case of Catholic managements is discriminatory and a violation of equal justice," it said. The KCBC said the government's negative stance is causing financial hardship to thousands of employees who have already been appointed, and causing unrest in families and the community. The statement also said the construction of 100 houses promised by KCBC as part of the rehabilitation of disaster-affected people at Vilangad in Kozhikode district is progressing rapidly. About 20 houses have already been completed and all the houses will be completed by December this year, it said. The KCBC meeting also decided to celebrate the ongoing 'Jubilee of Hope' of the Universal Church on a grand scale at the Kerala Church level on December 13 at the Muringoor Divine Meditation Centre, the release from the KCBC spokesperson Fr Thomas Tharayil said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Bishops Council expresses concern over increasing persecution of minorities
Last Updated: Kochi, Aug 6 (PTI) Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) has expressed deep concern over the increasing persecution of Christian minorities in various parts of the country. In a statement on Wednesday, KCBC reiterated its solidarity with the nuns and 'brothers" who had been unjustly imprisoned in Chhattisgarh. 'It is appalling that the unjustifiable case registered against them is still pending before the court, though they had been released on bail. The case should be withdrawn and all the constitutional rights given to them should be fully restored," the statement said. At the time of this crisis, the great solidarity of the Kerala Church, the Christian community and all the people with good will was evident, it noted. The KCBC also registered its protest against the state government order dated July 31, regarding the appointment of differently-abled candidates in aided schools in a 'discriminatory manner.' The Council said that in a judgment relating to a plea from Nair Service Society (NSS), the Supreme Court had ruled that if vacancies have been legally reserved for candidates belonging to the differently-abled category in aided schools, other appointments should be approved and regularised. The government had issued a favourable order accordingly. In the SC judgment, it was clarified that the verdict can also be implemented by societies of similar nature. As per the SC order, the Consortium of Catholic Managements approached the High Court on behalf of the KCBC Commission for Education, and obtained a favourable order that the application of the Catholic managements would be considered in the light of the SC judgment relating to NSS. However, the government's July 31 order implementing this judgment states that the SC verdict is applicable only to the NSS and that a separate court order is required to implement it in other managements, the statement said. 'The order issued by the government in the case of Catholic managements is discriminatory and a violation of equal justice," it said. The KCBC said the government's negative stance is causing financial hardship to thousands of employees who have already been appointed, and causing unrest in families and the community. The statement also said the construction of 100 houses promised by KCBC as part of the rehabilitation of disaster-affected people at Vilangad in Kozhikode district is progressing rapidly. About 20 houses have already been completed and all the houses will be completed by December this year, it said. The KCBC meeting also decided to celebrate the ongoing 'Jubilee of Hope' of the Universal Church on a grand scale at the Kerala Church level on December 13 at the Muringoor Divine Meditation Centre, the release from the KCBC spokesperson Fr Thomas Tharayil said. PTI MVG MVG KH view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Herald Malaysia
30-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope to young pilgrims: 'Your voices will be heard to the ends of the earth
At the opening of the Jubilee of Youth, the Holy Father welcomes young people to St. Peter's Square, inviting them to pray for peace: 'Let us walk together with our faith in Jesus Christ.' Jul 30, 2025 Pope Leo addresses the young pilgrims in St Peter's Square (@Vatican Media) By Fr. Johan PachecoOn Tuesday evening, Pope Leo XIV welcomed young people in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth. After the welcoming Mass in St. Peter's Square, which was celebrated by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Pontiff made a few trips round St Peter's Square in the popemobile to greet those present. The Holy Father reminded the young pilgrims that they are 'the salt of the earth, the light of the world.' 'You are the salt of the earth, the light of the world! And today your voices, your enthusiasm, your cries — all of them for Jesus Christ — will be heard to the ends of the earth!' said Leo XIV. 'Today marks the beginning of a few days, a journey, the Jubilee of Hope, and the world needs messages of hope. You are that message, and you must continue bringing hope to everyone,' the Pope emphasized. 'We hope that all of you will always be signs of hope in the world," Pope Leo continued. "Today we are at the beginning. In the coming days, you will have the opportunity to be a force that brings God's grace, a message of hope, a light to the city of Rome, to Italy, and to the entire world. Let us walk together with our faith in Jesus Christ. And our cry must also be for peace in the world. Let us all say together: We want peace in the world! Let us pray for peace.' 'Let us pray for peace,' the Pope invited his listeners, 'and let us be witnesses of the peace of Jesus Christ, of reconciliation — this light of the world that we are all seeking.' After the blessing, the Pontiff wished the young pilgrims a good week in Rome and invited them to gather again on August 2 and 3 for the vigil and Mass of the Jubilee of Youth: 'See you in Tor Vergata.' Archbishop Fisichella: Be Witnesses of the Risen ChristAt the Mass presided over by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, before the Pope's arrival, the Italian prelate reflected in his homily on the day's Gospel: 'The Evangelist tells us very clearly: he tells us, above all, that faith is an encounter — an encounter, however, that we do not begin ourselves.' 'Never be afraid,' Fisichella urged, 'to be witnesses of the Risen Christ, because this is what makes us believers, Christians. Christ is risen and we have seen Him; we believe in Him. But this witness also becomes action.' At the conclusion of his reflection, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization recalled the Pope's words from the previous Sunday: 'To encounter Christ — that is why I await you. To encounter Christ and be strengthened by Him in faith and in the commitment to follow Him with integrity.'--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV greeted by international crowd at first Angelus from Castel Gandolfo
Pope Leo XIV recited the Angelus before a diverse and enthusiastic crowd in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday — the first time in 12 years that a pope has led the Marian prayer from the lakeside town 18 miles southeast of Rome. Jul 14, 2025 Pope Leo XIV waves as he enters Liberty Square in Castel Gandolfo to give his first public Angelus address from the lakeside town 18 miles southeast of Rome on July 13, 2025. | Credit: Stefano Costantino/EWTN News Pope Leo Castel Gandolfo Angelus Pope Leo XIV prayed the Angelus on a warm but cloudy July 13, 2025, at the midpoint of his two-week stay for a By Hannah Brockhaus Pope Leo XIV recited the Angelus before a diverse and enthusiastic crowd in Castel Gandolfo on Sunday — the first time in 12 years that a pope has led the Marian prayer from the lakeside town 18 miles southeast of Rome. The Angelus, prayed on a warm but cloudy July 13, marked the midpoint of Leo's two-week stay for a summer break on the pontifical estate of Castel Gandolfo, a custom eschewed by Pope Francis. Despite sporadic light rain showers, shoulder-to-shoulder pilgrims from around the world, including Brazil, Italy, Poland, and the United States, filled the town's main square and lined the side streets, as the pope greeted them with, 'happy Sunday!' The hope of eternal life, Leo said before leading the Marian prayer, 'is described as something to be 'inherited,' not something to be gained by force, begged for, or negotiated. Eternal life, which God alone can give, is bestowed on us as an inheritance, as parents do with their children.' Crowds of laypeople, priests, and religious sisters alternatively opened and closed umbrellas, the sun bursting through rain drops right as Pope Leo appeared in front of the apostolic palace of Castel Gandolfo. 'That is why Jesus tells us that, in order to receive God's gift, we must do his will,' he continued. 'It is written in the Law: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'' 'When we do these two things, we respond to the Father's love,' the pontiff said.A married couple from the United States celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary said they came to Castel Gandolfo hoping for the pope's blessing. They were happy to have received a wave from Leo when he passed by on his walk from the local parish to the apostolic palace before the Angelus. While the pontiff spoke, a father of four took turns lifting up each of his children so they could see Pope Leo over the crowd. Pope Leo will publicly lead the Angelus again on July 20, before returning to the Vatican in time for a slew of events for the Jubilee of Hope, including jubilees of Catholic influencers and of youth. Leo will also come back to Castel Gandolfo, found on the hills above Lake Albano, for three days over the Italian holiday weekend of 'Ferragosto,' Aug. 15-17, which celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Before the Angelus, Pope Leo celebrated a Mass for local Catholics, religious leaders, and civil authorities at the 17th-century Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo's Liberty Square. Reflecting on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the pontiff called for a 'revolution of love' toward those who have been hurt by life, who are 'stripped, robbed and pillaged, victims of tyrannical political systems, of an economy that forces them into poverty, and of wars that kill their dreams and their very lives.' 'Are we content at times merely to do our duty, or to regard as our neighbor only those who are part of our group, who think like us, who share our same nationality or religion?' he said. 'Jesus overturns this way of thinking by presenting us with a Samaritan, a foreigner or heretic, who acts as a neighbor to that wounded man. And he asks us to do the same.' This is why this parable is so challenging for each of us, he underlined: 'If Christ shows us the face of a compassionate God, then to believe in him and to be his disciples means allowing ourselves to be changed and to take on his same feelings.' 'Looking without walking by, halting the frantic pace of our lives, allowing the lives of others, whoever they may be, with their needs and troubles, to touch our heart,' the pope added. 'That is what makes us neighbors to one another, what generates true fraternity and breaks down walls and barriers.'--CNA
Herald Malaysia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Late Pope Francis urges Mexican youth to ‘stir things up'
As thousands of young people gather in Mexico City for the Vitae Fest, a video recorded by the late Pope Francis in mid-2024 invites them to create movement within the Church and to fix their eyes on Christ. May 05, 2025 VATICAN: More than 100,000 young people gathered on Sunday in Zócalo Square of Mexico City, the most iconic square in the Latin American nation, to celebrate life and commit themselves to promoting peace and reconciliation among peoples around the world. The Vitae Fest was organized by the Vitae Global Foundation, and featured an evocative artistic performance. The young Mexican attendees received a surprise from the late Pope Francis, who had recorded a video in mid-2024 specifically for the Vitae Fest. 'I know that you are gathered in the Zócalo,' said the late Pope. 'And you are gathered to receive and to give.' He thanked the young people for their desire to take action to make the world a better place. 'You are not gathered to stay silent, but to stir things up, to create some movement, with joy, to receive a message and to share a message,' said the late Argentine Pope. 'There are many ugly things in the world, and we have to fix them.' Yet, he added, 'there are also many beautiful things—and that's you, who are gathered there, because you want something more.' The late Pope Francis went on to note that the Church is celebrating the Jubilee of Hope. He noted that the young people in Mexico City main square bore witness to hope by wearing a white handkerchief, which serves as a symbol of the vibrancy of youth and the shared desire to recover the ability to dialogue in order to build a more fraternal and cohesive society. 'Never forget that white bandana you see, and that they tell you about—that white bandana is always the hope of all sinners, each of us,' said Pope Francis. 'May God bless you, may Our Lady of Guadalupe take care of you, and don't forget to pray for me. Thank you.'--Vatican News
