Everyone who believes that is Jesus the Christ has been born of God, and everyone APRIL 11, 2021 who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love TERHAD the children of God, when we love God and PP 8460/11/2012(030939) ISSN: 1394-3294 obey his commandments. For this is the love Vol. 28 No. 13 of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. FOR INTERNAL CIRCULATION ONLY THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY 1 John 5:1-3 Chinese Christians honour ancestors

atUBEI: As the EasterEaster Vigil on Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Holy Saturday approached, Thailand and Indonesia. parishioners of Holy Trin- This year about 1.5 million Chinese trav- H elled by air for the three-day holiday for the ity Catholic Church in Xiantao city festival that started on April 3. in China’s Hubei province were Ahead of the festival, families clean, alarmed by the sounds of fireworks sweep and decorate graves and gather for and firecrackers. prayers and pay respect to their ancestors Xiantao, some 100 kilometres from pro- by making ritual offerings including flow- vincial capital Wuhan, where the first hu- ers and homemade dishes. Firecrackers are man infections from the deadly novel coro- blasted to mark the end of darkness and re- navirus were detected in late 2019, was turn of liveliness while casting away evil mostly lifeless at Easter last year due to a spirits. strict lockdown to stem the invisible enemy In Xiantao, Christians combined the spir- that has claimed some three million lives it of Easter with reverence to ancestors. globally. “One year after the shock of China be- Authorities gradually lifted restrictions ing hit by the pandemic, the coincidental following the decline of new cases and overlap of Tomb Sweeping Day and Easter deaths across China, while nations in most Sunday seemed to carry its own meaning. parts of the world continue to grapple with People of various traditions were celebrat- Students place flowers as they pay their respects to revolutionary martyrs at a cemetery during the the contagion. ing on the same weekend in China, a re- membering of special people and important annual Qing Ming festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, in Hefei in eastern China’s Anhui province on Life in many parts of China has returned April 2, 2021. (UCA News photo) to normal and so Christians flocked to events in previous times, all combined with churches in droves to celebrate Holy Week the celebration of how such remembering the liturgy ended, they collected holy water Vatican-recognised bishops’ conference or leading to Easter Sunday. leads to new life in our own time,” it com- in bottles and containers from large vessels an official Catholic directory. Many Christians in Xiantao joined in mented. placed in the church. In September 2018, the Vatican and setting off fireworks and firecrackers- be Two priests who oversee the parish had In other parts of China, Catholics ex- China reached a secretive deal over the ap- fore joining the Easter Vigil in the church, to balance their commitments to people pressed great religious fervour as they at- pointment of bishops following decades of though their actions had nothing to do with during the weekend as they promised to tended churches for Easter Vigil and Easter tension between the state-approved “open” Easter. They were related to the traditional visit and bless tombs in nearby cemeteries Sunday Masses. church community and the “underground” Qingming festival, also known as Tomb and also needed to attend the Easter Vigil. In Shanghai, an economic hub and a church community which pledges alle- Sweeping Day, that coincided with Easter The area experienced heavy rain for two Catholic stronghold, thousands of Catho- giance to the Vatican. Sunday this year. days that luckily ceased on the day of the lics joined processions wearing face masks The Holy Spirit Study Centre of Hong In Chinese culture, the Qingming festival Easter Vigil. and holding candles. Kong Diocese estimates that China has is a memorial celebration to honour ances- On Holy Saturday, the church was full China ended diplomatic relations with some 12 million Catholics, including “un- tors. It is believed to be more than 2,000 to capacity and the faithful lit their candles the Vatican at the start of communist rule in registered” Catholics who reject the gov- years old and is observed by Han Chinese with the flame of a large Paschal candle 1949. The country has more than 100 dio- ernment-sanctioned Chinese Catholic Pa- people across mainland China, Taiwan, before renewing their baptismal vows. As ceses and archdioceses but does not have a triotic Association. — ucanews.com Pope’s prayer intention for April: ‘For fundamental human rights’ VATICAN: “Defending fundamental will to pray for those who “risk their cis, “every human being has the right human rights demands courage and lives fighting for fundamental rights.” to develop fully, and this fundamental determination.” In the video, the Pope laments that right cannot be denied by any coun- Pope Francis begins “The Pope human rights are often not equal for try.” Video” for April with this remark, and all, saying there are “first-, second-, With this in mind, the Pope urges goes on to describe exactly what he and third-class people, and those who everyone to pray during April for this means. are disposable.” intention. He says he is referring to “actively Yet, he appeals, fundamental human “Let us pray for those who risk their combatting poverty, inequality, the rights “must be equal for all.” lives while fighting for fundamental lack of work, land and housing, and “In some places, defending people’s rights under dictatorships, authoritari- the denial of social and labour rights.” dignity can mean going to prison, even an regimes and even in democracies in As a press release from the Pope’s without a trial. Or it might mean slan- crisis, that they may see their sacrifice Worldwide Prayer Network points out, der,” he notes. and their work bear abundant fruit.” — Pray for those fighting to protect people’s fundamental human the Pope is inviting all people of good- Despite the danger, says Pope Fran- By Devin Watkins, Vatican News rights in all parts of the world. (https://clicktopray.org/) 2 Forum / Reflection HERALD April 11, 2021 The Resurrection – overnight change? e died on a cross at a distant outpost also a sense that the temple priesthood had of the Roman Empire. Sunday Observer grown corrupt and out of touch with the lo- H He was cut down in his prime, in cals. his 30s. By At the time of Jesus’ death, Tiberius Cae- His followers — the only witnesses to his sar, the gloomy, reclusive Roman Emperor, words — had fled in fear, except for a few Anil Netto was ensconced at the Isle of Capri. He had women keeping watch by the cross. [email protected] built a Roman palace known as Villas Jovis He proclaimed a new kingdom of love, of (Villa of Jupiter) atop a hill on this island to compassion and justice, but appeared to have get away from the political manoeuvring in little to show for it in the end. trial and execution still cowered in fear be- Movement had suffered a crushing blow with Rome, some 130 miles away. He had nothing written down, no social hind closed doors — at least until Pentecost. the loss of their leader. Their positions were Here he must have felt safe from assassi- media, no internet, no electronic media, no They must have felt it was not safe for them safe and the status quo had been restored – or nation. But that too was not to be. He was photographs. The earliest accounts of his to move around as they had openly associ- so they thought. smothered in his own bedclothes at the age ministry would have to rely on an oral tradi- ated with someone who was executed as a But then, they would soon realise that their of 78, in AD37, just a day after the anniver- tion at first. threat to the powers of the day. And who can power itself was just fleeting. Almost simul- sary of Julius Caesar’s assassination on 15 For an effective dissemination of his mes- blame them? taneously, they disappeared from the scene March 44BC. sage across the globe, Jesus appeared to be The only bright spot was the women who in a matter of years. Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, did in the wrong place, in the wrong time, in courageously followed Jesus to the end, even Caiaphas carried on as High Priest for a not last long either after Tiberius’ death. The the wrong era even. After all, it would be 14 visiting the tomb, for which Mary Magda- few more years until AD37. new Emperor, Caligula, exiled him to Spain centuries later before even the printing press lene received the honour of being the first The Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate, would in AD39, after he was told that Herod had would be invented. witness of the Resurrection. rule Judea until AD36-37 as well, complet- conspired against Tiberius. Herod died in The Gospel accounts paint a bleak sce- So, while Jesus’ followers could scarcely ing about a decade in power. exile. nario of Jesus’ death — when darkness had believe he had risen, everyday life in Jeru- These two characters probably had a close These leaders, under whose watch Jesus descended across the land. salem must have carried on as usual. Little working relationship, given their long ten- was executed, thought they had got rid of a Historians of his time barely took note of appeared to have changed on the surface. ures and the decade when their tenures co- local nuisance. Jesus’ life, let alone his ministry. His life was The massive curtain of the temple, torn incided. But the impact of his Resurrection just like the proverbial footnote in history, merit- into two, must have been hurriedly replaced But both Caiaphas and Pilate were uncer- grew and grew. ing just a couple of lines here and there in the or mended. The empty tomb would have emoniously booted out by the Roman gover- Even today, world leaders may think they history written by officialdom of the time. been placed under guard or watched. nor of Syria, Vitellius. have the time and resources to consolidate And then the Resurrection took place - and The renovation and construction of the Vitellius had received complaints about their power and accumulate extraordinary changed the course of history. But it would grand Temple continued apace. Pilate’s cruelty from the Samaritans. wealth. be easy for us to think that the Resurrection Jesus appeared to have lost out to those And, perhaps, there was local unhappiness But it is the Good News to the poor and changed things overnight. who wielded oppressive power in his time. about Caiaphas’ own close cooperation or the captives that carries with it the force and The followers of Jesus continued to be After the turbulence of his execution, the even submission to Roman imperial rule, as power of the Resurrection, that is still usher- persecuted, especially those in Jerusalem. leaders who presided over this trial and death Caiaphas’ long period in office — 18 years ing in a new kingdom, a new Creation— mo- The Apostles who had fled the scene of the must have sat back and believed the Jesus —might suggest. By that time, there was ment by moment, day by day. Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday: He Understands and Has Mercy ope St John Paul II declared that this Sun- to have our patience strained. Just think about Pday, the octave day of Easter, should be the antics of the Twelve before they received Divine Mercy Sunday. It is a time for us to the special Grace of the Holy Spirit on Pen- Reflecting on our Sunday Readings focus on our need for God’s mercy, and the tecost. Jesus also knew how easy it is to lose hating that person because of his or her opin- Divine Mercy Sunday abundance of mercy he showers upon us. hope when a crisis hits. Think about the cross. ions. He must look at us Americans in 2021 Readings: Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35; With the exception of the angels among Along with the physical pain, Jesus knew and say, “People, disagree in your political 1 John 5:1-6; us, which would be just the infants and little what it was like to feel completely aban- positions if you must, but stop being hateful children, we often shock ourselves with how doned. All of us suffer from feeling that we to each other and start respecting each other.” Gospel: John 20:19-31 easily we go off the deep end, losing our tem- are all alone. Even the mother in a house full Jesus even knew what it was like to wake Sunday, we are reminded that when we say pers, our patience, engaging tongue before of children and a caring husband often feels up in the morning and feel crabby. Moods with our lives as well as with our tongues, brain, doing that which we said we would all alone. Jesus felt alone too. But this was are part of our human condition and Jesus “You, Jesus, are my Lord and my God,” then no longer do, again and again, and not doing more than that, He felt abandoned. With the was one of us in all things but sin. Granted, are we only human? No, we are not only hu- those acts of charity that we know we need exception of Mary, John and a small handful He controlled His moods, and we often don’t man. His grace allows us to be infinitely more to perform. Without rattling off a long list of of people, He was all alone on Calvary. Yet, control our moods, but He did know that bad than just human. Through His mercy we can negatives, suffice it to say that we are all frail when He called out the beginning of Psalm 22 moods seem to come from nowhere. He also be the spiritual beings that He created us to human beings. from the cross, “My God, My God, why have shared our other frailties. The Lord knew the be. Sometimes, though, we hide behind our you forsaken me?,” He was praying the psalm temptation to tell lies to get someone off His “I am not good enough,” all of us are in- humanity to justify our actions. We say, “I’m that declares that no matter what the world is back. He didn’t; we often do. He also knew clined to say, particularly when we know we only human, you know.” But that is never doing to Him, His Father would never aban- the temptation to take what was not His when need to serve God in the Church, in our home, an acceptable excuse for our behaviour. We don Him. He was hungry. Jesus experienced every our workplace, our school or our neighbour- are not only human. We are also spiritual. They have pierced my hands and my feet, frailty of human nature without exception. hood. “I am not good enough” we say to our- Jesus died on the cross so we could share in I can number all my bones. But He did not act on them. selves and to others not just to have an ex- His resurrection, so we could have a spiritual They stare and gloat over me, Back to today’s Gospel. He knew how cuse for avoiding something, but far deeper, life. Through the grace of our baptism, our They divide my clothes among them Thomas was frustrated with the other disci- because we know our own frailty. Parents acceptance of the New Life of the Resurrec- And for my garments they cast lots, ples and how he was disappointed that Jesus’ say deep within themselves, “I am not good tion, God dwells within each of us. We are triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sun- But you, O Lord, be not far off! enough to be the spiritual leader my children infinitely more than human. We are sons and day was followed by His exit from the city O You, my help, hasten to my aid...... need.” The young say, “I am not good enough daughters of God. carrying a cross less than a week later. The to lead my peers to Christ.” I, a priest as well Our God sent His Son to become one of us. And I will tell of your name to my brethren.... Lord knew what Thomas was going through as everyone in the priesthood or aspiring to be One of us. The Fourth Eucharistic Prayer says You who fear the Lord, praise Him, and forgave him. The Lord knows what each a priest say, “I am not good enough to be the that He became a man like us in all things but You sons of Jacob, glorify Him and of us is going through in our lives and for- priest the people need.” But we are wrong. All sin. That means that Jesus never chose to do Stand in awe of Him, you sons of Israel. gives us. Well, He forgives us as long as we of us are wrong. We are all good enough. He something wrong or refused to do something Jesus also knew how the world tempts us to are willing to take a step outside of ourselves makes us good enough. that needed to be done to reflect God’s love. hate and how easy it is to take a small step and and our wants, and recognise our need for His This is the message of Divine Mercy Sun- It also means that Jesus knows what it is like go from disagreeing with another person to Presence in our lives. On this Divine Mercy day. — By Msgr Joseph A Pellegrino HERALD April 11, 2021 Home / World 3 There is no grief in the Church that is borne in solitude Pope Francis said that the com- praise such as Mary’s Magnificat whom they are in conflict. munion of saints means that and Simeon’s Nunc dimittis echo “And something changes with Christians are never alone in the through the centuries. prayer. The first thing that chang- darkest moments of their lives. He said: “Those prayers that es is my heart and my attitude. Speaking at his general audi- are good are ‘expansive,’ like The Lord changes it so it might ence on April 7, the Pope noted anything that is good; they prop- be turned into an encounter, a that whenever people pray they agate themselves continuously, new encounter so that the conflict are surrounded by both hidden with or without being posted on does not become a never-ending and canonized saints. social networks: from hospital war,” he noted. “Prayer is always born again: wards, from moments of festive The Pope also called on Catho- each time we join our hands and gatherings to those in which we lics in times of trouble to pray open our hearts to God, we find suffer silently…” to the saint associated with their ourselves in the company of both He noted that the early Chris- baptismal name. anonymous saints and recognised tian community buried people in He said: “The name given to us saints who pray with us and who gardens surrounding a church. at baptism is not a label or a dec- intercede for us as older brothers He said this was a way of saying oration! It is usually the name of and sisters who have preceded us that “the hosts of those who have the Virgin, or a saint, who expect on this same human adventure,” preceded us participate in every nothing other than to ‘give us a he said. Eucharist.” hand’ in life, to give us a hand to “There is no grief in the Church “The saints are still here, not obtain the grace from God that that is borne in solitude, there are far from us; and their represen- Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic we need.” no tears shed in oblivion, be- tations in churches evoke that Palace April 7, 2021. (CNA photo/Vatican Media) “If the trials of life have not cause everyone breathes and par- ‘cloud of witnesses’ that always however weak and marked by the whole world. reached the breaking point, if we ticipates in one common grace.” surrounds us,” the Pope ex- sin, holiness can unfold. Even at “There is a mysterious solidar- are still capable of persevering, The Pope gave his address, plained, quoting from the Epistle the last moment.” ity in Christ between those who if despite everything we proceed dedicated to praying in commun- to the Hebrews. “In fact, we read in the Gos- have already passed to the other trustingly, more than due to our ion with the saints, in the library He continued: “They are wit- pel that the first saint canonised life and we pilgrims in this one: own merits, perhaps we owe all of the Apostolic Palace due to nesses that we do not adore -- by Jesus Himself was a thief, not from heaven, our beloved de- this to the intercession of all the coronavirus restrictions. that is understood that we do not a pope. Holiness is a journey of ceased continue to take care of saints, some who are in heaven, The address was the 28th re- adore these saints -- but whom we life, a long or short or instantane- us. They pray for us, and we pray others who are pilgrims like us flection in his cycle of catechesis venerate and who in thousands of ous encounter with Jesus. But he for them and we pray with them,” on earth, who have protected and on prayer, which he launched in different ways bring us to Jesus or she is always a witness, a saint he said. accompanied us, because all of us May and resumed in October fol- Christ, the only Lord and Media- is a witness, a man or woman The Pope added that we gain know there are holy people here lowing nine addresses on healing tor between God and humanity.” who encountered Jesus and fol- an insight into the communion of on this earth, saintly men and the world after the pandemic. “A ‘saint’ that does not bring lowed Jesus. It is never too late the saints when we pray for those women who live in holiness.” The Pope said that when Cath- you to Jesus is not a saint, not to be converted to the Lord who around us. At the end of the general audi- olics pray they are “immersed in even a Christian. A saint makes is good and great in love.” “To pray for others is the first ence, Pope Francis said that he a majestic river of invocations you remember Jesus Christ be- Citing the Catechism of the way to love them and it moves us was praying for victims of floods that precedes us and proceeds af- cause he or she trod the path of Catholic Church, the Pope en- toward concretely drawing near,” in Indonesia and East Timor that ter us.” living as a Christian. The saints couraged Catholics to ask the he said, recommending that peo- have killed more than 150 peo- He described how prayers of remind us that even in our lives, saints to intercede for them and ple pray especially for those with ple. — CNA Diaconate Ordination in Vatican provides COVID-19 Malacca Johore Diocese vaccination for 100 homeless people

Pope Francis with the homeless people at a vaccination centre in the Paul VI Hall where the poor and homeless are being inoculated, April 2, 2021. (Vatican Media) VATICAN: On Wednesday after- from receiving the vaccines, or- group vaccinated on Wednesday noon April 7, the first dose of the ganised an initiative of providing was the Papal Almoner, Cardinal COVID-19 vaccine was admin- 1,200 of the poorest and most vul- Konrad Krajewski. istered to a group of more than nerable people in society with an A statement from the Holy See one hundred people housed in the opportunity of getting vaccinated Press Office said that in coming dormitory of the Missionaries of with the Pfizer-BioNTech vac- days, other groups of people will Charity of San Gregorio al Celio cine – the same administered to receive the vaccines, accompa- JOHOR BAHRU: Seminarian Brother William Pillai will be ordained and others residing in other Ro- the Pope and the employees of the nied by volunteers from the Com- a deacon on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the Church of St Henry, Batu man structures. Holy See. munity of Sant’Egidio, Caritas Pahat. Please keep him in prayer. The Office of Papal Charities, The vaccines were administered Rome, the Missionaries of Charity The Diaconate Ordination Mass will be livestreamed on www. in response to Pope Francis’s ap- at the Paul VI Hall in the Vati- and other associations. —Vatican youtube.com/MJDOSC peals that no one be excluded can. Present to welcome those the News 4 Home HERALD April 11, 2021 KL Archdiocese holds training sessions, resources for catechists KUALA LUMPUR: The KL Archdi- Catechesis@Home ocesan Catechetical Ministry organ- Theology of the Body ised a series of online training ses- mong the first initiatives tak- ver time, the Archdioc- sions for new catechists in February Aen was the preparation of the Oesan Theology of the and March 2021. In total, 26 sessions Catechesis@Home material. Dr Body team started having were held - nine in English, eight in Steven shared that the first issue online TOB camps for teen- Bahasa Malaysia, three in Tamil and of Catechesis@Home was pre- agers at the invitation of the six in Mandarin. The topics covered pared in the English language for parish. The Catechesis of the were Vocation and Mission of the Cat- Palm Sunday 2020. After a few Good Shepherd Team also echist, Spirituality of the Catechists weeks, there were requests for the played a role in coordinat- and Creative and Engaging Online material to be prepared in other ing with the parish teams in Teaching. languages. A number of dedicated providing lessons online to According to Dr Steven Selvaraju, people came forward and volun- the younger learners. RCIA although the catechetical situation teered to assist with the transla- coordinators and formators has changed drastically with classes tions. After that, the materials too remained committed to shifting from the traditional teaching- were shared with other dioceses. their ministry in keeping the learning context to online learning, it It has been about a year now, and catechetical sessions going is important that every catechist, espe- the Catechesis@Home materi- in the parishes and preparing cially those who have just joined the als are still being produced on a the catechumens to be initi- weekly basis in four languages. ministry, is reminded about his or her Zoom session with students. (file photo) ated into the Church. vocation, mission, and spiritual life. Although circumstances may change Training Sessions and new challenges may arise, the call and ministry of the catechist remains n addition, a common online on the use of Google Class- the same – the organic and systematic Idomain was set up where cat- room and Google Meet to the teaching of the Catholic faith to the echetical resources are uploaded catechists, and Dr Donnie Ad- young. for catechists to access and use ams, a Certified Microsoft Team Dr Steven added, “I am happy that for their lessons. In May and Trainer who was invited to share the sessions were well received, not June 2020, a series of training his expertise with RCIA Coordi- only by the new catechists but also by sessions in different languages nators. a large number of senior ones. I am on the use of online apps were Towards the end of 2020, Mr also proud that those who presented held. Antoine Augustine presented the sessions were persons who had Among these was the train- an online session on “Online attended a one-year “Catechist Train- ing given by Ms Grace David, Registration for Catechism via the-Trainer” Course conducted by the a Certified Google Trainer who Google Form” to help catechists New Catechists’ Formation in the Mandarin language. Archdiocesan Catechetical Centre in was invited to present sessions register their students online. 2018. Some of them were invited to present the sessions, and they carried Resources for Parents sources for catechists and parents. enriching experience during this with online teaching-learning. out their task creatively and effec- his year, the Archdiocesan In addition, there is also a project difficult time”, says Dr Steven, One such idea is the “Buddy tively.” TCatechetical Ministry will to provide, where possible, elec- “has been my collaboration with System”, that is, where a parish With the support of Archbishop Ju- focus especially on a number of tronic gadgets to learners who are the parish Catechetical coordina- which is doing well with online lian Leow and Fr Christopher W. Soo- urgent needs brought up at the unable to attend catechism classes tors. They are an amazing group catechesis supports another par- saipillai, Ecclesiastical Assistant for Clergy Annual Pastoral Assem- due to the lack of a device. of dedicated, hardworking and ish still struggling to adapt. Truly, Catechetics, many other efforts have bly (CAPA) in January 2020. The past year has been a chal- resourceful people. Meetings are we have to be thankful to the co- been taken by the Archdiocesan Cate- These include finding ways to lenging one for many people, held every three months and it is ordinators and catechists for their chetical Ministry to equip and support help parents take responsibility including those involved in the by sharing and listening to one dedication and hard work, and for the parish coordinators and catechists and carry out their role as primary catechetical ministry. It called for another that numerous solutions responding to their vocation and since the classes went online last year catechists to their children, as a complete change in the way cat- were found on how to address mission in teaching the faith to because of the COVID-19 pandemic. well as providing more online re- echesis is carried out. “The most the challenges faced by catechists the young. New chapel blessed and opened in Sabah Catholic Sabah KEMABONG, Sabah: Kampung of Lent to form a relationship with back in print Mailo, Kemabong had its new God, through compassion and hu- chapel blessed recently, with Bish- mility, by always acknowledging KOTA KINABALU: Catholic op Cornelius Piong officiating the and realising that we need God’s Sabah is back in print after the rite of blessing and opening. mercy. lifting of the Movement Control The rite of blessing of Christ The bishop also reminded the Order (MCO). The Archdiocese the King Church was marked by people to avoid being arrogant be- made the decision to suspend the sprinkling of the closed door with cause the prayers of the arrogant printing because of the suspen- holy water and incensing. It was will not be heard by God. The sion of Masses. Now that the na- followed by the ribbon cutting facilities of the church building tion has entered into the relaxed and opening of the main chapel should be used for the purpose of Conditional Movement Control door. Inside the chapel, the prel- worship as well as adding to and Order (CMCO), and the Church ate blessed the water to be used enhancing the relationship with has opened her doors to 50 per for the blessing of the walls and God and one another. cent capacity, the Archdiocese surroundings of the chapel before Meanwhile, parish priest Fr has decided to resume print. Mass began. Ronny Alfred Luni in his speech For a start, Catholic Sabah will Christ the King Church was Bishop Cornelius Piong blesses Christ the King Church in Kemabong. said, “Hopefully the blessing of only be available on a monthly completed at the end of Nov 2020 ing in their hearts the idea that the The word Mailo which means the third church building in Mis- basis with less pages until such with financial assistance from the church is actually ourselves who “stubborn” in the Murut Tahol sion Kemabong will be a stepping time when the Mass attendance is government and developed by form the domestic church start- language, should be emulated stone to be more committed and back to normal. Datuk Victor Paul, the contractor, ing from the family, to form chil- from a positive angle which is, our effective in building the kingdom Although during the MCO we replacing the old church building dren to have faith which is able to stubbornness to remain faithful to of God in Tenom and Kemabong.’ had launched the online Catholic which is now used as a church resist whatever distractions and Christ the King, by not being eas- MPM chairman Tony Madan Sabah portal at www.catholicsa- hall. evil influences from outside. In a ily threatened by evil powers, said said, “worn out while preparing bah.com, we are back in print to The bishop called on the parish- sparkling moment, his jovial man- the bishop. for this meaningful event finally serve the parishes and the faith- ioners to likewise change their ner told the people present to be In addition, the bishop urged turns into joy when we do it for ful, especially those who encoun- perception of the church by instill- “Mailo” in following Jesus. the people to use the opportunity God”. ter poor internet connection. HERALD April 11, 2021 Home 5 Caritas Orientations, first step towards Parish Caritas in KK KOTA KINABALU: An online that the Archdiocesan Human Parish Caritas in the Archdio- Caritas Orientation via Zoom Development Commission was cese. for an English-speaking group dissolved in October last year. The term “Social Mission of was held on Mar 20. It was at- Two new archdiocesan Minis- the Church” is not commonly tended by about 50 participants, tries were set up as replacement, mentioned. In fact, there is not comprising parish delegates, rep- namely: Caritas Kota Kinabalu much catechesis given on the so- resentatives from archdiocesan and the Archdiocesan Migrants cial aspect of our mission in our commissions, leaders of various cum Itinerants Commission. communities. She expressed the governmental and non-govern- The Caritas Online Orientation hope that this Online Orientation mental organisations, and some was organised with the following would form and lead to a strong observers from the Diocese of objectives: conviction in each one about the Keningau.  To reimage, revitalise and need for our social involvement Sr Anita James, coordinator spearhead the social mission of as a church. of Caritas Kota Kinabalu, wel- the Church in the Archdiocese A three-step approach has been comed and thanked all the partic-  To expose Caritas to the par- adopted in the Orientation: To ipants for their virtual presence. ticipants see, to judge and to act methodi- She reminded the participants  To initiate the formation of cally. The Caritas Kota Kinabalu Committee members. The orientation Conclusion Archbishop John Wong con- of all graces and blessings. God gratulated and thanked the Car- could work through our noth- itas KK committee (18 mem- ingness if we allow ourselves to bers in all) who worked hard in be a channel of his love in the organising the online orienta- world, he added. tions both for the English and Mother Teresa has been the Bahasa Malaysia groups, chosen as the Patron Saint of held a few weeks earlier. Caritas Malaysia. Her words Archbishop Wong also of wisdom should be the guid- thanked all involved for their ing principle of Caritas: “It is active participation and for pa- not how much we do but how tiently listening to the lengthy much love we put into our do- four-hour presentation. With ing, it is not how much we give the Online Orientation, the but it is how much love we put Archbishop, being the head of into our giving.” At the end of Caritas KK, hoped that it had the day, said the Archbishop, given the participants a clearer our performance through Cari- picture of what Caritas is all tas is measured by the amount Caritas Orientation for parishes and other organisations on March 20, 2021. about and the need to have an of love that we put into carrying TO SEE discussed the Social teaching and Mis- dation for the Caritas Malaysian chap- organised approach to carrying out our programme and activi- Two sessions were presented as a sion of the Church by asking, “Why ter, which all started during the Catho- out our social Mission in the ties. means to see the journey that had been must we care?” He enumerated sev- lic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia Church. He reminded and urged all and to situate the participants to the eral principles of Catholic Social teach- Singapore and Brunei in July 2019 He revealed that there would participants to pray for God’s present reality in the Church. ings, pointing out the reasons for our when they met with Caritas staff from be a follow up programme in guidance before planning or Dominic Lim shared the background being caring towards others, the most the Vatican and Asia for a dialogue. the middle of the year after all initiating anything in the Par- on how the Pastoral Thrust of the Arch- important of all being the principle of The Bishops’ Conference unani- the parish level Caritas groups ish Caritas. “Pray for transfor- diocese (to go inward, to go smaller human dignity. Each and every one of mously agreed to establish Caritas Ma- have been set up. mation of heart, to experience and to go outward) came about. In us is created in the image and likeness laysia in January 2020 as an overarch- Caritas was set up as an of- God’s love within you and en- 2018 another PAX Assembly was of God. Therefore, everyone is worthy ing body for all organizations involved ficial social arm of the Univer- counter God in the little things held in Bundu Tuhan to check on the of respect and being served without in charity and development work. sal Church to respond to any you do, and the love of God will progress of the Pastoral Thrust of the distinction. They agreed to work as one Malaysian crisis locally or in the world, set your hearts on fire to reach Archdiocese. He also pointed out the difference Church and to bear witness to God’s and to manifest the love of God out wherever He will lead and He revealed that it was reported dur- between doing work as an NGO and love in the public spaces. With the through concrete social action. send you in the mission.” He ing the assembly that several efforts to doing Charity work in the church. The launching of Caritas Malaysia in No- He stressed that the work of ended by giving his blessing to go forward were undertaken on various key, he suggested, is found in Mk 8:1- vember last year, we are now officially Caritas would not be easy due all the participants. levels: Archdiocesan, Parish, as well as 10, where Jesus’ heart was moved with a member of Caritas Internationalis. to our lack of resources but our The Online Caritas Orienta- initiatives taken by the religious con- pity for the crowd. Caritas does not There was a moment for silent re- strength lies in our concerted tion concluded with an online gregations. He ended his talk by pos- merely deal with giving or feeding, flection with the aid of a PowerPoint efforts, in our faith and rela- evaluation. — By Sr Bibiana ing a question, “With the setting up of but is also concerned with the spiritual on Caritas Ministry. It was followed tionship with God, the source Densia, FSP, Catholic Sabah Caritas, 24 years after the launching of well-being of the people. by a question and answer session. the first vision and mission of our arch- In his turn, Fr Gilbert, in his input on diocese in 1997, can this be the prime “How will we respond to the issues as TO ACT mover for our Archdiocese going for- the Malaysian Church?”, tried to help In this third part, Fr Gilbert, spiritual ward?” the participants to understand better director of Caritas Kota Kinabalu, In line with the aspect of seeing, Ju- what Caritas is all about by showing showed the organizational charts of bilee Felix presented the summary of a short video presentation on Caritas. Caritas Internationalis, Caritas Ma- responses to a survey regarding the Caritas which is love – God’s love for laysia and Caritas Kota Kinabalu. He perception on social issues received all humanity – is a love that knows no explained the structure and process of from various groups and 17 parishes bounds or boundaries of race, status or setting up the Archdiocesan and Parish which responded to the questionnaire. religion. Caritas, as well as their expected roles This was followed by a discussion, “Caritas is the caress of the Church and functions on various levels. open dialogue and sharing facilitated to its people, the caress of the Mother Sr Anita then presented a proposed by Dr Jeffrey Soon. Church to her children, her tenderness timeline of initiatives for Caritas Ma- and closeness” (Pope Francis). laysia and Caritas Kota Kinabalu. She TO JUDGE He explained the meaning of the said that various programmes and pro- Likewise, two additional talks were Caritas Malaysia logo adapted from jects were planned for the whole year given under this second approach to the Caritas Internationalis. He shared at all levels: national, archdiocesan and help the participants to reflect on what about the Vision and Mission of Cari- parish levels, from January to Decem- had been presented earlier. tas as well as its roles and functions. ber 2021. It is indeed a time to work to In the first talk, Fr Nicholas Stephen Fr Gilbert briefly discussed the foun- bring those plans to fruition. Caritas Orientation for parishes and other organisations. 6 Asia HERALD April 11, 2021 Philippine diocese launches prayer app for COVID patients MANILA: A diocese in the Philip- “With this E-Pray app, COVID feel like we are about to surrender, the pines has launched an application patients can communicate with our presence of a priest is very important called “E-Pray” that allows people to diocese for spiritual advice and coun- for guidance,” said Fr Luciano Felloni, connect with clergymen for spiritual selling. We can also reach out to them the diocese’s social communications accompaniment during their COV- by allowing them to send their prayer director. ID-19 isolation. intentions to us,” the diocese said in an He said the internet must be maxi- Novaliches Diocese in Manila April 6 announcement on social media. mized for the Catholic Church’s mis- said the app was developed by its It’s a free web application where pa- sion to be more alive and active during social communications ministry in tients can type in their contact details the pandemic. response to a recent spike in COVID so that priests can get in touch with “The problem [for sick Catholics] is cases in the Philippine capital. them. that there is no direct contact because On April 7, the Philippines had re- The diocese said communication is priests are not allowed to enter hospi- corded a total of 819,164 COVID-19 key to lessening the stress and anxiety tals and quarantine facilities,” the priest cases with 14,059 deaths since the felt by COVID patients. added. pandemic began. On that day alone, “The pandemic has prevented Fr Filoni said one of the essen- 6,414 new cases and 242 deaths were Novaliches Diocese in Manila has launched an app that allows people churchgoers from accessing their tial things for a sick person is faith in also recorded, down from a peak of to connect with clergymen for spiritual accompaniment during their priests and has deprived them of their God. — By Joseph Peter Calleja, 11,020 new cases earlier in the week. COVID-19 isolation. (UCA News photo/Unsplash) spiritual life. During times when we ucanews.com Timor-Leste priests, nuns join flood aid efforts JAKARTA: Priests and nuns in sia’s predominantly Christian prov- Dili and 7,000 more were receiving Timor-Leste have joined efforts to ince of East Nusa Tenggara. assistance in Immaculate Concep- provide much-needed assistance Fr Angelo Salshina from the so- tion Parish in Dili. to flash flood victims forced to flee cial services division of Dili Archdi- “We desperately need basic food- their homes in recent days following ocese said these people need urgent stuffs and clothing for children and storms that have struck the Catholic- help. the elderly,” he said. majority country since Easter Sun- “The Catholic Bishops’ Confer- Ruben Goncalves, a Dili resident, day. ence of Timor has ordered priests said the weather has improved, but Many of those who fled have and nuns to respond and serve them many people are still not able to re- sought shelter at church-run facili- as best they can,” he said. turn home. ties. So far, they have helped provide “I am fortunate to live in a place in The country has recorded at least basic needs including cooked meals. the highlands. The worst affected are 36 deaths, 30 are still missing and Fr Salshina said around 2,000 those who live along rivers whose thousands have been displaced by victims were being helped by the houses must have been washed the flash floods triggered by torren- Church at a Salesian-run training away,” he said. — By Ryan Dagur, Relief supplies are unloaded for victims of flash floods at a training centre run tial rain which also struck Indone- centre in Comoro on the outskirts of ucanews.com by the Salesians in Comoro, near Dili. (UCA News photo) Indian missionary finds joy serving Christ in Malaysia LIMBANG, Sarawak: His mission- primary tool in the life of a mission- Mill Hill Missionaries and St ary experience at St Edmund Catho- ary and that without knowing their Joseph lic Church in Limbang, a town in language it is very difficult to really While Fr Ravindra finds joy in Sarawak, has left an indelible mark on be in touch with the people,” the priest his mission in Malaysia, Mill the life of Fr Christu Kolabathina, bet- explained. Hill missionaries have faced ter known as Ravindra Babu. While serving in Limbang, Fr abuse and persecution in vari- The Indian priest from St. Joseph Ravindra has also come face to face ous parts of the world, including Missionary Society of Mill Hill (pop- with superstitions such as the power Asia. ularly known as Mill Hill Missionar- of black magic as he visited the sick. During the Second World ies) has served as the assistant pastor “I came across around 35 individu- War, the Japanese detained and of a parish in Miri Diocese since Sep- als who had experienced some sort of executed eight Mill Hill mis- tember 2018. black magic attack and were seriously sionaries, including German The second of five children, Fr injured and ill for many years. I thank monsignor A. Wachter in Ma- Ravindra was educated in Catholic God that today they are free from all laysia, while other British and schools in India. The first part of his such evils,” he recently wrote on Mill Dutch missionaries were also missionary and priestly formation in- Fr Ravindra Babu makes the sign of the cross with ash on parishioners during Hill Missionaries’ website. detained. cluding philosophy studies was com- Ash Wednesday Mass in St Edmund Catholic Church in Limbang, Sarawak, on Fr Ravindra thanks God for his In 1991, English missionary Feb 17, 2020. (UCA News photo/St Edmund Church) pleted in India and then he was sent beautiful and wonderful priestly min- Father Louis Purcell was forced to St Joseph Formation Centre in Nai- Fr Ravindra has named his mission Lapok Parish is composed of many istry as he prepares to join Tatau Par- to leave Kota Kinabalu in Sabah robi, Kenya, for theological studies. in Malaysia “Active Mission” as it in- races and the priest looks after Catho- ish as a rector to work with Father state after the government re- He spent two years in a missionary spires him to perform his priestly min- lics who speak various languages and Alex, an Indian Claretian priest. He fused him a visa extension. experience programme in the Diocese istry with great joy and do even more. dialects — Bahasa Malayu, Iban, looks forward to the future with joy. Mill Hill Missionaries is a of Kroonstad in South Africa and was He has been involved in house Kenyah, Kayan, Baravan, Sebub and The missionary says he experiences prominent Catholic religious ordained a priest on Feb 3, 2016, in blessings, farm blessings, visits to Penan. He learned Bahasa Malayu the joy of Christ in the lives of people order of priests and broth- the Archdiocese of Hyderabad in In- the sick and expressing the Word of and Iban to communicate and cel- to whom he ministers and is greatly ers founded in Mill Hill, Lon- dia. God through art, traditional and on- ebrate Mass. He also learned Man- inspired by the words of Pope Francis, don, in 1866 by Father Herbert Limbang Parish is Fr’s Ravindra’s line Masses and music, among other darin, the language spoken by many who once said that “priests should be Vaughan, who later became second missionary assignment. He things. Chinese-Malaysians. shepherds living with the smell of the archbishop of Westminster and landed in his first mission as a priest Fr Ravidnra is passionate about art. In Limbang, people speak Manda- sheep.” subsequently a cardinal. for Lapok Parish, also in Miri Dio- He formed a “Mill Hill Team” with rin, Iban and Bisaya. The parish is lo- Muslims make up about 60 percent The religious order is consid- cese, in June 2016. three local Catholics led by him to cated in a border zone with Brunei and of Malaysia’s 32 million population, ered one of the first mission- Together with parish priest Fr Peter run a catechesis programme through to reach the area from Miri visitors while Christians account for about 10 ary efforts of English-speaking Huang, the young missionary priest art for children in Limbang. Some need a visa. A flight from Miri takes percent, making up the third-largest Catholics and was recognised has traveled extensively to meet lo- 90 children registered for the pro- 30 minutes to reach Limbang. religious group. Most Christians hail by the Vatican in 1908. cal Catholics and tend to the pastoral gramme. Fr Ravindra devoted himself to from Sarawak and Sabah states in The society celebrated its needs of Limbang which is spread Fr Ravindra’s mission continues learning local languages in order to Borneo region. 150th founding anniversary across 55 kampungs (clustered vil- despite challenges including the lan- come close to the people. About 1.2 million Catholics are in its operational regions and lages) — 53 accessible by car and two guage barrier, cultural differences and “I realized during my stay in East spread across the three archdioceses countries in 2016. — B y R o c k by boat. traditional superstitions. and South Africa that language is a and six dioceses of Malaysia. Ronald Rozario, ucanews.com HERALD April 11, 2021 World 7 “I plead guilty, but I have done no wrong” HONG KONG: Lee Cheuk-yan, a Jewish Hierarchy by serving the I do not want to see Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and former poor and oppressed and preaching rule[d] on the basis of such sys- member of Hong Kong’s Legisla- the Good News. temic violence. Therefore I would tive Council, was convicted yes- “Throughout the history of man- do my utmost to affirm the rights of terday along with media magnate kind, the rights that humankind people to a dignified and peaceful Jimmy Lai and former Democratic now enjoyed were pioneered by procession to express themselves. Party chairman Yeung Sum of tak- political prisoners from Gandhi “Your Honour must be passion- ing part in an unauthorised protest to Martin Luther King to Nelson ate about upholding the law and on 31 August 2019. Mandela. I was the Chairman of I respect your ideal. I hope I can According to many analysts, the Hong Kong anti-apartheid quote from the late Judge Ruth through the National Security Act movement back in the 80s and I Bader Ginsburg: and electoral reform, Beijing is us- always remember the determina- ‘Justices continue to think and ing every means to crush freedom tion of Nelson Mandela when he can change. I am ever hopeful that and stifle opposition in Hong Kong. said during his trial back in 1963: if the court has a blind spot today, Here is Lee Cheuk-yan’s guilty ‘an ideal for which I am prepared its eye will be open tomorrow.’ plea, courtesy of Apple Daily. to die.’ His ideal was equality for “I was very impressed with her “Your Honour, I plead guilty but black South Africans and then passion for gender equality and I’ve done no wrong in affirming the he spent 27 years in jail. I was how she fought her whole life for rights of people to peaceful proces- thrilled that in 1994, he was elected Pro-democracy activist Lee Cheuk-yan speaking to the media. gender equality and was able to sion and I believe history will ab- President of South Africa, giving cult struggle and challenges facing but I will continue the struggle achieve so much. Her message solve me. May I give you more on hope to the oppressed all over the Hong Kong. I asked myself, what even though darkness is surround- was that times change and judges my background so your honour can world that justice can be achieved is my life without the struggle? The ing us. It is an ideal for which I am should catch up with the times. For understand why I decided to march through the persistent struggle of struggle is my life, I cannot imag- prepared for any sanction. Hong Kong, the worst may be yet with the people for the future of the people. ine my life without it. It has been “Your Honour may say the law is to come, and we need the legal pro- Hong Kong. “I speak at length about his in- forty-three years of struggle for me the law. I seem not to show any re- fession to open its eyes to the suf- “As a Christian, during Easter spiration to me personally because and your Honour must understand morse in breaching the law in this fering of the people and to reflect when the scripture was read, I was I started my activism in 1978 for my deep-felt pain and sufferings to trial for August 31st. I hope Your on which side the law is with and reminded how Christ went to meet labour rights and democracy. My see how the State Power has been Honour understands the utmost im- how to change with the times for his fate on the cross, sacrificing for lifetime ideal is the empower- using brute force against the peo- portance I put on the right to free- the advancement of the rights and mankind to reconcile sinners with ment of the poor and oppressed to ple and the sacrifices of so many dom of expression through speech dignity of the people. God. From His arrest to his pros- speak out, to rise up for their rights. Hongkongers who were injured, or assembly. This is the only av- “I humbly submit myself to your ecution to his death sentencing by Whenever the oppressed assert jailed, or exiled, also to witness the enue the weak and oppressed can sentencing and whatever your sen- Pilate, he was a political prisoner their rights to fight for their - dig deprivation of the basic rights of have to right the wrongs done to tence, I have no regrets for stand- who committed no crime apart nity, I feel myself also empowered the people and the regression in de- them. If deprived, I will call this ing up for the rights of the people.” from being seen to be a threat to the and inspired to continue the diffi- mocracy. I saw my ideal crumbling systemic violence to the people. –– Asia News Caritas joins rescue efforts in After Pope’s visit, 23,000 Indonesia after cyclone disaster Christians reported JAKARTA: Caritas Indonesia has returning to Iraq joined the government, the United IRAQ: Thousands of families are said er people in the mainly Syriac Catho- Nations and other agencies in reach- to be returning to Iraq, just a few years lic town of Qaraqosh have reported ing out to the affected people follow- after the towns were taken over by that the Pope’s visit has caused people ing the disaster caused by a cyclone in ISIS and Christians killed. to consider a return. the southeast of the nation on Easter Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq has appar- Revan Possa from the Qaraqosh Sunday, April 4. ently given hope to Iraqi Christians to reconstruction board, said: “We have Rescuers were searching for doz- return to their homeland after fleeing heard about families from Qaraqosh ens of people still missing on Tues- years of violence. who cried when they saw photos of day, Apr 6 after floods and landslides Qaraqosh, in the Nineveh Plains, is the trip and are thinking about return- swept away villages in eastern Indo- Iraq’s largest Catholic town, 20 min- ing home. nesia and the neighbouring Catholic- utes from Mosul. It had a population “We need safety and support from majority nation of Timor-Leste or of 55,000 before it was occupied by the West to stay here. I like this land East Timor. At least 120 have been ISIS for two years. and I want to stay here.” reported dead in the two countries According to Fr Ammar Yako, who Joseph Guiliana, a teacher and au- with thousands displaced. runs a centre for displaced families, thor who returned to Qaraqosh after Two days of torrential rains from 23,000 Christians have already re- life as a refugee in France, said the tropical cyclone Seroja destroyed Indonesia rescue agency search an area affected by flash floods after heavy turned. papal visit reminded Iraqi Christians houses, public facilities, communica- rains. (Vatican News) Fionn Shiner, parliamentary and they have a right to live there. tions, roads and bridges, and turned Fr Thomas Labina from Larantuka aid to victims. Fr Fredy Rante Taruk, press officer for religious freedom He said: “We needed this visit to fill villages and small communities into Diocese in East Flores said hundreds Caritas Indonesia’s executive direc- charity Aid to the Church in Need told us with hope again: the hope that we wastelands of mud, sending about of houses were buried in mudslides tor, said Kupang Archdiocese was Premier the fleeing goes back further have the right to stay here as the origi- 10,000 people fleeing to shelters that hit three subdistricts. On nearby sheltering more than 500 displaced for some: “In Saddam Hussein’s time, nal people of this land. across the two neighbouring South- Lembata island, at least 85 people people at St Simon Petrus Church in he did a census and there were 1.4 mil- “For Christians here, as well as east Asian nations. died and 11 were missing after cold Kupang. “We are coordinating with lion Christians. There’s now thought to those living as refugees in Europe and Indonesia’s disaster management lava flows from the Ile Lewotolok the archdiocese and other dioceses be less than 250,000. This movement America, we all think that this visit agency, BNPB, had earlier reported volcano eruption hit four subdistricts, impacted by the disaster. Aid will be away from Iraq really picked up dur- gives them hope of life for Christians 128 dead and 72 missing. However, the priest said. distributed as quickly as possible,” he ing the Iraq War in 2003 and then with in Iraq. I am one of them. on Apr 6, it revised down the death In Adonara, electricity and trans- said. ISIS’ invasion of the Nineveh plains, “With the Pope’s visit, we feel that toll to 86 and raised the number of port links were cut in many areas, The Communion of Churches, In- that really sent it into turbo drive.” we are not alone. We feel that we are missing to 98. The agency blamed leaving the diocese unable to com- donesia’s national ecumenical body However, exactly one month on safe because someone cares about us.” the discrepancy on miscommunica- municate with priests or laypeople in Indonesia, a member of the World from the papal visit, which took place — Matters India/Premier Christian tion with local agencies. and hampering efforts to distribute Council of Churches (WCC), has in Baghdad, Mosul, Ur and Erbil, oth- News BNPB said that with good weather, aid. “We are trying to distribute aid to called on all its members to help the the military and volunteers arrived Adonara but continuing bad weather victims. “The Persekutuan Gereja- on the affected islands on Apr 6 and is making efforts extremely difficult,” gereja di Indonesia (PGI) is encour- set up public kitchens, while medical said Fr Labina. aging all churches in Indonesia to workers were brought in. Caritas Indonesia, Karina, the support the emergency response and The East Flores Disaster Mitigation country’s Catholic charity network, work with churches in East Nusa Agency had reported 61 dead and 30 said it was working with several local Tenggara province to help the vic- missing on Apr 5. At least 61 peo- offices in Atambua Diocese in Timor, tims, vulnerable groups and refu- ple lost their lives and more than 30 Larantuka Diocese in Flores, Weet- gees,” Philip Situmorang, the group’s were reported missing on Indonesia’s abula Diocese in Sumba and Kupang spokesman said in a statement. — By Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, Adonara island in East Flores district. Archdiocese in Timor to distribute Robin Gomes, Vatican News March 5, 2021. (ACN photo) 8 World HERALD April 11, 2021 Violence in Northern Ireland widely condemned BELFAST: They are scenes many thought had First Minister Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein, both been consigned to history, but Wednesday night’s condemned the disorder and attacks on police. (April 7) violence in Belfast demonstrated just Northern Ireland’s power-sharing Executive how fragile peace can be. was due to meet soon to be briefed on the latest In a fortnight of unrest, rioters set a hijacked unrest as well as the disturbances that took place bus on fire and a press photographer was- at over Easter. tacked. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has Youths were seen throwing petrol bombs at warned that the violence could set society here police in the loyalist Shankill Road, with distur- back years, while the Chief Constable of the Po- bances also taking place in the nationalist Spring- lice Service (PSNI) Simon Byrne said he was field Road area of the city. open to dialogue with anyone who is willing to The violence has been condemned across the work with him to resolve the issues facing the political spectrum. In a tweet, British Prime Min- community. ister Boris Johnson appealed for calm and said he The unrest over the past week is being blamed was “deeply concerned at the scenes of violence,” on a number of issues, including the Northern while Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney de- Ireland Protocol contained in the Brexit deal, as scribed the unrest as “very disturbing” and called well as loyalist anger over a Public Prosecution on Northern Ireland’s political and community Service decision not to prosecute people who leaders to work together to ease tensions. attended the large-scale funeral of republican Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, Bobby Storey in June 2020 during Coronavirus of the Democratic Unionist Party, and Deputy restrictions. — Vatican News Remains of a burnt-out bus in Belfast following a night of violence. (Vatican News) Cardinal Dolan implores Catholics to return to Sunday Mass WASHINGTON: In a column for the archdi- in his column. While public Masses were suspended by ocesan newspaper, Cardinal Timothy Dolan “We had no choice, since wise health the archdiocese for several months due to of New York implored Catholics to return to guidelines required us to close our church the spread of COVID-19, the Sunday obli- Sunday Mass during the Easter Season. buildings,” he wrote. Once the archdiocese gation was in place once churches reopened “For the last year, we have prudently been reopened parishes for Mass, the parishes for Mass, the spokesman noted. However, able to decide that the emergency health cri- “rose to the occasion with scrupulous clean- the usual “grave” reasons for Catholics not sis can allow us to excuse ourselves from that ing, sanitation, ventilation, distancing, and to attend Sunday Mass – such as sickness or God-given obligation,” Cardinal Dolan wrote restrictions,” he wrote, noting that parishion- being in danger of the COVID-19 pandemic in a column for Catholic New York. Those ers “gradually began to return.” – still applied, and Catholics were free to de- vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, such “No more gradual about it! It’s time to get cline to attend Mass for “a serious reason.” as the elderly, “can still excuse themselves, as back to Sunday Mass!” Cardinal Dolan wrote “But, now that more and more people are has always been the case,” he wrote. on Wednesday. being vaccinated, and people are engaging in However, many other Catholics are already The recent Paschal Triduum emphasised more and more public activities, the Cardinal returning to public activities without attend- the importance of the Mass, which itself is is reminding them of the sacred obligation to ing Mass, and they should return to church, the renewal of the Triduum, he said. attend Sunday Mass,” the spokesman stated. he said. “We recognise Jesus at Mass and Holy The archdiocese’s office of the vicar gen- “But for the majority of us — are we going Communion. We enter again the eternal, in- eral in January and again in February remind- to restaurants? To the kids’ soccer and little finite mystery of His death on the cross and ed priests that the Sunday obligation was in league games? To the store? To the beauty Cardinal Timothy Dolan resurrection from the dead. Every Sunday place for Catholics. parlour? To gatherings with family and ligation where Catholics who are not symp- Mass is a renewal of the Last Supper, Good “On Sundays and other holy days of ob- friends?” Cardinal Dolan asked. “Well, then, tomatic and who are not at high risk from Friday, and Easter,” Cardinal Dolan wrote. ligation, Catholics are obliged to participate it’s time to get back to Mass.” COVID-19 or caring for the sick must return A spokesman for the archdiocese clarified in the Mass and to refrain from unnecessary In March 2020, all Catholic dioceses in to Sunday Mass. that the Sunday obligation, where Catholics work and all spiritually-distracting activities the US suspended public Masses due to the The Archdiocese of New York suspend- are required by canon law to attend Mass on in conformity with the code of canon law,” spread of COVID-19. While all dioceses ed public Masses last spring, but churches Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation except vicar general Fr Joseph LaMorte wrote in have reopened churches since then, only a began to reopen during the summer. Car- in grave cases where they cannot, was never a Jan 18, 2021 letter to priests. — By Matt few have reinstated a modified Sunday - ob dinal Dolan referenced last year’s closures suspended in the archdiocese. Hadro, CNA Paris archbishop opens canonical proceedings against parish over maskless Masses ROME: The archbishop of Paris announced servers without masks standing close together. canonical proceedings Wednesday against a The congregation cannot be seen. parish priest for reportedly refusing to follow “Since the pandemic began, we have not had coronavirus health measures at the Easter Vigil. a single outbreak,” Fr Marc Guelfucci, the par- A statement from the Archdiocese of Paris ish priest of the church in question, told a group on April 7 said that the pastor of Sainte-Eu- of journalists outside of his church. gène-Sainte-Cécile Church in Paris’ ninth ar- In a video published by Le Parisien, Guel- rondissement did not enforce “the health meas- fucci said that masks were not worn during the ures in force to fight against the COVID-19 baptisms because “we do not spit on people pandemic during a celebration on Saturday, when we baptize.” April 3.” A parishioner identified only as Marie-Thé- “These measures were, however, the subject rèse also spoke to the journalists and defended of clear instructions that the diocese of Paris her pastor. regularly reminded all parishes of,” it said. “There were a lot of people because there Archbishop Michel Aupetit’s decision to were 10 baptisms,” she said. open proceedings within Church law was “It was perhaps because of his [Guelfucci’s] made public the day after Paris police opened benevolence that people were not left outside.” an investigation into the parish for “endanger- A cantor at the parish said, “We were victims ing the lives of others.” of our success … We did not expect so many French media first raised concern by show- people even after proposing five services on ing clips of the live stream of the parish’s East- Sunday.” er Vigil on French television, calling attention Sainte Eugène Sainte Cécile church in Paris, France. (CNA photo/Thomon via Wikimedia) Another parishioner, who wished to remain to the crowded church with parishioners not form of the Mass (the 1962 Tridentine Mass) has since been removed by the parish, the live anonymous said, “It’s been a year that health wearing masks during the candlelight proces- was offered. stream of the Easter Sunday Mass at the par- rules have not been respected in this church.” sions and baptisms while an extraordinary While the original video of the Easter Vigil ish the following day showed priests and altar — By Courtney Mares, CNA HERALD April 11, 2021 World 9 COVID in Wuhan: 24 scientists call for new investigation (with or without Beijing) BEIJING: A new international in- from the Chinese authorities. The Chinese regime has always vestigation into the origins of COV- The WHO published the results ruled out the “laboratory leak” ID-19 is needed, with or without of the investigation on March 30th. theory and demands that investiga- Chinese government involvement. The most likely hypothesis for the tions now focus on other countries. The one conducted by the World investigative team is that of the Chinese state media have advanced Health Organisation (WHO) in transmission of the disease from an the hypothesis that COVID arrived China was not rigorous enough and “intermediate” species (a bat) to hu- in Wuhan through frozen food im- failed to provide credible answers. mans. The report also considers the ported from abroad. This is the request contained in a possibility that the virus spread due Several governments, especially letter circulated yesterday by 24 to an accident at the Wuhan Institute the Trump administration, accused US, European, Japanese and Aus- of Virology very unlikely. Tedros of covering up Beijing’s tralian scientists and researchers. To dispel any doubts about this mistakes in the early stages of the The signatories write that the possibility, WHO director Tedros pandemic; pointing out that the WHO investigative mission to Wu- Adhanom Ghebreyesus said new in- WHO delayed the declaration on han (Hubei), where the disease first vestigations by a team of specialists human-to-human transmissibility appeared at the end of 2019, was are needed. Tedros pointed out that WHO inquiry in China slanted by political factors and failed to provide of the virus and decreeing a global unduly influenced by political - fac investigators did not have access to credible responses to the hypothesis of “leak from a laboratory”. (Asianews) emergency. Moreover, the interna- tors. For Jamie Metzl, the Atlantic all the data and called on Beijing to with those of the 24 scholars. They published, and that the organisa- tional organisation did not insist that Council researcher who wrote the share the information requested in a point out that the WHO report’s tion’s investigators did not have its experts be given access to Wu- letter, the WHO made compromises more complete and timely manner. conclusions are based on Chinese access to vital information and bio- han at the beginning of the health to obtain a minimum of cooperation Tedros’ conclusions coincide scientific research that was never logical samples. crisis. — AsiaNews / Agencies Catholics must do more to reject Assyrian monk gets two anti-Asian discrimination, violence years in a Turkish prison for WASHINGTON: In 2018, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops pub- giving a piece of bread lished Open Wide Our Hearts: An ISTANBUL: A Turkish court sen- Enduring Call to Love. The pastoral tenced Assyrian monk Sefer (Aho) letter was the first collective bishops’ Bileçen to twenty-five months in statement on racism in almost 40 prison after he was convicted of years and describes the discrimination providing “help to a terrorist or- against Latinos, African Americans ganisation”. and Native Americans. It makes no The clergyman found himself mention of Asian Americans and Pa- up on terrorism charges after he cific Islanders. gave a piece of bread to two peo- Since Asian immigration to the ple who had turned up at the gates United States began in the 19th cen- of his monastery; prosecutors told tury, Asians have been targets of white the Mardin High Criminal Court supremacist violence. Yet this history that the people in question were is, at best, ignored or revised, at worst, Demonstrators in Portland denounce violence against Asian Americans after members of the outlawed Kurdish altogether erased. the Atlanta spa shootings, March 21, 2021. (Shutterstock/Tada Images) Workers’ Party (PKK). In 1871, a mob killed 19 Chinese Action group, received almost 4,000 bia and racial inequities in health care; The clergyman, who was not residents during a racial massacre reports of hate incidents from March a virtual library on Asian American present in the courtroom, has al- in Los Angeles. Four years later, the to February of this year. Stop AAPI history; and re-establishing the White ways protested his innocence, and United States passed the Page Act of Hate categorised the discrimination House Initiative on Asian Americans rejected the charges. Syriac Orthodox monk Sefer (Aho) Better known as “Fr Aho”, the Bileçen of the Mor Yahqup d-Qarne 1875 which prohibited Chinese wom- reported into three categories: civil and Pacific Islanders “to coordinate Monastery. en from entering the country. It was rights violations, verbal harassment across federal agencies to combat an- Assyrian monk is custodian of the the country’s first restrictive immigra- and shunning and physical assaults. ti-Asian bias and violence, especially old Syrian Orthodox monastery of session. tion policy. During World War II, the Asian women are 2.3 times more anti-Asian violence at the intersection Mor Yakup (St Jacob), which he The court decision comes US government incarcerated more likely to be harassed or assaulted than of gender-based violence.” restored. It was abandoned after amid rising violations and abuses than 100,000 Japanese Americans in Asian men. In January, a man kicked These actions are welcome and the genocides of 1915. against the Christian minority, U.S. internment camps. a woman on public transit in Oregon. critical to keep our Asian sisters and He was arrested on January 9, including a series of episodes in Despite this violence, the Asian In February, a man fractured a high brothers safe following a year that 2020, but released four days later which the country’s Christian reli- community has continued to thrive in school teacher’s nose in Washington. saw several media and political fig- under pressure from public opin- gious and cultural heritage is be- our nation and church. In New York City, there were 12 hate ures deploying racist rhetoric against ion. According to the indictment, ing sold off or treated irreverently. In 2001, the bishops’ Committee crimes last month alone, including the Asian Americans. Shortly after Presi- the priest is guilty of “belonging In one case, the authorities listed on Migration published Asian and assault of a 65-year-old woman on her dent Donald Trump described the to a terrorist organisation”, i.e. the for sale online a centuries-old Ar- Pacific Presence: Harmony in Faith. way to church. On March 16, eight pandemic as a “Chinese virus” for the PKK, which is outlawed in Tur- menian church. In another, a party The pastoral statement acknowledged women were shot and killed in At- first time on Twitter, the number of key. with barbecue was held in the his- how the lived experiences and contri- lanta. Six of the victims were women anti-Asian tweets grew. The priest was taken into cus- toric Armenian church of Sourp butions of Asian Americans and Pa- of Asian descent. Trump encouraged a language and tody on the basis of the secret Asdvadzadzi. cific Islanders have “remained, until President Joe Biden announced sentiment many of his supporters testimony of a PKK defector who More significantly, two major very recently, nearly invisible in the new directives to address the rise in quickly adopted, including many in reported him to the Turkish au- museums, the ancient Christian Church in the United States.” violence against the Asian American our church. thorities. basilicas of Hagia Sophia and Twenty years later, the violence community. We must no longer ignore the long For his part, Fr Aho has always Chora, were turned into mosques. against and erasure of Asian Ameri- The new actions are an extension and often forgotten racialised trauma insisted that he did not know the In both buildings, the images of cans and Pacific Islanders continues. of Memorandum Condemning and experienced by citizens of Asian de- people who came to ask him for Jesus and Christian frescoes and Hate crimes against the Asian Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and scent throughout American history. food and that he did not know that icons were covered by a white American and Pacific Islander -com Intolerance Against Asian Americans We must learn to centre and uplift the they were “members of the PKK”. curtain. munity increased by 150 per cent and Pacific Islanders in the United Asian experience, from our Catholic He says that he helped them out of Such controversial episodes from 2019 to 2020. States, which the administration re- schools to our parishes to our media. “Christian charity”. reflect Turkish President Recep Stop AAPI Hate, an organisa- leased in January. The US bishops can use the Ad Hoc In today’s proceedings, the Tayyip Erdogan’s “nationalism tion formed last year by the Asian The latest directives include $49.5 Committee Against Racism to devel- court sentenced the monk to two and Islam“ policy designed to American Studies Department of San million in funding for sexual assault op a pastoral letter on how racism af- years and one month in prison for hide Turkey’s ongoing economic Francisco State University, the Asian and domestic violence survivors who fects the Asian American and Pacific “aid to a terrorist organisation”. crisis and coronavirus emergency Pacific Planning and Policy - Coun are Asian Americans and Pacific -Is Islander community amid a global As in previous hearings, journal- in order to keep him in power. — cil, and the Chinese for Affirmative landers; a task force to study xenopho- pandemic. — NCR ists were not allowed to attend the AsiaNews 10 Editorial HERALD April 11, 2021 HERALD Church must be April 11, 2021 The pandemic has given an united in witnessing opportunity to rethink the rules of financial activity to the Gospel ay the world crisis triggered by the pandemic be an Mopportunity for a rethinking of the laws that govern e are at the service of ing our differences into richness for the economic activity so that it is not simply speculative and, communion,” and also at world,” as the Pope always says. “May therefore, for the benefit of a few, but aims to realise the the defence and “promo- it not become reason for disagreement,” common good, which includes access to vaccines. “W tion of the Church’s freedom, religious he said, "but rather a collaboration, each This is the invitation in a letter sent by Pope Francis to freedom, as well as the task of world with his point of view, style, sensitivity, the participants in the 2021 Virtual Spring Meeting of the peace. Think how much the Church preparation, culture, and spirituality,” World Bank and the International Monetary Fund from works for peace. This is my way of view- working together. April 5 to 11. In the letter, the Pope calls for “A future ing diplomacy.” where finance is at the service of the common good, where A credible Church proclaiming the This is what Cardinal Secretary of Gospel the vulnerable and the marginalised are placed at the cen- State Pietro Parolin had to say in an tre, and where the earth, our common home, is well cared Continuing his conversation about work- Easter interview with José Luis Restán, ing with Pope Francis, Cardinal Parolin for.” edito-rial director of the Spanish radio Francis writes “Our world has been forced to confront a added that what is most striking about network COPE. him is his great simplicity. series of grave and interrelated socio-economic, ecologi- The interview covered a wide range of cal, and political crises,” for which we need a “model” of “When you get close to him, you re- Cardinal Pietro Parolin topics: the role of the Secretary of State alise that he is a simple man without recovery. This is being sought. The Pope hopes that we are the encounter with a suffering Church and his service alongside the Pope, the formality,” he noted, a man who “cares “capable of generating new, more inclusive and sustainable that continues to struggle and live in a reform of the Curia, conflicts within the a lot about relationships and closeness solutions to support the real economy, assisting individuals “climate of distrust and uncertainty that Church, the reality of the Church in Chi- with others,” who “seeks to meet peo- and communities to achieve their deepest aspirations and does not allow Christians to see a future na, the journey to Iraq, and the Church’s ple”, also a characteristic of his way of the universal common good. The notion of recovery can- in the country,” Cardinal Parolin pointed mission in Europe. working whose desire is to “make the not be equated to a return to an unequal and unsustainable out the great lesson learned from the en- Strengthening bonds between Holy Church more credible in proclaiming the model of economic and social life, where a tiny minority of counters with the Iraqi faithful. See and local Church Gospel.” the world’s population owns half of its wealth.” “What they taught us is the witness of Cardinal Parolin, who has a wide under- “For all our deeply-held convictions that all men and Concern over divisions within Church faith that goes as far as martyrdom. This standing of the Church around the world, women are created equal, many of our brothers and sis- On the subject of divisions within the is the great lesson we can draw from Ira- spoke about his vocation and how 40 ters of the human family, especially those at the margins of Church between a so-called conservative qi Christians.” Despite the attacks and years ago he was offered an opportunity society, are effectively excluded from the financial world. wing and a so-called progressive wing, killings, Christians continue to profess to be of service to the Pope. The pandemic, however, has reminded us once again that Cardinal Parolin stressed how this situa- their Catholic faith with great courage. “I believe that my fundamental voca- no one is saved alone. If we are to come out of this situ- tion only causes harm to the Church, re- “This is a great lesson,” he added, and a tion is that of a priest. I felt the call, and ation as a better, more humane and more united world, membering Christ prayed for its unity. call to solidarity. “They teach us about a I still feel called to be a priest, a minis- new and creative forms of social, political and economic “There is cause for concern,” he said, capacity to be faithful despite all difficul- ter of the Lord who serves souls in the participation must be devised, sensitive to the voice of the reflecting how the problem “probably ties,” he noted, “but at the same time they Church,” he said, recalling how “there poor and committed to including them in the building of stems from the fact that the Pope puts a ask us for more solidarity.” our common future (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 169).” are different ways of exercising priestly lot of emphasis on reforming the Church, Loss of faith in Europe In this perspective, “While many countries are now ministry” and how ecclesiastical diplo- and there is a lot of confusion about that.” Speaking about Europe and propos- consolidating individual recovery plans, there remains an macy is one of them. The structure of the Church, the depos- als for new legislation on ethical issues urgent need for a global plan that can create new or regen- “I have never found a contradiction it of faith, the Sacraments, and apostolic that are moving further and further away erate existing institutions, particularly those of global gov- between being a priest and being a dip- ministry cannot be changed, but there are from Christian roots, Cardinal Parolin ernance, and help to build a new network of international lomat, also because, especially after “whole areas in the life of the Church that admitted that he has noticed very much relations for advancing the integral human development of the Second Vatican Council, the task can be renewed,” a life where we strug- “the loss of faith” in these “anthropologi- all peoples. This necessarily means giving poorer and less of nuncios is a pastoral task,” aimed gle in our weaknesses but that “needs to cal changes that are taking place.” developed nations an effective share in decision-making at “strengthening the ties between the be continually renewed.” He stressed that “losing the identity and facilitating access to the international market. A spirit Holy See and the local churches,” he ex- He noted that sometimes these divi- of the human person, more than a loss of global solidarity also demands at the least a significant plained. sions and resistance arise from confu- of faith” represents “a loss of reason.” reduction in the debt burden of the poorest nations, which Curia reform sion, from the inability to distinguish As Pope Francis has also said numer- the pandemic has exacerbated.” The task of the Secretary of State, he “between what is essential and cannot ous times, for example, “the question of Pope Francis asks that “the financial industry” look for added, will continue unchanged even change and what is not essential and abortion is not a religious question,” but “mechanisms” to calculate the “ecological debt — which when the reform of the Roman Curia be- must be reformed, must change accord- a question of reason. And “most likely exists above all between the north and the south of the ing prepared by the Pope is finished. A ing to the spirit of the Gospel.” today, as Benedict XVI said, the fun- world — so that developed countries can pay it. Not only new Apostolic Constitution on the Curia Hope for the Church in China damental problem is one of reason, not by significantly limiting their consumption of non-renewa- will replace one currently in force, prob- Addressing the reality of the Church in faith.” ble energy or by assisting poorer countries in enacting poli- ably keeping the first words in its title, China, Cardinal Parolin stressed how He then highlighted how the mis- cies and programmes of sustainable development, but also Praedicate Evangelium. the Holy See views it with great respect, sion of the Church in Europe is one of by covering the costs of the innovation required for that The Secretary of State will therefore given its history of enormous suffering, witness. “We must bear witness to our purpose.” continue to coordinate the Secretariat of but also with great hope. faith, we must bear witness to our hope, “It is time to acknowledge that markets — particularly State, the office that closely assists the The steps taken so far “are in the right we must bear witness to our charity,” financial ones — do not govern themselves. Markets need Holy Father in governing the Church, direction towards a reconciliation within without imposing it, but only by offer- to be underpinned by laws and regulations that ensure they with its three sections: General Affairs, the Church”, he explained, “even if they ing “a coherent and believable witness work for the common good, guaranteeing that finance — Relations with States, and Diplomatic have not resolved all the problems that of Christian life,” as happened in the rather than merely speculative or financing itself — works Personnel. “The Secretary of State will still exist and will probably take a long first centuries of the Church, when the for the societal goals so much needed in the context of the continue to coordinate these three sec- time to address”. apostles and disciples arrived in socie- present global healthcare emergency. In this regard, we es- tions,” he pointed out, “and to work “What has been attempted and is being ties lacking Christian values, but through pecially need a justly financed vaccine solidarity, for we above all, I believe, in ecclesiastical di- attempted”, he noted, “is to protect this their witness “succeeded in changing the cannot allow the law of the marketplace to take precedence plomacy.” community which is still small but has mentality and introducing the values of over the law of love and the health of all.” — AsiaNews Working with Pope Francis great strength and vitality. Everything the Gospel into the society of that time.” As an exceptional witness to Pope Fran- that is being done is to assure a normal HERALD — The Catholic Weekly Need for prayer Jointly published by the cis’ pontificate, Cardinal Parolin recalled life for the Church in China,” to guar- Today more than ever, Cardinal Parolin Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, his surprise when eight years ago, still antee “space for religious freedom, and concluded, we need prayers, and that Diocese of Malacca Johore, Diocese of serving as Apostolic Nuncio to Venezue- communion, because one cannot live in all of us be united in prayer, so that the Penang and Diocese of Keningau la, the Holy Father asked him to be his the Catholic Church without commun- Lord may help us to be faithful “to the Editor: Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ Secretary of State, just two months after ion with the successor of Peter, with the mission of witnessing to the Gospel HERALD, 5, Jalan Robertson, 50150, KL his election to the papacy. Pope.” and also to our belonging to the Church Tel: 03-20268290/20268291; He recounted how their differences in Great witness of Iraqi Christians in today’s world.” — By Anna Poce, Online: www.heraldmalaysia.com. personality have offered benefits for ser- E-mail: [email protected] Recalling the papal journey to Iraq and Vatican News vice to the Church. “It’s about transform- HERALD April 11, 2021 Focus 11 Hans Küng, influential Vatican II theologian censured by John Paul II, dies at 93 ans Küng (b. 1928), who died on April Ecumenism gions without investigation of the foundation 6 at the age of 93, was the youngest and A major turning point in Hans Küng’s career of the religions” (Küng, Christianity: Essence, Hthird most influential Catholic theolo- occurred on Dec 15, 1979, when the Sacred History, Future (1995). gian of the second half of the 20th century, after Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith de- In the 1990s, Küng turned to the issue of a Karl Rahner, SJ, (1904-84) and Edward Schil- clared that he “has departed from the integral common ethics to which the religions and the lebeeckx, OP, (1914-2009); but he was first in truth of Catholic faith, and therefore, he can no nations might subscribe. In 1991, he published flair and media savvy. longer be considered a Catholic theologian nor Global Responsibility: In Search of a New Küng rose to public awareness in the events function as such in a teaching role.” The dec- World Ethic, in which he explored the possible leading up to and during the Second Vatican laration was signed by Franjo Cardinal Seper, place of religion in a peaceful world order. He Council (1962-65). He flourished as a Catho- Prefect of the Congregation, and reflected the was convinced that common values for a hu- lic theologian for more than a decade after mind of the relatively new pope, John Paul II man ethic could be found within the world’s the council by writing a number of landmark (1978-2005). The major charge, along with religions; they are “common” in the sense that books. After being disowned by the papacy as others, was that Küng’s understanding of the men and women could ascribe to them either a Catholic spokesperson in the early days of St doctrine of papal infallibility could be under- on the basis of their particular religions or a John Paul II’s pontificate, he flourished again as stood in terms of a “fundamental indefectibil- shared humanity. an organic intellectual of the world by mediat- ity of the Church in truth” (Seper). He thus drafted a statement entitled Dec- ing among religions and stimulating a global Such an interpretation was not the same laration Toward a Global Ethic that was en- ethic. as the congregation’s more literal version. dorsed by more than 200 leaders of 40 dif- The declaration revoked Küng’s canonical ferent religious communities at the meeting A historical style of theology mission to teach and forced Küng out of the of the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Küng was born in the Swiss Canton of Lucerne, Catholic faculty, but he continued to teach at 1993. He also contributed to the text Cross- studied basic theology at the Pontifical Grego- Tübingen in the Institute for Ecumenical Re- ing the Divide: Dialogue Among Civilisations rian University in Rome and was ordained a search, which had an independent charter with that was presented by Secretary General Kofi Catholic priest in 1954. He finished his stud- The great books of Christian theology the state of Baden-Württemberg (Küng, My Annan to the United Nations in 2001. These ies for the doctorate in theology at the Institut Between the end of Vatican II in 1965 and Struggle for Freedom, 2003). Küng’s ecumen- interests show an expanding arch of commit- Catholique in Paris in 1957. After teaching for a 1980, Küng wrote three major books that to- ically sensitive interpretations of Christian ment to the common good of all in a shrinking year at the University of Münster, he joined the gether express the substance of Christian faith. faith would not find a place in the Catholic world. faculty at the University of Tübingen in 1960 The first, The Church (1967), presented the Church led by John Paul II. In 1995 Küng, working with Walter Jens where he remained until his retirement in 1996. Church by using biblical language to interpret and others, published A Dignified Dying: A Küng never internalised the medieval synthe- the ecclesiology of Vatican II. For some, it is Interreligious understanding and Plea for Personal Responsibility that dis- sis that characterised the Catholic theological still the best one-volume Catholic ecclesiology ethics in a world context cussed psychological and religious aspects of imagination right up to Vatican II. He thought of the post-Vatican II period. In 1974, Küng One may think of the beginning of 1980 as terminal illness. More recently, in the 2013 historically, and this meant being attentive to wrote On Being a Christian, which tried to the start of a new distinct chapter of Küng’s third volume of his memoirs that has not yet how concepts and language reflect the culture, sum up Christian faith by using our understand- career. He began to think in terms larger than been published in English, Küng defends the time and sensibility of historical situations. The ing of Jesus Christ as the centre that informs the Catholic Church, or even Christianity, right of people to end their own lives when best example of this may be his doctoral thesis the whole. With it, along with Schillebeeckx, about the broader ecumenism of interreligious they are reduced to intolerable and inhumane where, in a context dripping with the sensitivi- he became one of the first prominent Catholic encounter in our interdependent and mobile conditions that attack human dignity. He can- ties of the Protestant Reformation, he opened theologians to approach Christology by taking planetary existence. The size of Küng’s im- not find God’s intent for human flourishing in up the theology of justification of Karl Barth in seriously a critical historical consideration of agination and commitment are captured in the such situations and thus considers the option an honest, nonpolemical way and showed that, the New Testament data. title of his work of 1986: Christianity and the for assisted suicide. He himself suffered from yes, there are differences between Barth and In 1978 (English 1980) Küng published World Religions: Paths of Dialogue with Is- Parkinson’s Disease. Catholic teaching, but they are relatively minor Does God Exist? An Answer for Today which, lam, Hinduism and Buddhism. Like the course of emergent complexity in and do not merit Church division. in more than 800 pages exhaustively discusses The scholars of these religions measure his evolution, one can detect an expanding capa- Named a peritus or expert consulter at the the modern challenge to belief in God and of- success in reading their beliefs accurately, but ciousness in the tasks that Hans Küng under- Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII, Küng in- fers an intelligent Christian response. It is note- everyone can admire the Christian thinker’s took in the course of his amazingly productive teracted with the leading Catholic theologians worthy that this trilogy does not begin with commitment to the conversation and what it career as theologian, ecumenist, religionist of the day. Taking past history seriously and God and work down to the Church. From the takes to participate. His conviction about in- and, finally, a moral leader of humanity. He noting how we have moved on became a deep beginning Küng tries to talk to people in the terreligious dialogue is summed up in this in- was no passive pietist, nor did he lack self- logic of Küng’s thinking in such books as The churches who are asking questions, and he in- cisive maxim: “No peace among the nations confidence. But the Catholic Church, - Chris Council and Reunion (1960), Structures of the vites the world to listen in. He uses history and without peace among the religions. No peace tianity, other religions and all humanity, in a Church (1962) and The Living Church: Reflec- the experiences behind the events to connect among the religions without dialogue between recognisable way, are his beneficiaries. — By tions on the Second Vatican Council (1963). with a broad readership. the religions. No dialogue between the reli- Fr Roger Haight, SJ, America The Council, Reform and Reunion: From March 31, 1962 lmost as soon as Pope John XXIII an- treat of the necessity and possibility of reform, various peoples. Other reforms, touching on at least held in check the tendency of lower Anounced his intention to convoke a gen- present the author’s ideas on worldliness and the Mass, the breviary, marriage courts, pro- authorities to introduce too many local laws eral council which would be oriented toward sin in the Church. In his emphasis on these hibition of books, etc., could be most suitably and usages. It has also assured that the needs Christian reunion, Catholic theologians in distressing facts, Kung seems to minimise effected by regional authorities of this kind, of the universal Church should prevail over Europe began discussing, among themselves, unduly, the effects of grace. Notwithstanding rather than by the Holy See. Many of Kung’s any particular interests. In the rapidly shrink- and with their Protestant colleagues, how the her constant need for purification, the Church recommendations, such as those regarding the ing world of our day, centralisation is daily coming council could contribute to that goal. remains at all times a great and manifest sign vernacular in the liturgy, the Index and mar- becoming more feasible, and perhaps also, As a result of these discussions, several books of holiness and beneficence. ried deacons, have often been voiced before. more imperative. have already been published, embodying not The later chapters, in which the author Ruthlessly frank, Kung protests sharply Kung seems to address himself primarily to simply the opinions of individuals but the discusses concrete measures that might be against various current practices in the Church: the bishops and theologians making plans for fruits of co-operative study. adopted by the Second Vatican Council, will the Vatican bureaucracy, the predominance of the coming council. But he writes with such None of these books, in my judgment, is be the most avidly read. In all probability, the Italian bishops (290, as against Germany’s verve and clarity that his work will reach a far more worthy of attention than Hans Kung’s Council will centre its attention on the nature 26), “Marian maximalism” and superstition wider audience. Even if it makes little impact The Council, Reform and Reunion. The au- of the episcopal office, thus complementing in popular devotions. It is well that such criti- on the Council, this book will have a great and thor, a young Swiss priest who teaches at Tub- the work of the First Vatican Council, which cisms should be voiced, for they represent the salutary influence on the way in which many ingen in Germany, is thoroughly familiar with concentrated on papal primacy. responsible judgment of not only a significant readers, both Catholic and non-Catholic, look the points at issue in the current dialogue with But what authority can be given to bish- portion of Catholics, but also the overwhelm- on the contemporary situation of the Church Protestantism. The key to reunion, as he sees ops which they do not presently exercise? As ing majority of non-Catholics. and the prospects for reunion. it, lies in a renovation of the Church according Kung points out, the modern diocese is not, Kung’s recommendations for decentralisa- The translation is accurate and highly idi- to the gospel. Such a renewal, he points out, is and cannot suitably be made, an autonomous tion, while deserving serious consideration, omatic. But one regrets that the footnotes had not simply a matter of good administration or unit. But he thinks that the authority of nation- are not free from difficulties. Many would to be relegated to the ends of chapters and that moral effort; it must be a supernatural work al and continental bishops’ conferences ought fear that the diffusion of power for which a disproportionate number of foreign names done in obedience to Christ, the Lord of the to be strengthened. In this way the Church’s the author pleads might result in a multipli- and references have been mangled by the Church. proclamation of the gospel, her liturgy and her cation of laws, which he would deplore. Ro- printer. — By Cardinal Avery Dulles SJ, The opening chapters of this book, which discipline, could be adapted to the needs of man centralisation, whatever its defects, has America 12 Varia HERALD April 11, 2021 The power of beauty

he world will be saved by ognised this, not necessarily in rescuers, when seeing an elderly and the many today who give beauty! Fyodor Dostoevs- that they affirm explicitly that couple affectionately holding up their lives for others. These Tky wrote that, Dorothy Day beauty is a property of God, but hands, or when hearing of a gen- are powerful examples of moral quoted it, and centuries before that they recognise a godly qual- erous response by the public to beauty, but many of us see this Jesus, Confucius made it central ity in beauty; they sense a “blas- a plea for help by a poor family. first-hand in our own families to his pedagogy. They were on to pheme” whenever it is defaced, As with physical beauty, there and circle of friends. For exam- something. Beauty is a special and feel the energy to create as is a divine quality here and, as ple, I look at my own mother language that cuts through, and divine. with physical beauty, there is and father who, for most of their sidelines, all the things that di- Beauty, as we know, takes something here that only the lives sacrificed to provide for a vide us – history, race, language, many forms. Who of us has not most boorish of persons would large family and, especially, to creed, ideology, politics, eco- at times felt the stunning power dare smudge. However, when- provide that family with what nomic disparity, gender, sexual of physical beauty? Who has not ever our emotions are involved, is more important than food identity, and personal wounds. been momentarily transfixed by there is always the danger of an and clothing, namely, faith and Beauty melts down all differ- the beauty of a sunset, an ocean, unhealthy sentimentality also moral guidance. There was a ences. Its speech, like that of a a mountain range, the stars, a being present; but, that danger moral beauty in their sacrifice, newborn, has no explicit words, full moon, a desert landscape, a Fr Ron Rolheiser notwithstanding, our emotions, though sometimes during those but is a language so perfect that particular tree, a thunderstorm, like our eyes, are also an open- years, by Hollywood standards, it can only be soiled by violating fresh snow, a gentle rain, an ani- of what I am about to describe, ing to beauty. my mom and dad looked more oneself. Two things in this world mal in the wild, a work of art or so forgive me if my expression Finally, not least, there is mor- haggard than beautiful. Moral cannot be argued with, beauty architecture, or a human body? here is amateurish and awkward, al beauty, beauty of soul. The sa- beauty, though, is measured by and a baby. They also cannot de- Physical beauty is self-justify- but we can speak, and need to, lient example here is martyrdom a different standard. That being fend themselves, and have only ing. It cannot be argued with and of beauty in the emotional and and every other kind of love said, there is also the need to be their own vulnerability as pro- may never be denigrated by an moral realm. There is something that sacrifices its own wishes, cautious here: while emotional tection. appeal to something higher and we might call emotional beauty desires and life for something beauty carries the risk of senti- In classical Western philoso- more spiritual. It is unequivocal- or moral beauty. higher. While this does not al- mentality, moral beauty carries phy, beauty is seen as one of ly real and thus needs to be rec- Emotional beauty is not the ways make for a beautiful body, the risk of fanaticism. Fanatics, the transcendental properties of ognised, affirmed and blessed. beauty of a sunset or a great it does make for a beautiful soul. serial killers and snipers are also being, and therefore, as one of For most of us, when we painting, but is the beauty of a In affirming this, I am not think- highly focused morally. Moral- the properties of God. God is hear the word beauty, physical particular expression of love, of ing, first, of its most salient ex- ity, like anything else, can be understood as having four tran- beauty is what comes to mind. empathy, or of compassion that, amples, the religious martyrs misguided. scendental qualities, namely, Now, while that beauty is real, like a beautiful sunset, we are who gave up their lives rather The world will be saved by as being One, True, Good and powerful, and can transform occasionally graced to witness. than deny their faith, or even of beauty! True, though I would Beautiful. Hence, beauty pos- the heart, there are other kinds For example, we can be trans- persons like Mohandas Gandhi, employ the present tense, the sesses a divine, sacred quality. of beauty equally as powerful fixed when seeing the miracu- Albert Schweitzer, Martin Lu- world is being saved by beauty. Artists, and everyone sensitive and transforming. I am not sure lous rescue of a child, when see- ther King, Dorothy Day, Max- — By Fr Ron Rolheiser, all to aesthetics, have always rec- what language works in terms ing a helpless animal saved by imillian Kolbe, Oscar Romero rights reserved Universal health coverage needed to build healthier world VATICAN: Building a fairer, emphasised how the pandemic healthier world for all was the “has widened the gap between theme for World Health Day countries that are more advan- 2021, which is celebrated annu- taged and those with less, in ob- ally on April 7. taining access to health care and The day was established by medical treatment.” This, he la- the first World Health Assembly mented, “is a regrettable fact that in 1948 with the goal of raising persists despite the condemnation awareness on a specific health of this situation on several occa- theme and highlighting issues of sions by various institutions.” great urgency and priority in the The Cardinal continued by world of health. expressing the hope that “‘the right to health care and the right Pandemic crisis to justice ought to be reconciled In his message to mark World by ensuring a fair distribution of Health Day, Cardinal Peter Turk- healthcare facilities and financial son, the Prefect of the Dicastery resources, in accordance with the for Promoting Human Integral principles of solidarity and sub- One of the vaccination hubs in Cagliari (ANSA) Development, describes 2020 as sidiarity.’” the many limitations and short- Issue of mental health care institutions, “in particular to a “watershed” year in which the comings of the health systems, In his message, the Cardinal gave those without financial support from COVID-19 pandemic “profound- Integral health have not given up fighting for the special attention to the issue of men- the state, such as those of the Church ly affected our lives and our socie- Cardinal Turkson pointed out that health of their patients.” tal health, which he said, has been and other faith communities, which ties” “more equitable and more just He praised their compassion, “severely put to the test in this pan- in various corners of the earth, often It has also been “harshest on health systems can be built on which he says “is also a privileged demic period.” remote, are the only means for guar- the most vulnerable communities, these two principles. But in order way to promote justice” and hu- He also said the Dicastery for Pro- anteeing access to healthcare.” which are most exposed to the to do this, it is necessary to first of man dignity. moting Integral Human Development disease, with less chance of hav- all rethink the concept of health as has drawn up a document, which can Universal healthcare ing access to quality healthcare integral health.” All in the same boat be consulted on its website, entitled: The Cardinal concluded his message services,” he said. Focusing on this area, the Car- Cardinal Turkson underlined that “Accompanying people in psycho- by emphasising that health inequali- Cardinal Turkson emphasised, dinal wrote, “Acquiring this inte- “in the current pandemic expe- logical distress in the context of the ties are unfair, but he also wrote that “We are experiencing a crisis, but gral view allows us to understand rience we discover that we are COVID-19 pandemic. Members of they are “preventable through strate- as Pope Francis recalls, we do not that ensuring that everyone re- brothers and sisters,” adding that one body, loved by one love.” gies that aim to ensure equal access come out from a crisis the same as ceives the necessary health care is “in true fraternity, individualism to health care, especially for the most before, either we come out better an act of justice, that is, giving the and selfishness can be defeated Better support vulnerable and marginalised groups.” or worse.” This difficult year, he person what is his/her right.” by the reaffirmation that only the Putting the spotlight on those in posi- “It is desirable,” he said, “that uni- said, “also reminded us of the im- “Those who care for the ill and search for the good of all can lead tions of authority, Cardinal Turkson versal health coverage be guaranteed portance of human solidarity and suffering must have this over- to good for me.” stressed that “those who govern, as to all individuals and all commu- the awareness that no one saves view,” he said, “continually in- The pandemic, in particular, he well as economic and health policy nities. This is an urgent goal to be him- or herself on their own.” spired by a holistic vision of care.” highlighted, “has taught us that makers, have a responsibility to en- achieved in order to build a fairer, health is a common good so that sure better working conditions for healthier world, a better world, a A widening gap Showing compassion by protecting one’s own health, the healthcare workers.” world of peace that we dream of and Addressing how health pertains In the message, the Prefect paid health of the other and of the entire He also stressed that greater atten- believe is still possible.” — Vatican to the value of justice, the Prefect tribute to caregivers who “despite community is protected as well.” tion should also be given to health- News HERALD April 11, 2021 13 Cantalamessa on Good Friday: The Cross, the Christological foundation of fraternity The Firstborn Among Many Brothers (Romans 8:29) On Good Friday, Pope On October 3, 2020, at the tomb of Francis celebrated the St Francis in Assisi, the Holy Father Liturgy of the Passion of Pope Francis signed his Encyclical the Lord at the Altar of the Letter, On Fraternity and Social Chair in St Peter’s Basilica. Friendship, Fratres omnes. Within Please find below the full text a short period, it has reawakened in of the homily by Cardinal many hearts the aspiration towards Raniero Cantalamessa, that universal value; has shed light on many wounds that afflict the OFM Cap, preacher of the world today; has suggested some papal household. ways to reach real and just human fraternity; and has urged everyone encounter with the sacred mystery – both people and institutions – to of the other, to universal commun- work for that goal. ion with the entire human family, as The encyclical is addressed to a a vocation of all” (FO, 277). Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap preaches at the Good Friday liturgy in St Peter’s Basilica April 2, 2021. very wide audience, inside and out- The mystery of the cross that we (CNA photo/Vatican Media) side the Church, indeed practically are celebrating obliges us to focus to include every human person, just Easter marks a new and decisive call them brothers” (Heb 2:11). the whole of humankind. The let- precisely on this Christological in virtue of being such. ‘Brother’, development in this regard. In the After the Easter event, this is ter spans numerous spheres of life, foundation of fraternity which was in this sense, is sometimes trans- Paschal Mystery, Christ becomes the most common use of the term ranging from the private to the pub- inaugurated on Calvary. lated in the Bible as ‘neighbour’. “the firstborn among many broth- ‘brother’. It indicates a brother in lic sector, and from religious circles At times, the New Testament “Whoever hates his brother ...” ers” (Rm 8:29). The disciples be- the faith, a member of the Christian to social and political spheres. Giv- uses the term ‘brother’ (adelfos) in (1 Jn 2:9) means “whoever hates come brothers and sisters in a new community. They are also blood en its universal scope, it correctly its primitive, most common mean- his neighbour.” When Jesus says: and very profound sense. They not brothers – but in the blood of Christ! avoids limiting the discussion to ing, that is, a sibling, someone who “Whatever you did for one of these only share a belief in Jesus’ teach- Because Christ is also God, this aspects that characterize and belong was born of the same father and the least brothers of mine, you did for ing, but also his own Spirit, his new fraternity is both unique and trans- exclusively to Christians. Towards same mother. Also, people who be- me” (Mt 25:40), he intends to in- life as the Risen One. cendent. Christ’s fraternity does not the end of the encyclical, there is long to the same nation or people clude every human person in need Significantly, only after the resur- replace other types of fraternity, due however a paragraph in which the are referred to as brothers. Paul said of help. rection, for the first time, Jesus calls to family, nation, or race, but rather gospel foundations of fraternity are that he would be willing to become Besides all these nuances, the his disciples brothers. He instructs it crowns them. As creatures of the summed up. Sparse in words but vi- anathema – separated from Christ – New Testament also uses the word Mary Magdalene, “Go to my broth- same God and Father, all human brant in meaning it reads: if it would benefit his ‘brothers,’ his ‘brother’ to indicate a specific group ers and say to them, ‘I am ascend- beings are brothers. The Christian Others drink from other sources. “kindred according to the flesh,” of people. My ‘brothers’ are Jesus’ ing to my Father and your Father, to faith adds a second and decisive For us, the wellspring of human the Israelites (see Rom 9:3). In disciples, those who welcome his my God and your God’” (Jn 20:17). dimension. We are brothers not dignity and fraternity is in the Gos- those contexts, as in other instanc- teachings. “Who is my mother, and The Letter to the Hebrews uses the only because we all have the same pel of Jesus Christ. From it, there es, ‘brothers’ is a generic term that who are my brothers? [...] Who- term in the same sense, “The one Father in virtue of creation, but we arises, “for Christian thought and includes men and women, brothers ever does the will of my Father in who sanctifies and those who are also have the same brother, Christ, for the action of the Church, the pri- and sisters. heaven is my brother and sister and sanctified all have one Father. For “the firstborn among many broth- macy given to relationship, to the The horizon of meaning widens mother” (Mt 12:48-50). this reason Jesus is not ashamed to ers” in virtue of redemption. Universal fraternity starts with the Church Called to ome practical consequences conscience in this regard and be Sflow from this truth. We build converted. Fomenting division is cultivate unity fraternity in precisely the same the work par excellence of the one f there is a special charism or way that we build peace, that is whose name is ‘diabolos’, that is, Igift that the Catholic Church is starting close by, with ourselves, the divider, the enemy who sows called to cultivate for all the Chris- not with great strategies and am- weeds, as Jesus referred to him in tian Churches, it is precisely unity. bitious, abstract objectives. For the parable (see Mt 13:25). The Holy Father’s recent trip to us, that means universal fraternity We need to learn from Jesus’ ex- Iraq has made us see firsthand starts with the Catholic Church. ample and the Gospel. He lived at how much it means to oppressed For once, I want to put to the side a time of strong political polariza- peoples or survivors of persecu- even the second circle, namely the tion. Four parties existed: the Phar- tion, atrocities, and wars to feel a fraternity that exists between all isees, the Sadducees, the Herodi- sense of belonging to a universal believers in Christ, that is ecumen- ans, and the Zealots. Jesus did not body, with someone lending his ism. side with any of them and energeti- voice to the voiceless, so that their Fraternity among Catholics cally resisted attempts to be pulled cry might be heard by the rest of is wounded! Divisions between towards one or the other. The ear- the world and hope revived. Once Churches have torn Christ’s tunic liest Christian community faith- again Christ’s mandate to Peter, to shreds, and worse still, each fully followed him in that choice, “Strengthen your brothers” (Lk shredded strip has been cut up setting an example above all for 22:32) has been fulfilled. into even smaller snippets. I speak pastors, who need to be shepherds To the One who died on the cross of course of the human element of the entire flock, not only of part “to gather into one the dispersed of it, because no one will ever be of it. Pastors need to be the first children of God” (Jn 11:52), with able to tear the true tunic of Christ, Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. (Vatican Media) to make a serious examination a humble spirit and contrite heart his mystical body animated by the olics? It is not dogma, nor is it the in the Church. of conscience. They need to ask we lift up the prayer addressed to Holy Spirit. In God’s eyes, the sacraments and ministries, none In many parts of the world, these themselves where it is that they are him by the Church before Com- Church is “one, holy, catholic and of the things that by God’s singu- divisions are very real, even though leading their flocks – to their posi- munion at every Mass: apostolic”, and will remain so until lar grace we fully and universally they are not openly talked about or tion or Jesus’. The Second Vatican Lord Jesus Christ, you said to the end of the world. This, howev- preserve. The divisions that polar- are disdainfully denied. This is sin Council entrusted especially to your apostles: Peace I leave you, er, does not excuse our divisions, ize Catholics stem from political in its primal meaning. The king- laypeople the task of translating my peace I give you; look not on but makes them more guilty and options that grow into ideologies dom of this world becomes more the social, economic and political our sins, but on the faith of your must push us more forcefully to taking priority over religious and important in the person’s heart than implications of the Gospel into Church, and graciously grant her heal them. ecclesial considerations and lead- the Kingdom of God. practice in different historical situ- peace and unity in accordance What is the most common cause ing to complete abandonment of I believe that we all need to ations, always in a respectful and with your will. You live and reign of the bitter divisions among Cath- the value and the duty of obedience make a serious examination of peaceful way. forever and ever. Amen. — CNA 14 HERALD April 11, 2021 Children write meditations for Vatican’s Way of the Cross his year’s Way of the Cross on Good Friday In the introduction to the booklet accompany- perience of one’s own limitations, being teased by with Pope Francis took place in St Peter’s ing the service the children said: “Dear Jesus, You others, the feeling of being poorer than one’s peers, TSquare and featured meditations and draw- know that we children also have crosses to carry. sorrow for quarrels in the family. But some are ings composed by children and young people from Crosses that are no lighter or heavier than those of suffering because “there are children in our world Rome. adults, but are real crosses, crosses that weigh us who have nothing to eat, who cannot go to school, Standing in socially-distanced groups they came down even at night. Only you know what they are who are being used and forced to become soldiers.” from the parish of the Holy Martyrs of Uganda, and take them seriously. Only you.” “You, Jesus, are always close to us and you never the Agesci scout group ‘Foligno I’ and two family The crosses are the fear of the dark, of loneliness abandon us,” the children concluded, “help us to homes in Rome. and abandonment, also due to the pandemic, the ex- carry our daily crosses as you carried yours.” Their reflections of the Stations of the Cross First Station: Pontius Pilate Fourth Station: Jesus meets his me.” In his company, “losing the duces much fruit. The COVID-19 to forgive such things? They write: condemns Jesus to death. Mother. game became less of a bad memory.” pandemic enters the scene with all its “Dying on the cross, Jesus offered consequences even for young peo- salvation to everyone. He came not Seventh Station: Jesus falls for the second time. ple. The prevailing feeling is loneli- to call the righteous, but sinners who ness: they no longer visit their grand- have the humility and the courage to parents, school is closed, they miss be converted.” their classmates and friends. “This Thirteenth Station: Jesus is miserable feeling of loneliness at taken down from the cross. The meditation recounts an episode The reading chosen is that of the times becomes unbearable. We feel that happened in a first-grade class- wedding at Cana with the relation- The meditation relates the experience ‘abandoned’ by everyone, no longer room: a child, Mark, is accused of ship between the Son and his mother of a fourth grader. The end-of-year able even to smile. Like Jesus we stealing a classmate’s snack. Some- as the focus. It offers an episode for play is being prepared and he wants find ourselves flat on the ground.” one knows that he is innocent but children to think about their own the lead role at all costs. Instead, the Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped does not intervene to defend him. mother and her love that always ac- teacher chooses Giovanni, a rather of his garments. During this period, many children The narrator is ashamed of that lack companies them. Even concretely, isolated classmate. After some ini- suffered the sudden disappearance of courage; he acted like Pilate and taking them “to football practice, to tial anger, the child understands and of their grandparents. One of them now regrets having chosen the easier language classes and to catechism is happy. Since then, Giovanni has recounts: “People jumped out of the path. “Sometimes we only listen to on Sunday mornings.” Meditation become more involved in the class. ambulance dressed like astronauts, the voices of those who think and speaks to the little ones’ need for love He comments: “My disappointment wearing protective suits, gloves, do evil, while doing what is right is and perhaps helps parents be better. had served to help another person. Here, too, a little girl tells the story: masks and face shields. They took like an uphill road, full of obstacles “If I have a problem, a question or The teacher’s choice had given an she has a collection of dolls in her away my grandfather, who had been and difficulties. But we have Jesus at just some unpleasant thoughts, she opportunity to someone who really room that she treasures. One day she having difficulty breathing. That was our side, always ready to support and is always ready to listen to me with needed it.” heard that the parish was collecting the last time that I saw my grandfa- help us.” a smile.” Eighth Station: Jesus meets the toys for the refugee children of Ko- ther.” Suffering also stems from the Second Station: Jesus takes up Fifth Station: Simon of Cyrene women of Jerusalem. sovo. She chooses among the dolls impossibility of being close to his his cross. helps Jesus carry his cross. some of the oldest ones she is less grandfather and giving him cour- fond of and prepares a box. Then she age: “I prayed for him every day. says: “That evening, however, I felt That way I was able to be there with I had not done enough. By the time him during his final journey on this I went to sleep the box was full of earth.” dolls and the shelves were empty.” In the Gospel of Luke, we read Fourteenth Station: Jesus is that when Jesus saw them, he said: Disposing of the superfluous, she placed in the tomb. The passage in Luke’s Gospel de- There are many opportunities for “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not concludes, lightens the soul and giv- scribes Jesus being mocked and helping someone. The testimony de- weep for me, but weep for your- ing makes one happy. beaten by those who held him in cus- scribed here is concern shown to a selves and for your children.” This Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed tody. Mockery taking place among foreign peer who recently arrived in is the starting point for saying that to the cross. children is not uncommon, even to the neighbourhood. He watches the “Correcting a brother or sister is dif- “One Christ- the extreme of bullying, as in the other kids play football but does not ficult but necessary.” This was expe- mas Day we case of Martina who has difficulty have the courage to introduce him- rienced by two brothers who had lied went to Rome The meditation is twelve-year-old reading aloud in class. “Maybe it self. A child in the group saw him to their mother assuring her that they with the scouts, Sara’s thanksgiving to Jesus. I want wasn’t our intention to make fun of and was the first to meet him and in- had done their homework that af- to visit the to thank You, she writes, because her, but how much pain we caused vite him to join them. “Since then,” ternoon, when in fact they had been Missionary “You taught me to overcome my by our laughter! ...Persecution is not he writes, “Walid has become one of playing the whole time. One of the Sisters of Charity and to distribute troubles by trusting in you, to love just something that happened two my best friends and the goalkeeper two the next day said he did not feel food to the needy, instead of celebrat- others as my brothers and sisters, and thousand years ago. At times some for our team as well.” Only when we well so he did not go to school. The ing the day with our families.” It is to get up every time I fall...Today, of our actions can judge, mistreat and recognise a brother in a person “do other went to school, but when he re- no small sacrifice that is described in thanks to your act of infinite love, hurt one of our brother or sisters.” we open our hearts to Jesus.” turned home he talked to his brother: the meditation for the Eleventh Sta- I know that death is not the end of Third Station: Jesus falls for the Sixth Station: A woman wipes the “It was wrong for us to lie to our tion. But one of the boys confided: everything.” first time. face of Jesus. mother and for my brother to pretend “On the way back, I thought of the In the final prayer of the Way of the “Truly I say to have a stomach ache. I suggested faces of all the people I had served, Cross, the adults speak again. Jesus to you, as you that we do our homework right away, their smiles and the stories they pointed to children as an example did it to one and so I helped him catch up on what told...The thought of having brought when he described the qualities of the least he missed the day before. Once we those people a little happiness made necessary to enter the Kingdom of of these my finished, we spent the rest of the af- that Christmas unforgettable.” Serv- Heaven. The first request, then, is for The Lord is burdened with our sins; brethren you ternoon playing.” ing others with love “is the teaching help to be like them “little, in need of he appears beaten and humiliated. did it to me,” Ninth Station: Jesus falls for the that Jesus gives us from the cross.” everything, open to life”. Then all the The experience that accompanies the words of third time. Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on children of the world are entrusted this moment is that of a child who Jesus taken from Matthew’s Gospel the cross. to the Lord, that they may “grow in is always good at school but who, introduce us to the Sixth Station. The example wisdom, age and grace”, and finally, for the first time, receives a failing Even children in their daily activities of Jesus forgiv- prayers are said for their parents and grade: “This unexpected failure was go through difficult or sad moments ing the evil re- educators, “so that they may always too much for me. Suddenly I felt and need someone to console them. ceived makes feel one with you as givers of life and alone, with no one to comfort me. An example is after losing an impor- the children re- love.” But that moment made me grow... tant soccer match where they hoped flect on the evil Now I realise that we can stumble to be at their best. Discouraged af- present in the Watch the Vatican Youtube film and fall daily, but Jesus is always ter the game, “there was my friend, The Gospel passage is that of the world, for example, the mafias that of the service: www.youtube.com/ there to hold out his hand to us.” holding a soft drink and waiting for grain of wheat that dies and thus pro- kill even children. How is it possible watch?v=mWO-C2zOHHA HERALD April 11, 2021 Children 15 LittleLittle CCatholicsatholics’ CCornerorner

Dear children, now a priest could take God’s sins, no matter how bad. All imagine that God can’t for- place to hear our sins and we have to do is to be sorry give you when you are sorry In today’s Gospel, we hear tell us that we are forgiven. and go to Confession. – remember, Jesus died on about the first time that Je- Today, the second Sunday God’s Divine Mercy is so the cross so that you would sus came to the Apostles af- of Easter, is also the feast great that even the worst be able to go to Heaven! ter He rose from the dead. of Divine Mercy. sinner in the world can be Most Sacred Heart of He breathed on them and Mercy means being treated saved from Hell if he asks Jesus, gave them the power to for- well even though we don’t for it. Have mercy on us! give sins. deserve it. But even our little sins hurt Jesus, I trust in You! Jesus had just given us the God is so merciful that He Jesus, so we need to ask God Sacrament of Confession – wants to forgive ALL our for mercy too. Don’t ever Aunty Eliz

Saint Thomas Divine Mercy Sunday wasn’t there the first time Jesus 10 April 2021 came to the apostles after Jesus, I He rose from trust in the dead. What did You! Thomas say he would have to see before he believed that Jesus was alive? Connect the dots to find out!

King Saul had a son named Jonathan. While David was serving King Saul, Jonathan and David became best friends. When King Saul decided to kill David, Jonathan warned David so David could escaped. Find out what Jonathan said to David by circling the capital letters in the

winding list and then write them in order on the spaces below. GO IN PEACE WE WILL ALWAYS BE FRIENDS FRIENDS BE ALWAYS WILL WE PEACE IN GO HERALD

Social BEC Communication (1976) (1996)

Dialogue Formation (1976) (1976) INTEGRAL EVANGELISATION Poor Unity (1976) (1976)

Family (1996) Youth (1986) YOUTH YOUTHApril 11, 2021 Faith through this pandemic UALA LUMPUR: World Youth Day (WYD) was Kinitiated by Pope St John Paul II in 1985 as an annual youth event to be alternately celebrated at the diocesan and international lev- els every Palm Sunday. However, at the conclusion of the the So- lemnity of Christ the King on Nov 22, 2020, Pope Francis announced that the diocesan celebration of World Youth Day (WYD) will be moved from Palm Sunday to Christ the King Sunday beginning 2021. The WYD is an opportunity to personally experience the universality of the Catholic Church, and to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who are com- Youths from various parishes participate in the virtual World Youth Day gathering. mitting their lives to Christ and His Church. Clarence Devadass and Fr Bernard Hyacinth,  Church of the Assumption, PJ have suddenly gone quiet or aloof. Let us use World Youth Day is a unique way to deepen attended. It began with an introduction of  Church of Divine Mercy, Shah Alam this opportunity to reach out, bring life and our faith and grow closer to Christ through WYD, a session of Praise & Worship, games  St Peter’s Church, Malacca bring Christ to them. Let us not abandon nor prayer and the sacraments. and a sharing on Faith through this Pandem-  Chapel of Santo Aloysius, Indonesia deny them. Let us not just stand in the crowd, At the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, their ic. As Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, run away or pretend that they do not exist. annual Youth Gathering was cancelled, due The youths spread the word on the event the sharing by Fr Clarence Devadass spoke May we reach out like Simon of Cyrene and to the COVID-19 pandemic. via social media platforms of the Youth Min- about how, when Jesus was submissive as He help them with their cross. Hence, they organised a virtual gathering istry. This brought about the attention and was led to the cross, Simon of Cyrene came Huge gratitude to all who participated and via Google Meet. The intention of the Youth attendance of many youths from various par- to His aid. In this recovery period, we need to we invite all youth to join us for our upcom- Gathering was to foster relationships and to ishes/districts such as be like Simon of Cyrene, stepping forward to ing activities. provide an alternative platform for the annual  Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, KL help those in need – to be pro-active. For further information, do follow our so- youth event to be carried out.  Good Shepherd Church, Setapak This is an invitation to young people to cial handles as below: Forty youths and our two parish priests, Fr  Jesus Caritas Church, Kepong look out for others in their circles who may OLF.YM olf.youthministry Pope lauds Myanmar youths’ commitment to democracy MYANMAR: As the Myanmar military’s mer- say, ‘Stop the violence,’” Pope Francis said on ciless killings of peaceful protesters continues, March 17. “I, too, spread wide my arms and Pope Francis has spoken out again by praising say, ‘Make way for dialogue.’” young people who have made sacrifices in the He was referring to Sr Ann Rose Nu Tawng, fight for democracy. a nun from Myitkyina in Kachin state who has Delivering his Easter message at St Peter’s been lauded as an icon of peace after her brave Basilica on April 4, the Pope praised youths in act in kneeling in front of security forces in Myanmar who were “committed to support- February and March came to global attention. ing democracy and making their voices heard, Catholics represent just 1 percent of My- peacefully, in the knowledge that hatred can be anmar’s population of 54 million, but nuns, dispelled only by love.” priests and lay people have taken part in pro- The Pope described as “scandalous” the fact democracy protests and held prayers for a that armed conflicts have not ended and military peaceful solution. arsenals are being strengthened. Young people have used a variety of crea- He called on the faithful to pray that the Lord tive ways to protest since the military over- grant peace and security so that the world can threw the elected government headed by Protesters hold eggs during a demonstration against the military coup in Taunggyi in Myanmar’s Shan state on April 4, 2021. (UCA News photo) embrace its calling to be a place where all can Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1. see one another as brothers and sisters. On April 4, anti-coup protesters in the Bud- coup leader Min Aung Hlaing — which were mocracy,” said Dr Sasa, international envoy for It was the fifth time the Pope has spoken dhist-majority nation launched an Easter egg posted on social media. the ousted civilian government. publicly about the crisis in Myanmar, which he campaign to show defiance to the military. In Yangon, young people left Easter eggs at Dr Sasa, who uses only one name, is an eth- regards with much affection after visiting the Protesters wrote messages on Easter eggs people’s doors. nic Chin Christian from Chin state in western country in 2017. such as “Spring Revolution,” “We must win” “Easter is all about the future and the people Myanmar, a Christian stronghold. — ucanews. “I, too, kneel on the streets of Myanmar and and “Get out MAH” — a reference to military of Myanmar have a great future in a federal de- com HERALD April 11, 2021 Youth 17 Raising a generation of young missionary disciples for Jesus Christ KUALA LUMPUR: Campus min- time, while we were singing, a relationship with God through our istry is tough work. All the tough- knock on the door startled us. We online Bible Study. Currently we er to start a campus ministry from nervously opened the door, half- are studying the Theology of the ground zero during these extraor- expecting it to be the manage- Body: the Meaning of Life & Love. dinary times affected by COVID. ment, come to warn us about SOP We have two groups for the Eng- Over the Advent-Christmas holi- infringement. “Is this a Christian lish session, one for the Bahasa days, Joseph Daraser, a student at gathering?” the young man at the session and one for the Mandarin the University of Cyberjaya, who door asked. “Can I join you?” We session. Each group has about six had been working in a bookstore, were so relieved yet amazed at students led by a couple. The at- noticed that some of the custom- how the Lord was drawing more tendance has varied but the shar- ers were Christians. He got their students to join us. ings have been robust. A shout-out contact information and invited Our weekend gathering is to my amazing team from Kuch- those from the same apartment guided by the 4Ws: Welcome, ing, Klang and KL that meets me for Christmas. But after this first Worship, Word and Wallop. Ex- online to prepare for this study gathering, he and a few other stu- ercising our Eucharistic identity, every Friday 8.00pm and Saturday dents went back to East Malaysia everyone starts by sharing some- 7.00am - yes, that early! as Malaysia went through another thing they are grateful about. After Mid-semester breaks and holi- lockdown. that, we have an icebreaker and a days are invaluable opportuni- Chinese New Year was a good few songs of praise. We listen to ties to strengthen friendships and excuse to re-gather the students that weekend’s Gospel, then we deepen formations. Going on an at Eagle’s Nest Ville, Cyberjaya. turn to a friend beside us to share outing is also a chance to invite Inter-district travel had loosened what God is saying to us through Christian friends who may feel Bible Studies before each out- to go up to a stranger in the room and the Christian students started that passage. This is followed by awkward about joining a religious ing; Why do I believe in Jesus and and strike up a conversation. We to gather, regardless of denomina- Prayers of the Faithful. Finally, group. From March 21 – 28, seven What is the difference between the role- played how they would greet tion. Having not gathered for wor- we eat a meal prepared by the stu- of the students from the University Catholic and Protestant Churches strangers and build relationships. ship for a year, this small Chris- dents. of Cyberjaya and Unikop were on and answered questions that arose I taught them the acronym for tian fellowship of the University From this gathering, we build break. We went to Berjaya Times from conversations on these day small-talk: FORM. F is for fami- of Cyberjaya and Unikop students relationships with students and Square, KLCC, Petaling Street, trips. It was the first time since ly and friends; O is for Occupation kept adding to their numbers. One invite them to go deeper in their Gabai Waterfalls etc. We arranged they arrived in October 2020 to and studies; R is for Recreational explore Kuala Lumpur and they interests; and M is for the message truly appreciated the expense-free or invitation we want to deliver. holiday. They also said that they We also heard a personal tes- learnt a lot from the bible studies. timony of conversion, which we Easter was a good opportunity hope will encourage the students to invite the students back to Sun- to share their faith stories with day Worship. The protocols re- others. quired a bit of preparation from all The students had a great time the students, but it was very mean- and we signed up new volunteers ingful when they all came for the to serve on the Hospitality Team greatest feast of all Christians, and to join future Bible Studies! and stayed for the training at Fr But being friendly and joyful Leo’s Centre, “To Build a Culture evangelisers is the duty of ALL of Hospitality”. Jointly organised the Easter people. As Romans with KUBM Youth, several young 15:7 says “Welcome one another, people joined our inaugural event then, as Christ welcomed you, for including new friends we met just the glory of God”. — By Deacon The students come together for an Easter Hospitality training with KUBM youth. that morning! Our icebreaker was Adrian Ng Rise in Hope: A Spiritual Journey into the Desert MALACCA: “One cannot be a Christian time of renewal and for us to learn to live sim- without the desert entering into one’s life in ply in loving dependence upon the Father, Fr some way,” said Fr Philip Tay, OCD, in his Tay shared that hope is not a fleeting emotion opening statement for the online diocesan but a resilient stance towards a life marked campus gathering recently. The gathering is by trust, confidence and perseverance. Hope also known as MJCC Online Hangout, or- is rooted in the unshakable conviction that ganised by Malacca Johore Diocese Young God loves us and wants our good, and to live People Network (MJDYPN), a platform for in hope is to want nothing less for ourselves all MJCC students and alumni to gather, than what God wants for us. We are pilgrims learn and pray together during this pandem- on a journey to God, making our way to God ic. and helping others do so as well, thus min- For the season of Lent, Fr Philip Tay, a istering hope in others too, in the ordinary Carmelite priest currently based in Serem- circumstances of our lives. ban, Negeri Sembilan, was invited to share Fr Tay also enlightened the participants about the spiritual journey into the desert about his journey of encounter with God dur- and how to find hope in it during these try- ing his studies in college, which the students ing times. Twenty-four students and alumni found very relatable, especially in serving from various universities in Melaka and Jo- their CSS/CF. They were then separated into hor participated in the session on ZOOM. breakout rooms again to have a longer and During the first part of the sharing, the deeper sharing of their Lenten journey and to participants were given the space in break- University students gather for a spiritual journey with Fr Philip Tay, OCD. pray for each other’s intentions. Overall, the out groups to share about their struggles session was very helpful, especially learning during the past one year of pandemic. Fr repentance uncovered as a journey of love our desert struggles, we have nothing to fear how to find hope in our spiritual journey and Tay touched on the story of the Israelites and lived holiness. This was followed by the if we remain truly in God’s hands. at the same time, being messengers of hope in the desert for 40 years, that though they story of Jesus in the desert for 40 days where “The one who has hope lives differently; for others too. Fr Tay shared, “Hope arises, faced many hardships along the way, the de- He too encountered the illusions and tempta- the one who hopes has been granted the gift both in us and in others, when that becomes sert was also the place where they came to tions of evil, but also the loving providence of a new life.” (Spe Salvi, Pope Emeritus a regular practice in our lives.” — By Karen know God in a new way… their journey of of God’s creation. Jesus taught us that in all Benedict XVI). Reminding us that Lent is a Chan Mei Mei 18 HERALD April 11, 2021 For more enquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] Brazil ignored the cry of its m e m o r i a m Tel: 03-2026 8290 / 03-2026 8291 21st Year Anniversary In Loving Memory of people, now COVID-19 is Our Beloved Brian Fernandez

Twenty-one years have passed decimating remote communities since God took you home. BRAZIL: Following the news Time has still not healed that more than 66,000 deaths our infinite sorrow. were recorded last month, Bra- Our hearts will always zil has now reported over 4,000 cherish fond memories of you. COVID-related deaths in 24 hours for the first time. These sta- You are loved beyond words tistics, although shocking, are not and missed beyond measure. surprising, say health experts and Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, charities who have been trying to and let your perpetual light shine upon raise the alarm for months. him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen. It was announced that in March, 66,570 people died of Deeply missed and loved by, COVID-19 in Brazil. Daily fa- Departed: Dad, Mum, Sisters, Brothers-in-law, talities in the country currently V14th April 2000 Niece and Loved Ones. account for about a quarter of the federal government ignored these over 90 per cent of the population global total. warnings and the cry of their peo- have been infected with COV- With the arrival of the new, ple.” ID-19, according to tests per- Thanksgiving to St Jude Thanksgiving to St Anne highly contagious P1 variant, Indigenous and rural commu- formed by the Yanomami Health St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, these figures may only be the nities have been hit exceptionally District. great in virtue and rich in Glorious St Anne, filled with compassion for miracles. those who invoke thee, and with love for those beginning, health professionals hard over the last six months. “When it was clear that help Near kinsman of Jesus have warned. COVID-19 cases have now was not coming, it fell to chari- Christ, faithful intercessor of all who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my “For months, experts have been confirmed in 23 of the 37 ties, church and community lead- who invoke troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly been saying that the situation in regions of the Yanomami Terri- ers to try and respond with lim- Your special patronage in beg of thee to take the present affair which I Brazil is a tragedy in the mak- tory. Located between the states ited resources,” continued Iorio. time of need, to you I have recommend to thee under thy special protection. ing,” explained Cecilia Iorio, of Roraima and Amazonas, the “The latest statistics show how recourse Vouchsafe to recommend thee to thy daughter Brazil country representative for area is home to around 26,700 From the depth of my heart the Federal government failed to and humbly beg to whom God the Blessed Virgin Mary and lay it before the the UK aid agency CAFOD. indigenous people, including iso- prepare for a second COVID-19 has throne of Jesus, so that he may bring it to a The impact of the pandemic, lated groups, who are even more wave. There was a lack of strat- Given such great power to happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until currently surging in the south of vulnerable to disease. egy, no emergency support for come to my assistance. Help me my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me Brazil, including in the country’s According to a recent report, families to stay at home, and In my present urgent petition, the grace of one day beholding my God face to in return I promise to make your capital, Sao Paulo, could have ‘Tracing the deadly path of COV- patchy lockdowns and curfews. face, and with thee and Mary and all the saints, been mitigated, Iorio says. ID-19’, it is estimated 10,000 Name known and cause you Those living in marginalised, to be invoked. praising and blessing Him for eternity. “Back in January and Febru- people, or more than a third of remote, and indigenous commu- St. Jude pray for us and all Good St Anne, mother of her who is our life, ary, when Manaus was the epi- the total population, may have nities have been sidelined in the who invoke your aid. Amen our sweetness and our hope, pray to help us and centre of the pandemic, the signs already been exposed to the virus. battle against this indiscriminate Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail obtain our request. were clear - and they all pointed In the Demini region, one of Mary’s and 3 Glory be’s. virus.” — By Elouise Hobbs, — Anthony Marshall towards disaster. Yet, still, the the most tested in the territory, ICN — Anthony Marshall HERALD April 11, 2021 Saints of the Week & Short Readings 19

Feastday: April 11 St Stanislaus Patron Saint of: Poland Daily Short n April 11, the Catholic Church hon- and Bogna. His parents, members of the no- Reading ors the memory of the 11th-century bility, showed great zeal and charity in their bishop and martyr St Stanislaus of practice of the Catholic faith. Their son stud- Sunday, April 11 O (Acts 10:40-43) Krakow, who died for the faith at the hands of ied for a time in his own country, and went King Boleslaus II. on to learn theology and canon law in Paris. God raised Jesus to life on the third Canonized in 1253, St Stanislaus is a belov- The death of his parents left him with a large day and allowed him to be seen, not ed patron of the Polish nation and people. In inheritance, which he gave away to the poor. by the whole people but only by certain his own country he is commemorated on May After his ordination to the priesthood, Stan- witnesses God had chosen before- 8, the date of his death in 1079. islaus served the Church of Krakow in differ- hand. Now we are those witnesses Blessed John Paul II – who was Krakow’s ent pastoral and administrative posts. Follow- – we have eaten and drunk with him archbishop in the “See of St. Stanislaus” be- ing the death of the diocese’s leader, Bishop after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this fore becoming Pope – paid tribute to him of- Lambert Zula, Stanislaus was chosen as his to his people and to tell them that God ten during his pontificate. In a 2003 letter to successor in 1071. He did not want the posi- has appointed him to judge everyone, the Polish Church, he recalled how St. Stani- tion, but obeyed Pope Alexander II’s order to alive or dead. It is to him that all the slaus “proclaimed faith in God to our ances- accept it. Having done so, he proved to be a prophets bear this witness: that all who tors and started in them...the saving power of bold preacher of the Gospel. believe in Jesus will have their sins for- the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This boldness brought him into conflict given through his name. “He taught the moral order in the family with Poland’s ruler, King Boleslaus II, who Monday, April 12 based on sacramental marriage. He taught the was becoming notorious for his violent and (Romans 14:7-9 ) moral order within the State, reminding even depraved lifestyle. After a series of disputes matters into his own hands. He ambushed the king that in his actions he should keep in over his scandalous behaviour and other mat- Stanislaus and struck him down with a sword The life and death of each of us has during his celebration of Mass. its influence on others; if we live, we mind the unchanging Law of God.” Through ters, Stanislaus found no success in his efforts live for the Lord; and if we die, we die St. Stanislaus, God taught the Polish Pope’s to reform the king. St Stanislaus was soon acclaimed as a mar- for the Lord, so that alive or dead we homeland to respect “the Law of God and the He excommunicated the sovereign – who tyr, while Boleslaus II lost his grip on power belong to the Lord. This explains why just rights of every person.” responded with furious anger, sending hench- and left Poland. In later years the fallen mon- Christ both died and came to life: it was Born near Krakow in July of 1030, Stani- men to kill the bishop. When they proved arch is said to have lived in a monastery, re- so that he might be Lord both of the slaus Szczepanowski was the son of Belislaus unwilling or unable to do so, Boleslaus took penting of the murder. — CNA dead and of the living. Tuesday, April 13 St Martin I (Acts 13:30-33) God raised Jesus from the dead, and atholics celebrate the memory of Pope St to Italy during the Council, with orders either for many days he appeared to those CMartin I on April 13. The saint suffered to arrest the Pope or have him killed. A hench- who had accompanied him from Gali- exile and humiliation for his defence of ortho- man of the emperor, who attempted to assassi- lee to Jerusalem: and it is these same doxy in a dispute over the relationship between nate the Pope while he was distributing Holy companions of his who are now his Christ’s human and divine natures. Communion, later testified that he suddenly lost witnesses before our people. We have Martin was born in the Italian city of Tus- his eyesight and could not carry out the death come here to tell you the Good News. cany, during either the late sixth or early sev- sentence. It was to our ancestors that God made enth century. He became a deacon and served In 653, the emperor again sought to silence the promise but it is to us, their chil- in Rome, where he acquired a reputation for Pope Martin, this time by sending a delegation dren, that he has fulfilled it, by raising education and holiness. Pope Theodore I chose to capture him. A struggle ensued, and he was Jesus from the dead. As scripture says in the second psalm: You are my son: Martin as his representative to the emperor in taken to Constantinople before being exiled to today I have become your father. Constantinople during a period of theological the island of Naxos for a year. Those who tried controversy between the imperial capital and to send help to the exiled Pope were denounced Wednesday, April 14 the Roman Church. as traitors to the Byzantine empire. Eventually (Romans 6:8-11) The dispute in which Martin became in- he was brought back to Constantinople as a We believe that having died with Christ volved, first as the papal nuncio and later as prisoner, and sentenced to death. we shall return to life with him: Christ, Pope himself, was over Christ’s human nature. The Pope’s appointed executioners stripped as we know, having been raised from Although the Church had always acknowl- him of his clothes and led him through the city, the dead will never die again. Death edged the eternal Son of God as “becoming before locking him in a prison with a group of has no power over him any more. man” within history, some Eastern bishops con- murderers. He was beaten so severely that he When he died, he died, once for all, tinued to insist that Christ’s human nature was appeared to be on the verge of death. At the last to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider not entirely like that of other human beings. moment, however, both the Patriarch of Con- yourselves to be dead to sin but alive During the seventh century, authorities with- stantinople and the emperor agreed that the for God in Christ Jesus. in the Byzantine Church and empire promoted or not Christ had both a human and a divine Pontiff should not be executed. a version of this heresy known as “monothelit- will. Pope Martin condemned monothelitism Instead he was kept in prison before being Thursday, April 15 ism.” This teaching acknowledged that Christ completely, and denounced those who held to banished again, to an island that was suffering (Romans 8:10-11) had two natures – human and divine – but only it. from a severe famine. Pope Martin wrote to a If Christ lives in you, then although the one will: the divine. Pope Theodore condemned He insisted that the teaching which denied friend that he was “not only separated from the body be a dead thing in virtue of our the teaching, and excommunicated Patriarch Christ’s human will could not be glossed over rest of the world,” but “even deprived of the guilt, the spirit is a living thing, by vir- Pyrrhus of Constantinople for holding to it. as an irrelevant point. To refuse to acknowledge means to live.” tue of our justification. And if the Spirit Martin inherited this controversy when he Christ’s distinct divine and human wills, he be- Although the Pope died in exile, in 655, his of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up succeeded Theodore as Pope. At the Lateran lieved, was to deny the biblical teaching that relics were later brought back to Rome. The Jesus Christ from the dead will give life Council of 649, he followed his predecessor’s Christ was like humanity in everything other Third Ecumenical Council of Constantinople to your perishable bodies too, for the lead in condemning Pyrrhus’ successor, Patri- than sin. eventually vindicated Pope St Martin I, by con- sake of his Spirit who dwells in you. arch Paul II, who accepted Emperor Constans The Byzantine emperor retaliated against firming in 681 that Christ had both a divine and II’s decision to forbid all discussion of whether Pope Martin by sending his own representative a human will. — CNA Friday, April 16 (Acts 5: 30-32) The God of our fathers raised Jesus form death, after you had killed him St Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes by nailing him to a cross. And God t. Bernadette Soubirous is the renowned and that a chapel should be built on the site raised him to his right side as Leader Svisionary of Lourdes. She was born into of the apparitions. and Saviour, to give to the people of a poor family in Lourdes, France, in 1844 Civil authorities tried to frighten Berna- Israel the opportunity to repent and and was baptised with the name Mary Ber- dette into retracting her accounts, but she have their sins forgiven. We are wit- nesses to these things — we and the nard. remained faithful to her visions. They also Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to those Our Lady first appeared to the 14-year-old tried to shut down the spring and delay the who obey him. Bernadette on Feb 11, 1858, in a cave on construction of the chapel, but Empress the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. Eugenie of France intervened when her Saturday, April 17 The visions continued for a period of sev- child was cured with the water from the (Romans 14: 7-9) eral weeks. Two weeks after the first appear- spring, and the church was built. None of us lives for himself only. none ance of Our Lady, a spring emerged from In 1866, Bernadette entered the Sisters of of us dies for himself only; if we live, it is the cave, and the waters were found to mi- Notre Dame in Nevers. She was diagnosed for the Lord that we live, and if we die, raculously heal the sick and the lame. One with a painful, incurable illness soon after- it is for the Lord that we die. Whether we live or die, then, we belong to the month later, on March 25, the woman whom ward and died in 1879 at the age of 35. Pope Lord. For Christ died and rose to life in Bernadette had been seeing told her that her Pius XI canonised her in 1933. order to be the Lord of the living and name was “the Immaculate Conception”, Her feastday is on April 16. — CNA of the dead. Universal: Fundamental Rights We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.

Download the Click To Pray updates now. THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY April 11, 2021 Pope Francis recalls Global COVID-19 recovery plan love for Eucharistic message to World Bank and IMF adoration from his VATICAN: Pope Francis appealed for a global “A spirit of global solidarity also demands youth coronavirus recovery plan in a message to par- at the least a significant reduction in the debt VATICAN: Pope ticipants in the spring meetings of the World burden of the poorest nations, which has been Francis has sent a Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). exacerbated by the pandemic,” he wrote in the letter to Spanish In a letter published by the Vatican April 8, message, dated April 4. Catholic weekly the Pope called for a comprehensive approach “Relieving the burden of debt of so many Alpha and Omega to rebuilding the world economy in the wake countries and communities today is a pro- after receiving a of COVID-19. foundly human gesture that can help people to photo of a record He said, “While many countries are now develop, to have access to vaccines, health, edu- from the 1950’s consolidating individual recovery plans, there Pope Francis cation, and jobs.” with his name and a remains an urgent need for a global plan that contribute to a model of ‘recovery’ capable of The Pope also highlighted what he called the number. generating new, more inclusive, and sustainable can create new or regenerate existing institu- “ecological debt” between richer and poorer The record in- Eucharistic adoration. tions, particularly those of global governance, solutions to support the real economy, assisting countries. dicated that as a and help to build a new network of international individuals and communities to achieve their “In this regard, I believe that the financial young man, Pope Francis was one of the relations for advancing the integral human de- deepest aspirations and the universal common industry, which is distinguished by its great many faithful who made regular visits to the velopment of all peoples.” good.” creativity, will prove capable of developing ag- Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament in Buenos “This necessarily means giving poorer and He added: “The notion of recovery cannot be ile mechanisms for calculating this ecological Aires, Argentina, to pray at night, alongside less developed nations an effective share in content to a return to an unequal and unsustain- debt, so that developed countries can pay it, not his brother Óscar. decision-making and facilitating access to the able model of economic and social life, where only by significantly limiting their consump- Love for Eucharistic adoration from youth international market.” a tiny minority of the world’s population owns tion of non-renewable energy or by assisting “I was moved by the photocopy of the book The World Bank Group, founded in 1944, half of its wealth.” poorer countries to enact policies and programs on nocturnal adoration of the Basilica of the offers loans and grants to the governments of In the message, Pope Francis urged the of sustainable development, but also by cover- Blessed Sacrament,” said Pope Francis in his developing countries for capital projects. The World Bank and IMF’s experts to focus on “the ing the costs of the innovation required for that handwritten note to the Spanish weekly. IMF, formed in 1945, oversees the global mon- interconnectedness between people.” Citing purpose,” he wrote. From his home in the Flores neighbourhood etary system. Both organisations are based in his recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, he encour- He argued that true development could only in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis Washington, D.C. aged them to build a “culture of encounter” by be achieved through the pursuit of the “univer- as a youth, would often go by bus to the Ba- The Pope wrote: “In this past year, as a re- including the marginalised in “long-term inclu- sal common good.” silica, alongside his brother, in 1954 and 1955. sult of the COVID-19 pandemic, our world has sive projects.” “It follows that public money may never be It was there that he heard the phrase “Ven- been forced to confront a series of grave and The Pope repeated his call for the cancel- disjoined from the public good, and financial ite adoremus” (Come let us adore), which interrelated socio-economic, ecological, and lation of the debts of poor countries battling markets should be underpinned by laws and the Pope says he remembers “with emotion” political crises.” COVID-19, which he first made in his Easter regulations aimed at ensuring that they truly in his note to the Spanish newspaper. As the “It is my hope that your discussions will “Urbi et Orbi” address in 2020. work for the common good,” he said. — CNA nocturnal adoration was done in turns, the person from the previous shift would wake up the next person with the words “Venite Lyric video song of 500 Years of Christianity in adoremus” to remind them to go for the hour of adoration. Pope Francis also explained in the letter the Philippines that since at that time there was no evening PHILIPPINES: The lyric video, “Live Mass, many people who had been at parties Christ, Share Christ”, the official song of during the day came to the Basilica on Satur- 500 Years of Christianity in the Philip- day nights. pines, has been produced by the Episcopal Influenced by the example of a merciful priest Commission on Social Communications “The adoration began around nine o’clock at of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the night after the preaching of Father Aristi,” ex- Philippines (CBCP), in collaboration with plained the Pope in his letter. the Jesuit Communications (JesCom) and Philippines 500 YOC lyric song. (500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines youtube) At that time, the young Jorge Bergoglio Montemaria Asia Pilgrims, Inc. Celebrations kicked off on Easter Sunday The first Eucharist and Baptism was already living a Christian life, or as he The lyrics draw inspiration from the Dioceses and parishes across the country It was on Easter Sunday in 1521 that Father Pedro de describes it in his letter, he “already had the theme of the celebrations, “Gifted to launched the yearlong Jubilee celebration on Valderrama celebrated the first Catholic Mass in what experience of St. Joseph of Flores” – the par- Give”. The song was first launched in April 4, Easter Sunday. It was marked by the is now the Philippines. The Spanish Augustinian priest ish the Pope attended as a youth. 2013 at the start of the nine-year spiritual country’s bishops simultaneously opening the was the chaplain of the European crew of the famed Pope Francis, in a meeting with priests in journey leading up to this year’s quin- “Holy Doors” in all the cathedrals, which will Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan who led an Rome in March 2014 explained that Fr. Aristi centennial celebration of the country’s remain open throughout the jubilee year until expedition to explore a new route to the so-called “East was his confessor and a good example of a evangelization. The revival version of the April 22, 2022. In all, some 500 churches and Indies”, by travelling west past the southern tip of merciful priest. Sacramentine priest Fr José song was interpreted by singer celebrities cathedrals across the Philippines have been South America, called the Strait of Magellan in Chile. Ramón Aristi served as a Provincial in his Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, Liezel Gar- designated as “Jubilee Churches” where the Easter that year fell on March 31 and the place the order and as a professor. He was also a well- cia, Janine Berdin, Bituin Escalante, Jed faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence dur- sailors landed was the island of Limasawa in Southern known confessor with long queues of people Madela, Jolina Magdangal, Matt Lozano, ing the celebration until April 22, 2022. Leyte, today part of Maasin Diocese. Father Valder- waiting for him at the Basilica of the Blessed and Arman Ferrer, with arrangement by The Diocese of Maasin on March 31 led rama, the chaplain of the crew, improvised an altar and Sacrament. Marvin Querido. The lyrics were writ- the Church in commemorating the quincen- celebrated Mass, which was attended by his shipmates Pope Francis further told the priests that ten by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of tennial of the first Easter Mass in the coun- and a host of local tribal leaders and inhabitants. whenever an uncharitable thought against Lingayen-Dagupan, with the original mu- try, which took place on Limasawa Island in That afternoon, Magellan ordered his men to plant a someone crosses his mind, he touches a lit- sical arrangement by Ryan Cayabyab, the Southern Leyte province. On April 14, the large wooden cross on the top of the hill overlooking tle cloth bag that he carries which contains National Artist for Music. The video has 500th year commemoration of the first bap- the sea. A few days later, Magellan led his expedition the cross once attached to the Rosary with been uploaded on the Facebook page and tism in the Philippines will be held in Cebu to the island of Cebu. On 14 April 1521, Fr Valderrama which Fr. Aristi was buried. “And I feel the Youtube channel of 500 Years of Christi- City. The celebration features a reenactment baptised the local tribal leader and around 800 Visayan grace! I feel its benefit,” the Pope said. “What anity (500 YOC). It will also be available of the first baptism, a Mass and renewal of natives to form the first Catholic community of what is good the example of a merciful priest does, on Spotify, Deezer, and iTunes in the next baptismal promises, and baptism of 10 chil- today the Philippines. — By Robin Gomes, Vatican [the example] of a priest who draws close to two weeks. dren. News wounds.” — Vatican News