FEBRUARY 21, 2016, Vol 66, No 04

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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Help the needy in body and spirit Pope Francis calls for acts of mercy and charity in Lenten message VATICAN CITY – Lent is a time of conversion and a time to deepen one’s faith, demonstrating and sharing it through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, Pope Francis said. Âł)DLWK ÂżQGV H[SUHVVLRQ LQ FRQcrete everyday actions meant to help our neighbours in body and spirit,â€? the pope said in his message for Lent. Feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, welcoming strangers, offering instruction, giving comfort – “on such things will we be judgedâ€?, the pope wrote in the message. Particularly during the Year of Mercy, he said, Catholics are called to recognise their own need for God’s mercy, the greatness of God’s love seen in the death and resurrection of Christ and the obligation to assist others by communicating God’s love and mercy through words and deeds. “The root of all sinâ€? is thinking that one is god, something often expressed in a total preoccupation for accumulating money and power, the pope wrote. And just as individuals can be tempted to think they have no need of God, social and political systems can run the same risk, ignoring both God and the real needs of human beings. “Love alone is the answer to that \HDUQLQJ IRU LQÂżQLWH KDSSLQHVV ´ Pope Francis wrote. It is the only response to the longings “that we think we can satisfy with the idols of knowledge, power and richesâ€?. “The danger always remains that by a constant refusal to open the doors of their hearts to Christ who knocks on them in the poor,â€? he said, “the proud, rich and powerful will end up condemning themselves and plunging into the eternal abyss of solitude which is hell.â€? But through acts of mercy and

VOL 66

NO. 04

INSIDE HOME ‘Inspire the young’ Religious urged to be role models „ Page 2

ASIA Don’t vote for evil Philippine bishops on upcoming elections „ Page 9

WORLD Ministry to gay people It’s expanding, says US priest „ Page 11

POPE FRANCIS

Residents of a slum in Kolkata, India, collect drinking water from a tanker. Feeding the hungry and comforting the needy ... ‘on such things will we be judged’, said the pope. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

FKDULW\ ÂłE\ WRXFKLQJ WKH Ă€HVK RI WKH FUXFLÂżHG -HVXV LQ WKH VXIIHUingâ€?, he wrote, “sinners can receive the gift of realising that they too are poor and in needâ€?. “In the corporal works of merF\ ZH WRXFK WKH Ă€HVK RI &KULVW LQ our brothers and sisters who need to be fed, clothed, sheltered, visited,â€? he wrote. “In the spiritual works of mercy – counsel, instruction, forgiveness, admonish-

ment and prayer – we touch more directly our own sinfulness.� Msgr Giampietro Dal Toso, VHFUHWDU\ RI WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO &RU 8QXP WKH RI¿FH WKDW SURmotes and coordinates Catholic charity, said that Pope Francis wants to help Catholics rediscover the traditional corporal and spiritual works of mercy, which seemed to have been left on the shelf with dusty old books.

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“The works of mercy are a very simple, concrete, direct, alive, daily, easy, accessible-to-all ZD\ RI OLYLQJ WKH -XELOHH RI 0HUcy,� he said. “The works of mercy describe what we as Christians can actually do every day.� As part of Cor Unum’s celebration of the Year of Mercy, he said, it has developed materials for a retreat day for people engaged in church charitable activity. The materials online – www. corunumjubilaeum.va – and can be adapted for use by a group, parish or diocese. „ CNS

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Respect China’s culture, age-old wisdom Pope says in interview „ Page 14

QUESTIONS ON THE FAITH Why St Stephen LV ÀUVW PDUW\U And not the Holy Innocents „ Page 16

LENTEN FEATURE Merciful hearts and change On observing the liturgical season „ Page 18

2 HOME

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Inspire the young, Religious told By Jared Ng “Certain congregations could close down if no one is taking over their charisms,â€? said Archbishop William Goh. “With the support of the laypeople, our Religious men and women must be role models in every possible example to inspire the young.â€? These were the parting words Archbishop Goh had for those gathered for the closing Mass for the Year of Consecrated Life on Feb 2. About 450 people attended the celebration held at the Church of St Ignatius. Among them were about 300 Religious. 7KH RIÂżFLDO ODXQFK GDWH IRU WKH Year of Consecrated Life was Nov 30, 2014. The Singapore archdiocese celebrated the opening Mass on Nov 29, 2014, at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street. In his homily for the closing Mass, Archbishop Goh told the Religious gathered that “if you want to continue to be the light of the nation, to continue to inspire people, to enjoy the work you are doing and to support your charisms; you need to recover the foundation of consecrated life – “The evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.â€? He noted that the “three evangelical counsels are to remind us that we are totally

Religious men and women in prayer during the closing Mass for the Year of Consecrated Life on Feb 2.

dependent on the Lord.â€? On poverty, Archbishop Goh reminded the congregation the words of Pope Francis: “I want a Church that is poor and for the poor.â€? Archbishop Goh noted that “Religious need to stay close to the people, to be at the front of WKH ÂľEDWWOHÂżHOGÂś VHUYLQJ DQG EHLQJ with the marginalised.â€? Moving on to the vow of chastity, he said that in order for Religious to go out to the world to “spread love and mercyâ€?, they have WR ÂżUVW ORYH WKRVH DURXQG WKHP “If you think getting married and living with your spouse is hard, imagine the Religious who have

to live with their congregation!� Archbishop Goh said jokingly. Obedience, he said, “simply means to do the will of God, often expressed though our superiors.� Noting that the Year of Mercy had already begun, Archbishop Goh told those gathered that “all works of mercy ultimately are to bring people to recognise Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.� “Religious men and women are at the forefront of these acts of mercy, and it is through them that the laity can be inspired,� he said. „ „ See also story on page 13 jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

If you want to ‘ continue to be the light of the nation, to continue to inspire people, to enjoy the work you are doing... you need to recover the foundation of consecrated life.

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– Archbishop William Goh

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Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

Participants at talk learn how to deal with dementia

Dementia in Singapore

Early detection and prevention also highlighted About 200 participants attended a talk on Understanding Dementia at Agape Village in Toa Payoh on Jan 23. It was organised by Church mental health charity, Clarity Singapore, in partnership with Total Health Rich In Vitality and Energy (THRIVE), a community mental health programme managed by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. As part of its efforts to promote mental well-being, Clarity organised the talk to educate people on how to prevent and detect dementia and how to treat the condition. Dr Chan Keen Loong, head and senior consultant of the Department of Psychological Medicine at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, was the speaker at the event. In his talk, Dr Chan explained that the dementia in most patients is often either Alzheimer’s dementia, which is caused by abnormal protein deposits that destroy neurotransmitters; or vascular dementia (stroke), caused by a ODFN RI EORRG ÀRZ WKDW GHSULYHV the brain of food and oxygen, resulting in cell death. While there is currently no cure for dementia, there are ways to slow down the deterioration. The risk factors of dementia comprise controllable and non-controllable factors. The non-controllable factors include age (65 years and above) and the family history of dementia, while the controllable factors include diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension and smoking. Dr Chan noted that most dementia patients will at some point become very frustrated and prone to agitation as a result of their decreased ability to perform daily

tasks like dressing themselves. +H UHFRPPHQGHG ¿YH SRLQWV on caring for dementia patients: Enhancing communication with dementia patients. An example would be maintaining eye contact, speaking slowly and focusing on one topic at a time, as well as using gestures in order to help them understand better. Caregivers should encourage dementia patients to engage in physical exercise to promote their physical health. This helps to slow the progression of dementia symptoms. Encouraging patient to participate in games and activities to stimulate their minds.

Caregivers should encourage dementia patients to engage in physical exercise to promote their physical health. Establish a night-time ritual such as discouraging daytime napping, reducing caffeine intake and leaving night lights on to prevent disorientation. Keep a calendar to help them remember important dates. Participants learnt that providing care for a person with dementia can be physically and emotionally demanding. Various organisations such as the Agency for Integrated Care, Caregivers Alliance, Caregiving Welfare Association and Singapore Silver Pages provide services to aid caregivers in their role. The website of Clarity Singapore is http://www.clarity-singapore.org/

Participants of the talk enquiring about the services provided by Clarity.

Dr Chan Keen Loong speaking during the talk on Understanding Dementia. He suggested steps that caregivers can take to slow down the deterioration of dementia in a patient.

Speaking to Catholic News further on this topic, Dr Chan mentioned that the Well-Being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study conducted by the Institute for Mental Health (IMH) in 2013 found that the prevalence of dementia was 10 percent in the elderly population (those aged 60 years and above). The likelihood of dementia for those aged 75-84 years was 4.3 times higher. For those 85 years and above, it was 18.4 times higher compared to that of elderly aged 60-74 years. Dementia is on the rise in Singapore according to the Singapore Department of Statistics. In 2005, the number of dementia patients aged 65 and above was 22,000. That number is expected to increase to 53,000 by 2020, and eventually 187,000 in 2050.

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Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

Children from Syro-Malabar rite receive sacraments Left: Franciscan Fr Salim Joseph posing with the seven children who received the Sacraments RI ¿UVW +RO\ Communion and &RQ¿UPDWLRQ on Jan 30. Below: The children with their parents before Mass at the Church of St Anthony.

It was a day to remember for seven children from the SyroMalabar rite community as they UHFHLYHG WKH 6DFUDPHQWV RI ¿UVW +RO\ &RPPXQLRQ DQG &RQ¿UPDtion on Jan 30. The Mass, held at the Church of Anthony, was celebrated by Franciscan Fr Salim Joseph, chaplain of the Archdiocesan Commission for Malayalam Apostolate. The Mass was celebrated in Malayalam. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the 22 Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. It traces its origins back to India along with the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. The Syro-Malabar Catholic community has been in existence in Singapore since 2000. About 200 people attended the recent celebration, including the children’s parents, friends and members of the Syro-Malabar Catholic community. The seven children, aged seven and eight years old, had been preparing to receive the sacraments for about three months.

For example, they learnt about the mystery of transubstantiation, which is the changing of the substance of ordinary bread and wine into the substance of Christ’s body and blood. The children also had to learn the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit along with some basic Christian prayers. Parents of the children were also involved in preparing for the special occasion. They prepared the offering of gifts for the Eucharistic celebration and accompanied their children to the church at the start of Mass. They also had a part in decorating the church. After Mass, those gathered enjoyed food and fellowship.

28 January 2016

Society of St Vincent De Paul members at the training session at Agape Village.

Vincentians gather to learn to care for Friends-in-Need It was an enlightening day for Society of St Vincent De Paul (SSVP) members as 95 of them from different parishes learned how to better understand and KHOS WKHLU EHQH¿FLDULHV RU )ULHQGV In Need (FINs). The one-day training session, titled Dissecting a FIN’s DNA – A Social Perspective, was held at Agape Village on Jan 23. The session opened with a VKRUW UHÀHFWLRQ RQ PHUF\ WDNHQ from Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, the 2013 apostolic exhortation on the Church’s primary mission of evangelisation in the modern world. This was followed by a personality test that allowed members to better identify the way they approach interaction by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Mr James Tay, president of Church of the Immaculate Heart

of Mary’s SSVP conference, said he found it “very useful as it provided each of us with an understanding of our personality type. Other sessions included an insight into the perspective of a Friend-in-Need such as the environment and other ecological factors that affect them. At the end of the day, Vincentians left with a fresh perspective on dealing with their FINs. Ms Christina Choo, member of the SSVP conference in the Church of St Ignatius, shared that she “found the reminder to think about whether your help is toxic or transformative most useful”. Ms Adelaine Ng, treasurer of the SSVP conference in the Church of Sts Peter and Paul, said: “What I like most about the training session is that I get to hear from professionals... who shared ZLWK XV WKHLU ¿HOG H[SHULHQFHV ´

CHANCERY NOTICE

APPOINTMENTS 1. Fr Daniel Lim OCD has been appointed Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary City Curia (Mandarin) for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 January 2016. 2. Fr Joseph Koh OCD has been appointed Spiritual Director for the Singapore Chinese Catholic Bible Association for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 January 2016. 3. Fr Charlie Oasan CICM has been elected as a councillor for the district of Indonesia-Singapore for the Provincial Government of the CICM Missionaries (Scheut Missions) with effect from 15 January 2016. 4. Fr Stanislaus Pang has been appointed Governor to the Board of St Gabriel’s Foundation for a term of two [2] years with effect from 21 January 2016. 5. Deacon Clement Chen will complete his appointment to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on 31 January 2016. 6. The following have been appointed to the Human Resource Advisory Council for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 February 2016:

a. b. c. d.

Mr Thomas Chia Ms Patsy Tan Ms Frances Cheang Ms Maria Teresa Gerinea

7. The following persons have been appointed members of TRCAS Chinese Mission Fund for a term of two [2] years with effect from 1 February 2016: a. Fr Henry Siew b. Mr Justin Lim c. Mr James Wong d. Mr Patrick Lo Kai Huat OTHER MATTERS Banns of Ordination

The following candidates from the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans), Friar Don Don Ramerez OFM, Friar Esmond Chua OFM, Friar Jason Richard OFM will be called to the Order of Deacons on 12 June 2016 at Church of St Mary of the Angels by His Grace, Archbishop William Goh DD.

CHN/CN/2016/002

The publication of these banns IXO¿O WKH FDQRQLFDO UHTXLUHment, can. 1051 2°. Catholics are obliged to reveal any impediments or circumstances that would prevent any of the candidates from receiving Sacred Orders and should contact the Custos, Friar John Wong OFM or the Archbishop with such information as soon as possible. Imprimatur

Fr Henry Siew has received an “Imprimatur” from Archbishop William Goh DD for the publication “Encountering the Lord in Daily Life – Three Simple Forms of Prayer.” Ash Wednesday 2016 – 10 February 2016

The Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei have declared that Ash Wednesday 2016, which falls on 10 February (3rd Day of the Lunar New Year), will be observed with fasting and abstinence.

Fr John-Paul Tan, OFM, JCL, Chancellor Chancery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore #07-01 Catholic Centre, 55 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187954 Email: chancery@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

Photos: CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY

The crowd at the annual Peranakan Lunar New Year Eve Mass.

A traditional Peranakan altar is seen at the Mass held at the Church of the Holy Family.

Peranakans usher in Year of the Monkey By Christopher Khoo There is a story of how to tangkap (catch) a monyet (monkey). Place some food such as kachang (nuts) or nasi (rice) in a coconut with a small hole in its side, Redemptorist Fr Eugene Lee told a delighted Peranakan crowd at the Church of the Holy Family.

When the monkey’s hand goes into the hole, it won’t let go even if is in danger of being caught, said Fr Eugene at the close of the annual Peranakan Lunar New Year Eve Mass. Drawing a lesson from this story, Fr Eugene advised the hundreds of nonyas, babas and bibiks in the congregation not to hold

onto negative experiences in their lives. If they “ada taichi (have problems), ada siapa siapa buat sala kita (if anyone has wronged us) … let go, pang chiu (Hokkien for “let go”), relax,” he said to laughter from the crowd. He advised them to emulate instead the other positive quali-

ties that monkeys are known to possess such as alertness, agility, intelligence. Fr Eugene, together with Fr Valerian Cheong and priests of the parish – Fr Eugene Vaz, Fr Damian De Wind and French priest Fr Donatien Davaine – celebrated the Mass in the Peranakan patois. The event saw many in the

crowd dressed in their traditional ¿QHU\ During the Mass, special honour was also paid to the late Fr Alfred Chan, former Holy Family parish priest, who started the annual celebration for the Peranakan community about three decades ago. christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

6 INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

An overview of the main events that took place at the

Follow example of Pope Francis; reach out to marginalised, say Church leaders CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Two Asian Church leaders urged participants at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress to follow the example of Pope Francis, working to reach people on the periphery. The pope’s envoy to the congress, Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, told reporters on Jan 27 that the Eucharist should compel people to share with the less fortunate. He said that was why he declared a “warâ€? on poverty days before, while celebrating the opening Mass for the congress. “We prepare ‘missiles’ of charity and ‘missiles’ of sharing,â€? said the cardinal. “There are many poor people, not because things are not VXIÂżFLHQW UHVRXUFHV DUH QRW VXIÂżcient, not because food is not sufÂżFLHQW EXW EHFDXVH RI SRRU GLVWULbution.â€? Cardinal Bo said the Church, all religions and the government should have a system under which resources are shared between the rich and the poor. At the congress aimed at deepening the understanding of the Eucharist and held from Jan 24-31, Cardinal Bo said the “main messageâ€? that has repeatedly resonated with him is “the Eucharist being

There are many poor people, not ‘EHFDXVH WKLQJV DUH QRW VXIÂżFLHQW UHVRXUFHV DUH QRW VXIÂżFLHQW QRW EHFDXVH IRRG LV QRW VXIÂżFLHQW EXW because of poor distribution.

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– Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, the pope’s envoy to the congress A poor girl leans against a wall on the streets of Manila. Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar has urged for better distribution of resources to the marginalised. CNS photo

the sharing of our bread and sharing of our resources.� Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu added, “We have seen images of the Holy Father... reaching out to the prisoners, to the poor. And expect, for instance, certain revisions in the Curia that would even manifest this

love for people. Even the declaration of the Year of Mercy is also one way of making us aware that at the heart of Christianity should be the spirit of sharing love.� Cardinal Bo added that in meetings with “many Christian leaders� of other denominations and also

Catholics told to love the poor MANILA – A Filipino cardinal who

is known to advocate for social justice issues told Catholics attending the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu to “practise what you preachâ€? and to love the poor. “Our faith is focused on externals and rituals, processions and private devotions,â€? Cardinal Orlando Quevedo of Cotabato told some 12,000 congress delegates, comprised of priests, Religious, and lay Church leaders on Jan 26. He reminded delegates that the Eucharist is “the deepest kind of unionâ€? that shares in the mission of Jesus “to the poor, the oppressed and marginalised, to all who are needy and in need of love and service. “What does the Holy Eucharist really mean? How should we participate? What does it tell us about how we should live?â€? said Cardinal Quevedo. The prelate said “living eucharisticallyâ€? means addressing the issues confronting the poor and the oppressed. “We cannot be indifferent to them,â€? the cardinal said. A missionary who has been living in the Philippines for 21 years, PHDQZKLOH VDLG ÂżQDQFLDOO\ SRRU people seem to be more excited to receive Christ than the rest. “Jesus is alive in the peripheries where no one wants to go,â€? said

People seen outside their makeshift homes in Manila, Philippines. Speakers at the International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu called on the faithful to love the poor. CNS photos

Many times the poor, not the priests, make the presence of the Church felt, said a missionary. Argentine Fr Luciano Ariel Felloni, who lives in a slum on top of a huge open dump outside Manila. The priest admitted that he used to look down on what he

FDOOHG DV ÂłVXSHUÂżFLDO VDFUDPHQWDOismâ€? of many Filipinos. “In 21 years the poor have taught me to eat my words,â€? he said. “I realise this is what Pope Francis calls spirituality of the people,â€? said Fr Felloni. He said many times the poor, not the priests, make the presence of the Church felt. “Many times, even we have no courage to live among them,â€? Fr Felloni said. „ UCANEWS.COM

leaders of other religions, they have told him that in the world there is no other leader like Pope Francis. “So if their Churches as well as their governments and all the leaders in the world were to follow the example of Pope Francis, that could be a solution: going to the

peripheries,â€? said the cardinal. 'XULQJ WKH EULHÂżQJ &DUGLQDO Bo also said his country has only 800,000 Catholics, even though the faith has been there for 500 years. He said the Philippine Church has been helping Myanmar’s Catholics in communication efforts for evangelisation. He also said in his report to the pope after the congress, he would remember “the warmest welcome I have received, second, the good Filipino food and, third, the Filipino smiles.â€? Cardinal Bo said the main message would be, “in spite of all the natural disasters, the only thing that remains mainly with the Filipinos is the faith of the people: faith in the Church, faith in the Eucharist and their faith in the Lord.â€? „ CNS

Cardinal urges solidarity with China’s Christians CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Retired Car“Church in China became a silent dinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Church, fortunately, the silence is Kong has appealed to delegates at not immediately complete.â€? the International Eucharistic ConThe prelate reminded the congress in Cebu to show solidarity gress how China had denounced with persecuted Christians in Chi- foreign missionaries and the papal na. “[Chinese Christians] are still nuncio as “imperialists.â€? LQ GHHS ZDWHUV LQ EXUQLQJ ÂżUH D Hundreds of Christians, includterrible reality,â€? Cardinal Zen told ing the late Bishop Ignatius Kung the weeklong gathering Pin-Mei were arrested &16 ÂżOH SKRWR on Jan 25. in the “big persecuThe retired preltionâ€? of Sept 8, 1955, ate said he wanted to for refusing to be part tell those attending the of the Chinese Patriotic meeting “how our marCatholic Association, tyrs in China in recent he said. history give splendid The retired cardinal witness to Jesus.â€? also cited the house ar“Who most deserve rest of Thaddeus Ma to be called witnesses, Daqin, the auxiliary the witness to the truth Retired Cardinal Shanghai bishop who that Christ is our hope Joseph Zen Ze-kiun quit the government of glory? I think they of Hong Kong. mandated Chinese Paare the witnesses par triotic Catholic Assoexcellence, the martyrs,â€? said Car- ciation at his episcopal ordination dinal Zen, referring to persecuted in 2012. Chinese Christians. Cardinal Zen said the EuchaChina barred delegates from rist should encourage Catholics the mainland from attending this around the world to support one year’s eucharistic congress, but another. several groups from Hong Kong Chinese authorities these days and Macau attended. “prefer to create renegades rather Cardinal Zen, an outspoken than martyrsâ€? by dividing Chriscritic of China’s communist gov- tians in China, he said. „ UCANEWS. ernment, said that although the COM

INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS 7

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines

At closing Mass, pope urges Catholics to go and be missionaries EBU, PHILIPPINES – Pope Francis

urged Catholic families and young people, especially in the Philippines, to go out and be missionaries to the world. In a video message at the closing Mass of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, the pope said Christ’s presence is a promise of everlasting joy and peace, and a summons. “It is also a summons to go forth as missionaries to bring forth the message of the Father’s tenderness, forgiveness and mercy to every man, woman and child,â€? he said as the crowd of about 1 million focused on large video screens. :LWK FRQĂ€LFWV LQMXVWLFH DQG “the urgent humanitarian crisisâ€? of today, “we realise how important it is for every Christian to be a true missionary disciple, bringing the good news of Christ’s redemptive love to our world in such need of reconciliation, justice and peace,â€? the pope said in the video on Jan 31. Pope Francis said Filipinos KDYH EHHQ DQ H[DPSOH RI ÂżGHOLW\ and deep devotion. “They have also been a people of missionaries, spreading the light

of the Gospel in Asia and to the ends of the earth,� Pope Francis told the Massgoers, who included delegates from more than 70 countries. Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, reiterated the pope’s message that those who attended the congress be renewed in “apostolic and missionary zeal.� “The world sees hopelessness everywhere,� Cardinal Bo said. “Philippines needs hope. The Church needs hope. Our families need hope.� The cardinal sprinkled his homily with Tagalog and Visayan dialects, remarking, as he did throughout the congress, on the Philippines’ prominent place in the Church, especially in Asia. But he also cautioned that in 10 years’ time, they would be “the oldest daughter� and asked if they would be willing to take up the challenge of being “a prophet to the nations.� “Yes,� screamed some in the crowd. “You will be the chosen one not only for Asia, but for the world, in this millennium,� said the prelate. Ms April Juanich, 24, was

Attendees wave during the closing Mass of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress. Pope Francis reminded them in a video message to spread the forgiveness and mercy of God to the world. CNS photos

We realise how ‘ important it is for every Christian to be a true missionary disciple, bringing the good news of Christ’s redemptive love to our world.

Pope Francis speaks in a recorded video message to participants during the closing Mass on Jan 31.

’

– Pope Francis

among the delegates who participated in the congress’ youth track. After the Mass, she said family, prayer and youth ministry were all important for the growth of the Church. But the call centre worker from Cebu admitted she was a little daunted by

Cardinal Bo’s call to the youth. “It’s a great pressure because it’s a big responsibility on our hands,� she told Catholic News Service. “Because even in our young minds we have this thinking

that we can only do small things. � During the video message, Pope Francis announced that the next International Eucharistic Congress would be in Budapest, Hungary, in 2020. „ CNS

Cardinal visits inmates and disadvantaged kids Former garbage picker turned CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Cardinal child advocate shares her story Charles Bo of Yangon, told a group of prisoners known as the “dancing inmates� of Cebu to “never, never, never, give up hope.� “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,� Cardinal Bo said in his visit with the prisoners on Jan 26. Wearing white gloves and dressed in their orange prison garb, the inmates greeted Cardinal Bo with an interpretation of Michael Jackson’s They don’t Care About Us. “We are deeply moved that no less than the representative of the pope came here for us,� said an inmate who is serving a life sentence for rape. In a short dialogue with prisoners, Cardinal Bo urged them to pray for each other. “Your prayers are powerful because God is very near to you. So pray for all of us. Pray for a more beautiful, peaceful Philippines,� the prelate said. Three days later, he visited residents of a poor hamlet from the village of Pasil in Cebu. A group of dancing young people welcomed the cardinal who

Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, speaks to inmates in the Philippines. He told them to never give up hope. CNS photo

then joined in the dancing. He entered a compound built by the Salesian congregation, the congregation he belonged to before he was named bishop. The prelate then stood up and offered advice to the children sitting in front of him. “Never blame yourself for your situation. Don’t blame the parents... don’t blame the situation and don’t blame God,� the prelate said. “If you fall, get up at once.

You can become priests, Sisters, Brothers, bishops. You can become prime minister, president, doctor, engineer.â€? Korina Jane Tabay, a 17-yearold resident of the centre, then asked Cardinal Bo to pray for the people in the community whose OLIH LV ÂłKDUG DQG GLIÂżFXOW ´ “Please pray for us that we may overcome all our struggles and GLIÂżFXOWLHV LQ OLIH ´ 7DED\ VDLG „ UCANEWS.COM

CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Ms Maria of seven neglected children, abanGeorgia “Maggieâ€? Cogtas of Cebu doned by their parents. told of a childhood without play, “We had no choice but to fend only tough work as a garbage pick- for ourselves,â€? she said. er at dumpsites, construction sites The recent psychology graduand on the streets. ate said she was able to pay for Ms Cogtas, 21, also told more high school with what she earned than 12,000 people at the 51st In- from scavenging. ternational Eucharistic Then a Catholic Congress about the reorganisation, Dilaab cent massive celebra(Flame) Foundation, tion commemorating that works to evangelise the child Jesus, who has public servants, votbeen venerated in Cebu ers and young people, for hundreds of years. offered her a college “On our peripheries scholarship. Recipients were children scavengof the scholarship are ing, begging, busy sellrequired to give time ing cold water, food and to street children every candles in the perim- Ms Maria Georgia week. eters of our churches,â€? ‘Maggie’ Cogtas of Ms Cogtas said seesaid Ms Cogtas. “As Cebu shared her sto- ing the street children we happily celebrated ry at the International accept their brokenness the child Jesus, other Eucharistic Congress. from abuse and neglect children needed our athelped her overcome tention. What have we done for rejection, and she learned to stop them?â€? being ashamed of herself. Ms Cogtas said before she be,Q WKH ÂżYH \HDUV VLQFH 0V &RJcame an active advocate for street tas started working with the chilchildren, she was so caught up in GUHQ VKH QRWHG KRZ FRQÂżGHQW WKH\ her pain and suffering that she had become. She said 90 percent of barely made time to pray. She and them were in school and “dreaming her twin brother were the youngest big.â€? „ CNS

8 ASIA

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Green activist killings worry Philippine Church leaders MANILA – Catholic Church lead-

ers in the Philippines have conGHPQHG D VSDWH RI NLOOLQJV WDUgeting environmental activists LQ UHFHQW ZHHNV VD\LQJ WKH JRYHUQPHQW LV QRW GRLQJ DQ\WKLQJ WR SUHYHQW WKHP RU EULQJ WKH NLOOHUV to justice. Âł:H PXVW VWRS WKLV LPSXQLW\ ´ VDLG )U (GZLQ *DULTXH] H[HFXWLYH VHFUHWDU\ RI WKH VRFLDO DFWLRQ justice and peace secretariat of the bishops’ conference. Âł:H VWURQJO\ FRQGHPQ WKHVH DFWV DQG ZH UHDOO\ ZDQW WKH JRYernment to resolve this as soon DV SRVVLEOH ´ )U *DULTXH] WROG ucanews.com. +H ZDV VSHDNLQJ RQ )HE IROlowing the death of an anti-minLQJ DFWLYLVW ZKR ZDV VKRW LQ WKH WRZQ RI 3DQWXNDQ LQ 0LQGDQDRÂśV &RPSRVWHOD 9DOOH\ SURYLQFH 7HUHVLWD 1DYDFLOOD FRQYHQHU RI WKH 6DYH 3DQWXNDQ 0RYHPHQW D JURXS RI DUWLVDQDO PLQHUV opposing large-scale mining corSRUDWLRQV LQ 0LQGDQDR GLHG RQ -DQ WKUHH GD\V DIWHU WKH VKRRWLQJ Âł:H GR QRW NQRZ ZKR UHDOO\ LV WR EODPH ´ VDLG 1DYDFLOODÂśV GDXJKWHU ZKR DVNHG QRW WR EH QDPHG IRU VHFXULW\ UHDVRQV “We are scared because the NLOOHUV PLJKW WDUJHW XV QH[W ´ VKH told ucanews.com. Navacilla was the fourth per-

File photo of a woman leading a rally outside a mining corporation in the Philippines. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

VRQ NLOOHG LQ VRXWKHUQ 0LQGDQDR LQ -DQXDU\ $ UHSRUW E\ /RQGRQ EDVHG Global Witness said almost a third RI HQYLURQPHQWDO DFWLYLVW NLOOings related to mining projects in KDSSHQHG LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV “This continues a pattern of Philippines defenders being targeted for their opposition to the FRXQWU\ÂśV PLQLQJ LQGXVWU\ Âą D VHFWRU WKDW RSHUDWHV ZLWK YHU\ OLWWOH WUDQVSDUHQF\ DQG UHJXODUO\ IDLOV WR FRQVXOW ORFDO FRPPXQLWLHV ´ WKH report said. „ UCANEWS.COM

China, Vatican negotiate further on bishop appointments HONG KONG – The Vatican has

held another round of negotiations with the Chinese government about the contentious issue of bishop appointments in China. 2IÂżFLDOV IURP WKH +RO\ 6HH sat down with a Chinese delegation in Rome from Jan 25-26 to GLVFXVV %HLMLQJÂśV SROLF\ RI KDYLQJ ELVKRSV HOHFWHG E\ JRYHUQPHQW selected voters. The meeting in Rome was the third round of negotiations on bishop appointments in China. 7KH ÂżUVW ZDV KHOG LQ -XQH

DQG WKH VHFRQG LQ 2FWREHU 7KH ,WDOLDQ GDLO\ &RUULHUH GH 6HUD EURNH WKH QHZV DERXW WKH QHJRWLDWLRQV RQ -DQ DQG GHVFULEHG WKHP DV ÂłEUHDNWKURXJK´ WDONV ZLWK Pope Francis giving approval to three bishop candidates. Observers in China expect the three candidates to be Frs Peter 'LQJ /LQJELQ RI &KDQJ]KL &RVPDV -L &KHQJ\L RI =KXPDGLDQ DQG Joseph Tang Yuange of Chengdu. Their names were raised on differHQW RFFDVLRQV ODVW \HDU „ UCANEWS. COM

Family is the ‘foundation of society’, says Malaysian archbishop in New Year message KOTA KINABALU, SABAH – The IDPLO\ LV WKH ÂłIRXQGDWLRQ RI VRFLHW\ :KHQ IDPLO\ XQLWV DUH EURNHQ WKH RUGHU RI VRFLHW\ DQG WKH ZRUOG ZLOO EH LQ FKDRV ´ VDLG Archbishop John Wong of Kota .LQDEDOX 6DEDK LQ KLV PHVVDJH IRU WKH OXQDU 1HZ <HDU ZKLFK falls on Feb 8. +H QRWHG WKDW LW LV WUDGLWLRQ during Chinese New Year to have IDPLO\ UHXQLRQV +H DOVR QRWHG WKDW ODVW 2FWREHU LQ 5RPH 3RSH )UDQFLV FRQYHQHG WKH 6\QRG RI %LVKRSV RQ WKH )DPLO\ Âł$W WKLV WXUQ RI WKH VHDVRQ ´ DGGHG $UFKELVKRS :RQJ ÂłSHRSOH DUH JHQHUDOO\ SUHRFFXSLHG ZLWK SODQQLQJ , KRSH WKDW \RXU SODQ ZLOO LQFOXGH EXLOGLQJ D IDPLO\ RI IDLWK DQG KDSSLQHVV ´ “With modernisation and adYDQFHPHQW LQ WHFKQRORJ\ RXU YDOXHV HVSHFLDOO\ LQ WHUPV RI WKH VLJQLÂżFDQFH RI IDPLO\ DQG LWV YDOXHV KDYH FKDQJHG ´ KH VDLG “There is a growing phenomHQRQ ZKHUH SHRSOH GR QRW NQRZ how to treasure the gift of their IDPLOLHV DV WKH\ RXJKW :LWK VHFXODULVDWLRQ PDWHULDO ZHDOWK EHFRPHV WRS SULRULW\ DQG PRUH WLPH LV H[SHQGHG DW ZRUN WR EXLOG a career and accumulate wealth. “This has come at the expense of time spent in nourishing their marriages and nurturing their FKLOGUHQ ´ $UFKELVKRS :RQJ said. 0DQ\ ULVNV DZDLW IDPLOLHV Âł7KH\ HPSKDVLVH WKH IXOÂżOPHQW RI their personal happiness instead RI WKRVH RI WKHLU VSRXVHV 7KH\ EHFRPH VHOÂżVK DQG DUH UHOXFWDQW WR forgive and accept each other as WKH\ DUH ´ “We read in Genesis that God

created man and woman and KHQFH LQVWLWXWHG PDUULDJH ³7KLV ZDV WKH ¿UVW IDPLO\ +H FUHDWHG 0DUULHG FRXSOHV DUH FDOOHG WR FRQWLQXH *RGœV ZRUN through procreation. With children as the fruits of love between KXVEDQG DQG ZLIH LW LV WKH SULPDU\ PLVVLRQ RI SDUHQWV WR VKDUH DQG help children experience the love RI *RG ´

Âł$V &DWKROLFV DUH RXU KRPHV ÂżOOHG ZLWK WKH SUHVHQFH RI *RG"´ DVNHG $UFKELVKRS :RQJ Âł'R ZH have a place at home for the saFUHG VFULSWXUH WKH FUXFLÂż[ DQG KRO\ LWHPV" 'R ZH SUD\ DQG UHDG WKH %LEOH WRJHWKHU" Âł,I QRW OHW XV PDNH WKLV 1HZ Year a new beginning to grow toJHWKHU LQ &KULVW DV D IDPLO\ ´ KH said. „ ASIANEWS.COM

‘:LWK PRGHUQLVDWLRQ DQG DGYDQFHPHQW LQ WHFKQRORJ\ RXU YDOXHV HVSHFLDOO\ LQ WHUPV RI WKH VLJQLÂżFDQFH RI IDPLO\ DQG LWV YDOXHV KDYH FKDQJHG

’

– Archbishop John Wong of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

ASIA 9

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Philippine bishops: don’t vote for ‘evil’ in upcoming elections – Filipino Catholics should not vote for the “lesser evilâ€? in upcoming national elections. “Let us reject those who are dishonest, deceitful, self-seeking, and unmindful of the poor,â€? said the country’s bishops in a Feb 3 statement. The bishops said not voting when there is no appropriate choice for a government post “is also a valid Christian political choiceâ€?, adding that “voting for the ‘lesser evil’ is still voting for evilâ€?. Filipinos are set to elect the country’s leaders, from president GRZQ WR WRZQ RIÂżFLDOV RQ 0D\ 9. Elections in the Philippines have been historically tumultuous with candidates bribing, intimidating or even killing to ensure election victory. During 2013 mid-term elections, at least seven people were reported killed on polling day alone, while at least 60 people were killed in the lead up to the election. In a pastoral statement titled Being Eucharistic in Life and Deeds, the country’s bishops said voters must be guided by a sense of the common good

MANILA

The bishops said not voting when there is no appropriate choice “is also a valid Christian political choice�, adding that “voting for the ‘lesser evil’ is still voting for evil�.

:RUNHUV DUH VHHQ KDQGOLQJ EDOORW ER[HV LQ D ZDUHKRXVH LQ 0DQLOD LQ WKLV ÂżOH photo. The Philippine bishops issued a statement on the upcoming polls on Feb 3. CNS photo

when choosing their leaders. “Let us choose those who are WUXO\ XSULJKW DQG VHOI VDFULÂżFLQJ respectful of the dignity of all, and FRPSDVVLRQDWH WRZDUG WKH SRRU ´˪ the bishops said. The prelates, who held their semi-annual plenary assembly

in late January, said those who win government positions by fraudulent means have no “moral ULJKW WR DVVXPH WKH RIÂżFHV WKH\ stoleâ€?. 7KH ELVKRSV ËŞXUJHG WKH IDLWKful not to allow themselves to be “instruments of fraudâ€? and not to

Priest uses brooms to ‘clean up’ politics Fr Robert Reyes, known as the “running priestâ€? for his penchant to run for various causes, joined Philippine poll RIÂżFLDOV RQ -DQ LQ ODXQFKLQJ D “clean and credibleâ€? May election campaign. Carrying broomsticks, the priest went around sweeping the road in front of the Commission RQ (OHFWLRQV RIÂżFH LQ 0DQLOD WR dramatise his call for clean elections. “This broomstick is a chalOHQJH IRU >HOHFWLRQ RIÂżFLDOV@ WR be part of the cleansing proMANILA –

cess,â€? said Fr Reyes. “This will also serve as a gentle reminder in case they forget their mandate.â€? Fr Reyes said he hopes that the campaign will put an end to the “ills of the country’s electionsâ€?. “Who will be left clean if the candidates will buy votes and voters will sell their votes?â€? he asked. Mr Andres Bautista, chairman of the Commission on ElecWLRQV VDLG KLV RIÂżFH VXSSRUWV WKH priest’s campaign. “We are also

for a clean and orderly polls. That’s why we need everyone’s help,â€? he said. Last May, Church leaders in the Philippines launched what they called the Thou Shall Not Steal campaign against “vote buyingâ€? and “vote sellingâ€?. The campaign, spearheaded by the country’s Catholic bishops and Religious congregations, urges Filipinos to stop trading YRWHV ÂłIRU LW VLJQLÂżHV VHOOLQJ WKH dignity not only of oneself but of the whole countryâ€?. „ UCANEWS. COM

Jakarta Catholics mark Lunar New Year JAKARTA – Ethnic Chinese Catholics in Jakarta were urged to promote peace among their families and others during Mass at a Central Jakarta church to celebrate the Lunar New Year. “If there is peace and harmony, what we hope for – such as richness, success, health and safety – will go hand in hand in our lives,� Fr Vitus Rubianto told the congregation during the Feb 8 Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Toasebio, West Jakarta. This is the only parish with a strong Chinese character in Jakarta archdio-

cese. Fr Rubianto who is of Chinese descent, and a lecturer of biblical studies at the Jakartabased Driyarkara School of Philosophy, noted that the parish “has a long history of being made up of Chinese Catholics and so we have a lot of Chinese traditions here�. The parish was built in 1954 and is one of 63 parishes served by the archdiocese. Since this year’s Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek, fell two days ahead of Ash Wednesday, Fr Rubianto

called on the congregation to use the occasion to renew themselves. Several other archdiocese parishes also celebrated Mass to usher in the New Year. Before 1998, during the administration of former president Soeharto, public Imlek celebrations were banned. In 2000, however, former President Abdurrahman Wahid revoked the ban. In 2002, the then President Megawati Soekarnoputri issued a decree making Chinese New Year a national holiday. „ UCANEWS. COM

sell their votes, adding that selling one’s vote “is a cooperation in a sinful practiceâ€?. “Those who engage in such SUDFWLFHV VKRXOG ÂżUVW UHSHQW DQG confess their sin,â€? read the statement signed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, president of the bishops’ conference. The bishops commended the Commission on Elections for working towards a truly credible democratic process, adding WKDW HOHFWLRQV RIÂżFLDOV VKRXOG ÂłEH strict and scrupulous in following the safeguards provided by lawâ€?. “In God’s name, we ask all those in authority ‌ not to manipulate and subvert by any means the electoral process to favour any person or political party,â€? the bishops said. „ UCANEWS. COM

&KLQD RIÀFLDO to faith leaders: promote culture BEIJING – A top China politburo

RIÂżFLDO KDV WROG IDLWK OHDGHUV WKDW religious groups must promote Chinese culture and become more compatible with socialism. Mr Yu Zhengsheng said religious leaders must form a bridge between the Communist Party and hundreds of millions of Chinese ZKR DUH SDUW RI WKH FRXQWU\ÂśV ÂżYH RIÂżFLDOO\ UHFRJQLVHG IDLWK FRPPXnities – Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism, reported the Asian Church news portal, ucanews.com. Xinhua, China’s state news agency, said Mr Yu “called on religious groups in China to continue adding Chinese characteristics, dig into positive elements in their religions and make more effort in building a religious ideology with Chinese characteristicsâ€?. Mr Yu, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, led the meeting. Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Ms Sun Chunlan, head of the United Work Front Department, which manages relations with faith groups, also attended. National broadcaster CCTV broadcast Mr Yu’s instructions on its evening bulletin on Feb 4. Without explanation, Beijing has repeatedly postponed a major meeting on religion that was due to be chaired by President Xi Jinping at the end of last year. Delays may be due to problems drawing up a cohesive religious blueprint for the whole country, according to analysts. „ CNS, UCANEWS.COM

10 WORLD

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

German, Austrian bishops urge their countries to keep accepting refugees BERLIN – Catholic bishops in

Germany and Austria have urged their countries to continue accepting refugees, despite demands for new restrictions after the New Year’s Eve violence in Cologne and other cities. “We need a reduction in numEHUV EXW Âż[LQJ DQ XSSHU OLPLW ZRXOG EH GLIÂżFXOW ´ %LVKRS 6WHphan Ackermann of Trier said on Jan 27. Âł:H DOVR QHHG Ă€H[LELOLW\ %XW it’s up to politicians to say how this can be achieved in practice, and it can’t be done only at a naWLRQDO OHYHO ´ KH VDLG 6RPH *HUPDQV KDYH FDOOHG for a cap on refugees, following violent incidents involving peoSOH QHZO\ DUULYHG IURP 6\ULD DQG other countries. Meanwhile, the German Church’s special representative for refugees said he believed a cap would violate the Geneva ConvenWLRQ DQG *HUPDQ\ÂśV %DVLF /DZ “Christians cannot allow people who have faced untold suffering and are needing help to HQFRXQWHU FORVHG ERUGHUV ´ VDLG $UFKELVKRS 6WHIDQ +HVVH RI +DPburg. After the New Year’s Eve attacks on women were blamed on refugees and migrants, pressure has grown on Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government

WR UHGXFH WKH UHIXJHH LQĂ€X[ WR Germany. The country received about a million refugees during 2015. +RZHYHU &DUGLQDO 5DLQHU Woelki of Cologne appealed for PRUH DGPLVVLRQV +H VDLG LQ D Jan 16 speech Europe would not “be saved by battening down the KDWFKHV ´ In neighbouring Austria, the bishops’ conference said the human right to asylum was an “obligation under international ODZ ´ EXW FDXWLRQHG WKDW ÂłOHJLWLPDWH FRQFHUQV´ DERXW PDVV admissions should also taken seriously. “It is up to political leaders to conduct this process with a sense RI SURSRUWLRQ ´ VDLG D VWDWHPHQW on the bishops’ website. At least 22,000 refugees are currently being housed by Catholic parishes and institutions in Germany, according to Church sources, while the country’s 27 dioceses disbursed 100 million HXURV 6 PLOOLRQ LQ UHIXJHH aid in 2015. In Austria, the Kathpress news DJHQF\ UHSRUWHG RQ -DQ D %HQedictine monastery in Melk had MXVW WDNHQ LQ 6\ULDQV DQG ,UDTLV ZKLOH 9LHQQDÂśV 0LVVLRQDU\ 6LVWHUV RI WKH 0RVW +RO\ 5HGHHPHU KDG VKHOWHUHG 6\ULDQV LQ WKHLU FRQYHQW attic. „ CNS

Bioethics centre says Britain moving towards JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGLÀHG EDELHV MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – A

Catholic bioethics institute has DFFXVHG WKH %ULWLVK JRYHUQPHQW of moving towards the creation of JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGLÂżHG EDELHV DIWHU scientists were given permission to alter the DNA of embryos in H[SHULPHQWDWLRQ 7KH $QVFRPEH %LRHWKLFV &HQWUH DQ 2[IRUG EDVHG LQVWLWXWH serving the Catholic Church in (QJODQG :DOHV 6FRWODQG DQG ,UHland, denounced the development DV Âł\HW PRUH GHVWUXFWLYH H[SHULPHQWDWLRQ RQ KXPDQ HPEU\RV ´ Âł([SHULPHQWV WR HGLW WKH JHQHV of human embryos represent a further step towards the creation RI *0 >JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGLÂżHG@ EDELHV ´ VDLG D )HE VWDWHPHQW E\ Mr David Jones, director of Anscombe. “This move is only the latest step after attempts to clone human embryos, to create human-animal hybrid embryos and to create WKUHH SDUHQW HPEU\RV ´ KH VDLG LQ a statement sent to Catholic News 6HUYLFH

Human embryos are seen in this ÂżOH SKRWR 7KH %ULWLVK JRYHUQPHQW KDV JLYHQ SHUPLVVLRQ WR VFLHQWLVWV WR H[SHULPHQW RQ WKH '1$ RI KXPDQ HPEU\RV &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

“Each step has been accomSDQLHG E\ H[DJJHUDWHG SURPLVHV to cure or prevent diseases, but the real result is simply more XQHWKLFDO H[SHULPHQWDWLRQ RQ KXman beings at the earliest stage RI WKHLU GHYHORSPHQW ´ 0U -RQHV added. +H VDLG JHQH HGLWLQJ ZRXOG EH legitimate “only where it is safe

Research should focus on development of ‘ safe... gene therapy, not on yet-more-destructive experimentation on human embryos.’

– Mr David Jones, director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre

DQG EHQHÂżFLDO IRU WKH LQGLYLGXDO patient and not where it aims to DIIHFW IXWXUH JHQHUDWLRQV ´ Âł5HVHDUFK VKRXOG IRFXV RQ GHvelopment of safe and effective somatic gene therapy, not on yetPRUH GHVWUXFWLYH H[SHULPHQWDWLRQ RQ KXPDQ HPEU\RV ´ Mr Jones’ comments came in UHVSRQVH WR D )HE DQQRXQFHPHQW WKDW WKH +XPDQ )HUWLOLVDWLRQ DQG Embryology Authority, the regulatory body overseeing in vitro fertiOL]DWLRQ DQG H[SHULPHQWV RQ KXPDQ embryos, will permit researchers DW WKH )UDQFLV &ULFN ,QVWLWXWH LQ /RQGRQ WR PRGLI\ WKH '1$ RI newly conceived embryos. The scientists aim to use a WHFKQLTXH WR WXUQ RII JHQHV LQ RQH day-old embryos to determine how such intervention will effect development in the week that follows as the embryo multiplies from a single cell to about 250 cells. The purpose is to identify the roles of particular genes in the hope of improving in vitro fertilisation success rates and to try to reduce the number of miscarriages. $OO HPEU\RV XVHG GXULQJ H[periments must be destroyed within a week. „ CNS

WORLD 11

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Ministry to gay people expanding, says US priest WARRINGTON, ENGLAND – The Catholic Church’s pastoral ministry to gay people is rapidly developing and expanding as Western societies become more secular, said a US priest. Fr Philip Bochanski, a Philadelphia priest who serves as associate director of Courage International, said increasing numbers of people who “experience same-sex attractionâ€? but who wished to live chaste lives were turning to the Church for help. The demand has resulted in Courage, a Catholic organisation dedicated to the pastoral care of homosexual people, spreading from a single chapter founded in New York in 1980 to more than 150 chapters worldwide, with increasing interest from dioceses around the world seeking to set up their own chapters. Each year, the group works with more than 2,000 people who experience same-sex attraction to conform their lives to the demands of the Gospel. “As the culture becomes PRUH VHFXODU ZH ÂżQG LQGLYLGXDOV in the culture making decisions for themselves to come and seek help,â€? Fr Bochanski told Catholic News Service (CNS) on Feb 2. Âł:H DUH QRW WU\LQJ WR Âż[ RU FXUH

Our primary work ‘ and concern is just to provide a welcome in a pastoral context.

’

– Fr Philip Bochanski, associate director of Courage International

anybody. We are just trying to walk with them.� Fr Bochanski, 42, spoke to CNS during a tour of four dioceses in England, Scotland and Ireland, where he had been invited to advise clergy on the pastoral care of gay people.

Fr Bochanski said many people who felt unhappy with their lifestyle often felt isolated and were “looking for a home�. As a result, “our Courage groups are growing�. “Since last summer, between 12 and 15 new chapters have been set up in [the United] States,� he said. “Also, the number of dioceses requesting programmes for their priests is growing.� “Our primary work and concern is just to provide a welcome in a pastoral context,� Fr Bochanski said. “For a person experiencing same-sex attraction who comes to the realisation that they need to live a chaste life, to do that in the world can be very lonely and overwhelming at times, and we try to accompany them through that and try to support them by listening, by sharing experiences and by giving spiritual direction and offering the sacraments.� Many of those who approached the Church were “hurting� or were wary of not being accepted by parishes, said Fr Bochanski. “It is the part of my ministry where I feel most fatherly,� he said. “To be asked to walk this path with them is a great privilege for me.� „ CNS

Pope’s document on family WR EH LVVXHG LQ 0DUFK RIĂ€FLDO VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on family life following last year’s synod on the family will be published in March, says Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the 9DWLFDQÂśV 3RQWLÂżFDO Council for the Family. In an interview with the Portuguese Catho- A session of the synod on the family. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR lic agency Ecclesia, Archbishop Paglia said that the open to wounded families who pope will release the document in need strength, that wants to be March 2016, and that it will “show close to the elderly, a love that the that the Church is close to families whole of humanity needs,â€? Archin all stages of their livesâ€?. bishop Paglia said. “I am convinced that the aposThe document is expected to tolic exhortation will be a hymn EH EDVHG RQ WKH ÂżQDO UHSRUW IURP to love, to a love that will care for the synod, which was released on the well-being of children, that is Oct 24 last year. „ CNA/ETN

12 WORLD

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Pope sends condolences after earthquake in Taiwan

Papal academy award: Young artists called to vie for cash prize CNS photo

TAINAN, TAIWAN – 3RSH )UDQFLV

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Rescuers search for survivors on Feb 7 after a building collapsed the previous morning during a magnitude-6.4 earthquake in Tainan, Taiwan. Pope Francis sent his condolences as the island prepared to celebrate Chinese New Year.

$W OHDVW WZR &DWKROLF FKXUFKHV ZHUH DPRQJ D QXPEHU RI UHOLJLRXV EXLOGLQJV UHSRUWHG GDPDJHG LQ KLVWRULF 7DLQDQ WKH ROGHVW FLW\ LQ 7DLZDQ „ CNS

The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the suffering ‘caused by the deadly earthquake which struck Tainan. ’

– A message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on behalf of the pope

VATICAN CITY – $ SRQWL¿FDO

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Papal commission on sex abuse SUHSDULQJ ÀQDO proposals

People venerate the body of St Padre Pio at the Vatican on Feb 6. The bodies of St Padre Pio and St Leopold Mandic were brought to Rome for the Year of Mercy. CNS photo

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VATICAN CITY – 7KH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RPPLVVLRQ IRU WKH 3URWHFWLRQ RI 0LQRUV UHOHDVHG D SUHVV UHOHDVH RQ )HE VD\LQJ LW ZDV SUHSDULQJ WKH ÂżQDO YHUVLRQ RI SURSRVDOV WR PDNH WR WKH SRSH LQFOXGLQJ ÂłD UHTXHVW IRU KLP WR UHPLQG DOO DXWKRULWLHV LQ WKH &KXUFK RI WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI UHVSRQGLQJ GLUHFWO\ WR YLFWLPV DQG VXUYLYRUV ZKR DSSURDFK them.â€? 0HPEHUV DOVR ZHUH ZRUNLQJ RQ D UHFRPPHQGDWLRQ IRU D XQLYHUVDO GD\ RI SUD\HU IRU DEXVH YLFWLPV DQG SUHSDULQJ PDWHULDOV IRU D VSHFLDO SHQLWHQWLDO OLWXUJ\ 7KH FRPPLVVLRQ DOVR LV GHYHORSLQJ D ZHEVLWH WR VKDUH EHVW SUDFWLFHV IRU SURWHFWLQJ PLQRUV DQG ÂłZRUNVKRSV RQ WKH OHJDO DVSHFWV RI WKH SURWHFWLRQ RI PLQRUV WR HVWDEOLVK PRUH WUDQVSDUHQF\ DURXQG FDQRQLFDO WULDOV´ DUH EHLQJ SODQQHG IRU ODWHU LQ WKH \HDU „ CNS

The commission also ‘ is developing a website to share best practices for protecting minors.

’

– A press release released by the papal commission

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

‘Make prophetic, courageous choices’ ... Religious urged at closing of Year of Consecrated Life at the Vatican VATICAN CITY – An encounter with Jesus changes people’s lives, and that should be especially noticeable in those who are consecrated completely to serving God, the Church and others, Pope Francis said. “One who has this encounter becomes a witness and makes the encounter possible for others, too,” he said during a Mass on Feb 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The celebration, held in St. Peter’s Basilica, was to mark the close of the Year of Consecrated Life. In the same way, whether living in a cloistered convent or travelling the world as a missionary, Pope Francis said, “consecrated men and women are called to be a concrete and prophetic sign of this closeness of God and of sharing with the fragile, sinful and wounded condition of people today”. Pope Francis, a Jesuit, spoke as one of the consecrated people, telling the congregation that as Christians and as Religious “we are guardians of awe”. The experience of an encoun-

ter with Jesus constantly must be renewed, he said. One’s spiritual life must never be simply routine, the mission and charisms of an order must never be “crystallised into abstract doctrine” and the spiritual insights of the order’s founder “are not to be sealed in a bottle. They aren’t museum pieces.” “Our founders were moved by the Spirit and weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty” as they ministered in Jesus’ name to real people living real lives, the pope said. “They didn’t stop in the face of obstacles or when others misunderstood them because they preserved in their hearts the awe of having encountered Christ.” “They did not domesticate the grace of the Gospel,” he said, but lived with an “all-consuming desire to share it with others.” “We, too, are called today to make prophetic and courageous choices,” the pope said. In that way, “others will be attracted to the light and can encounter the Father’s mercy.” CNS

Religious attend a Mass with Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica on Feb 2. CNS photo

Our founders ‘ were moved by the Spirit and weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.’

– Pope Francis

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Church must respect, dialogue with China, pope says in interview VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church must respect “with a capiWDO Âľ5ϫ &KLQDÂśV ULFK WUDGLWLRQDO FXOWXUH DQG ÂłDJH ROG´ ZLVGRP Pope Francis said. Dialogue between China and the rest of the world, including the Church, is necessary because it is the only way to achieve peace, he said. “Dialogue does not mean that we end up with a compromise, half the cake for you and the RWKHU KDOI IRU PH ´ “No, dialogue means, ‘Look, ZH KDYH JRW WR WKLV SRLQW , PD\ or may not agree, but let us walk together.’ This is what it means to EXLOG ´ KH VDLG LQ D OHQJWK\ LQWHUview with Asia Times. The interview, published online in English on Feb 2, took place at the Vatican on Jan 28 with )UDQFHVFR 6LVFL D ORQJWLPH ,WDOLDQ correspondent based in China and senior researcher at China’s Renmin University. The pope also included “my best wishes and greetings to President Xi Jinping and to all the &KLQHVH SHRSOH´ IRU &KLQHVH 1HZ <HDU Âł, ZLVK WR H[SUHVV P\ KRSH that they never lose their historical awareness of being a great people, with a great history of wisdom, and that they have much to offer WR WKH ZRUOG ´ WKH SRSH VDLG ,Q WKH KRXU ORQJ LQWHUYLHZ WKH

Choir members sing carols during Christmas Eve Mass at a Catholic church in Shenyang, China. Dialogue between China and the rest of the world, including the Church, is necessary because it is the only way to achieve peace, said Pope Francis. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

pope said he has admired China ever since he was a boy and sees it as “a reference point of greatQHVV´ DV D FRXQWU\ DQG FXOWXUH ÂłZLWK LQH[KDXVWLEOH ZLVGRP´ ,Q IDFW KH VDLG KH EHFDPH “very emotional, something that GRHV QRW XVXDOO\ KDSSHQ WR PH ´ when he was told they were about WR Ă€\ RYHU &KLQHVH DLUVSDFH DQG sent a papal greeting by telegram WR 3UHVLGHQW ;L RQ WKH Ă€LJKW IURP Rome to South Korea in 2014.

He said Jesuit Fr Matteo Ricci, the 16th-century missionary to China, showed the Church that “it is necessary to enter into dialogue ZLWK &KLQD´ EHFDXVH RI LWV ZHDOWK of wisdom and history – as “a land EOHVVHG ZLWK PDQ\ WKLQJV´ “The Catholic Church, one of whose duties is to respect all civilisations, before this civilisaWLRQ , ZRXOG VD\ KDV WKH GXW\ WR respect it with a capital ‘R.’ The Church has great potential to

UHFHLYH FXOWXUH ´ WKH SRSH VDLG However, when asked about the one-child policy that was introduced in China in 1980, the pope said the impact of that policy, especially on the single child who must care for many elderly UHODWLYHV ZDV QRW ÂłQDWXUDO´ “The problem for China of not having children must be very painful, because the pyramid is then inverted, and a child has to bear the burden of his father, mother, grandfather and grandmother. And this is H[KDXVWLQJ GHPDQGLQJ GLVRULHQWDWLQJ ,W LV QRW WKH QDWXUDO ZD\ ´ China recently passed a two-child policy, and Sisci said families in China still face huge challenges by not having the tra-

ditional model of the family that H[LVWHG EHIRUH VWDWH HQIRUFHG SRSulation control programmes. When asked how families should face these challenges, especially during the Year of Mercy, the pope said it was important not sink into the status quo but to understand the past and keep moving forward. Otherwise, he said, “if one gets tired and stops, one FDQ EHFRPH ELWWHU DQG FRUUXSW ´ ,W LV RQO\ E\ EHFRPLQJ UHFRQciled with one’s past and errors can one grow and mature, he said. When asked about how to face the challenges brought by China’s H[SORVLYH HFRQRPLF JURZWK VXFK as environmental disasters and harm to families, the pope said facing reality and talking about it ZHUH WKH RQO\ ZD\V WR ÂżQG SRVVLble solutions. He also said China should not be afraid of dialogue and encounter with the rest of the world, and vice versa. All of China’s cultural, technical and even “age-old medicinal techniques cannot remain enclosed within a country; they tend WR H[SDQG WR VSUHDG WR FRPPXQLcate. Man tends to communicate, a civilisation tends to communiFDWH ,W LV HYLGHQW WKDW ZKHQ FRPmunication happens in an aggressive tone to defend oneself, then ZDUV UHVXOW ´ KH VDLG “The Western world, the Eastern world and China all have the capacity to maintain the balance of peace and the strength to do VR :H PXVW ÂżQG WKH ZD\ DOZD\V WKURXJK GLDORJXH ´ KH VDLG „ CNS

The Catholic Church, one of whose ‘duties is to respect all civilisations... I would say, has the duty to respect [Chinese civilisation] with a capital ‘R.’

’

– Pope Francis in an interview with Asia Times

Pope won’t be starring in movie: Vatican VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will

not be an actor in a proposed movie based on the Gospels, a Vatican spokesman said. While details about how the pope may or may not be involved in the movie project are not yet known, it was clear the pope was not an actor and would not have DQ DFWLQJ UROH DV FODLPHG E\ D ÂżOP production company, the spokesman said on Feb 2. A Los Angeles-based entertainment publicity and marketing ÂżUP VDLG LQ D SUHVV UHOHDVH RQ )HE 1 that the pope would be “playing KLPVHOI LQ WKH IDPLO\ ÂżOP %H\RQG WKH 6XQ IURP $0%, 3LFWXUHV´ 0V 0RQLND %DFDUGL $0%, Pictures co-founder, was quoted

in the press release as saying, “We appreciate Pope Francis’ permisVLRQ WR ÂżOP KLP DQG XVH KLV LPDJH LQ RXU PRYLH ´ The press release included undated photos of the pope meeting at the Vatican with the other $0%, 3LFWXUHV FR IRXQGHU 0U $QGUHD ,HUYROLQR 7KH ÂżOP ZKLFK ZDV VHW WR EHgin production this year, aims to help children “learn and incorpoUDWH -HVXVÂś SDUDEOHV´ E\ SRUWUD\LQJ children from different cultures searching for Jesus in the world around them, the press release said. $OO SURÂżWV IURP WKH ÂżOP ZHUH to go to two charities in Argentina, which help young adults and vulnerable children. „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Serving the sick can be opportunity for interfaith understanding VATICAN CITY – Praying for a

loved one’s health and healing, tenderly caring for them and asking very human questions about why people suffer are experiences Christians, Muslims and Jews all share, Pope Francis said. In his message for the World Day of the Sick, celebrated on Feb 11, the pope expressed his hope that the day of prayer – and the entire Year of Mercy – would promote an encounter of people of different religions and lead to greater understanding among them. “Every hospital and nursing home can be a visible sign and setting in which to promote the culture of encounter and peace, where the experience of illness and suffering, along with professional and fraternal assistance, helps to overcome every limitation and division,â€? the pope wrote in his message. The main Catholic celebration of the World Day of the Sick 2016 was scheduled for Nazareth, a city in Israel with a large Muslim and Christian population. With the Holy Land hosting the celebration, Pope Francis chose the Gospel account of the wedding feast at Cana as the biblical inspiration for his message, which looked at Mary’s concern for the wedding guests, the servDQWVÂś ZLOOLQJQHVV WR ÂżOO MDUV RI ZDter and Jesus’ turning the water into wine. “In Mary’s concern, we see UHĂ€HFWHG WKH WHQGHUQHVV RI *RG This same tenderness is present in the lives of all those persons who attend the sick and understand their needs, even the most imperceptible ones, because they look upon them with eyes full of love.

Heal family feuds in Year of Mercy: pope VATICAN CITY – Let the Year

PHUF\ ORRNLQJ VSHFLÂżFDOO\ of Mercy be the time to end all at how God has always been family feuds, to forgive each faithful and merciful towards other and let bygones be by- his people. gones, Pope Francis said. God never ignored the Isra“I think about so many elites’ cry of suffering and he brothers and sent Moses as a sisters who are “mediatorâ€? on I think about so estranged from his behalf to free their families; many brothers and his people and they don’t speak lead them to salsisters who are to each other,â€? vation, the pope estranged from he said during said. his weekly gen“We can do their families; eral audience in this work, too, they don’t speak during this Year St Peter’s Square on Jan 27. of Mercy, of beto each other. “This Year of ing mediators – Francis Mercy is a good of mercy with occasion to meet up again, to works of mercyâ€? that bring embrace each other and forgive people together, foster unity each other, to leave bad things and offer people comfort and behind,â€? he said. relief, he said. The pope continued a seThere are “so many good ries of talks dedicated to divine things people can do.â€? „ CNS

‘

’

A nun comforts a patient in a hospital in Wau, South Sudan. Pope Francis, in his message for the World Day of the Sick, said illness and suffering are experiences that all people share, regardless of religion. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

“How many times has a mother at the bedside of her sick child, or a child caring for an elderly parent, or a grandchild concerned for a grandparent, placed his or her prayer in the hands of Our Lady,â€? the pope wrote. When one is sick, especially ZKHQ RQH LV VHULRXVO\ LOO ÂłRXU ÂżUVW response may at times be one of rebellion: Why has this happened to me? We can feel desperate, thinking that all is lost, that things no longer have meaning.â€? But even when one’s faith in

Every hospital and ‘ nursing home can be a ... setting in which to promote the culture of encounter and peace.

’

– Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of the Sick

God is tested, he said, faith gives people the strength to trust in God’s mercy and “to see how illness can be the way to draw nearer to Jesus who walks at our side, weighed down by the cross�. Pope Francis prayed that God would grant Catholics the same readiness to serve those in need that Mary showed at the wedding in Cana, especially when those in need are sick. “At times this service can be tiring and burdensome,� the pope said, “yet we are certain that the Lord will surely turn our human efforts into something divine. We too can be hands, arms and hearts which help God to perform His miracles, so often hidden.� „ CNS The pope’s full message is at http:// w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/ en/messages/sick/documents/papafrancesco_20150915_giornata-malato.html

16 OPINION

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

The kiss of God on the soul

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg Facebook: www.facebook.com/catholicnews MANAGING EDITOR: Father Richards Ambrose: UD#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: FKULVWRSKHU NKRR#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Jared Ng: MDUHG QJ#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: FQHGLW#FDWKROLF RUJ VJ

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:K\ 6W 6WHSKHQ LV ÀUVW PDUW\U QRW +RO\ ,QQRFHQWV Q: The Holy Innocents were killed soon after Jesus’ birth. May I know why is St Stephen UHJDUGHG DV WKH ¿UVW PDUW\U LQstead of the Holy Innocents?

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St Stephen the Martyr is seen in this mural in the Vatican. CNS photo

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'R \RX KDYH D EXUQLQJ question on the faith? Questions on the Faith is a new column for you to have your questions answered by authorities on various topics. Just email your question to cnedit@catholic.org.sg, and include your full name, address and contact number. All decisions on submissions rest with those answering the questions. Published submissions will be edited.

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FOCUS 17

Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

Kids’ questions to pope and his answers to be made into book VATICAN CITY – Children may

say the darnedest things, but when it comes to questions about faith they can make even the most learned parents and priests pause. “These are tough,” Pope Francis said when presented with questions from 30 children from around the world. Jesuit Fr Antonio Spadaro, who went through the questions with the pope, said half the time he personally was stumped when thinking about how he would have responded. But the pope wasn’t. The questions, illustrated with the drawings of the children aged 6-13, and the pope’s answers will be published on March 1 in a book titled Dear Pope Francis. “What did God do before the world was made?” one child asked. “Do bad people have a guardian angel too?” asked another. In the book, coordinated and published by the US-based Loyola

Francis and recorded his answers. Fr Spadaro read the letters out loud to the pope in Italian, but the pope also scrutinised the drawings, the priest said. The pope commented on the scenes and colours and often had a good laugh over the way the kids drew him. The questions stayed with the pope, who later referred to some of them in speeches and homilies, said Fr Spadaro. The priest heads La Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit journal on philosophy, theology, literary criticism and political theory. He has never worked with young children and said he was in awe of how the pope handled the questions – taking them seriously and responding to them honestly and clearly. Some of the pope’s answers, he said, are “inspired.” On how the book came about, Fr Spadaro said that at the request of Loyola Press, he asked Pope

One of the drawings by children aged 6-13.

Cover of the book, Dear Pope Francis.

Press, Pope Francis responds to these and 28 other queries. Some of the questions are theological, others are practical and a few are about the pope personally, including what he wanted to be when he grew up. To the question about what God was doing before creation, the heart of the pope’s answer is, “Think of it this way: Before creating anything, God loved. That’s what God was doing: God was loving.” Questions about Jesus, war and peace and about heaven also are included. Some of the personal questions made Pope Francis laugh and his answers to these questions made Fr Spadaro laugh too, said the Jesuit priest. The pope admits in the book that when he was small he wanted to be a butcher because the butcher his grandmother bought meat from had an apron with a big pocket that seemed to be full of money. The children’s questions are “simple, but not silly,” said Fr Spadaro, who discussed them with Pope

Francis last May if he would be willing to do the book. Fr Spadaro had conducted a major interview with Pope Francis in 2013. “The pope said yes immediately and with enthusiasm,” Fr Spadaro said. Loyola Press then reached out to dozens of Jesuits and collaborators around the globe, asking them to solicit questions and drawings from children. Sometimes Loyola had to ship off crayons, markers and paper because the children had none. In the end, 259 children in 26 countries submitted questions. The big batch of letters are in 14 languages and come from children in wealthy cities, poor rural areas and even refugee centres. Choosing which letters the pope would answer in the book was done with input from the children, parents, grandparents, teachers and Jesuits, Fr Spadaro said. CNS

‘What did

God do before the world was made?’

‘Do bad

people have a guardian angel too?’ Pope Francis is seen reading letters from children in 2015. Some of the letters will be published in the book, Dear Pope Francis, in March. CNS photos

– Some of the questions from children around the world

18 LENTEN FEATURE

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

Lent: A commitment to merciful hearts By Mike Nelson As we Catholics are well aware, /HQW LV D VHDVRQ RI VDFULÂżFH DQG good works. And in some minds perhaps, a season of drudgery. Not because of the Lenten call WR VDFULÂżFH RU ÂłJLYH XS´ VRPHthing, although I would guess not many of us relish going without something we like for six weeks. The drudgery comes from believing that we do the same-old, same-old, year after year: fasting on Ash Wednesday, no meat on Fridays, Sunday readings we hear every three years, purple everywhere. The reality, though, is that we are not doing the same thing – not, that is, if we are truly people of faith. People of faith know they are not the same people this year that they were last year or three years ago. Let’s take, as an example, excerpts from the liturgical readings for Wednesday of the fourth week of Lent, this year on March 9. They include: „ From the Psalms: “The Lord is gracious and merciful ‌ good to all and compassionate towards all his worksâ€? (Ps 145:8-9). „ And from the Gospel: “Whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to lifeâ€? (Jn 5:24). These are inspiring messages of hope – as they should be, for Lent leads us to Easter, the season of new hope and new life.

Children are seen eating food provided by a global child hunger charity in Malawi. Performing Charitable acts during Lent is one way to be renewed in the faith. It is also important to continue such acts throughout the year. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

But now let’s think about our lives during the fourth week of Lent in recent years – and how we received the word of God on that day. „ March 18, 2015: The Bardo National Museum in Tunisia was attacked by gunmen who killed more than 20 and wounded 50, almost all of them tourists.

„ April 2, 2014: A soldier at Fort Hood in Texas shot and killed four people before killing himself. „ March 13, 2013: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected to the papacy. They were different events, inspiring different feelings in each

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of us (to say nothing of the personal changes in our lives). Yet, we can look at these changes and still say to ourselves, “Well, that’s the way of the world, events beyond my control. I see what happens, I think about it, I move on with my life. Same-old, same-old.â€? That suggests an attitude of complacency, indifference and VHOI VXIÂżFLHQF\ Âą VRPHWKLQJ 3RSH Francis addressed rather pointedly in his Lenten message of 2015. “Usually,â€? the pope said,

A time to truly change for the better By Raymond Langford Lent is not a bright or festive season. The warmth and joy of Christmas has passed and the promise of Easter is just beyond the horizon. This sombre period is, however, a necessary component of our spiritual journey. Often described as a VHDVRQ RI UHÀHFWLRQ RU SHQLWHQFH it’s awkward and uncomfortable. The self-examination we engage in may call us to make changes or take on challenges we’d prefer to avoid. 2U PD\EH ZH ¿QG QR LPPHGLate answers to our nagging doubts and questions. Either way, it’s likely to be messy. Biblical rituals for penitence included, for example, sackcloth and ashes – not exactly

an image you’d care to share on Facebook. Still, many of us carry on a vestige of that tradition every year, marking Lent by giving up something we enjoy as a physical reminder such as chocolate or a weekly trip to the movies. But as Pope Francis wrote during Lent 2014, the point of a VDFULÂżFH KRZHYHU VPDOO LVQÂśW WKH VDFULÂżFH LWVHOI 7KH SRLQW LV ZKDW WKH VDFULÂżFH DFFRPSOLVKHV “By making Himself poor, Jesus did not seek poverty for its own sake but, as St Paul says, ‘that by his poverty you might become rich,’â€? Pope Francis wrote in his Lenten message that year. +H ODWHU DGGHG Âł/HQW LV D ÂżWting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we

“when we are healthy and comfortable, we forget about others – something God the Father never does. We are unconcerned with their problems, their sufferings and the injustices they endure. Our heart grows cold.â€? How do we confront it? Performing acts of charity is certainly a worthy activity during Lent, the pope suggested. But if the good works we do during Lent do not continue throughout the year, can we say that we have been truly renewed in our faith? Beyond good works done and VDFULÂżFHV PDGH GXULQJ RQH SHULRG of the year, Pope Francis suggests that we are called to be people with hearts of mercy – all the time. “A merciful heart does not mean a weak heart,â€? he added in that Lenten message, foretelling his declaration of the Year of Mercy. “Anyone who wishes to be merciful must have a strong and steadfast heart, closed to the tempter but open to God.â€? We can’t predict what will happen in our lives. But we can prepare merciful hearts by sacriÂżFLQJ Âą SHUPDQHQWO\ Âą RXU QHHG and desire to ridicule those with whom we disagree, to fear those we do not understand, to get even with those who cause us harm. That is the kind of commitment we need to keep – during Lent and beyond. „ CNS 1HOVRQ LV IRUPHU HGLWRU RI 7KH 7LGLQJV QHZVSDSHU RI WKH $UFKGLRFHVH RI /RV $QJHOHV

People participate in the Stations of the Cross. Catholics are called to engage in meaningful activities during Lent in preparation for Easter.

can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty.� So instead of giving up candy for 40 days, we might try adding an activity that’s more meaningful: remembering the people on our local parish prayer list in daily devotionals, helping prepare food for migrants and the homeless or visiting those who are housebound whom we seldom see. 2XU VDFUL¿FH LQ WKDW VFHQDULR is our time and energy. If Lent is a time to consider the elements

of our lives that leave us feeling separated from God and from our neighbours, such efforts symbolise an attempt to begin changing those things for the better. The cycle isn’t unique to Christianity. It plays out all around us. We see it in the lives of people such as Steve Jobs, who was forced out of the company he helped found, then returned a decade later to bring it back from the brink of irrelevancy, making Apple one of the best-known brands on the planet.

Similarly, the lesson of Lent becomes an association with being planted, like a seed, and putting down roots amid suffering, for a new life of Easter. It’s our fallow period, when like the earth on which we live, we lay the foundations and gather the energy necessary for the lifegiving work ahead. It’s the dark night, without which there is no morning. „ CNS Langford is a freelance writer. He lives in New York City.

FEATURE 19

Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

US priest celebrates Mass in blizzard By Joanne Fox SIOUX CITY, IOWA – US priest Fr

Patrick Behm, confessed to being overwhelmed by all the attention. “I’m just happy being a simple priest,” he insisted. That “simple priest” went viral on social media for celebrating Mass on Jan 23 in the snow on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Fr Behm was returning with others from the Diocese of Sioux City following the annual March for Life rally on Jan 22 in Washington, when Winter Storm Jonas hit the East Coast. The bus – and many other vehicles – had to stop on the turnpike because of an accident on the road. “We couldn’t go anywhere,” he told The Catholic Globe, Sioux City’s diocesan newspaper. “We were just biding our time and twiddling our thumbs.” A knock on the door of the bus changed it all for Fr Behm and about 500 others.

“It was Bill Dill from the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis who told us some people had constructed an altar out of the snow and would I want to celebrate Mass,” he said. “I was caught off guard.” Although there were about eight priests available to celebrate Mass, the honour of principal celebrant went to Fr Behm, “probably because I had my travel Mass kit,” he speculated. When all of the priests gathered to work out the particulars, Fr Behm asked who was preaching. “They all looked at me and said, ‘You are,’ but I hadn’t looked at the readings,” he said, referring to the day’s Gospel from Matthew. “Thankfully, Fr Shaun Haggerty of the Diocese of Sioux Falls (South

Fr Patrick Behm celebrating Mass on Jan 23 at an altar constructed of snow alongside the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He was returning from the annual March for Life rally on Jan 22 in Washington. CNS photo

Dakota) had, and said it would be easy to preach because the Gospel was about how everyone thought Jesus was crazy and they probably thought we were, too.” Distributing Communion to several hundred individuals was next on the to-do list for Fr Behm and reminiscent of another Gospel story. “I guess it was kind of like the ORDYHV DQG ¿VKHV EHFDXVH ZH GLG have to break up the hosts into small pieces,” he said. The inclement atmosphere did take a toll on Fr Behm, who attributed weathering the cold to

it came time to distribute Communion, ‘When I told the others my hands were too numb.’

– Fr Patrick Behm, who celebrated Mass in the snow with other priests

“many years of working in the frozen-food section at Hy-Vee [supermarket].” “I had my coat on under my alb and stole, but I had no chasuble,” he said. “When it came time to distribute Communion, I told the others my hands were too numb and they took that on.” Fr Behm recounted that the response to the 35-minute service, which started at noon, was gratifying. “Seeing that faithfulness and

that joy from everyone was very positive,” he said. “It certainly made the 22 hours of being stuck doable.” Fr Behm also stressed the reason behind that Mass was initially the reason for the trip – the March for Life to overturn the 1973 Supreme Court Roe v Wade decision, which legalised abortion. CNS Fox is managing editor of The Catholic Globe, newspaper of the Diocese of Sioux City.

20

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

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Q&A 1. Who led Jesus into the desert? 2. How many ways did the devil try to tempt Jesus?

Wordsearch: „ HUNGRY „ GLORY

„ TEMPT

„ HANDS

„ DEVIL

„ SERVE

„ WORLD

„ POWER

„ TRICK

„ BREAD

„ DESERT „ STONE

KIDS’ CLUB: Have you ever been tempted to do something you shouldn’t? If so, how did you keep from being tempted?

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test..

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PUZZLE: Unscramble the letters in each word to reveal a sentence from the New Testament that talks about temptation. (Hint: See Matthew 26:41)

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By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHAT’S ON 21

Sunday February 21, 2016 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS All WHAT’S ON submissions now require the completion of a form from the Archdiocese before the event can be publicised. For events with foreign speakers, please submit the necessary documentation for approval to the Chancery. For more information and to download the form, visit http://www.catholic. org.sg/chancery/announcementadvertisement-request/. Once forms have been submitted, kindly send us details of your event for publication at www. catholicnews.sg/whatson/ at least one month ahead of the publication date. JAN 13 TO MAR 23 ST PETER – CORNERSTONE OF CATHOLICISM A DVD-based programme presented by Dr Tim Gray. The story of St Peter begins with an ordinary act of trust, which would change the entire course of his life. Every Wednesday from 9.30am-11.30am. Venue: &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW DWWLF WK ÀRRU Cost: $45. Register; T: 82288220; E: hsbibleapostolate@gmail.com JAN 14 TO NOV 26 BRIDGING PROGRAMME A one-year catechetical programme for children aged 9 to 13 years who have missed, or not had formal catechesis, or who are seeking baptism. Sessions are conducted weekly at the Catholic $UFKGLRFHVFDQ (GXFDWLRQ &HQWUH &$(&

at 2 Highland Road, and the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at 31 Siglap Hill. Managed by the Catechetical 2IÂżFH 5HJLVWHU 7 (PLO\ E: emily@one.org.sg JAN 18 TO NOV 14 “THE ROAD TO EMMAUSâ€? BIBLE PROGRAMME A Bible programme for all. Designed to help break the Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word, to help apply its truths in our daily lives. A typical session includes praise and worship, group sharings, a wrap-up lecture and fellowship. Time: 7.45pm-10pm. Every Monday except on public holidays. Venue: Church of St Ignatius, level 2 St Ignatius Hall. For enquiries, E: henrythwu@gmail. com or raymond.thng37@gmail.com JAN 20 TO DEC 28 ART THERAPY OPEN STUDIO @ AGAPE VILLAGE Every Wednesday throughout the year. Time: 9.30am-12pm. Feeling down, lost and confused? Let your creative energy guide you to tap into your wisdom and expand your insights to your life. Come join us and let the healing qualities of art awaken you. Organised by Clarity Singapore, 7A Lor 8 Toa Payoh, #02-08. Fee $10 per session. Pre UHJLVWUDWLRQ UHTXLUHG 5HJLVWHU 7 E: registration@clarity-singapore.org JAN 20 TO MAY 25 LECTURE SERIES ON THE BOOK OF JOB Lectures to be held from 8pm-10pm on Jan 20, 27; Feb 3, 24; Mar 30 and every Wednesday in April and May. Come and learn how the Book of Job can enrich your life with God, especially in times of trial and suffering. Speaker: Prof Hannah Lim. Venue: Church of St Bernadette canteen. For enquiries and registration, E: StBernBAT@gmail.com

Catholics who love to worship God through singing. If interested; ( PWDWR\#JPDLO FRP 0DL 7DWR\ FEB 17 TO MAY 4 BIBLE STUDY BOOK OF EXODUS Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of St Francis Xavier, SFX room, parish centre. 12 Wednesday sessions conducted by Msgr Ambrose Vaz. Register; E: maisielee21@ JPDLO FRP 0DLVLH /LP URQOHH#OXFDV FRP VJ 5RQ /HH

FEB 20 HOW TO LIVE OUT THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY? Speaker: Fr Stephen Yim. Time: 2pm. Come and understand the meaning of the Year of Mercy, what are plenary indulgences and being a herald of mercy. For registration; E: sacredheartchurch@ FDWKROLF RUJ VJ 7 RIÂżFH KRXUV RQO\ 1RWH 7KLV LV D UHSHDW RI WKH talk held on Jan 15. FEB 20 TO APRIL 9 “WHAT IS CHRISTIAN MISSION?â€? TALKS Join us on Feb 20 and 27; Mar 12 and April 2 and 9 to learn about the Trinitarian nature of mission – the thrust of the very heart of Christian life – and how we can do so in a dynamic way. All sessions held at the Catholic Centre. Time: 10am-12pm. Organised by Caritas Humanitarian Aid 5HOLHI ,QLWLDWLYHV 6LQJDSRUH &+$5,6 )RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ 7 E: victoria@charis-singapore.org FEB 23 TO MAY 17 SYMBOLON (DVD) AND LIVE PRESENTATIONS Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm. Dr Tan Sri and his team from the Augustine Institute present the foundation and fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith using the Creed as a guide. There will also be presentations on related topics. Organised by the Bible Apostolate Team at Church of the Holy 6SLULW DWWLF OHYHO &RVW 5HJLVWHU 7 /RXLVD

FEB 27 TO MARCH 6 ANGELICO ART AWARD EXHIBITION 2016 An exhibition of paintings by artists UHĂ€HFWLQJ WKHLU VSLULWXDO MRXUQH\V 7KH Angelico Art Award aspires to promote local Christian art expressions.Weekdays: 4.30pm-9.30pm. Weekends: 10am-10pm. Venue: Triple. Two Artspace 222 Queen Street #02-23 S188550. For enquiries; 7 5D\PRQG ( DGPLQ#FEQ VJ : KWWS ZZZ DQJHOLFRDUW FRP MARCH 12 AND 13 MILESTONES: STAGES OF LIFE IN THE LIGHT OF MEDITATION Fr Laurence Freeman will discuss the milestones in life: childhood, adulthood, old age and death as stages of maturing in the Christian faith in the light of meditation. Time: 9am-5pm. Cost $80. Venue: Catholic Junior College. Organised by The World Community IRU &KULVWLDQ 0HGLWDWLRQ :&&0 5HJLVWHU E\ )HE : ZZZ JHYPH FRP milestones; E: cecilie.dee@gmail.com; 7 &HFLOLH

SUNSET MASS ON EVERY 2ND AND 4TH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH The St Francis Xavier choir of St Ignatius &KXUFK .LQJÂśV 5RDG LV ORRNLQJ for singers and pianists. The group is composed predominantly of Filipino

RCIA/RCIY

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NOV 1 TO DEC 25 2016 CALLING YOUTHS TO JOIN OUR CATHOLIC FAMILY! The RCIY team is welcoming non-Catholics, aged between 14 and 24 years old, to join us on a journey to know about the Catholic faith from November 1. Venue: Church of Christ the King. Sessions will take place RQ 6XQGD\V DW SP 5HJLVWHU 7 5DQG\ 7 %HUQDGHWWH

DEC 3 TO MAY 11 2017 RCIA NEW JOURNEY “COME AND SEE�. Every Thursday evening from 7.45pm-9.30pm at Church of St Michael, St Michael’s room (level WZR 5HJLVWHU ( VWPLNH#VLQJQHW FRP VJ

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www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

MARCH 31 TO APRIL 3 PRAYER EXPERIENCE RETREAT @ CSC A four-day stay-in retreat designed to help individuals build up their prayer life and deepen their prayer experience. It is especially recommended for those who attended the Conversion Experience Retreat. Organised by the &DWKROLF 6SLULWXDOLW\ &HQWUH 8SSHU 6HUDQJRRQ 5RDG 6 5HJLVWUDWLRQ opens on Feb 19, and closes on Mar 11. )RU HQTXLULHV 7 : KWWS ZZZ FVFWU QHW

A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors.

Crossword Puzzle 1153

FEB 17 TO JAN 18 2017 RCIA@CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Time: 8pm-10pm. Venue: Church of Christ the King 2221 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8, RCIA Room 105. Register; E: query.rcia@gmail. FRP 7 *ZHQ /LP

APRIL 3 TO 4 JUNE 2017 NEW RCIA JOURNEY A new RCIA journey will begin April this year and thereafter every Sunday at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, 9HUELVW KDOO OHYHO 7LPH SP SP Please register your name or names of those who are interested in the Catholic faith. Registration forms are available at the Secretariat or RCIA ministry. W: ZZZ ROSV VJ 7 &KULVWLQD

ACROSS 1 Catholic vaudevillian, Gracie ___ 6RPH &(2V 10 Alphabet string 14 Large deer 15 Nice month 'UDIW SLFNV 17 Heavy footwear 18 Going well 19 Light melody 20 Mercy Sisters letters 21 Short nail

23 Catholic artist Picasso $IÂżUPDWLYHV 0DQ\ WLPHV 29 ___ of the Covenant 30 Priest and founder of Boys Town, Fr. Edward J. ___ 34 Plans that are cut short? 37 They have their “earsâ€? on 38 Mathematician Lovelace 39 John Paul II’s “On Human ___â€?

IN MEMORIAM

“Safe in Jesus’ Arms� Eleventh Anniversary In loving memory of

ERIC TAN CHUN KWAN Departed: Feb 24, 2005 Among the many gifts we have received from God, we are most thankful for you. Our fondest memories of you will always remain in our hearts. Always cherished by family and loved ones..

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Dear St Jude, thank you for prayer answered, You are truly rich in miracles and have never failed to come to my assistance. Amen Aida In memoriam rates Minimum $65 for an insertion not exceeding an eight-centimetre column. Additional space: $6.50 per one-centimetre column. &ODVVLÂżHG DGYHUWLVHPHQW UDWHV 0LQLPXP 6 IRU WKH ÂżUVW ZRUGV $GGLWLRQDO ZRUGV D ZRUG

40 Men 41 Emperor of Russia $OLDV DEEU

43 An apostle 44 Sordid 45 Attacks 47 “___ company corrupts good morals.� (1 Cor

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58 Turnabout, familiarly 59 Cyberzine +LJKHVW SRLQW LQ Sicily 0DJQD BBB (Runnymede GRFXPHQW

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Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1152 F A L D A

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N E O N K E Y S E M E R Y

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

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Sunday February 21, 2016 CatholicNews

PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC NEWS, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMES PRINTERS PRIVATE LIMITED, 16 TUAS AVENUE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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