Chinese Catholics and the washing of the feet

According to the Roman Missal, there are no uniform requirements for this ritual.

By Michel Chambon
Fujian:  Chinese Catholics entered the Easter Triduum on March 24 and experimented with a new liturgical norm regarding foot washing, which has brought on some debate within the church.

Pope Francis amended the ritual of the washing of the feet via decree in January, allowing all of God's people — that means anyone — to receive this highly symbolic gesture. Previously liturgical norms stipulated that only men could have their feet washed by the celebrant.

Commentators have been quick to emphasize that the pope's decree means that women could be included in the ritual, which enhances the universality of the gesture.

Others, however, said that this modification minimizes the responsibility of the ordained ministry in the church. Indeed, in the Gospel story, the washing of the feet was a gesture for the apostles only, symbolizing Christ's relationship to his church. By opening the ritual to women, the reference to the 12 disciples loses its obvious centrality behind the sign of service and universal inclusiveness.

Other commentators in China believed this liturgical change might hurt the cultural sensitivities of some Chinese Catholics. In some regions of the country, many thought it would be difficult to have priests wash women's feet.

But on Holy Thursday in a rural area of north Fujian, I witnessed a priest washing the feet of several women. Before the Mass in Nanping Catholic Church, a sister was tasked to find 12 volunteers for the ritual. Twelve were indeed found and four women were among them.

After the ceremony, the priest told us that women have been included in the ritual for several years without problem. On the ground, it seems the "Chinese cultural specificity" argument does not describe the whole of China. It is not even certain that it is the best argument to understand and explain the lack of enthusiasm that some Catholic communities have had toward the liturgical change.

To overcome this "culturist" argument, three sorts of distinctions should be taken into consideration.

The first distinction has to do with theology. In China, as elsewhere, there are many visions of the church, the function of the clergy, and the position of women. But because of many factors — lack of interest in debate, balance of power, etc. — these visions often become difficult to explain and rationalize. So what can occur is a "Chinese cultural difference" argument that becomes a convenient tool to resist change without having to clarify any theological reasoning.

A second distinction is the sociology. In China, as elsewhere, there are Catholic communities of various hues and histories. The differences can be between official and underground communities through the influences of internal migration, ethnicity, age, etc. Such is the case that these various Catholic groups can be tempted to distinguish themselves from others through using liturgical norms to strengthen their specific identity and differences.

The final distinction is about ritual itself. In a Christian context, the washing of the feet has a specific meaning. As an example, it has become like a sacrament for the True Jesus Church, a Pentecostal community founded a century ago.

Integration into this group requires baptism by full immersion in natural water, such as a river or spring, and the washing of feet for each new member. Therefore, washing the feet also becomes an ecclesial marker to underline the distinction between Christians. In this context, the fact that the pope says that the ritual can be applied to anyone — as opposed to just the faithful — may therefore appear troubling to some Chinese.

It is important to return to the text in the Roman Missal itself. The text permits choice from the entirety of God's people when choosing those whose feet will be washed.

There is no specific directive or formal injunction that enforces local communities to act against their sensibilities. As part of that, the Roman Missal imposes no quota policy, or parity. It only opens possibilities. Each church can therefore discern the appropriate way for them to conduct the washing of the feet.

To disappoint advocates of an ecclesiology of uniformity, this variety of practices from one place to another illustrates how the church in prayer is not a monolith but a reality of diversity and respect.

Source: UCAN

The plight of Christians in Pakistan

Muslim militants often attack Pakistan Christians considering them to be associated with 'Christian nations'.

Pakistani Christians mourn the death of a blast victim of the March 27 suicide bombing in Lahore. (Photo by AFP)

Pakistan:  Pakistan is once again in the news over its attack on religious minorities. A terrorist attack targeting Christians killed more than 70 people in Lahore as Pakistani Christian families were celebrating Easter in a public park.

This is not the first time that Christians in the Islamic country have been targeted and observers say that as things stand this won't be the last time.

This is largely because discriminatory laws, state's patronage of militants groups, deep-rooted intolerance and chronic ignorance give rise to incidents of persecution in Pakistan, making it a living hell for the minority Shia Muslims who along with Christians, Hindus and Ahmadis became the prime target of Sunni extremists.

While Ahmadis are constitutionally declared non-Muslims, Christians and Hindus were made to suffer from harsh blasphemy laws while Shias were regarded as kafirs (infidels).

Pakistan, carved out from British India was created in 1947 in the name of Islam after Muslims of the Indian subcontinent called for a separate homeland.

Although Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the nation's founder, addressing the Constituent Assembly stated that citizens may belong to any religion as it has nothing to do with the business of the state, a resolution proclaiming that the future constitution of Pakistan would be modeled on the ideology and principles of Islam was kept as a preamble of the Constitution.

In 1985, when it was made an integral part of the text, Pakistan became an Islamic republic, and the Council of Islamic Ideology and the Shariah (Islamic) court were established.

Many Islamic laws were passed, including blasphemy laws and the Hudood Ordinance (Islamic criminal code).

Recent attacks

Christians are the most persecuted religious minority in Pakistan. In recent years, Christians braced continuous deadly terrorist attacks in the country leaving hundreds of them dead.

Two bomb blasts at churches in Lahore in March killed 14. A twin suicide bomb attack at a Peshawar church in 2013 left around 80 dead. In 2009, nearly 40 houses and a church were burnt by a mob in Gojra town in Punjab, with eight people burned alive.

In 2005, hundreds of Christians had to flee their homes in Faisalabad as churches and Christian schools were set on fire by a mob claiming Christians had burned pages of the Quran.

Another attack also took place in Lahore this year, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen people. Lahore is the capital of Punjab province where the majority of Christians in the country reside.

More than 95 percent of Pakistan's 180 million people are Muslims. Less than 2 percent are Christians, Hindus and other religious minorities.

Blasphemy laws

But more than terrorism, Christian leaders have long campaigned against the misuse of blasphemy laws that have led to many incidents of mob violence. The law mandates that anyone who "blasphemes" the Quran is to be handed a death sentence.

Rights campaigners say that the laws are often used by people to settle personal scores and spread terrorism. The prime example of this was the lynching of Shehzad Masih, 26, and his wife, Shama Masih, 24, in Kot Radha Kishan, Punjab.

On Nov. 4, 2014, the Christian couple was beaten to death and then burned by an angry mob that had been told that they had desecrated a copy of the Quran. Local clerics used loudspeakers to incite the mob.

The victims were working as bonded laborers at a brick kiln. It was reported that the couple knew that they were in danger before the attack and went to the kiln owner to seek permission to leave. But he locked them in a room and told them that they could not leave before they cleared their debt.

In November 2010, Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging for "blasphemy." The sentence has to be upheld in higher court before it can be executed.

Shahbaz Bhatti, the federal minority affairs minister was murdered in March 2011 by Islamist gunmen after he spoke out against Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

Education

Catholic educators have long maintained the textbooks used are written with "a biased mindset" by Muslim writers who do not make allowances for the teachings of religions other than Islam.

The Catholic Church, which operates more than 500 schools, has often criticized the syllabus for praising only Islamic personalities while presenting followers of other religions as infidels and depicting Christianity negatively.

Moreover, textbooks quote excessively from the Quran, even in science texts. It raised the particular concern that minority students' unfamiliarity with these texts could leave them open to accusations by people exploiting the country's blasphemy laws.

Activists and members of the Christian community say around 5,000 Christians have fled Pakistan because of threats, persecution and lack of security.

Many of them have sought asylum in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Some representatives in the Christian community say that there are 10,000 registered Pakistani asylum seekers between the two countries.

Major reason for attacks

Pakistani Christians have been the target of several terrorist attacks since the United States, viewed by many Pakistani Muslims to be a Christian nation, attacked Afghanistan in October 2001.

The deposed fundamentalist Islamic regime of Afghanistan has many supporters across the border in Pakistan. Most Pakistanis view the United States and Western European countries as Christian, and Muslim militants consider Pakistani Christians to be associated with those "Christian nations."

Source: UCAN

Priests decry hero portrayal of Philippine politician

Comic book depiction of presidential hopeful Mar Roxas's alleged deeds during typhoon branded 'shameful'.

This comic book grab depicts presidential candidate Mar Roxas as a hero when super typhoon Haiyan hit the country in 2013.

Manila:  An official of the Catholic Church’s social action arm in the Philippines has criticized a comic book that depicts a presidential candidate as a "hero" during Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Father Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of Caritas Philippines, said the depiction of Mar Roxas as a savior in the book is "shameful and unacceptable propaganda."

Roxas, a former minister in President Benigno Aquino's administration, is the Liberal Party's presidential candidate in this year's national election.

The 28-page comic book called Sa Gitna ng Unos (In the Midst of the Storm), was published by the candidate's supporters who claimed it aims to remind the public of Roxas' supposed efforts to help victims of Haiyan.

"In conscience, I need to belie this hypocritical claim," that Mar Roxas was a hero in the emergency response to the typhoon, Gariguez said.

"We need to bring truth and decency to our electoral process," the priest said.

Caritas has been at the forefront of the Philippine bishops' recovery and rehabilitation efforts in at least nine dioceses in the central Philippines, following the typhoon.

Now in the second phase in a three-year 432.15 million-peso project, the agency is focused on interventions geared toward sustaining resilient communities.

Father Jazz Siapco, director of the archdiocesan Social Action Center in Lipa, said the comic book is "misleading."

"I don't believe he is a hero. I myself was immersed in the relief operation and rehabilitation in Leyte," the priest said.

More than two years after one of the strongest typhoons in recent history, the Philippine government still has a lot to accomplish, as observers lamented a slow progress in the rehabilitation efforts.

Even the United Nations has criticized the government for failing to provide homes and decent jobs to the typhoon victims.

Some 7,500 people died while at least 2,500 others went missing when super typhoon Haiyan hit the country in November 2013.

A Liberal Party spokesman defended the comic book, saying it was meant to inform the public about Roxas’ good deeds.

"This comic book was produced to counter lies being spread against him," Barry Gutierrez said March 28.

As a comic book it is only "natural" that some parts are being "dramatized," he said.

"[Roxas'] record when it comes to helping typhoon victims is clear, and we stand by it," Gutierrez added.

The comic book went viral on social media after photos of its cover, which shows Roxas herding people to safety, were posted online.

Source: UCAN

Pakistan mourns Lahore park massacre victims

Rights groups decry lack of security despite ongoing crackdown against militants.

Lahore:  Priests and nuns joined more than 200 mourners on March 28 for a vigil for victims of Easter Sunday's suicide bombing in Lahore's Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park.

Many wore black armbands and placed flowers near children's rides in the park where at least 72 people died — 29 of them children — and more than 300 were injured.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a Taliban splinter group claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said targeted Christians. Of the 72 victims, 14 of the dead were confirmed as Christians, Lahore police said.

"They did not target just one sect. Followers of all religions are crying with tears of blood," Franciscan Father Jamil Albert, parish priest of Holy Cross Church in Lahore, told the gathering.

The crowd wept and held up banners condemning the Taliban and demanding better security and respect for humanity.

Similar vigils were held elsewhere in Pakistan including one in Multan, in Punjab led by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Major Religious Superiors Leadership Conference.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis also condemned the "reprehensible" Lahore attacks during his Regina Coeli address in St. Peter's Square, saying it "bloodied" Easter.

"I wish to express my closeness to all those affected by this cowardly and senseless crime, and ask you to pray to the Lord for the numerous victims and their loved ones," he said.

The pontiff appealed to the civil authorities and to "all the social components of [Pakistan] to do everything possible to restore security and peace to the population and, in particular, to the most vulnerable religious minorities."

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who visted the injured in hospital, declared three days of mourning following the blast and reiterated his country's resolve to uproot terrorism.

"The terrorists, being deprived of their refuges and training centers, have now resorted to targeting soft targets such as parks and schools ... We will avenge every last drop of our countrymen's blood," he said during a televised address to the nation on March 28.

A day after the attack, raids were conducted in three cities including Lahore in which dozens of suspected militants were rounded up, Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, said.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also condemned the bombing in Lahore, expressing grave concerns over security and the apparent ease in which the militant were able to launch such a devastating attack despite an ongoing crackdown against extremists.

"The Gulshan-e-Iqbal [park] attack should be an eye-opener for those running the country's security as it demonstrates that despite a rather sustained crackdown, the militants retain the ability to carry out devastating attacks," the commission said.

"It is difficult to understand why there was practically no security at the park, particularly when there were big crowds in the area because of the Easter holiday."

Security and intelligence failures “played into the hands of those who have an infinite thirst for blood," the commission added.

Source: UCAN

Myanmar names three Christians as regional ministers

Healthcare, poverty, resource management among issues awaiting lawmakers.

Mandalay:  Three Christian lawmakers were appointed as regional chief ministers in predominately Buddhist Myanmar by President-elect U Htin Kyaw.

The appointments of 14 regional chief ministers, all whom are from the National League for Democracy party, were officially announced at state and division parliaments on March 28.

Mahn Johnny, a Catholic and regional lawmaker in the Kyonepyaw constituency in the Irrawaddy delta, was appointed chief minister of Irrawaddy Division. He was a member of the lower house from 2012 to 2015. He also is a member of the league's Central Executive Committee.

Salai Lian Luai, a Baptist and ethnic Chin, was appointed chief minister of Chin state. He served as a regional member of parliament in the Falam constituency in Chin state.

Khat Aung, a Baptist and ethnic Kachin, was named chief minister of Kachin state. He served as a regional member of parliament in the Myitkyina constituency in Kachin state.

Peter Lama Naw Aung, a Catholic and lower house lawmaker from the Kachin State Democracy Party, said that he hopes that Khat Aung will focus on peace, the Myitsone dam issue and natural resource management.

"The people (in Kachin state) are very poor despite a lot of natural resources coming from the state. So revenues from natural resources need to be used for the development of the region, such as developing healthcare, education and creating jobs," Lama Naw Aung told ucanews.com.

Conflict-torn Kachin, a predominately Christian region, has more than 100,000 people still living in temporary camps since 2011 due to fighting between the military and the Kachin Independence Army.

Giam Kham Lian, a Baptist and upper house lawmaker in Chin state, noted his region was in desperate need of infrastructure improvements and better healthcare.

A mostly mountainous impoverished region, the state's residents also were beset by a water shortage, he said.

"The state government should prioritize transportation, healthcare and solving the current issue of water scarcity," Giam Kham Lian said.

Source: UCAN

Denied entry, ASI frets over church upkeep

The church in Dalhousie served as Kolkata's Anglican Cathedral between 1787 and 1847.

Kolkata:  St John's Church - the city's first cathedral and third-oldest church - has the dubious distinction of being the only nationally protected monument to which Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has no access.

The church in Dalhousie that served as Kolkata's Anglican Cathedral between 1787 and 1847 when it was transferred to St Paul's Cathedral is in crying need of renovation. Signs of decay are writ large all over the church. The plaster is peeling off the walls. A large section of the roof and the walls are vulnerable. The stable to the left of the drive-way is in a shambles. The assessment was done two years ago by ASI officials in the guise of tourists as they would otherwise be denied entry to the monument.

"The church is much older than Victoria Memorial Hall and is made up of much older materials - sandstone plundered from the ruins of Gour, the ancient archaeological site near Malda. It, therefore, needs care. An earlier attempt to restore the monument was faulty. The use of mismatch in material accelerated the decay," an ASI official said.

While the church authorities appeared to question the legitimacy of ASI's role at St John's Church and has allegedly spread rumours about an attempt to usurp the prized property, ASI has in turn alleged that vested interest of a section of church officials has led to piquant situation. ASI is now contemplating legal action to gain access to the monument.

"ASI's only interest is to protect the monument and has been taking care of hundreds of living religious places belonging to various faiths. Rarely have we faced such a situation when ASI officials are barred from entering. St John's Church officials have spread the rumour that ASI, if allowed access, will take over the church. That is completely baseless," said ASI regional director (east) P K Mishra.

Bishop Ashok Biswas is keen that St John's Church is restored and protected. Apart from the steeple monument, there are several other historical monuments, including the mausoleum of Job Charnock. "During an interaction, Rev Biswas expressed enthusiasm about restoration and issued instruction to church vicar Pradeep Kumar Nanda to extend all help. But the vicar defied the Bishop and continues to deny us entry," said Mishra.

In a bid to resolve the situation, ASI invited the vicar to the ASI regional office. The vicar did not arrive, citing the Lenten period and his preoccupation with church services. ASI officials, however, insist the meetings were scheduled much earlier and dates fixed after taking the vicar's consent.

Source: Times of India

St. Philomena’s Church to get another facelift

The work on the second stage of conservation has commenced from Monday.

Mysuru:  St Philomena’s Catholic Church in Mysuru, one of the largest churches in South India, will be given yet another facelift to restore its opulence.

The church is a major landmark of the city as its tall twin towers can be seen from a long distance, and is also a major tourist attraction.

After the first round of conservation two years ago, the edifice will undergo a makeover at a cost of Rs. 2.70 crore, sanctioned by the Tourism Department.

The previous conservation was funded by the Tourism Department and Rs. 50 lakh was spent on the restoration which included a portion of the church.

The renovation had become essential because of weakening of the church’s rooftop and walls due to leaking of rainwater. The roof had been strengthened, curbing leakage of rainwater.

The work on the second stage of conservation has commenced from Monday.

The entire church will get a makeover, including the interiors and exteriors. Plastering on the damped walls inside the church will be removed and given lime plastering.

Steel scaffolding will be used to restore the 175-feet tall twin towers of the church. All existing features of the church will be restored and conserved, complying with the original architecture, according to the department.

In this connection, the Director of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums, Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, who is also the Commissioner of Mysore City Corporation, Bishop of Mysore Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Vazhapilly, Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Fr. N.T. Joseph, former Parish Priest Fr. K.A. William and others inspected the church premises on Mar 24.

Source: The Hindu

90-year-old Spanish priest granted final wish of Indian citizenship

Displaced by World War II, Father Sopena, arrived in this country the year that India attained independence.

Mumbai:  28 years after he first applied for Indian citizenship Father Gussi Frederick Sopena finally surrendered his Spanish passport at the Nariman Point Spanish embassy in the city on Mar 17.

Two days earlier, he received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approving his Indian citizenship appeal.

Displaced by World War II, Father Sopena, arrived in this country the year that India attained independence, when he was a young man of 22. He has spent his entire adult life working with NGOs and missionaries in tribal and rural areas of Thane, Nashik, Raigad and around Mumbai.

He first applied in 1978, and next in 1986; but was rejected. When he expressed his desire to die as an Indian citizen to friends, they forced him to file a third application in 2012.

However, the Bandra collector's office lost his file. The file contained original documents such as the Hindi language elementary examination passing certificate that he'd taken in 1978, notarised affidavits from two Indian citizen recommending citizenship for Sopena. Without these documents the application couldn't be processed further.

After valiant efforts the file was recovered, and Fr Sopena finally took the 'Oath of Allegiance' at the Bandra Collector's office on October 8 last year.

But when Fr Sopena's heart condition deteriorated in in February, he was hospitalised for almost a month, and had to have a pacemaker installed, his friends and well-wishers almost lost hope that his wish to die as an Indian citizen will be fulfilled.

On Mar 15, Fr Sopena received a letter from the MHA stating that he had been given initial clearance and now he would have to surrender his Spanish passport and pay a fee of Rs 30000 with the state and send some attested documents and pictures to the concerned office to proceed further for Indian citizenship.

The Catholic priest resides at Vinalaya, a home for aged Jesuits close to the Holy Family Church in Andheri. He met with an accident in the 1990s, leading to foot amputation. He has since been fitted with a Jaipur Foot.

Source: Mumbai Mirror

Caritas to support govt to popularize solar energy

1.3 billion people across the developing world do not have access to energy today.

Kolkata:  Complementing India’s promise to source 40% of its electricity from renewable by 2030, Caritas India has committed to support the government to promote solar energy throughout the country.

Caritas India and Seva Kendra in Kolkata hosted the National Conference on Climate Change in Kolkata from March 14-15.

The conference themed “Strengthening climate action through alternate energy options” was attended by more than 100 participants from across the country.

International Solar Alliance pushed by Government of India during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) is seen as a key policy instrument to mitigate the effects of climate change while maintaining the development growth. While Government of India is committed to implement the National Action Plan on Climate Change, private and civil society organizations have worked on identifying and promoting alternate energy options suitable for the region. This has large potential to further the efforts of Government and cut down the emission, which could foster development.

Caritas India and her partners expressed their commitment to take foreword the positive initiative and partnership in the endeavor of the Government to improve production of clean energy and promote energy efficiency.

“We are considering it as an option for the poor in the country to use these resources to develop,” said Fr. Frederick D Souza, Executive Director of Caritas India in the objective sharing session of the conference in the very beginning.

Caritas India Chairman Bishop Lumen Monteiro said, “Coping with climate change is rapidly becoming a major challenge for the world, particularly for developing countries like India. In most cases, it is found that the adverse effects caused by climate change hit the poorest hard.

1.3 billion people across the developing world do not have access to energy today. Access to energy is crucial to meet the development aspirations of these people who are also the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Alternative energy options like solar, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy are essential for the developing countries to ensure that the current pace of development is maintained while cutting down emissions.”

Source: Caritas India

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: Chinese Christians flock to churches for Easter se...

ROBERT JOHN KENNEDY: Chinese Christians flock to churches for Easter se...: Chinese Christians flock to churches for Easter services Increasing number of young worshippers shows Christianity's growth in...

Chinese Christians flock to churches for Easter services

Increasing number of young worshippers shows Christianity's growth in popularity in China.

Crowds fill the compund of South Cathedral in Beijing to mark Easter Sunday. (Photo by ucanews.com)

Beijing:  It was standing room only for many Catholics this Easter Sunday, in Beijing's South Cathedral.

Locals crammed in for three consecutive Chinese-language Masses from 6:30 a.m., the pavements outside this hodgepodge church of traditional Chinese gateways and baroque styling became a mass of people emptying into the street just a few blocks southwest of Tiananmen Square.

By the church's doorway, large screens showed consecutive Easter Masses for those who had come too late to squeeze inside.

"There's nowhere to sit," said a mother holding her young child as an usher helped her find a spot at the back of the crammed cathedral, the oldest in Beijing.

In the capital of a country that has faced recent criticism for dwindling religious rights there were few immediate signs of the confrontations between a growing Christian population and an increasingly hard-line, atheist Communist Party.

In St. Joseph's, another cathedral on Beijing's popular shopping hub Wangfujing Street, crowds of up to 700 people crammed in for each of six Easter Sunday services.

Two English Masses featured as many Chinese as it did foreigners who together sang the Gloria, Kyrie and Agnus Dei in Latin.

Almost all locals in attendance were younger than 40 years old, a sign of the growing attraction of the church among China's younger generation.

In many churches around the country, authorities try to separate Chinese Masses from those organized by foreigners amid enduring fears within the party that "external forces" will work with Chinese Christians and challenge the political status quo.

In Beijing, church services designed for expats are in theory not allowed to admit Chinese nationals — those attending must show their passports.

In sensitive areas like cities on the border with North Korea, churches run by South Koreans include Mass sheets that declare, "no Chinese nationals permitted."

The government's paranoia over foreign infiltration has defined the government's relations with the Vatican.

Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing's South Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, was recognized by both the Vatican and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, the state body that maintains control of the church in China. But bishop appointments remain a key sticking point after Beijing previously tried appointing them without the pope's consent. Formal ties have remained elusive ever since the Communists took power in 1949.

While Beijing's churches feature notice boards with messages from the pope, stalls selling rosary beads and Bibles in Chinese, outside of these ecclesiastical compounds there were almost no signs Easter was taking place.

For non-Christian Chinese, Easter is a Western holiday that has grown in popularity as a commercial event alongside Christmas and Halloween.

Many people here still have little understanding of Easter's religious significance.

"Why is fuhuojie called Easter?" Wrote one user on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, using the Chinese word for Easter, whose literal meaning is 'to repeat life holiday.'

Despite the government's efforts to minimize understanding of Easter — the school curriculum glosses over its significance and the state-run media did not cover events in China — churches themselves have been remarkably successful at circumventing the atheist government.

About 20,000 new Catholics have been baptized in China during each of the past two Easters, according to Faith Press, a Catholic newspaper based in Hebei province that receives data on new baptisms from churches across China.

Overall, there are an estimated 12 million Catholics in the country, according to the Hong Kong Diocese Holy Spirit Study Center — some estimates put the total number of Christians as high as 100 million — higher than the 6 million reported by the Chinese government whose figure is widely believed understated.

But amid what has been the largest migration in the history of the world in recent decades, it remains difficult to know the extent to which swelling congregations in city churches have come at the expense of those in dwindling villages across the country.

With China preparing to conduct it's first ever study on children left behind in rural areas, often looked after by their grandparents, a seminar in Tianjin heard on March 26 there may be 100 million "left-behind children" in the country — one-third of all Chinese minors.

"The 'left children' phenomenon exists due to deeper economic and social reasons," Liu Xinyu, founder of the children's agency On the Road to School, told the nationalistic state-run tabloid Global Times.

Church leaders here often cite these very same social problems as a key driver of evangelism in a country where rampant growth and atheism have combined to create an often-cited 'spiritual void.' In other words, the atheist party's focus on economic growth at all costs may have pushed many Chinese into the arms of the church.

In an apparent bid to curb Christianity, Zhejiang province in particular has tried to minimize the appearance of church crosses in densely populated Christian cities like the wealthy eastern port of Wenzhou, removing over 1,700 crosses in this province since the end of 2013.

The growing problems facing China's embattled Christians were not far beneath the surface during Holy Week. German President Joachim Gauck, a former Lutheran priest, conducted a state visit to China last week that attempted to serve regular reminders to the Chinese government that Berlin stood alongside religious groups.

His delegation included Catholic and Protestant representatives from Germany.

On Holy Thursday, the final day of the visit, Gauck met with Bishop Anthony Dang — recognized by the Vatican and Beijing — at the Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Xian.

The German embassy was closed for Easter and not available to comment on private discussions between Gauck and Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang but he reportedly raised the delicate issue of religious rights.

The rare visit by a visiting Western head of state to a church in China came the day after police released Christian lawyer Zhang Kai.

Following seven months of detention in Wenzhou after he offered legal aid to churches trying to rebuff authorities wanting them removed, Protestant Zhang said he was heading back to his home in Inner Mongolia — presumably to celebrate Easter in private.

"Many thanks to my friends and family for care and comfort," he said in a statement ahead of the Easter weekend.

"Thanks to Wenzhou police for taking care of me this time."

Source: UCAN

Thousands join Holy Week festival in Indonesian province

Centuries-old event draws Catholics from around the world.

The statue of Tuan Ma or Blessed Mother in a procession during the Holy Week festival in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara. (Photo by Melkhior Koli Baran)

Jakarta:  Thousands of Catholics attended Holy Week festivities in the capital of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara and according the diocese's bishop the event can bring benefits to the local area.

Bishop Franciscus Kopong Kung of Larantuka said the event attracts thousands of Catholics, locally and from abroad each year.

Among those participating were Catholics from Timor-Leste, Portugal and Poland who joined the five-century-old festival, which is locally called Semana Santa.

Over 5,000 people attended Good Friday festivities alone in the predominantly Catholic province.

Bishop Kung said the popularity of the festival has created religious tourism for the area from which the locals can benefit.

"Through Semana Santa, the local church can embrace other parties to take part as well. The local church can work together with the local government to make this traditional festival a 'people's pilgrimage' or 'religious tourism,'" the prelate said.

Religious tourism, he said, can also help improve the local people's life.

"So it is not about the celebration itself but also the whole aspect of the local people's daily life," Bishop Kung added.

Semana Santa usually starts on the Wednesday of Holy Week, which this year fell on March 20. The event saw the city's main roads closed as people began their prayers. On Holy Thursday, pilgrims visited three different chapels, where statues of Tuan Ma (Blessed Mother) and Tuan Meninu (Baby Jesus) and Tuan Anna (Jesus) were placed.

Semana Santa reached its peak on Good Friday. On this day, a 30-minute sea procession took place in the morning. A statue of Tuan Meninu was taken onboard a traditional boat to meet Tuan Ma, which was placed in a separate chapel. Pilgrims followed the voyage.

Source: UCAN

Church condemns Easter bomb attack in Lahore

Taliban splinter group claims responsibility, says it was targeting Christians.

The grieving family of Naveed Ashraf, 21, who died in the Easter bombing in Lahore, March 27. (Photo by Kamran Chaudhry)

Lahore:  A church official in Lahore has condemned a suicide bomb attack that targeted Christians at a park in the Pakistani city on March 27, which killed at least 72 people.

Father Morris Jalal, the founder and program director of Lahore-based Catholic TV, expressed grief over the Easter explosion, which also left over 300 people injured.

"This is very, very sad, we can't do anything but pray and condemn what is happening around us," said Father Jalal.

A Taliban splinter group — Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar — has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park. The terrorist group said that Lahore's Christian community was their target.

Among the dead so far include 29 children and seven women. The death toll is expected to rise.

"I was almost deafened, there were bodies everywhere. The deaths are more than the official toll," Ghulam Asghar, a local resident, told ucanews.com. "I was entering the park with my six kids when the explosion occurred."

Initial investigations have identified the bomber as Yousaf Freed, a 28-year-old who resided at a madrassa (Islamic seminary) in Lahore.

Police said ball bearings were used in the bomb, which weighed around 20 kilograms.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his sorrow over the loss of life and has announced three days of mourning throughout the Pakistani province. Sharif also donated blood while visiting Sheikh Zaid Hospital where 53 injured victims from the attack were brought on March 27.

Some relatives of the victims spoke out against the government as politicians visited the crowded hospital.

"These rulers are killing our kids; they are the ones behind the bombings. My 21-year-old son was married just four months ago," cried an elderly bearded man.

Doctor Attiya Mehboob, the deputy dean of the hospital, said that they had received both Christian and Muslim bomb victims.

"Many Christians were present in the park as part of Easter celebrations," said Doctor Mehboob.

"Security agencies were receiving information about attacks on Easter day. The terrorists are bent on spreading fear and pain."

Out of security concerns, all markets in the Punjab capital were closed March 28 while the city's parks have been closed indefinitely.

Source: UCAN

Mumbai parish holds Way of the Cross on Laudato Sì

A brief documentary was screened to help people to meditate on the "culture of waste" and on the waste of marine resources.

Mumbai:  A parish in Bombay archdiocese marked its 400 years of its foundation on Good Friday, holding the Way of the Cross inspired by Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si’.

"This year, the story of the Passion is associated with the degradation of the earth and the ocean in particular, given that the existence of many people, such as fishermen and sailors, depends on the ocean," said Fr. Magi Murzello of St. Andrew Bandra West in Mumbai city.

The commemoration of Christ’s passion and death through the 14 stations began Friday morning at the Holy Door of the Basilica of Mount Mary with an introductory prayer and blessing. A brief documentary was screened to help people to meditate on the "culture of waste" and on the waste of marine resources. The meditations of all stations were introduced with extracts from Laudatos�.

The procession wound its way from Mount Mary along Chimbai beach, and culminated in front of the parish of St. Andrew for the final blessing.

At the end of the service, Fr. Murzello invited all to Chimbai beach the next day, March 26, to clean it of waste of all kinds.

Source: Vatican Radio

Tribals of Satyamangalam welcome new healthcare centres

The situation has changed since Caritas India supported primary health care services.

file photo

Erode:  Thousands of tribal people in Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district have benefitted from the new healthcare centres supported by Caritas India.

Afew months back thepeople of Makkampalayamand Arihiyam villages of Kuttampalayam and Kuthyalatur panchayats of Sathyamangalam had to run a minimum of 20 kilometres to Kambur town hospital to get medical help. Even that was not available during rainy season when these villages turn into an island as the rivers swell up and cuts it off totally from other villages and towns.

The situation has changed since Caritas India supported primary health care services were launched in these villages to provide immediate support for basic health facilities providing medical help for emergency and ordinary sickness, empowering the tribal women, children an old people to build their immune system.

Around 1856 people have already benefited from the Makkampalayam and Arihiyam villages health centres within 6 months and impacted 6500 people indirectly.

Inhabited by Urali and Arunthaththiyars tribals, the people are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Illiteracy, poor transport, constant disturbance from the forest animals, poor health and lack of medical facility and ignorance and indifference of people about various aspects of life etc. are the major concern.

Now 20-30 patients visit these healthcare centres every day. Equipped with the basic medical care treatment, the centre treats patients of tuberculosis, anaemia, fever, cuts and wounds etc. Patients are further referred to other hospitals for serious health problems.

“We are happy with health centres and the training and awareness programs conducted time to time on health issues for the villagers. We are benefiting maximum from these health centres and have great relief in our daily life,” shared a beneficiary.

Apart from the health centre, Caritas is organising several awareness programs and trainings on issues like drug addiction, tuberculosis, girl child marriages, medical camps etc.

Source: Caritas India

Lighting the Easter Candle in a Delhi slum

The celebration will be marked by felicitations of fifty children from the area.

New Delhi:  The practice of lighting the Paschal candle will be more than just a ritual this time around for Caritas India and its staff.

On March 29 Caritas India staff in collaboration with Dhruv Social Awareness Forum will light the Easter Candle at one of Delhi’s dumping ground situated at Jalvihar, Lajpat Nagar II.
The celebration will be marked by felicitations of fifty children from the area, whose education is being encouraged and facilitated by Dhruv team.

A small donation collected internally by the staff of Caritas India will be extended for the treatment of Sandhya, a patient of congenital nervous system breakdown, leading to very low sensations in her lower body.

Even at this stage, Sandhya is understood to be bright and intelligent and this little support will be significant in initiating the necessary treatment process at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).

Sandhya’s mother could not afford the long due treatment as the process needs both time and money, which she could not afford as domestic help, working in more than a few houses.
It is noteworthy this small act of collective kindness by the staff of Caritas India will potentially enhance Sandhya’s scope for better treatment and consecutively a brighter future.

In the coming days, Caritas hopes to map and study the profile of the area for a strategic intervention that may possibly change the lives of as many as 15,000 people who reside here, a sprawling hub of huts split by the tracks Indian railways.

Source: Caritas India

Government assures efforts to rescue kidnapped priest

Church officials say statement confirms that Thomas Uzhunnalil has not been crucified.

The assurance of efforts to release of Father Thomas Uzhunnalil comes amid unconfirmed reports that he was crucified on Good Friday. (Photo supplied)

Kochi:  The Indian government said it was still actively trying to rescue a Salesian priest kidnapped in Yemen in early March amid unconfirmed reports that the missionary had been crucified on Good Friday.

Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on March 26 that the government was continuing efforts to rescue Father Thomas Uzhunnalil.

"We are making all efforts to secure his release," said Swaraj's tweet.

The Washington Times reported March 27 that Father Uzhunnalil had been crucified by the so-called Islamic State on Good Friday, and that the priest's death was confirmed by Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna at an Easter Vigil Mass.

Father Joseph Chinnayan, the deputy secretary general of the Indian bishops' conference told ucanews.com March 28 that he has contacted "all authentic sources" within the church and government.

"As of now, there is absolutely no basis for this talk of crucifixion," he said.

Father Chinnayan said he will be meeting with Swaraj late March 28, where he expects "a clearer picture will emerge."

Father Mathew Valarkote, spokesman for the Salesian's Bangalore province, said the government statement "definitely shows that no harm has been done to" Father Uzhunnalil.

Father Valarkote said reports of Father Uzhunnalil's crucifixion were baseless. "We do not know the basis of such reports. As far as we know, efforts are on to rescue him," he said.

Father Uzhunnalil was kidnapped in the port city of Aden March 4 during a raid by suspected Islamic terrorists in Yemen on a nursing home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, in which 16 people were gunned down, including four nuns.

The 56-year-old Salesian priest hails from the southern state of Kerala and is a member of the Salesians' Bangalore province.

Source: UCAN

செய்திகள்-18.03.16

செய்திகள்-18.03.16

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1. எளியவர்களைத் தேடிச்செல்ல விண்ணப்பித்த திருத்தந்தை

2. Instagram செயலியில் தன் பகிர்வுகளைத் துவங்கும் திருத்தந்தை

3. ஏமனில் கடத்தப்பட்ட இந்திய அருள்பணியாளர் நிலை என்ன?

4. அயர்லாந்து மக்களுக்கு புனித பேட்ரிக் திருவிழாச் செய்தி

5. இலங்கை சிறுபான்மையினருக்கு சம உரிமைகள் வேண்டி, கிறிஸ்தவ அமைப்பு

6. முதுபெரும் தந்தை பர்த்தலோமேயுவின் தவக்காலச் செய்தி

7. இந்தியாவில் சூரத் இரயில் நிலையம் மிகவும் சுத்தமானது

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1. எளியவர்களைத் தேடிச்செல்ல விண்ணப்பித்த திருத்தந்தை

மார்ச்,18,2016. விவிலியம், அருளடையாளங்கள் மற்றும் செபம் ஆகியவற்றின் சக்திக்கு முன், இறைவனுக்கும், மனிதருக்கும் எதிரியான சாத்தான், ஒன்றுமில்லாமல் போகிறான் என்று திருத்தந்தை பிரான்சிஸ் அவர்கள், இவ்வெள்ளி காலை, வத்திக்கானின் அருளாளர் திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் பவுல் அரங்கில் உரையாற்றினார்.

திருஅவை உறுப்பினர்களை புது வழியில் உருவாக்கும் Neocatechumenal Way என்ற அமைப்பைச் சேர்ந்த 7000த்திற்கும் அதிகமானோரை இவ்வெள்ளியன்று சந்தித்தத் திருத்தந்தை, விவிலியத்தில் காணப்படும் ஒற்றுமை, மாட்சிமை, உலகம் என்ற மூன்று வார்த்தைகளை மையப்படுத்தி, தன் உரையை வழங்கினார்.

மனிதர்களைப் பிரிப்பதில் முழு மூச்சுடன் செயலாற்றும் சாத்தானின் சூழ்ச்சிகளை முறியடிப்பது Neocatechumenal அமைப்பினருக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ள ஓர் அழைப்பு என்று திருத்தந்தை கூறினார்.

திருமுழுக்கு பெற்ற அனைவரும் அன்னையாம் திருஅவையின் குழந்தைகள் என்பதால், நாம் அனைவரும் ஒரே சாயல் கொண்டவர்கள் என்றும், நமக்குள் எவ்வித வேறுபாடும் இல்லை என்றும் திருத்தந்தை, தன் உரையில் வலியுறுத்தினார்.

இயேசு தன் சிலுவை வழியே மாட்சிமை பெறுவதைப் பற்றி, யோவான் நற்செய்தியில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளதை (யோவான் 17,5), அரங்கத்தில் கூடியிருந்தோருக்கு நினைவுறுத்தியத் திருத்தந்தை, இரக்கம் கொள்ளுதல், துன்பத்தில் பங்கேற்றல் என்ற பண்புகள் வழியாகத்தான் அன்னையாம் திருஅவை மாட்சிமை பெறமுடியும் என்று கூறினார்.

உலகின் மீது பெருமளவு அன்பு கொண்டுள்ள இறைவன், (யோவான் 3:16) அந்த உலகில், உயர்ந்தவற்றையும், பெரியனவற்றையும் நாடாமல், எளியவற்றை நாடி வருகிறார் என்பதை தன் உரையில் சுட்டிக்காட்டியத் திருத்தந்தை, Neocatechumenal Way அமைப்பைச் சார்ந்தவர்களும், இவ்வுலகில் எளியவர்களைத் தேடிச்செல்ல விண்ணப்பித்தார்.

ஆதாரம் : வத்திக்கான் வானொலி

2. Instagram செயலியில் தன் பகிர்வுகளைத் துவங்கும் திருத்தந்தை

மார்ச்,18,2016. படங்களைப் பகிர்ந்துகொள்ள உதவும் Instagram என்ற வலைத்தள செயலியில், திருத்தந்தை பிரான்சிஸ் அவர்கள், மார்ச் 19, இச்சனிக்கிழமையன்று செயலாற்றத் துவங்குகிறார் என்று, வத்திக்கான் ஊடகத் துறையின் தலைவர், அருள்பணி, தாரியோ எதொவார்தோ விகனோ (Dario Edoardo Viganò) அவர்கள் கூறினார்.

இன்றைய உலகில் படங்கள் சக்திவாய்ந்த தொடர்புகளை உருவாக்குகின்றன என்பதை நன்கு அறிந்துள்ளத் திருத்தந்தை, 'Franciscus' என்ற பெயரில் Instagram செயலியில் தன் பகிர்வுகளைத் துவங்குகிறார் என்று, அருள்பணி விகனோ அவர்கள், வத்திக்கான் வானொலிக்கு அளித்த பேட்டியில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

தன் சொற்களால் மட்டுமல்ல, அதைவிடக் கூடுதலாக தன் செயல்கள் வழியே, மக்கள் மனங்களில் ஆழமானத் தாக்கங்களை உருவாக்கிவரும் திருத்தந்தை பிரான்சிஸ் அவர்கள், இரக்கத்தின் சிறப்பு யூபிலி ஆண்டில் Instagram வழியே தன் செயல்பாடுகளின் படங்களை உலகினரோடு பகிர்ந்துகொள்வது, பொருத்தமானதாக உள்ளது என்று, வத்திக்கான் ஊடகத் துறையின் தலைவர், அருள்பணி விகனோ அவர்கள் எடுத்துரைத்தார்.

இதற்கிடையே, "தங்கள் பாவங்களுக்காக மனம் வருந்துவோரின் குற்றங்கள் எவ்வளவு பெரியதோ, அந்த அளவு பெரியதாக, திருஅவை அவர்கள் மீது காட்டும் அன்பும் இருக்கவேண்டும்" என்று, திருத்தந்தை பிரான்சிஸ் அவர்கள், இவ்வெள்ளிக்கிழமை, தன் டுவிட்டர் பக்கத்தில் செய்தியொன்றை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.

ஆதாரம் : வத்திக்கான் வானொலி

3. ஏமனில் கடத்தப்பட்ட இந்திய அருள்பணியாளர் நிலை என்ன?

மார்ச்,18,2016. ஏமனின் ஏடன் நகரில் அன்னை தெராசாவின் பிறரன்பு சபையைச் சேர்ந்த 4 பேர் கொலை செய்யப்பட்ட வேளையில் கடத்திச் செல்லப்பட்ட இந்திய சலேசிய சபை அருள்பணியாளர் குறித்து, இரண்டு வாரங்கள் கடந்தும் எவ்வித செய்தியும் இல்லை என தலத்திருஅவை தன் கவலையை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

இம்மாதம் 4ம் தேதி, ஏமனின் ஏடன் நகரிலுள்ள முதியோர் இல்லத்தில் நுழைந்த தீவிரவாதிகள், அங்கு பணியாற்றி வந்த 4 அருள் சகோதரிகளையும் 12 உடனுழைப்பாளர்களையும் கொன்றபின், அங்கிருந்த இந்திய சலேசிய சபை அருள்பணியாளர் Tom Uzhunnalil அவர்களைக் கடத்திச் சென்றனர்.

கடத்திச் செல்லப்பட்ட அருள்பணியாளர், உயிருடன் இருக்கின்றாரா அல்லது எங்கிருக்கிறார் என்பது குறித்த எவ்வித செய்தியும் இதுவரை கிட்டவில்லை என, கவலையை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார், தெற்கு அரேபியாவிற்கான அப்போஸ்தலிக்க நிர்வாகி, ஆயர் Paul Hinder.

இதற்கிடையே, வன்முறைகளை பெருமளவில் சந்தித்து வரும் ஏமன் நாட்டில், கடந்த திங்களன்று இடம்பெற்ற வெடிகுண்டு தாக்குதலால் 107 பேர் இறந்துள்ளனர். சவுதியிலிருந்து விமானத் தாக்குதல்களும் தொடர்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கின்றன.

2015 மார்ச் மாதம் முதல் இடம்பெற்றுவரும் மோதல்களால், கடந்த ஓராண்டில், ஏமன் நாட்டில், குறைந்தது 10 ஆயிரம் பேர் பலியாகியுள்ளனர் என்று Fides செய்திக் குறிப்பு கூறுகிறது.

ஆதாரம் : Fides / வத்திக்கான் வானொலி

4. அயர்லாந்து மக்களுக்கு புனித பேட்ரிக் திருவிழாச் செய்தி

மார்ச்,18,2016. அயர்லாந்தில் உள்ள ஒரு சிலர், வன்முறைகளைத் தூண்டிவந்தாலும், அயர்லாந்து மக்கள், பாலங்களைக் கட்டுவதிலும், அமைதியை வளர்ப்பதிலும் அக்கறையுள்ளவர்கள் என்று அயர்லாந்து ஆயர் பேரவையின் தலைவர், பேராயர், ஈமோன் மார்ட்டின் (Eamon Martin) அவர்கள் செய்தியொன்றை வெளியிட்டுள்ளார்.

மார்ச் 17, இவ்வியாழனன்று, அயர்லாந்தின் பாதுகாவலரான புனித பேட்ரிக் திருநாள் கொண்டாடப்பட்டதையொட்டி, அந்நாட்டு கத்தோலிக்க ஆயர் பேரவையின் தலைவர், பேராயர் மார்ட்டின் அவர்கள், இவ்வாறு தன் செய்தியில் கூறியுள்ளார்.

புனித பேட்ரிக் வாழ்க்கையால் தூண்டப்பட்ட அயர்லாந்து மக்கள் அனைவரும், இரக்கத்தை தங்கள் வாழ்வில் மையமாகக் கொண்டிருக்கவேண்டும் என்று, பேராயர் மார்ட்டின் அவர்கள் விண்ணப்பித்துள்ளார்.

வறுமை, வீடற்ற நிலை போன்ற பிரச்சனைகளால் அயர்லாந்தில் குடும்ப வாழ்வு சிதைந்து வருகிறது என்பதை வருத்தத்துடன் சுட்டிக்காட்டும் பேராயரின் செய்தி, புனித பேட்ரிக் பரிந்துரையால் மக்கள் நம்பிக்கையுடனும், இரக்கத்துடனும் வாழ அழைப்பு விடுக்கிறது.

அதிகாரப்பூர்வ ஆவணங்கள் ஏதுமின்றி, ஓர் அடிமையாக வாழ்ந்த புனித பேட்ரிக், இன்றைய உலகில், ஆவணங்கள் ஏதுமின்றி அலைக்கழிக்கப்படும் ஆயிரமாயிரம் புலம் பெயர்ந்தோருக்கு ஓர் அடையாளமாக விளங்குகிறார் என்பதையும் பேராயர் மார்ட்டின் அவர்கள் தன் செய்தியில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

ஆதாரம் : வத்திக்கான் வானொலி

5. இலங்கை சிறுபான்மையினருக்கு சம உரிமைகள் வேண்டி, கிறிஸ்தவ அமைப்பு

மார்ச்,18,2016. இலங்கை அரசியலைப்பில் மாற்றங்களைக் கொணர்வதற்கென உருவாக்கப்பட்ட 20 பேர் கொண்ட மக்கள் பிரதிநிதிகள் அவை, இலங்கைத் தமிழர்களின் நிலை குறித்து ஆய்வதற்கு, தேசிய அளவில் மேற்கொள்ளப்படும் விவாதங்களில், முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுக்க வலியுறுத்தப்படும் என்றார் அந்நாட்டு அருள்பணி சரத் இடமல்கோடா.

இலங்கையில் சிறுபான்மை சமூகத்தினர் பாகுபாட்டுடன் நடத்தப்படுவதாக புகார்கள் உள்ள நிலையில், அவர்களின் உரிமைகளைப் பாதுகாப்பதற்கும், ஜனநாயகத்திற்கு ஆதரவாகவும் உழைக்கவேண்டியது திருஅவையின் கடமையாகிறது என்றார் CSM என்ற கிறிஸ்தவ ஒருமைப்பாட்டு அமைப்பின் ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர் அருள்பணி இடமல்கோடா.

ஒவ்வொரு சமூகத்தின் தனித்துவங்களை மதித்தல், அதிகாரப் பகிர்வு, தெற்கையும் வடக்கையும் இணைத்தல், மத சரிநிகர் தன்மை, இலவசக் கல்வி மற்றும் நலவாழ்வு, சுற்றுச்சூழல் பாதுகாப்பு போன்றவற்றை, இலங்கையின் கிறிஸ்தவ ஒருமைப்பாட்டு அமைப்பு பரிந்துரைத்துள்ளது.

1977ம் ஆண்டு ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்பட்டுள்ள இலங்கையின் புதிய அரசியலமைப்பு, ஏற்கனவே 19 முறைகள்  திருத்தப்பட்டுள்ளபோதிலும், தற்போதைய விவாதங்களும் மாற்றப் பரிந்துரைகளும், உள்நாட்டுப் போருக்குப் பின் உருவாகியுள்ள நிலைகளை கவனத்தில் கொண்டதாக இருக்கும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

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6. முதுபெரும் தந்தை பர்த்தலோமேயுவின் தவக்காலச் செய்தி

மார்ச்,18,2016. போர்ச்சூழலை விட்டு தப்பித்து ஓடும் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோருக்கு உதவிகள் செய்வது, இத்தவக்காலத்தில் நம்மை வந்தடைந்துள்ள அழைப்பு என்று, கிறிஸ்தவ ஒன்றிப்பு ஆர்த்தடாக்ஸ் முதுபெரும் தந்தை முதலாம் பர்த்தலோமேயு அவர்களின் தவக்காலச் செய்தி கூறுகிறது.

ஜூலியன் நாள்காட்டியைப் பின்பற்றும் ஆர்த்தடாக்ஸ் சபையைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள், மார்ச் 20, வருகிற ஞாயிறன்று தவக்காலத்தைத் துவக்கி, மேமாதம் முதல் தேதி ஞாயிறன்று, உயிர்ப்புப் பெருவிழாவைக் கொண்டாடவுள்ளனர்.

கிறிஸ்தவ ஒன்றிப்பு ஆர்த்தடாக்ஸ் சபையில் இஞ்ஞாயிறு துவங்கும் தவக்காலத்திற்காக செய்தி வெளியிட்டுள்ள முதுபெரும் தந்தை பர்த்தலோமேயு அவர்கள், இன்றைய உலகில் புலம்பெயர்ந்தோர் எழுப்பும் வேதனைக் குரலே நமக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ள தவக்கால அழைப்பு என்று கூறியுள்ளார்.

கான்ஸ்டான்டிநோபிள் முதுபெரும் தந்தை, பர்த்தலோமேயு அவர்கள் வெளியிட்டுள்ள இச்செய்தி, கிறிஸ்தவ ஒன்றிப்பு ஆர்த்தடாக்ஸ் சபையைச் சார்ந்த அனைத்து ஆலயங்களிலும், மார்ச் 20, இஞ்ஞாயிறன்று வாசிக்கப்படும்.

ஆதாரம் : வத்திக்கான் வானொலி

7. இந்தியாவில் சூரத் இரயில் நிலையம் மிகவும் சுத்தமானது

மார்ச்,18,2016. இந்தியாவிலேயே மிகவும் சுத்தமான இரயில் நிலையம், குஜராத் மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள சூரத் இரயில் நிலையம் என இந்திய இரயில் மற்றும் சுற்றுலாத் துறைகளின் இணைந்த அமைப்போன்று நடத்திய கருத்துக்கணிப்பில் தெரியவந்துள்ளது.

இந்திய இரயில் உணவுத்துறையும், சுற்றுலாத்துறையும் இணைந்த IRCTC என்ற அமைப்பைச் சேர்ந்தவர்கள், இவ்வாண்டு ஜனவரி - பிப்ரவரி மாதங்களுக்கு இடையே பல்வேறு ரயில் நிலையங்களிலும் பயணிகளிடமும் கருத்துக் கணிப்பை மேற்கொண்டனர்.

அதன் அடிப்படையிலேயே இந்த தர வரிசைப் பட்டியல் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. 1.34 இலட்சம் பயணிகளிடம் கருத்து கணிப்பு நடத்தப்பட்டபோது, தூய்மை தொடர்பாக 40 அம்சங்கள் குறித்து அவர்களிடம் கேள்விகள் எழுப்பப்பட்டன.

ஆய்வுக்கு உட்படுத்தப்பட்ட 407 இரயில் நிலையங்கள், வருமான அடிப்படையில் இரண்டு பிரிவுகளாக பிரிக்கப்பட்டன. அதாவது ரூ.50 கோடிக்கு மேல் வருமானம் ஈட்டும் 75 இரயில் நிலையங்கள் ஏ-1 என்ற பிரிவின் கீழும் ரூ.6 கோடி முதல் ரூ.50 கோடி வரை வருமானம் ஈட்டும் 332 இரயில் நிலையங்கள் ஏ பிரிவின் கீழும் பட்டியலிடப்பட்டன.

இந்த அடிப்படையில் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஆய்வில், ஏ-1 பிரிவில் இந்தியாவிலேயே மிகவும் சுத்தமானதாக, குஜராத் மாநிலத்தில் உள்ள சூரத் இரயில் நிலையமும், 2-வது இடத்தில் இராஜ்கோட் ரயில் நிலையமும் தேர்வாகியுள்ளன. சட்டிஸ்கர் மாநிலத்தைச் சேர்ந்த பிலாஸ்பூர் இரயில் நிலையம் மூன்றாவது இடத்திற்கு தேர்வு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது.

75 ரயில் நிலையங்கள் தர வரிசைப்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ள இப்பிரிவில், பிரதமர் நரேந்திர மோடியின் வாரணாசி தொகுதிக்குட்பட்ட இரயில் நிலையம், 65-வது இடத்தில், அதாவது மிகவும் அசுத்தமானது என்ற இடத்தில் இருக்கிறது.

ஏ - பிரிவில், பஞ்சாப் மாநிலம் பீஸ் இரயில் நிலையம் சுத்தமானது என்று, முதலிடத்தை பிடித்துள்ளது. 5-வது இடத்தில் தமிழகத்தின் கும்பகோணம் இரயில் நிலையம் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

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