PAPAL CONDOLENCES FOR QUEBEC MOSQUE KILLINGS – VATICAN COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON MOSQUE

Recent papal tweets:

January 29: Lord, God of peace, hear our prayer and grant us peace in the Holy Land. Shalom, salaam, peace!

January 30: Nothing is impossible if we turn to God in prayer. We can all be builders of peace.

January 31: Let us imitate the attitude of Jesus toward the sick: he takes care of everyone, He shares their suffering and opens their hearts to hope

I am back in Rome after 13 days in Washington, D.C. and I’ll have to dedicate considerable quiet time to meditating on the historic events I attended, thne many new people I met, the longtime friends with whom I shared meals and the many friends whom I did not see for sheer lack of time. How does one “lack time” over a period of 13 days! Had I only had the time each day to write about it, you’d understand!

When I visited my Facebook page after arriving Rome today, I saw that what I thought I had posted on FB from the plane last night as we awaited departure did not in fact appear on my page – I guess airport wifi was not working as I thought. I had taken a photo and wrote the brief post on my US cell phone but was unable to retrieve that today – no big deal.

It is 8:30 pm. I’ve unpacked, I’ve spent considerable time at my desk checking emails and working on a column for today and another for tomorrow and now I’m ready to make dinner and retire early.

Today was a quiet day, publicly at least, for Pope Francis but yesterday he met with the bishops of Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who are in Rome for their “ad limina apostolorum” visit, in addition to expresing his condolences for victims of the terror attacks in Quebec. Following are reports on the Quebec attacks:

PAPAL CONDOLENCES FOR QUEBEC MOSQUE KILLINGS

Monday, following morning Mass in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis met with Cardinal Gérald Cyprien LaCroix, assuring the archbishop of Quebec City of his prayers for the victims of the attack on a mosque there on Sunday night. (photo: news.va)

Pope Francis stressed the importance for all, Christians and Muslims, to be united in prayer. Following his meeting with the Pope, Cardinal Lacroix returned immediately to Canada.

The Holy Father also formally expressed his condolences for the victims of the terrorist attack in a telegram addressed to Cardinal Lacroix, and signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The full English translation of the telegram, originally written in French, follows::

Most Eminent Cardinal Gérald Cyprien LaCroix

Having learned of the attack which occurred in Quebec in a prayer room of the Islamic Cultural Centre, which claimed many victims, His Holiness Pope Francis entrusts to the mercy of God the persons who lost their lives and he associates himself through prayer with the pain of their relatives. He expresses his profound sympathy for the wounded and their families, and to all who contributed to their aid, asking the Lord to bring them comfort and consolation in the ordeal. The Holy Father again strongly condemns the violence that engenders such suffering; and, imploring God for the gift of mutual respect and peace, he invokes upon the sorely tried families, and upon all persons touched by this tragedy, as well as upon all Quebecers, the benefits of the divine Blessing.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin Secretary of State of His Holiness

VATICAN COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTACK ON MOSQUE

The Vatican’s Council for Interreligious Dialogue has strongly condemned the shooting at a mosque in Canada in which six people were killed and another dozen wounded.

More than fifty people were gathered for evening prayers at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Quebec City on Sunday night when the attack took place. Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting, which Canadian authorities have described as a terror attack.

In a statement on Monday, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue expressed great sadness and indignation at what it called “this senseless gesture.” Such “inconceivable violence,” the statement says, violates both “the sacredness of human life” as well as the respect due to a community at prayer and its place of worship.

The Vatican statement also expresses solidarity with all Canadian Muslims, assuring them of fervent prayers for the victims and their families.

Pope Francis also sent a message of condolences to all those affected by the attack, asking God to bring comfort and consolation to the wounded and bereaved. His words came in a telegramme addressed to Canadian Cardinal Gerald Lacroix, in which the Pope also condemns such violence and suffering.

Pope Francis was able to offer words of sympathy in person to the cardinal, who was in Rome and attended Mass on Monday at the Casa Santa Marta, before cutting short his visit and returning to  Quebec City. (from Vatican Radio)

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PRESS OFFICE ON SUSPENSION OF AUDITING ACTIVITIES IN VATICAN – CARING FOR SMALL CHILDREN OF REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS

POPE FRANCIS TWEETED TODAY: Let us break open our sealed tombs to the Lord – each of us knows what they are – so that He may enter and grant us life.

PRESS OFFICE ON SUSPENSION OF AUDITING ACTIVITIES IN VATICAN

Vatican City, 26 April 2016 – The Holy See Press Office issued a communiqué today with regard to the contract with the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), in which it offers the following clarifications:

“The suspension of auditing activities is not due to considerations linked to the integrity or quality of the work initiated by PwC, let alone the intention of one or more entities of the Holy See to block the reforms in progress.

”However, issues have emerged regarding the meaning and scope of certain clauses of the contract and their methods of implementation. Such elements will undergo the necessary examination. The decision to proceed in this way was taken after suitable consultations between the competent bodies and experts in the field.

”It is hoped that this phase of reflection and study may take place in an atmosphere of serenity and collaboration. The commitment to adequate economic and financial auditing remains a priority for the Holy See and for Vatican City State.”

A related piece by CNA/EWTN: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/suspended-audit-reveals-power-struggle-at-the-vatican-48384/

CARING FOR SMALL CHILDREN OF REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS

The pastoral ministry for migrants of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the patriarchal vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholic faithful have been mobilized in order to allow even the little 3-year-old children of refugees and asylum seekers to be tended to in a dignified way while their parents are at work. (photo news.va)

An article in L’Osservatore Romano notes that the State of Israel guarantees the children of refugees access to public schools, but there are no structures in the country that are able to accommodate children under three. The website of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for Latins indicates that this lack has given rise in recent years to the “wild” growth of “makeshift” preschools where dozens of little ones are kept in crowded apartments and in horrendous sanitary conditions. In 2015 five children died in just one of these preschools, referred to as “children’s garages”.

In Jerusalem, thanks to the Patriarchate’s pastoral ministry for migrants, a preschool based on the classic model hosts 22 children, while in Tel Aviv the vast demand has led Fr. David Neuhaus, patriarchal vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholics, to study a more articulated system of accommodation.

In cooperation with a non-governmental organization active in the sector, the Notre-Dame de Valeur center (a veritable oasis for migrants which opened in February 2015 south of Tel Aviv) is suited to host every day (in the St Joseph house and in two rented apartments in the surrounding area) 52 children from Eritrea, the Philippines, Sudan, India and Sri Lanka. They are cared for daily from 7 am to 6 pm by migrant women, each of whom is responsible for six children. Two autistic children and another afflicted with trisomy 21 receive special care. Two new apartments will soon be able to accommodate another 12 children.

24 HOURS, 9 PAPAL TWEETS

24 HOURS, 9 PAPAL TWEETS

2/18/2016
Thank you to Mexico and to all Mexicans. May the Lord and the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe accompany you always.

2/18/2016
I have felt welcomed and received with affection and hope by the Mexican people. Thank you for opening the doors to your lives.

2/18/2016
Tears can generate a fracture which is able to open ourselves for conversion.

2/18/2016
Do not forget that the mercy of God is our shield and strength against injustice, destruction and oppression.

2/17/2016
Earnings and capital are not more important than the human person, but should be at the service of the common good.

2/17/2016
All of us must struggle so that work can become a reality of humanization and a positive future.

2/17/2016
Dear prisoners, while you have experienced great pain, you can become prophets of a better society without violence and exclusion

2/17/2016
Celebrating the jubilee of mercy means learning how to not remain prisoners of the past: It means believing things can be different!

2/17/2016 The mercy of Jesus and braces everyone in every part of the world; open your hearts exclamation

TWITTER @PONTIFEX: 5 PAPAL TWEETS IN 24 HOURS

TWITTER @PONTIFEX: 5 PAPAL TWEETS IN 24 HOURS

02/17/2016
Jesus would never ask us to be assassins; he calls us to be disciples. He would never send us to die. He invites us to life.

02/17/2016
You have asked me for a word of hope: what I have to offer you has a name: Jesus Christ.

02/16/2016
In Jesus I have met the one who is able to bring out the best in me.

02/16/2016
Our first calling is to learn how to say the “Our Father”. Father, help us to avoid the temptation of resignation.

02/16/2016
We learn how to pray, just as we do to walk, speak and listen. If you tell me how you pray, I can tell you how you live.

VATICAN INSIDER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES OF A PAPAL TRIP – PAPAL HELIPORT TO SERVE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL – PAPAL TWITTER ACCOUNT SURPASSES 22 MLLION – UNAFRAID OF ISIS, IRAQI ASSYRIAN GIRL’S FAITH BEYOND VIRAL – HOW HOT IS IT?!

I WANT TO START today’s column with an apology for not acknowledging that the USA Water Polo women’s team also won a gold medal two days ago in Toronto, Canada at the Pan Am Games! I gave some space to the USA men’s team gold medal victory simply because I had met them on a flight, was their guide for a morning at the Vatican, have been keeping in touch with them and have followed their matches. I’ll have to do the same someday for the women! Kudos, ladies! On to Rio!

ROME REPORTS had an interesting news video today about Benedictine monks, in their album of Gregorian chant entitled, “Benedicta” made it onto iTunes’s Top 40, debuted as number two in the Classical Music category on the Billboard charts, and ranked number one on Amazon. “Few are surprised,” says the report, “by a debut album of Gregorian chant topping even (Andrea) Bocelli in the charts. After all, Gregorian chant has a centuries-long head start.” Here’s the report: http://www.romereports.com/2015/07/17/benedictine-monks-top-andrea-bocelli-on-the-best-selling-album-charts

HOW HOT IS IT IN ROME? I am running out of adjectives but I am seriously thinking of opening a lemonade stand! Although, come to think of it, perhaps I’d have more success with a limoncello stand! I am not unaware, by the by, that many parts of the world are suffering from equally high temps! See the ANSA heat wave story below.

VATICAN INSIDER GOES BEHIND THE SCENES OF A PAPAL TRIP

This week I bring you a Special on the behind-the-scenes events in the making of a papal trip. This is a Vatican Insider look at the team of people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare and execute an international papal journey. Interesting stuff – stay tuned!

For those of you who might be new to “Vatican Insider” – welcome! Here’s how to listen: In the United States, you can listen to Vatican Insider on a Catholic radio station near you (there is a list of U.S. stations at www.ewtn.com) or on Sirius-XM satellite radio. If you live outside the U.S., you can listen to EWTN radio on our website home page by clicking on the right side where you see “LISTEN TO EWTN.” Vatican Insider airs Saturday mornings at 9:30 am (Eastern time) and re-airs Sundays at 4:30 pm (ET). Check for your time zone. Past shows are found in Vatican Insider archives: http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/file_index.asp?SeriesId=7096&pgnu=

PAPAL HELIPORT TO SERVE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

(ANSA) Rome, July 17 – The Pope’s heliport inside the Vatican will be made available to the nearby Bambino Gesù children’s hospital for emergencies, a Vatican statement said on Friday. The move is the result of an agreement between the hospital and the Governorate of the State of Vatican City. Pope Francis felt “joy” and “expressed his goodwill for an agreement that will be of great help to the children,” the statement said.

PAPAL TWITTER ACCOUNT SURPASSES 22 MLLION

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, notes on its page at news.va that   South America is making waves on the Popes’s Twitter handle, @Pontifex. Just as Francis’ apostolic visit in Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay concluded, the Pope’s followers in nine languages surpassed 22 million. This record comes just 41 days after that number had reached 21 million.

The Popes’ visit to the three South American countries had an immense impact on social networks around the world. Comments, discussions and retweets surrounded the Pope’s addresses and pictures were posted by various media outlets and by those participating in the events.

In the course of the week of 5 July, the followers grew from 20,000 to 29,000. The Spanish account reached 9,347,116 followers making it the most popular language. English currently has 6,586,373 followers and Italian is in third place with 2,912,635.

Also during the visit, the newspaper’s Twitter account saw an increase. Currently more than 45,000 people follow

UNAFRAID OF ISIS, IRAQI ASSYRIAN GIRL’S FAITH BEYOND VIRAL

Each day I receive a daily news feed from www.aina.org, a website that I follow given my interest in all things pertaining to Christians, the Church, the Middle East and the Holy Land. I saw this story posted today by Gary Lane (http://www.cbn.com) and bring you a few paragraphs, after which you can click on the link and watch the wonderful video of the two Iraqi Assyrian best friends as they sing: http://www.aina.org/news/20150717040453.htm

Unafraid of ISIS, Iraqi Assyrian Girl’s Faith Beyond Viral

ERBIL, Iraq — It’s now been one year since the Islamic State overran much of northern Iraq. ISIS has brutalized, raped, and murdered thousands.

CBN News shared many of the horror stories, but we also learned of one little Christian overcomer (sic) who inspired us. The unshakeable faith of young Maryam Behnam has encouraged Christians in Iraq and around the world (AINA 2015-03-26).

For Iraq, the summer of 2014 was like no other as a militant Muslim group know as the Islamic State overran the city of Mosul and nearby villages. Thousands were killed, or kidnapped and more than a million people fled into Iraqi Kurdistan.

Over the last year, CBN News brought you many reports from Iraq about Christians who have been forced from their homes because of ISIS. But young Maryam’s story went viral, so we thought we’d introduce you to her once again.

Fearless Faith of a Child

Late last year, the world was amazed to hear Maryam tell a Sat 7 reporter she forgives ISIS….FOR THE REST OF THIS MARVELOUS STORY AND VIDEO, CLICK HERE: http://www.aina.org/news/20150717040453.htm;

HOW HOT IS IT?!

(ANSA) – Rome, July 16 – Italy is baking in the hottest heat wave of the summer with air from Africa expected to ratchet up the temperatures and generate more of the steamy breathless conditions Italians call ‘afa’. “This month will go on record as one of the ‘exceptional’ ones, as far as temperatures and persistence (of heat) goes,” said Bernardo Gozzini, a researcher from the National Research Council’s office.

The monsoon-like air in Rome and Milan is so sticky it is “like being in Thailand,” experts said Thursday, adding that there will be no letup in the torrid tropical temperatures that are threatening the vulnerable and giving people restless nights until at least the end of the month. Meteorologists said the Bel Paese continues to feel the sizzling impact of an African anticyclone that has sent temperatures soaring to nearly 40 degrees (104 Fahrenheit) across the country, including the islands.

Experts on Thursday predicted the next couple of days will be the hottest in July. Italy’s health ministry put the heat risk level to its highest, level 3-red, for 14 cities across the peninsula on Thursday, growing to 22 cities on Saturday. Although temperatures topped out at 39 on Wednesday, the level of perceived heat was much higher, as much as 47 degrees (116 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tuscany, according to a bulletin from the region’s Meteorological Laboratory, which said, “We’re expecting a boiling weekend.”

Perceived temperatures in Veneto, especially in the plains, felt as high as 42 degrees due to sun exposure and high humidity, although actual temperatures ranged between 36 and 37, seven degrees higher than average. In Liguria, a forest fire alert is in force for the entire region due to the elevated temperatures and dry conditions, and the forest service has placed a ban on campfires during the period of high alert.

The heat is taking its toll on agriculture as well, with cows under stress from the high temperatures drinking nearly double their daily intake of water, and a loss so far of 50 million litres of Italian milk due to the heat wave, 20 million in Lombardy alone.

Weather experts expect the heat to subside a bit at the beginning of next week, when cooler air from the north will see temperatures drop a few degrees, only to rise again in the days to follow.  With most people seeking shade during the hottest parts of the day there have been few reports of heat exhaustion, still less deaths among those most at risk – young children, the elderly and those with chronic heart or lung conditions.