Pope at Angelus: care for creation and Gospel values (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday called on the faithful and all people of good will to have greater care for creation. His appeal was offered to mark the Italian Bishops’ Day for the Safeguarding of Creation initiative, which the bishops have this year chosen to focus on educating in the care for creation. “I hope,” said Pope Francis, “that everyone – institutions, associations and citizens – will strengthen their efforts, so as to safeguard the life and health of people by respecting the environment and nature.” The Pope’s call came in remarks following the Angelus prayer with pilgrims and tourists gathered beneath the window of the Papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace that overlooks St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Ahead of the traditional prayer of Marian devotion, Pope Francis reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading, in which St. Matthew recounts the moment in which Christ revealed to His disciples His coming Passion, death and Resurrection (Mt. 16:21-27). “It is a critical moment,” explained Pope Francis, “in which the apparent contrast between Jesus’ way of thinking and that of the disciples emerges,” especially in Peter’s behavior. The leader of the twelve rebukes the Master, wrongly thinking that the Lord could not possibly make so ignominious and end. “Then,” Pope Francis went on to explain, “Jesus, in turn, severely rebukes Peter, because he does not think ‘according to God, but according to men’, and plays – without realizing it – the part of Satan, the tempter.” The Holy Father said that St. Paul, who tells us in his letter to the Christians at Rome, “Be not conformed to this world; but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God, (Rom. 12:2)” drives the point home with insistence. “In fact,” continued Pope Francis, “we Christians live in the world, fully integrated into the social and cultural reality of our time, and rightly so: but this carries with it the risk that we might become ‘worldly’, that ‘the salt might lose its flavor’ (cf. Mt. 5:13).” He went on to say, “Instead it should be the opposite: when the power of the Gospel remains alive in Christians, it can transform ‘mankind's criteria of judgment, determining values, points of interest, lines of thought, sources of inspiration and models of life, which are in contrast with the Word of God and the plan of salvation. (Evangelii nuntiandi, 19)’.” This was a theme to which the Holy Father returned in his greetings to the faithful, especially to the participants in the 5th international gathering of Catholic legislators, which opened this past week in Frascati, outside Rome. “I encourage you to live the delicate role of representatives of the people in conformity with Gospel values,” he said.
Pope at Santa Marta: Find the Living Jesus in the Gospel 2014-09-01 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) We need to proclaim the Gospel with humility not with ‘wise words’ because Jesus Himself is the power of the Word of God, and only those who have an open heart can receive Him said Pope Francis Monday morning, as he resumed his daily mass at Santa Marta after the summer break. Commenting on the readings of the day, the Pope explained what the Word of God is and how we should receive it. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians that does not proclaim the Gospel based on persuasive words of wisdom. "Paul says, 'I did not come here to convince you with arguments, with words, or making a good impression... No. I chose another way, a different style. I came to show you the Spirit and His power. So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God '. So, the Word of God is something different, it is not the same as a human word, a word of wisdom, a scientific word, a philosophical word ... no: it is something else. It comes in a different way”. This is what happens with Jesus, when he comments on the Scriptures in the synagogue in Nazareth, where he grew up. His fellow citizens, initially, admire him for his words but then become angry and try to kill him: "They went from one side to the other - said the Pope - "because the Word of God is different to the word human". In fact, God speaks to us in the Son, "that is, the Word of God is Jesus, Jesus Himself" and Jesus "is a source of scandal. The Cross of Christ, scandalizes. And that's the power of the Word of God: Jesus Christ, the Lord. And how do we receive the Word of God? How do I receive Jesus Christ. The Church tells us that Jesus is present in the Scriptures, in His Word". This is why - the Pope said - it is so important to "read a passage from the Gospel during the day ". "Why, to learn? No! To find Jesus, because Jesus is right there in His Word, in His Gospel. Every time I read the Gospel, I find Jesus. Yet how do I receive this Word? Well, you should receive it like you receive Jesus, that is to say with an open heart, with a humble heart, with the spirit of the Beatitudes. Because that is how Jesus came, in humility. He came [to us] in poverty. He came with the anointing of the Holy Spirit". "He is power- said the Pope - He is the Word of God because He is anointed by the Holy Spirit. We, too, if we want to hear and receive the Word of God, we must pray and ask the Holy Spirit for this anointing of the heart, which is the anointing of the Beatitudes. A heart like the heart of the Beatitudes". "It would do us good today, during the day, to ask ourselves: 'How do I receive the Word of God? As something that interests me? Ah, the priest preached this today ... it was so interesting! What a wise, this priest!'. Or so I receive it simply because it is the living Jesus, His Word? And am I capable – pay attention to this question! – am I capable of buying a small Gospel - cheap, eh? – Buying a small Gospel and carrying it in my pocket, in my bag and picking it up when I can, during the day, to read a passage, to find Jesus there? These two questions will do us good. May the Lord will help us".
Pope explains why the Church is our Mother http://www.romereports.com/pg158182-pope-explains-why-the-church-is-our-mother-en
Pope to Christians in Iraq: The Church is proud to have you as sons and daughters http://www.romereports.com/pg158184...is-proud-to-have-you-as-sons-and-daughters-en
Pope Francis, Sept 2nd on twitter @Pontiflex "The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan."
Pope expresses closeness with Christians in Iraq and prays for WWII victims http://www.romereports.com/pg158204...istians-in-iraq-and-prays-for-wwii-victims-en
Education project backed by Pope launches first social network for schools http://www.romereports.com/pg158209...-launches-first-social-network-for-schools-en
Pope: recognize your sins and be transformed by Christ 2014-09-04 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday reflected on the transforming grace of God’s Word and invited Christians to recognize their sins and let themselves be transformed by their encounter with Christ. The Pope was addressing the faithful gathered for morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta. Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: During his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians which reads: “If anyone among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God”. Paul – he said – is telling us that it is the power of God’s Word that brings about a true change of heart, that has the strength to change the world, giving us hope, giving us life. He pointed out that this power is not to be found in human knowledge or in man’s intelligence. “Become fools” – Francis exhorted – don’t search for security in your knowledge or in the knowledge of the world”. And the Pope said that although Paul had studied with the most knowledgeable teachers of his time, he never boasted of his knowledge. In a “scandalous” way – Francis said – he boasted of his sins and of his encounter with Christ and the crucifix, because that encounter between his sins and the blood of Christ is the only salvific encounter there is. And when we forget that encounter – the Pope said – we lose the power of Christ’s strength and we speak of the things of God with a human language, And this – he said – is useless. Pope Francis also recalled the Gospel story of Peter and the miraculous catch of fish during which Peter said to Jesus: “Go away from me Lord for I am a sinful man”. In this moment of meeting between his sins and Christ, the Pope said Peter finds salvation. So, the Pope said: “the privileged place for an encounter with Christ are our sins. If a Christian is incapable of seeing his sins and his salvation in the blood of Christ, he has only gone half-way. He is a tepid Christian. And the Pope pointed to those decadent Churches, decadent parishes, decadent institutions where most certainly Christians have never really met Christ or else they have forgotten that encounter. Pope Francis concluded his homily inviting the faithful to ask themselves whether they are capable of telling the Lord they are sinners; whether they really believe the Lord has given them a new life; whether they trust in Christ. Because – he said – a Christian can be boastful of two things: of his sins and of Christ on the cross.
Pope Francis receives Scholas directors 2014-09-04 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the world meeting of the directors of the "Scholas Occurentes" organization – an international project based in Argentina that brings together schools and educational networks from different cultures and beliefs. Scholas was a principal sponsor of the “Match for Peace” played in Rome’s Olympic Stadium earlier this week, featuring some of the world’s greatest living soccer stars. Speaking without a prepared text, the Holy Father congratulated the Scholas directors on the success of the initiative, and encouraged them to continue in their efforts to build interreligious and intercultural bridges of understanding and brotherhood. Pope Francis himself played an integral role in the founding of Scholas Occurentes, with the mission of improving education and integrating different communities, with a special focus on those with fewer resources, through the commitment of all stakeholders and the linking of schools and educational networks from all over the world, and by means of educational, artistic and sport initiatives. (From archive of Vatican Radio) Share NEWS.VA ARCHIVE SourceALL FIDES OSSERVATORE-ROMANO PRESS-OFFICE VATICAN-INFORMATION-SERVICE VATICAN-RADIO CTV VATICAN-VA
Peace, dialogue at centre of audiences with Peres and Hassan 2014-09-04 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held two private audiences on Thursday morning, one with the ex-President of Israel, Shimon Peres, and another with Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, briefed journalists on the audiences. “Peres,” explained Fr. Lombardi, “asked for the audience in order to inform the Pope about his activities and his projects for peace,” which include a joint youth sporting initiative involving “twinned” Israeli and Palestinian cities, in which more than eighty children will participate during the course of the year, and a “United Religions” organization modelled on the United Nations. Click below to hear our report Speaking to Vatican Radio after the audiences and the briefing, Fr. Lombardi said that the audience with the former Israeli president lasted roughly forty-five minutes, during which time “The Holy Father expressed all his attention, his respect for President Peres’s initiative, and guaranteed the attention of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia, which are particularly committed to [peacebuilding and religious-cultural understanding], most especially the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, with Cardinals Tauran and Turkson [at their respective heads].” About the former president’s proposal for a “United Religions” organization, Fr. Lombardi said that it was a topic discussed during the audience, and an occasion also to revisit the historic meeting at the Vatican, in which then-President Peres participated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “The prayer for peace initiative which took place here at the Vatican, with the participation of Peres and [Abbas],” said Fr. Lombardi, “is in no wise to be considered a failure – subsequent developments notwithstanding – but rather as the opening of a door that remains open, through which initiatives and values can be encouraged to develop and go forward - something that Pope Francis stressed to me following the audience, in agreement with President Peres.” The audience with Prince Hassan of Jordan was of equal importance and similar scope, with the Prince presenting the work of the Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue, of which the prince is founder and co-chairman, as well as the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies, of which the prince is also a founder. “The activity of the Foundation, of the Institute that [Prince Hassan] has founded,” said Fr. Lombardi, “is entirely directed toward interreligious dialogue and commitment to peace, in the current context of violence: the importance of dialogue among the religions for human dignity and peace, to helping the poor in the time of globalilzation, to the education of young people in fraternity, to insistence on respect and on the dignity of persons.” Fr. Lombardi also briefed journalists on a wide array of other topics, including the meeting of the Council for the Economy – taking place all day Thursday in order to examine technical legal issues associated with the reform of the Vatican’s financial and administrative institutions – and the possibility of a meeting between the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, and the head of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, Bishop Bernard Fellay, which Fr. Lombardi was able to confirm is being planned, though a firm date has not yet been set for it.
Pope Francis recalls his mischievous youth in meeting with Scholas Occurrentes 2014-09-05 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has met with the world meeting of the directors of the "Scholas Occurrentes" organization – an international project based in Argentina that brings together schools and educational networks from different cultures and beliefs. Scholas was a principal sponsor of the “Match for Peace” played in Rome’s Olympic Stadium earlier this week, featuring some of the world’s greatest living soccer stars. Speaking Thursday without a prepared text,the Holy Father congratulated the Scholas directors on the success of the initiative, and encouraged them to continue in their efforts to build interreligious and intercultural bridges of understanding and brotherhood. In his remarks, Pope Francis recalled a time when he was in elementary school when his teacher called his mother to complain about his behavior in class. His mother came to school and after he confirmed to her that he had indeed misbehaved, she told him to apologize to the teacher. Today in many schools, the Pope said, a teacher will make an observation about a child and the next day the parents will denounce the teacher. “The educational pact is broken!” exclaimed the Pope. The same goes for society, the Pope said; we must “recompose the educational pact, recompose this village to educate a child.” We cannot leave children, the Pope added, at the mercy of a throw-away culture where money and violence prevail. He acknowledged he often repeats this, “but evidently a throw-away culture has taken root!” He lamented that kids are thrown away because they aren’t given an education or they aren’t wanted: “the birth rates of some developed nations,” he said, “are alarming!” And, “the elderly are thrown away.” The Pope added that a “system of hidden euthanasia” has also taken root: “that is to say that the social system (it: opera) covers you up to here and then: ‘Die!’” Another throw-away group has also appeared, the Pope noted: “a whole generation of young people without work, in developed countries. There’s talk of 75 million young people from 25 years of age downwards without work.” And this “obliges” us, he affirmed, to take action to counter a culture where the elderly and young people are increasingly vulnerable, and whose financial system places money, rather than the human person, at its center. Pope Francis himself played an integral role in the founding of Scholas Occurentes, with the mission of improving education and integrating different communities, with a special focus on those with fewer resources. The organization links schools and educational networks around the world through educational, artistic and sports initiatives. The Pope said it is important to create an “extensive network, strengthened by truly human connections that supports children,” offering a place of hope, goodness and encounter. If a child does not have this, the Pope offered, “there will remain for him only the path of delinquency and addiction.” 5 young people from different countries joined Pope Francis via a video conference –and were able to ask the Holy Father a question. To one young person from Australia, Pope Francis said young people today can be one of two opposite things: someone who “builds bridges” or someone who “raises walls.” “Walls separate, they divide” said the Pope. “Bridges draw closer.” What young people can do today, said the Pope, is communicate “so that others can be inspired; and listen to what others tell you.” “Communicating is giving; communicating is generosity; communicating is respect; communicating is avoiding every kind of discrimination.” Explaining how Scholas came about, the Pope said he and the founders pinpointed the three key things that young people need today: education, sports and culture. “Sport is important, he said, “because it teaches people to play as a team”: sports “safeguard you from egoism” - “this is why it’s important to work as a team, study in a group and go down the path of life together, as a team,” he said. A young person from Istanbul asked the Pope if the future will be better or worse than the present. In his response, the Pope said “the future lies in your heart, in your mind and in your hands.” If they keep these good things mind: if they have “wings to fly, to dream, to create,” and if they have “roots” to “receive the wisdom of their elders,” the Pope added, young people can build a better future for everyone. Responding to another young person, the Pope noted that just as there are bridges that bring people together, there exists a kind of communication that destroys. He warned them to be very wary of groups that seek destruction, seek war and which “do not know how to work as a team.” The Pope urged the young people to defend themselves from such groups by “working as a team, as a group.” The Pope concluded his remarks with: “Do not be afraid!” He urged the young people to “build bridges of peace” and to play as teammates to build a better future. But he advised them, “do not forget” the cultural, knowledgeable and religious “heritage” that the elderly have left them.
Pope urges dialogue of life to counter anti-Christian violence in Africa 2014-09-06 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) There is an urgent need to promote a dialogue of life with Muslims to discourage violence against Christians on the African continent, said Pope Francis Saturday in his address to the Bishops of Cameroon at the conclusion of their Ad Limina pilgrimage to the Holy See. Emer McCarthy reports Listen: Cameroon lies in west central Africa and is home to an estimated 4.25 million Catholics, or 26% of the population, spread throughout 24 Dioceses. It shares a border with Nigeria to the West and Chad and the Central African Republic to the east – a region that is experiencing increasing insecurity because of the Boko Haram Islamist threat. Just this week, Cameroon's army said that militants crossed into Cameroonian territory but pushed back after a three-hour battle. The incursion followed Boko Haram’s capture of the border town Banki which prompted the flight of tens of thousands of residents. Pope Francis met with the bishops in the Clementine Hall where he delivered a prepared text, in which he touched on the theme of inter-religious dialogue. He noted the significant presence of Muslims in some dioceses and said there is an urgent need to develop a dialogue of life with Muslims in a spirit of mutual trust to maintain a climate of peaceful coexistence, and discourage the development of violence of which Christians are the victims in some parts of the continent. In his speech the Pope addressed other areas, such as relations with the State and the contribution of the Church to society in Cameroon, chiefly in the fields of healthcare, education and caring for the poor and destitute. He also addressed the issue of lay formation – particularly in these times where relativism and secularization are beginning to take root in Africa – and of evangelization. Pope Francis said that the most effective form of evangelization is the credible witness to Gospel values of those who have received and profess the Gospel. Christians, he said, are called to show those who have yet to encounter Christ how the power of His love can transform and illuminate our lives. To this ends, the Pope also asked church leaders to remain vigilant against the mismanagement of Church resources by clergy which he said would be “particularly shocking in a region where many people lack basic necessities”. He also urged particular attention for the pastoral care of families “especially today as they experience grave hardships – be they poverty, displacement of peoples, lack of security, the temptation to return to ancestral practices incompatible with the Christian faith, or even new lifestyles proposed by a secularized world”. Pope Francis also encouraged the bishops to renew their spiritual bonds of communion with the Holy See, because it is only by being united in love that Christians can give an authentic and effective Gospel witness. And he said that “unity and diversity are realities that uphold the human and spiritual richness” of the Church in Cameroon. Finally, Pope Francis expressed his thanks to all priests and religious for their apostolic zeal, often in difficult conditions and insecurity.
Pope Francis appeals for peace in Ukraine and in Lesotho 2014-09-07 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed the hope that Ukraine’s current ceasefire can promote efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the east of the country. He also condemned recent violence in the African nation of Lesotho and appealed for a return of peace. His twin appeals came after his Angelus address on Sunday in the Vatican before crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square. Afterwards he praised Italian Red Cross volunteers leaving for Iraqi Kurdistan for their generous support on behalf of all those persecuted in Iraq. Earlier during his Angelus address, the Holy Father reflected on the theme of fraternal reprimands, taken from the Sunday Gospel reading of St. Matthew. Please find below a Vatican Radio translation into English of the Pope’s appeals about Ukraine and Lesotho: “In recent days, significant steps have been taken in the search for a ceasefire in the regions affected by conflict in eastern Ukraine. Despite having heard worrying news today I nevertheless hope that they can provide relief to the population and contribute to the efforts for a lasting peace. Let us pray that in the logic of the meeting, the dialogue which has begun can continue and bring the hoped-for fruits. I also join my voice to those of the Bishops of Lesotho who have launched an appeal for peace in that nation. I condemn every act of violence and pray to Our Lord that peace, rooted in justice and brotherhood, can be restored in the Kingdom of Lesotho.” Speaking about the efforts to shore up a ceasefire in the Eastern Ukraine, Pope Francis said he hoped that this truce could provide relief to the population living in the conflict zone and contribute to efforts for a lasting peace. I also pray, he added, that the dialogue which has begun can continue and bring the “longed-for fruits” of peace. Noting that the Catholic Bishops of Lesotho have called for peace in their nation, Pope Francis said he echoed that call and condemned every act of violence there. He also said that he was praying to our Lord for a return to peace, rooted in justice and brotherhood, in the small African kingdom. The Pope then spoke of a mission by volunteers from the Italian Red Cross who were leaving for Iraqi Kurdistan to provide help to the tens of thousands of displaced people. He praised their generous work and said he blessed all those who are trying to help “our persecuted and oppressed brothers and sisters” in Iraq. In his earlier Angelus address, the Pope reflected on the theme of fraternal reprimands taken from the Sunday Gospel reading of St. Matthew. “Jesus teaches us,” he said, that if my brother in Christ commits a sin against me , offends me, I must use charity towards him when pointing out his mistake. He also suggests that we should use a gradual approach in helping our brother to see the error of his ways, first speaking to him alone and then if he still doesn’t listen to me, come back with two or three people and finally, if that still doesn’t work, then speaking to the community at large. The Pope said the various steps of this process “show the efforts that our Lord requests from the faithful to be close to whoever makes a mistake,” in order that “he is not lost” to the community. Above all, he stressed, “it’s necessary to avoid the sensationalism of the media and the gossiping of the community.” “Our attitude is one of discretion, caution, humility and of concern for the person who has sinned, and to avoid using words that can hurt or kill our brother,” as even words can kill a person. The Pope went on to explain that “our aim” in this situation “is to help our brother realize what he has done and that his mistake has offended not just one person but everybody.” At the same time, this attitude helps to free ourselves from anger or resentment that can lead people to deliver insults or attacks on the other. “Insulting another person is not Christian,” said the Pope, and he described it as “horrible” to hear insults or attacks coming from the mouth of a Christian. The truth is that before God “we are all sinners and requiring his forgiveness and Jesus Himself tells us not to judge others.” A fraternal reprimand or admonition, continued the Pope, is a reciprocal deed that we can and must render to others. “And it’s only possible if each one of us recognizes that we are sinners and need God’s forgiveness.” Pope Francis concluded his reflections by saying that it is for this reason that before the beginning of Mass, there are two important conditions for every participant: “We are all sinners and God imparts his mercy to everybody.”
Pope Francis condemns violence and appeals for Peace in Lesotho 2014-09-07 Vatican Radio Addressing hundreds of crowds gathered in St. Peter’ square for the Angelus, Sunday 7 September, Pope Francis has made two passionate pleas for peace in Lesotho and Ukraine. Referring to Lesotho, Pope Francis said, “I join my voice to that of the Bishops of Lesotho, who have appealed for peace in that country. I condemn all acts of violence and ask that the Lord will restore to the Kingdom of Lesotho peace that is (rooted) in justice and fraternity”. On Thursday the Lesotho Times, reported that the Lesotho Catholic Bishops’ Conference (LCBC) had called for peaceful dialogue between the country’s feuding parties and also urged the international community to ensure that stability returns to the troubled kingdom. Addressing a media conference in the capital, Maseru, Lesotho’s Bishop Augustinus Tumaole Bane, the Bishop of Leribe, spoke on behalf of his brother-Bishops and urged political parties in government as well as the security agencies to resolve their differences without resorting to violence, emphasising the need to exercise “restraint” in their actions. At the media conference, Bishop Bane, was flanked by Bishop Joseph Mopeli Sephamola, Archbishop Tlali Gerard Lerotholi, Archbishop Emeritus Bernard Mohlalisi, Bishop Emeritus Sebastian Khoarai, and Bishop John Tlhomola. Lesotho is a small Southern African mountain kingdom of just 2 million people. It is completely surrounded by South Africa. It gained independence from Britain in 1966. The recent troubles in Lesotho started, early Saturday morning on 30 August, when Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane escaped across the border into South Africa saying he feared for his life. In the early hours of that Saturday, the Lesotho military seized control of the kingdom's central police station and jammed radio stations and phones. Some shots were fired and one person was killed in the clashes. AFP reported then that the military denied trying to stage a coup. They insisted that they raided police offices to get weapons they believed would have been given to “political fanatics”. Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane returned to Maseru, on Tuesday, this week, after South African President Jacob Zuma and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervened. Zuma who Chairs SADC’s fifteen member-countries’ organ on Politics and Defence convened an urgent meeting in Pretoria. After the meeting ended, SADC ordered Prime Minister Thabane to return to Lesotho while the regional group pledged immediate peaceful intervention and support. Before all the dramatic events of the last two weeks, Lesotho was already in a tense atmosphere which culminated in Prime Minister Thabane asking the Army chief, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, to step down and relinquish command. According to AFP, soon after that order, the military attacked police stations and Lieutenant General Maaparankoe Mahao who was to be Kamoli’s successor (appointed by the Prime Minister) was the target of an attempted assassination. He too fled Lesotho. Pope Francis’ appeal coincides with new information coming out of Lesotho that the renegade Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, who has refused to step down as the commander of the Lesotho's military has taken control of Lesotho’s state armouries and maybe preparing for a stand-off, a violent confrontation or even civil war. Lesotho’s military is said to be loyal to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mothetjoa Metsing, who leads the Lesotho Congress for Democracy Party, a partner in Lesotho’s coalition government. The police are instead widely regarded as close to the embattled Prime Minister, Thabane. When things came to a head, national police commissioner Khothatso T'soana is said to have been investigating corruption charges involving the Deputy Prime Minister, Metsing. The latter believes the investigation is a political witch-hunt by the country’s police. As a result, Metsing is said to have declared that he could not be arrested because he was protected by the military. In June this year, the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane managed to convince Lesotho’s King Letsie III to shut down parliament. It is alleged that he had learnt of a plot by the opposition, led by his deputy, Metsing to bring to parliament a vote of no confidence against him. Political observers are weary of the military’s involvement in Lesotho’s political affairs. They think this is a great source of destabilisation and a recipe for civil strife. Similarly, they urge Lesotho’s politicians to learn to respect state institutions and not manipulate them for narrow personal and political interests. At the recent media conference, the Bishops of Lesotho lamented the current state of anarchy and lawlessness resulting from the shutting down of police services, the judiciary and other public services. The Bishops have called for calm. “We call upon all the parties to respect their commitment to work together to restore security and political stability in the Kingdom.” It is hoped that Pope Francis’s appeal and that of the Bishops of Lesotho will find a listening ear among Lesotho's politicians and security agencies. In the words of the Bishops, “lasting peace is still possible, only if justice is done to the legitimate concerns and expectations of all the parties involved".
In Google Hangout, pope helps launch worldwide social network http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1403700.htm
Pope Francis at Mass: Good News brings joy, renewal 2014-09-07 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence in the Vatican on Friday morning. In remarks to the gathered faithful following the readings of the day, the Holy Father reflected on the “newness” of the Gospel – as Good News, and as a bringer of New Things – that frees the person who believes it from slavery to automatic legalism, and opens the heart to the new commandment: love. Click below to hear our report The Gospel reading for Friday told the story of the Scribes, who badgered Jesus about the behavior of His disciples, by pointing out that they did not – as the disciples of John the Baptist regularly did – fast and offer prayers. The Lord would not let Himself be provoked, however: “New wine, new wineskins: the ‘novelty’ of the Gospel – and what does the Gospel bring us? Joy and renewal [It. novità]. These Doctors of the Law were hidebound by their commandments, their rules. St. Paul, speaking of them, tells us that, before faith came – that is, Jesus – we were all kept in custody, as prisoners under the Law. This Law, of this people, was not bad: they were cared for, but they were prisoners, awaiting the advent of faith – that faith, which would be revealed in Christ, itself.” Pope Francis went on to observe that the People had both the Mosaic Law and a host of customs and smaller legal requirements that the Doctors of the Law had codified. “The Law,” said Pope Francis, “cared for the people, albeit as prisoners are cared-for, and the people were awaiting liberty – that ultimate liberty that God would give to His people through His son.”: “One of you might say to me: ‘But Father, don’t Christians have laws?’ Yes. Jesus said: ‘I do not come to [abolish the Law], but to fulfil it.’ – and the Beatitudes, for example – the law of love – total love – as Jesus loved us, are the fullness of the Law. Jesus, when he reproves these Doctors of the Law, is taking them to task for not caring for the people with the Law, but making them slaves to so many little laws, so many little things that had to be done.” Pope Francis went on to explain that all these “little things” that had to be done, had to be done without the freedom that Jesus brings to us with the new law, which He promulgated with His blood. “This,” he said, “is precisely the ransom that the people were awaiting,” while they were, “under the guardianship of the Law, however as prisoners.” The Holy Father also explained that another central lesson of this reading is that the Lord wants us not to be afraid of changing things according to the law of the Gospel: “St. Paul clearly distinguishes the children of the law from the children of faith: new wine in new wineskins – and this is why the Church asks all of us to change certain things. She asks us to let go of decadent structures – they are useless – and to take up new wineskins, those of the Gospel. One sannot understand the mentality of these Doctors of the Law – for example – these Pharisaical ‘teachers’: the style of the Gospel is a different style, that brings the fullness of the Law – yes- but in a new way: it is the new wine in new wineskins.” Pope Francis concluded, saying once again that the Gospel is something new, something that brings joy, something that can only be lived fully by a heart that is joyful and renewed, and prayed that God give everyone the grace to keep the new commandment of love, and the joy of that freedom, which the Good News brings.
Pope Francis accepts resignation of Irish Cardinal Sean Brady Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Sean Brady, who since 1996 served as the Primate of All Ireland. In light of his 75th birthday, the Cardinal submitted his resignation, as required by Canon Law and the age limits it sets. However, his resignation is surrounded by years of controversy. He was sharply criticized for his involvement in the canonical investigation of pedophile priest, Brendan Smyth. The proceeding took place in 1975 but in the following decades, Smyth went on to abuse even more children in Belfast, Dublin and the U.S before his arrest in 1994. He died in prison a few years later in 1997. In the past Cardinal Brady had argued that even though he was involved in the investigation, he didn't have the final say. According to published reports, a sex abuse survivor from Ireland, personally asked Pope Francis to remove Cardinal Brady as the archbishop and Primate of All-Ireland. Cardinal Brady will be succeeded by Archbishop Eamon Martin, who serves as the director of the Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children. http://www.romereports.com/pg158260-pope-francis-accepts-resignation-of-irish-cardinal-sean-brady-en
Pope's Angelus: Don't insult! Insulting isn't Christian 2014-09-08 http://www.romereports.com/pg158253-pope-s-angelus-don-t-insult-insulting-isn-t-christian-en
Pope's Mass: Do I allow God to walk by my side or do I push Him away? http://www.romereports.com/pg158257...-to-walk-by-my-side-or-do-i-push-him-away--en
Three nuns killed in Burundi. Pope sends his condolences Pope Francis sent his condolences to the friends and families of three missionary nuns who were killed in Burundi. The bodies of 79 year old Sister Bernadetta Bogiann, 75 year old Lucia Pulici and 82 year old Sister Olga Raschietti were found over the weekend. They were reportedly raped and one of them was beheaded. The missionary nuns were Italian and part of the Xaverian Missionary Sisters of Mary. For seven years they served the poor and needy in the region of Bujumbura. Before that, they served in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to local reports two suspects have been arrested in what may have been a botched robbery. http://www.romereports.com/pg158262-three-nuns-killed-in-burundi-pope-sends-his-condolences-en
