Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) – The ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals (C9), which began on 13 April, was brought to a close this afternoon, according to a briefing by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J. The Council of Cardinals dedicated the majority its work regarding reform of the Roman Curia to two aspects: reflections on the methodologies to be followed for work during 2015 and 2016 in order to be able to effectively accomplish the task of preparing the new Constitution, and a rereading of the interventions by the Cardinals in relation to reform of the Curia made during the recent Consistory (there were over sixty interventions on this theme with useful indications and cues, both for the prologue of the constitution and for specific aspects of reform). The orientation towards the constitution of two dicasteries – one competent in fields of charity, justice and peace, the other regarding the laity, families and life – would appear to be confirmed. The Council also focused on the issue of the reorganisation of Vatican media, following the submission of the final report of the Commission presided over by Lord Chris Patten. It is expected that the Pope will constitute a Commission to consider how the recommendations of the report can be put into practice. This body will also include members of the Patten Commission, to ensure continuity. Finally, Cardinal O’Malley, president of the new Commission for the Protection of Minors, under the auspices of the same Commission, has proposed that the Pope and the Council consider the theme of “Accountability” with regard to the protection of minors, in order to establish appropriate procedures and methods for evaluating and judging cases of “abuse of office” in this area, especially on the part of persons holding responsibility within the Church. Further meetings of the Council of Cardinals are scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 June, 14 to 16 September and 10 to 12 December 2015….
Vatican City, 15 April 2015 (VIS) – The ninth meeting of the Council of Cardinals (C9), which began on 13 April, was brought to a close this afternoon, according to a briefing by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J. The Council of Cardinals dedicated the majority its work regarding…
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(Vatican Radio) At Wednesday’s General Audience, Pope Francis gave a special greeting to Asia Bibi’s husband and daughter.
Aasiya Noreen is a Pakistani Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed in 2010 and sentenced to hanging by a district court.
The conviction must still be upheld by Pakistan’s Supreme Court before the sentence can be carried out.
Listen to the report by Devin Watkins:
Asia Bibi’s lawyer held a press conference Tuesday in Rome to appeal to the Italian Parliament and to the international community to put pressure on the Pakistani government in support of her release.
She has become an international symbol of the injustice and abuse of the blasphemy law, never ceasing to proclaim her innocence.
In an interview with Vatican Radio’s Francesca Sabatinelli, Asia Bibi’s lawyer Joseph Nadeem spoke about the importance of the international community’s pressure concerning her future.
‘The last chance is a presidential pardon, [which] could happen if the international community will pressurize the Pakistani government and ask for the freedom of Asia Bibi.
‘We already submitted two applications in the Supreme Court for the appeal hearing, but the Chief Justice rejected our applications because they asked to wait for the suitable time. It could take one to four years.’
The family remains positive in the face of difficulty.
‘If the Church will get involved it could be [easier to secure her freedom].’
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) At Wednesday’s General Audience, Pope Francis gave a special greeting to Asia Bibi’s husband and daughter. Aasiya Noreen is a Pakistani Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed in 2010 and sentenced to hanging by a district court. The conviction must still be upheld by Pakistan’s Supreme Court before…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) With the British General Election looming, the question of immigration is one of the main points being debated in the public arena as the various parties vie for votes, writes Phil Andrews.
At the beginning of March, Bishop Patrick Lynch , Chair of the Office for Migration Policy for the Bishops of England Wales, challenged the British coalition government over its detention policy for migrants. He welcomed the publication of a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees, and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, which recommended that the next British Government should introduce a maximum time limit of 28 days on the duration anyone can be detained in UK immigration detention. Noting that many seeking asylum had already suffered great trauma prior to arriving in the UK, he hoped the findings would “be translated into humane immigration policies for those who need protection and support from the State.”
Bishop Lynch also responded to comments made by the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, when he suggested that the children of immigrants should wait before accessing the state education system. The Bishop was “appalled by any suggestion of discriminating against immigrants” and reminded Mr Farage that “The UK has a long, proud and humane tradition of responding to the needs of immigrants’ children”, continuing, “It is proven that education is a key element in integrating diverse communities. I recognise that in some places there are strains on resource but as a society we need to respond to this need rather than scapegoating any one group.”
You can watch Bishop Lynch’s pre-Election Address concerning Immigration, here.
One charitable organisation, located in the bishop’s own diocese of Southwark, which seeks to help newly-arrived immigrants is The Baytree Centre . Housed in a converted warehouse in the multicultural community of Brixton, The Baytree Centre was founded after the Brixton riots of the 1980s, at a time when social cohesion was at an all-time low.
Over thirty years later, the centre now supports hundreds of women and girls every year, primarily recent immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Often victims of marginalisation and isolation, the women and girls who rely on Baytree already endure many difficulties caused by an existing lack of access to services; thus the changes proposed by some of the political parties would hit them even harder, whilst adding pressure to charities such as Baytree, which are already severely underfunded.
Writing in The Pilgrim , the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Sounthwark, Saskia Goldman explains her experiences as a volunteer at The Baytree Centre, and how they have ranged from taking young women to the island of Jersey for short respite holidays, through to teaching English to women and girls who have escaped perilous conditions and persecution, never expecting to find themselves so far from the country they once called home.
Indeed, the need to provide English classes is an important part of what the charity does. As Saskia notes, “London can be an alienating place even if you do speak English. Without services like the ones offered, these women might become increasingly isolated, meaning their families and children would too.” By helping both children and parents learn English, and develop skills, charities such as Baytree support the entire family to become self-sufficient as they integrate into the wider community, and build a new life for themselves, and their families.
As Pope Francis reminded the world in his 2014 Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees , the Church must help existing communities in “moving away from attitudes of defensiveness and fear, indifference and marginalization… towards attitudes based on a culture of encounter, the only culture capable of building a better, more just and fraternal world”.
With Britain going to the polls next month, Pope Francis asks all people of good will to respond to the issue of migration with charity, and cooperation, “… in such a way as to make the conditions of migrants more humane… Solidarity with migrants and refugees must be accompanied by the courage and creativity necessary to develop… a more just and equitable financial and economic order, as well as an increasing commitment to peace, the indispensable condition for all authentic progress”. ( 2015 Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees )
(from Vatican Radio)…