JUNE 29, 2014, Vol64, No13

Page 1

SUNDAY JUNE 29, 2014

SINGAPORE 50 CENTS / WEST MALAYSIA RM$1.20

MCI (P) 081/08/2013

PPS 201/04/2013 (022940)

VOL 64

NO. 13

INSIDE HOME Charities Week collection VATICAN CITY – Praying for peace in the Holy Land alongside leaders of long-antagonistic nations, Pope Francis called on God to act where human efforts had failed, to end what he described as violence inspired by the devil. “More than once we have been on the verge of peace, but the evil one, employing a variety of means, has succeeded in blocking it,â€? the pope said on June 8 at an evening ceremony in the Vatican Gardens. “That is why we are here, because we know and we believe that we need the help of God.â€? The pope addressed his remarks to Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during an “invocation for peaceâ€? for the Holy Land. He had invited them to the Vatican for this during his visit to the region two weeks earlier. “I was young, now I am old. I experienced war, I tasted peace,â€? Mr Peres said in an English portion of his statement. “Never will I forget the bereaved families, parents and children, who paid the cost of war. And all my life I shall never stop to act for peace for the generations to come. Let’s all of us join hands and make it happen.â€? $FFRUGLQJ WR DQ RIÂżFLDO WUDQVlation of Mr Abbas’ prepared Arabic text, the Palestinian president said: “We want peace for us and for our neighbours. We seek prosperity and peace of mind for ourselves and for others alike.â€? The event, at which Christians, Muslims and Jews prayed in each other’s presence, was alPRVW FHUWDLQO\ WKH ÂżUVW RI LWV NLQG at the Vatican, according to Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, director of WKH +RO\ 6HH 3UHVV 2IÂżFH The starting time of 7 pm had been chosen in part to avoid the midday heat, yet temperatures were still high less than an hour

About $5.6 million raised „ Page 2

JY Pillay appointed to Vatican agency Shares his thoughts on his role „ Page 7

Girls shave their locks for cause SJI Independent students aid cancer sufferers „ Page 8

ASIA Cardinal marches for democracy Protests against China’s control over HK „ Page 10 Pope Francis looks on as Israeli President Shimon Peres (left) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas embrace during an invocation for peace in the Vatican Gardens. CNS photo

The event, at which Christians, Muslims and Jews prayed in each other’s presence, ZDV DOPRVW FHUWDLQO\ WKH ÂżUVW RI LWV NLQG DW WKH 9DWLFDQ VDLG WKH +RO\ 6HH 3UHVV 2IÂżFH earlier, when Mr Peres arrived by car at the Vatican guesthouse, where the pope lives. Mr Abbas arrived at 6.30 pm, and 15 minutes later the two presidents embraced in the presence of the pope. “Nice to see you,â€? the two presidents told each other in English. Joining the group was Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

of Constantinople, whom Fr Lombardi had described as one of the event’s “four protagonistsâ€?, and Franciscan Fr Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the custos or coordinator of the reception of pilgrims to the Christian sites in the Holy Land, and principal coordinator of the event. 7KH ÂżYH PHQ URGH WRJHWKHU LQ a white minivan the short distance to the site of the ceremony, a tri-

angular swathe of lawn walled off by tall hedges along two sides. The setting had been chosen, according to Fr Lombardi, because of its “neutral� appearance, lacking in religious imagery. Pope Francis and the two presidents sat at the corner of the triangle where the two hedges met. Members of the Palestinian and Israeli delegations and guests of Pope Francis read a selection of Jewish, Christian and Muslim prayers, in order of their religions’ historical precedence. Each set of prayers praised God for creation, begged forgiveness of sins and asked for peace in the Holy Land. „ Continued on Page 16

POPE FRANCIS Pontiff gives another wideranging interview Speaks on world economy, extremism, personal safety „ Page 16

JUBILARIANS Honouring priests and Religious marking their milestone anniversaries „ Page 20-22


2 HOME

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

$5.6m for Charities Week Even with many fundraising projects in parishes and in the wider Catholic community, Catholics in Singapore continued to give generously for Charities Week 2014, topping donations collected last year. According to Caritas Singapore, which organises the annual archdiocesan fundraising campaign, contributions this year totalled $5,585,771. This money will help the less fortunate. Said Caritas Singapore’s executive director, Ms Bernadette Lau: “Catholics continue to be generous in their giving. Despite the many fundraising activities in

the Catholic community, ChariWLHV :HHN FRQWLQXHV WR EHQHÂżW from their support. “This year, we raised slightly over $5.5 million in Charities :HHN ZKLFK LV ÂżYH SHU FHQW PRUH than what was raised last year. We want to thank our fellow Catholics for their generosity and support.â€? Charities Week provides much needed funding to the 23 Catholic charities and organisations under the umbrella of Caritas Singapore, the social mission arm of the Catholic Church in Singapore. These groups, which serve PRUH WKDQ EHQHÂżFLDULHV

in total, include Catholic Welfare Services, Family Life Society, Catholic AIDS Response Effort, Morning Star Community Services, Roman Catholic Prison Ministry and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. Caritas Singapore says that even as Charities Week 2014 draws to a close for this year, donations are still welcomed throughout the year. Those who would like to donate can make a cheque payable to “Caritas Singapore� and mail it to 55 Waterloo Street #08-01, Singapore 187954. „

Coming up: Archbishop’s Cup Catholics are invited to support altar servers from 14 parishes who will be participating in the upcoming Archbishop’s Cup. The annual football tournament, organised for the altar servers of the Singapore archdiocese, will be held at SAFRA 7DPSLQHVœ IXWVDO ¿HOGV RQ -XQH 28. Thirty-six teams, with participants ranging in age from nine to 18, will take part in three age categories – 13 and under, 16 and under, and 19 and under.

The annual event aims to bond young Catholics from various churches, enhance team

building through the competitive nature of the tournament, as well as promote an active lifestyle. This year, the Altar Server’s Societies of the East District, namely Church of the Holy Family, Church of Divine Mercy, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, will co-host the Archbishop’s Cup 2014. The event will last from 9 am-6 pm. „


HOME 3

Sunday June 29, 2014 CatholicNews

Bible stories come alive for religious educators Teachers, catechists and parent volunteers who took part in a religious education programme recently gave it the thumbs up. “I learnt methods of making Bible stories come alive, giving students the opportunity to actively participate,” said Mr Anthony Xavier, a parent volunteer at St Stephen’s and St Patrick’s schools. Ms Yvone Yagappan from St Francis Xavier Kindergarten commented, “It was entertaining, spiritual, and has put me and others on µ¿UH¶ WR JR DQG GR WKH VDPH LQ RXU school!” Mr Xavier and Ms Yagappan were among the 40 participants who attended the June 2-5 programme called REAP (Religious Education Access Programme), organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS). REAP connects art, drama, music and literature with religious education. It aims to equip teachers and catechists to engage children in a creative learning journey

about the Bible and Church teachings. $ ¿YH PHPEHU WHDP RI VHQLRU religious education trainers from the Brisbane Catholic Education 2I¿FH %&(2 LQ $XVWUDOLD IDFLOLtated the programme, which was held at the Church of the Nativity Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Learning to pray using an application.

Participants of the Religious Education Access Programme use pictures to learn how the different Gospels contain different perspectives.

Over the four days, participants immersed themselves in activities which saw them prayerfully meditate on the stories of the bible. One parent volunteer, Ms Lisa Ho from SJI Junior, commented that she enjoyed one segment called the Labyrinth Activity. “It is useful to teach kids that the path to a goal is not always straight,” she said. “We can get ORVW DQG ¿QG RXU ZD\ DURXQG DQG get back on track.” Ms Catherine Ong, a catechist from the Church of St Ignatius, shared: “From REAP, I have once again been touched by how rich

and beautiful our Catholic faith is, and I am very excited to share all that I have learnt with the children that I catechise.” Participants also welcomed the suggestion of forming social networking groups using applications such as WhatsApp or Facebook. A teacher exchange programme with the Brisbane &DWKROLF (GXFDWLRQ 2I¿FH LV scheduled for 2015. As a followup to the recent REAP programme, ACCS says it will facilitate regular workshops

and programmes for capacity building in religious education. These would be further sustained through social media platforms for educators across the various schools and parishes. REAP is part of the curriculum in Brisbane archdiocese to train teachers in religious education to give them a strong foundation in Church teaching, theology and liturgy. It was introduced to Singapore in 2012 through a collaboration between ACCS and BCEO.


4 HOME

Sunday June 29, 2014 CatholicNews

The crowd at the Pentecost Rally on June 7. Photos: MIRLANI BUDISETIA

Charismatics gather for annual Pentecost Rally By Vincent Especkerman Charismatic Catholics packed the Church of the Risen Christ on June 7 for a rousing Pentecost Rally and Mass. In his message for the rally, Redemptorist Fr Simon Pereira told the Charismatic communities from the various parishes and institutions that Christians need the Holy Spirit to breathe life into their work and ministries. Otherwise, they would just be like the “dry bones” mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, he said, during the celebration organised by the Singapore Archdiocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal (SACCRE). Archbishop William Goh, in his homily during the sunset

Mass, shared that his vision is to create a more dynamic and evangelical Catholic Church in Singapore. He stressed that “vision” is different from “ambition”, which is about personal achievement. Vision is about doing the work of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit, he said. Archbishop Goh, who concelebrated the Mass with SACCRE spiritual director Carmelite Fr Tom Curran and former SACCRE spiritual director Fr Pereira, noted that people nowadays are selfcentric. This results in the loss of values, such as a lack of respect for ecology, resorting to abortion when having a baby is seen as inconvenient, and to euthanasia

when the elderly are regarded as useless. Christians do not live only for the present; they live for eternity, so they have to offer a wider vision of life for the rest of humanity, said Archbishop Goh. He noted that people are looking for more authentic freedom which only the Holy Spirit can give. He said that Charismatics are doing a good job of creating a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit working in people. Mr Tony Tan, a Risen Christ parishioner, told CatholicNews he felt the joy and the power of the Holy Spirit at the rally. “I felt the Holy Spirit calling us to spread the joy of the salvation won for us by Christ Jesus,” he said.

Archbishop William Goh speaking at the Mass.

Redemptorist Fr Simon Pereira at the rally.


Sunday June 29, 2014 CatholicNews

ADVERTISEMENT

5


6 HOME

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Serving typhoon-hit villagers By Eugene Siow A group of volunteers from an Opus Dei centre in Singapore spent more than a week installing solar and wind power systems for Philippine villagers affected by Typhoon Haiyan. From May 25-June 2, the group from the Ravenahl centre– comprising eight students and young professionals, two university lecturers, and a priest, Fr Jose Pedro Libano – took part in the social project in Tolosa, Philippines, as part of an annual effort to help the less fortunate. The town is less than 30 minutes away from Tacoloban, which was badly hit by the typhoon in November 2013. During their trip, the team installed seven solar power systems to villages, providing light and electricity to more than 20 homes. A hybrid wind turbine and solar system was installed in the local primary school to provide electricity and light to classrooms.

The team also put up two solar lamps outside the church, along an important path that many people take. After the typhoon, the supply of electricity in the town was lost and generators were used to provide electricity. However, prices were very high. The solar power systems provide a free alternative to these communities. The villagers, and especially WKH EHQHÂżFLDULHV FKHHUHG ZKHQ they turned on the light bulbs in the houses after the team installed the solar panels, batteries, electrical system and light bulbs, and sang praises to God. 2QH IDPLO\ WKDW EHQHÂżWHG IURP the electricity was rearing a pig, not for their own consumption but to be used as payment for medical bills when the pregnant wife delivered her baby. The team also interacted with the villagers including the children, who came to school to use WKH EDVNHWEDOO FRXUW DQG ÂżHOG HYHQ

Left: Volunteers from the Opus Dei-run Ravenahl centre in Singapore install a solarpowered light bulb for villagers in Tolosa, Philippines.

Below: A volunteer gives an English lesson to local children.

though it was the school holidays. Apparently, this was their only form of leisure during the day. At night, many of the children sit on the porches of their homes as most houses lack electricity. This social service project was done in cooperation with Project Enkindle, an NGO in the Philippines, which provides rehabilitation for typhoon-affected communities by providing renewable energy sources. Funds used to purchase the equipment for this project came from a foundation and other generous donors.

In previous years, volunteers from the Ravenahl centre had helped to build houses and

schools in rural areas in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and India. „


HOME 7

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

‘The Holy Spirit will surely guide us’ St Ignatius parishioner JY Pillay says he feels “some trepidationâ€? at being appointed to the Vatican’s ÂżQDQFLDO ZDWFKGRJ DJHQF\ “But as George Yeo says, the Holy Spirit will surely guide us,â€? said Mr Pillay, who is chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers and of Tiger Airways. The Vatican announced on June 5 that Mr Pillay, 80, was one of four people from various countries that Pope Francis had appointed as members of the VatiFDQÂśV ÂżQDQFLDO ZDWFKGRJ DJHQF\ The other members, who come from Italy, Switzerland and the US, replace the all-Italian team in the Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority. In an email interview with CatholicNews, Mr Pillay said former Singapore Cabinet minister George Yeo, who now serves on the Council of the Economy at the Vatican, “submitted my name after he had urged me to step forwardâ€?. “I’ve been told there will be four meetings a year,â€? said Mr Pillay, who was former chairman of Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Exchange.

Mr JY Pillay has been appointed as D PHPEHU RI WKH 9DWLFDQÂśV ÂżQDQFLDO watchdog agency. His name was submitted by former Cabinet minister George Yeo.

“I have not been advised when WKH ÂżUVW PHHWLQJ RI WKH QHZ ERDUG will be.â€? Pope Benedict XVI established the Financial Intelligence Authority in late 2010 to monitor 9DWLFDQ ÂżQDQFLDO RSHUDWLRQV DQG ensure they meet international norms against money laundering DQG WKH ÂżQDQFLQJ RI WHUURULVP In November 2013, Pope Fran-

cis revised the agency’s statutes. 1HZ ÂżQDQFH ODZV SDVVHG LQ October also formally expanded the competence of the Financial Intelligence Authority by including the task of “preventiveâ€? vigilance, which involves ensuring the proper organisation and trustworthiness of DOO 9DWLFDQ ÂżQDQFLDO RSHUDWLRQV The other new members in the 9DWLFDQ DJHQF\ QDPHG IRU D ÂżYH year term, are Mr Juan C Zarate, a US senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and visiting lecturer at Harvard Law School; Ms Maria Bianca Farina, a top Italian administrator at the Italian postal system’s investment and insurance divisions; and Mr Marc Odendall, a Swiss-based philanthropist and chairman of the Odendall Foundation. The pope also approved the decision by the Vatican secretary of state to promote Mr Tommaso Di Ruzza an Italian, to be vicedirector “ad interimâ€? of the Financial Information Authority. Mr Di Ruzza was previously study assistant at the agency. „ CNS Reporting by CLARA LAI

St Anthony youth revive age-old tradition Young Catholics from the Church of Saint Anthony celebrated the Easter season by taking a trip back in time to medieval Europe where the game of “handballâ€? was traditionally played during this season. Pallamano, which means “handballâ€? in Italian, was a favourite Easter sport most commonly played in France and Germany. “The ball represents the sun,â€? explained Bernice Wong, 19, one of the organisers of the event. “It was believed to take three leaps in rising on Easter morning. Tossing the ball upwards represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ.â€? About 40 young people took part in this sporting activity at Woodlands Waterfront on May 24. It allowed them to have fun, and at the same time, foster camaUDGHULH DPRQJ HDFK RWKHU 0RGLÂżcations to the games were added, such as shouting “Alleluia!â€? or any form of praise to God when passing the ball. The participants also laid out their picnic mats, read Scripture, shared and sang hymns and songs. Âł7KH UHĂ€HFWLRQV DQG VKDULQJ were meaningful,â€? said Nicholas Chen, 13, adding that he made new friends through this activity. Another participant Therese Tay, 15, said, “We all had a great time! I also got to know the other youths in my community better.â€? Gabriel Lee, 17, one of the organisers, felt that this tradition ZDV GHÂżQLWHO\ ZRUWK UHYLYLQJ DQG that “it was truly an out of the ordinary way to share the Easter joy

Young Catholics play pallamano or ‘handball’, a favourite Easter sport in medieval Europe.

and also to bond with the fellow youths in the community�. Easter is a season of joy and

celebration lasting for 50 days until Pentecost, which fell on June 8 this year. „


8 HOME

Sunday June 29, 2014 CatholicNews

Clockwise from extreme left: SJI International students Carol Yiu, Ngo Qi Wei, Verena Schonenberger, Natasha Vincent and Moe Ono joined their male schoolmates in shaving their heads for children suffering from cancer.

Girls shave their locks to support cancer sufferers Seven girls and more than 100 boys and male teachers of St Joseph’s Institution International shaved their heads in a show of solidarity with children suffering from cancer. The June 11 event was organised as part of Hair for Hope, a fundraiser of the Children’s Cancer Foundation. In addition, 60 girls, along with one mother and one female teacher, had eight inches (20 cm) of their hair cut off as part of the Beautiful Lengths charity movement. The locks of hair will be sent to the American Cancer Society to make pro-bono wigs for cancer patients. The annual events raised

over $100,000 and saw participation from about 20 percent of the school community, who came together to embody the Lasallian spirit of standing in solidarity with those who are suffering. Among the participants were a Grade 7 student, his father, and grandfather, who had their heads shaved together. Eight members of staff and a board member also had their heads shaved. They include the high school principal Bradley Roberts and Lasalle Br Arian Lopez, head of religious studies and faith formation. Close to 300 students, teachers, parents and relatives packed the SJI

International event hall that day. Several participants shared why they took part in the event. One student did it in memory of a friend who died from cancer while a staff member did it in honour of his late father who was a cancer sufferer. Natasha Vincent, a Grade 11 girl who had her head shaved said she wanted to show her “support for those who are going through the struggle of facing cancer, and those around them.” The school has held this student-initiated event since 2009 as part of its core education, alongside academics, outdoor education and co-curricular learning.


HOME 9

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

/HDUQLQJ H[SHULHQFH DW Ă€OP IHVW ,QVSLULQJ ÂżOPV WKDW OHDYH RQH WKLQNLQJ DQG UHĂ€HFWLQJ ORQJ DIWHU the viewing experience is over. This just about sums up the reaction of some of the 60 peoSOH ZKR DWWHQGHG WKH ÂżUVW &$1$ Film Festival held on June 7 and 8. The event, held at the Catholic Centre on Waterloo St, aimed to introduce viewers to Catholic soFLDO WHDFKLQJ YLD ÂżOP Fifteen documentaries, short DQG LQGHSHQGHQW IHDWXUH ÂżOPV were screened over the two afternoons, of which only two were explicitly religious. Ms Corinne Chan, 36, said she learnt about “human dignity and compassionâ€? from watching the documentary, Menstrual Man, about a man who aims to help poor Indian women gain access to basic feminine hygiene and livelihoods. Another viewer, Ms Priscilla, VDLG VKH IHOW WKH ³¿OP WDXJKW us how average people can make changesâ€?. Ms Bernadette Ho, 42, said VKH ZDV ÂłWRXFKHG´ E\ WKH ÂżOPV she viewed. “All of them were thought-provoking and educational‌ movies that will leave you WKLQNLQJ DQG UHĂ€HFWLQJ RQ WKHP for a while.â€? Screenings were followed by discussions facilitated by priests, Religious and lay people. All of the nine international

COMMENTS

‘7KH ÂżOP WDXJKW 3KRWR *(5$5' *2+

Âą 0V 3ULVFLOOD RQ WKH GRFXPHQWDU\ 0HQVWUXDO 0DQ

‘$OO RI >WKH ÂżOPV@ $ GLVFXVVLRQ VHVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH &$1$ )LOP )HVWLYDO GXULQJ ZKLFK SDUWLFLSDQWV VKDUHG WKHLU WKRXJKWV RQ WKH ÂżOP $GRP\D ZKLFK LV DERXW D VLQJOH PRWKHU ZKR LV DQ $,'6 VXUYLYRU DQG VRFLHWDO GLVDSSURYDO

ÂżOPV Âą IURP $XVWUDOLD %HOJLXP India, Indonesia, Iran, Lithuania, DQG 7XUNH\ Âą ZHUH 6LQJDSRUH SUHmieres. 7ZR ORFDO ÂżOPPDNHUV ZKRVH works were screened, also joined viewers at question-and-answer sessions to share experiences. They were Amit Virmani, director of Menstrual Man, and Michael Kam, who directed Masala 0DPD D VKRUW ÂżOP DERXW ÂżQGLQJ

allies and heroes in the most unlikely people. 7KH ÂżOP IHVWLYDOÂśV FUHDWLYH GLrector Sanjoy Ghosh also shared insights during panel discussions DERXW WKH ÂżOPPDNLQJ SURFHVV DQG the power of cinema in uniting people amidst diverse cultures and social taboos. Commenting on his viewing experience, Mr Gordon Pinto, 54, said he was moved by the power

Uniting the community through rosary By Raymond Chang It was an example of the rosary’s power to unite people from different ethnic groups. Close to 300 parishioners of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea prayed the rosary during an outdoor rosary and candlelight procession on June 13, with each decade being said in Tagalog, Tamil, Chinese, Malayalam and English. A statue of Our Lady of Fatima, which was recently purchased IURP )DWLPD LQ 3RUWXJDO DQG ÀRZQ to the parish, was carried during the procession. Parish priest Fr JJ Fenelon was in Fatima recently for a Marian pilgrimage and led in a decade of the Sorrowful Mysteries during the rosary devotion and procession there one night. He said he was impressed with how each decade was led by people from different nationalities praying in their own language, and yet the thousands of pilgrims from all over the world responded in their own languages. Fr Fenelon said that as the shepherd of a parish made up of people from a variety of language groups, he felt inspired to trust Mother Mary to unify his parish. He decided to buy and arrange for a statue of Our Lady of Fatima to

XV KRZ DYHUDJH SHRSOH FDQ PDNH FKDQJHV ’

Parishioners of the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea prayed the rosary LQ ÂżYH GLIIHUHQW ODQJXDJHV GXULQJ D UHFHQW SURFHVVLRQ

EH ÀRZQ IURP )DWLPD DQG GHOLYered to the church. Two of the pilgrims who were with him sponsored the purchase and shipment of the statue, which was blessed before the start of the procession. The recent celebration was the beginning of the Fatima devotion and candlelight processions to be held at the church on the 13th of each month.

Fr Fenelon says his prayer is that the devotion will unite and strengthen all the neighbourhood Christian communities, ministries and language groups in the parish WR IXOÂżO WKHLU YLVLRQ DQG PLVVLRQ “to be a Christ-centred family that loves and serves one another with joy and humilityâ€?. Most of the church’s parishioners come from Yishun and Sembawang. „

of people’s dreams and hopes. Ms Schutz Lee, 46, who brought her two daughters to participate in the Kids Showcase, said, “It is very cool to attend a &DWKROLF ÂżOP IHVW IHDWXULQJ QRQ &DWKROLF ÂżOPV EHFDXVH LW VKRZV that we can learn from other communities. Catholic social teachings are really just universal values.â€? 7KH ÂżOP IHVWLYDO WHDP VD\V that because of the positive feedback they have received, they are looking forward to improving the festival next year. „

ZHUH WKRXJKW SURYRNLQJ DQG HGXFDWLRQDO ’

– Ms Bernadette Ho

‘,W LV YHU\ FRRO WR DWWHQG D &DWKROLF ÂżOP IHVW IHDWXULQJ QRQ &DWKROLF ÂżOPV EHFDXVH LW VKRZV WKDW ZH FDQ OHDUQ IURP RWKHU FRPPXQLWLHV ’ – Ms Schutz Lee


10 ASIA

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Big drop in Philippine Catholic school enrolment

CHURCH IN CHINA

China govt detains underground Catholic apostolic administrator HONG KONG – Fr John Peng

Men replace the roof of Assumption Academy in Tanauan, Philippines, on Feb 5, which was blown off during Typhoon Haiyan. Many schools are seeing a big drop in enrolment following last November’s disaster.CNS photo MANILA – Catholic student en-

rolment in provinces devastated by Typhoon Haiyan has dropped by an estimated 20 percent as the new school year began on June 2, according to the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP). Mr Anthony Coloma, spokesperson for the CEAP, said exact ¿JXUHV ZHUH QRW DYDLODEOH EXW that schools in Samar and Leyte provinces had shown a marked decrease in attendance. While students across the country returned from their twomonth summer break, Catholic schools in Samar and Leyte were convening in relief tents and other makeshift shelters because local schools have yet to be rebuilt after November’s catastrophe. Some 20,000 classrooms were destroyed by the typhoon, which killed at least 6,200 people and displaced another four million. In addition to the loss of

schools, diminished livelihoods have also made this school year SDUWLFXODUO\ GLIÂżFXOW VD\ VHYHUDO parents of school-aged children. “I am supposed to be happy for my child. But I just can’t hide the fact that I’ll be having a big problem in supporting her school needs,â€? said Ms Thelma Fevidal, who lives in Tacloban City. Ms Fevidal earns about US$1 (S$1.25) per day from a small coastal shop she operates in Anibong village. “I am more worried for my daughter. I still don’t have money for her shoes, bag and uniform,â€? she said. 0V -RVHÂżQD 7DQSLHQJFR D school principal in Anibong village, said authorities should have waited to open schools in typhoon-affected areas, and that the government had not yet made provisions for school personnel, many of whom lost everything in the devastation. „ UCANEWS.COM

Indonesian bishops ask for a ‘responsible vote’ for president JAKARTA – In the run-up to the presidential election on July 9, the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) has issued an appeal to Catholics to exercise their civil rights and choose a new head of state and his deputy by casting their ballot and voting according to their conscience. In particular, they want Catholics to study the life and political career of the candidates and their “professional portfolio�. They also call for close monitoring of the vote so that it goes off without a hitch or manipulation. For the bishops, future leaders must possess a moral integrity to enable them to perform better the task that awaits them: leading the nation. For this reason, they urge the faithful to look at the different candidates with open eyes,

especially when they have already VHUYHG RU VWLOO KROG SXEOLF RIÂżFH Governor of Jakarta Joko “Jokowiâ€? Widodo and Deputy Jusuf Kalla, former vice president during outgoing President Susilo %DPEDQJ <XGKR\RQRÂśV ÂżUVW WHUP and General Prabowo Subianto and Mr Hatta Radjasa are the two leading tickets. Surveys indicate WKDW WKH ÂżUVW LV VOLJKWO\ DKHDG EXW that the race is still open and could go the wire. For Indonesian bishops, politicians who aspire to positions of national trust must show a desire to serve others rather than take advantage of their position for personal gain. In Indonesia, Christians represent 5.7 per cent of the population with Catholics just over 3 per cent. „ ASIANEWS

Weizhao, apostolic administrator of Yujiang diocese, has been in detention at an unknown location for weeks, Church sources in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangxi have revealed. Fr Peng was taken from a priest’s residence in Linchuan district, Fuzhou city, on May 30, a source told ucanews.com on June 9. The reasons for his disappearance have not been made public. “Priests who were at the scene when Fr Peng was taken recogQLVHG WKDW UHOLJLRXV DIIDLUV RIÂżcials from Linchuan district were present,â€? the source said. “But ZKHQ WKH\ ZHQW WR WKH RIÂżFLDOV WR ask for his whereabouts last week, WKH RIÂżFLDOV FODLPHG WKDW WKH\ know nothing as it was an action of the provincial government. “The priests are reluctant to speculate on the reason for his detention over the phone as they themselves are also under surveillance.â€? Fr Peng, who is part of the unregistered Catholic community, was appointed administrator of

Fr Peng’s disappearance coincided with a report which claims that Beijing and the Vatican will resume talks soon. Yujiang by the Holy See in 2012, following the retirement of underground Bishop Thomas Zeng Jingmu. In Jiangxi, the governmentsanctioned Catholic community FRPELQHG DOO ¿YH GLRFHVHV LQWR one Jiangxi diocese in 1985, while the unregistered community continued to follow the jurisdiction of the Holy See. Of the three existing Vatican-approved bishops in the province, Bishop Zeng is the only prelate who is not recognised by the government. The news of Fr Peng’s disappearance coincided with a report in the Hong Kong-based South

China Morning Post which cited a source close to the Holy See as saying that Beijing and the Vatican will resume talks soon. “The Vatican is now waiting IRU %HLMLQJ WR FRQÂżUP WKH WLPH and location of the talks,â€? the newspaper reported on June 8. “The atmosphere is quite positive for both sides to restart dialogue now as changes of leadership on both sides have created an opportunity for communication,â€? the source said. Yet the English-language daily also noted that the mass demolition of churches in Wenzhou and the election of a state-sanctioned bishop in Chengdu may hinder efforts to bridge major differences. Dialogue between the two sides halted in October 2010 when the government approved Church comments ordained an illicit bishop without a papal mandate and hosted the National Catholic Congress in December after 10 bishops were ordained with approval from both Beijing and the Holy See. „ UCANEWS.COM

HK cardinal Zen issues anti-China rallying cry HONG KONG – Retired Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong sharply criticised the Chinese authorities’ recently released white paper that emphasised Beijing’s total control of the special administrative region. “You [the Chinese communists] can tie me up, can take me away, chop my head off, but not as a slave,â€? said the cardinal in an online radio programme on June 12. Hong Kong people should “not succumb to fate but maintain one’s own dignityâ€?, the cardinal said, warning that “if we kneel down, HYHU\WKLQJ ZLOO EH ÂżQLVKHG´ China’s State Council released the white paper on June 10 that emphasised its total control over Hong Kong. The policy statement said “the high degree of autonomy enjoyed by Hong Kong is subject to the central government’s authorisation. There is no such thing called ‘residual power’ for the special administrative region.â€? The document sparked widespread discontent among Hong Kong residents as it appeared to break the promise of 50 years of autonomy given to Hong Kong after the former British colony was returned to China in 1997. The cardinal called on people WR YRWH LQ D -XQH QRQ RIÂż-

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired archbishop of Hong Kong, takes part in a demonstration for religious freedom on July 11, 2012. He recently started an 84-hour march for democracy. CNS photo

cial referendum on universal suffrage for the election of governor in 2017 and to show their aspiration for full democracy. The referendum was proposed by organisers of Occupy Central, ZKR YRZ WR EULQJ WKH FLW\ÂśV ÂżQDQcial hub to a standstill if the government fails to produce a plan for democratic rule in Hong Kong. “There is no space for com-

promise. Our bottom line is to use a nonviolent approach,� said the cardinal. Cardinal Zen, 82, on June 14 started an 84-hour march for democracy around the territory to encourage people to participate in the upcoming referendum. More than 50 Catholics were expected to walk with him each day until June 20. „ UCANEWS.COM


WORLD 11

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Afghan security arrests 3 over priest’s kidnapping ROME – Security forces in Afghanistan have arrested three men in connection with the kidnapping of a Jesuit priest from India. The arrests, announced by an $IJKDQ JRYHUQPHQW RI¿FLDO LQclude a man taken into custody on June 4 while two others were detained on June 5 in connection with the disappearance of Fr Alexis Prem Kumar. He was abducted on June 2 as he was leaving a school serving children who were recently returned to Afghanistan after living as refugees in Iran or Pakistan, reported the Afghan news agency Khaama Press. The Associated Press reported the government of¿FLDO VDLG DOO WKUHH PHQ ZHUH 7DOLban members. &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV LQ ,QGLD H[pressed concern for the safety of Fr Prem Kumar, 47, who has worked in Afghanistan since 2011. Fr Joseph Chinnayan, deputy secretary-general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, appealed to the Indian government to quickly seek the Jesuit’s release. Mr Syed Akbaruddin, spokesman for India’s External Affairs Ministry, said via a Twitter post

WKDW ,QGLDQ RIÂżFLDOV LQ +HUDW ZHUH pursuing the matter with local authorities, Asian Church news portal ucanews.com reported. Before moving to Afghanistan, Fr Prem Kumar worked for JRS for 12 years, serving Sri Lan-

Fr Prem Kumar seen here with members of the Singapore Catholic community in 2011.

kan refugees living in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, his home. He was director of JRS in India from June 2005 to May 2011 and then moved to Afghanistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured top level intervention for the priest’s safe release but said the situation is “extremely delicate�. In a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Mr Modi said “the government will spare no effort� to ensure the priest’s release. „ CNS, UCANEWS.COM

Fr Alexis Prem Kumar visited Singapore from June 30-July 3, 2011, spending time with members of Jesuit Refugee Service Singapore and calling on then-Archbishop Nicholas Chia. He celebrated World Refugee Day Mass on July 2 during which he spoke about his work with refugees and displaced persons. Some JRS volunteers had kept in touch with him after his visit here. Prayers have also been held for Fr Prem Kumar in recent days.

Quebec’s euthanasia law slammed joined several organisations opposed to euthanasia in condemning Quebec’s “dying with dignity� law. The new law, Bill 52, was passed on June 5 by a 94-22 vote. It outlines the conditions under which terminally ill Quebeckers can request medical aid in dying. It treats euthanasia as healthcare, which falls under provincial jurisdiction, while the Criminal Code, which lists the practice as culpable homicide,

PHOENIX, ARIZONA, USA – Clergy, Religious and laity crowded into St Catherine of Sienna Parish in Phoenix, Arizona, for a standing-room-only funeral Mass for Fr Kenneth Walker on June 16. The 28-year-old priest was fatally injured on June 11 in an attack at his church, Mater Misericordiae (Mother of Mercy) Mission. Another priest, Fr Joseph Terra, 56, was critically injured. Fr Walker died at the hospital, and Fr Terra was hospitalised in critical but stable condition. He has since been released from intensive care. Fr Terra, Phoenix police said, had heard a noise outside the rectory and opened the door to investigate, only to be attacked. Fr Walker heard the melee and came from his room. That was when the suspect allegedly shot him. Both priests were ordained for the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. Phoenix police announced

hours before the funeral Mass that they had a suspect in custody for the slaying and assault. Gary Michael Moran, 54, a transient who was released from prison in April, was arrested on June 15 at a psychiatric treatment centre northwest of Mater Misericordiae. At the funeral Mass, Fr Eric Flood, the North American superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, spoke about Fr Walker’s love of celebrating Mass. “If someone were to ask him if he would still want to be priest if he knew he would someday be killed, he would probably say yes,â€? Fr Flood said. He also offered what he said would be Fr Walker’s advice to the killer. “His advice would probably be that he should grow in his friendship with God. Fr Walker would say WKDW WKHUH ZDV D WKLHI FUXFLÂżHG DORQJside Christ, and our Lord turned to him and said, ‘This day you will be with me in paradise.’â€? „ CNS

Indian Jesuit Fr Alexis Prem Kumar was abducted on June 2 in Afghanistan.

Priest visited S’pore in 2011

OTTAWA – A Catholic leader has

Community says goodbye to US priest who died in church attack

is under federal jurisdiction. Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay has not indicated what action, if any, the federal government will take. Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec expressed disappointment in the bill’s passage on his Facebook page. “I hoped until the last moment that our members [would] not vote in favour of this bill, which introduced euthanasia with all its consequences. I am

very disappointed,â€? the post said. “Now, we will have to work with even more zeal to accompany the people at the end of life so that they do not have to request euthanasia,â€? the post added. In a speech at a vigil outside the National Assembly on the eve of the vote, Cardinal Lacroix said there was no consensus on euthanasia, FRQWUDU\ WR ZKDW JRYHUQPHQWDO RIÂżcials have been saying. He also noted the sense of disquiet, especially among older Quebeckers. „ CNS

Phoenix Bishop Thomas J Olmsted (centre) is seen with Fr Kenneth Walker (left) and Fr Joseph Terra in a recent photo. Fr Walker died from a gunshot wound after he was attacked in his rectory. CNS photo

Focus on human rights, urges Manila cardinal MANILA – Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has urged Church volunteers in the Philippines to seek out more meaningful roles where they can make a difference. “It’s good that we have many volunteers for lectors [and] commentators, but sometimes there are too many [such volunteers],â€? the Manila prelate said in a forum on June 14 in Quezon City. “How come whenever we ask for a minister [to focus on] human rights, people say: ‘That’s dangerous or scary’?â€? Cardinal Tagle said. He lamented the fact that “social involvementâ€? is often “weak at the parish grassroots levelâ€? in the Philippines. Âł6RPHWLPHV LWÂśV MXVW DQ RIÂżFH in the diocese instead of an active ministry in the parishes,â€? he said. During the same forum, he also took a swipe at corrupt govHUQPHQW RIÂżFLDOV “Why is it that when we are called to be pro-God, pro-life, pro-country, and pro-environment we become cowards, but when it comes to being mischievous, we are not only brave but very creative?â€? he asked, adding that the world “thirsts for good governanceâ€?.

Cardinal Tagle: social involvement weak at parish grassroots.

Recently, three of the country’s best known senators, Mr Juan Ponce Enrile, Mr Jose “Jinggoy� Estrada and Mr Ramon Revilla Jr were charged with plunder and graft for their alleged involvement in what has become known as the “pork barrel� scam. However, the country’s Catholic bishops have urged people not to rush judgment of the politicians linked to the multi-million dollar scam that allegedly channelled government funds to private individuals and groups. „ UCANEWS.COM


12

WORLD CUP

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Let the World Cup be a celebration of peace: pope

Chile’s bishops launch special webpage for World Cup SANTIAGO – The Chilean bishops launched a special World Cup webpage that includes a prayer for fans and a cardinal’s recollections about being a soccer referee. “We do not stop being missionaries of Christ when we go to the stadium or when we passionately follow the national team in front of any technological device,â€? said Mr Jaime Coiro, spokesman for the Chilean bishops’ conference. “With all the joy and hope that emerge from our faith, we would like to accompany the faithful VRFFHU IDQV ZLWK SUD\HUV UHĂ€HFtions and comments.â€? Chile is a member of the socalled Group of Death with Spain, Netherlands and Australia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Approximately 20,000 Chileans bought tickets to the matches, and others were expected to watch at home or on some of the 15 giant TV screens installed in Chile’s main cities. The prayer asks: “Let our players and fans who will travel to Brazil be free of the discourage-

ment and lack of sense, the injustice and self-interest.â€? It emphasises that Christian life offers more than just soccer and, referring to Brazilian protests over spending, asks for “the cessation of the violence and the disputes during these daysâ€?. The website, www.iglesia.cl/ especiales/mundial2014, included stories and a piece in which Santiago Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello told of his experiences as an amateur referee. Cardinal Ezzati said in 1967, when he was studying theology in Italy, he was assigned “to a very poor area of Romeâ€?. He added that part of his mission was to provide pastoral care for young people through sports activities. “Many times I had to UHSODFH WKH RIÂżFLDO UHIHUHH VR WR do it right, I took the course.â€? He said he decided: “I don’t EHOLHYH LQ WKH HIÂżFLHQF\ RI WKH UHG cards. I believe in the encouragement that must be given to the children, the youth and the whole society.â€? „ CNS

Argentina’s Fernando Gago and Bosnia’s Senad Lulic battle for the ball during their World Cup soccer match at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on June 15. Pope Francis said in a recent video message that he hopes this World Cup can also ‘turn into a celebration of solidarity among peoples’. CNS photo VATICAN CITY – As the World Cup was about to kick off, Pope Francis called on fans and competitors to celebrate the event as an opportunity to promote dialogue, respect and peace. He also warned against all forms of discrimination on the sidelines, in the stands and on the ÂżHOG Âł/HW QR RQH EHFRPH LVRODWHG and feel excluded! Watch out! ‘No’ to segregation, ‘no’ to racism!â€? The pope made his comments in Portuguese in a video message aired on Brazilian television on June 11, the eve of the start of the world soccer championship in Brazil that runs XQWLO WKH ÂżQDO PDWFK RQ -XO\ “It is with great joy,â€? the pope said, that he could greet all “soccer loversâ€?, organisers, players, coaches and fans who will be following the matches. The World Cup “overcomes linguistic, cultural and national barriersâ€?, said the pope, a lifelong

soccer fan who actively rooted for the San Lorenzo team in his native Buenos Aires, Argentina. “My hope is that, beyond just a celebration of sport, this World Cup can turn into a celebration of solidarity among peoples.� He asked that the monthlong event unfold with “serenity and tranquility, always with mutual respect, solidarity and fraternity among men and women who see themselves as members of one family�. The pope said that sports show how to build a more peaceful and harmonious world through important values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, sharing and solidarity. The three most important lessons sports teach, he said, “are the need to train, [the sense of] fair play, and respect for one’s adversary�. Sports show how important intense and consistent training and

VDFULÂżFH DUH IRU EHFRPLQJ EHWWHU the pope said. If people are to be more open and peaceful, it will require the same kind of investment in time and effort. The idea of fair play helps people “overcome individualism, egoism, all forms of racism, intolerance and exploitationâ€?, he said. Lastly, “the secret of victory RQ WKH ÂżHOG DQG DOVR LQ OLIH OLHV LQ knowing how to respect my teammate and my adversary. Nobody wins on his own, neither on the pitch nor in life,â€? he said. The pope called for an end to intolerance, discrimination and racism so that everyone could walk away a winner. Given that “at the end of these world [championships], only one national squad can raise the cup high as victors, learning the lessons that sport teaches us will make us all winners, strengthening the bonds that unite us,â€? he said. „ CNS

Brazilian churches offer Masses in different languages for soccer fans SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – Catholic churches in cities hosting the World Cup have scheduled Masses in different languages to better welcome international fans and players. &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV DVNHG SULHVWV who speak English, French, German, Italian and Spanish to celebrate Masses in these languages when the foreign teams are in their cities. In Rio de Janeiro, Our Lady of Mercy in Botafogo planned English-language Masses. The press secretary at the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo announced that some churches around the city would be offering Masses in

English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, French and German during the World Cup. For instance, Our Lady of Bom Parto in the Tatuape neighbourhood is holding its regular Sunday morning Mass but will also have English-speaking Masses at other times and days, if needed. In Manaus, for example, where England and the US are scheduled to play, Our Lady of Conception Cathedral and the San Sebastian Church planned Masses in English, Italian, Spanish and French, throughout the month of June. Those going to see the games in Belo Horizonte can attend

Mass in English and Spanish at Our Lady of Good Voyage or at St Francis of Assisi Chapel. At St Anthony Parish there will offer additional Masses in German, Italian and French. Fans going to see Australia play in Cuiaba have a choice of two churches to attend Mass in English, including the Cathedral Basilica of the Good Lord Jesus. To help foreigners the Archdiocese of Recife and Olinda has printed the Mass in seven languages. Most of the Masses in foreign languages are held at the cities’ metropolitan cathedrals. „ CNS

A screengrab of the webpage.

Special light and sound display at statue SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – Hours be-

fore the kickoff of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the main symbols of Brazil, welcomed the 32 teams competing in the event with a special light and sound programme. From one of the highest mountains overlooking Rio de Janeiro, the statue was “dressed upâ€? with WKH FRORXUV RI WKH Ă€DJV RI WKH 32 national teams while playing part of each country’s national anthem. The programme was promoted by Archdiocese RI 5LR GH -DQHLUR DQG FLW\ RIÂżFLDOV The welcoming ceremony included a small prayer by Fr Omar Raposo, rector of the Christ the Redeemer Sanctuary. “Sports always give us a chance to witness the beauty of the brotherhood that exists among the

different nations,â€? said Fr Raposo. He said everyone should heed the words of Pope Francis. “He said that to belong to a sports team means to reject all IRUPV RI VHOÂżVKQHVV DQG LVRODWLRQ – it is an opportunity to meet and be with others, to help each other, to compete in mutual esteem and grow in brotherhood.â€? The archdiocese also said that the Christ the Redeemer statue would be illuminated with Brazil’s Ă€DJ FRORXUV JUHHQ DQG \HOORZ every time the Brazilian team plays. „ CNS

Rio’s Christ the Redeemer Statue glows green to help kickoff the 2014 FIFA World Cup. CNS photo


WORLD 13

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Christians among 500,000 Ă HHLQJ 0RVXO DIWHU Islamist forces seize city

A member of the Iraqi security forces searches a man at a checkpoint in Baghdad on June 11. Christians are among Ă€HHLQJ WKH ,UDTL FLW\ RI 0RVXO DIWHU ,VODPLVW IRUFHV VHL]HG LW LQ HDUO\ -XQH CNS photo BEIRUT – Church leaders in northHUQ ,UDT VWUXJJOHG WR ÂżQG VKHOWHU for Christians who were among KXQGUHGV RI WKRXVDQGV ZKR Ă€HG Mosul, the country’s second-largest city, after Islamist forces took over much of the town, a Chaldean Catholic archbishop said. &KULVWLDQV EHJDQ Ă€HHLQJ HDUO\ on June 9, Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona of Mosul told Catholic News Service in an email. “The soldiers and all policemen left the cityâ€?, seemingly abandoning the people, Archbishop Nona wrote. He called the situation a tragedy. “And we started organising, working all through the night, to ÂżQG D SODFH IRU WKHP >WKH SHRSOH ZKR KDG Ă€HG 0RVXO@ LQ QHDUE\ villages,â€? the archbishop said. News reports said several hundred heavily armed members of the

Al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) occupied government facilities, broadcast stations and banks as they worked their way through the city. The BBC reported that up to 500,000 people left Mosul as the ISIL forces occupied the city. Many headed to three towns in Kurdistan in northern Iraq, where temporary camps were established. The exodus from the city of 1.8 million, 354 km north of Baghdad, continued throughout the night and day of June 10, with many of the people leaving on foot with no belongings, Archbishop Nona said. “I met with a family who have two young children, two and three \HDUV ROG ZKR ZDONHG IRU ÂżYH hours through the night, and they were very scared. We placed them

in one house with another family in Telkefâ€? in his diocese, 3.2 km IURP 0RVXO@ WKH DUFKELVKRS VDLG “All our churches in Mosul are closed, and there is not one Christian in the city,â€? Archbishop Nona added. The archbishop also pleaded for international assistance to step in to provide aid to the people Ă€HHLQJ 0RVXO The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant began as an Iraq-based DIÂżOLDWH RI $O 4DHGD ,W LV ÂżJKWing to establish an Islamic state in parts of Iraq and Syria. Al-Qaeda’s central leadership has denounced the organisation for apostasy and excessive violence. It is estimated WR KDYH ÂżJKWHUV „ CNS „ See related story on Page 14: Pope appeals for peace in Iraq

Ukrainian Catholic bishops thank world for prayers during transition KIEV – Ukrainian Catholic bishops

thanked people around the world for their prayers over the last six months and asked for continued prayers for peace in their country. “The dignity that Ukrainians \HDUQ IRU LV QRW ÂżUVW DQG IRUHPRVW material,â€? said a message from the Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. “They seek a God-given dignity, a respect for their very being. Their right for self-determination, territorial integrity, cultural and especially ecclesial tradition has been violated brutally in the past and is demeaned today.â€? The bishops described recent events in Ukraine as “truly miraculousâ€?, noting that “transforming grace poured down upon the people of our countryâ€?. “In the face of systemic corruption, government repression and

Ukraine’s new president Petro Poroshenko. The Ukrainian Catholic bishops thank the world for their prayers. CNS photo

intolerable social conditions, millions of Ukrainians demonstrated peacefully, forging an ever-stronger interethnic, interconfessional

and intercultural solidarity,� it said. “Together Ukrainian citizens are saying no to tyranny, lawlessness, violence and irresponsibility – personal and social, internal and external, domestic and international,� they said. The message, issued after a June 4-6 meeting of the synod, was addressed to “Catholic bishops’ conferences, priests, Religious and the faithful of the Church; to all Christians and people of good will that stand in solidarity with Ukraine�. Referring to winter months of protest and confrontation that resulted in the February ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych and the May election of President Petro Poroshenko, the bishops expressed gratitude “for your abiding prayers and various works of charity that you conducted�. „ CNS

Nigerian cardinal supports offer of amnesty to Boko Haram insurgents ABUJA – Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja supported Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposal to offer amnesty for any Boko Haram militants ZKR VWRS ÂżJKWLQJ DQG HPEUDFH peace. In a June 3 letter, Cardinal Onaiyekan said any amnesty arrangement must be undertaken with the goal of reconciliation among the government, militants and victims of violence. A day later, the Administrative Board of the Nigerian bishops’ conference called for six months of prayer for peace in response to the violence that has rocked much of Africa’s most-populous nation. The bishops outlined a series of prayerful actions that individuals, clergy, Religious and parishes can take from July through December. Cardinal Onaiyekan wrote that offering amnesty “is a great challenge, which calls for a lot of commitment, sincerity and consistency on the part of government and its agentsâ€?. He also said amnesty should not be a “case of enthroning impunityâ€?, which encourages the militants to “blackmail government in the future through violenceâ€?. “The motivation has to be the pursuit of peace and reconciliation with people who admit wrongdoing and are ready to repent,â€? Cardinal Onaiyekan explained. During a Democracy Day broadcast on May 29, Mr Jonathan discussed an offer of amnesty to Boko Haram insurgents who lay down arms and embrace dialogue. His offer came in an effort to rein in increasingly destructive attacks on civilian targets. Boko Haram is an Islamist militant group with a somewhat XQGHÂżQHG OHDGHUVKLS DQG VWUXFWXUH ,W LV LQ WKH ÂżIWK \HDU RI D YLRlent campaign that has included bombings, attacks on churches, assassinations and abductions in an effort to overthrow the Nige-

rian government and create an Islamist state. Cardinal Onaiyekan wrote that an amnesty programme must include compensation and rehabilitation for victims of Boko Haram violence. “There is no way to bring back the dead,� he said. “But the nation cannot leave surviving victims without any form of adequate compensation. The hurt and anger of victims cannot be ignored if

A Spanish nun prays for abducted Nigerian schoolgirls on May 22. Boko Haram gunmen stormed a school on April 14, carting some 270 girls away in trucks. At least 200 remain in captivity, as well as other girls kidnapped previously. CNS photo

true reconciliation in the ‘broader society’ is ever to begin to take place. “This may involve a greater challenge than amnesty for terrorists. But it is a challenge that must be taken on board promptly and visibly. It does not make any sense, both in justice and morality, to budget for former murderers and make no provisions for innocent victims of their atrocities,� he said. „ CNS

Catholic bishop to lead Anglican retreat CHESTER, ENGLAND – A retired English Catholic bishop will lead an Anglican diocese’s retreat for those to be ordained as deacons. Retired Bishop Brian Noble of Shrewsbury will lead the June 26-28 retreat and preach at the ordination service at the Church of England’s Chester Cathedral on June 29. Bishop Noble, an ecumenical canon of Chester Cathedral, will spend time with candidates for the diaconate as they gather for three GD\V RI VSLULWXDO UHÀHFWLRQ DW WKH Chester diocesan retreat centre in Frodsham. He will lead morning and evening prayers during his stay. This year, the Anglican diocese of Chester has 21 candi-

dates for the diaconate, a number equaled only once in the past 10 years. Anglican Bishop Peter Forster of Chester invited his friend Bishop Noble to lead the spiritual retreat. “He is already well-known to the cathedral, and perhaps the best way to advance ecumenism today is through practical cooperation and common mission,� Bishop Forster said. Bishop Noble said he was “happy and honoured to have been invited by Bishop Peter to accompany in retreat those now about to embark on their new commitment to service. Pray for them and for myself.� „ CNS


14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Church rediscovers its role as mother by welcoming, loving: pontiff

Pope appeals for peace in Iraq, announces plans to visit Albania

Pope Francis greets the crowd after praying the Angelus at the Vatican. He appealed the crowd to pray for the Iraqis, and announced that he plans to visit Albania. CNS photo

Pope Francis kisses a baby as he visits St Thomas the Apostle Parish on the outskirts of Rome on Feb 16. The great FKDOOHQJH RI WKH &KXUFK WRGD\ LV WR EHFRPH µPRWKHU¶ WR KHU ÀRFN WKH SRSH VDLG RQ -XQH CNS photo VATICAN CITY – ³, OLNH WR GUHDP RI D &KXUFK WKDW OLYHV WKH FRPSDVVLRQ RI -HVXV ´ 3RSH )UDQFLV WROG PRUH WKDQ SULHVWV 5HOLJLRXV FDWHFKLVWV DQG SDULVK FRXQFLO PHPEHUV IURP WKH GLRFHVH RI 5RPH ,I HYHU\ SDULVK HPERGLHV WKH YLUWXHV RI FRPSDVVLRQ WHQGHUQHVV SDWLHQFH DQG ZHOFRPLQJ WKH &DWKROLF &KXUFK ZLOO EH WKH PRWKHU VKH FODLPV WR EH DQG ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR JHQHUDWH QXPHURXV FKLOGUHQ WKH SRSH VDLG RQ -XQH RSHQLQJ WKH 5RPH GLRFHVH¶V DQQXDO FRQYHQWLRQ ,Q D PLQXWH WDON PRVW RI ZKLFK ZDV RII WKH FXII 3RSH )UDQFLV UHVSRQGHG WR WKH FRQFHUQV H[SUHVVHG E\ D SDVWRU DQG WZR FDWHFKLVWV DERXW WKH GLI¿FXOWLHV RI NHHSLQJ IDPLOLHV DFWLYH LQ SDULVK OLIH DQG FRQVHTXHQWO\ LQ WUDQVPLWWLQJ WKH IDLWK WR FKLOGUHQ DQG \RXQJ SHRSOH )U *LDQSLHUR 3DOPLHUL SDVWRU RI WKH SDULVK RI 6DQ )UXPHQ]LR WROG 3RSH )UDQFLV WKDW LQ WKH GLRFHVH RI 5RPH SURJUDPPHV IRU SUHSDULQJ FKLOGUHQ IRU ¿UVW &RPPXQLRQ DUH VWLOO SRSXODU EXW KDOI RI WKH FKLOGUHQ GR QRW JR RQ WR SUHSDUH IRU &RQ¿UPDWLRQ ZKLFK WKH GLRFHVH XVXDOO\ DGPLQLVWHUV WR \RXQJ SHRSOH EHWZHHQ WKH DJHV RI DQG 3RSH )UDQFLV WROG FRQYHQWLRQ SDUWLFLSDQWV WKDW EHIRUH MRLQLQJ WKHP IRU WKH HYHQLQJ VHVVLRQ KH VWRSSHG IRU FRIIHH LQ WKH NLWFKHQ RI WKH JXHVWKRXVH ZKHUH KH OLYHV 7KH FRRN ZDV VWLOO WKHUH DQG WKH SRSH DVNHG KLP KRZ ORQJ

LW ZRXOG WDNH KLP WR JHW KRPH WKH PDQ UHVSRQGHG WKDW KLV FRPmute was about an hour and a KDOI ³$Q KRXU DQG D KDOI WR JR KRPH WR KLV FKLOGUHQ KLV ZLIH ´ WKH SRSH VDLG 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG KH NQRZV WKDW PDQ\ SDUHQWV JHW XS HDUO\ WDNH WKHLU FKLOGUHQ WR VFKRRO JR WR ZRUN ± VRPHWLPHV SODFHV RI ³WHQVLRQ DQG FRQÀLFW´ ± DQG RI-

The Church is a mother when she does what mothers do: offer love, tenderness, a caring gaze, almost endless patience, a welcome and compassion, the pope said. WHQ JHW KRPH LPPHGLDWHO\ EHIRUH RU HYHQ DIWHU WKHLU FKLOGUHQ KDYH JRQH WR EHG ,Q VXFK VLWXDWLRQV KH VDLG LW LV QDWXUDO IRU SDUHQWV WR IHHO OLNH WKH\ KDYH ³D FUXVKLQJ ZHLJKW´ RQ WKHLU VKRXOGHUV DQG WKH\ ZRQGHU ³,V WKLV OLYLQJ"´ ,I SDUHQWV DUH VR RYHUEXUGHQHG DQG GLVVDWLV¿HG KH VDLG KRZ FDQ WKH\ KHOS WKHLU FKLOGUHQ GLVFRYHU WKH PHDQLQJ RI WKHLU OLYHV DQG ³WKH GLUHFWLRQ WR WDNH

VR WKDW WKHLU OLYHV DUH EHDXWLIXO DQG WKH\ DUH KDSS\ WR JHW XS HDFK PRUQLQJ´" :LWK HYHU\RQH LQ D IDPLO\ UXQQLQJ LQ GLIIHUHQW GLUHFWLRQV WKH SRSH VDLG \RXQJ SHRSOH DUH OHIW ZLWKRXW JXLGDQFH ZLWKRXW VRPHRQH WR WUXVW ZLWKRXW ³LGHDOV WKDW ZDUP WKHLU KHDUWV´ DQG ZLWKRXW KRSH ³7KLV LV D VRFLHW\ RI RUSKDQV ´ KH VDLG ³7KH JUHDW FKDOOHQJH RI WKH &KXUFK WRGD\ LV WR EHFRPH PRWKHU ´ KH DGGHG ³,I WKH &KXUFK LV QRW D PRWKHU ± , NQRZ LW LV EDG WR VD\ WKLV EXW VKH EHFRPHV DQ µROG PDLG¶´ DQG FDQQRW EULQJ IRUWK FKLOGUHQ 7KH &KXUFK GRHV QRW EHFRPH D PRWKHU E\ JRLQJ GRRU WR GRRU DQG RIIHULQJ WR VLJQ SHRSOH XS DV LI LW ZHUH ³DQ DVVRFLDWLRQ FDOOHG WKH &DWKROLF &KXUFK´ KH VDLG 5DWKHU WKH &KXUFK LV D PRWKer when she does what mothHUV GR RIIHU ORYH WHQGHUQHVV D FDULQJ JD]H DOPRVW HQGOHVV SDWLHQFH D ZHOFRPH DQG FRPSDVVLRQ ³2XU PRWKHU &KXUFK VHHPV WR EH D ELW ROG QRW WR VSHDN RI D µJUDQGPRWKHU¶ &KXUFK EXW DJLQJ :H PXVW UHMXYHQDWH KHU ´ KH VDLG DQG ³QRW E\ WDNLQJ KHU WR D SODVWLF VXUJHRQ´ 7KH &KXUFK GRHV QRW QHHG FRVPHWLF VXUJHU\ WKH SRSH VDLG EXW LW QHHGV WKH HQHUJ\ DQG MR\ WKDW FRPH IURP EHLQJ D PRWKHU VHHLQJ KHU FKLOGUHQ JDWKHU DW KRPH DQG ZHOFRPLQJ WKHLU IULHQGV DV ZHOO „ CNS

VATICAN CITY – 3RSH )UDQFLV H[SUHVVHG KLV IHDUV RYHU LQFUHDVLQJ YLROHQFH LQ ,UDT DQG SUD\HG IRU SHDFH VHFXULW\ DQG UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ LQ WKH FRXQWU\ +H DOVR DQQRXQFHG KH ZRXOG EH YLVLWLQJ $OEDQLD RQ 6HSW WR HQFRXUDJH WKH &DWKROLF PLQRULW\ WKHUH DQG WKH SHRSOH ³ZKR ORQJ VXIIHUHG DV D UHVXOW RI WKH LGHRORJLHV RI WKH SDVW´ 7KH RQH GD\ YLVLW WR 7LUDQD ZLOO EH 3RSH )UDQFLV¶ ¿UVW SDSDO YLVLW WR D (XURSHDQ QDWLRQ DQG D QDWLRQ ZKHUH DOO UHOLJLRXV SUDFWLFH ZDV EDQQHG IURP WR 3HUVHFXWLRQ RI WKH &KXUFK HVSHFLDOO\ WKH FOHUJ\ KDG EHFRPH WKH QRUP ZKHQ WKH &RPPXQLVW 3DUW\ WRRN FRQWURO RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW LQ 7KH SRSH PDGH KLV DQQRXQFHPHQW DIWHU SUD\LQJ WKH $QJHOXV ZLWK WKRVH JDWKHUHG LQ 6W 3HWHU¶V

6TXDUH RQ -XQH +H VDLG KH ZDV IROORZLQJ WKH QHZV RI LQFUHDVLQJ YLROHQFH LQ ,UDT ³ZLWK GHHS FRQFHUQ´ ³, LQYLWH DOO RI \RX WR MRLQ PH LQ SUD\HU IRU WKH GHDU ,UDTL QDWLRQ DERYH DOO IRU WKH YLFWLPV DQG IRU WKRVH ZKR DUH VXIIHULQJ WKH FRQVHTXHQFHV RI WKH JURZLQJ YLROHQFH PRVW HVSHFLDOO\ WKH PDQ\ SHRSOH LQFOXGLQJ PDQ\ &KULVWLDQV ZKR KDG WR OHDYH WKHLU KRPHV ´ KH VDLG 3RSH )UDQFLV DGGHG WKDW KH KRSHG WKH ZKROH FRXQWU\ FRXOG HQMR\ ³VHFXULW\ SHDFH DQG D IXWXUH RI UHFRQFLOLDWLRQ DQG MXVWLFH´ The United Nations estimated PLOOLRQ ,UDTLV KDYH EHFRPH LQWHUQDOO\ GLVSODFHG EHFDXVH RI D UHFHQW XSVXUJH LQ VHFWDULDQ YLROHQFH DQG WKH UHFHQW IDOO RI 0RVXO ,UDT¶V VHFRQG ODUJHVW FLW\ WR ,VODPLVW PLOLWDQWV „ CNS

Corruption is easiest sin of anyone with power: pope ³7KLV VWRU\ UHSHDWV LWVHOI FRQwho has any kind of authority WLQXRXVO\´ WKURXJKRXW KLVWRU\ WKH over others, the one sin “at your SRSH VDLG E\ SHRSOH ZKR SRVVHVV ¿QJHUWLSV´ LV WKH VLQ RI FRUUXSWLRQ ³PDWHULDO SRZHU SROLWLFDO SRZHU RU VSLULWXDO SRZHU´ 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG 7KH GDLO\ QHZV LV ¿OOHG ZLWK $QG ³WKH PDUW\UV RI FRUUXSWLRQ´ ± WKRVH ZKR HQG XS SD\LQJ DFFRXQWV RI SROLWLFLDQV RU EXVLQHVV WKH SULFH IRU WKH SROLWLFLDQV ¿QDQ- RZQHUV ZKR DUH RQ WULDO DIWHU ³PDJFLHUV DQG &KXUFK RI¿FLDOV ZKR LFDOO\ JHWWLQJ ULFK´ KH VDLG DFFRUGDEXVH WKHLU SRZHU ± DUH WKH SRRU LQJ WR D UHSRUW E\ 9DWLFDQ 5DGLR ³7KHUH¶V WRR PXFK WDON DERXW DQG WKH PDUJLQDOLVHG KH VDLG GXUD SULHVW ZKR JRW WRR LQJ KLV HDUO\ PRUQULFK DQG QHJOHFWHG LQJ 0DVV RQ -XQH But who pays the KLV SDVWRUDO GXWLHV LQ WKH 'RPXV 6DQFWDH 0DUWKDH ZKHUH price of such a life LQ RUGHU WR WDNH FDUH RI KLV SRZHU ´ KH KH OLYHV of corruption? DGGHG 7KH SRSH¶V KRP%XW ³ZKR SD\V LO\ ZDV EDVHG RQ The poor pay it, WKH SULFH´ RI VXFK D WKH GD\¶V UHDGLQJ the pope said. OLIH RI FRUUXSWLRQ" from the First Book WKH SRSH DVNHG RI .LQJV LQ ZKLFK .LQJ $KDE RI 6DPDULD ³7KH SRRU SD\ LW ´ ³7KRVH ZKR SD\ DUH WKH KRVIHOW HQWLWOHG WR D QHLJKERXULQJ vineyard owned by Naboth, who SLWDOV ZLWKRXW PHGLFLQHV WKH VLFN UHIXVHG WR VHOO KLV SURSHUW\ WR WKH ZKR JHW QR FDUH FKLOGUHQ ZLWKRXW NLQJ 7KH NLQJ QRQFKDODQWO\ WRRN DQ HGXFDWLRQ 7KH\ DUH WKH PRGSRVVHVVLRQ RI WKH ODQG DIWHU KLV HUQ GD\ 1DERWK ZKR SD\ IRU WKH ZLIH KDG 1DERWK NLOOHG LQ RUGHU WR FRUUXSWLRQ RI WKH ELJ JX\V ´ KH DGGHG „ CNS JLYH WKH NLQJ ZKDW KH ZDQWHG

VATICAN CITY – For everyone


POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Pope, Anglican Is there a chance archbishop urge joint that Pope Francis action to share God’s love could go to China? COMMENTARY

VATICAN CITY – Although they have not yet reached full unity, Roman Catholics and Anglicans continue their dialogue, come together in prayer and work side by side, including on a new project to FRPEDW KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNLQJ DURXQG the world. Âł, WKDQN *RG WKDW DV GLVFLSOHV sent to heal a wounded world, we stand together with perseverance and determination in opposing this grave evil,â€? Pope Francis told Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury on June 16 during a meeting at the Vatican. Archbishop Welby, the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, was in Rome to hold his second meeting with Pope Francis, to visit Anglican communities in the city and to participate in a meeting of the Global Freedom Network, which they and other faith leaders foundHG WR FRPEDW KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNLQJ and modern slavery. Âł7KH *OREDO )UHHGRP 1HWwork can achieve much practically to dismantle what you have so often rightly said is a grave crime against humanity,â€? Archbishop :HOE\ WROG WKH SRSH Âł,W LV D FULPH that we all need to overcome as a matter of urgency, as a matter of human dignity, freedom and wholeness of life. May God give us the resolve and cooperation we need together.â€? Archbishop Welby participated in a meeting on June 15 with the chairman of the network’s board and several cardinals who are members of its council. According to Vatican Radio, one of the topics for discussion was strategising ways to ensure the churchHV ÂłVODYHU\ SURRI´ WKHLU RZQ FKDLQ of suppliers, ensuring that any company they do business with treats its employees fairly. In his meeting with the archbishop, Pope Francis said Jesus’ question to the disciples in CaperQDXP Âł:KDW ZHUH \RX DUJXLQJ about on the way?â€? could apply to the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches as well.

By Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY – When Pope Fran-

&DUGLQDO 3HWHU 7XUNVRQ OHIW SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH DQG 3HDFH WDONV ZLWK $QJOLFDQ $UFKELVKRS -XVWLQ :HOE\ RI &DQWHUbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, after a Vatican meetLQJ RQ KXPDQ WUDIÂżFNLQJ RQ -XQH 3RSH )UDQFLV PHW ZLWK $UFKELVKRS :HOE\ RQ -XQH CNS photo

Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby acknowledged differences between Catholics and $QJOLFDQV EXW WKH\ UHDIÂżUPHG WKHLU VXSSRUW for the commissions that promote joint activities. Âł:KHQ -HVXV SXW WKLV TXHVtion to His disciples, they were VLOHQW ´ WKH SRSH VDLG Âł7KH\ ZHUH ashamed, for they had been arguing about who was the greatest among them. We, too, feel ashamed when we ponder the distance between the Lord’s call and our meagre response.â€? Under God’s merciful gaze, KH VDLG ÂłZH FDQQRW FODLP WKDW our division is anything less than a scandal and an obstacle to our proclaiming the Gospel of salvation to the world.â€? Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby acknowledged the differences that still divide Catholics and Anglicans, but they reafÂżUPHG WKHLU VXSSRUW IRU WKH $QJOLcan-Roman Catholic International Commission, which is their ofÂżFLDO WKHRORJLFDO GLDORJXH ERG\ and for the International Angli-

can-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, which promotes joint prayer and common activities. While in Rome, Archbishop :HOE\ RI¿FLDOO\ ODXQFKHG WKH commission’s website – www. iarccum.org – which includes descriptions of the two bodies, the joint statements they have issued over the past 50 years and thousands of historical documents reODWHG WR WKH RI¿FLDO GLDORJXH 7KH website also includes information from about a dozen national Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue committees. Archbishop Welby also met EULHÀ\ ZLWK PHPEHUV RI WKH 6W Peter’s Cricket Club, the team of Catholic priests and seminarians who will face a team from the Anglican Church in England in September. „ CNS

Being Christian needs ‘concrete action’ VATICAN CITY – Being a good

Christian demands concrete action and deeds, Pope Francis said. $QG KH VDLG WKH ³KRZ WR´ PDQual is found in the beatitudes and the Last Judgment, which spells out the consequences awaiting those who fail to help others in need. Jesus offers a guide to life that LV ³VR VLPSOH EXW YHU\ GLI¿FXOW´ WKH SRSH VDLG RQ -XQH GXULQJ KLV early morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he lives. ,WœV GLI¿FXOW EHFDXVH &KULVWLDQLW\ LV ³D KDQGV RQ UHOLJLRQ LW

isn’t for thinking about, it’s for putting into practice, to do it,â€? he said in his homily, according to a report by Vatican Radio. The pope focused his homily on the day’s Gospel reading from St Matthew in which Jesus teaches the beatitudes, which begin, Âł%OHVVHG DUH WKH SRRU LQ VSLULW ´ 7KH EHDWLWXGHV DUH WKH ÂłSURJUDPPH´ DQG ÂłWKH LGHQWLW\ FDUG´ for every Christian, outlining a VWHS E\ VWHS JXLGH WR EHLQJ ÂłD good Christianâ€?, he said. -HVXVÂś WHDFKLQJ JRHV ÂłYHU\

much against the tideâ€? of a worldly culture, he said, in which monHWDU\ ZHDOWK VXSHUÂżFLDO MR\ DQG personal satisfaction are the measures of happiness and success. %XW ÂłEOHVVHG DUH WKH SRRU LQ spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of KHDYHQ ´ KH VDLG DQG ÂłEOHVVHG DUH they who mourn, for they will be comfortedâ€?. People who face reality and OLIHÂśV ELJ DQG VPDOO GLIÂżFXOWLHV will mourn in their hearts, but WKH\ ZLOO DOVR ÂżQG FRQVRODWLRQ LQ Jesus, the pope said. „ CNS

cis visits South Korea from Aug 14 to 18, he will take part in Asian Youth Day with delegates from some 30 countries, preside over WKH EHDWL¿FDWLRQ RI .RUHDQ martyrs and meet with President Park Geun-hye. South Korea is one of Asia’s major economies, with a small but growing Catholic Church. It is also half of a divided peninsula, where nuclear-armed communist North Korea presents an ongoing threat. All of these factors promise to make the pope’s visit important and newsworthy. Now, informed observers are speculating that the pope might DGG DQRWKHU GHVWLQDWLRQ WR KLV ¿UVW Asian trip – one that would mark the voyage as truly historic. Adding a stopover in the People’s Republic of China – with which the Vatican has not had diplomatic relations for more than 60 years – would represent an extraordinary variation in the careful planning typical of papal travel. But Pope Francis has proven willing to improvise audaciously in the most diplomatically sensitive situations, as when he stopped to pray at the Israeli-built security barrier in the West Bank during his late-May visit to the Holy Land. Spending a mere half-day in %HLMLQJ ZKLFK VLWV RQ WKH ÀLJKW path from Seoul to Rome, the pope could easily visit the city’s Catholic cathedral and the nearby tomb of his Jesuit confrere Matteo Ricci, the 16th-century missionary to China whose cause for VDLQWKRRG ZDV UHRSHQHG LQ To be sure, such a visit remains a long shot, either this summer or at any point in the foreseeable fuWXUH <HW 3RSH )UDQFLVœ SRQWL¿FDWH has already offered signs of hope for better relations with China. One such sign was the pope’s choice of secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. During his time as the Vatican’s undersecretary for relations ZLWK VWDWHV IURP WR WKH future cardinal played a key role in improving relations with Beijing. In that period, the two sides reached a tacit understanding on the crucial question of the ordination of Chinese bishops, agreeing that new ordinations would require approval by both the Vatican and the government-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association. 7KDW SURJUHVV KDOWHG LQ when the government arranged for the ordination of a bishop without the pope’s approval, and reportedly coerced several other bishops to attend the ceremony. ,Q WKH JRYHUQPHQW SODFHG another bishop under house arrest

and rescinded his episcopal appointment after he announced at his ordination Mass that he would not take part in the Catholic Patriotic Association. Nevertheless, Pope Francis told an Italian interviewer in 0DUFK WKDW ³WKHUH DUH VRPH relations� with China, and revealed that he and President Xi Jinping had exchanged congratulatory messages with each other following their almost-simultaneous elections the previous March. 3RSH )UDQFLV LV D ¿JXUH RI widespread interest in China, and his speeches and diplomatic initiatives – such as his campaign to end the civil war in Syria and his June 8 prayer for peace with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents – have received favourable coverage in state-controlled media there. A photo opportunity with the colossally popular pope would be an undoubted coup for President Xi and his government in terms of

Baptism of a girl at a Catholic church in Shenyang, China. There are speculations that the pope might DGG DQRWKHU GHVWLQDWLRQ WR KLV ¿UVW Asian trip – China. CNS photo

their international reputation for respect of religious freedom and other human rights. In early June, the South China Morning Post, citing unnamed VRXUFHV ÂłFORVH WR´ WKH +RO\ 6HH and the Church in Hong Kong, reported that Vatican and Chinese RIÂżFLDOV PLJKW PHHW EHIRUH WKH end of the year. Yet moves toward rapprochement could be blocked at any time. Beijing’s policies toward the Catholic Church have typically UHĂ€HFWHG D FRPSOH[ VHW RI LQĂ€Xences, including its dealings with other Religious communities, such as China’s Protestants and the Tibetan Buddhist followers of the Dalai Lama. In terms of such political dynamics, there is still a lot of time left before Pope Francis boards his plane to Seoul. „ CNS Rocca heads Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau.


16 POPE FRANCIS Pontiff talks about piety... VATICAN CITY – Being pious is

not squeezing one’s eyes shut to the world and putting on a sweet little angel face, Pope Francis said. Piety is opening up one’s heart to God and one’s arms to embrace everyone as brothers and sisters, he said on June 4 at his weekly general audience. “The gift of piety that the Holy Spirit gives us makes us meek; it makes us peaceful, patient and at peace with God in gentle service to others,â€? he said. The pope said he wanted to clarify the meaning of piety “because some people think that being pious is closing your eyes, putting on a sweet angel face, isn’t that right? To pretend to be a saintâ€? and holier than thou. But piety is recognising “our belonging to God, our deep bond with him, a relationship that gives meaning to our whole life and keeps us resolute, in communion with him, even during the most GLIÂżFXOW DQG WURXEOHG PRPHQWV´ he said. „ CNS

... and sports VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis urged athletes to live life the same way they play sports: Don’t hog the ball, don’t fall back on defence, and make sure to keep it fun. He also called on policymakers and communities to guarantee all kids have access to sports, education and jobs early on in life, “and I guarantee that there will be no addictions to drugs, alcohol and many other vices�. The pope made his comments during a gathering in St Peter’s Square on June 7 with tens of thousands of children, young adults, coaches and athletes to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Italian Sports Centre, the Catholic Action’s sports association in Italy. The pope told participants to make sure sports always stayed fun. “Only if it stays a game does it do the body and spirit good,� he said. He urged athletes to approach life the same way they approach sports by “putting yourself in the game on a quest for the good, in the Church and in society, without fear, with courage and enthusiasm�. „ CNS

Pope Francis speaks during an invocation for peace with Israeli President Shimon Peres (left) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Vatican Gardens. CNS photo

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Pope on economic system, extremism and his safety He gives a wide-ranging interview to a Spanish newspaper VATICAN CITY – The world economic system inevitably promotes PLOLWDU\ FRQĂ€LFW DV D ZD\ WR HQULFK the most powerful nations, said Pope Francis. He also condemned religious fundamentalism, defended the controversial record of Pope Pius XII and said he does not worry about his personal safety because “at my age I don’t have much to loseâ€?. His words appeared in an interview published on June 12 in the Spanish daily La Vanguardia.

Bad economic system “We are in a world economic system that is not good,â€? he said. “A system that in order to survive must make war, as great empires have always done. But since you cannot have a Third World War, you have regional wars. And what does this mean? That arms are made and sold, and in this way the idolatrous economies, the great ZRUOG HFRQRPLHV WKDW VDFULÂżFH man at the feet of the idol of money, obviously keep their balance sheets in the black.â€? Yet the pope reiterated that globalization’s failings are not only material but cultural, since it “cancels differencesâ€?. He called for an economic system that preserves each person’s “particularity, richness, identityâ€?. Religious violence The pope also addressed the question of religiously inspired violence, noting that Christians had committed such violence in the past, for example during the 17thcentury Thirty Years’ War. Christianity, Judaism and Islam all “have our fundamentalist groups, small in relation to the restâ€?, he said. “A fundamentalist group, even if it doesn’t strike anyone, is violent. The mentality of fundamentalism is violence in the name of God.â€? The interview was conducted on June 9, the day after the pope

Pope Francis greets the crowd in St Peter’s Square. ‘I cannot greet a nation and tell it that I love it from inside a sardine can, even one made of glass,’ he said about minimising safety precautious for himself. CNS photo

presided over an “invocation for peace� at the Vatican with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The pope said that event took place in spite of skepticism from his own subordinates. “It was not easy,� he said. “Here in the Vatican, 99 percent said it would not happen and afterward the one percent grew.� Pope Pius XII He also said opening Vatican archives relating to the Holocaust “will shed much light� on that subject, particularly the record of Pope Pius, whom critics argue did not say or do all he could to oppose the Nazi genocide. “They have dumped everything on poor Pius XII. But you have to remember that once he was seen as the great defender of the Jews,� he said. “I am not saying that Pius XII did not make mistakes – I myself make a lot – but you have to interpret his role

in the context of the time. Was it better, for example, that he not speak in order to avoid the killing of more Jews, or that he speak?â€? 5HĂ€HFWLQJ RQ WKH -HZLVK RULgins of Christianity, the pope said “you cannot live your Christianity, you cannot be a true Christian, if you do not recognize its Jewish rootâ€?. He also spoke about his priorities and leadership style. “I don’t have any personal agenda that I carried in under my arm,â€? he said. “What I am doing is carrying outâ€? the recommendations made by cardinals prior to the March 2013 conclave. Among those recommendations, the pope said, was greater consultation with outside advisers, which prompted his establishment of an international, eight-member Council of Cardinals. Asked how he would like history to remember him, the pope said: “‘He was a good guy, he did what he could, he was not so bad.’ I would be happy with that.â€?

However, the pope insisted he takes his role seriously. “When a chief of state comes, I have to receive him with the dignity and protocol he deserves,� he said. |It’s true that I have my problems with protocol, but one has to respect it.� His safety The pope acknowledged that his accessibility to crowds leaves him vulnerable to attacks, but said his safety “is in God’s hands�. “I cannot greet a nation and tell it that I love it from inside a sardine can, even one made of glass. For me that is a wall,� he said. “It’s true that something can happen to me, but let’s be realistic. At my age I don’t have much to lose.� Asked about the World Cup, which opened in Brazil on June 12, the soccer-loving pope said with a laugh that he had promised Brazilians his neutrality because of their traditional rivalry with his native Argentina. „ CNS

Participants plant olive tree as peace symbol „ From Page 1

Patriarch Bartholomew read in English from the Book of Isaiah: “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent – its food shall be dust.� At the end of the ceremony, which lasted about an hour and 45 minutes, the pope, patriarch

and the two presidents kissed each other on both cheeks, then took up shovels and added dirt to the base of a newly planted olive tree. They then spent about 15 minutes speaking privately inside the nearby Casina Pio IV, a 16thcentury villa which now houses VHYHUDO SRQWL¿FDO DFDGHPLHV „ CNS


POPE FRANCIS 17

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Pope highlights 3 kinds of Catholics VATICAN CITY – Those who insist

others pray and believe exactly OLNH WKH\ GR WKRVH ZKR KDYH DOternatives to every Church teachLQJ DQG EHQHIDFWRUV ZKR XVH WKH &KXUFK DV D FRYHU IRU EXVLQHVV connections may call themselves &DWKROLFV EXW WKH\ KDYH RQH IRRW RXW WKH GRRU 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG ³0DQ\ SHRSOH VD\ WKH\ EHORQJ WR WKH &KXUFK´ EXW LQ UHDOLW\ KDYH ³RQO\ RQH IRRW LQVLGH´ WKH SRSH VDLG RQ -XQH DW WKH PRUQLQJ 0DVV LQ WKH FKDSHO RI KLV UHVLGHQFH ³)RU WKHVH SHRSOH WKH &KXUFK LV QRW KRPH´ EXW LV D SODFH WKH\ XVH DV D UHQWDO SURSHUW\ KH VDLG DFFRUGLQJ WR 9DWLFDQ 5DGLR 3RSH )UDQFLV UHÀHFWHG RQ WKH GD\¶V *RVSHO UHDGLQJ -RKQ DQG -HVXV¶ SUD\HU WKDW WKHUH ZRXOG EH XQLW\ QRW GLYLVLRQV DPRQJ +LV GLVFLSOHV 7KHUH DUH WKUHH JURXSV RI SHRSOH ZKR FDOO WKHPVHOYHV &DWKROLF EXW DUH QRW UHDOO\ WKH SRSH VDLG $SRORJLVLQJ IRU PDNLQJ XS ZRUGV KH ODEHOOHG WKH WKUHH JURXSV ³XQLIRUPLVWV´ ³DOWHUQDWLYLVWV´ DQG ³EXVLQHVVLVWV´ 7KH ¿UVW JURXS KH VDLG EHlieves that everyone in the Church VKRXOG EH MXVW OLNH WKHP ³7KH\ are rigid! They do not have that IUHHGRP WKH +RO\ 6SLULW JLYHV´ DQG WKH\ FRQIXVH ZKDW -HVXV SUHDFKHG ZLWK WKHLU ³RZQ GRFWULQH RI XQLIRUPLW\´ ³-HVXV QHYHU ZDQWHG WKH &KXUFK WR EH VR ULJLG ´ 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG 6XFK SHRSOH ³FDOO WKHPVHOYHV &DWKROLFV EXW WKHLU ULJLG DWWLWXGH GLVWDQFHV WKHP IURP WKH &KXUFK´

7KH VHFRQG JURXS WKRVH ZLWK alternative teachings and docWULQHV ³KDV D SDUWLDO EHORQJLQJ WR WKH &KXUFK 7KHVH WRR KDYH RQH IRRW RXWVLGH WKH &KXUFK ´ KH VDLG ³7KH\ UHQW WKH &KXUFK´ QRW UHFognising that its teaching is based RQ WKH SUHDFKLQJ RI -HVXV DQG WKH DSRVWROLF WUDGLWLRQ 0HPEHUV RI WKH WKLUG JURXS ³FDOO WKHPVHOYHV &KULVWLDQV EXW GRQ¶W HQWHU LQWR WKH KHDUW RI WKH &KXUFK´ WKH\ XVH WKH &KXUFK ³IRU SHUVRQDO SUR¿W´ WKH SRSH VDLG ³:H KDYH DOO VHHQ WKHP LQ SDUish or diocesan communities and 5HOLJLRXV FRQJUHJDWLRQV WKH\ DUH

Pope Francis called them the‘uniformists’, ‘alternativists’ and ‘businessists’. VRPH RI WKH EHQHIDFWRUV RI WKH &KXUFK ´ ³7KH\ VWUXW DURXQG SURXG RI EHLQJ EHQHIDFWRUV EXW LQ WKH HQG XQGHU WKH WDEOH PDNH WKHLU GHDOV ´ KH VDLG 3RSH )UDQFLV VDLG WKH &KXUFK LV PDGH XS RI SHRSOH ZLWK D YDULHW\ RI GLIIHUHQFHV DQG JLIWV DQG LI RQH ZDQWV WR EHORQJ WR LW KH RU she must be motivated by love and HQWHU ZLWK ³\RXU ZKROH KHDUW´ %HLQJ RSHQ WR WKH 6SLULW ZKR IRVWHUV KDUPRQ\ LQ GLYHUVLW\ KH VDLG EULQJV ³GRFLOLW\´ ZKLFK LV ³WKH YLUWXH WKDW VDYHV XV´ IURP HQWHULQJ WKH &KXUFK KDOI KHDUWHGO\ „ CNS

Pontiff remembers D-Day VATICAN CITY – People must con-

WLQXH WR UHFRJQLVH WKH VDFUL¿FH RI the Allied soldiers who liberated (XURSH IURP ³1D]L EDUEDULVP´ EXW DOVR VKRXOG QRW IRUJHW WKH *HUPDQ VROGLHUV ³GUDJJHG LQWR WKLV GUDPD´ VDLG 3RSH )UDQFLV 7KH SRSH EHOLHYHV ³SUHVHQW generations should express their IXOO UHFRJQLWLRQ WR DOO WKRVH ZKR PDGH VXFK D KHDY\ VDFUL¿FH´ VDLG &DUGLQDO 3LHWUR 3DUROLQ 9DWLFDQ VHFUHWDU\ RI VWDWH LQ D PHVVDJH FRPPHPRUDWLQJ WKH -XQH LQYDVLRQ RI 1RUPDQG\ The cardinal’s D-Day message was sent to Cardinal Andre 9LQJW 7URLV RI 3DULV DQG %LVKRS -HDQ &ODXGH %RXODQJHU RI %D\HX[ /LVLHX[ ZKR ZHUH PDUNLQJ WKH WK DQQLYHUVDU\ RI ' 'D\ DQG WKH OLEHUDWLRQ RI )UDQFH 7KH bishops blessed a commemoraWLYH EHOO QDPLQJ LW DIWHU 6W (GLWK 6WHLQ D FR SDWURQ RI (XURSH ZKR ZDV NLOOHG LQ D 1D]L GHDWK FDPS Cardinal Parolin said Pope )UDQFLV KRSHG WKH FRPPHPRUDWLRQ ZRXOG ³UHPLQG XV WKDW H[FOXGLQJ *RG IURP WKH OLYHV RI SHRSOH DQG VRFLHW\ FDQQRW

A British World War II veteran attends a commemoration ceremony in Ranville, France. CNS photo

EXW EULQJ GHDWK DQG VXIIHULQJ´ ³0D\ (XURSHDQ QDWLRQV ¿QG LQ WKH *RVSHO RI &KULVW WKH SULQFH RI SHDFH WKH URRWV RI WKHLU KLVWRU\ DQG WKH VRXUFH RI LQVSLUDWLRQ IRU IRUJLQJ ERQGV WKDW DUH DOZD\V IUDWHUQDO DQG PDUNHG E\ VROLGDULW\ ´ WKH SRSH SUD\HG „ CNS

Japanese PM gives pope ‘magic mirror’ VATICAN CITY – Knowing Pope

)UDQFLV¶ LQWHUHVW LQ WKH VWRU\ RI how Christianity survived in JaSDQ GHVSLWH FHQWXULHV RI SHUVHFXWLRQ -DSDQHVH 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU 6KLQ]R $EH JDYH 3RSH )UDQFLV D makyoh RU ³PDJLF PLUURU´ $IWHU D PLQXWH SULYDWH GLVcussion in the papal library on -XQH 0U $EH WRRN 3RSH )UDQFLV WR WKH OLEUDU\ ZLQGRZ RYHUORRNLQJ 6W 3HWHU¶V 6TXDUH WR VKRZ KLP KRZ LQ GLUHFW OLJKW D FURVV DSSHDUV RQ WKH PLUURU Clandestine Christians hung the mirrors in their houses or wore VPDOO YHUVLRQV RI WKHP RQ QHFNlaces at a time when being a ChrisWLDQ ZDV SXQLVKDEOH E\ GHDWK Christianity was banned in -DSDQ LQ DQG DOO SULHVWV DQG

Mr Shinzo Abe shows Pope Francis a makyoh. CNS photo

PLVVLRQDULHV ZHUH H[SHOOHG IURP WKH FRXQWU\ 7KH IDLWK ZDV LOOHJDO IRU WKH QH[W \HDUV $W RQH RI KLV ZHHNO\ JHQHUDO

DXGLHQFHV LQ -DQXDU\ 3RSH )UDQFLV KDG XVHG WKH VWRU\ RI -DSDQHVH Christians as an example and enFRXUDJHPHQW IRU &KULVWLDQV ZKR ¿QG WKHPVHOYHV WKH REMHFWV RI SHUVHFXWLRQ WRGD\ :KLOH WKRXVDQGV RI &KULVWLDQV ZHUH NLOOHG KH KDG VDLG WKRVH ZKR ZHUH OHIW ZHQW XQGHUJURXQG SUD\LQJ DQG SUDFWLVLQJ WKH IDLWK VHFUHWO\ When missionaries were alORZHG WR UHWXUQ DIWHU PRUH WKDQ WZR FHQWXULHV WKH\ IRXQG WKRXVDQGV RI &KULVWLDQV UHDG\ WR KHOS WKH &KXUFK EORVVRP DJDLQ VDLG WKH SRSH ZKR DV D \RXQJ -HVXLW wanted to serve as a missionary LQ -DSDQ EXW ZDV WXUQHG GRZQ EHFDXVH RI FRQFHUQV DERXW KLV KHDOWK „ CNS


18 OPINION

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Wearied in our patience

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: ra@catholic.org.sg

IN MEMORIAM: Susan Lim: memoriam@catholic.org.sg

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Richard Paul: subscriptions@catholic.org.sg

STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Clara Lai: clara.lai@catholic.org.sg

ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: advertisements@catholic.org.sg

EDITORIAL MATTERS AND QUERIES: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all letters to the editor. All decisions on submissions rest with the CatholicNews. Published submissions will be edited.

DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: design@catholic.org.sg Elaine Ong: elaine.ong@catholic.org.sg

The views or positions presented in articles in CatholicNews do not necessarily represent the views of the Church.

LETTER

About young people who stop attending Mass

CN, June 15

The reasons given by young people who have not been going to Mass regularly, as reported by &ODUD /DL <RXQJ 3HRSOH :KR 'RQÂśW $WWHQG &KXUFK &1 -XQH 15), make for interesting reading. They are not that insurmountable. If the Catholic Church wants to lead those who have left back to the fold, she has to do a lot of soul searching and for this, hopeIXOO\ WKH 2IÂżFH IRU <RXQJ 3HRSOH can be up to the task. Find out what is it in the Catholic Church that is driving the youths away to other religions or into the wilderness. Is it, to quote: ‡ Âł0DVV FDQ EH D OLWWOH GU\´" ‡ “see it [Mass] as a ritual and QRW D QHHG´" 6XFK DV VDPH URXWLQH H J ,QWURGXFWRU\ 5LWHV /LWXUJ\ RI the Eucharist etc. ‡ “the church was too indoctriQDWLQJ DQG VWLĂ€LQJ´" ‡ “the homilies. A lot of them I FRXOGQÂśW UHODWH WR´" All these are valid reasons. )U %ULDQ 'Âś6RX]DÂśV WDNH WKDW “our world has changed and the prevalent philosophies such as relativism, subjectivism and secuODULVP´ KDYH SHUYDGHG RXU VRFLHties is spot on. When human beings are exposed to all these changes, they start to question the ways the Catholic Church is being managed. I am not particularly worried. I understand those who want to leave the Church. I wish them a happy journey in search of the truth. There is this “God’s quiet presHQFH LQ RXU OLYHV´ DV PHQWLRQHG E\ Fr Ronald Rolheiser. They will be safe. The Catholic Church, based on Christ’s teaching, has given humanity a blueprint to live a life that supports each and every individual EHLQJ WR ÂżQG WKHLU GHVWLQ\ RQ WKLV Earth and the afterlife. Some accept this blueprint, others do not. „ Joseph Tan Singapore 287457

THIRTY years ago, before the airline hijackings of September 11, 2001, before the shoe-bomber and others like him, it was simpler to travel by air. You didn’t need to take off your shoes to pass through security, you could carry liquids with you, laptops and other electronic devices, if you had any, did not have to be brought out of your carryon bags, the door to the cockpit wasn’t barricaded with steel, and there was much less paranoia in general about security. You even got to see the pilot occasionally. I remember such an occasion thirty years ago when I did see the pilot, and heard him engage in conversation with a particular SDVVHQJHU ,W ZDV DQ HDUO\ PRUQLQJ Ă€LJKW IURP 'XEOLQ WR /RQGRQ in a small, commuter-type plane with no business-class section. I ZDV VHDWHG LQ WKH DLVOH VHDW LQ WKH ÂżUVW URZ DQG GLUHFWO\ DFURVV WKH DLVOH IURP PH LQ WKH ÂżUVW URZ RI VHDWV VDW D PLGGOH DJHG ZRPDQ ZKR YHU\ VRRQ PDGH LW FOHDU WKDW VKH KDG D SKRELD DERXW Ă€\LQJ Shortly after we were seated she called the airline attendant over and told her that her family had talked her into taking this Ă€LJKW EXW WKDW VKH ZDV WHUULEO\ IULJKWHQHG DQG ZDV KDYLQJ VHFRQG thoughts about staying on the plane. The attendant gently tried to reassure her that everything was safe; indeed statistically she was safer in the air than on the ground. But logic doesn’t so easily quiet a phobia. The woman was reassured for the moment, aided no doubt by the fact that she was sitting ten feet from the door which was still wide open and that our plane was, for the moment, obviously not going anywhere. But she began to be more progressively more panicky after the doors were closed and the plane began to back away from the gate. The airline attendant reappeared to calm her and, for a few moments again, her reassurance worked. The woman grew calm and our plane took its place in the queue of planes waiting to take off. Suddenly, the woman broke out in a full-scale anxiety-attack, shouting to the airline attendant that she needed to get off the plane. The attendant, having already twice failed to effectively calm her, opened the door to the cockpit to talk to the pilot and, within a minute, the pilot emerged and began to speak to the panicked woman. He might have been a professional counsellor, given the patience and empathy with which he treated her. He took her hand DQG JHQWO\ JDYH KHU UHDVVXUDQFHV Âł,WÂśV RND\ WR IHHO OLNH WKLV /RWV RI SHRSOH KDYH WKHVH IHDUV <RXÂśUH SHUIHFWO\ VDIH KHUH , KDYH Ă€RZQ this route countless times in this very airplane; I guarantee it’s VDIH <RXU IDPLO\ ZLOO EH ZDLWLQJ IRU \RX LQ /RQGRQ WKLQN RI KRZ happy they’ll be! And once you’ll have done this, you’ll be free from this fear for the rest of your life. I will personally escort you RII WKH SODQH LQ /RQGRQ ´ His words seemed to work a magic, the woman calmed down and nodded to him that she was ready. Yes, she was going to do this. The pilot returned to his seat in the cockpit, and I sat in awe of his patience. But a phobia is what it is. After several minutes, just as it was our turn to move out for takeoff, the woman went into another DQ[LHW\ DWWDFN ZRUVH WKDQ WKH ÂżUVW 7KH DLUOLQH DWWHQGDQW JRW XS and quickly opened the cockpit door, sharing the situation with the pilot. The door closed without a word and our plane turned round and slowly taxied back to our gate. Upon arrival, the pilot announced that we had returned to the JDWH EHFDXVH D SDVVHQJHU ZDV H[SHULHQFLQJ ÂłDQ HPHUJHQF\´ EXW that we wouldn’t be too long at the gate. A jetway bridge came out from the gate and the door of the plane opened. The airline attendant opened the door to the cockpit and I could hear the pilot’s voice clearly. Irritated, angry, sharp in tone, he said to the attendant: Get her off! Just get her off this plane! Gone were his patience, gentleness, warmth, and empathy. He had already tried these, to no avail. The woman had had her chance. It was time to move on: Get her off! Just get her off this plane! We all sympathised with his loss of patience. We’d run out of patience too. We needed to get on with our trip. It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried. He’d just run out of patience, got worn-down, had had enough. That’s understandable and forgivable. He’d had done well, pretty well in fact ‌ but, in the end, not well enough. Ultimately he had given in to weariness and scripture tells us that we must never grow weary of doing what’s right. „


19

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Challenges and goals for the German-speaking community By Clara Lai According to Fr Hans-Joachim Fogl, Singapore has the biggest active German-speaking Catholic community in Asia. Fr Hans, 53, who came to Singapore in September 2004, is currently the chaplain of the German Catholic community here. Together with one of the main coordinators Ms Susanne Greiner, 47, Fr Hans told CatholicNews about their community in a recent interview. The German Catholic community in Singapore was started in 1981, with only about 30 people attending the monthly German Mass then. Today, it has expanded to about 280 families, or approximately 900 people. There are about 250 people who attend the German Mass at Maris Stella Chapel at Holland Road every Sunday at 10.30am, except during the summer holidays in mid-June to mid-August, when they will then join their local parishes for Mass. Ms Greiner said that the people in the community are German-speaking and include Austrians, Swiss and people from Liechtenstein. “One unique thing I have to mention is that we have altar girls,â€? Fr Hans said with a grin. “It’s our tradition.â€? Sacraments In 2013, Fr Hans conducted two marriages in German. To qualify, the couple have to have at least one member who can speak German. Last year, the community had VHYHQ EDSWLVPV FRQÂżUPDQGV and 41 First Holy Communion children. This year’s, only 25 children had their First Holy Communion. Fr Hans explained that they

German Catholic children with their community’s chaplain, Fr Hans-Joachim Fogl, after this year’s First Holy Communion.

will try to send those wishing to be baptised to Germany to be baptised rather than being baptised here. It would be a hassle if they were back in their country and they wish to get married but UHTXLUH WKH EDSWLVP FHUWLÂżFDWH KH said.

and all priests in Germany have to do so. Therefore for these students, they just need to take a one-year preparatory class where they are guided by catechists weekly to have their First Holy Communion.

German Catholic children in Singapore study religion as part of their school syllabus.

The community’s events

In the German international school here, the children are already taking catechism as part of their curriculum – and there are exams too! Fr Hans, who teaches religion in the German-European School, explained that teaching religion is part of his parish work,

The community here tries “to keep our traditions according to our home country�, said Fr Hans. For example, they celebrate the feast days of St Martin with a lantern procession and of St Nicholas where the children will receive little gift bags of apples and oranges and chocolates. Their community feast is also an annual gathering for the members, and it is usually held in November to coincide with the feast day of their patron saint, St Elizabeth of Thuringia, Fr Hans said. However, they held the community feast on May 1 in the Church of St Ignatius this year. Challenges they face

Fr Hans (right) with one of the main coordinators, Ms Susanne Greiner.

7KH QXPEHU RI PHPEHUV Ă€XFWXDWH greatly, Fr Hans said. “Many families are leaving this year, especially during the summer break, either to go back home or to go to other countries.â€? Therefore, when current members see new faces, they will “contact them fast and make them feel at homeâ€?, Ms Greiner said. They would also then have to “make the community more open towards having new peopleâ€?, she added. In Germany, the parish activities are supported by mandatory Church taxes. But for the commu-

This year, the community feast was held at the Church of St Ignatius on May 1. The event is an annual gathering for members.

nity here, their events are funded by collections and donations from people. This creates a challenge, because as Ms Greiner puts it, “people are not used to giving so much to the Churchâ€?. The community’s projects The community has been supporting an orphanage in Cambodia for QLQH \HDUV E\ ÂżQDQFLDOO\ VSRQVRUing 80 children in education and healthcare. They also go there regularly ZLWK WKH &RQÂżUPDQGV WR LQWHUDFW with the children. Fr Hans added that each year, the Grade 10 students in his school will go to India for a twoweek community project where they will help by building houses or water tanks. %RWK SURMHFWV DUH ÂżQDQFLDOO\ supported by the German Catholic community when the students have fundraisers at the Maris Stella Chapel.

Ms Greiner also said that every Tuesday morning, the women in the community will go to the Missionaries of Charity’s Gift of Love Home to interact with the residents by playing jigsaw puzzles and singing with them, among other activities. But could there be more collaboration between the community and the local Church? Fr Hans said that perhaps for the community feast in future, “we can invite parishioners in all the local parishes to join�. He added that there are plans to organise a concert in March next year, which they will try to link with Singapore’s 50th birthday so that it would be their present for the country. Both Fr Hans and Ms Greiner also agreed that they hope this concert will bring more collaboration between their community and the local Church. „ clara.lai@catholic.org.sg


20 JUBILARIANS

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Honouring our This issue, CatholicNews gives special mention to our priests 60 YEARS

Franciscan Friar Bonaventure dedicated himself to pastoral and formation ministry in Singapore throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to serving at Bukit Batok, he ministered at the Church of St Francis of Assisi, the Church of Sacred

Heart as well as with Hai Sing Pao. After leaving Singapore, Friar Bonaventure served as a missionary in Morocco, and subsequently with the Chinese community in Australia, before returning to Taiwan, where he continues to be engaged with pastoral ministry. Friar Bonaventure celebrated his diamond jubilee with a Mass and lunch reception at the Church of St Mary of the Angels on May 17. „

Sr Elizabeth will be celebrating her Diamond Jubilee on Dec 7. In her youth, she joined the group called Children of Mary under the spiritual direction of Fr Francis Chan (who later became the Bishop of Penang). One day, Fr Chan took her and a few others to visit the Carmelite Monastery at Kampong Bahru. She liked the place very much and asked to join the community as a lay Sister. Although there was much to do tending the vegetable garden, feeding the

poultry and helping in the household chores, Sr Elizabeth had time for English lessons and was instructed in Carmelite spirituality. After Vatican II, she made her solemn profession. Although she continued to have a great love for plants and animals, she was given new responsibilities. The most outstanding years were those when she was in charge of the Host OfÂżFH 6KH MXVW NQHZ KRZ WR PL[ Ă€RXU ZLWK the right amount of cold water to make the whitest and crispiest hosts that the faithful in Singapore had tasted for so many years. When interviewed, she said, “Too cold cannot, not cold enough also cannot.â€? Nowadays, she is happy when given some ginger or garlic to peel every morning and is ever ready to help other Sisters cook the string beans or pluck some vegetables. She is hard of hearing and has poor YLVLRQ EXW \RX FDQ ÂżQG KHU LQ WKH &KRLU ZKHQ WKH 'LYLQH 2IÂżFH LV UHFLWHG GXULQJ meditation and she is most fervent at daily Mass. „

In 1951, Gladys Sewell entered the Postulancy at Mount Alvernia Convent in Moulmein Road, thus starting her journey as a Franciscan Missionary of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sister. Now known as Sr Thomasina, she celebrated 60 years as an FMDM Sister on March 24. Sr Thomasina took up nursing and midwifery training, as well as Advanced

Nursing Administration in England and Ireland before returning to Mt Alvernia Hospital in 1961. Her ministry has mainly been in nursing and midwifery, as well as in administration and leadership. She worked in Mt Alvernia Hospital, Villa Francis, Our Lady’s Hospital in Ipoh and back again in England and Ireland. Sr Thomasina was also the Novice 'LUHFWUHVV ZKHQ WKH\ VWDUWHG WKHLU ¿UVW ORcal Novitiate in the 1980s. After her time again in the Motherhouse in England, she returned to Singapore in 2001. Presently, Sr Thomasina’s ministry is to help in the hospital as an FMDM Sister. „

Theresa Pillai joined the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood in 1952. She had her Religious Formation at the International Noviciate in United Kingdom and made KHU ÂżUVW YRZV RQ 6KH ZDV QDPHG Sr Catherine of Siena. During her Religious life, Sr Siena underwent General Nursing Training in Ireland and Midwifery training in UK.

Returning to Singapore she has served in several capacities, including nursing at the Trafalgar Home for people with Hansen’s Disease in our early history. Later, she served in Mount Alvernia Hospital in the General and Maternity Wards until her retirement. Sr Siena took on training in Clinical Pastoral Education in the Philippines and the Singapore Anti-Narcotic Association’s (SANA) basic training for 9ROXQWHHU $IWHUFDUH 2I¿FHUV 6KH VHUYHG on SANA and visited prisons for many years. She received the Silver Medal of Honour in 2004 and the Gold Medal of Honour for her dedication to this cause in 2005. Sr Siena is now being cared for at the St Theresa’s Home for the elderly. „

Born in 1961, Fr Hans-Joachim Fogl grew up in South Germany. After KH ÂżQLVKHG +LJK School in 1981, he joined the Theological Pre-seminar to study Latin, Greek and Hebrew and in 1982, he started his studies in philosophy and theology at the Universities in TĂźbingen and Innsbruck. His ordination as deacon was in December 1987. In 1989, he was ordained priest. Thereafter, Fr Hans also took up pedagogical and spiritual studies and became an educator for children and juveniles, as well as spiritual advisor.

In 2001, Fr Hans was appointed to work for the Secretary of the External of the German Bishops’ Conference. He was also Chaplain of the German-speaking Catholic Community in Rome until July 2004. Since September 2004, Fr Hans has been chaplain of the German-speaking Catholic Community in Singapore. In addition to that, he has also been chaplain of the German-speaking Catholic Community in Kuala Lumpur since 2008 and coordinator for the Chaplaincies of Southeast Asia-Australia since 2009. In Singapore, he takes care of the German-speaking Catholics from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol. As part of his appointment as priest, he also teaches Religion at the German-European School in Singapore. „

25 YEARS

Fr James Yeo marked his 25th year as a priest on May 1. A Mass celebrated by Fr Cary Chan and Fr Alphonsus Dominic, and concelebrated by more than 50 priests was held at the Church of the Holy Spirit that day. After his years of formation in the Major Seminary in Penang, Fr James was ordained a deacon in the Church of Christ the King on 14th March 1989. He was supposed to serve in that par-

ish, but due to some developments in the Church of Risen Christ, he ministered there instead until 1994. In that same year, he left for further studies in Rome. On his return in 1996, he began teaching in the Major Seminary in Singapore. At the same time, he also served at the Church of the Holy Spirit till 1998. In 1998, he was appointed parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He served there until 2005, when he left for Australia to pursue his doctorate degree. On his return, he was in the Church of St Anne from 2007 to 2012. In 2013, he was appointed by Archbishop William Goh as rector of the new Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore. „


JUBILARIANS 21

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Jubilarians

s and Religious who celebrate their jubilees this year. 50 YEARS

Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia was born in 1938, and ordained a priest on Jan 26, 1964. From 1964 to 1966, he served as assistant priest of Church of Sts Peter and Paul and from 1967 to 1969, he was assistant priest at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. He spent two years in Rome to obtain his licentiate in moral theology from the Gregorian University, and also did comparative studies on religions. Archbishop Chia then became a lecturer in College General, Penang from 1973 to 1977. In that same year, he took a two-month course on the marriage tribunal in the Gregorian University. From 1978 to 1990, he was Singapore Pastoral Institute’s director. From 1980 to 2001, he was parish priest of Church of the Holy Cross. He was also an external lecturer at the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary from 1983 to 1996, the chaplain to Catholic students in National University of Singapore from 1990-2001, as well as chancellor and procurator of the Singapore archdiocese from 1995 to 2001. On October 7, 2001, he was ordained Archbishop of Singapore. Archbishop Chia established various bodies to oversee the critical interests of the Church. These include:

Fr Peter Tan, who was born in 1953, was ordained a priest on Feb 25, 1989. He was previously an assistant priest at the Church of the Holy Cross, and his most recent appointment was as parish priest of the Church of St Michael, which he has been since February 2002. „

‡ The archdiocesan vocation promotion team, parish vocation teams and Serra Club to promote vocations to the priesthood. ‡ Caritas and CHARIS to coordinate the archdiocesan’s charitable works. ‡ Small Christian Communities (SCCs). ‡ The Archdiocesan Land and Properties Singapore (ALPS) to oversee the management of archdiocesan land and building assets. ‡ The Professional Standards 2I¿FH 362 WR PDLQWDLQ WKH SURfessionalism of clergy and Church workers, including volunteers,

especially those dealing with children. ‡ The Catholic Archdiocesan Youth Centre and Youth Ministry 2I¿FH ‡ The Human Resources Of¿FH WR VWDQGDUGLVH KXPDQ UHVRXUFH practices within the archdiocese. Archbishop Chia is also known for his commitment to interreligious dialogue. In 2012, he was given the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Award. 2Q 0D\ 5RPH RI¿cially accepted Archbishop Chia’s resignation as head of Singapore archdiocese. „

Having spent almost two decades serving the hearing impaired in Singapore, which brought her to various parts of the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and China, Sr Jacqueline left that all behind to embark on a journey of a lifetime – to the golden land of a million pagodas. Since late 2010, she has of¿FLDOO\ WDNHQ RQ WKH &DQRVVD PLVsion in Myanmar, organising youth camps for the hundreds of children

and young adults hungering to learn and discover new experiences. She empowers them by teaching English and faith education through a slew of interactive games, inspiring workshops and input talks. Very often, she has to travel for days under erratic weather conditions into the farthest reaches of her adopted country, which has just opened up to tourism in 2011. Sr Jacq shrugs it off by saying, “The Lord is never outdone in generosity,� as she recounts her many heart-warming encounters with the local churches and fellow Catholics she meets along the way. „

Fr Robert Balhetchet was born in 1939. Ordained on Jan 26, 1964, he was later appointed assistant parish priest of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in 1965. In 1980, he then became parish priest. In that year, he was also in the planning committee of St

Francis Xavier Major Seminary. Fr Balhetchet was the overall coordinator for the committee organising Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1986, and was also the chaplain of Carmelite Monastery. He was the editor of CatholicNews from 2002 to 2003. Fr Balhetchet was also trained in dogmatic theology specialising in ecclesiology. After earning his doctorate, he taught at College General, then the regional seminary for Malaysia and Singapore. Fr Balhetchet was a promiQHQW ¿JXUH LQ WKH ¿HOG RI HGXcation in Singapore. It is said that the late Mr Goh Keng Swee, who was then Singapore’s Minister for Education, had great respect for him. „

Born in 1935, Fr Aloysius Doraisamy was ordained on Jan 26, 1964. He has been a priest-inresidence in the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Church of St Francis Xavier, Church of St Teresa, and the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. „

Carmelite Sr Angeline will be celebrating her 25th year as a Religious on Oct 15. She entered the congregation in January 1987 and never regretted her decision, she said. The spiritual life in Carmel has been a joy and delight to her soul, she added. She believes that faith is the strength of their prayers and that every day is a new beginning for deeper faith. In 2004, Sr Angeline felt another new call, which was their mission for Myanmar. The Sisters now hope and pray that in His time, God may „ Continued on Page 22

grace them with a Carmelite monastery in Myanmar for His holy people and for His greater glory. „


22 JUBILARIANS

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

Honouring our Jubilarians 50 YEARS „ From Page 21

Fr Anthony Ponnudurai was born in Singapore in 1932 and moved to India during his childhood years. It was there that he entered the Society of Jesus in 1951. He stayed in India for his formation to the priesthood and was ordained on March 19, 1964. He made KLV WHUWLDQVKLS WKH ÂżQDO SKDVH of formation for Jesuits) in InGLD DQG PDGH KLV ÂżQDO SURIHVsion as a Jesuit in 1970. Fr Ponnudurai had worked in India, Mauritius and Indo-

nesia until 1976, when he was appointed parish priest of the Church of the Risen Christ in Kuala Lumpur. Due to the dif¿FXOW\ IRU SULHVWV DQG 5HOLJLRXV to renew visas in Malaysia in the 1980s, Fr Ponnudurai came to Singapore during that time and was duly invited to apply for Singapore citizenship as he was born in Singapore. That was when he also joined the local Jesuit community. He was appointed novice master and team member of the then newly established Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling and helped with Masses both at the Jesuit parish Church of St Ignatius as well as at the Church of St Vincent de Paul. He was appointed Regional Superior of the Malaysia-Singapore Region of the Jesuits from 1992-1998. Fr Ponnudurai continues to minister to the faithful at Church of St Ignatius and gives talks, seminars and retreats on Ignatian Spirituality at the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. „

Fr Frans De Ridder was born in Belgium in 1940. He joined the Scheut Missions (CICM) in 1958, was ordained a priest in 1964, and left for Taiwan the following year. After studying Taiwanese, while in the diocese of Taichung, he taught in the Catechist School and was spiritual director in the Minor Seminary. From 1973 to 1979, he was CICM

Provincial Superior of Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. After 15 years in Taiwan, Fr Frans started a new chapter in his journey when he was assigned to Singapore in 1981 and served as assistant priest at the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Church of Christ the King. Later, as rector of the CICM house at Nassim Road and Lady Hill, he was involved in a variety of groups and ministries: CHOICE, Engaged Encounter, Marriage Encounter (both English and Mandarin), the Archdiocesan Commission for Missionary Activity (ACMA) and the InterReligious Organisation (IRO). He was also spiritual director of many Religious and laypeople – an ongoing ministry up to the present. While he was superior of CICM Singapore, he had the joy of welcoming and accompanying two local CICM vocations: Fr Peter Koh and Fr Anthony Lim.

In 1994 he was assigned as assistant priest at the Church of St Francis of Assisi until 1997 when his responsibilities in the CICM China Apostolate became a fulltime task demanding frequent travel between China, Belgium and the Philippines. He returned to Singapore in April 2005 and, from the CICM District House in Pandan Valley, he resumed his missionary activities, also helping out at the Church of the Holy Cross, particularly among the Mandarin-speaking. In 2010, he was once again appointed Provincial Superior with residence in Taipei. After his WHUP RI RI¿FH ZDV FRPSOHWHG KH opted to resume pastoral ministry in Taipei where, since beginning 2013, he has been parish priest at the Church of the Holy Rosary. Fr Frans is expected to celebrate his golden jubilee with a Mass at the Church of St Francis of Assisi on Aug 12 at 7.30pm. „

Note: Not all who are celebrating their jubilees are highlighted here as some have declined to be featured.

Compiled by Clara Lai.


Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

23


24

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

By Joe Sarnicola

and to keep all of my commandments! Then they and their descendants MOSES had called the people of Is- would prosper forever.â€? The Lord told Moses to let the peorael together so that he could give them the laws and regulations that ple of Israel know that if they obeyed God wanted them to follow. He said, Him, He would love and bless them “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordi- above all people. Moses told the peonances which I proclaim in your hear- ple that whenever God tested them, He ing this day, that you may learn them always rewarded them when they were faithful to Him. “Remember how for and take care to observe them.â€? Moses reminded the people how these forty years the Lord, your God, God had guided them out of the slav- has directed all your journeying in the ery of Egypt and how they had wan- ZLOGHUQHVV VR DV WR WHVW \RX E\ DIĂ€LFdered through the desert. Life was tion, to know what was in your heart: to GLIÂżFXOW DQG VRPHWLPHV WKH SHRSOH keep His commandments, or not.â€? 0RVHV JDYH WKH ,VUDHOLWHV VSHFLÂżF complained or thought God had abandoned them, but they said to Moses, examples of how the Lord had cared “You go closer and listen to all that for them. “He therefore let you be afthe Lord, our God, will say, and then Ă€LFWHG ZLWK KXQJHU DQG WKHQ IHG \RX tell us what the Lord, our God, tells with manna, a food unknown to your ancestors, so you might know that it you; we will listen and obey.â€? When Moses repeated this to the is not by bread alone that people live, Lord, He said, “Would that they might but by all that comes forth from the always be of such a mind, to fear me mouth of the Lord.â€?

Bartholomew was born in Northumbria, England, and was one of several men Religious who followed the example set by St Cuthbert to live as hermits on the island of Farne. He is most likely of Scandinavian heritage, and he had a strong desire to travel and explore. He went to Norway, where he became a priest. When Bartholomew arrived at Farne, he found another hermit was already in the place he wanted to live, and the man tried to chase him away. The other hermit eventually left, and Bartholomew had the home he wanted. After being offended by another monk, Bartholomew left the island, but he returned a year later and reconciled with the monk. Bartholomew left a legacy of a holy life and several miracles. +H GLHG LQ DQG ZH KRQRXU KLP RQ -XQH „

Read more about it: Deuteronomy 5-8

Q&A 1. How long had the Israelites wandered in the wilderness? 2. What did God provide when the people were hungry?

Wordsearch: „ FOOD

„ BREAD

„ SAFE

„ WATER

„ HEART

„ SWELL

„ MIND

„ HUNGER

„ MOUTH

„ GOD

„ LIFE

„ PROUD

BIBLE TRIVIA: What were the Ten Commandments ÂżUVW ZULWWHQ RQ" (Exodus 34)

Bible Accent:

Ruth Esther Isaiah, Jonah,

Answer to Bible Trivia: Stone tablets

Moses is one of the most imSRUWDQW ¿JXUHV RI WKH 2OG Testament. Although he had been raised as if he were the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, God called him to lead the Israelite nation out of the slavery of Egypt and into the freedom of the Promised Land. Moses brought the Ten Commandments down from the mountain. When Moses was not able to give Pharaoh the warning messages from God, God allowed Aaron, the brother of Moses, to speak for him. Moses was even seen in the New Testament at the WUDQV¿JXUDWLRQ RI -HVXV „

PUZZLE: How many Old Testament books can you spell using letters from the following phrase (letters can be used more than once in each answer): “The Lord has directed all your journeying in the wilderness?�

Answer to Wordsearch

St Bartholomew of Farne

come proud or to forget the Lord, who had brought them out of Egypt, guided them through the wilderness, provided food and water, and kept them safe. „

Answer to puzzle: Joshua, Judges, Chronicles, Judith, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, Daniel, Hosea, Haggai.

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

And also, “The clothing did not fall from you in tatters, nor did your feet swell these forty years. So you must know in your heart that, even as a man disciplines His son, so the Lord, your God, disciplines you. Therefore, keep the commandments of the Lord, your God, by walking in His ways and fearing Him.� Moses wanted the people to always remember that all of the blessings they had received had come from the Lord. He did not want them to be-


WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday June 29, 2014 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www. catholic.org.sg/webevent_form.php CARLO CATHOLIC SOCIETY BURSARY SCHEME 2014 &ORVLQJ GDWH -XQH $SSOLFDWLRQ IRUP available at 225-B Queen Street, or E: bursary@carlo.org.sg; or : KWWS RQ IE PH <R,$ CTIS LIBRARY Visit the CTIS Library at the Catholic Centre, Level 4, 55 Waterloo Street IRU \RXU VSLULWXDO UHDGLQJ DQG UHVHDUFK Library opening hours: 10am-8pm Mondays to Fridays, 10am- 2pm Saturdays. Contact: 6434 8008 (Angela) JUNE 28 AND JULY 18 TAMIL LANGUAGE MINISTRY A new Tamil language ministry at the &KXUFK RI 6W 0DU\ RI WKH $QJHOV 7DPLO 0DVV ZLOO EH KHOG HYHU\ WK 6DWXUGD\ RI WKH month at 7.30pm in the main Church, and 'LYLQH 0HUF\ 5RVDU\ RQ HYHU\ UG )ULGD\ RI the month at 7.30pm. Contact T: 9066 5396 )HOL[ ( FRQWDFWIHOL[ #\DKRR FRP VJ RU 9384 8957 (John), E: johnjoken@gmail.com JUNE 24 DISCOVERING THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH 8-10pm: This seminar with Fr Matthew Linn, SJ, will draw on psychology and spirituality. By Kingsmead Centre, at 8 Victoria Park Rd. Contribution $30. Register T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com JUNE 24 CATHOLIC BUSINESS NETWORK BUZZ NIGHT SP $ QLJKW RI IHOORZVKLS DQG IULHQGVKLS ZLWK IHOORZ &DWKROLF ZRUNLQJ SURIHVVLRQDOV DQG EXVLQHVV RZQHUV ZLWK IRRG DQG GULQNV SURYLGHG $W &URVVLQJV &DIH :DWHUORR St. Price: $35 (CBN Member), $45 (Non-member). Register T: 9228 4463 (Raymond); E: raymond@cbn.sg JUNE 26 BOYS’ TOWN CHARITY MOVIE – TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION SP %R\Vœ 7RZQœV ¿UVW FKDULW\ PRYLH IXQGUDLVLQJ GULYH 'RQDWLRQV DUH HQWLWOHG WR the movie ticket, combo set and 2.5 times tax exemption. At Filmgarde Bugis+. Visit KWWS ZZZ ER\VWRZQ RUJ VJ IRU GHWDLOV Enquiries T: 6690 5420 ext 404 (Lorraine) or ext 406 (Elaine), E: lorraine@boystown. org.sg / elainechong@boystown.org.sg JUNE 26 SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF ST JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA, FOUNDER OF OPUS DEI 7.30 pm: Main celebrant will be $UFKELVKRS :LOOLDP *RK $W &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW &RQIHVVLRQV IURP SP

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. TUESDAYS JUNE 24 RCIA @ CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY 7.45pm: At 20 Tampines Street 11. Register T: 8444 5505 (Greg); E: rciaht@gmail.com or drop by at the FKXUFK VHFUHWDULDW WR ¿OO XS D IRUP THURSDAYS JUNE 26 RCIA / RCIY @ CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BVM 8-9.30pm: At 1259 Upper Serangoon Road. Register T: 9685 6673 (Genevieve); E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg / ailianlau@hotmail.com TUESDAYS JULY 1 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER 8-9.45pm: At 63A Chartwell Drive. Register T: 6280 6076; E: sylseck@yahoo.com FRIDAYS JULY 4 RCIY @ CHURCH OF THE RISEN CHRIST 8-9.30pm: At 91 Toa Payoh Central. Register T: 9489 8086 (Jeremy), E: jeremyleehr@gmail.com SUNDAYS JULY 6 RCIA @ CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL 9.30am: In Mandarin. At 17 St Michael’s Road. Register T: 9622 8749 (Marie) / 9682 9679 (Sophia); E: mariechong4christ@gmail.com

JUNE 27 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR SANCTITY OF PRIESTLY LIFE 8-9.30pm: A concelebrated Mass by diocesan and Religious priests, presided by Archbishop William Goh. $W &KXUFK RI 6W ,JQDWLXV FRIDAY JUNE 27 TO SUNDAY JUNE 29 RETROUVAILLE – A LIFELINE FOR MARRIED COUPLES 8pm (Fri) – 5pm (Sun): Marriage &KDOOHQJHV" 5HWURXYDLOOH KHOSV FRXSOHV put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. Register T: 6711 6774 (Laurence & Christina Tan); ( LQIR#KHOSRXUPDUULDJH VJ JUNE 28 STAGES IN SPIRITUAL LIFE – BIBLE STUDY AND REFLECTION ON ST PETER’S LIFE SP 3HWHUœV OLIH UHYHDOV WR XV WKH SURJUHVV DQG WKH SLWIDOOV HQFRXQWHUHG E\ RQH RI WKH JUHDWHVW VDLQWV RI DOO WLPH $W &KXUFK RI WKH 1DWLYLW\ RI WKH %OHVVHG 9LUJLQ 0DU\ All are welcome. Enquiries: 9634 5448 0DUWLQXV RU SDULVK RI¿FH TUESDAYS JULY 1 TO NOVEMBER 18 ACTS – THE SPREAD OF THE KINGDOM 7.30-9.30pm: This video series led by -HII &DYLQV UHYHDOV KRZ WKH &KXUFK DFFRPSOLVKHV WKH PRQXPHQWDO WDVN RI teaching, preaching, healing and restoring outcasts with the Holy Spirit. At Church RI WKH 5LVHQ &KULVW 3DULVK +DOO 5HJLVWHU ( IUHH ULVHQFKULVW#JPDLO FRP : KWWS KRPH FDWKROLFZHE FRP IUHHDWULVHQFKULVW

JULY 5 COMMUNICATING WELL 2-5pm: A three-hour Workshop based on the non-violent communication approach created by Dr Marshall Rosenberg. At 100 Jalan Merbok. Contribution: $35 (with UHIUHVKPHQWV 5HJLVWHU 7 %UHQGD ( OLIHVSULQJV#VLQJQHW FRP VJ

JULY 12 MEDITATIVE PRAYER USING THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8pm: All are welcome. No registration UHTXLUHG $W 7KH $UPHQLDQ &KXUFK RI 6W Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill Street). Enquiries T: 9837 7256; E: bennycah@gmail.com

SATURDAYS JULY 5, 12 19 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP 9am-1pm: An evidence-based programme developed by Boystown, USA, on managing FKLOGUHQÂśV EHKDYLRXUV ZLWKRXW VDFULÂżFLQJ their dignity. At Morning Star (Hougang Centre), 4 Lorong Low Koon. Register W: www.morningstar.org.sg; Enquiries T: 6285 1377; programs@morningstar.org.sg

JULY 19 ART JAMMING – ACCOMPANIED BY LIVE MUSIC! 3-6pm: No artistic experience necessary. $OO DUW PDWHULDOV DQG UHIUHVKPHQWV ZLOO be provided. Participants get to enjoy a FDSSHOOD VLQJLQJ RI VRQJV IURP PRYLHV Fee: $40 (payment at the door). At Mary & Magdalene Hall, Level 3, The Catholic Centre (55 Waterloo Street). Register T: 6757 7990; E: registration@clarity-singapore.org

JULY 6, AUGUST 24, SEPTEMBER 7, OCTOBER 5 IS IT POSSIBLE? CATHOLIC FAMILY IN TODAY’S WORLD SP 2YHU IRXU PRQWKV ZLWK GLIIHUHQW WKHPHV &DWKROLF IDPLOLHV DUH LQYLWHG WR UHÀHFW SUD\ DQG GHOLEHUDWH RQ VRPH pressing issues they grapple on a daily basis. A concurrent programme is available IRU FKLOGUHQ DJHG \HDUV ZKLOH WKHLU parents attend the sessions. By Earthen Vessels Catholic Community. Contribution: /RYH RIIHULQJ 5HJLVWHU E\ -XQH T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com MONDAYS JULY 7 TO AUGUST 25 LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS 7.30pm: LISS is a spiritual programme comprising talks, Sacraments, sharing, prayer, scriptures and ministering to deepen personal relationship with Christ. At Church RI 5LVHQ &KULVW 5HJLVWHU 7 (Maria); 9657 3097 (Helen); E: m4trinity@ gmail.com / dchelen52@gmail.com

WEDNESDAYS JULY 2 TO JULY 23 MARY: A BIBLICAL WALK WITH BLESSED MOTHER 9.30-11.30am: A DVD-based programme by Dr Edward Sri. Filmed on location in the Holy Land, it is an extraordinary pilgrimage that reveals Mary’s unique role in God’s Kingdom and in our lives. Registration Fee: $5, Study Manual RSWLRQDO $W &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ Spirit, Room 03-02. Register T: 8228 8220 (Clare); E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com

WEDNESDAYS JULY 9 TO SEPTEMBER 24 BOOK OF REVELATION BY MSGR AMBROSE VAZ 8-10pm: Want to know and understand this %RRN RI WKH %LEOH WKHQ FRPH DQG MRLQ XV &RXUVH IHH EULQJ DORQJ \RXU %LEOH DQG ZULWLQJ PDWHULDOV $W &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ Spirit. Register T: 9479 3120 (Alexander); E: hsbibleapostolate.pm@gmail.com

WEDNESDAYS JULY 2 TO NOVEMBER 26 ACTS: THE SPREAD OF THE KINGDOM 7.30-9.30pm: A 20-session DVD SUHVHQWDWLRQ E\ -HII &DYLQV /HDUQ DERXW WKH VSUHDG RI WKH &KXUFK DIWHU 3HQWHFRVW At Blessed Sacrament Church, St James’ 5RRP /HYHO 'DPLHQ &HQWUH &RVW RI Workbook: $39. Register: SMS 8518 2388 (Andrew); E: cyclops135an@gmail.com

WEDNESDAYS JULY 9 AND JULY 16 CHRISTIAN MEDITATION FOR CAREGIVERS IN MANDARIN 9.30-11am: A two-session introduction to Christian meditation conducted in Mandarin. By Clarity Singapore and WCCM Singapore. At Blk 854 #01-3511, <LVKXQ 5LQJ 5RDG 5HJLVWHU 7 E: rebecca.oh@clarity-singapore.org

FRIDAY JULY 4 TO SUNDAY JULY 6 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND 8pm (Fri) - 6pm (Sun): This is a live-in PDUULDJH HQULFKPHQW SURJUDPPH IRU married couples. At 201-B Punggol 17th Avenue. Register T: 9670 5390 (Vincent & Julyn); E: register@marriage-encounter-sg.org; W: wwmesg.org.

WEDNESDAYS JULY 9 TO AUGUST 13 FR ROBERT BARRON’S DVDBASED STUDY OF CONVERSION 7.30-9.30pm: In Conversion, Fr Barron H[SORUHV WKH VWRULHV RI VL[ ELEOLFDO ¿JXUHV whose lives changed in response to God’s call. $W &KXUFK RI 6W $OSKRQVXV 1RYHQD &KXUFK Peter Donders Room (Level 2). Cost: $20. Register by June 30, E: bible.novena@gmail. FRP 25 ¿OO LQ IRUP DW &KXUFK UHFHSWLRQ

Crossword Puzzle 1113 1

2

3

4

5

14

15

17

18

20

21 24

6

7

34

24

13

30

31

32

51

52

27

37 39

40

41 44

43 46 47 54

48

55

56

57

49

50 58

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

60

12

23

29

45

53

11

19

36

38 42

10

22

25

35

9

16

28 33

8

61

59

www.wordgamesforcatholics.com

JULY 20 PRISONS WEEK MASS 11.15am: The Roman Catholic Prison Ministry celebrates Prisons Week with a Eucharist celebrated by Archbishop William *RK DW WKH &KXUFK RI WKH ,PPDFXODWH +HDUW RI 0DU\ :H JDWKHU WR SUD\ IRU SULVRQHUV H[ RIIHQGHUV YLFWLPV RI FULPH DOO WKHLU IDPLOLHV DQG WKH PDQ\ SHRSOH LQYROYHG LQ this ministry. All are welcome. MONDAY JULY 21 TO FRIDAY JULY 25 NTU CATHOLIC STUDENTS’ APOSTOLATE FRESHMEN ORIENTATION CAMP At Fairy Point Chalet 4. Register T: 9230 1810 / 8183 4532; ( FVDIRF #JPDLO FRP SATURDAY JULY 26 TO MONDAY JULY 28 CAMS YOUTH CAMP 2014 DP 6DW SP 0RQ &$06 <RXWK Annual Camp (Conducted in Mandarin) LV EDFN DJDLQ $FWLYLWLHV LQFOXGH spiritual activities, talks on the ten Commandments by priests and many JDPHV $W &KXUFK RI WKH 1DWLYLW\ RI WKH Blessed Virgin Mary. Register T: 9113 6598 (Nic); E: nicholas.cheang91@gmail.com JULY 26 PRECISION ONCOLOGY 10am-12.30pm: Understanding the latest advancement in cancer management. A seminar by Dr Terence Aik Huang Tan, a Specialist Medical Oncologist. Organised E\ WKH /LIH LQ WKH 9LQH &DQFHU 6XSSRUW *URXS $W WKH &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW Upper Room, Level 4 Attic. All are ZHOFRPH DQG DGPLVVLRQ LV IUHH 5HJLVWHU T: 6252 5646 (Kuntarjo) / 9678 0397 (Ana); E: vine.csg@gmail.com JULY 27 AND 28 LIVING AUTHENTIC LIVES 2-5pm (Sun), 9-5pm (Mon): A two-day ZRUNVKRS IRU WKRVH LQ SDVWRUDO FDUH DQG IRU VSLULWXDO GLUHFWRUV 7KHUH ZLOO EH LQSXW WLPH IRU SUD\HU DQG VKDULQJ $W Kingsmead Centre, 9 Victoria Park Rd. Contribution: $300. Register by July 20, T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

ACROSS BBB RI WKH &URVV %URWKHU RI 0RVHV 10 Catholic FRPHGLHQQH RI Âł<RXU 6KRZ RI Showsâ€? 14 Fortuneteller’s phrase %HHI FXW /DUJH FUXFLÂż[ 2QH RI &ROXPEXVÂś ships *URXS RI UHOLJLRXV 19 Foretell 0RE IROORZHU" 21 Apollo creator 23 Aves. 24 Flowed out 26 US government agency 0RWKHU RI -RKQ the Baptist 33 Pass into disuse 37 First century writing on the doctrine and WHDFKLQJ RI WKH early Church 38 Leave out 39 “Dittoâ€? 41 Heath .LQJ RI ,VUDHO 44 Roman god with WZR IDFHV 45 Inanity 47 North American deer *XIIDZ 53 Rev.’s alma mater 5HDGLO\ Ă€XHQW

58 US labour agency 60 Stadiums 62 Tiny 6XJJHVWLRQV IURP AAA 64 Hawaiian goose 65 Assumed name 66 Trim 67 Bearded antelopes 68 Former Russian rulers 69 Span. lass

WEDNESDAYS JULY 30 TO AUGUST 13 CONVERSION: FOLLOWING THE CALL OF CHRIST 9.30-11.30am: A DVD-based programme E\ )U 5REHUW %DUURQ 6L[ VWRULHV RI &RQYHUVLRQ IURP WKH *RVSHOV DUH WROG by Fr Barron. Registration Fee: $5. At &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW 5RRP Register T: 8228 8220 (Clare); E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com WEDNESDAYS JULY 30 TO AUGUST 13 THE WAY OF JUSTICE AND PEACE: LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY DP 7KLV VWXG\ KHOSV XV WR UHÀHFW on God’s call to holiness & our response, WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI GLVFLSOHVKLS DQG WKH ODVWLQJ UHZDUGV RI IROORZLQJ WKH ZD\ RI MXVWLFH DQG SHDFH $ JRRG IRXQGDWLRQ IRU anyone growing in public discipleship. Registration Fee: $5, Study Set (optional): $W &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW 5RRP #03-02. Register T: 8228 8220 (Clare); E: HSBibleApostolate@gmail.com AUGUST 1 TO SEPTEMBER 5 CATECHISM FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS – REGISTRATION 7KH &&' SURJUDPPH DW WKH &KXUFK RI 6W ,JQDWLXV RIIHUV IDLWK IRUPDWLRQ IRU VWXGHQWV attending international schools and who IROORZ WKH 6HSWHPEHU WR 0D\ DFDGHPLF calendar. Classes (Kinder to Grade 7) are RIIHUHG RQ HLWKHU 7XHVGD\V RU 7KXUVGD\V IURP WR SP DQG WKH &RQ¿UPDWLRQ SURJUDPPH LV RIIHUHG RQ 6XQGD\V WR SP 7R UHJLVWHU DQG WR ¿QG RXW PRUH please visit www.stignatius.org.sg/ccd. FRIDAY AUGUST 8 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 10 SIM CATHOLIC SOCIETY FRESHMEN ORIENTATION CAMP Register T: 8223 4133; E: CS@mymail.sim.edu.sg; W: http:// www.tinyurl.com/CSFOC2014/ AUGUST 8 AND 9 MEDITATION AND MUSIC PRAYER CONCERT SP $ QLJKW RI PHGLWDWLRQ PXVLF ZLWK Jesuit Fr Manoling Francisco, a renowned OLWXUJLFDO FRPSRVHU IURP WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV $W &KXUFK RI 2XU /DG\ 4XHHQ RI 3HDFH DV SDUW RI WKH WK DQQLYHUVDU\ celebrations. Tickets: $10, available at WKH SDULVK RI¿FH &RQWDFW ( mellee66@yahoo.com (Mel Diamse-Lee) SUNDAYS AUGUST 17 TO OCTOBER 5 COUPLE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME 2-8.30pm: Join us at the Couple Empowerment Programme (CEP) and learn WKH ODWHVW OLIH VNLOOV DQG DSSO\ WKHP WR EXLOG D more emotionally intelligent marriage. Ideal IRU \RXQJ PDUULHG FRXSOHV DQG KHOSIXO IRU DOO couples who are open to re-discovering one another. Child-minding services available DV ZHOO $W &KXUFK RI WKH ,PPDFXODWH +HDUW RI 0DU\ 5HJLVWHU 7 9LFWRU or 9857 9075 (Andrea); W: cep-sg.org

command them 31 “Blessed art ___ here (Lk 8:31) among womenâ€? 50 They blew these 32 Possessive outside the walls pronoun RI -HULFKR )RUIHLWXUH *DUGHQ Ă€RZHU 34 To me, to Pierre 52 Satan wanted to 35 Tablet VLIW WKH DSRVWOHV 36 A deacon wears like this (Lk WKLV RYHU KLV OHIW 22:31) shoulder BBBBB RI 6RQJV 0HUWRQ IRU RQH 54 Genesis plot 40 Vane reading /LVW IURP ZKLFK WR /DQG RI BBBBB choose and honey DOWN 56 Hairstyling 1 Original and actual 44 “There is neither substances _____ nor Greekâ€? 2 Last Supper 3ULQFHVV IURP (Gal 3:28) question Alderaan 46 Land in which the 3 Pool units 59 Nick and Nora’s WRZHU RI %DEHO 4 Approaches pooch was built 0DNH XS IRU VLQ 61 20s US Catholic 49 The demons 6FUDSH RII politician “Legionâ€? begged 6WDIIV 62 Make lace Jesus not to 8 Prime rating $EQHUÂśV IDWKHU Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1112 Sam 2:8) G I F T N A M E S C I E L 10 Catholic N O A H I L I A D A N T E international aid A N N E C O L T S R H E A org. B E N D A M A S S T I C ([FODPDWLRQ RI C Y R E N E C A L E B mild dismay O L E I T A L I C -DFREÂśV JLIW WR L A V A L P Y R E S T O B Joseph 13 Summer drinks P E A C E D E M I D E A D 22 â€œâ€Śand ___ us not A L A P A J A D E D S O L into temptation‌â€? N E A R E R D O M 6FULSW FRQFOXVLRQ" N U M B S J O S E P H 26 Basso Pinza P A T S Y V I C E I A M 7KH $XGDFLW\ RI C H A N T M E G A A M I S Hope author A M I G O S T A R R A N I 29 “Altaredâ€? words D O N O R G A R Y T H E E 30 Coll. course www.wordgamesforcatholics.com


28

ADVERTISEMENT

Sunday June 29, 2014 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.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.