I am speaking the truth in Christ — I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit — that I have great sorrow an unceasing anguish in my AUGUST 9, 2020 heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the TERHAD PP 8460/11/2012(030939) sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according ISSN: 1394-3294 to the flesh. Vol. 27 No. 31 THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY Rom. 9:1-3 Do not be afraid! Direct your hearts to Jesus and trust in Him ENINGAU: Sabahans As followers and disciples of encouraged to pray, to partici- identity as the people walking have been urged to Jesus I believe that we always pate in the celebration of Holy together in Jesus Christ, com- look to Jesus as they listen to the advice of Church Mass, Adoration, Holy Hour, mitted to the Mission we live to K leaders so that in following Je- Prayer Service and Commun- put God first, and to prioritise prepare to vote in the state elec- sus our gaze is always focused ion, prayer groups, devotions, the needs of our fellow man and tions. on Jesus so that, we are safe in etc. so that the Holy Spirit can God’s creation, confident that In a pastoral letter released today, Au- His protection and love. help, teach and remind us of the only Jesus is the Way, the Truth gust 9, Rt Rev Cornelius Piong, Bisop The experience of St Peter teachings of Jesus (John 14:26) and the Life, our lives are al- of Keningau Diocese, wrote on how the and the disciples of Jesus in the In terms of Faith Forma- ways directed to Jesus. So let us Church is a channel of Jesus’ presence to Gospel today (August 8, 2020) tion, we have the Word of God set our gaze to Him (John 14:6). help her people focus on Him. teaches us how to be fearless, to to read, to listen and to meditate May we not be deceived by sa- “The current COVID-19 pandemic is direct our hearts to Jesus and be- on. We also have the teachings tanic deception, lies, and death very worrying for many people. Eco- lieve in He who saved Peter and of the Church, seminars, recol- (John 8:44). nomic conditions are unstable and many the disciples from the danger of the leaders and the people. Will lections, retreats, various cours- In whatever situation we face have lost their jobs. Parents are worried death in the middle of the sea. the elections be conducted fairly es to improve our spiritual etc whether it is related to politics, about their children’s future. As with Peter’s experience, and democratically or conduct- so that we shall have firm faith, disease, natural disasters, etc., “In Sabah, we are currently preparing we too have experienced how ed as usual where the power of witness and strength in enduring let us practice and nurture the for the state elections. There are many terrifying life can be, how it can money is used to buy votes as trials. culture to always go to Jesus, things worrying the leaders and the peo- lead us to sink in constant fear well as other moves and strate- In terms of Social Respon- listen to His Word and do His ple. Will the elections be conducted fair- and numbness if our focus and gies that are unfair and dishon- sibility, we as members of the will (Luke 6:47-48). This prac- ly and democratically or conducted as attention are concentrated more est? Church, through the Sacrament tice will unite us with Jesus and usual, where the power of money is used on the problems of the world As followers and disciples of of Baptism participate in the His Holy Spirit so that we can to buy votes as well as other moves and rather than on Jesus, our Sav- Jesus, we need to be confident Prophetic, Kingly and Priestly understand and do good and strategies that are unfair and dishonest? iour. that He is with us and accom- nature of Jesus. We are required right in every situation we face “We must remain always proud of our The current COVID-19 pan- panies us in whatever circum- to participate in the fight for (John 15: 4-5). identity as the people walking together demic is very worrying for many stances we face throughout our peace, justice and love. Like salt in Jesus Christ, committed to the Mis- people. Economic conditions life and faith. and light we carry the good in- Thank you. sion we live to put God first, and priori- are unstable and many have lost The Church, as a channel of fluences and values of the king- tise the needs of our fellow human be- their jobs. Parents are worried Jesus’ presence always helps us dom of God where we are, (Mat. Togetherness is Happiness ings and God’s creation, confident that about their children’s future. to be awake and motivates us 5: 13-16; 25:40), so that our only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the In Sabah, we are currently to always focus our hearts on hearts, minds and actions are Life.” preparing for the state elections. Jesus. motivated by the love of Jesus. +Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong l See right for the full text There are many things worrying In terms of worship, we are Being always proud of our August 9, 2020 Aid to the Church in Need is sending 250,000 euro in food aid to Lebanon BEIRUT. Lebanon: International Catholic area of Beirut is “completely devastated,” nomic crisis in decades, with corruption national community for aid. charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) with at least ten churches destroyed. and financial mismanagement leading to an “Beirut is a devastated city. Beirut, the has announced an emergency 250,000 euro “In one second, more damage was done to unprecedented devaluation of its currency, bride of the East and the beacon of the West, food aid package for victims of the massive the Christian area of Beirut than during the hyperinflation, rising unemployment and is wounded,” he said. “It’s a war scene: August 4 explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. long years of the civil war. We have to re- banking restrictions. The health system is there is destruction and desolation in all its The ACN grant will focus on poor fami- build everything again from the ground up.” also in crisis. Power outages and street pro- streets, its neighbourhoods and houses.” lies most affected by the explosion, which ACN estimates some 300,000 people tests had rocked the country a few months Aid to the Church in Need also called for devastated the port area of the Lebanese have been left homeless. Additionally, before the coronavirus pandemic broke out. prayer for all those affected by the explo- capital and the adjacent regions of Mar Ma- many offices, schools, hospitals, and shops In recent years, Lebanon has been hosting sion and facing other challenges. roun and Achrafieh. were completely destroyed in the explosion. large numbers of Syrian and Iraqi refugees, “We pray for the victims and their fami- At least 135 people died and another The priest stressed that amid the coun- many of them Christian, as well as Pales- lies and we pray for Lebanon so that, with 5,000 were injured when a warehouse stor- try’s prolonged economic crisis and the tinian refugees. According to official data, the commitment of all its social, political ing some 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Lebanon Lebanon currently hosts almost 2 million and religious components, it can face this exploded Aug 4 evening. Officials are - in is ill-equipped to face this new emergency. refugees, representing about a third of its tragic and painful moment and, with the vestigating the cause of the explosion. International aid is urgently needed to meet total population. help of the international community, over- Fr Samer Nassif, a Lebanese priest, told people’s basic needs, they said. Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, Maronite come the serious crisis it is going through.” Aid to the Church in Need that the Christian Lebanon is currently facing its worst eco- Patriarch of Antioch, has called on the inter- — CNA 2 Forum / Reflection HERALD August 9, 2020 The hidden cost of corruption ecent events have thrust corruption This alone shows how tough the lives scandals into the global headlines. Sunday Observer of the fisherfolk were during the time of RBut what may not be easily seen is Jesus, and the weariness of the fisherfolk- that there is a hidden cost to corruption. By Apostles comes through in the pages of the Corruption drains the public coffers, Gospels. erodes trust in leaders and deprives the Anil Netto When he sat down to observe people put- public of funds that could have eased their [email protected] ting money in the treasury, Jesus observed suffering. It undermines community soli- a widow donating two small coins, all that darity as well, when the public are cheated she had. Immediately before that episode, of funds that could have been used for their or customs duties, launder the proceeds of while you will not listen; to cry, ‘Violence!’ in Mark 12: 38-40, Jesus had condemned benefit. criminal activity, circumvent currency con- in your ear while you will not save? the scribes: “Beware of the scribes who like For example, if it costs say RM15 to pro- trols and hide profits offshore.” “Why do you make me see wrongdoing, to walk about in long robes, to be greeted vide a person with a couple of decent meals By comparing figures in bilateral trade why do you countenance oppression? Plun- respectfully in the market squares, to take per day, then RM1bn in public funds could with 36 advanced economies, GFI estimates dering and violence confront me, conten- the front seats in the synagogues and the finance the meals for 182,000 people for that Malaysia had a value gap of US$36.7bn tion and discord flourish. places of honour at banquets; these are the one year! from 2008 to 2017. (https://gfintegrity.org/ And so the law loses its grip and justice men who devour the property of widows Assuming we lose billions of ringgit report/trade-related-illicit-financial-flows- never emerges, since the wicked outwits the and, for show, offer long prayers. The more through corruption every year, we are talk- in-135-developing-countries-2008-2017/). upright and so justice comes out perverted. severe will be the sentence they receive.” ing about staggering sums of money that Money lost through corruption and illicit Many ordinary people during the time of In other words, he decried the social could have provided for the basic needs of outflows drains public coffers or deprives Jesus must have endured tremendous hard- system that made it possible for the elite millions of people. the nation of revenue from taxes or customs ship. That did not escape Jesus’ notice: he to squeeze the vulnerable and grab what Recent corruption sagas have given us duties. told them to pray to the Father to “give us rightfully belonged to them while lording a glimpse of the stupendous amounts of In the Gospels, Jesus lashes out against our daily bread”. it over them. wealth that the nation has lost. the money changers in the Temple, describ- This hardship must have been felt by These elite grew fat from the suffering of That’s not all. An alarming report from ing the place as a den of thieves. fisherfolk and the surrounding communi- the people and spent the money on gran- Global Financial Integrity (GFI) called The temple at that time was the seat of ties near the Sea of Galilee. In 1986, during diose projects to feed their ego, instead of Trade-Related Illicit Financial Flows in collaboration between the religious author- a drought, two fishermen discovered an an- easing the plight of the vulnerable and dis- 135 Developing Countries: 2008-2017, ities and their Roman political overlords, cient fishing boat from the lake dating back possessed, like the widow, who gave up all shows how funds can even be funnelled who called the shots discreetly. to around the time of Jesus. An examination she had. away through trade misinvoicing. The ordinary people in Jesus’ time paid of the boat revealed it had been repeatedly This is what makes corruption and illicit According to GFI, “trade misinvoicing the price, groaning from the heavy burden repaired and patched up with 10-12 differ- accumulation of wealth all the more insidi- occurs when importers and exporters de- of a multitude of taxes and other religious ent types of wood. (Such boats were usu- ous as it is often gained at the expense of liberately falsify the stated prices on the levies. ally constructed with two or three kinds of the suffering of ordinary people. invoices for goods they are importing or The cry of Habukuk (Chapter 1:2-4) must wood.) This boat was, perhaps, used for But God works in his own time and the exporting as a way to illicitly transfer value have resonated among them: decades before it was discarded as beyond cries of the people who suffer will not go across international borders, evade tax and/ “How long, Yahweh, am I to cry for help repair. unnoticed. Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: He calls us to walk with Him on the Water

want to start this week at the begin- ter is associated with chaos. Think back ning: “In the beginning God created to the horrible Asian tsunami that killed Reflecting on our Sunday Readings heaven and earth.” Now that is really hundreds of thousands. I experienced a I walk on water. He walks on the chaos of 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time the beginning. We learn from Genesis that terrifying blizzard when I was in Boston our lives. on the first day, God created the heavens at the beginning of my priesthood. Since Readings: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; That is one of the messages of today’s and earth and then created light to over- the Boston area is on the water, tremen- Romans 9:1-5; come the darkness. On the second day, we dous damaged was caused by the sea. I Gospel reading. No matter what chaos learn that the earth was covered in water. used to show people homes in the Revere there is in the world and in our lives, Je- Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 sus walks on it. He conquers the chaos. God created land and separated the seas and Winthrop area that had their second And what if we fail? What if we blink, from the land. He conquered the seas. story windows destroyed by waves. Jesus conquers the chaos that is caused by things that are beyond our control. Life and sink like Peter did? “Don’t be afraid,” To the ancient people, the seas rep- The sea hits us in the front, the back, the Lord says. He is there to reach down resented chaos. Fishermen and sailors, the left and the right. There is no escaping itself is chaotic. Just when all seems to be calm, a loved one suddenly dies. All of us and lift us out of the water, out of the cha- then, as well as now, know all too well the it when we are in the middle of it. That os, just as he lifted Peter out of the water, sudden turmoil caused by rough waters. is chaos. have experienced this. We did not cause the chaos, but we do suffer from it. out of the chaos of his life. If you ever saw the movie The Perfect But God conquered the seas. And Je- The Lord knows that we are not saints, Storm you would understand why the wa- sus walked on the water. He continues to Jesus conquers the chaos, even that cha- os which we ourselves cause in our lives. not yet anyway. He knows that we are Many of us have made bad choices. Many weak. He accepted Peter, that loud lout, of us have sinned. Many of us suffer the that well-meaning coward, and turned results of our sins or the sins of others. For him into the Rock of the Church. He takes example, a person finally recognises that us as we are and walks with us on the wa- he has gotten into a relationship which ter. He only asks us to have the courage is destroying his family and destroying to put our faith in Him. He gives us the himself. He returns to his family, but the strength to join Him in conquering the damage has been done. He and his family chaos. suffer the results of his sins. Where is the chaos in your lives, in my It makes no difference whether we life? Is it sickness or death? Is it chemical caused the chaos or whether we suffer dependence? Is it some other addiction? from the chaos caused by others. Jesus Is it turmoil in your marriage or your still walks on the water. He conquers the family? Where have the seas risen to cha- chaos. Then, do you know what he does? otic dimensions? Wherever that chaos is, He calls us to walk out onto the chaos and please remember that there is nothing, no walk towards him. “Come, Peter.” Peter chaos, that is too great for Jesus to con- walked on the water. At least for a bit. quer. And there is nothing too devastating That is what Jesus does for us all. He for us to conquer with Him. walks on the chaos of our lives, and then He walked on the waters, and He calls calls us to come and join him. He gives us to walk with Him. — By Msgr Joseph us the strength to walk on water. A Pellegrino HERALD August 9, 2020 Home / Pastoral 3

Diocese of Malacca Johore News from the Bishop’s Desk To All Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful els and Mass centres can re-open for wor- Level 3 via Clergy & Religious Houses: of the MJD. ship and approved gatherings (weddings PDF file e-mailed for follow through. and funerals) with effect from August 15, Good afternoon, Dear faithful of the Ma- 2020, (Saturday), Feast of the Assumption All news will be released simultaneously lacca Johore Diocese. of Our Blessed Virgin Mary. at the appointed day and time. Please adhere to the SOPs strictly. Pre- From today, July 31, 2020, l hope to be in vention is better than cure. FOURTH: F12 MJD’s News Update touch with you every Friday at 12 noon. A channel managed by MJD SocCom Of- My official statements will be seen and SECOND: Seminary & Seminarians fice — a channel for the Bishop to speak heard on the F12 MJD’s News Update; The College General, Penang, was expect- on the latest, the newest and the truest ever managed by the Social Communication ed to be re-opened on August 4, 2020. With Friday @ 12 noon Bulletin. (SocCom) Office. Today, we begin this the pandemic still declared as such, the official channel with four important- an students will continue with on-line studies Wishing you and all Muslims a Selamat nouncements: at MAJODI Centre, under the direction of Hari Raya Haji. Fr Lionel Thomas, till further notice. FIRST: The Recent COVID-19 Scare in God bless you. Have a good weekend. MJD THIRD: Bishop’s Communications and After initiating inspection and investiga- Directives Together Building His Kingdom, tion of all the Roman Catholic churches in After discussion with MJD’s Social Com- Melaka and Johor, and having all Clergy declared negative and safe. Sanitisation of munication Ministry, the protocol for undergo COVID-19 test, after imposing the church facilities will take place next. Bishop’s Communications has been set: The Parish Response Team will continue quarantine, and conducting “sampling Level 1 via F12 MJD News Update Chan- to ensure all the proper procedures and + Rt Rev Bernard Paul, D.D. tests” on all staff and church workers, the nel: The Bishop Speaks. Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) correct practices are complied with. Bishop of Malacca Johore Diocese has lifted the 14-day quarantine order. All With this clearance, as the Bishop of Level 2 via MJD Webpage & Facebook: the clergy, staff and church workers were MJD, I announce that all churches, chap- Official Statement Uploaded. July 31, 2020

Archdiocese of Kuching Temporary suspension of Masses in red zone Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We are all the ‘frontliners’ in our society. l Be kind to and considerate of one an- I thus appeal to all Catholics and people of other In this time of COVID-19, as our Church’s goodwill to live out our Christian and social l Pray and intercede for our society. social and pastoral response, all daily, Sun- responsibility: Let us do our part to contain COVID-19 day Masses and Services in Catholic Parish- l Wear a mask in public at all times to so that our churches can resume Masses es in the Red Zone will be temporarily sus- respect and protect one another even earlier, especially before the Feast of pended, effective July 31, 2020. This affects l Maintain at least one-metre social the Assumption weekend on August 15. parish communities in Kuching, Kota Sen- distancing at all times All Parish Offices will remain open to tosa, Kota Samarahan and Kota Padawan. l Practise proper washing of hands serve you. May Almighty God bless and Churches in the Yellow Zone and Green protect all families with good health, peace Zone will remain open for Sunday Masses l Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or and abundant grace. and Services. I exhort everyone to strictly mouth adhere to the safety SOPs that are currently l Bring a personal hand sanitiser and Archbishop Simon Poh practised in all our churches and offices. surface disinfectant Archdiocese of Kuching This will ensure that our churches are kept l Donate to CWS / charity to alleviate safe for public worship. suffering July 30, 2020 Sabah church suspends Mass after parishioner tests positive KOTA KINABALU: The Church of Mary handed over to the Health authorities. Immaculate (CMI) in Bukit Padang is closed Concerns have been raised outside the par- temporarily till August 18 after one of its pa- ish about those parishioners who attended rishioners was found to be COVID-19 posi- the two affected Masses. “These parishion- tive. ers should abstain from attending Mass in Parish priest Fr Paul Lo said he was notified any other churches, at least for the next two by the Health Ministry that a parishioner who weeks. They must stay home and self-quar- attended the morning English Mass on July 19 antine,” said a concerned pastor of a nearby and 26 had tested positive for the coronavirus. parish. “Though according to the Health Ministry Archbishop John Wong took up the same we are not required to close down, we have concern in a recently released letter to CMI decided to suspend Masses for two weeks, parishioners (Aug 5). He urged parishioners from August 5 to 8 for sanitation of our prem- “to stay home and follow the live streamed ises, and as a precautionary measure,” he said Masses” during this two-week period as a in a notice. gesture of care towards all. Fr Lo explained that the Health Ministry Although reopening church involves taking said the church could continue its services if the risk of possible cases emerging, especially it wished as it had been found to have adhered when they are asymptomatic, Pope Francis strictly to regulations. cherished the hope that “the people of God can “But I feel it is better for us to stop Masses return to communal familiarity with the Lord for two weeks, beginning tomorrow until Au- in the Sacraments, participate in the Sunday gust 18.” liturgy, and resume in their churches the daily He said the decision was made by the frequentation of the Lord and His Word”. church. Sabah currently has some 17 active cases of Fr Lo said that a name list of some 250 COVID-19. — By Julia Chan, Malay Mail/ people who attended the Masses have been Agnes Chai, CS 4 Home HERALD August 9, 2020 First wedding solemnised in Sabah during RMCO KARAMUNSING: “After months among them church weddings. Penampang, were engaged for al- of waiting, we are so relieved and The wedding, which was pre- most two years before tying the happy that we could get married on sided over by parish priest Fr Paul knot. They plan to have a wedding the date we requested for. The new Lo, observed the protocol set by reception once the COVID-19 norm was not as hard as it seemed. the SOP restrictions which allows situation subsides, as many fam- With God’s help, we have our 50 attendees from both sides of the ily members and friends were not blessing from our closest family families. allowed to attend the church wed- members. That is enough to make Social distancing, face masks, ding, and the couple does not want us happy.” hand sanitisers, temperature scans, to miss the chance to share their Sonny Laurence, 30, and Ivana contact tracing were implemented happiness. Sapphire Peters, 25, had the privi- with full cooperation from the What was so different about lege of having their wedding as attendees, paving the way for a their wedding? Ivana, the bride, re- the first to be solemnised at the smooth ceremony. vealed her anxiety as the pandemic Sacred Heart Cathedral on Aug 1 “We encountered few difficul- continues on its course “We didn’t during the recovery stage of the ties, thanks to Fr Paul’s personal think we could actually have the lockdown. guidance and cooperation. We wedding this year,” she said. But Newly married, groom Sonny Laurence and bride Ivana Sapphire Peters. Malaysia has entered into the were able to comply with the SOPs prayer and persistence paid off as new norm. We had to prepare and for their reference.” Recovery Movement Control Or- set by the Church and everything they sought the assistance of the submit the attendees list as part of Though the pandemic has lim- der (RMCO) phase and has relaxed went perfectly. Even though we are Cathedral parish to make their the SOP protocol for contact trac- ited their movement, it could not the restrictions imposed since the still in the midst of the pandemic, dream come true. ing. limit the happiness and joy of a beginning of the lockdown Mar we can learn to work with the new She continued “We had expe- “To enable full compliance with wedding that does not just bring 18 to allow for more pastoral ac- norm,” said the grateful groom. rienced that there was more to do the protocol, we had to distribute two people together, but also two tivities in parishes to be resumed, The newly-weds, who hail from for the wedding preparation in the SOP requirements to the attendees families. — By Agnes Chai, CS Coming together to care for the poor SUNGAI PELEK: Showing the “Hopefully next time we can help seated with the SOP in place. love of God through charitable more families.” He thanked the After the distribution, the guests acts is something all Christians KL group for their collaboration went back in high spirits. can do. The love of Christians for with the chapel in this mission to Meanwhile the parishioners to- other persons corresponds with reach out to the poor. gether with members of the KL the love of God for humankind. The KL group leader thanked group proceeded into the chapel In reaching out to the least all for coming and said that the for a 15 minute Reflection, -fo fortunate, especially during the Food Aid programme (total cusing on how the parishioners Recovery Movement Control Or- 605kgs consisting of 22 different themselves could group together der (RMCO) period, the Chapel items) was a way to lighten the to reach out and draw others of the Holy Infant Jesus in Sun- burden of the 12 families selected to Christ. They closed with the gai Pelek in collaboration with by the chapel. Many low-income hymn Give Thanks, thanking the a group of Catholics from Kuala families, especially those in rural Lord for everything. Lumpur, organised a Food Aid areas, face uncertainty and hard- The Chapel’s Administrator Fr Programme on August 1. ship during this time. He also Terrance Thomas, who is also The programme was held at the mentioned that they welcomed the parish priest of the Church chapel and benefited 12 poor fam- all, irrespective of race or reli- of Immaculate Conception of ilies from around the semi-rural gion, and prayed that God would the Blessed Virgin Mary in Port town of Sungai Pelek. Among the bless them. Dickson, gave his permission Representatives from each poor family receiving provisions. 12 recipients present were a cou- After a group photo session, for this event, but was unable to ple of differently abled persons, na Joe, welcomed all to the first lowed by a speech by him. He all adjourned outside the chapel be present. Nonetheless he com- brought by an NGO whose two such event held in this decades narrated the efforts to help the where the parishioners assisted in mended all involved for remem- representatives were also present. old chapel. The programme start- less fortunate. “Today is for 12 the distribution of the food items bering the needy during this dif- The Chapel chairperson, Nya- ed with an Opening Prayer, fol- non-Christian families,” he said. to the 12 poor families who were ficult time. Upcoming activities in Merdeka Day prayer service on Sept 8 MIRI: A combined Merdeka Day Keningau Diocese Prayer Service will be conducted at KENINGAU: Bishop Cor- the KSFX Weekly Brochure St Columba Parish church at Jalan nelius Piong in his pastoral (LOM, KKD, Committee). Kubu this coming Sept 8. letter of August 8 encouraged The specific intentions of this Chairman of the Association of the faithful to take part in the pilgrimage are: Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Miri following programmes: a. That the COVID-19 virus branch and Arch Deacon of St 1. August 11 – Feast of may be immediately curbed Columba Parish, Venerable Rev Sol- Santa Clare, organised by the and the health of the whole omon Cheong, said this joint service Poor Clare Sisters. Mass is at world restored. is open to all Christians. 6.00pm at RRKKT, followed b. Protection and justice in “It will be conducted at 6.30pm in by a potluck fellowship. the Sabah State Elections four languages – English, Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia and Iban,“ he said. which will be held in the St Columba Parish, Jalan Kubu, Miri. 2. August 14 - The Solem- near future. ACS has chosen the theme To Pro- nity of the Assumption of claim the Year of the Lord’s Favour Members of different churches are and Harmony in Malaysia (BEM), the Blessed Virgin Mary to 3. August 15 - the 13th (Isiah-61:2) and Christians from all expected to arrive at about 6.30pm, All Churches are Salt and Light to Heaven. Rosary at 5.30pm fol- Anniversary Celebration of churches and walks of life are in- and this joint service will kick off Malaysia (SDA) and Acceptable lowed by Mass at 6.45pm, at the 15-Hour Daily Adoration vited to join in this prayer service with the playing of the state and na- Year of the Lord (Methodist). the Holy Family Pilgrimage at RRKKT. Mass will be at held in conjunction with the 50th tional anthems followed by words of According to Rev Cheong, St Centre, Nulu Sosopon (PZK- 8.00am followed by Adoration Merdeka anniversary celebration in welcome, praise and worship. Columba Church, consecrated on KNS). The Mini Pilgrimage at RRKKT. Sarawak. There will be talks and shar- June 15 this year, can seat 1,200 per- Programme to PZKKNS be- The SOP must be main- Rev Cheong said invitations ing on Christian topics such as: sons. gins on Aug 9 to 14. Groups tained at all the programmes would also be extended to communi- Unity among Christians (Catholic At the end of the joint service, are to refer to the schedule in and activities. ty leaders and heads of government Church), Godly leaders in Govern- there will be light refreshments and departments. ment (Anglican Church), Freedom fellowship. –– Borneo Post HERALD August 9, 2020 Home 5 First ordination during the RMCO in Malaysia PETALING JAYA: The Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) has changed the way things are done. It was so for the sacerdotal ordinations of Deacons Francis Go Sheau Peng OFM Cap and Philip Tay Kok How OCD and the Diaconate Ordination of Semi- narian Bonaventure Rayappan on Thursday, August 6 at the Church of St Francis Xavier. In this first ordination since the lockdown, only a limited number of people were invited to participate in the multilingual Eucharistic Fr Philip Tay OCD presents the gifts of the Celebration which was live-streamed. people for the celebration of the Eucharist. Besides reminding them of the roles and functions of a deacon and a priest, the ordain- ing prelate, Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim, exhorted them to configure themselves to the figure of Jesus Christ and be transfig- ured. Thus the importance of the celebration on the Feast of the Transfiguration. “My dear brothers, you have come to the mountain of the Lord and you must be on The ordinandis prostrate themselves during the Litany of Saints, Aug 6, 2020. (photo/Stanley Hong) cloud nine celebrating your ordination. But I everything went smoothly. “I am blessed to ance in looking after the flock under my care. would like to remind you that you cannot re- have the support and encouragement of the I hope to be a good priest of the people and people,” he said. I am grateful to the Lord of the Church.” main on the mountain. We must all go down Archbishop Julian Leow lays his hands on and for the presence of the people and ask for “I am now feeling the responsibiltes of a to the plain to meet with the People of God ordinandi Francis Go OFM Cap. whom we have promised to serve. continued prayers in living my vocation. deacon,” said Deacon Bonaventure who is “The people that you serve today, during “I am also thankful that Archbishop Julian now serving at the Church of St Anne, Port this pandemic, in this time of uncertainty, are Leow was willing to ordain us during this dif- Klang. a people that are broken. They are a people ficult time,” he added. “My task is to pray for and be with the peo- that are in need of a shepherd. We who have For Fr Go, “It was a unique experience and ple of God to support them, especially when been called and ordained, as you have been beyond anything that I had in mind.” many are losing their jobs etc.” ordained today are called to serve and to be “Even though it was during this Recovery Deacon Bonaventure felt overwhelmed on present in their lives as we go through these Movement Control period, it was a solemn being ordained deacon in the same ceremony challenging times.” celebration. of the priestly ordinations. Archbishop Leow urged all the ordinandis “I thank Archbishop Leow for agreeing to “I found the whole celebration beautiful. to follow Christ even when they were fearful ordain us during this time and also for choos- However, we were missing the congregation. and in doubt and to remain faithful to Christ ing the date, as a reminder to us to be trans- The congregation is very important at ordina- so as to experience the glory of heaven. figured and Christ is. tions, as we are coming from them to serve Deacon Bonaventure Rayappan receives Newly ordained Fr Tay was happy that “My prayer is for God’s grace and guid- them,” added Deacon Bonaventure. the Book of the Gospels. Prayers answered: US Diocese of Providence sees decades-high number of new seminarians DENVER: The Diocese of Provi- ships have included one-on-one dence, Rhode Island, is welcom- meetings or phone conversations ing eight new seminarians this year while the men are away at college. — the largest number of incoming “I would say even more important seminarians in nearly four decades. than [events] is the example of the “Some great news to share: The witness of the priests in these men’s Providence Diocese is welcoming lives — their pastors, their chap- 8 *new seminarians* this year, the lains, their theology teachers at the most new seminarians in almost 40 high schools for the Catholic high years,” said Bishop Thomas Tobin school students,” he said. of Providence, RI on Twitter last The priest said that he tries to pro- week. vide opportunities for fraternity, but “Pray for our seminarians, includ- added, “truth be told, I think that a ing the new students. God said, ‘I lot of the work is done at the local will give you shepherds,’ and indeed level through the parishes.” He is!” the bishop added. Fr Morris said the increase in Fr Brian Morris, vocations di- seminarians is a sign of hope for the rector for Our Lady of Providence local Church and community. Seminarians for the Diocese of Providence. (CNA photo courtesy of Our Lady of Providence Seminary) Seminary in the diocese, attributed “I just think it’s a wonderful, hope- the recent increase in seminarians to news. [We are] in a time right now tendance drops. The diocese has also taken serious ful image to see these young men, the community’s dedicated prayer [of] negativity and so much is going Fr Chris Murphy, the rector of the steps to enhance its vocation efforts, who come from very diverse back- efforts. He said that the seminary on. This is wonderful news for our seminary, said that the increase in Murphy said. Events such as Hiking grounds and [have] different per- has held adoration every Thursday diocese, and I think God is showing seminarians is encouraging. How- with the Saints offer opportunities to sonalities, to show that there is not for an increase in vocations, and par- us a little light in the dark.” ever, he stressed that quantity alone interact with priests. Additionally, a cookie-cutter image of a priest, to ishes have hosted similar efforts. Like many areas in the US, the is not the goal. the diocese reintroduced Quo Vadis show that young men are still look- “It’s the result of a lot of prayer. Diocese of Providence has faced a “We want to pray for good priests, retreats — which allow high school ing at something greater than what People throughout our diocese have clergy shortage as older priests re- not just many priests … The Church boys to deepen their faith and learn the world is offering them,” he said. been praying diligently for more vo- tire, including some who had been is not desperate for many priests. more about vocations — after a sev- “It’s encouraging people that it’s cations, more young men who con- responsible for multiple parishes. The Church is desperate for good eral year hiatus. okay to give your life to Christ, to sider the call to the priesthood,” he These parishes are often then faced and Holy priests,” he said. While these events and retreats are give your life to God and not be said. with practical challenges, such as “We have to remember to trust in helpful, Murphy said, the greatest afraid of what you’re missing out “Why God chose this year? I don’t limited sacramental ministry. the Lord that he’s going to provide fruits have been borne from building in this world because there’s some- know, that’s up to him, but I think In addition, some parishes have the shepherds for the Church that the personal relationships with young thing greater.” — By Perry West, some of it is to deal us some good closed in recent years as church at- Church needs at the current time.” men over the years. These relation- CNA 6 Home HERALD August 9, 2020 Pope finances 168 projects in Latin America and the Caribbean VATICAN: The Pope’s charitable peoples and African Americans of initiatives in Latin America and the Latin America and the Caribbean. Caribbean are carried out largely This way, it bears witness to the through the Populorum Progressio closeness of the Pope through the Foundation for Latin America and works of charity that are accom- the Caribbean, operating under the plished. Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting “In the face of this crisis of glob- Integral Human Development. al proportions that we are experi- During the annual meeting held encing, these projects are intended online, July 29-30, the board of di- to be a tangible sign of the Pope's rectors of the Populorum Progres- charity,” said a statement issued at sio Foundation selected 138 social the end of the meeting. It also ap- development projects from among pealed to all Christians and people the numerous proposals developed of goodwill to practice the virtue by the Latin American and Car- of charity and solidarity ever bet- ibean communities and regions ter, ensuring that during this pan- most in need. demic “no one is left behind,” as In addition to these, another 30 the Holy Father Pope Francis has food aid projects already in opera- asked. tion were approved earlier by the Founded in 1992 by St Pope board of directors in June. This John Paul II on the occasion of the was in response to a request by 5th centenary of the evangelisation Pope Francis, as a collaboration of the Americas, the Foundation between the Foundation and the is headquartered at the Vatican’s Vatican COVID-19 Commission, A farmer picking coffee beans on his farm in Forquilha do Rio, Brazil. (Vatican News) Dicastery for Promoting Integral which the Pontiff established in coronavirus pandemic in the re- and enthusiasm on behalf of those jects. Also present were delegates Human Development, while its March in the Dicastery, in collabo- gion. The projects selected aim at who need their support in this dif- from Cross Catholic Outreach, an operations secretariat is in Bogotá, ration with other dicasteries of the helping mitigate the short and mid- ficult situation. American charity that has been Colombia. Roman Curia and other agencies. term effects of the virus. Among the several participants funding a significant number of There are 3 other foundations The 168 projects in 23 countries At the virtual meeting, Cardinal in the annual meeting were rep- them since 2018. for papal charities within the Di- express the Church’s concern and Peter Turkson, the prefect of the resentatives of the Committee for In collaboration with the Ital- castery, namely the John Paul II love for the entire human family in Dicastery, who is also the presi- Charitable Interventions in favour ian Church, the Foundation aims Foundation for the Sahel, Justice the face of the ongoing pandemic. dent of the Foundation, thanked of the Third World of the Ital- at promoting the integral human and Peace Foundation and the The board of directors also and encouraged the members to ian Bishops’ Conference (CEI), development of farmers’ commu- Good Samaritan Foundation. — analysed the consequences of the continue working with dedication which finances most of the pro- nities (campesinos), indigenous By Robin Gomes, Vatican News A Jiangxi man is freed Anger in Indonesia over car gifts after 27 years in prison. to Catholic parishes The court apologises for JAKARTA: The Malaka district wave of criticism from local resi- cars should have gone to support government in Indonesia’s Cath- dents who turned to social media projects aimed at raising living the mistake olic-majority East Nusa Tenggara to voice their anger. standards for the poor, such as giv- province has come under fire -af “The donation was misguided ing them access to a steady supply BEIJING: Zhang Yuhuan, 52, has ter donating a dozen cars to the given this present situation where of clean water. been a free man since August 4. Church and other religious institu- people are suffering and require a Mali suggested the donation had In 1993, a court convicted him of tions. lot of government support, espe- a political motive as it came short- murdering two children. He spent Critics called the gesture grossly cially regarding basic needs,” said ly before local elections in which 27 years in prison for a crime he inappropriate while people were Roy Tey Seran, a Malaka social the district chief was seeking an- did not commit. On Aug 4, a Ji- struggling because of the Cov- activist. other second term. angxi court apologised for the id-19 pandemic. He said the Covid-19 pandemic Malaka district, located near mistake. Malaka district head Stefanus was impacting many people badly the border with Timor-Leste, has Zhang, who was a carpenter Bria Seran gave 12 Toyota Rush and also questioned the need for 92,000 inhabitants, 90 per cent of in Jinxiang (Nanchang County, cars — with a total value of 4.2 bil- the vehicles. whom are Catholics. Jiangxi), was charged with kill- lion rupiah (US$288,700) — to 10 Benyamin Mali, a Malaka resi- According to the Central Statis- ing two children found dead in a Catholic parishes, the Evangelical dent and lecturer on Catholicism at tical Agency, at least 16 per cent of reservoir near his home. He was Christian Church of Timor, and the the University of Bhayangkara Ja- Malaka’s residents live in poverty. immediately suspected, tried and Malaka chapter of the Indonesian karta, said the money spent on the — By Ryan Dagur, ucanews.com sentenced to death in 1995 for Ulema Council on Aug. 3. their murder after he “confessed”. He said the donation was to help However, he always main- religious leaders carry out their tained his innocence, claim- tasks. ing that he had confessed to the Bishop Dominikus Saku of crime under torture. After years Atambua, who received a car, wel- of appeals, writing at least 600 comed the gesture, saying the qua- petitions from prison, the Jiangxi si-SUV vehicles would help them High Court reopened the case last offer better services to the dis- year. trict’s people. “These cars would Prosecutors acknowledged be very useful to help our ministry that Zhang’s “confession” was Zhang Yuhuan in these 10 parishes," he said. extracted by force and that there Rev Benjamin Mane Mau of was insufficient evidence to con- touch with society.” the Evangelical Christian Church vict him. In reporting the news, a nation- of Timor said the vehicles were Now Zhang plans to apply for al TV broadcaster quoted Chi- an expression of government sup- compensation for what he had nese President Xi Jinping, who port for fostering faith and morals. to endure. He told Caixin, after once said: “Correcting mistakes “We will put them to good use,” so many years in prison, he feels is never too late.” — By Wang he said. These Toyota Rush cars were donated to religious institutions, including Catholic “like a fool ... completely out of Zhicheng, AsiaNews The move, however, drew a parishes, by the Malaka district government on Aug 3. (UCA News photo) HERALD August 9, 2020 World 7 Remembering Hiroshima for a nuclear-free world HIROSHIMA: As the world strug- after Tokyo turned down an earlier tion and a spectacle to show the gles to contain the COVID-19 ultimatum for peace. whole world the potential of the new pandemic, Hiroshima today held a At least 70,000 people were killed weapon. scaled-back memorial service for when the US dropped the first bomb The geography of Hiroshima en- the 75th anniversary of the world’s — codenamed Little Boy — on Hi- sured that the explosive yield of Lit- first atomic bombing. roshima. It flattened the city. tle Boy — the equivalent of 15,000 The Peace Park in Hiroshima bore Tens of thousands of others died tons of TNT — detonated at the a deserted look this year as political from injuries and radiation poison- ideal altitude. leaders, including Japan’s Prime ing in the following days, weeks and Survivors are frustrated by the Minister Shinzo Abe and Hiroshima months. lip service for a nuclear-free world mayor Kazumi Matsui, joined bomb When no immediate surrender and by Japan’s refusal to ratify the survivors at the annual event. came from Japan, another bomb, Fat nuclear weapons ban treaty of 2017. “On August 6, 1945, a single Man, was dropped three days later Prejudice towards and discrimina- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows in front of the Memorial Cenotaph atomic bomb destroyed our city. Ru- over Nagasaki, claiming 74,000 tion against survivors continues, and after delivering a speech during the 75th anniversary memorial service for atomic mour at the time had it that ‘nothing lives. to their dismay nuclear weapons still bomb victims at the Peace Park in Hiroshima on Aug 6, 2020. (UCA News photo) will grow here for 75 years,”’ Mat- The dual bombings brought Japan exist. His speech prompted the Japanese tion of the nuclear treaty. sui said. “And yet Hiroshima recov- to its knees and it surrendered to the Michiko Kodama, 82, survived Bishops’ Conference to observe the During a webinar on Aug 3, Bish- ered, becoming a symbol of peace.” Allies on Aug. 14, 1945. the bombing but lost most of her period from Aug 6-15 each year as op David J Malloy of Rockford, Il- In a video message, UN secretary The atomic bombings spearhead- relatives to cancer. “For me, the war days of prayer for peace since 1982. linois, and Archbishop Joseph Mit- general Antonio Guterres called on ed a nuclear arms race during the is not over yet,” she said. In 2017, the Holy See became suaki Takami of Nagasaki urged the all nations to renew steps to abolish Cold War as the United States justi- A recent survey by Kyodo news one of the first signatories to the UN world to end the arms race because nuclear weapons as “the only way to fied the bombings. agency found more than three-quar- Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear of the threat it poses to God’s crea- totally eliminate nuclear risk.” The nuclear ordeal gave birth to a ters of survivors “struggling” to pass Weapons. tion. The US dropped a uranium bomb strong pacifist movement in Japan, on their experiences due to their ad- Pope Francis visited Japan last Bishops from the English, Welsh on Hiroshima on Aug 6, 1945, and where the government has recon- vanced age. Only a fifth of survivors November and condemned the “un- and Scottish churches called for the a nuclear bomb on Nagasaki three firmed its commitment to a nuclear- stated that they wish to share their speakable horror” of nuclear weap- abolition of nuclear weapons on the days later. Two weeks later, the Sec- free world. stories with others. ons. He urged the world to remem- Hiroshima anniversary. ond World War ended with Japan Hiroshima reinvented itself as a Pope Pius XII described nuclear ber its moral obligation to ensure a Bishop William Nolan of Gallo- surrendering. City of Peace and promotes nuclear bombs as the “most terrible weapon nuclear weapon-free world. way, Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton After Germany surrendered to the disarmament around the world. that the human mind has ever con- In response to Pope Francis’ ap- and Auxiliary Bishop William Ken- Allied forces in May 1945, imperial Hiroshima, a flat city and - sur ceived.” peal, Bishop Alexis Mitsuru Shi- ney of Birmingham asserted that Japan continued its fight. rounded by hills, was vulnerable in Pope St John Paul II, who visited rahama of Hiroshima started the possession of nuclear weapons by The US wanted to wind up its war many ways to the atomic bomb, ac- the two bombed Japanese cities in Nuclear-Free World Foundation in the UK is “completely incompatible effort as early as possible without cording to the creators of the bomb. 1981, urged the world to abandon collaboration with three peace or- with our efforts to build peace.” — risking US casualties on the ground Their aim was maximum destruc- nuclear weapons. ganisations to support the ratifica- By Ben Joseph, Vatican News Pope’s message on 75th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing VATICAN: Pope Francis expressed hibakusha survivors of the original thirst for peace and make sacrifices weapons of war, and especially prophetic voices might serve “as a his closeness to the people of Japan tragedy.” for peace.” the most powerful and destructive warning to us for coming genera- to mark the 75th anniversary of The Pope also recalled that he He also expressed his closeness weapon: nuclear arms that can crip- tions.” the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima was able to reflect on “the destruc- to the poor “who are always among ple and destroy whole cities, whole “To them, and to all who work for which took place during the Second tion of human life and property” at the first victims of violence and countries,” the Pope said. reconciliation,” said the Pope, “we World War. the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima conflict.” Pope Francis turned his thoughts make the words of the psalmist our In a message sent Aug 6 to the and at Hypocenter Park in Nagasa- Recalling his message at Hiro- towards the “bomb-affected-peo- own: ‘For the love of my brethren Governor of the Hiroshima Pre- ki during his Apostolic Visit to the shima in 2019, Pope Francis said ple” referred to as Hibakusha. and my friends. I say: Peace upon fecture, Hidehiko Yusaki, the Pope two cities in November 2019. that “the use of atomic energy for Many of them, survivors of Hi- you!’” (Ps 122: 8) offered his “cordial greetings to the Pope Francis said that just as he purposes of war is immoral, just as roshima and Nagasaki, suffer from Concluding his message, Pope organisers of and participants in the came to Japan last year as a pilgrim the possession of nuclear weapons horrifying long-term effects of the Francis invoked “abundant divine seventy-fifth solemn anniversary of of peace, he holds in his heart “the is immoral.” bombings including radiation poi- blessings” upon all who com- the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima longing of the peoples of our time,” For peace to flourish, therefore, soning and psychological trauma. memorate the solemn anniversary. in 1945, and in a special way to the especially of young people “who “all people need to lay down the Pope Francis prayed that their — ICN Modi lays the foundation for Hindutva dominance NEW DELHI: India kept its tryst when the Supreme Court ruled in Modi was wary of political criti- democracy and a day of success for with the “Hindutva moment” as favour of Hindus. That ruling came cism for attending a purely religious Hindutva.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi par- five years after Modi took power in function. Thus, in his speech, he Yogendra Yadav, another secu- ticipated in a ceremony on Aug 5 to Delhi. sought to carry forward the message lar intellectual and president of the lay the foundation stone for a temple The Aug 5 ceremony was a land- of unity in a country of multiple faiths newly established Swaraj India party, at a controversial site. mark as it marked a turning point in and over 200 linguistic communities. went a step further and said: “More For India’s Hindu majority, the India’s political history previously “Social harmony was the core than religiosity, it was a day of ritual historic event seeks to undo the five- underlined by principles of secular- principle of Lord Ram’s govern- and also a ritual of conquest [by Hin- century-old humiliation Hindus suf- ism and equality. ance,” the prime minister recalled dus].” fered after Muslim invader Baber de- Many question if the prime min- in his 35-minute speech. “We have He said what India “witnessed was stroyed a temple and built a mosque ister of a secular nation should have to join stones for the construction of not the celebration of the spiritual in 1528 in Ayodhya town, where attended a purely religious function. a Ram temple with mutual love and values of Lord Ram. We rather wit- Prime Minister Narendra Modi Lord Ram was born. However, for Modi, the temple’s brotherhood.” nessed the fusion of multiple layers At a ceremony televised nation- with a temple. Their wish gained construction was part of the BJP’s However, there was sharp criti- of power. There was state power rep- wide, Modi, a devout Hindu and momentum when Modi's pro-Hindu poll promise and a political victory. cism of Modi’s decision to attend the resented by the prime minister, the right-wing leader, prostrated himself Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1992 Even the principal opposition Con- purely Hindu function in the pres- power of the BJP as a political party, before an idol of Ram Lalla or the conducted a nationwide campaign gress party, which upheld secularism ence of radical Hindu leaders and and there was the religious authority infant Ram. supporting a temple that resulted for most of its six decades in power, over 100 Hindu Sadhus (ascetics). of Hindus.” He joined prayers and rituals be- in Hindu zealots demolishing the surrendered to the demands of the Asaduddin Owaisi, a prominent He added: “The secularism we fore laying a silver brick weighing 40 mosque in December that year. changed political scenario. Muslim parliamentarian from Hy- have known was dead today.” kilograms and performing rituals at Riots followed, killing at least Its leaders in recent statements derabad, said the prime minister However, such strong views did the controversial site. 2,000 people, but the controversy welcomed the temple construction “has violated the oath of office of a not have many takers even among Hindus have been demanding the over the land’s ownership refused to lest they offend Hindus. Majoritari- secular country by laying the foun- opposition parties, including the demolition of the mosque for cen- die down. The Hindu-Muslim dis- anism seems to be the new order of dation stone of a Ram temple. This Congress, the principal opposition. turies so that it could be replaced pute was settled in November 2019 the day. is a day of defeat for secularism and — By Nirendra Dev, ucanews.com 8 World HERALD August 9, 2020 In light of pandemic, Pope will begin new series on social doctrine VATICAN: In light of the ongoing “Many people and many fami- COVID-19 pandemic and social lies are living a time of uncertainty and environmental crises world- because of socio-economic prob- wide, Pope Francis announced he lems, which especially affect the would begin a new series of gen- poorest,” he said. eral audience talks aimed at help- By keeping their focus on Christ, ing build “the future that we need.” Christians can find strength and “In the next few weeks, I invite healing in the Gospel and the vir- you to tackle together the press- tues of faith, hope and charity, he ing questions that the pandemic said. has brought to the fore, social ills These are gifts from God “that above all. And we will do it in the heal us and that make us healers, light of the Gospel, of the theologi- gifts that open us to new horizons, cal virtues and of the principles of even while we are navigating the the Church’s social doctrine,” he difficult waters of our time.” said Aug 5 during his weekly gen- Catholics need to renew their eral audience. experience with the Gospel, which “We will explore together how “invites us to assume a creative and our Catholic social tradition can renewed spirit,” he said. “In this help the human family heal this way, we will be able to transform People walk in St Peter’s Square as Pope Francis gives his weekly general audience livestreamed from the world that suffers from serious ill- the roots of our physical, spiritual library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Aug 5, 2020. (CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters) nesses,” the Pope said. and social infirmities and the- de to continue his work of healing and can be guided by the light of the common home.” The audience, livestreamed from structive practices that separate us salvation “in a physical, social and Gospel, he added. “These principles help the lead- the library of the Apostolic Palace, from each other, threatening the spiritual sense.” Over the centuries, the church ers, those responsible for society, was the Pope’s first general audi- human family and our planet.” The Church offers the sacra- has developed many social prin- to foster growth and also, as in the ence talk after the appointments Jesus offers so many examples ments and concrete charity and ciples “that can help us move for- case of the pandemic, the healing were suspended for July, the month of healing — not just physical and care, but it is “not an expert in the ward in preparing the future that of the personal and social fabric,” the Pope’s schedule is lightened for individual afflictions, but spiritual, prevention or the cure of the pan- we need.” he said. a summer break. relational and societal ills as well, demic. She helps with the sick, but He said the main principles are: “It is my desire that everyone He began his talk by noting how he said. she is not an expert,” the Pope said. the dignity of the person; the com- reflect and work together, as- fol the pandemic is continuing to bring As disciples of Jesus, “we can Neither does the Church suggest mon good; the preferential option lowers of Jesus who heals, to con- illness and death to many people ask ourselves: Today, in what way specific socio-political policies be- for the poor; the universal destina- struct a better world, full of hope and is “causing deep wounds, ex- can we help heal our world?” be- cause “this is the job of political tion of goods; solidarity; subsidi- for future generations,” said Pope posing our vulnerability.” cause his disciples also are called and social leaders,” who, however, arity; and care for the planet, “our Francis. — By Carol Glatz, CNS Eleven Philippine dioceses Coronavirus ‘baby bust’ could be suspend Masses in effort worse than expected WASHINGTON: Amid steady to control COVID-19 forecasts of demographic decline, MANILA: The Philippine govern- 2 as COVID-19 infections surged one economics professor said that a ment issued new orders restricting past 100,000. COVID-related “baby bust” could movement in an effort to control Before the government order, the be worse than people predicted. a spike in COVID-19, resulting Manila Archdiocese and the dio- A Brookings Institution report in 10 dioceses suspending public ceses of Cubao and Paranaque had published in June said that the eco- Masses. already announced the temporary nomic shock caused by the coro- In addition, the Diocese of Balan- suspension of public liturgical ser- navirus, combined with the social ga, in Bataan province, voluntarily vices for two weeks. effects of the pandemic itself, could suspended the public celebration of Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Ma- trigger a sharp decline in births. Masses, and Bishop Ruperto San- nila said medical workers on the Those predictions should not be tos dispensed Catholics from their front lines of the pandemic had dismissed, Dr Catherine Pakaluk, Empty cradle. Sunday obligation in order to help shown compassion and dedication. a professor of social research and fight the pandemic. “Many among them are tired economic thought at the Catholic manent loss of income for many study as “totally reliable,” and said The move came as medical and even discouraged by their University of America, said, noting people,” Kearney and Levine wrote. that the decline in births next year workers asked for tighter restric- heavy responsibilities. So we sup- that economic uncertainty can have “We expect that many of these “could be on the extreme end of the tions because of the spike, reported port their appeal for a ‘time out,’” a direct correlation with the birthrate. births will not just be delayed – but numbers they predicted.” CBCP News, official news agency Bishop Pabillo said. “The money and the numbers tend will never happen. There will be a “Birthrates have been falling any- of the Philippine bishops. In an Aug 3 pastoral directive, to correlate with all the things we COVID-19 baby bust.” way,” she said, noting a years-long From Aug. 4 to 18, the dioceses Bishop Santos said of his region: think matter for human flourishing,” The study pointed to two major trend which has continued even af- in Metro Manila and four prov- “Just this past week, our COV- she said, such as the “ability to grow historical events for evidence for ter the US economy recovered from inces will not have public Masses. ID-19 cases have doubled. ... Be- and form families.” their prediction, the 1918 Spanish the Great Recession, which many The decision was announced after cause of this, we are, once again, In the Brookings report, authors Flu pandemic and the Great Reces- assumed would bring a spike in the President Rodrigo Duterte’s meet- closing the doors of the church.” Melissa Kearney and Phillip Levine sion of a decade ago. birthrate. ing with key Cabinet officials Aug –– CNS warned that the coronavirus pan- “The Great Recession led to a According to data from the US demic might cause a “baby bust” large decline in birth rates, after a pe- Centers for Disease Control (CDC), rather than the “baby boom” some riod of relative stability,” the authors the birthrate for 2019 was the lowest assumed could follow months of said, noting a fall in the birthrate since the figure was first recorded in lockdowns. from 69.1 births per 1,000 women 1909, with only 58.2 births per 1,000 They said that two events — the of child-bearing age in 2007 to 63 women between the ages of 15 to 44. surge in deaths and anxiety brought births per 1,000 women in 2012. There was also a one percent drop on by the pandemic, and the eco- Furthermore, the authors esti- in the number of overall births from nomic decline resulting from lock- mated a 15 per cent decline in an- the previous year, with 3.75 mil- down measures — would both cause nual births due to the 1918 epidemic, lion children born in 2019. While a drop in the birthrate from “300,000 which could predict a second major a growth in fertility rates requires a to 500,000 fewer births next year.” effect on the current birthrate given “replacement level” rate of 2.1 chil- Workers wearing protective masks wait for shuttle services in Manila, “The circumstances in which we “the public health crisis and the un- dren for population replacement, the Philippines, Aug 4, 2020, the first day of the government’s reimplementation now find ourselves are likely to be certainty and anxiety it creates.” US fertility rate sits at 1.7. — By of a stricter pandemic lockdown. (CNS photo/Eloisa Lopez, Reuters) long-lasting and will lead to a per- Pakaluk praised the Brookings Matt Hadro, CNA HERALD August 9, 2020 World 9 Pope names six women to previously all-male Council for Economy VATICAN: Pope Francis named 13 creation by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Azora Capital and Azora Gestion, new members to the Council for the consisted of eight cardinals, six lay- SGIIC, an independent investment Economy, which oversees Vatican men, and a priest secretary. manager. Eva Castillo Sanz is on the finances and the work of the Secre- The cardinals newly named to the board of directors of Spanish bank tariat for the Economy, Aug 6. council by Pope Francis are Joseph Bankia and elevator manufacturer Among the six women and one Tobin, Archbishop of Newark; An- Zardoya Otis. man appointed as new members of ders Arborelius, Bishop of Stock- Ruth Mary Kelly served as Great the Vatican’s top financial oversight holm; Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Britain’s Secretary of State for Edu- body are high-level experts in bank- Esztergom-Budapest; Odilo Pedro cation under Tony Blair, and later ing, finance, asset management, and Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo; worked for HSBC Global Asset international law from Spain, Italy, Gerald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop Management. She is currently pro and Germany, as well as a former of Quebec; and Giuseppe Petrocchi, vice chancellor for research and member of the British cabinet. Archbishop of L’Aquila. enterprise at St Mary’s University, The Council for the Economy was Cardinal Tobin is the second Twickenham, a role she will leave at established by Pope Francis in 2014 American cardinal to be appointed to the end of the month. as part of his programme of financial the body, following Cardinal Daniel Leslie Jane Ferrar was treasurer to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. reform. According to its statutes, the DiNardo of Galveston-Houston. Charles, Prince of Wales, from Janu- The seventh new lay member, Al- 9.6 million euros for alleged “lack of body “supervises the administrative Among the new lay members are ary 2015 until July 2017. Among berto Minali, resigned May 29 after a just cause” in removing his control and financial structures and activi- German law professor Charlotte other non-executive and trustee three years as CEO of Italian insur- of the bank. The company says the ties” of the Roman Curia, institutions Kreuter-Kirchhof and Maria Kolak, roles, she has been a trustee of the ance company, Societa Cattolica di claim is “unfounded.” of the Holy See, and Vatican City president of the National Association Archdiocese of Westminster for 19 Assicurazioni. According to the Ital- Minali also previously worked as State. of German Cooperative Banks. years and non-executive director of ian newspaper Il Corriere del Veneto, chief investment officer of the asset Previously, the members of the Maria Concepcion Osacar Garai- real estate investment trust company Minali is in a legal battle with his for- management group Eurizon. — By economy council, overseen since its coechea is president of the board of Secure Income REIT for six years. mer company for compensation of Hannah Brockhaus, CNA Pope calls for prayers for Lebanon Benedict XVI is ill since visit to Germany after deadly explosion in Beirut ROME: The Vatican press office -of monastery Aug. 1 to present him with VATICAN: After a massive fire fered an update on the health of Pope a copy of his latest biography of the re- triggered a deadly explosion in emeritus Benedict XVI, which can be tired pope. Beirut, Pope Francis called for found here. The journalist said despite his ill- prayers and a united effort to help Pope emeritus Benedict XVI is sick ness, Benedict was optimistic and Lebanon overcome “this serious with a bacterial infection and “very stated he might take up writing again if crisis.” frail,” according to a German newspa- his strength returns. Seewald also said “Let us pray for the victims and per report. the former pope’s voice is now “barely their family members, and let us Citing Benedict biographer Peter audible.” pray for Lebanon so that with the Seewald, German newspaper Passau- PNP also reported Aug. 3 that Ben- effort of everyone in society — po- er Neue Presse (PNP) reported Aug 3 edict has chosen to be buried in the litical and religious — it may face that the 93-year-old pope emeritus is former tomb of St John Paul II in the this tragic and painful moment and, Firefighters carry an injured man following explosions in Beirut Aug 4, suffering from facial erysipelas, or fa- crypt of St Peter’s Basilica. The body 2020. (CNS photo/Mohamed Azakir, Reuters) with the help of the international cial shingles, a bacterial infection of the of the Polish pope was moved into the community, overcome the serious vors under the rubble. devastated by the coronavirus and skin which causes a painful, red rash. upper part of the basilica when he was crisis it is experiencing,” the Pope Lebanese President Michel its worst financial crisis since the The infection can also result in fe- canonised in 2014. said Aug 5 at the end of his general Aoun said the blast was caused by 1975-1990 civil war. ver, headaches, and lymphedema. It is Like John Paul II, Benedict XVI has audience. thousands of tons of ammonium A recent report by the UN World treated with antibiotics. written a spiritual testament which can The morning after a devastating nitrate stored in a warehouse that Food Programme said almost 50 Seewald said that Benedict has been be published after his death. explosion rocked the city’s port had caught fire. per cent of Lebanese citizens — “very frail” since his return from vis- Benedict XVI resigned from the pa- area Aug 4, at least 100 people were The shock waves from the ex- along with 63 per cent of Pales- iting his ailing older brother, Msgr pacy in 2013, citing advanced age and reported dead, more than 4,000 oth- plosion flattened nearby struc- tinian refugees and 75 per cent of Georg Ratzinger, in Bavaria in June. declining strength that made it difficult ers were injured, and more than 100 tures, shattered glass and shook Syrian refugees in the country — Georg Ratzinger died July 1. to carry out his ministry. He was the people were missing. Rescue work- buildings throughout the city in the were worried they could not find Seewald saw Benedict XVI at his first pope to resign in nearly 600 years. ers continued to search for survi- tiny Mediterranean nation already enough food. — CNS Vatican home in the Mater Ecclesia — By Hannah Brockhaus, CNA Vatican says baptisms that used a modified formula are not valid VATICAN: Changing the words of tion of the family and those present ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy batable pastoral motives” and the Christ,” it said. the formula for baptism render the during the celebration. Spirit.” formula handed down by tradi- It is really Christ himself who sacrament invalid, said the Congre- For example, it said there have The doctrinal congregation said tion remains fundamental because baptises and has the principal role gation for the Doctrine of the Faith. been celebrations administered with modifying “the form of the celebra- “the sacramental action may not in the event being celebrated, it said. Specifically, a baptism adminis- the words, “In the name of the father tion of a sacrament does not consti- be achieved in its own name, but The temptation to modify the sac- tered with the formula “We baptise and of the mother, of the godfather tute simply a liturgical abuse, like in the person of Christ who acts in ramental formula “implies a lack of you ...” instead of “I baptise you in and of the godmother, of the grand- the transgression of a positive norm, his Church, and in the name of the understanding of the very nature of the name of the Father and of the parents, of the family members, of but a ‘vulnus’ (wound) inflicted Church,” it said. the ecclesial ministry that is always Son and of the Holy Spirit” is not the friends, in the name of the com- upon the ecclesial communion and “Therefore, in the specific case of at the service of God and his people valid because it is the person of munity we baptise you in the name the identifiability of Christ’s action, the sacrament of baptism, not only and not the exercise of a power that Christ through the minister who is of the Father and of the Son and of and in the most grave cases render- does the minister not have the au- goes so far as to manipulate what acting, not the assembly, the con- the Holy Spirit.” ing invalid the sacrament itself.” thority to modify the sacramental has been entrusted to the Church in gregation said. A baptism administered with this The changes to the formula seem formula to his own liking,” it said, an act that pertains to the tradition,” The doctrinal congregation’s rul- kind of modified formula is not to have been made to emphasise the “but neither can he even declare that it said. ing was published Aug 6 as a brief valid, the congregation said, and the communal aspect of baptism and he is acting on behalf of the parents, The doctrinal statement was response to questions regarding the baptisms would have to be redone the participation of those present as godparents, relatives or friends, nor signed by Cardinal Luis Ladaria validity of baptisms using that mod- for those individuals who had been well as “to avoid the idea of the con- in the name of the assembly gath- Ferrer, congregation prefect, and ified formula. baptized with the improvised word- centration of a sacred power in the ered for the celebration.” Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, The congregation was asked ing. priest to the detriment of the parents “When the minister says, ‘I bap- congregation secretary. The congre- whether a baptism was valid if it The correct formula in the Rite of and the community that the formula tise you …’ he does not speak as a gation said Pope Francis “approved had been performed with a formula the Sacrament of Baptism spoken in the (Roman Rite) might seem to functionary who carries out a role these responses” June 8 and ordered that seeks to express the “commu- by the bishop, priest or deacon is: “I imply,” it said. entrusted to him, but he enacts their publication. — By Carol nitarian significance” and participa- baptise you in the name of the Fa- Instead, such changes have “de- ministerially the sign-presence of Glatz, CNS 10 Editorial HERALD August 9, 2020 HERALD Citing COVID and bushfires, August 9, 2020 The world embraces Beirut, Australian bishops urge ending Lebanon’s isolation ugust fourth’s horrific explosions, which hit half of Leb- Aanon’s capital, took place in a country hitherto under re- gional and global isolation with a government scorned by the mental health focus international community, suffering from rampant corruption, the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the embargo on Syria. With the Port of Beirut, one of the most active and big- gest in the Mediterranean since antiquity knocked out, things are far worse. In Beirut, no one expected help from abroad. After the initial shock, the Lebanese pulled up their sleeves, almost in desperation, with few means but a lot of goodwill. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to clinics to do- nate blood. Families in the poorer northern and southern ar- eas opened their homes to the 300,000 people left homeless. Young people of all backgrounds volunteered to help clear the debris, pick up broken glass and move the wrecked cars from the streets. The blast, now called Beirutshima, which had about one- tenth of the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, now seems to have broken Lebanon’s isolation. International solidarity has been shown even by Israel, the “enemy”. Hitherto, world opinion had seemed impervious to the fate of the people of Lebanon, wounded by the policies and wars of others. Now messages of solidarity and close- ness have come from all over the world, accompanied by offers of much-needed help. For the Lebanese, this is a relief; for humanity, this brings Bushfire in Australia. (CNA photo/JP Phillippe via Shutterstock) hope. Despite the world crisis, human beings continue to see themselves as one family. Since the afternoon of Aug 5, Bei- n the latter half of 2019 and the bishops said. cide rates in rural and remote com- rut airport has been bustling as aid pours in from all over the first few months of 2020, Austral- In the statement, the bishops out- munities are 66 per cent higher than world Iia contended with massive, devas- lined areas of risk for mental illness in major cities,” they said. Russia has already sent three planes loads full of medical tating bushfires that burned more than among people of different ages and “The recent bushfires wiped out supplies, plus a field lab for COVID-19 patients; a team of 45 million acres of land and directly called for better mental health ser- entire communities. Lives were Russian SAR experts is scheduled to arrive today. Italy has killed 34 people, with an estimated vices that serve a broader range of lost, communities displaced, homes sent a group of firefighters, while Great Britain has donated 400 or more additional people killed people. and businesses were destroyed. The £5 million (RM27.5 million) to repair houses damaged by due to smoke inhalation. Mental illness often first appears greater frequency and intensity of the explosions. China has offered to rebuild the port in re- In March, like the rest of the world, before a person turns 25, the bish- weather-related disasters amplify the cord time. states and cities in Australia enforced ops noted, and there are a variety impact climate change is having on The nightmare is providing a unique opportunity for the strict lockdowns in an effort to “flat- of pressures on young people that mental health,” the bishops added. country to recover and save itself from taking geopolitical ten the curve” of the coronavirus pan- can exacerbate mental illness such The forced isolation and disruption sides in today’s highly polarised world. demic, sending people into isolation as “pressure to succeed at school, to caused by the coronavirus pandemic, In solidarity with the people of Lebanon, French President and causing some to lose their jobs. start university or find work. Lack of including economic hardships and Macron arrived at noon Aug 6 (Beirut time) on an official These “tumultuous upheavals, un- affordable housing, significant debt job loss, are also adding to the men- visit, the first by a head of state of a friendly country, break- precedented in our lifetimes” are a early in life, and the ‘gig economy’ tal health burdens of the country, they ing an informal embargo that has been in place for almost a large part of the reasons the Austral- can cause huge pressures.” said, though they expressed hope that year now. Three plane loads full of aid also landed with the ian Catholic bishops have chosen The bishops said they were “deeply the universal “experience of anxiety French president. mental health as their social justice saddened” by the high suicide rate of and distress will help us to remove Meanwhile, digging continues for victims still under the focus of the upcoming year. people ages 15-24 in their country. the stigma and discrimination that rubble. The death toll reached 137 this morning while the “We want to say clearly that mental Orygen, an Australian organisation has surrounded mental illness over number of injured topped 5,000. The authorities have or- ill-health is not a moral failure, the re- that works to improve the mental the centuries.” dered three days of national mourning. sult of a lack of faith, or of weak will. health of young people, reported that Churches and related organizations Syria, already reeling from its own civil war, also sent aid, Jesus himself was labelled mad and, indigenous Australians are particu- “should be places of acceptance, care and its foreign minister said that it would not abandon Leba- like us, he suffered psychological dis- larly at risk for suicide: the suicide and healing, not places of rejection or non. The civil protection agency in Lebanon’s Palestinian tress,” Archbishop Mark Coleridge of rate “for indigenous Australians aged judgement,” the bishops said. “Fur- refugee camps has also been busy, helping rescue a member Brisbane, president of the Australian 15-24 is 40.5 per 100,000; more than thermore, as Pope Francis constantly of Lebanon’s civil protection agency trapped in the rubble. Catholic Bishops Conference, wrote three times the rate of non-indigenous reminds us, we have to take the initia- Planes carrying aid are a sign of unprecedented interna- in the opening of the conference’s young people (11.7),” the group re- tive to go out to those pushed to the tional solidarity with the Middle-Eastern country. 2020-2021 Social Justice Statement. ported last year. edges, rather than waiting for them to A cargo ship is on its way to Beirut from Algeria, with “People experiencing mental ill- “This is a growing problem,” the come to us seeking welcome.” three Algerian planes bringing food set to land soon. Tur- health are not some ‘other’ people, bishops said. “(Suicide) accounts for Better mental health services and key has sent medicines; Iraq is providing the fuel needed they are ‘us’. People in our families, around one third of deaths among greater access to them are needed to provide electrical power to the whole country for several faith communities, workplaces and people in this age group, with around throughout Australian communities, months. society are suffering mental ill-health 90 percent of victims experiencing the bishops noted, particularly among After the first 24 hours, it is clear that Lebanon cannot cope – and they can be of any age or socio- mental ill-health.” at-risk populations, for those in rural with such a tragedy on its own, and that the disaster’s scope economic background. Whoever and The bishops also noted that peo- and remote areas and for the work- far outstrips the capacity of a country already on its knees. whatever they are, they need our un- ple over the age of 75 are also at in- ing-class and poor who need access to — By Pierre Balanian, AsiaNews derstanding and support,” Coleridge creased risk for mental illnesses such after-hours and more affordable care. added. as depression as their overall health The bishops also called on parishes HERALD — The Catholic Weekly The 20-page statement was entitled declines and social isolation increas- to increase mental health awareness Jointly published by the “To Live Life to the Full,” which the es. They also acknowledged post- among their people, to work to reduce Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, bishops noted is a reference to John partum depression and financial and the stigma around seeking mental Diocese of Malacca Johore, Diocese of 10:10, in which Jesus said: “I came relational stressors as other factors health care, and to connect with men- Penang and Diocese of Keningau so that they might have life and have that can worsen mental health within tal health networks in their local area. Editor: Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ it more abundantly.” families. “We are called to restore the Body HERALD, 5, Jalan Robertson, 50150, KL “Mental health is not simply the Devastating bushfires and wide- of Christ by making mental health a Tel: 03-20268290/20268291; absence of illnesses but having the spread drought in recent years have key priority, acknowledging and in- Fax: 03-20268293 capacity and opportunity to thrive – also “led to resignation and loss of cluding people living with mental ill- Online: www.heraldmalaysia.com. that is, to participate in the fullness hope. Sadly, that loss of hope has heath within our communion and the E-mail: [email protected] of life to which Jesus invites us,” the seen some take their own lives. Sui- heart of Australian society.” — CNA HERALD August 9, 2020 Focus 11 Coronavirus, mental health and the spiritual life: A priest psychologist offers tips from St Ignatius The psychology of crisis (pronounced “St Bye-no’s”), he has One helpful way of looking at the Since 2014, Fr Roger Dawson has run a Dawson, who served in the British Army regularly climbed Snowdonia, the pandemic was through “personal retreat house in the idyllic countryside of for nine years before training as a clinical highest mountain in England and construct theory,” a concept pio- north Wales. When the UK went into lock- psychologist, told CNA that the phone con- Wales. neered by the American psycholo- down in March, he was forced to cancel re- versations revealed common problems. He He said: “For the months of April gist George Kelly in the 1950s. and May, which were beautiful treats. But he was determined to find a new also discussed how the Catholic faith can here, I’ve been able to see those “What personal construct theory way of offering spiritual direction. alleviate them. is saying is that we’re basically mountains but not go there. So meaning-makers,” he said. “As a After talking to other priests at St Beu- The most common experience was fear. there’s that sense of attrition, of be- result of our experience, and what no’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre, he launched Dawson said this was to be expected be- ing cut off from things that refill the we’ve learnt and been told, we build a telephone service for those struggling to cause of the deadly nature of COVID-19, tanks.” mental maps that help us to navigate cope with the pressures of the coronavirus which has claimed the lives of more than our way around the world, and to crisis. 46,000 people in the UK — the third high- Missing the Sacraments understand ourselves, our situation He said the service was “extremely well est recorded death toll in the world. Dawson said that Catholics faced a and other people. And wise people received,” with around 150 people taking But he suggested that the official response specific challenge during the lock- down: the absence of the sacra- are people who have very sophisti- part in one-to-one conversations with cler- to the crisis could have a long-lasting psy- cated and detailed maps.” ments. He suggested that for many He continued: “What happens in gy. chological impact. people this was a “traumatic” expe- a crisis is that something happens, rience. new information comes in that sim- “In some ways, that’s what we’re theory about human flourishing severe strain. And it’s deprived peo- “The thing that I think is so pow- ply does not fit this map, and one of having to do spiritually all the time,” and conditions needed for people to ple of doing things they’re good at.” erful about our sacramental system the things that’s so destabilising for he said. “Any Catholic who simply thrive,” he explained. “The theory Dawson cited a University Col- is that it makes our faith physical people is not just the event itself, but resolutely holds on to the map that quite simply states that we have lege London study which found and flesh and blood,” he said. ‘I can’t make sense of this. I thought they were given when they were basic psychological needs, in the that both depression and anxiety “All of our sacraments are to do I was safe and I’ve discovered I live catechised for their First Holy Com- same way that we have basic physi- levels have fallen as the lockdown with flesh and blood, not just in in a highly dangerous world.’” munion isn’t going to get very far cal needs.” has eased. terms of the Eucharist. It’s another “All your expectations about in their spiritual lives and grow and “These are: the need for a sense “You probably would expect flesh-and-blood person who anoints what the future would hold, or how deepen in their knowledge and un- of autonomy — to have some sense people’s reaction to fear to settle you. It’s a flesh-and-blood person these relationships work, or how derstanding of God, because those of control and agency in your life down. Part of it’s biologically driv- who speaks the words of absolu- people relate to you or treat you, maps are for young children, not for and environment; the need for a en because the adrenaline and cor- tion. This is the way that our faith is totally change. A different map is adults who’ve got to cope with the sense of relatedness — to be con- tisol which fires up the system just made incarnate. For the faith to be needed in order for the person to world and life experience.” nected with people who care about calms down after a while. So you made disincarnate like that I think navigate the experience. At the be- “So a lot of what we’re doing at St us, love us and who will talk to us would expect people to get used to for many will have been traumatic.” ginning of the crisis, they haven’t Beuno’s is helping people to deepen and show interest in us; and a need the anxiety and for it to settle. But Yet, he said, this period of depri- got a map that works for this expe- their understanding of God and be for a sense of competence -- that is, the absence of depression and the vation could be an opportunity for rience.” changed, and think about things dif- to be doing the things we’re good at absence of anxiety doesn’t equal spiritual growth. Dawson said this process could ferently and live differently and live or, if we’re asked to do things we’re flourishing,” he said. “The thing about a crisis is that it be seen in the biblical story of the more deeply, with a better map.” not good at, we’re getting the sup- Dawson described his own ex- forces us to rethink things. Any cri- road to Emmaus, where Jesus pre- port and help from other people to perience during the crisis as one sis has the potential to reveal deeper sents the disciples with a “new Depression get the scaffolding so that we can of “attrition.” He compared it to a truths — I mean that both spiritual- map” to understand the events in Dawson noted that another com- achieve.” four-and-a-half month tour of duty ly and psychologically. So the chal- Jerusalem. mon experience during the pan- “If these needs are met, people he undertook in Northern Ireland lenge is to trust that God is in this But accepting a new map re- demic was depression. He said that thrive, reliably and predictably. The in the 1980s and a five-month stint with us and to hold on until what- quired “a lot of psychological ener- a concept known as “self-determi- crisis has deprived people of their in the Falkland Islands shortly after ever the graces are that God is go- gy,” he explained, and often people nation theory” could help to explain sense of autonomy. It’s deprived the war between Argentina and the ing to bring out of this are revealed. experience anger or despair before why. people of a lot of their relationships UK in 1982. It’s a long Good Friday and Holy they do so. “Self-determination theory is a or, in many cases, put things under Since he arrived at St Beuno’s Saturday, though,” he explained. The impact on children r Roger Dawson said that the Catholic social teaching to challenge really, really tough.” Flockdown could have an espe- the status quo. “So someone could be at the bed- cially detrimental impact on chil- side of a friend who’s dying painful- dren. A report from the Childhood ‘Hard consolation’ ly of cancer, but they’re aware that Trust last month concluded that the Dawson suggested that the spiritu- God’s with them, and they’re aware pandemic put children at risk of ality of St Ignatius of Loyola could that they’re in the right place at the developing serious mental health also shed light on what people have right time doing the right thing.” problems, including post-traumatic experienced during the coronavirus He gave the example of Mary stress, with acute challenges for crisis. In particular, he highlighted standing at the foot of the cross. those living in poverty. the saint’s teaching about “consola- “She didn’t know what the future “Most of a child’s world is taken tion” and “desolation.” was, didn’t know what God was up up with school and family — that’s He said: “Consolation is, classi- to, but she was with her Son, with usually 80-90 per cent of most chil- cally, marked by increases in faith, God, trusting, faithful, and waiting dren’s world,” Dawson said. hope and love. Typically, there’s for the future to reveal itself. Be- “Now, when school is taken out of energy and joy and life that go with cause as Christians we believe that the equation and when you lose ac- that. Desolation is the reverse: heart- that future will be good and hopeful. cess to all of your friends, that’s ex- sinking despair, closing in on our- That’s the ground for our hope,” he traordinarily difficult. I think we can selves, often focusing on ourselves, said. Children wearing protective masks look out the window of their home in expect this to have both emotional and decreases of faith, hope and For those who had mainly expe- Sanaa, Yemen, June 7, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CNS photo/ Khaled Abdullah, Reuters) impact and cognitive impact. By love, feeling less trusting and con- rienced desolation during the crisis, that I mean an impact on both cog- fident.” he said it was important not to blame to previous sources of consolation, and just simply going out and look- nitive development and in terms of “Now, the thing about consola- oneself for it but, rather, to learn such as friends, family and nature. ing closely at some of the plants education, and social and emotional tion is that it normally sounds like from it. He said he had found consolation in the garden grounds me. These consequences. Six months is a long a nice feeling, and it often is. But it “The temptation in desolation is to in the nature surrounding St Beu- are small instances of consolation time for a child.” isn’t always. There’s what Ignatius give up all the other things, so to stop no’s, where the poet Gerard Manley which might not radically change He said that the crisis had exposed calls ‘hard consolation,’ which is praying, stop your normal religious Hopkins lived and studied in 1874- my psychological or spiritual state, the chasm between the “comfort- the consolation of being in the right practices. But you keep faithful to 7. but it does remind me of the beauty able” and the “uncomfortable,” and place at the right time doing the those, trusting that it will pass.” “I’m in an incredibly beautiful and wonder of creation,” he said. — that Catholics should be inspired by right thing even though it might be He also recommended returning environment here at St Beuno’s, CNA 12 Varia HERALD August 9, 2020 Letting go of false fear

ecently, in a radio inter- It has been a fifty-year journey my mother and father die, I was no criticism of atheists like Frederick view, I was asked this for me to believe that, to trust it. longer afraid of death. It was the Nietzsche helped me see where Rquestion: “If you were on For most of my life I’ve lived in a first time I wasn’t afraid of a dead my own concept of God and re- your deathbed, what would you false fear of God, and of many oth- body, since these bodies were my ligion needed a massive purifica- want to leave behind as your part- er things. As a young boy, I had a mother and father of whom I was tion; and an older brother, a mis- ing words?” The question mo- particular fear of lightning storms not afraid. My fears of God eased sionary priest, kept unsettling my mentarily took me aback. What which, in my young mind, demon- gradually every time I tried to meet theology with irreverent questions would I want to leave behind as strated how fierce and threatening God with my soul naked in prayer like, what kind of God would my last words? Not having time God could be. Thunder and light- and came to realize that your hair want us to be frightened of him? for much reflection, I settled on ning were portents which warned doesn’t turn white when you are A lot of bits and pieces conspired this. I would want to say: Don’t be us, religiously, to be fearful. I completely exposed before God; together. afraid. Live without fear. Don’t be nursed the same fears about death, instead you become unafraid. My What’s the importance of last afraid of death. Most of all, don’t wondering where souls went after fears lessened too as I ministered words? They can mean a lot or be afraid of God!” they died, sometimes looking at to others and learned what divine a little. My dad’s last words to I’m a cradle Catholic, born to a dark horizon after the sun had Fr Ron Rolheiser compassion should be, as I studied us were “be careful”, but he was wonderful parents, catechised by set and wondering whether peo- and taught theology, as two cancer referring to our drive home from some very dedicated teachers, and ple who had died were out there sight, I know that it wasn’t fear diagnoses forced me to contem- the hospital in snow and ice. Last I’ve had the privilege of study- somewhere, haunted in that end- that compelled me, but a genuine plate for real my own mortality, words aren’t always intended to ing theology in some of the best less darkness, still suffering for sense of being called, of knowing and as a number of colleagues, leave a message; they can be fo- classrooms in the world. Still, it what they’d not gotten right in from the influence of my parents family, and friends modelled how cused on saying goodbye or sim- took me fifty years to rid myself life. I knew that God was love, but and the Ursuline nuns who cat- one can live more freely. ply be inaudible sighs of pain and of a number of crippling religious that love also held a fierce, fright- echised me, that one’s life is not Intellectually, a number of per- exhaustion; but sometimes they fears and to realise that God is the ening, exacting justice. one’s own, that one is called to sons particularly helped me: John can be your legacy. one person of whom you need not Those fears went partially un- serve. But religious fear remained Shea helped me realise that God Given the opportunity to leave be afraid. It’s taken me most of my derground during my teenage unhealthily strong within me. is not a law to be obeyed, but an family and friends a few last life to believe the words that come years. I made my decision to So, what helped me let go of infinitely empathic energy that words, I think that after I first tried from God’s mouth over three hun- enter religious life at the age of that? This doesn’t happen in a day wants us to be happy; Robert to say a proper goodbye, I’d say dred times in scripture and are the seventeen and have sometimes or year; it is the cumulative effect Moore helped me to believe that this: Don’t be afraid. Don’t be initial words out of the mouth of wondered whether that decision of fifty years of bits and pieces God is still looking on us with de- afraid of living or of dying. Espe- Jesus whenever he meets someone was made freely and not out of a conspiring together. It started with light; Charles Taylor helped me to cially don’t be afraid of God. — for the first time after his resurrec- false fear. Looking back on it now my parents’ deaths when I was understand that God wants us to By Fr Ron Rolheiser, all rights tion: Do not be afraid! however, with fifty years of hind- twenty-two. After watching both flourish; the bitter anti-religious reserved COVID-19 was created in the Wuhan laboratory and is now in the hands of the Chinese military ROME: COVID-19, which is killing and in- In its 272 pages, which can be read like a patients, but only to be the first to sell vac- fecting people all over the world, is not a nat- thriller, Prof Tritto explains the origins of the cines around the world. urally occurring virus; instead, it was created virus with precision and scientific resolve, China is well placed in this area. Accord- in Wuhan, in a level-4 biosafety laboratory. starting from the Chinese attempt to study ing to Prof Tritto, Beijing has only released Not only Chinese, but also French and US vaccines against SARS, inserting genomes partial data, and not made available the scientists contributed to the production of from HIV into organisms (which makes original genetic structure of the coronavirus this “chimera,” an organism created in a lab. them more aggressive), adding elements of (mother virus). Why? Because only with the Until a few months ago, such an idea coronavirus discovered in horseshoe bats, original structure of the virus is it possible to would have been labelled a conspiracy theo- using a method called reverse genetics sys- produce a truly universal vaccine, effective ry, contemptuously dismissed by people who tem 2. everywhere on earth. Over time, viruses mu- believed in China’s innocence, treated as ab- Prof Shi Zheng Li, head of the Wuhan lab- tate and a vaccine based on a mutated virus surd by several scholars who defended the oratory, was the leading figure in these ge- is effective only during a certain time period “innocence” of science. netic engineering experiments, but the lab re- and in certain areas. Now such thesis is presented with exten- ceived help from the French government and In other words, narrow commercial inter- sive documentation, dates, facts and names the Pasteur institute, from which the Chinese ests are the driving force, not love for science by an internationally renowned scientist, learnt how to use HIV genomes. or humanity. Yet, lest we forget – and Prof Prof Joseph Tritto, president of the Paris- Some US scientists also helped, includ- Tritto does not – there are many heroes in based World Academy of Biomedical Sci- ing Prof Ralph S. Baric, of the University of China’s People’s Liberation Army under this pandemic. In addition to the doctors and ences and Technologies (WABT), a non- North Carolina, with funds from the United General Chen Wei nurses who gave their lives to treat patients governmental institution founded in 1997 States Agency for International Develop- for the military or other purposes, unless she when they arrived in great numbers in emer- under the auspices of UNESCO. ment (USAID). US scientists were inter- was forced to do so. Nobody doubts her good gency wards, we must cite the first doctors Prof Tritto, 68, is the author of Cina ested in studying coronaviruses, which was faith.” who reported the epidemic in Wuhan, who COVID 19. La Chimera che ha cambiato il prohibited in their country until 2017 due to However, the fact remains that after the were forced into silence by police, threat- Mondo (China COVID 19. The chimera that their dangerousness. laboratory came into the spotlight because ened with dismissal. changed the world), a book that was released Prof Tritto has a respectable curriculum. of the pandemic, People’s Liberation Army One of these people is Dr Ai Fen, who today by Edizioni Cantagalli. He is a doctor in urology, andrology, and in- Major General Chen Wei, an expert in bio- reported a “strange influenza” as early as fertility microsurgery, and is also a professor chemical weapons and bioterrorism, was November and was muzzled by hospital au- in microtechnology and nanotechnology in appointed head of the Wuhan Institute of thorities. Another one is Dr Li Wen Liang, the United Kingdom and India. He is a visit- Virology, working with a team that includes an ophthalmologist who was forced to keep ing professor and director of nano-medicine Zhong Nanshan, a famous pulmonologist quiet and then died of COVID-19, infected at Amity University in New Delhi (India). with long experience in infectious lung dis- by one of his patients. Nothing is currently For this very reason he was able to closely eases. known of Dr Ai Fen, who is missing. vet the research done in Wuhan. In his view, In effect, the Wuhan Institute of Virol- Prof Tritto’s book is also critical of the the latter began as a way to fight disease, but ogy was placed under the control of China’s World Health Organisation, which has be- gradually turned into bioengineering studies military. Since then, nothing is known about come — according to many — a “puppet” in to build lethal biological weapons. Professor Shi Zheng-Li who seems to have China’s hands, complicitous in its silence on It is no coincidence that in the past five disappeared. the epidemic. years, the Wuhan lab received the largest In Tritto’s book, scientists come out badly. However, the book is not only focused to portion of China’s funding for virologic re- Driven by the desire for knowledge, they be- the past. Prof Tritto wants to see worldwide search, turning it into an advanced research come eager for power, ambition, careerism rules adopted for chimera research, level-4 centre under the direct control of the Chinese and money. biosafety labs, and cooperation between mil- Academy of Sciences and the Chinese gov- Part of the book is devoted to vaccine re- itary and civil labs. China and other countries ernment. search in which institutes and labs compete should also be forced to sign the Biological According to Prof Tritto, Prof Shi Zheng- against one another, not for the sake of medi- and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC). Professor Joseph Tritto. Li “probably had no interest in doing work cine and to save the millions of coronavirus — By Bernardo Cervellera, AsiaNews HERALD August 9, 2020 13 The dangers of spiritualising your psychological problems aria had been struggling When body and soul are ter when considering our human with some depressive seen as unrelated experience is just as distorted as Mand anxious thoughts Dr Gregory Bottaro is a Catho- acting like the spirit doesn’t mat- for a while, although at the time, lic clinical psychologist with ter,” he said. she didn’t recognise them as such. the CatholicPsych Institute. He Because of this prevalent mis- Probably because she was 14 years said that he has found the over- conception about the separation old. spiritualisation of psychological of our body and soul, people both When she shared her struggles issues to be a persistent problem, in and out of the Catholic Church with someone in her Catholic com- particularly among devout Catho- often feel a stigma in seeking munity, the woman told Maria that lics. mental help that isn’t there when she was worried that “the devil was “Over-spiritualization in our they need to seek physical help, working his ways” in her, and used time is usually a direct conse- he said. that to pressure her into going on a quence of Cartesian Dualism,” “We shouldn’t think any less of week-long retreat out of state. Bottaro said in an e-mail inter- getting help for mental health than “Sure, retreats are great,” said view. we do for physical health. There Maria. “But pretty sure I just needed “Decartes is the philosopher are fields of expertise for -a rea a therapist at that point in my life. (Shutterstock/Brain2hands) who said: ‘I think therefore I am.’ son, and just as we can’t fix every And pretty sure I had already given He separated his thinking self one of our own physical wounds, valid reasons for why I wasn’t in- obvious — talk to a priest, go to so much so that some Catholics and from his bodily self, and planted we can’t always fix every one of terested in buying a plane ticket for confession, pray, seek guidance psychologists wonder if people are the seed that eventually grew into our own mental wounds. It is vir- a retreat.” from a spiritual director. But the too often told to “pray away” their our current thinking that the body tuous to recognise our need for When Catholics experience spir- line between the spiritual and the problems that may also require psy- and spirit are separate things. help,” Dr Bottaro said. itual problems, the solutions seem psychological can be very blurry, chological treatment. Acting as if the body doesn’t mat- Virtuous, but not always easy. Just pray A Catholic psychologist’s perspective ichele is a young Catho- r Jim Langley, a Catholic li- Mlic 20-something who was Dcensed clinical psychologist used to being social and involved with St Raphael’s counselling in in various ministries within the Denver, said he tends to see op- Church. But a move to a new city posite ends of the spectrum in his left her usually-bubbly self feeling patients in about equal numbers — lonely and isolated. those who over-spiritualise their “I felt like a failure spiritually problems, and those who under- because shouldn't my relation- spiritualise them. ship with God be enough? But, I “Part of the problem is that in our would come home from work and culture, we have such a medically- cry and just lay in my bed. It was oriented, science-oriented culture hard for me to motivate myself to that we’ve sort of gotten away from do anything,” she said. spirituality, which causes a lot of When a friend, also involved problems,” he said. in ministry, called to catch up, As human beings, our minds and Michele saw it as a chance to reach our souls are what set us apart from (Shutterstock/Chanintorn.v) out and share some of the feelings other created things, Langley add- that had been concerning her. ed, making those aspects of our be- logical component, he said. “People who don’t practice from “I don’t remember exactly what called every mandatory reporter ing most vulnerable to evil attacks. Some devout Catholics see it as a Catholic or spiritual perspec- I said, but she told me what I was she knew, and was admitted to the “I know a priest who would ex- preferable to say they are suffering tive can do a pretty good job, but feeling was sinful. I shut down hospital on suicide watch. plain it like this: Evil is like a germ, from something like the dark night it’s like they’re doing therapy with and said I was exaggerating and “I think part of it is - if someone and it wants to get in just like bac- of the soul, rather than to admit that their hand tied behind their back, made up some story about how is trained in something, that’s how teria does in our body. And where they have depression and may need because they’re missing out on a everything was fine,” she said. they want to fix it,” said Sarah. does bacteria get in? It gets in medication and counseling, he said. whole array of things you can do to Michele waited several more “If you’re trained in spirituality through our wounds. So if we have “In some ways in our Catholic help a person.” months before seeking help then you want to use spirituality to a cut on our hand, that’s where bac- community, it’s cooler to have a Therapists who aren’t practicing through Catholic Charities, where fix it. And you absolutely should teria wants to get in and infect us. spiritual problem than it is to have from a Catholic perspective could she was connected to a therapist. include spirituality. However, you On the spiritual side, it’s the same a psychological problem,” he said. also do some unintended harm in She found out that she had attach- can’t just pray it away. These are thing. Where we have the most “The problem with over-spiritual- their practice, Langley noted. For ment disorder, which, left untreat- real problems and real medical sensitive wounds tend to be in our ising is that you cut yourself from example, men who are addicted to ed for longer, could have turned things. There are events in peo- sense of self and our psychology, so many tools that psychology and pornography may be told by a secu- into major, long term depression. ple’s lives that have happened, and so that’s where evil wants to even your faith could have to help lar therapist that pornography is a Derek is also a young 20-some- and they need to work through get in at us.” you to be happy.” healthy release, or couples strug- thing Catholic who was also told that both spiritually and psycho- People who tend to ignore the Many of the things psychologists gling in their marriage may some- to pray away his problems. He logically, and a priest or youth spiritual aspect of their psycho- do to help their patients includes times be encouraged by secular was suffering from depressive epi- minister can’t do both. They need logical problems cut themselves off teaching them “recipes” for hap- practitioners to divorce. sodes, where he wouldn’t eat and to get you to someone who’s able from the most holistic approach of piness, Langley said — re-training It’s really a false dichotomy, would sleep for 15 hours a day. to help,” she said. healing, Langley added. their thought patterns, providing Langley added, to categorize prob- His friends’ advice was to pray. It The negative stigma attached to “The main reason is because it re- practical tools to use when anxiety lems as strictly spiritual or psycho- wasn’t until he attempted suicide seeking mental help is magnified ally is God who heals, and almost or depression kick in. logical, because oftentimes they are that he got serious about seeking in the Church because of the “pray any psychological issue you’re But a person who doesn’t rec- both, and require both psychologi- psychotherapy. it away” mentality, Sarah added. dealing with is going to have some ognise an issue as also having a cal and spiritual treatment. Sarah, also a young Catholic Once prayer doesn’t work, people sort of a spiritual component con- psychological component may be “So much of good therapy is and a former FOCUS mission- can feel like spiritual failures, and nected to it, because it has to do resistant to these methods entirely, helping a person get back in touch ary, had a similar experience. For many people in the Church will with our dignity as a human per- including spiritual methods, he with their sense of dignity that God months, she confessed suicidal distance themselves from some- son.” said. created them with...and as they get thoughts to her pastor and spir- one who is mentally ill. And while it can be challenging Catholics who are concerned more in touch with it, they are actu- itual director, who gave her advice “I can’t be a fully functional to make people see the spiritual about seeking psychological help ally just more open to God’s love based on the discernment of spirits young woman who’s working component of their problems, it can should seek a Catholic psychologist and they’re more open to making from St. Ignatius of Loyola. But through something and needs help also be a challenge to help other or psychiatrist who can talk about changes in their life that might be eventually the thoughts became so with it,” she said. “It’s either - I’m people recognize that their spiritual both the spiritual and psychological helpful.” — By Mary Farrow, intense and prevalent that Sarah ok or I’m not.” issues might also have a psycho- aspects of healing, Langley said. CNA 14 HERALD August 9, 2020 Medico nun on the frontline against COVID-19 in Mumbai MUMBAI: In mid-May nine-month pregnant ID-19 patients. Rita Devi* was having labour pains but she The majority of the patients are treated at the couldn’t find a maternity service in the Indian hospital’s casualty ward while those with se- mega-city of Mumbai able to help her deliver vere complications are taken to hospital’s spe- her baby. Most were shut out of fear of COV- cial COVID-19 wards. ID-19. During the week Sr Beena stays at the hos- After six hours of looking, Devi was brought pital treating patients and resting when she can by her younger brother to the church-run Holy in a sleep area adjacent to the hospital’s main Family Hospital. building. “I have forgotten what rest really means. We have to remain alert in order to meet any even- tuality. The virus has taken us all by storm,” said Sr Beena. More than 110,000 people in Mumbai have been infected with the virus and more than Catholic nun Dr Beena Madhavath (third from left) with other staff from Holy Family Hospital 6,000 people have been killed by it in the city. in Mumbai. (Licas News photo) Infections nationwide are now more than 1.5 thing the nun has done in her 25-year career. “He was here in the hospital for more than million with a death toll over 34,000. “Wearing PPE, N 95 masks, goggles and face three weeks and we had quite a bonding. I The nun from the Congregation of the Ur- shield, gives a suffocating feeling to most of us. was relieved when with a smile he went back suline Sisters of Mary Immaculate has experi- Many a time, the misting of protective goggles home,” Sr Beena said. enced and seen harrowing things over the past causes blurring of vision,” Sr Beena said. It has also been an intense period of prayer several months. “After donning all the gear, we have to speak for the nun. On one night four patients complaining of loudly in order to be audible, and it becomes “Surrendering to God’s will formed the core breathlessness in their homes were brought to very tiring to communicate with patients and of my prayers. That is the reason that I didn’t the hospital’s casualty ward but were dead by other team members in the medical team, re- feel fearful and could work tirelessly in the the time they arrived. sulting in frequent fatigue,” the nun said. hospital. God gave me strength. That was the Sr Beena with Rita Devi’s baby girl who was born at Holy Family Hospital. (Licas News photo) Sr Beena spoke of one COVID-19 patient “The weather in Mumbai is so hot and humid power of prayer,” she said. who, after been given oxygen, felt better and that we are drenched in sweat within minutes of The nun, who hails from southern Indian, is There Devi was tended to by Dr Beena Mad- insisted on going home. putting on the PPE, which makes it really hard optimistic that in six months time life will re- havath, a Catholic nun and senior gynaecolo- “Two hours later, he was brought back dead to move around,” she added. turn to normal. She added that the disease has gist, who managed a normal delivery saving the to the hospital,” the nun said. “With all these difficulties, no wonder the affected both rich and poor while shocking the young woman’s life and that of her baby girl. “In the past, most of the major diseases have front-line warriors of COVID-19 are feeling entire human race at the same time. While this was a typical case given the caught us unaware, be it HIV or swine flu, but exhausted and stressed out.” “We have learnt that whatever plans humans 50-year-old nun’s specialty, much of her en- this new coronavirus pandemic has had a glob- But of course, it’s worth it. The joy of seeing have can tumble at any moment. Maybe in a ergy since the pandemic has been treating al effect. It has changed the entire world order the patients getting well evaporates the fatigue post-COVID world it will be more humane in COVID-19 patients. Now she is busy leading and none of us were totally prepared,” she said. and pain, she said while offering the example terms of love, peace, justice and harmony,” she the hospital’s 18 Catholic nuns to treat more Being on the frontline and treating COV- of a 89-year-old COVID-19 patient who recov- said. — By Peerzada Ummer, Licasnews. than 300 patients daily, most of them COV- ID-19 patients has been the most challenging ered. com Unconditional love saves Vietnamese conjoined twins HO CHI MINH: Officials from the City Thuy said her twins are loved by many peo- Children’s Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City an- ple who supported them and offered money to nounced on Aug 3 that twins Maria Hoang cover their operation and treatment. Truc Nhi and Teresa Hoang Dieu Nhi were in On July 25, Fr Joseph Tran Huu Khoi, pas- good health, had no fever and were breathing tor of Thanh Tam Parish in Ho Chi Minh City, by themselves. which is home to the couple, offered them 48 They said the female babies held milk bot- million dong (US$2,000) as an encouragement tles in their hands while drinking and smiled to them to look after their children. Local Cath- dazzlingly when they met their parents or doc- olics donated the money in one week. tors and nurses joked with them. Fr Khoi, who baptised the twins in June, The 13-month-old and 15-kilogramme praised the couple for having strong faith in twins, who were joined at the pelvis at birth, God and made the sign of the cross on the were separated on July 15 by some 100 doctors twins before their operation. Many people and nurses after a 14-hour operation. were deeply moved by their brave action. Mother Maria Tran Thi Hong Thuy, 26, said The Franciscan priest said Archbishop Jo- her daughters can happily play with her when seph Nguyen Nang of Ho Chi Minh City also she and her husband visit them daily. She said lauded the couple for bravely not aborting the parental and God’s love are crucial for their twins. They put absolute trust in God and pro- survival and peace. Father Joseph Tran Huu Khoi introduces Hoang Anh and Tran Thi Hong Thuy at a gathering tected the lives of their children. “We are extremely happy that our children on July 25 in Ho Chi Minh City. The couple’s conjoined twins are doing well after an operation to He also called on Catholics to continue live in our love and the community’s care. God separate them. (UCA News photo) giving material and emotional support to the loves us in a particular way and leads us on the abort the fetuses. conjoined twins, especially feeding and hold- couple as their children will undergo further right road,” she said. “We decided not to abort the abnormal fe- ing them, but they are happy that their children operations. The mother from Binh Loc Parish in Long tuses under any circumstances after our rela- are growing day by day and are lively and cute. Thomas Vo Huu Bong, a local Catholic, ad- Xuyen Diocese said she was urged by divine tives had recommended us to keep them and They left their jobs and spend all their time mired the way the pair handled the situation by love and took her twins’ hands to make the recite the Divine Mercy, and my relatives, who caring for the babies. They update their chil- giving them a picture of Mother Mary breast- signs of the cross on them before they were are priests counselled us to receive our children dren’s clips and photos daily on social media, feeding the Infant Jesus that he took when he moved to the operating room. because they are God’s gifts,” Thuy said. attracting 20,000 people. visited Israel. “We left our children’s lives in God’s hands The twins were discovered sharing one “We are completely right to have protected “I wish them to follow Mary and Joseph to and believed that God would protect them and umbilical cord as her pregnancy reached 16 the fetuses from abortion,” Thuy said. carry out God’s intentions and overcome diffi- keep their operation safe and successful,” she weeks. At 33 weeks, they were delivered by a Her husband, Hoang Anh, said doctors had culty to protect their children,” the 68-year-old said, adding that they and their relatives prayed cesarean section and weighed only 3.2kg. predicted that the twins would not live until man said. to God constantly during the extensive, long Doctors said the rate of conjoined twins in their birth but they struggled hard to survive. On July 20, local media reported that ben- surgery. the world is one per 200,000 live births. Only “God has journeyed with them through the efactors had donated 2 billion dong ($87,000) Thuy, whose husband converted to Cathol- 6 percent are classified, like the Vietnamese hard time, so we as their parents try our best to to the City Children’s Hospital. The hospital icism and married her in 2017, said at first twins, as ischiopagus tetrapus conjoined twins bring the best things to them,” Anh, 33, said. will use the money to cover the twins’ medi- they were very upset and disturbed when where the four lower extremities are oriented at “Looking back to the past, we feel divine prov- cal treatment. Doctors plan to perform more doctors told them about the twin fetuses’ ab- right angles to the axis of their common torso. idence, although we will face many challenges operations on the twins in the coming months. normality and many people advised them to The couple found it hard to look after the in the future.” — ucanews.com HERALD August 9, 2020 Children 15 LittleLittle CCatholicsatholics’ CCornerorner

15 August is the feast of the Assumption of Mary Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came into Heaven. When her life on earth was over, toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, Our Lady was assumed — taken body and soul — beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. into Heaven to be with God! “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Mat 14: 29-31)

Let’s Colour Answer: Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven! heaven! into soul and body assumed was Mary Answer:

Dear children, until Jesus took his hand and helped him In today's In today's Gospel up. We are sup- reading, Jesus posed to follow in Gospel reading, performed an Our Lord's foot- amazing miracle - steps too. the disciples He walked across When Jesus wants were out at sea the sea! This was a you to do something, sign that He was He will give you the in a boat when more powerful than grace you need to do nature. it, just like He gave they saw Peter knew that Peter the power to something that he was supposed to walk on the water. follow in Our Lord's If you lose sight of surprised them. footsteps, so he Jesus and only think What was it? asked Jesus to call about how hard it is, him to come and you won’t be able to Use the code walk on the water do what God asks, too. just like Peter when on the left. When Jesus called he started to sink. him, Peter got out If you realise that of the boat and you're having a hard started walking on time doing the right the water too! But thing, it's time to soon, as he got dis- turn back to Jesus! tracted from Jesus, Love he started to sink, Aunty Eliz HERALD

Social BEC Communication (1976) (1996)

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

Family (1996) Youth (1986) YOUTH YOUTHAugust 9, 2020 Pope to Medjugorje youth festival Jesus gives life its true meaning EDJUGORJE: The annual International MYouth Festival took place at the Marian shrine in Medjugorje from July 31 to Au- gust 6. Over 50,000 young people and 400 priests descend every year on the city in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the opportu- nity to enhance their spiritual life through prayer, adoration, testimonies, and music. Young people at the Medjugorje Youth festival, August 1, 2020. (Vatican News photo) Pope Francis got in on the action this year with a message encouraging young Catho- culture, according to which nothing can be keeping our eyes fixed on Him.” us the beauty of life when we entrust our- lics to allow Jesus to transform their lives. definitive and the only thing that matters is And he urged young people to take time selves freely to the hands of God. “May her enjoying the present moment.” to be with the Lord in prayer to discover the example captivate and guide you!” Discover new way to live Pope Francis said the festival at Med- true adventure of life. jugorje this year invites young people to Enrich Church with youthful faith The Pope called the festival a special mo- “Come and See”. Risky undertaking ment of “prayer, catechesis and fraternity.” In conclusion, Pope Francis called on “It offers all of you the opportunity to en- Renewed in encounter with Jesus Pope Francis went on to reflect on how the young Catholics at the Medjugorje festival counter Jesus Christ,” he said, “especially Virgin Mary acts as a model for those who to enrich the Church with their enthusiasm, in the Eucharist where He is praised and “Do not be afraid!” he urged them. “Christ follow Jesus. intuition and faith. adored, and in the Sacrament of Reconcili- is alive and desires that each of you live. He “Her ‘yes’,” he said, “involves putting “I entrust you all to the intercession of the ation.” is the true beauty and youth of this world.” ourselves on the line and taking a risk, Blessed Virgin Mary and I invoke the light Young people, he added, can even dis- The Pope said Jesus renews us when we without any guarantee besides the certainty and strength of the Spirit, so that you might cover a new way to live, which is “differ- encounter Him. “We receive the mission of being bearers of a promise.” be true witnesses to Christ.” — Devin ent from the one offered by our shallow to transmit this experience to others, while Our Lady’s example, he added, shows Watkins, Vatican News

(Photo/Medjugorje Youth festival facebook) SJPS performs 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) KUCHING: The popular contem- The music was mixed by a Form sape which is a Sarawak Orang porary Christian song, 10,000 Rea- 5 student, Nathan Alan, with vo- Ulu traditional instrument that sons (Bless the Lord), was written cal and video edited by Benedict looks like a guitar. The soothing by Matt Redman and first released JC Lo. A big shout out to all those sound of this instrument comple- in 2011. The students, teachers, who participated in this project, ments the worship and praise of staff and friends of St Joseph’s either in singing or in playing this beautiful song. Private School, under the direc- the various musical instruments. This video was launched on the tion of teacher, Benedict JC Lo, Much hard work and perseverance Solemnity of St Ignatius of Loyola, came together during the Condi- was put into this project, especially the founder of the Society of Jesus, tional Movement Control Order by Benedict Lo. July 31 this year. St Joseph’s Pri- (CMCO) to perform a cover of this Special mention is made of vate Secondary School is managed Link to the video: https://youtu.be/ROxrg8NwaJc (Today’s Catholic/St song. Danison Chen, who played the by the Jesuits. — Today’s Catholic Joseph’s Family of Schools) HERALD August 9, 2020 Youth 17 STM teens find answers to their burning questions SUBANG JAYA: The COV- were enlightened with plenty of ID-19 pandemic has not stopped new information and insightful the team of the St Thomas More sharing. Teens Ministry from organising After the Q&A, the teens closed virtual meetings, such as their lat- the session by taking a group est meeting on July 25. This was picture. The STM Teens Minis- their second virtual meeting since try will continue to have these the Movement Control Order eagerly awaited virtual meetings (MCO) was implemented. They through Zoom every last Saturday are truly blessed as technology of the month. The teens look for- and social media have enabled ward to these meetings as a way them to be able to continue having for them to interact with a sup- gatherings from the comfort of portive and helpful community their own homes. The team decid- while staying safe. The meetings ed to have virtual meetings as the continue to help them grow closer teens of STM were feeling cooped to God as Masses are beginning up at home and were missing a in phases with restrictions while way to share about themselves in Catechism remains online. a safe space. Growing with a community The meeting kicked off at is crucial in this, their phase of 8.00pm with all 28 participants life. Teenagers are discovering introducing themselves. A praise themselves. It can be intimidat- and worship session followed. ing to walk down a rocky path by Then, the participants were as- Second virtual teens meeting. themselves. But with the help of a signed to three breakout rooms have been married for 27 years questions which were submitted nity, and included the evolution of community and the love of God, to play a game of Five Truths and and have a mission to influence, anonymously through a platform humans, free will, self-harm, as- we are guided every step of the two Lies. shape, and build the next gen- that could be accessed through the tral projection, and even abortion. way. — By Jaclyn Semera Jeffry Once everyone had settled eration of youth in the Catholic STM Teens Ministry Instagram They had the opportunity of hav- down, the session carried on with Church. They joined in from Sin- page. The questions asked by the ing experienced and open-minded STMTeens the introduction of their guest gapore. teens included controversial and speakers answer all their ques- speakers for the evening, Mervin Mervin and Lydia were invit- sensitive topics that are not spo- tions without keeping anything stmteens and Lydia Ratnasingam, who ed to answer the teens’ burning ken about openly in the commu- behind “closed doors”. The teens University students launch Bible challenge KOTA SAMARAHAN, Sarawak: virtually with the youths, serving the gospel through social media The Catholic Student Fellowship God and one another through on- and as a beautiful reminder that (CSF) represents the Catholic stu- line means. we may always find joy in God dents of UNIMAS. Their slogan Everyone was required to stay at alone as only He can satisfy. has been Unity in Majestic Sav- home during the movement con- How is the challenge done? iour since its formation in 2016. trol order (MCO) a few months One can divide the video into CSF invites and encourages all ago, as a preventive measure to two parts. The first part is the par- brothers and sisters in Christ to go control the spread of the virus. In ticipant sharing his/her struggles deeper into the Catholic faith as relation to the new norms, every- during the MCO and it ends by one family in God’s love, rooted one was struggling in some way: bringing his/her Bible closer to the in the word of God and in com- struggling with financial difficul- camera. munion with the Holy Spirit. ties, family issues, mental health, Meanwhile, part two is when Over the years, CSF has organ- suicidal thoughts and so on. the Bible is put away and the par- ised many activities and a recent The CFS wanted to be there for ticipant shares the Bible verses endeavour was the Bible Chal- them, at least virtually, to make that helped him/her go through lenge launched on June 30 through them feel that they are not alone his/her struggles. CSF’s official instagram account. in fighting their battle, to remind Both parts are then combined, The Bible Challenge was inspired them that God is with us through where it becomes the complete by the trendy brush challenge and it all and help them find strength, video for the participants. All the a Bible challenge video that was hope, courage, faith and love in participants’ videos are merged to made by a few Indonesian Sunday God through the shared bible vers- form the complete video of CSF’s school teachers, through @drama- es in the challenge and other bible Bible Challenge. blessing official instagram. verses that are not being shared Feel free to go through the Bible The Bible Challenge was cho- in the challenge. That is what the challenge video on the CSF’s of- The students with the Bible verse of their choice. sen as one of the ways to connect Bible Challenge is about; to share ficial Instagram account for refer- ence (@csfunimas). the same challenge as a sign of Meanwhile, the song that was supporting one another virtually, chosen in the Bible challenge and as a reminder for them of video was I will wait for you by God’s words in fighting their bat- Shane & Shane. Participants are tles. It is hoped that the message asked to focus on minutes 02:09 to portrayed behind this Bible Chal- 02:32 with the lyric “Completely lenge ‘ignites the fire to seek God and forever won, by Christ emerg- in others as well’. ing from the grave, I will wait for For anyone who has watched you (x2), on Your word I’ll rely”. the Bible challenge video, may This song says it all, that whatever you find hope, strength and faith, we’re going through, always rely and feel God’s love through the on God’s word. No matter what video. Lastly, all glory to God as our struggles are, God is always it is not us ourselves but Christ in with us, so don’t be afraid (Joshua us that is working. — By Sharon 1:9) for He will fight for you (Exo- Aren Anak Taka dus 14:14). Catholic Student of Unimas, Kota Samarahan Everyone is encouraged to do csfunimas HERALD August 9, 2020 18 For more enquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] m e m o r i a m Tel: 03-2026 8290 / 03-2026 8291 1st Year Anniversary 3rd Anniversary 20th Anniversary In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of

AGINIS DAVID Peter Lai Kwok Cheong (Babykochamma) (14-5-1938 ~ 12-8-2017) 10th August 2020

Born: Ps. 23 21st December 1931 In Ever Loving Memory of Departed: “My S h e p h e r d Datin Marjorie 14th August 2019 is the Lord, “The sheep that belong to me, I There is nothing Rukumani Subramaniam know them and they follow me. I shall want, @ Margaret Bonney I will given them eternal life Fresh and green and they will never be lost, and they shall dwell in the house of are the pastures, the Lord forever.” Where He Hands that never stopped giving gives me repose. Though a year has passed by, you are always remembered A heart that never stopped loving and in our hearts and most of all in our prayers. Near restful waters A soul that never stopped believing He leads me, Forever Loved and Always Remembered and Missed by Family and Loved Ones. To revive my Fondly remembered A Memorial Mass will be offered for the repose of her soul drooping spirit.” and missed by at 6.00 pm at Assumption Church, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, family and friends. on 14th August 2020. Remembered by loving wife and family.

10th Anniversary 3rd Anniversary 5th Anniversary 11th Anniversary In Loving Memory of In Loving In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of Memory of

Anthoney s/o Sr. Betilda Savrimuthoo D’ Cruz, fdcc From the Lord: Born on 13 Aug 1940 22nd March 1949 Returned to the Lord: Called home 6 Aug 2010 to the Lord on 10th August 2009 Mark Toh Thomas Fong Choon Tuck “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who Departed: Called home to be with the Lord believes in me will live even though they die.” 13 August 2017 on 10th August 2015 G o d c re a t e d y o u . (Jn 11:25) Jes u s lo ves yo u . “Although time has passed, your presence Our hearts will always “You are forever in our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit dwells within you, is dearly missed and not forgotten.” cherish you. The most precious and dearest memories of you, Entrusting you and every need you have, Lovingly remembered by Deeply missed and always and the legacy of kindness you left behind will To the Lord’s ever present faithful care. beloved wife, sons, daughters, son-in-law, remembered by family, carry us through until we meet again.” Deeply missed and forever cherished by daughters-in-law, grandchildren, relatives and friends. loved ones and friends. Deeply missed by family, relatives and friends. loved ones. HERALD August 9, 2020 Saints of the Week & Short Readings 19

Feastday: Daily Short St Lawrence August 10 Patron Saint he esteem in which the Church holds Law- all the money he had on hand, selling even the of: Reading rence is seen in the fact that today’s celebra- sacred vessels of the altar to increase the sum. ● Cooks T Sunday, August 9 tion ranks as a feast. We know very little about When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he im- ● Poor his life. He is one of those whose martyrdom agined that the Christians must have consider- (Ezekiel 37:12-14) made a deep and lasting impression on the early able treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said, The Lord says this: I am now go- Church. Celebration of his feast day spread rap- “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that ing to open your graves; I mean idly. is not what I have in mind. I am told that your rence that he would indeed have his wish to die to raise you from your graves, He was a Roman deacon under Pope St Six- priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is re- — but it would be by inches. He had a great my people, and lead you back tus II. Four days after this Pope was put to death, ceived in silver cups, that you have golden can- gridiron prepared with coals beneath it, and had to the soil of Israel. And you will Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom, dlesticks at your evening services. Now, your Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr know that I am the Lord, when I probably during the persecution of the Emperor doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is had suffered the pain for a long time, the leg- open your graves and raise you Valerian. his. Bring these treasures — the emperor needs end concludes, he made his famous cheerful from your graves, my people. And Legendary details of Lawrence’s death were them to maintain his forces. God does not cause remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!” I shall put my spirit in you, and known to Damasus, Prudentius, Ambrose and money to be counted: He brought none of it into you will live, and I shall resettle Augustine. The church built over his tomb be- the world with him — only words. Give me the Reflection you on your own soil; and you will came one of the seven principal churches in money, therefore, and be rich in words.” Once again we have a saint about whom almost know that I, the Lord, have said Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrim- Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed nothing is known, yet one who has received and done this – it is the Lord who ages. rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give extraordinary honour in the Church since the speaks. A well-known legend has persisted from ear- me time to set everything in order and make an fourth century. Almost nothing — yet the great- liest times. As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was inventory.” After three days he gathered a great est fact of his life is certain: He died for Christ. Monday, August 10 charged with the responsibility for the material number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, or- We who are hungry for details about the lives (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms phaned and widowed persons and put them in of the saints are again reminded that their ho- Blessed be the God and Father to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence sim- liness was, after all, a total response to Christ, of our Lord Jesus Christ, a gentle arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, ply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.” expressed perfectly by a death like this. — Father and the God of all conso- widows, and orphans of Rome and gave them The prefect was so angry that he told Law- franciscanmedia.org lation, who comforts us in all our sorrows, so that we can offer oth- ers, in their sorrows, the consola- St Jane Frances de Chantal tion that we have received from ane Frances was wife, mother, nun, and found- make it a cloistered community following the God ourselves. Indeed, as the Jer of a religious community. Her mother died Rule of Saint Augustine. Francis wrote his fa- sufferings of Christ overflow to us, when she was 18 months old, and her father, mous Treatise on the Love of God for them. The so, through Christ, does our con- head of parliament at Dijon, France, became the congregation, consisting of three women began solation overflow. main influence on her education. Jane developed when Jane Frances was 45. She underwent great T into a woman of beauty and refinement, lively sufferings: Francis de Sales died; her son was uesday, August 11 and cheerful in temperament. At 21, she married killed; a plague ravaged France; her daughter- (Song of Songs 8:7) Baron de Chantal, by whom she had six children, in-law and son-in-law died. She encouraged the Love is something that no flood three of whom died in infancy. At her castle, she local authorities to make great efforts for the vic- can quench, no torrents drown. restored the custom of daily Mass, and was seri- tims of the plague, and she put all her convent’s Were a man to offer all the wealth ously engaged in various charitable works. resources at the disposal of the sick. of his house to buy love, contempt Jane’s husband was killed after seven years of During a part of her religious life, Jane Frances is all he would purchase. marriage, and she sank into deep dejection for had to undergo great trials of the spirit—interior Wednesday, August 12 four months at her family home. Her father-in- anguish, darkness, and spiritual dryness. She died (Job 1:21,2:10) law threatened to disinherit her children if she while on a visitation of convents of the commu- did not return to his home. He was then 75, vain, nity. Naked I came from my mother’s fierce, and extravagant. Jane Frances managed to womb, naked I shall return. The remain cheerful in spite of him and his insolent be a haven for those whose health, age, or other Reflection Lord gave, the Lord has taken housekeeper. considerations barred them from entering the al- It may strike some as unusual that a saint should back. Blessed be the name of the When she was 32, Jane met Saint Francis de ready established communities. There would be be subject to spiritual dryness, darkness, interior Lord! If we take happiness from Sales who became her spiritual director, soften- no cloister, and they would be free to undertake anguish. We tend to think that such things are God’s hand, must we not take sor- ing some of the severities imposed by her former spiritual and corporal works of mercy. They were the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. row too? director. She wanted to become a nun but he per- primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may in- Thursday, August 13 suaded her to defer this decision. She took a vow Mary at the Visitation — hence their name the deed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one (1 Peter 4:10-11) to remain unmarried and to obey her director. Visitation nuns — humility and meekness. that is lived in trust, and sometimes the darkness After three years, Francis told Jane of his The usual opposition to women in active min- is so great that trust is pressed to its limit. — Each one of you has received a plan to found an institute of women that would istry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged to franciscanmedia.org special grace, so, like good stew- ards responsible for all these dif- ferent graces of God, put your- St Maximilan Kolbe selves at the service of others. If don’t know what’s going to become of another one in Nagasaki, Japan. Both the Militia you are a speaker, speak in words “Iyou!” How many parents have said that? and the magazine ultimately reached one million which seem to come from God; if Maximilian Mary Kolbe’s reaction was, “I members and subscribers. His love of God was you are a helper, help as though prayed very hard to Our Lady to tell me what daily filtered through devotion to Mary. every action was done at God’s would happen to me. She appeared, holding in In 1939, the Nazi panzers overran Poland orders; so that in everything God her hands two crowns, one white, one red. She with deadly speed. Niepokalanow was severely may receive the glory, through Je- asked if I would like to have them — one was for bombed. Kolbe and his friars were arrested, then sus Christ, since to him alone be- purity, the other for martyrdom. I said, ‘I choose released in less than three months, on the feast of long all glory and power for ever both.’ She smiled and disappeared.” After that he the Immaculate Conception. and ever. Amen. was not the same. In 1941, Fr Kolbe was arrested again. The Na- Friday, August 14 He entered the minor seminary of the Con- zis’ purpose was to liquidate the select ones, the (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10) ventual Franciscans in Lvív – then Poland, now leaders. The end came quickly, three months later they were ordered to strip naked, and their slow I am most happy, then , to be Ukraine– near his birthplace, and at 16 became in Auschwitz, after terrible beatings and humili- starvation began in darkness. But there was no proud of my weaknesses, in order a novice. Though Maximilian later achieved ations. screaming — the prisoners sang. By the eve of to feel the protection of Christ’s doctorates in philosophy and theology, he was A prisoner had escaped. The commandant the Assumption, four were left alive. The jailer deeply interested in science, even drawing plans announced that 10 men would die. He relished came to finish Kolbe off as he sat in a corner power over me. I am content with for rocket ships. walking along the ranks. “This one. That one.” praying. He lifted his fleshless arm to receive the weaknesses, insults, hardships, Ordained at 24, Maximilian saw religious As they were being marched away to the star- bite of the hypodermic needle. It was filled with persecutions, and difficulties indifference as the deadliest poison of the day. vation bunkers, Number 16670 dared to step carbolic acid. They burned his body with all the for Christ’s sake. For when I am His mission was to combat it. He had already from the line. others. Fr Kolbe was beatified in 1971 and can- weak, then I am strong. founded the Militia of the Immaculata, whose “I would like to take that man’s place. He has a onized in 1982. Saturday, August 15 aim was to fight evil with the witness of the good wife and children.” (Isaiah 61:10) life, prayer, work, and suffering. He dreamed of “Who are you?” Reflection I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul and then founded Knight of the Immaculata, a “A priest.” Fr Kolbe’s death was not a sudden, last-minute rejoices in my God, for he has religious magazine under Mary’s protection to No name, no mention of fame. Silence. The act of heroism. His whole life had been a prepa- clothed me int he garments of ration. His holiness was a limitless, passionate preach the Good News to all nations. For the commandant, dumbfounded, perhaps with a salvation, he has wrapped me in desire to convert the whole world to God. And work of publication he established a “City of the fleeting thought of history, kicked Sergeant the cloak on integrity, like a bride his beloved Immaculata was his inspiration. — Immaculata” — Niepokalanow — which housed Francis Gajowniczek out of line and ordered Fr adorned in her jewels. 700 of his Franciscan brothers. He later founded Kolbe to go with the nine. In the “block of death” franciscanmedia.org Evangelisation: The Maritime World We pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen

Download the Click To Pray updates now. THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY August 9, 2020 After Beirut explosion, Lebanon turns to St Charbel BEIRUT: At least one massive ex- plosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut August 4 afternoon. It ig- nited fires and destroyed buildings in the city’s port area, caused damage across the city, and has reportedly flooded hospitals with casualties. Some local news sources are re- porting that at least 10 people are dead, and videos have emerged on- line showing cars overturned in city St Charbel Makhlouf streets and buildings with shattered t Charbel Makhlouf lived windows and crumbled balconies. Sfrom 1828 to 1898, spending The cause of the explosion is not much of his life as a monk and yet clear, but Christian leaders in hermit. He is known in Lebanon Lebanon and around the world have for the miraculous healings of called for prayer, and Lebanon’s those who visit his tomb to seek Prime Minister Hassan Diab an- his intercession – both Chris- nounced that Aug 5 would be a day Smoke rises from the site of an explosion in Beirut Aug 4, 2020. Two massive explosions ripped through the Lebanese capital, tians and Muslims. of mourning across the country. injuring many people and blowing out windows in buildings in the city’s port region. (CNS photo/Mohamed Azakir, Reuters) Even while he was alive, Sixty per cent of Lebanon’s people tor of the Shrine of St Charbel in An- were verified only through the- wit them. A religious sister of the Maron- Charbel’s superiors observed are Muslim, evenly split among Sun- naya, Lebanon, said in 2018. ness of a priest. Now, with more ite Catholic Church heard about the God’s “supernatural power” at ni and Shia, and nearly 35 per cent Speaking in Arabic with the help of advanced medical technology avail- prayer request and gave them holy work in his life, and even some of the country’s population is Chris- an interpreter, Matar said the shrine, able, alleged miracles require medi- oil from St Charbel’s shrine. After Muslims knew him as a wonder- tian, most of whom are Maronite which encompasses the monastery cal documents demonstrating the her parents spread the oil on the suf- worker. Catholic Christians. In the wake of where the Maronite Catholic priest, person’s initial illness and later, their fering woman’s stomach, chest, and Deeply devoted to God’s Eu- the explosion, Christians will likely monk, and hermit lived for nearly 20 unexplainable good health. head, the woman was cured. charistic presence, he suffered turn to St Charbel, Lebanon’s patron years, receives around 4 million visi- One of the miracles documented This was just one of seven mira- a stroke while celebrating the saint, who is also revered by many of tors a year, including both Christians by Matar in December 2018, was cles archived in December, Matar Divine Liturgy of the Maronite Lebanon’s Muslims. and Muslims. that of a 45-year-old Italian woman. said, calling each one “a phenom- Catholic Church on December Raymond Nader, a Maronite Matar, who is responsible for ar- Suffering from a neurological dis- enon.” 16, 1898, dying on Christmas Catholic and a passionate devotee chiving the thousands of medically- ease, she was hospitalised after it “St Charbel is a way to reach Eve of that year. He was canon- of St Charbel, said he would turn to verified healings attributed to the was discovered she had tried to com- God,” he said. ised in 1977 by St Pope Paul VI. the saint’s intercession, adding that intercession of the Maronite priest- mit suicide by consuming acid. The Shrine of St Charbel consists ”the situation is catastrophic in Bei- monk, said that many miraculous In the hospital, the doctors discov- of the Monastery of St Maron, where At the monastery, pilgrims can rut. Hundreds of people killed and cures have been obtained by Mus- ered that the damage to her esopha- the saint lived for 19 years with great visit a church built in 1840, a wounded and buildings destroyed.” lims. gus and intestines was so extensive, devotion to prayer, manual labour, small museum with artifacts and “St Charbel has no geographic or Since 1950, the year the monas- “the last way possible to cure her and contemplative silence; and the relics from the saint, and the site confessional limits. Nothing is im- tery began to formally record the was believing in God and praying,” nearby hermitage where he lived a of his first grave. St Charbel’s possible for [his intercession] and miraculous healings, they have ar- Matar commented. rigorous asceticism and profound tomb, since 1952, has been locat- when people ask [for something], he chived more than 29,000 miracles, The woman’s parents began to union with God for the last 23 years ed inside a special cave-like chap- answers,” Fr Louis Matar, coordina- Matar said. Prior to 1950, miracles pray, inviting others to pray with of his life. el built into the property. — CNA Researchers reverse: Gender surgery offers ‘no advantage’ to mental health WASHINGTON: The authors of a ard Bränström, Ph.D., and John E. that among those who had received 2019 study which claimed so-called Pachankis, Ph.D., issued a correc- gender-transition surgery, the “in- gender-transition surgery may im- tion, saying that “the results demon- creased time since last gender-af- prove the long-term mental health strated no advantage of surgery in firming surgery was associated with of recipients have issued a correc- relation to subsequent mood or anx- reduced mental health treatment.” tion, nearly a year after publication. iety disorder-related health care.” This, the 2019 report concluded, The authors now say they found “no The 2019 AJP report had original- “lends support to the decision to advantage” to the mental health of ly claimed that, among persons who provide gender-affirming surgeries those who received gender-transi- had received gender-transition sur- to transgender individuals who seek tion surgery. gery, the number of mental health them.” In October of 2019, the American treatment visits declined over time. That conclusion has now been Transgender symbol. (CNA photo/Andrii Zastrozhnov via Shutterstock) Journal of Psychiatry published a Persons diagnosed with gender in- reversed. report on the rates of mental health congruence are at higher risk of Ryan Anderson, the William E. cal — reveals that such procedures “Individuals diagnosed with treatment among recipients of gen- mental health disorders, the report Simon Senior Research Fellow in do not bring the promised mental gender incongruence who had re- der-transition surgery and hormone said; around six times more likely American Principles and Public health benefits,” he said. ceived gender-affirming surgery therapy. The report was entitled Re- to seek treatment for a “mood and Policy at The Heritage Foundation, Additionally, Anderson pointed were more likely to be treated for duction in Mental Health Treatment anxiety disorder” than members of wrote on Monday that the correc- out, the authors’ correction revealed anxiety disorders compared with Utilization Among Transgender the general population, and “more tion was needed. that recipients of gender-transition individuals diagnosed with gender Individuals After Gender-Affirming than six times as likely to have been “So, the bottom line: The largest surgery were actually more likely incongruence who had not received Surgeries. hospitalised after a suicide attempt.” dataset on sex-reassignment proce- to seek treatment for anxiety disor- gender-affirming surgery.” — By The authors of the study — Rich- However, the study had claimed dures — both hormonal and surgi- ders: Matt Hadro, CNA