NOVEMBER 20, 2011, Vol 61, No 23

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2011

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Faith leaders engage in soul searching at Assisi ASSISI, ITALY – Taking 300 reli-

gious leaders with him on pilgrimage to Assisi, Pope Benedict XVI said people who are suspicious of religion cannot be blamed for questioning God’s existence when they see believers use religion to justify violence. “All their struggling and questioning is, in part, an appeal to believers to purify their faith so that God, the true God, becomes accessible,â€? the pope said on Oct 27 during an interfaith gathering in the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels. Marking the 25th anniversary RI WKH ÂżUVW $VVLVL LQWHUIDLWK JDWKHUing for peace, hosted by Blessed John Paul II in 1986, Pope Benedict brought together the religious OHDGHUV DQG Âą IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH Âą four philosophers who describe themselves as humanists, or seekers who do not identify with any single religion. After a train ride of almost two hours from the Vatican, Pope Benedict and his guests arrived in Assisi and were driven to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels for the morning gathering focused on “testimonies for peaceâ€?. Entering the basilica before the pope, the delegates created an unusually colourful congregation: They wore white, black or crimson robes or business suits; on their heads were skullcaps, turbans, scarves or veils. The pope condemned the use of religion to excuse violence and the use of violence to impose a religion, as well as the growing violence resulting from “the loss of humanityâ€? that comes from denying the existence of God and of objective moral standards. “As a Christian, I want to say at this point: Yes, it is true, in the course of history, force has also been used in the name of the Christian faith. We acknowledge it with great shame,â€? Pope Benedict said.

VOL 61

NO. 23

INSIDE HOME Caring for HIV/ AIDS patients Church organisation launches new programmes „ Page 6

HOME Reaching out in Cambodia NTU, NUS students to serve underprivileged „ Page 7

ASIA Vietnam church, convent attacked Catholics urged to remain calm „ Page 10

Religious leaders hold oil lamps during the interfaith gathering for peace outside the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi. From left: Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople; Pope Benedict XVI; Rabbi David Rosen, representing the chief rabbinate of Israel; and Wande Abimbola, representative for the traditional religion of Nigeria’s Yoruba people. CNS photo

Christian leaders, like all religious leaders, he said, must work constantly to help their followers purify their faith and be “an instrument of God’s peace in the world, despite the fallibility of humans�. But a lack of religion is not the answer to world peace, he said. The Nazi death camps clearly proved that “the denial of God corrupts man, robs him of his cri-

teria [for judging right and wrong] and leads him to violence�, the pope said. On the other hand, he said, many nonbelievers also are “pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace�. “These people are seeking the truth, they are seeking the true God, whose image is frequently concealed in the religions because of the ways in which they are often

“Dialogue will be a futile exercise unless we undertake it with humility, forbearance, and the desire to respect the ‘other’�, whether or not they return that respect. – Shrivatsa Goswami, a Hindu representative from India

WORLD Irish hold negative view of Church

Abuse scandals cited SUDFWLVHG 7KHLU LQDELOLW\ WR ÂżQG as main reason

God is partly the responsibility of believers with a limited or even IDOVLÂżHG LPDJH RI *RG ´ KH VDLG “They challenge the followers of religions not to consider God as their own property, as if he belonged to them, in such a way that they feel vindicated in using force against others,â€? the pope said. Sitting on the pope’s right were Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, and to his left were Rabbi David Rosen, representing the chief rabbinate of Israel, and Wande Abimbola, president of a Nigerian institute that promotes the study of the culture and traditional religion of the Yoruba people.

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„ Continued on page 16

„ Page 20

WORLD Religious education teachers’ vital role They are on ‘front line of new evangelisation’ „ Page 15

FAITH ALIVE! How not to worry Especially during these troubled times

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Some of the religious representatives at the Spirit of Assisi event: (from left: Mr Harbans Singh of the Sikh faith, Mr Jaafar Ma of the Muslim faith, Rev Gabriel Liew of the Christian faith, Mr Jayantilal Jasani of the Jain faith, Master Adrian Long of the Taoist faith, Mr Henry Baey of the Buddhist faith and Swami Jitamanasananda of the Hindu faith. Photos: LUMINAIRE

Left: Vice chairperson of the Archdiocesan Council for Inter-religious and Ecumenical Dialogue, Sr Theresa Seow, greets Archbishop Nicholas Chia before the start of the event. Looking on are (from left) Msgr Marek Zalewski, First Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature; Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli; St Mary of the Angels parish priest Fr John-Paul Tan and Rev Gabriel Liew. Right: People lighting candles to spell out the word ‘peace’ in Singapore’s four main languages.

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New training centre for migrants opened

Archbishop Nicholas Chia leads a prayer during the blessing ceremony for ACMI’s new training centre. With him are (from left) ACMI executive director Jeremy Khoo, spiritual director Fr Angel Luciano and chairman Mark Goh.

By Darren Boon Archbishop Nicholas Chia has EOHVVHG DQG RI¿FLDOO\ RSHQHG the migrants commission’s new training centre now located at WKH &KXUFK RI WKH 1DWLYLW\ RI WKH %OHVVHG 9LUJLQ 0DU\ The centre used to be at the former St Joseph’s Convent at +LOOVLGH 'ULYH ACMI staff and volunteers, most of whom are migrant workers, attended the Oct 26 evening FHUHPRQ\ One such worker, Ms Rina 'RUDWH VDLG VKH LV KDSS\ WKDW ACMI is continuing to help foreign domestic workers with its WUDLQLQJ SURJUDPPHV The Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) has converted what used WR EH D KDOO DW 1DWLYLW\ &KXUFK LQWR six classrooms, which have been ¿WWHG ZLWK HTXLSPHQW IRU WUDLQLQJ SURJUDPPHV $&0, VD\V LW ZLOO XVH WKHVH and several catechism classrooms to conduct courses on cooking, baking, dressmaking, hairdressLQJ EHDXW\ DQG ZHOOQHVV FDUHJLYing, small business enterprises, DQG FRPSXWHU DQG ODQJXDJH Because of the smaller premises, ACMI will now space its FODVVHV RYHU WZR WHUPV LQ D \HDU instead of having a single eightPRQWK ORQJ WHUP Classes will start on Dec 18 while registration for the courses

Archbishop Chia blessing the classroom for the hairdressing course.

will be on Nov 13 and 20 at ACMI’s former premises at 11 Hillside Drive, near to the Church of ,PPDFXODWH +HDUW RI 0DU\ $&0, VD\V LW SODQV WR FKDUWHU a bus to bring students to its new training centre on the registration GD\V WR IDPLOLDULVH WKHP ZLWK WKH QHZ SUHPLVHV Meanwhile ACMI executive GLUHFWRU -HUHP\ .KRR UHLWHUDWHG Archbishop Chia’s call that domesWLF ZRUNHUV EH JLYHQ D ZHHNO\ GD\ RII IRU WKHP WR UHOD[ DQG UHFKDUJH 0U .KRR VDLG KH LV DOVR KRSHful that the government would pass a law that would give domesWLF ZRUNHUV D GD\ RII HDFK ZHHN Speaking on the sidelines of the centre’s opening, he said he unGHUVWDQGV HPSOR\HUVœ UHOXFWDQFH LQ JLYLQJ WKHLU GRPHVWLF ZRUNHUV D GD\ off for fear the latter might mix with

EDG FRPSDQ\ DQG JHW LQWR WURXEOH ,Q D VPDOO ZD\ $&0, KHOSV such workers improve themselves in a safe environment and hopeIXOO\ WKH SHHU VXSSRUW ZRXOG KHOS WKHP EHKDYH UHVSRQVLEO\ 0U .KRR VDLG +H HQFRXUDJHG HPSOR\HUV WR sign up their domestic workers for $&0,œV FRXUVHV 6RPH HPSOR\HUV KDG LQLWLDOO\ JLYHQ WKHLU ZRUNHUV D GD\ RII RQFH D PRQWK WR DWWHQG WKH FRXUVHV However, after seeing their workers’ skills improving in areas VXFK DV FRRNLQJ WKHVH HPSOR\ers decided to give their domestic KHOS PRUH GD\V RII KH VDLG „ For more information on ACMI’s courses, go to http://www.acmi.org. sg/services_courseguidelines.php darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Meditation, classes for people with HIV/AIDS Residents of the Catholic AIDs Response Effort’s shelter taking part in morning exercises.

By Darren Boon Meditation exercises, English lessons and ethics classes. These are programmes that Catholic AIDs Response Effort (CARE), a charity caring for people with HIV/AIDs, launched this year for its residents. The daily 20-minute meditation exercises are to help CARE’s UHVLGHQWV ¿QG SHDFH ZLWKLQ DQG help them achieve a level of selfcontrol and discipline, says programme manager Florence Seah. A Carmelite postulant now gives ethics lessons to teach values such as respect and care for self and others, and to help residents lead a meaningful life. Good Shepherd Sr Clare Lee teaches basic English lessons twice a week for residents with low education. Residents need to develop “a sense of purpose in living, a sense of being loved ... and that life doesn’t end with HIV”, said Ms Seah. To achieve this goal, CARE is planning to get simple paid work for its mostly unemployed residents, which they can perform on CARE’s premises, said Ms Seah. CARE, which started in 1992, DLPV WR DVVLVW UHVLGHQWV ¿QG LQQHU peace, give them a sense of purpose, and assist them in re-integrating into society. This is on top of caring for their physical needs such as food and shelter. CARE now has 27 residents, all men, living at its premises off Marymount Road. The youngest is in his

30s and the oldest is in his 60s. Most were referred by the Singapore Prison Service or medical social workers from the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC). Most had been living in the streets or were turned out of their homes by their families. Evan (not his real name) says he is grateful for the shelter CARE provides. He used to sleep in void decks and grew so weak that he was unable to walk. He was warded in the CDC and later referred to CARE. The 30-something man, who has been staying at CARE for a year, says he hopes to be able to get a job and lead as normal a life as possible. He also tries to participate in CARE’s programmes as they are “good for me”. Another resident, 54-yearold Mr Lim (not his real name), also says he hopes to regain his strength and get a job as he knows that CARE can only provide him with a temporary home. He added that he has experienced some changes within himself since staying here, such as being able to control his temper better and becoming more frugal. Meanwhile, CARE is looking for new premises, executive director Michael Loh told CatholicNews. The organisation will have to leave its current location by the end of 2012 to make way for the North-South Expressway. darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

MASS, FORUM, EXHIBITION CARE will organise several activities to mark World AIDS Day in December with the theme Jesus Heals – Share in His Healing Ministry. The activities aim to raise awareness of HIV/AIDs and to promote greater understanding and compassion for victims. A Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church on Dec 1 at 7pm. An exhibition on HIV/AIDS is also

expected to be held from Dec 1-6 at the church’s Damien Hall. A World AIDS Day forum will be held on Dec 6 from 7-9pm at Damien Hall where representatives of different faith will share how they deal with issues relating to AIDs and how they help victims live in dignity. To register, email administrator@care.org.sg or call 6353 5440.

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SFX seminarians instituted as lectors, acolytes By Br Nicholas Lye

Mr Daniel Tay from NTU CSA giving food packets to Cambodian children during an earlier recce trip.

Tertiary students head to Cambodia for outreach work Catholics students from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and National University of Singapore (NUS) will head to Cambodia in separate trips this December to reach out to communities there. Twenty-seven NTU CSA (Catholic Students’ Apostolate) members will visit a pastoral centre in Pailin province, northwestern Cambodia, run by Marist Brothers. During their Dec 8-15 trip, the students will teach English to the children there, conduct handicraft sessions such as balloon sculpturing and origami, play sports and games with the children and spend a day with them at a nearby waterfall. There will also be cultural exchange performances. “We are hoping to make this a sustainable trip and visit this particular community for at least a couple more years,” said Mr Daniel Tay, a member of the group . He added that his group is also trying to help the Brothers purchase a second-hand van. The students’ inaugural overseas outreach project is called Project CORE (short for Cambodia Outreach Expedition). Meanwhile, 18 students from NUS’ CMS (Catholic Medical Society) will visit Battambang from Dec 10-16, together with three doctors from the Catholic Medi-

cal Guild (CMG). Mission Srolanh (srolanh means “love” in Khmer) is an inaugural project run by the Catholic medical students, according to project director Joanne Luo. In response to a request from Monsignor Enrique Figaredo, apostolic prefect of Battambang, the group hopes to provide medical care and conduct health education lessons for 30 land mine victims DQG WHHQDJHUV DIÀLFWHG ZLWK SROLRmyelitis, 80 girls doing vocational studies and 100 families across three villages. “Additionally, we aim to study medical demographics such as the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition amongst the local community and therefore develop a sustainable food and nutrition programme,” said Ms Luo. “The data collected from this debut trip will serve to promote continuity of our project as we intend to return to the same location on an annual basis. “As part of the programme, we will provide the locals with medication and nutritional supplements like iron tablets and vitamins.” She added that the group hopes WR VHW XS D ¿QJHUSULQW UHFRJQLWLRQ system to keep track of people’s medical history and treatment plans. “This would facilitate better treatment management for them on subsequent trips,” she added.

Nine diocesan seminarians were instituted as lectors and acolytes recently in front of about 200 people gathered at the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary. The ceremony was held on Nov 4, the feast of St Charles Borromeo, patron saint of seminarians. Archbishop Nicholas Chia presided at the Mass in which three candidates for the Ministry of Lector were presented with the Bible, while six candidates for the Ministry of Acolyte were presented with the sacred vessels containing the bread and wine to be consecrated. According to Pope Paul VI’s apostolic letter Ministeria Quaedam, candidates for priestly ordination must receive both the Ministry of Lector and the Ministry of Acolyte and exercise them for a suitable time, so as to be better prepared for the future service of the Word and Altar. The lector is appointed to proclaim the readings from Scripture except for the Gospel in the Mass and other religious celebrations. The acolyte attends to the service of the altar, to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, and distribute communion as a special minister. Br Jude David, 33, shared that being instituted as a lector “has EHHQ D VLJQL¿FDQW VWHS IRU PH LQ

Seminarian Jovita Ho, who was instituted as an acolyte, receiving the sacred vessels for Mass from Archbishop Nicholas Chia in a ceremony on Nov 4.

my journey towards the priesthood. I feel I am being called to FRQ¿JXUH P\ ZKROH OLIH PRUH DQG more to the living Word of God, Christ Himself, and to proclaim Him with my life.” The other new lectors are Br Terence Kesavan, 33, and Br Anthony Liew, 31. The latter is from Penang diocese. Br Gregory Chan, 45, from Kuala Lumpur archdiocese, who is now a new acolyte, said that “this ministry is not about me; it is about the people of God whom I serve, and the humble privilege I have been given to touch and bring Christ’s sacred

body to His people”. The other new acolytes are Br Alphonsus Dominic, 36; Br Benedict Chng, 48; Br Edward Seah, 52; and Br Jovita Ho, 36, all from Singapore archdiocese, and Br Peter Anthoney, 37, from Kuala Lumpur archdiocese. The Mass also saw the blessing of the St Francis Xavier Major 6HPLQDU\ ÀDJ EHDULQJ WKH VHPLnary’s new coat of arms that was launched last December. 7KH ÀDJ QRZ VWDQGV DW WKH seminary’s entrance. Br Nicholas is a seminarian at the St Francis Xavier Major Seminary.

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Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

A representative from A Call To Share (ACTS) presents Msgr Eugene Vaz with a blanket, one of four types of relief LWHPV WR EH VHQW WR ÀRRG YLFWLPV Photo: RICHARD KOH

CHARIS holds special Mass IRU Ă RRG YLFWLPV More than 500 people gathered at Novena Church recently for a special Mass to pray for the recovery and well-being of those affected by natural disasters. Floods caused by typhoons and monsoons have killed many and affected the lives of millions of people in Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Vicar General Msgr Eugene Vaz and Fr Angel Luciano, spiritual director of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People (ACMI), celebrated the Nov 8 evening Mass. The event was organised by CHARIS (Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives, SingaSRUH LWV DIÂżOLDWH RUJDQLVDWLRQV ACTS, acts29 and Loveseeds, and the Filipino community. CHARIS says it has pledged aid worth more than $100,000 to Caritas Thailand. This consists of monetary aid of 50,000 euros (S$88,000) DQG XQLWV RI ZDWHU ÂżOWHU V\VWHPV which can produce clean water for drinking and cooking.

The organisation will also EH SURFXULQJ LQĂ€DWDEOH GLQJKLHV powered by outboard motors, to assist its Caritas counterparts in reaching out to those in remote and inaccessible submerged villages. CHARIS director of operations Frederick Foo said he and a volunteer will be heading to Thailand with the supplies. The organisation has also channelled more than $140,000 worth of essential relief supplies and monetary aid to its Caritas counterparts in Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines. Those who wish to contribute to CHARIS’ aid efforts may send a crossed cheque payable to “Humanitarian Aid Fundâ€?, and mail it with their name and address to: CHARIS, 55 Waterloo Street #0903A, Singapore 187954. Contact Christopher Wee at 6338-0182 or info@charis-singapore.org for more information. „ „ 3DJH 3RSH SUD\V IRU Ă€RRG victims

A Mass participant looks at a SKRWR GLVSOD\ of Singapore Catholics’ overseas outreach work. Photo: ALBERT LIM

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Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

‘Practise multiculturalism, not mere tolerance’ By Don Gurugay SINGAPORE – Move beyond tolerance to multiculturalism. This was the message that a prominent proponent of interfaith dialogue had for educators from Catholic schools on Nov 4. “Tolerance is minimum acceptance. We draw boundaries between each other and we respect WKDW ERXQGDU\ ´ $VVRF 3URI 6\HG Farid Alatas told those present. “But it does mean that we’re not going to make the effort to know and to understand beyond a certain limit. “And it certainly doesn’t mean we’re going to make the effort to GHYHORS UHVSHFW DGPLUDWLRQ DQG love. Tolerance doesn’t achieve DOO RI WKDW ´ 3URI $ODWDV ZKR ZRUNV LQ ERWK the Sociology and Malay Studies departments in the National UniYHUVLW\ RI 6LQJDSRUH ZDV VSHDNLQJ RQ WKH WRSLF &HOHEUDWLQJ 'Lversity in Catholic Schools. “The goal should be multiculWXUDOLVP ´ KH VWUHVVHG WR WKH JDWKering at Catholic Junior College. “We have inherited a colonial legacy of stereotypes so all the races in Singapore have stereotypical images of one another. I don’t think our society has done much WR FKDOOHQJH WKH VWHUHRW\SLQJ ´ 7R FRXQWHU WKLV KH VXJJHVWHG WKDW KLVWRU\ OHVVRQV IRU H[DPSOH could deal with the origin of racial stereotypes. He added that people also need to develop an appreciation for other religions and civilisations and this can be done by explicitly including in school teaching the great contriEXWLRQV RI &KLQHVH 0DOD\ $UDE DQG

begun a hunger strike to protest what they call a nation’s greed that is threatening the environPHQW SHDFH DQG HFRQRP\ Members of the Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice (CPAJ) held a Mass outside the National Assembly building on Nov 7 to oppose various projects. These are the government’s ELOOLRQ GROODU )RXU 5LYHUV SURMHFW which entails dredging and damming sections of the country’s PDMRU ZDWHUZD\V WKH FRQVWUXFtion of a naval base on Jeju Island DQG WKH LPSHQGLQJ UDWL¿FDWLRQ RI a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US. 6RPH SULHVWV WKHQ EHJDQ D hunger strike that is expected to continue until Nov 14.

HUE, VIETNAM – Catholic students cleaned the graves of abortHG IRHWXVHV RQ 1RY DW WKH ELJgest such cemetery in Vietnam. 6RPH &DWKROLF VWXGHQWV from colleges and universities in Hue City rode their bicycles 15 km to Ngoc Ho Cemetery for Aborted Foetuses to raise awareness of the need to respect life. They removed weeds from WKRXVDQGV RI JUDYHV SODFHG Ă€RZers on them and lighted incense. They also attended a special Mass and prayed for the aborted IRHWXVHV DW WKH VT P FHPetery. “The visit aimed to create an opportunity for students to contemplate death and raise awareQHVV RI WKH QHHG WR UHVSHFW OLIH ´ said Sacred Heart Br Tran Sy

&KXQJ RQH RI WKH RUJDQLVHUV Br Chung said it also reminded students to pray for the souls of these foetuses. 0DUWKD 7UDQ 7KL 3KXRQJ D VWXGHQW VDLG PDQ\ \RXQJ SHRSOH have premarital sex and are forced to have abortions. “These graves remind me to UHVSHFW OLIH DQG DYRLG DERUWLRQ which is a crime against human EHLQJV ´ VKH VDLG A cemetery guard said the country’s biggest cemetery in WHUPV RI IRHWXVHV HUHFWHG E\ ORFDO &DWKROLFV LQ LV KRPH WR DERUWHG IRHWXVHV WKDW ZHUH collected from local state-run hospitals. Catholic volunteers collect DERUWHG IHWXVHV D GD\ KH added. „ UCANEWS.COM

Ms Wendy Louis and Mr Louis Oo from the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools giving Assoc Prof Syed Farid Alatas (right) a token of appreciation after his talk on Celebrating Diversity in Catholic Schools.

Indian civilisations to modernity. He also emphasised the need to teach young people how to understand things from another perVRQÂśV SRLQW RI YLHZ RU WKH SRLQW RI view of someone from a different religion or ethnic group. The talk held in Catholic JunLRU &ROOHJH ZDV WKH ODVW RI IRXU VSHFLDO JDWKHULQJV FDOOHG Âł&RPPXQLR´ IRU HGXFDWRUV IURP &DWKolic schools. The Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS) organises these gatherings to help VFKRRO OHDGHUV UHĂ€HFW RQ YDULRXV aspects of Catholic education. Participants said they found Prof Alatas’ talk insightful. “He reminds us that we must adopt a multicultural perspective to living in peace and harmony with different races and religious JURXSV LQ RXU VRFLHW\ ´ VDLG 0U 9LQ-

FHQW /RZ D WHDFKHU IURP 0RQWIRUW Secondary School. He added that it is important to “go beyond the suSHUÂżFLDO FRQFHSW RI WROHUDQFH DQG peaceful co-existence to one of appreciating diverse cultures borne RXW RI JUHDW FLYLOLVDWLRQV´ ACCS executive director Wendy Louis noted Prof Alatas’ comment that the supreme goal of education was to love. It is thus only logical that people should grow in their appreciation of and admiraWLRQ DQG UHVSHFW IRU RWKHU FXOWXUHV IDLWKV DQG SHRSOHV VKH VDLG A really Catholic education would open students up to all these rich worlds of cultures and IDLWKV VKH DGGHG $SDUW IURP ZRUNLQJ LQ 186 Prof Alatas also serves in the executive committee of UNESCO’s International Sociological Association. „

Korean priests begin hunger strike SEOUL – Priests in Seoul have

Students clean Vietnam’s biggest foetus cemetery

They demanded the government re-negotiate the FTA with WKH 86 VD\LQJ LW ZLOO ZLGHQ WKH SRYHUW\ JDS LI LW LV UDWL¿HG E\ WKH National Assembly. Both chambers of the US Congress passed the bill in October. The ruling Grand National Party insists the agreement should EH UDWL¿HG DV VRRQ DV SRVVLEOH VR that it can take effect on Jan 1. The priests said they decided to protest greed through abstinence. ³6LQFH 1RY ODVW \HDU ZH have held a Mass here every Monday to oppose the Four Rivers SURMHFW ´ VDLG )U 3HWHU /HH .DQJ suh in his homily. ³%XW DV WLPH JRHV E\ JUHHG ¹ which includes the building of the Jeju naval base and FTA agree-

PHQW Âą LV WKUHDWHQLQJ WKH HQYLURQment and peace. We have decided to hold the hunger strike to reĂ€HFW RXU ZURQJGRLQJV LQ WKDW ZH priests have neglected our poor QHLJKERXUV ´ KH VDLG $URXQG QXQV DQG OD\SHRple attended the Mass. The priests also erected a tent in which to conduct their fast. 3ROLFH WULHG WR VWRS WKHP EXW relented when the Mass participants protested. „ UCANEWS.COM

Students attending Mass at the Ngoc Ho Cemetery for Aborted Foetuses.

Catholics help Muslims celebrate festival YOGYAKARTA,

INDONESIA

–

Catholic housewives and nuns from two parishes in Yogyakarta helped local Muslims cut and disWULEXWH VDFULÂżFLDO PHDW WR families living on the slopes of the Mount Merapi volcano. 7KH DFWLYLW\ ZKLFK WRRN SODFH RQ 1RY ZDV WR KHOS 0XVOLPV celebrate their Eid al-Adha festiYDO ZKLFK IHOO RQ 1RY Frs Petrus Sajiono and RobHUWXV 7UL :LGRGR SDULVK SULHVWV of St Mary of the Assumption in Pakem and Sts Peter and Paul in Babadan also helped the women. Fr Widodo said local Catholics and Muslims have often worked together to help the families since the volcano erupted in October last year. The eruptions killed almost SHRSOH LQMXUHG WKRXVDQGV DQG IRUFHG RYHU SHRSOH WR HYDFXDWH $URXQG IDPLOLHV are still living in shelters. “Developing brotherhood is EHDXWLIXO 7KXV RXU LQYROYHPHQW

in this enterprise is to build a brotherhood with Muslims so provide EHWWHU KHOS IRU WKH QHHG\ ´ KH VDLG 0DVUXU $KPDG 0= VSLULWXDO director at the Al-Qodir Islamic %RDUGLQJ 6FKRRO VDLG PDQ\ RI WKH VDFULÂżFLDO DQLPDOV ZHUH GRQDWed by Indonesian Muslims living in Singapore. He added that the slaughterLQJ ZDV GRQH E\ 0XVOLPV ZKLOH “the cutting of the meat was carULHG RXW E\ WKH VFKRROÂśV VWXGHQWV WKH QXQV DQG WKH KRXVHZLYHV´ „ UCANEWS.COM

10 ASIA

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Papal delegate positive about M’sia-Vatican ties KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA –

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the apostolic delegate to Malaysia, believes relations between Malaysia and the Vatican are moving in the right direction. “Soon the Vatican will appoint an apostolic nuncio to represent the pope in Malaysia. This is a positive move,� he said on Oct 30 during a visit to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah state. Malaysia and the Vatican agreed to establish diplomatic ties during Prime Minister Najib Razak’s visit to the Vatican in July, where he had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. However, a nuncio is yet to be appointed to Malaysia, and Singapore-based Archbishop Girelli presently serves as apostolic delegate to the country.

HA NOI, VIETNAM – Redemptorist

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli

Archbishop Girelli was visiting the Church in Sabah for the ¿UVW WLPH VLQFH KH ZDV DSSRLQWHG apostolic delegate in January. „ UCANEWS.COM

Church-run schools in Bangladesh win top award DHAKA – Four Church-run educa-

tional institutions in Dhaka won a prestigious government award on Nov 2 for their outstanding achievements this year. Notre Dame College, St Joseph Higher Secondary School, Holy Cross College, and Holy Cross *LUOVÂś +LJK 6FKRRO UDQNHG ÂżIWK sixth, eighth and 13th respectively in this year’s Top 20 Educational Institutes Awards given out by the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. All four Church institutions are run by the Holy Cross congregation. Heads of the schools said the award will inspire everyone at their institutions and also is a call to move forward. “It will encourage us to work better,â€? said Notre Dame College principal Fr Benjamin Costa. “I believe those [schools] that are not doing well will follow our example and eventually the standard

Vietnamese Catholics urged to remain calm after church, convent attacked

of education in the country will go up.â€? Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid handed out the prizes to the winning institutions’ headmasters and senior representatives DW WKH ERDUGÂśV RIÂżFH LQ 'KDND He said teachers are playing a great role in implementing the government’s Vision 2021: Digital Bangladesh campaign and called on them to offer encouragement to other schools to improve their achievements. He added that the nation is unable to move forward if only a few institutions are doing well. Vision 2021 is an ambitious campaign by the government to make Bangladesh fully digitised by 2021. Board chairman Professor Fahima Khatun said all the institutions met the necessary criteria needed to be eligible for the award which included “study environment, academic performance, attendance and disciplineâ€?. „ UCANEWS.COM

priests in a parish in Hanoi have urged Catholics to keep calm after a mob attacked a convent and nearby church on Nov 3. About 100 people, accomSDQLHG E\ VHFXULW\ RIÂżFLDOV DQG members of the press, attacked a convent. They damaged a gate and verbally abused and physically assaulted several Redemptorist priests and laypeople. They also entered a nearby Redemptorist church and threatened people. “We strongly condemn this ... attack,â€? Redemptorist Fr Joseph Nguyen Van Phuong, told the congregation at Thai Ha Church during Mass the following weekend. The parish priest urged them to “forgive and avoid retaliationâ€?. Tens of thousands of people attended 10 special Masses celebrated by the Redemptorists at the church. About 3,000-5,000 people attended each Mass.

$ERXW SHRSOH DFFRPSDQLHG E\ VHFXULW\ RI¿FLDOV DQG PHPEHUV RI WKH SUHVV DWWDFNHG D FRQYHQW DQG FKXUFK LQ +DQRL During the Masses, priests urged parishioners to stay calm. Fr Phuong said the motive behind the attack probably stemmed from an ongoing Church dispute with the government over seized Church property. ³:H DUH GHWHUPLQHG WR ¿JKW for Church property in a peaceful way and urge the government to punish the rioters,� he added. Local state-run media said the

attackers were local people angry at parish opposition to a government-run sewage treatment project close to the nearby Dong Da hospital. Church sources said 40 Redemptorist priests and parishioners had taken to the streets on Oct 27 to oppose the project and demand the return of several of the hospital’s buildings which had been convents since 1931. The government has been using the buildings since 1959. The same sources said the authorities plan to demolish the buildings to construct a new one. On Nov 7, hundreds of Catholics marched to the headquarters of the People’s Committee in Quang Trung ward to demand the authorities respect private ownership and return what they say belongs to the Church. They said 97 old Church facilities in Hanoi are in the hands of the government. „ UCANEWS.COM

Women theologians stress sacredness of women’s body MUMBAI, INDIA – A group of women theologians who met in Mumbai recently have stressed the need to educate women in India about the sacredness of their body in order to promote respect and dignity for them in society. The two-day annual meeting of the Indian Women Theologians’ Forum that ended on Oct 29 delved into feminist consciousness. It called for tackling cultural traditions that keep women shackled by violence and oppression, preventing them from reaching their full potential. The meeting also addressed topics such as the female body and sexuality, cultural and theological perspectives of violence against women, denigration of

Young Indian women praying. A recent meeting in India focused on women’s dignity.

women’s sexuality in Indian culture and Christian tradition, and the sexual abuse of women. One of the highlights was the

Mass on the opening day prepared by a Belgian-born nun who uses dolls to tell the stories of women in scriptures, history and the present day. Divine Saviour Sr Francoise Bosteels, who began making dolls as a hobby at the age of 17, has spread social awareness in Indian villages for the past 36 years. At the Mumbai meeting, the 69-year-old nun’s dolls depicted stories of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Jesus and the woman accused of adultery, as well as true modern-day stories of domestic violence, rape and slavery. Jesuit Fr Fred Sopena, who celebrated the concluding Mass, urged women to make their voices heard in the Church. „ UCANEWS.COM

Bishop supports lifting Arroyo travel ban MANILA – Catholic bishops say

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being prayed over. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

they support allowing former president Gloria Arroyo to leave the country for medical treatment as long as she agrees to return to defend herself against charges of election fraud. Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of Kalookan, chairman of the public affairs committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said Ms Arroyo should be allowed to get medical treatment abroad, especially if the treatment she needs is not available in the country.

She is currently under a travel ban. However, Bishop Iniguez said, the camp of the former president should guarantee her return to remove suspicion from the minds of the people that she is only using her medical condition to evade criminal prosecution. “There should be a guarantee of her return,� said Bishop Iniguez. Arroyo, 66, is suffering from arthritis in her neck and has already had surgery three times. „ UCANEWS.COM

ASIA 11

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Three priests from illicit bishop’s diocese ordained

Newly-ordained priests from Haimen and Shantou dioceses (holding bouquets) pose for a photo. The Shantou priests are on the right. Photo: UCANEWS.COM SHANTOU, CHINA – The bishop of Haimen diocese has ordained ¿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latae sententiae DXWRPDWLF H[FRPPXQLFDWLRQ RQ )U +XDQJ WZR GD\V DIWHU KLV -XO\ RUGLQDWLRQ ZKLFK KDG QR DSRVWROLF PDQGDWH 7KH VWDWHPHQW VDLG WKH +RO\ 6HH GRHV QRW UHFRJQLVH WKH LOOLFLWO\ RUGDLQHG SUHODWH DQG

KH KDV QR DXWKRULW\ WR JRYHUQ WKH &DWKROLF FRPPXQLW\ RI WKH GLRFHVH $FFRUGLQJ WR &DQRQ /DZ DQ H[FRPPXQLFDWHG SHUVRQ LV SURKLELWHG WR FHOHEUDWH 0DVV DGPLQLVWHU DQ\ VDFUDPHQW RU H[HUFLVH HFFOHVLDVWLFDO PLQLVWHULDO IXQFWLRQV RU DFWV RI JRYHUQPHQW $ &KXUFK VRXUFH VDLG RQ FRQGLWLRQ RI DQRQ\PLW\ KH EHOLHYHG )U +XDQJ PLJKW KDYH UHDFKHG D FRQVHQVXV ZLWK WKH QHZ SULHVWV OHWWLQJ WKHLU RUGLQDWLRQV EH KDQGOHG LQ D UDWLRQDO DQG SURSHU ZD\ ³+H SUREDEO\ KDV FRQVLGHUHG WKH FLUFXPVWDQFHV RI WKH \RXQJ SULHVWV DQG ZRXOG OLNH WR HDVH WKHLU SV\FKRORJLFDO SUHVVXUH E\ IROORZLQJ WKH SUDFWLFH RI WKH IRUPHU ELVKRS WR DYRLG IXUWKHU VFDQGDO ´ WKH VRXUFH VDLG %LVKRS -RKQ &DL 7L\XDQ RI 6KDQWRX WKH IRUPHU ELVKRS ZDV DOVR QRW UHFRJQLVHG E\ WKH +RO\ 6HH +H GLG QRW RUGDLQ DQ\ RI WKH GLRFHVDQ SULHVWV EHWZHHQ EHFRPLQJ D ELVKRS LQ DQG KLV GHDWK LQ

+RZHYHU WKH &KXUFK VRXUFH VDLG KH ZDV VDGGHQHG WR VHH VRPH SULHVWV DQG OD\SHRSOH RSSRVHG WR )U +XDQJ PDNLQJ EDVHOHVV YHUEDO DWWDFNV ³7KH\ FODLPHG WKDW DQ\ERG\ ZKR FRPHV LQWR FRQWDFW ZLWK )U +XDQJ LV DOVR H[FRPPXQLFDWHG DQG VRPH HYHQ WKUHDWHQHG QRW WR DOORZ WKH IDPLO\ PHPEHUV RI WKH QHZ SULHVWV JR WR FKXUFK ´ KH VDLG ³3HRSOH GRQ¶W QHHG WR H[FOXGH WKH LQQRFHQW QHZ SULHVWV MXVW EHFDXVH WKH IRUPHU RSSRVH )U +XDQJ ´ KH VDLG DGGLQJ WKDW KH KRSHV WKH SULHVWV FDQ EH IDLWKIXO DQG VWURQJ HQRXJK WR IDFH WKH FKDOOHQJHV DKHDG $QRWKHU &DWKROLF VRXUFH V\PSDWKHWLF WR )U +XDQJ VDLG LI WKH ODWWHU LV ³DPELWLRXV WR H[HUFLVH KLV HSLVFRSDO PLQLVWU\ KH ZRXOG KDYH RUGDLQHG WKH QHZ SULHVWV KLPVHOI %XW KH GLGQ¶W GR VR 7KLV VKRZV WKDW KH LV ZRUNLQJ IRU WKH LQWHUHVWV RI WKH &KXUFK´ „ „ Page 19: China Church analysis

‘Lack of ethics cause of global ÀQDQFLDO FULVLV· BANGALORE, INDIA – $ ODFN RI HWKLFV DPRQJ LQGLYLGXDOV DQG RUJDQLVDWLRQV LV UHVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH FXUUHQW JOREDO HFRQRPLF JORRP DFFRUGLQJ WR &DUGLQDO 2VZDOG *UDFLDV UHFHQWO\ HOHFWHG VHFUHWDU\ JHQHUDO RI WKH )HGHUDWLRQ RI $VLDQ %LVKRSV¶ &RQIHUHQFHV ³3URSHU IXQFWLRQLQJ RI WKH JOREDO HFRQRP\ UHTXLUHV IXQGDPHQWDO YDOXHV DQG D FRPPRQ FRGH RI HWKLFV IRXQGHG RQ IDLWK DQG UHDVRQ ´ VDLG &DUGLQDO *UDFLDV ZKR LV DOVR WKH $UFKELVKRS RI %RPED\ DQG SUHVLGHQW RI WKH &DWKROLF %LVKRSV¶ &RQIHUHQFH RI ,QGLD +H ZDV VSHDNLQJ RQ WKH ODVW GD\ RI DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO FROORTXLXP RQ WKH WKHPH 7RZDUGV D 6WURQJ *OREDO (FRQRPLF 6\VWHP RQ 2FW LQ %DQJDORUH VRXWKHUQ ,QGLD 7KH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU &XOWXUH DORQJ ZLWK WKH 'KDUPDUDP 9LG\D .VKHWUDP 3RQWL¿FDO $WKHQDHXP RI 3KLORVRSK\ 7KHRORJ\ DQG &DQRQ ODZ UXQ E\ WKH &DUPHOLWH RI 0DU\ ,PPDFXODWH FRQJUHJDWLRQ DQG &KULVW 8QLYHUVLW\ RUJDQLVHG WKH WKUHH GD\ VHPLQDU ³7R IXQFWLRQ HIIHFWLYHO\ WKH JOREDO EXVLQHVV FRPPXQLW\ QHHGV D EOHQG RI EXVLQHVV HWKLFV DQG SROLFLHV SURPRWLQJ UHVSRQVLEOH FRUSRUDWH JRYHUQDQFH DQG FRUSRUDWH

VRFLDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ ´ WKH FDUGLQDO WROG WKH JDWKHULQJ RI ELVKRSV SULHVWV QXQV DQG OD\SHRSOH +H VDLG WKDW JRYHUQPHQWV PXVW KROG WKH EXVLQHVV FRPPXQLW\ DFFRXQWDEOH IRU HWKLFDO ZURQJGRLQJV DQG SRRU VRFLDO DQG HQYLURQPHQWDO SHUIRUPDQFHV

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12 WORLD

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Anti-gun drive in Brazil sees results

Guns seen inside a display case. The World Week for Disarmament in Sao 3DXOR %UD]LO \LHOGHG ÂżUHDUPV DQG URXQGV &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – Nineteen parishes in Sao Paulo, Brazil, opened their doors to collect guns and ammunition as part of the city-wide Religions United for Disarmament campaign. The disarmament drive yieldHG ¿UHDUPV DQG URXQGV RI ammunition during nine days in late October. The weapons were collected during the World Week for Disarmament under the direction of the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Civil Guard, the city’s police force. The campaign promoted by the I Am for Peace Institute was organised with the cooperation of a variety of religious houses of worship, including Buddhist temples, Jewish synagogues and evangelical churches in an attempt WR UHGXFH WKH QXPEHU RI ¿UHDUPV on the streets. Each worship site accepted the weapons for two or three days. People turned in the weapons anonymously, with no questions asked.

&KXUFKHV V\QDJRJXHV DQG WHPSOHV DFFHSWHG VXUUHQGHUHG ZHDSRQV LQ D PRYH WR UHGXFH ÂżUHDUPV RQ WKH VWUHHWV In connection with the campaign, Cardinal Odilio Pedro Scherer of Sao Paulo called for tighter laws controlling the development of toys that push children towards violence. “We have seen the tragic use RI ÂżUHDUPV LQ RXU VFKRROV 7KLV is certainly an imitation of adult attitudes,â€? the cardinal said in a statement. He also suggested that stronger action is needed to control WKH LOOHJDO HQWU\ RI ÂżUHDUPV LQWR %UD]LO DQG WR OLPLW ÂżUHDUP XVH VR that weapons do not end up in the hands of criminals.

Âł$UPV WUDIÂżFNLQJ LV RQH RI WKH PRVW SURÂżWDEOH LOOHJDO DFWLYLWLHV LQ the world today,â€? he said. The results of the campaign pleased organisers, who said the FROOHFWLRQ \LHOGHG PRUH ÂżUHDUPV than a similar effort in 2009, when 251 weapons were turned in. “The campaign was very positive,â€? said Fr Gilmar Jose da Silva, pastor of St Anthony do Pari &KXUFK ZKRVH SDULVK FROOHFWHG ÂżUHDUPV RYHU WKUHH GD\V “This kind of partnership DPRQJ FLW\ RIÂżFLDOV WKH DUFKGLRcese and the institute should occur more often,â€? he said. 7KH RIÂżFH RI WKH 6DR 3DXOR public security secretary reportHG WKDW ÂżUHDUPV ZHUH LQYROYHG in nearly two-thirds of the city’s 1,189 homicides in 2010. The I Am for Peace Institute reported that most weapons used by criminals were manufactured and sold legally in Brazil, but that many are either stolen or sold illegally, then used to commit crimes. „ CNS

Irish have negative view of Catholic Church DUBLIN – Almost half of Irish

people polled say they now have an unfavourable view of the Catholic Church. Of those with a negative view, three-quarters cite the abuse scandals – the abuse or its cover-up – as D FDXVH +RZHYHU SHUFHQW VD\ their negative view is due to the Church’s history and structures. The poll, conducted for the Irish religious think tank The Iona Institute, showed that 28 percent of those polled said they had a “very unfavourable� view of the Church, while 19 percent said their view was “mostly unfavourable�. Just 8 percent reported that their view of Catholicism was “very favourable�, with 16 percent saying they had a “mostly fa-

vourableâ€? view. A quarter had no view either way. Fifty-eight percent of those aged 45-54 hold the most-unfavourable view, compared with 46 SHUFHQW RI WKRVH DJHG Overall, 46 percent believe Church teaching is still relevant; 55 percent of those who selfLGHQWLÂżHG DV &DWKROLFV DJUHHG WKDW &KXUFK WHDFKLQJ LV RI EHQHÂżW WR Irish society. Mr John Murray, a theologian at the Mater Dei Institute in Dublin, told Catholic News Service that “having an unfavourable view of the Church doesn’t necessary mean that person is anti-Catholic per seâ€?. “The poll indicates that around a quarter of the population can be put in this category. That is quite

a high percentage, but given the huge amount of understandable anger at the Church because of the scandals, perhaps it is surprising the number isn’t higher than that,� he added. Since 2005, the Irish Catholic Church and various dioceses have been the subject of four different independent inquiries into physical and sexual abuse and its coverXS ,ULVK JRYHUQPHQW RI¿FLDOV KDG strong words about the Vatican, which recalled and reassigned its ambassador. Irish Catholics are currently awaiting the report of an apostolic visit ordered by Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican says the report of the visit, conducted by senior &KXUFK ¿JXUHV ZLOO ³DVVLVW WKH ORcal Church on her path of renewal�. „ CNS „ Page 13: Ireland to close embassy

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Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Pope prays for victims of Ă RRGV LQ 7KDLODQG ,WDO\ VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his concern IRU WKRVH KLW E\ H[WUHPH Ă€RRGLQJ in Thailand and parts of Italy. “I wish to express my closeness WR WKH SHRSOH KLW E\ VHULRXV Ă€RRGLQJ LQ 7KDLODQG DV ZHOO DV LQ ,WDO\´ where heavy rains caused extenVLYH GDPDJH LQ SDUWV RI /LJXULD DQG 7XVFDQ\ KH VDLG DIWHU SUD\LQJ WKH $QJHOXV ZLWK WKRVH JDWKHUHG LQ St Peter’s Square on Oct 30. Âł, DVVXUH WKHP RI P\ SUD\HUV ´ he said. 7KH 7KDL Ă€RRGV WULJJHUHG E\ PRQWKV RI KHDY\ UDLQV KDYH NLOOHG KXQGUHGV DQG GDPDJHG WKH KRPHV and livelihoods of millions. The waters also forced the closure of thousands of factories. More than half a million people DUH QRZ RXW RI ZRUN Italy declared a state of emerJHQF\ RQ 2FW DIWHU WRUUHQWLDO UDLQV NLOOHG DW OHDVW QLQH SHRSOH 6WRUPV DORQJ WKH QRUWKZHVWHUQ FRDVW RI /LJXULD DQG 7XVFDQ\ WULJJHUHG PXGVOLGHV DQG Ă€RRGLQJ ZKLFK FDXVHG VLJQLÂżFDQW GDPDJH news reports said. „ CNS

Focusing on the saints VATICAN CITY – The feast of All Saints calls on Catholics to see the Church as the communion of saints and not to focus on it as an earthly institution with members ZKR VRPHWLPHV VLQ 3RSH %HQedict XVI said. “We are called to see the &KXUFK QRW LQ LWV WHPSRUDO DQG KXPDQ DVSHFW PDUNHG E\ IUDJLOLW\ EXW DV &KULVW ZDQWHG LW WKDW LV DV WKH FRPPXQLRQ RI VDLQWV ´ WKH SRSH VDLG RQ 1RY EHIRUH UHFLWLQJ WKH $QJHOXV IRU WKH IHDVW RI $OO 6DLQWV The holy men and women who OLYHG WKURXJKRXW KLVWRU\ ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ ZHUH FDQRQLVHG GHPonstrate there are different paths WR KROLQHVV EXW WKH\ DOO KDYH RQH WKLQJ LQ FRPPRQ Âą ÂłIROORZLQJ &KULVW DQG FRQIRUPLQJ RQHVHOI WR +LP´ WKH SRSH VDLG The feasts of All Saints and All Souls reminds Christians that God calls them to be holy and to be with +LP LQ KHDYHQ DORQJ ZLWK WKHLU ORYHG RQHV ZKR KDYH GLHG KH VDLG 7KH SUDFWLFH RI YLVLWLQJ FHPHWHULHV RQ 1RY DQG EULQJLQJ Ă€RZHUV WR WKH JUDYHV RI ORYHG RQHV “preserves our bonds of affection with those who have loved us in WKLV OLIH´ EXW DOVR LV D UHPLQGHU that earthly life leads to life be\RQG WKH JUDYH KH VDLG While it is natural to mourn loved ones who have died or to EH VDG DW WKH WKRXJKW RI G\LQJ DQG OHDYLQJ ORYHG RQHV EHKLQG WKH SRSH VDLG ÂłWKH REMHFW RI RXU KRSH LQ IDFW LV WR UHMRLFH LQ WKH SUHVHQFH RI *RG IRU HWHUQLW\ ´ „ CNS

7KDLV SXVK WKHLU EHORQJLQJV WKURXJK D ÀRRGHG VWUHHW DV WKH\ HYDFXDWH DQ area in Bangkok. CNS photo

Ireland to close embassy DUBLIN – Ireland will close its

Embassy to the Holy See in what KDV EHHQ GHVFULEHG E\ RIÂżFLDOV DV D FRVW VDYLQJ PHDVXUH )RUHLJQ 0LQLVWHU (DPRQ *LOmore said the move is not a result of a recent dispute between ,UHODQG DQG WKH 9DWLFDQ ZKLFK led Italian Archbishop Giuseppe /HDQ]D SDSDO QXQFLR WR ,UHODQG WR EH WHPSRUDULO\ FDOOHG EDFN WR the Vatican in late July and later UHDVVLJQHG WR WKH &]HFK 5HSXEOLF The Vatican had recalled $UFKELVKRS /HDQ]D DIWHU WKH 9DWLcan was criticised about the misKDQGOLQJ RI FOHULFDO DEXVH LQ WKH Irish Diocese of Cloyne. ,Q D 1RY VWDWHPHQW 9DWLFDQ VSRNHVPDQ -HVXLW )U )HGHULFR

/RPEDUGL VDLG Âł1DWXUDOO\ HYHU\ state that has diplomatic relations with the Holy See is free to decide ... whether to have an ambassador to the Holy See who is resident in 5RPH RU UHVLGHQW LQ DQRWKHU FRXQtry. What is important is diplomatic relations between the Holy 6HH DQG WKH VWDWHV DQG WKLV LV QRW LQ TXHVWLRQ ZLWK ,UHODQG ´ 0U *LOPRUH VDLG KLV JRYHUQPHQW ÂłZLOO EH VHHNLQJ WKH DJUHHment of the Holy See to the appointment of a senior diplomat to WKLV SRVLWLRQ´ He said tensions over clerical VH[XDO DEXVH KDG ÂłQR EHDULQJ´ RQ the decision and that “Vatican relations will continue and be valXHG´ „ CNS

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Sunday November 20, 2011 CatholicNews

9DWLFDQ RIÀFLDO DVVHVVHV HFXPHQLFDO progress, prospects WASHINGTON – The Vatican’s top ecumenist offered a frank assessment of recent ecumenical progress and future prospects in a Washington talk on Nov 3. Cardinal Kurt Koch, presiGHQW RI WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU Promoting Christian Unity, said different types of divisions affect Catholic relations with the Orthodox Churches and with those that were born from the Protestant Reformation, but both can be resolved with dialogue. He also criticised the “antiCatholic attitude” displayed by some Pentecostals and said Catholics must resist a temptation to adopt the “sometimes problematic evangelical methods” of those churches. The cardinal spoke at The Catholic University of America before an audience of about 100 people. Cardinal Koch said progress towards Catholic-Orthodox unity became nearly “shipwrecked by the problem” of differences over papal primacy. Churches that arose from the Protestant Reformation, on the

The fact that Christians comprise most of those religiously persecuted could be ‘a seed’ for a ‘new unity’, says Cardinal Kurt Koch.

other hand, sometimes diverge from the Catholic Church on the handling of ethical questions, he said, mentioning homosexuality as a “fundamental problem” in particular between the Catholic and Anglican communities. Some Anglican churches, including the Episcopal Church in the US, have ordained openly gay priests and bishops.

He said Protestant Churches have in the past generally agreed with the Catholic Church on ethical issues while disagreeing on matters of faith. “Today that has been turned on its head, and we can say that ethics divide but faith unites,” he said. Christian unity would be advanced if all Churches could “speak with one voice on the great ethical questions of our time”, the cardinal added. Cardinal Koch also expressed regret that some Christian churches, which he did not name, insisted on conferring baptism again on new members, even if they have been baptised in another Christian church. In a separate interview before the talk, Cardinal Koch said 80 percent of all those persecuted because of religion today are Christians. “This can be a seed for the new unity,” he added. He said the Catholic Church’s Christian dialogue partners appreciate “that our Church does say that martyrdom is not only the property of the Catholic Church”. CNS

&·ZHDOWK DOORZV PRQDUFKV WR PDUU\ &DWKROLFV MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – The

law that bans a British monarch from marrying a Catholic is to be lifted after more than 300 years. The reforms were announced following the unanimous agreement of the 16 nations that have Queen Elizabeth II as their constitutional head of state. But they will not include the repeal of a Catholic becoming monarch because allegiance to the SRSH PLJKW FRQÀLFW ZLWK WKH VRYereign’s role as the supreme governor of the Church of England. The changes will also see the end of the ancient tradition of male primogeniture, the rule under which boys take precedence to the throne over elder sisters. The reforms will be included in the next British programme of parliamentary business to be unveiled in November, while New Zealand will lead a working group to coordinate their implementation in other Commonwealth

FACT OF THE WEEK: The Episcopal Church USA has lost more than 200,000 members and 300 parishes between 2006 and 2010, bringing membership EHORZ PLOOLRQ IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH

Royal wedding in London this year. A change in law will, however, not allow a Catholic to become a monarch.

countries affected. The announcement, made at an Oct 28 summit of Commonwealth heads of government in Perth, Australia, was welcomed by Catholic leaders in Britain. since 1939. If the trend continues, says blogger David Virtue, “in 26 years there will no longer be anyone attending an Episcopal church”. CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

“This will eliminate a point of unjust discrimination against Catholics and will be welcomed not only by Catholics but far more widely,” said Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. “At the same time I fully recognise the importance of the position of the established [Anglican] Church in protecting and fostering the role of faith in our society today,” he said in a statement. Cardinal Keith O’Brien of St Andrews and Edinburgh, head of the Scottish bishops’ conference, said he was pleased to note the process had started to repeal aspects of the laws. “I look forward to studying the detail of the proposed reforms and their implications in due course,” he said. Announcing the reforms, British Prime Minister David Cameron, said: “Let me be clear, the monarch must be in communion with the Church of England because he or she is the head of that Church. “But it is simply wrong they should be denied the chance to marry a Catholic if they wish to do so,” he said. “After all, they are already quite free to marry someone of any other faith.” CNS

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Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Birth of 7 billionth Religious education baby is ‘challenge teachers vital for new to help all’ evangelisation: cardinal WASHINGTON – Solid catechesis,

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A young woman teaching a religion class in the US. A cardinal has told such teachers that they are in the front line of the new evangelisation. &16 ¿OH SKRWR

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Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

‘Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again!’

Pope Benedict XVI greets religious delegates at the Vatican the day after the interfaith gathering in Assisi. CNS photo

„ From page 1 Eleven of the pope’s guests spoke before he did and, after the morning session, the pope invited the delegates to a “frugal lunchâ€? of rice and vegetables, salad, fruit and juice. In the afternoon, following thousands of young people who walked up to the Basilica of St Francis, the religious leaders rode up the hill in buses. Gathered in the square in front of the church’s lower level, the pope and 13 other leaders renewed their commitments to peace as the fog ÂżQDOO\ OLIWHG IURP WKH SODLQ EHORZ 7KH\ DIÂżUPHG WKH REOLJDWLRQ of love of neighbour, the conviction that true faith never can be used to justify violence, the responsibility religious leaders have to educate their followers to respect others and the need to continue interreligious dialogue. Pope Benedict was the last to read his commitment. “Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon the earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life, love!â€? he said. After a moment of silence, the pope and other leaders were handed oil lamps similar to the one that burns before the tomb of St Francis, just a few steps behind the stage. The event ended with the delegates exchanging a sign of peace and Pope Benedict exchanging a big smile with the crowd. Doves were released and one even landed on the hand of one of the delegates. Before leaving, the pope told the leaders, “We will continue to meetâ€? and to “be united in this journey of dialogueâ€? for the good of the world. During the morning session

in the basilica, Patriarch Bartholomew said the 25 years since the initial Assisi gathering have included the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the Arab Spring democracy movement, “which has not put an end to tensions between communities�. “The place of religions in the changes under way remains ambiguous,� the patriarch said, echoing the concerns of many Christians that more radical followers of Islam may not protect the rights of Christian minorities in the countries that have thrown off dictatorships. “We must oppose the defor-

In the course of ‘history, force has ... been used in the name of the Christian faith. We acknowledge it with great shame.

’

– Pope Benedict XVI

mation of the message and symbols of religion by perpetrators of violence,� said the Orthodox spiritual leader. Archbishop Williams, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, told the participants they must help the world see how much wisdom religions have to offer “in the struggle against the foolishness of a world still obsessed with fear and suspicion, still in love with the idea of a security based on defensive hostility, and still capable of tolerating or ignoring massive loss of life among the poorest through war and disease�.

Rev Olav Fykse Tveit, a Lutheran minister and secretary-general of the World Council of Churches, urged the leaders to do more to assist and guide their young people, who can be the source of new energy for change – like with the Arab Spring – or can express their frustrations through violence. He also pleaded with all the religious leaders present to pray and work for peace in Jerusalem, a city sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, and a symbol of ongoing tensions among people of different faiths. A Hindu representative from India, Shrivatsa Goswami, said the leaders needed to ask themselves why interreligious dialogue has not had a greater impact on the world situation in the last 25 years. “Are we missing the inward part of the journey?â€? he asked. “Dialogue will be a futile exercise unless we undertake it with humility, forbearance, and the desire to respect the ‘other’â€?, whether or not they return that respect, he said. Hasyim Muzadi, general secretary of the Indonesia-based International Conference of Islamic Scholars, could not attend, but sent a speech. He said people of different faiths must work together to build on something they all share: “a hope for the creation of human harmony, justice, prosperity and an improved standard of human lifeâ€?. US President Barack Obama sent a message to participants, saying, “Through interfaith dialogue, we can unite in common cause to OLIW WKH DIĂ€LFWHG PDNH SHDFH ZKHUH WKHUH LV VWULIH DQG ÂżQG WKH ZD\ IRUward to create a better world for ourselves and our children.â€? „ CNS „ Page 17: Analysis

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Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

ANALYSIS

Pope Benedict XVI walks with other religious leaders in the crypt of the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi on Oct 27. He prayed at the tomb of the saint at the end of the interfaith meeting for peace.

A sense of crisis in modern society By John Thavis ASSISI, ITALY – A common thread

ran through many of the speeches and invocations of this year’s “prayer for peaceâ€? gathering in Assisi: the uneasy sense that the world is facing not merely conĂ€LFWV DQG ZDUV EXW D PXFK EURDGer crisis that affects social and cultural life in every country. (QYLURQPHQWDO GDPDJH WKH ULFK SRRU GLYLGH HURVLRQ RI FXOWXUDO WUDGLWLRQV WHUURULVP DQG QHZ threats to society’s weakest memEHUV ZHUH FLWHG DV LQFUHDVLQJO\ ZRUULVRPH GHYHORSPHQWV E\ VSHDNers at the interfaith gathering in the Italian pilgrimage town on Oct 27. 3RSH %HQHGLFW ;9, DGGUHVVLQJ WKH SDUWLFLSDQWV HFKRHG those points in his own analysis of WKH VWDWH RI JOREDO SHDFH \HDUV after Blessed John Paul II conYHQHG WKH ÂżUVW $VVLVL PHHWLQJ ,Q KH QRWHG WKH ZRUOG was caught up not only in simPHULQJ DUPHG FRQĂ€LFWV EXW DOVR LQ D FROG ZDU EHWZHHQ WZR RSSRVLQJ EORFV 7RGD\ WKH &ROG :DU LV RYHU and there is “no threat of a great ZDU KDQJLQJ RYHU XV´ EXW ÂłQHYHUWKHOHVV WKH ZRUOG LV XQIRUWXQDWHO\ full of discordâ€?. 7KH SRSH VDLG WKLV GLVFRUG KDV taken on “new and frightening JXLVHV´ DQG KH VLQJOHG RXW WZR IRUPV WHUURULVP LQFOXGLQJ DFWV RI violence that are religiously motivated; and the spiritual erosion that has occurred in highly secularised societies. Âł7KH ZRUVKLS RI 0DPPRQ possessions and power is proving to EH D FRXQWHU UHOLJLRQ LQ ZKLFK LW LV QR ORQJHU PDQ ZKR FRXQWV EXW RQO\ SHUVRQDO DGYDQWDJH ´ KH VDLG +H cited the illegal drug trade and drug dependency to show how desire for

happiness today can degenerate into ÂłDQ XQEULGOHG LQKXPDQ FUDYLQJ´ 7ZHQW\ ÂżYH \HDUV DJR WKH VXFcess of the Assisi prayer summit ZDV PHDVXUHG LQ SDUW E\ KRZ PDQ\ warring parties respected Pope John Paul’s call for a one-day truce. ,Q WKH JDWKHULQJ WKHUH ZDV QR truce call and no mention of speFLÂżF FRQĂ€LFWV E\ SDUWLFLSDQWV ZLWK WKH H[FHSWLRQ RI D EULHI UHIHUHQFH WR Jerusalem as a contested city. 7KDWÂśV QRW EHFDXVH ZDUV KDYH GLVDSSHDUHG IURP WKH KRUL]RQ EXW EHFDXVH ZRUOG KDUPRQ\ LV VHHQ DV threatened in alarming new ways: „ 7KH JURZLQJ ULVN RI FXOWXUDO FRQĂ€LFWV ZDV KLJKOLJKWHG E\ -D

Environmental damage, the rich-poor divide, terrorism and new threats to society’s weakest members were cited as increasingly worrisome developments. 6HXQJ D .RUHDQ %XGGKLVW 2WKHU VSHDNHUV ZDUQHG WKDW JOREDOLVDtion has sometimes prompted a EDFNODVK DPRQJ WKRVH ZKR IHDU the weakening of cultural identity. „ 7KH ZRUOG LV LJQRULQJ PDVVLYH ORVV RI OLIH DPRQJ WKH SRRUHVW VDLG $QJOLFDQ $UFKELVKRS 5RZDQ :LOOLDPV RI &DQWHUEXU\ PDNLQJ D SRLQW HFKRHG E\ VHYHUDO OHDGHUV „ Others said the economic crisis has placed everyone’s future under a cloud. Rev Olav Fykse 7YHLW D /XWKHUDQ PLQLVWHU DQG VHFUHWDU\ JHQHUDO RI WKH :RUOG &RXQFLO RI &KXUFKHV VDLG WKDW ZLWK WKH current high unemployment among \RXQJ SHRSOH ³LW IHHOV DV WKRXJK

ZH DUH JDPEOLQJ ZLWK WKH ZHOIDUH and happiness of a generationâ€?. „ Orthodox Ecumenical PatriDUFK %DUWKRORPHZ RI &RQVWDQWLQRple expressed concern that changHV VHW LQ PRWLRQ E\ SUR GHPRFUDF\ PRYHPHQWV LQ $UDE FRXQWULHV PD\ HQG XS OHDYLQJ &KULVWLDQ PLQRULWLHV OHVV SURWHFWHG WKDQ EHIRUH „ 0V -XOLD .ULVWHYD D VHOI GHVFULEHG KXPDQLVW ZKR GRHV QRW LGHQWLI\ ZLWK DQ\ UHOLJLRQ VDLG SHRSOHÂśV IXQGDPHQWDO DELOLWLHV WR FDUH IRU HDFK RWKHU WR UDLVH FKLOdren and to tend the land were all WKUHDWHQHG E\ DFFHOHUDWHG DGYDQFHV LQ VFLHQFH WKH XQFRQWUROOHG PHFKDQLVPV RI WHFKQRORJ\ DQG ÂżQDQFH and the incapacity of classic democracies to deal with the results. Several speakers warned of ecological disaster unless lifestyle FKDQJHV DUH PDGH 3HUKDSV &DUGLQDO 3HWHU 7XUNVRQ WKH KHDG RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH DQG 3HDFH VXPPHG LW XS EHVW ZKHQ he said people’s relationship with nature was increasingly distorted. Âł7KH VWURQJ UHVRXUFH FRPSHWLtion among peoples in a climateconstrained environment threatens WR GLVVROYH WKH IDEULF RI KXPDQ VRciety and devastate the very order of creation which St Francis praised LQ KLV &DQWLFOH RI WKH 6XQ ´ KH VDLG 1DWXUDOO\ WKHUH ZHUH PDQ\ hopeful words and prayers at AsVLVL WR EDODQFH WKHVH GUDPDWLF DVsessments. One pastor representing Reformed churches said at the closing ceremony that a world ZLWK PRUH RSHQ ERUGHUV VKULQNLQJ GLVWDQFHV DQG EHWWHU FRPPXnications should make it easier for people of faith to have an impact. %XW DW $VVLVL LW VHHPHG FOHDUHU WKDQ HYHU WKDW EXLOGLQJ ZRUOG peace will require much more than HOLPLQDWLQJ DUPHG FRQĂ€LFW „ CNS

18 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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 MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: johnson.fernandez@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: Darren Boon: darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

ADVERTISEMENTS: Elaine Ong: advertisements@catholic.org.sg WEBMASTER: Medona Walter: medona.walter@catholic.org.sg

EDITORIAL MATTERS: cnedit@catholic.org.sg

Please include your full name, address and phone no. for all articles and letters. Published submissions will be edited.

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

GUEST EDITORIAL

What the Church can learn from social media By Sr Mary Ann Walsh, RSM The social media phenomenon offers both challenge and opportunity for the Church. Social media UHDFKHV SHRSOH Âą PLOOLRQV DUH RQ Facebook and Twitter every day. The Church cannot ignore them. They are interactive, however, and don’t work when conversations are one-way. They involve dialogue, something not always welcomed by clergy, teachers and other leaders. “Because I said soâ€? doesn’t cut it in social media, a fact regretted by parents and leaders who for ages have resorted to the phrase when exasperated with the petulant “butâ€? and plaintive “why?â€? For oldsters, such dialogue takes getting used to. A few years ago, I took a course in Church social teaching. ,W ZDV WR EH DQ LQWHOOHFWXDO WUHDW Âą until I got into the classroom with students who sought to debate the professor. The lecturer loved the interactivity, but I groaned inwardly at each sidestep. A former teacher, I appreciated the back-and-forth that helps minds expand, but I wanted the teaching clear-cut and wanted to soak up all the renowned prof had to offer. It may have been my inner dinosaur peeking out. The Church has a solid history of such top-down didacticism. It has libraries of tomes that explore theological truths. But that is only one part of the Church. $QRWKHU VLGH Âą WKH SDVWRUDO VLGH Âą LV RSHQ WR GLDORJXH ,W KDV YDOLGDWed such conversations as far back as the Gospels (see woman conversing with Jesus at the well). On the oneon-one level, the dialogue that ensues after a “can we talk?â€? encounter has been an integral part of the Church for years, a comfort to worried parents, frustrated spouses, abused

Perhaps social media can help the Church engage more in dialogue. It is not easy. It takes energy, especially emotional energy. Talk – or dialogue – is work.

workers and confused children. Perhaps social media can help the Church engage more in such dialogue. It is not easy. It takes energy, especially emotional energy. 7DON Âą RU GLDORJXH Âą LV ZRUN Many business leaders boast they have a web presence, but don’t take questions and avoid interactivity, though they might send an autoreply: “Thanks for your message.â€? To be genuine on social media you have to answer questions. You have to discuss. You have to accept and even embrace being challenged. At the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), we have Facebook and Twitter accounts. They offer opportunities to share, but also give rise to points of contention inherent in all dialogues. Some people agree with you, some don’t. Some ZDQW WR ÂżJKW $OO RI WKHP KRZHYer, belong to our virtual community and so deserve respect. Some who post ask the community to share in their sorrow, perhaps over the death of a spouse.

Others muse on the feast or Scripture reading of the day. Some are UHDG\ IRU D ÂżJKW DQG HYRNH WKH XUJH to hit the “deleteâ€? button. We try not to do that since the whole point of the virtual community is dialogue. If a virtual scrimmage breaks out, we hope all, including virtual bystanders, come away more enlightened. It is a risk worth taking. The Internet, of course, cannot replace the community at Mass, where you know strangers by the pew they choose and as their children grow. There’s nurturing warmth even in the nodding acquaintance with those with whom you pray every week. Social media has a place in the 21st-century Church, though some oldsters may have to be drawn into it, collars, veils, rosaries and lapel crosses askew. Facebook, Twitter and other social media can be worthy instruments of the Gospel to nurture our faith life, though some are just warming up. „ Sr Walsh is the USCCB’s director of media relations

Love, faith and ritual IT’S NOT easy to sustain love, at least not with constant emotional fervour. Misunderstandings, irritations, tiredness, jealousies, hurt, temperamental differences, the familiarity that breeds contempt, and simple boredom invariably chip away at our emotional and affective edges and, soon enough, fervour gives way to routine, the groove becomes the rut, and love seems to disappear. But we can easily misread this. First off, just because the surface of a relationship seems clouded with misunderstanding, irritation and hurt doesn’t mean we don’t love each RWKHU /RYH VLWV DW D SODFH EHQHDWK WKH HEE DQG Ă€RZ RI LUULWDWLRQ DQG boredom. You can be willing to die for someone, even as at that very moment you are seething with anger at him or her. John Shea, in the brilliant series of homilies published through Liturgical Press, gives us a wonderful example of this. He shares the story of a woman who took in her aging mother to help her while she was recovering from a stroke. The daughter was painstakingly attentive to KHU PRWKHUÂśV HYHU\ QHHG \HW DW D SRLQW D GUHDGIXO ÂżJKW EURNH RXW Âą RYHU a trivial incident regarding a hard-boiled egg. In the middle of their war of words, the mother asked her daughter: “Why are you doing all of this for me anyway?â€? Her daughter responded by listing her reasons: “I was afraid for her; I wanted to get her well; I felt maybe I’d ignored her when I was younger. I needed to show her I was strong. I needed to get her ready to go home alone; old age, and on and on. I was amazed myself. I could have gone on giving reasons all night. Even she was impressed. “Junk, “she said when I was done. “Junk?â€? I yelled. Like, boy, she’d made a real mistake with that remark. “Yes, junk,â€? she said again, but a little more quietly. And that little quieter tone got me. And she went on: “You don’t have to have all those reasons. We love each other. That’s enough.â€? Irritation, anger and boredom within a relationship do not necessarily mean that love has died, as this story illustrates. Love rests at a deeper place. But how do we touch that place inside less-than-idyllic feelings? We do it through ritual. Our lives together within every kind of community are sustained by small and big rituals that keep us together, keep us respectful, and let us wait in patience throughout the ups and downs of shared life. For example; sometimes we greet each other with real warmth and sometimes our greetings barely mask our irritation or boredom. But, we still greet each other. Saying “Good morningâ€? is a ritual act, an important one. It says that we love and care for each other, even when that isn’t exactly what we may be feeling on a given day. That’s also true of the perfunctory peck on the cheek as we greet or say goodbye, the ritual hug, the sign of peace in our churches, and (especially) our commitment to sit down with each other at regular times for meals and other get-togethers. These are important rituals that say with our action and our commitment what our feelings sometimes cannot say, namely: “I love you! I’m here for you, even when we are both too tired, too over-familiar with each other, too preoccupied and busy, and too irritated by our differences to feel much fervour in our love at this moment.â€? Ritual speaks for love, even as it needs always to be undergirded by love. The same holds true for faith. In faith, just as in love, there is a surface and there is an undergirding. The deeper reality is in the undergirding and we should be prepared for lots of shifting ground on the surface. In our faith journey, there will be moments of fervour, of emotional warmth, of warm security; but there will also be periods, long periods, sometimes bitter ones, where on the surface we will feel only dryness, boredom, a sense of God’s absence, and perhaps even a positive distaste for the things of God and faith. This doesn’t necessarily mean we lack effort or that we are suffering in our faith from the familiarity that breeds contempt. We can, as Chesterton classically suggested, try to look at things familiar until they look unfamiliar again, but that won’t, as the mystics assure us, always cure the problem. Faith, like love, needs to be sustained through ritual, through ritual acts that let our commitment and our action say what we cannot always say in our words and our feelings. And our faith tradition provides these rituals for us: reading the Scriptures, participating in the Eucharist, prayLQJ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &KXUFK SUD\LQJ WKH URVDU\ SUD\LQJ IURP YDULRXV kinds of prayer books, sitting in silent centring prayer, and, most important of all, simply showing up regularly for church. All of these say what the woman whose story we shared said to her daughter: Beneath all this, we love each other. That’s enough! „

ANALYSIS 19

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Why China Church needs prayers By Barb Fraze AFTER travelling to China in 2007, I came away having learned two important lessons: 1) Nothing is as it seems. 2) The more you learn, the more you realise what you do not know. This does not apply just to China, but to the Chinese Catholic Church, which, on one level, is locked in a battle with the Chinese government: Church autonomy versus government control. Reports coming from China might indicate that Chinese Catholic leaders are caving in to govHUQPHQW RIÂżFLDOV )RU LQVWDQFH last December, the Asian Church news agency UCA News reported on the Congress of Catholic Representatives, which some Church leaders were forced to attend. The Vatican was critical of the assembly on many levels, including that Vatican-approved bishRSV ZHUH DPRQJ RIÂżFLDOV HOHFWHG to the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China and the Catholic Patriotic Association, two bodies Pope Benedict XVI has said are not in line with Church teaching. Yet in that same 2007 letter to Chinese Catholics in which Pope Benedict criticised the two government-backed bodies, he said KH UHFRJQLVHG WKH GLIÂżFXOW VLWXDtion of bishops and priests under pressure from the government and added that the Holy See “leaves the decision to the individual bishopâ€?, having consulted his priests, “to weigh ‌ and to evaluate the possible consequencesâ€? of dealing with government pressures in each given situation. In mid-July, the Vatican condemned the ordination of Fr Joseph Huang Bingzhang as Bishop of Shantou and said he automatically incurred excommunication. The Vatican said Fr Huang “had been informed some time ago that he could not be approved by the Holy See as an episcopal candidate, inasmuch as the Diocese of Shantou already has a legitimate bishopâ€?.

:KDW H[DFWO\ LV JRLQJ RQ LQ &KXUFK VWDWH LQWHUDFWLRQV VWLOO UHPDLQV XQFOHDU DQG WKRVH ZKR GR NQRZ DUH UHOXFWDQW WR VSHDN IRU IHDU RI UHSHUFXVVLRQV Catholics carry a statue of Mary as they walk in procession to the Sheshan Marian shrine in Shanghai, China. The Catholic Church and the Chinese government are often at odds over how the Church should function in the communist state. &16 8&$1 ÂżOH SKRWR

And recently, UCA News reported that Shantou diocese has three new priests. The report cites an unnamed source saying that Fr Huang might have struck a deal with a neighbouring bishop to allow the seminarians to be ordained: Fr Huang is still seen by the government as Bishop of Shantou, yet he probably recognised the needs of the seminarians who had spent years studying to be priests, so he allowed them to be ordained by a Vatican-approved bishop. Meanwhile, online speculation has considered the circumstances of Bishop Paul Pei Junmin of Liaoning, reportedly suspended from his posts as vice president of the Chinese bishops’ conference and as head of the Liaoning branch of the patriotic

association for refusing to participate in Fr Huang’s episcopal ordination. Bishop Pei, who has Vatican approval, was rumoured to have resigned from his posts, and some speculate that the Chinese government announced his suspension to save face. Some reports have said he is under house arrest. What exactly is going on remains unclear, and those who do know are reluctant to speak for fear of repercussions. What IS clear is that, as they QDYLJDWH WKH PLQH¿HOGV RI &KXUFK leadership in China, the Church leaders continue to need the prayers of Catholics around the world. „ CNS )UD]H LV LQWHUQDWLRQDO HGLWRU RI &DWK ROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH :DVKLQJWRQ

20 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

How to avoid worrying during troubled times? Financial crises, natural disasters can spark an escalation of anxiety among people. David Gibson looks at what the Gospel has to say about worry. CNS photo

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HERE would be so much less to worry about if only we could see into the future! But our human condition prevents us from previewing the ultimate resolution of whatever situations currently are pushing us to the limit. We usually cannot know whether our attempts today to smooth-out the rough edges of our lives or to protect others from potential harm will have met with success by tomorrow, or next week, or next year. So many worry so much about where life is headed for them. Worry, it seems, is always with us! Nonetheless, a virtual consensus exists among pastoral counsellors, psychologists and others interested in human well-being that worry is not good for us. With one worry giving rise to another and yet another, confusion mounts and we feel overwhelmed. It is no secret, moreover, that many worried people rush forward in ill-advised ways to address problems they regard as urgent. Out of worry, some create the unwelcome

impression that they intend not only to micromanage their own lives, but the lives of others too. ,PSDWLHQW XQUHĂ€HFWLYH DQG unwelcome ways of handling worries tend to leave us with even more to worry about. But I do not want to be too hard on worriers, since I am one of them. My “talentâ€? for worry is well recognised in my family. Many people worry because they do not want to do too little too late in response to the challenges they encounter. They hope that something they do now will help assure that their greatest fears do not materialise, that answers are found to questions they have or that troublesome developments are resolved satisfactorily. I have noticed that the meaning of “worryâ€? is imprecise. Many times when people say they are worried about something, they mean that they fear it. This can be a fear of the unknown, of future developments that they would like to ward off. When parents say that they are worried about their teenager, they often mean that some aspect of the teen’s life is a cause of fear or apprehension for them. Other times, the meaning of “worryâ€? is milder. People who say they “worry about getting the grocery shopping doneâ€? probably just mean they are “uncertainâ€? when they can do it.

T

RUTH be told, there is much to worry about. Many worry about the economy. Worry of this type frequently represents a fear of developments that people feel they cannot con-

Many people worry about the economy, their jobs and their families. However, such anxiety eclipses God’s presence and care, and is unproductive. trol. They fear for their jobs, their families, their pensions. Many people worry about making mistakes. They do not want to make wrong health-care decisions for themselves, come up short in exercising responsibility for their children’s safety or education, or fail in their efforts to create a suitable balance between work, home life and the faith community. Maybe worry is a wakeup call. But what kind of wakeup call is it? All-consuming worries have a way of wearing people down, when what they really need to meet their challenges is strength and clear-sightedness. Moreover, sometimes the things

that worry people also anger them. Yet, words shouted at others out of anger can make matters worse. It also seems to me that overwrought people tend to suffer in their listening skills. But people unable to hear what others actually have to say are at risk of misconstruing the challenges before them. Jesus’ advice in Luke’s Gospel on this topic is direct: “Do not worry anymore� (12:29).

Why? Because anxiety eclipses God’s presence and care, and it is unproductive. That advice rarely is followed. But it makes people think. It surely suggests they should try to keep their worries in perspective and avoid concluding hastily that it falls to them to handle all their troubles and concerns alone. „ Gibson served on Catholic News Service’s editorial staff for 37 years.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

More important than Ă RZHUV DQG ELUGV By Daniel S. Mulhall LUKE 12: 22-34 contains the familiar passage about God’s provision for even the lilies of the ÂżHOG Âł1RWLFH KRZ WKH Ă€RZHUV grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of them. “If God so clothes the grass in WKH ÂżHOG WKDW JURZV WRGD\ DQG LV thrown into the oven tomorrow, will He not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?â€? Anyone who places under a PLFURVFRSH WKH ÂżQHVW JDUPHQW from Italy will, for example, see a hodgepodge of matted fabric. But if the same is done with MXVW RQH Ă€RZHU SHWDO WKH VLJKW RI its intricacies will be amazing.

No wonder Jesus asks why the people don’t immediately realise that they are “much more LPSRUWDQW´ WKDQ Ă€RZHUV RU ELUGV XUJLQJ WKHP WR ÂżUVW ÂłVHHN >*RGÂśV@ kingdom and these other things will be given you besidesâ€?. Catholic theology takes this passage seriously; it provides the foundation for the theological principal of merit, which underscores that, while we can’t earn God’s love, God will bless us for our efforts on behalf of His kingdom. To refer to the people as having “little faithâ€? is to remind them that they are missing the bigger picture! „ Mulhall is former assistant secretary to the US bishops for catechesis and inculturation

FAITH ALIVE! 21

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews Photo: Angelika Mendes/JRS

A group of children waiting to be fed in the reception area of Helawen refugee camp in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia.

Photo:JRS

Food rations for urban refugees are packaged and distributed at Kayole Divine Word Parish in Nairobi, Kenya.

Serving refugees in the Horn of Africa By Venessa Lee WHEN aid worker Phillip Cunningham stayed in a refugee tent recently, he found it extremely challenging. Mr Cunningham, Regional 3URJUDPPHV 2IÂżFHU DW -HVXLW 5HIXJHH 6HUYLFH -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD spent a week preparing for an education project in the refugee camps LQ 'ROOR $GR (WKLRSLD LQ 2FWREHU Most refugees in the desertOLNH 'ROOR $GR UHJLRQ KDYH Ă€HG civil war and famine in Somalia, the worst-hit nation in the drought DQG KXQJHU FULVLV HQJXOÂżQJ FRXQWULHV LQ WKH +RUQ RI $IULFD “The vast majority of refugees DUH OLYLQJ LQ WHQWV LVVXHG E\ WKH 81+&5 >WKH 81 UHIXJHH DJHQF\@ :H stayed in the same kinds of tents when we were there. The tents are URXJKO\ DERXW PHWUHV ORQJ E\ DERXW RQH DQG D KDOI PHWUHV ´ 0U Cunningham told CatholicNews in a phone interview. “The temperature was easily PRUH WKDQ GHJUHHV &HOVLXV You’re going into a situation ZLWK SHRSOH >LQ WKH FDPS@ they’re living in a very small area ZLWK QR SULYDF\ ´ Mr Cunningham, who is EDVHG LQ 1DLUREL .HQ\D LV DZDUH RI ERWK WKH QHHG WR UHVSHFW WKH refugees’ privacy as well as the necessity of getting wider support from the outside world. Âł>7KH UHIXJHHV@ KDYH QRWKing, living in a tent, and you’re GULYLQJ E\ LQ D YHKLFOH ´ VDLG 0U &XQQLQJKDP DQ $PHULFDQ ZKR

KDV EHHQ ZRUNLQJ LQ WKLV HDVW $IULcan region for close to four years. Âł<RX GRQÂśW ZDQW WR EH LQWUXVLYH >EXW DW WKH VDPH WLPH@ \RX KDYH WR H[SODLQ WKH VLWXDWLRQ WR GRQRUV ´ 7KHUH DUH DERXW UHIXgees in the four camps in Dollo $GR LQ VRXWKHDVWHUQ (WKLRSLD ZLWK WR SHRSOH LQ HDFK FDPS $ ÂżIWK UHIXJHH FDPS LV EHLQJ GHYHORSHG 7KH UHIXJHHV are likely to stay in the camps for years, if not decades, as there seems little chance of returning to Somalia in the near future. $SSUR[LPDWHO\ SHU FHQW of the total refugee population in 'ROOR $GR DUH FKLOGUHQ XQGHU WKH DJH RI DFFRUGLQJ WR ÂżJXUHV from the Ethiopian government and from humanitarian agencies OLNH -56 DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO &DWKRlic organisation. In Somalia, many PHQ KDYH GLHG RU KDYH EHHQ UHFUXLWHG E\ $O 6KDEDDE PLOLWDQWV ZKR DUH OLQNHG WR $O 4DHGD -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD LV SODQQLQJ WR EXLOG WZR SULPDU\ VFKRROV LQ 'ROOR $GR DV ZHOO DV SURYLGH teacher training and other forms of support; there is currently just one functioning primary school there. 7KLV SURMHFW IRU ZKLFK -56 6LQJDSRUH LV SDUWQHULQJ -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD ZLOO VHUYH SULPDU\ VFKRRO students, says Mr Cunningham. +H VHHV DQRWKHU ÂłELJ RSSRUWXQLW\´ LQ WKLV HGXFDWLRQ SURMHFW “There are a lot of older students, WR \HDUV ROG WKDW WKHRUHWLFDOO\ ZRXOG EH JRLQJ WR VHFRQGDU\ school, who have little or no priPDU\ VFKRRO HGXFDWLRQ ´ KH VDLG

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are currently in this scheme, which ZDV RIÂżFLDOO\ ODXQFKHG LQ 0DUFK Ms Christine Mwaniki, counWU\ GLUHFWRU RI -56 .HQ\D VDLG LQ a phone interview: “The key thing for me is the hope it gives the refXJHHV ZKR VWD\ D PLQLPXP RI \HDUV´ LQ .DNXPD Besides providing education, -56 DOVR JLYHV HPHUJHQF\ DVVLVWDQFH WR UHIXJHHV DIIHFWHG E\ WKH +RUQ RI $IULFD FULVLV ZKHUH DW OHDVW PLOlion people need humanitarian assistance. Tens of thousands have already died in the hunger crisis. Refugees, mostly from SomaOLD KDYH Ă€HG WKHLU KRPHV LQ VHDUFK of food and security, with an esWLPDWHG 6RPDOLV WDNLQJ UHIXJH LQ QHLJKERXULQJ FRXQWULHV

Collaboration between S’pore, Eastern Africa -56 6LQJDSRUH LV FROODERUDWLQJ ZLWK -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD DV ZHOO as participating parishes, to help UHIXJHHV LQ WKH +RUQ RI $IULFD 7KHUH DUH SODQV WR EXLOG WZR schools in the refugee camps in 'ROOR $GR (WKLRSLD DV ZHOO DV provide emergency assistance IRU XUEDQ UHIXJHHV LQ 1DLUREL $GGLV $EDED DQG .DPSDOD $OO DUH ZHOFRPH WR DWWHQG WKH IROORZLQJ WDONV DQG H[KLELWLRQV Nov 18, 7.30pm. Beyond the Headlines: Refugee Voices IURP $IULFD D WDON E\ -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD 9HQXH &6&&

:DWHUORR 6WUHHW &DWKRlic Welfare Services Building. Nov 19, 20. ([KLELWLRQ DW Church of Immaculate Heart of Mary. During Mass times. Nov 24, 7.30pm. Beyond the Headlines: Refugee Voices IURP $IULFD D WDON E\ -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD &KXUFK RI &KULVW WKH .LQJ 5&,$ 5RRP Nov 26, 27. ([KLELWLRQ DW WKH EDFN IR\HU &KXUFK RI &KULVW WKH .LQJ 'XULQJ 0DVV WLPHV For more information, visit www.jrssingapore.org, or email hopeafrica@jrssingapore.org „

VXFK DV .HQ\D DQG (WKLRSLD :KLOH thousands head to refugee camps SDVW WKH ERUGHU WKRXVDQGV RI RWKHUV ÂżQG WKHLU ZD\ WR WKH FDSLWDO FLWLHV RI 1DLUREL LQ .HQ\D $GGLV $EDED LQ (WKLRSLD DQG .DPSDOD LQ 8JDQGD -56 LV WKH RQO\ KXPDQLWDULDQ organisation that provides emergency assistance, including food DQG EDVLF PHGLFDO FDUH WR DERXW XQGRFXPHQWHG UHIXJHHV LQ these three cities. 7KLV LV EHFDXVH WKHVH XUEDQ UHIXgees do not qualify for help from the 81+&5 XQWLO WKH\ DUH RIÂżFLDOO\ DFcorded refugee status, explained Ms 0HUF\ 0XFKDL RI -56 (DVWHUQ $IULFD ZKR ZLOO EH LQ 6LQJDSRUH GXULQJ WKH ZHHN RI 1RY IRU D VHULHV of fundraising and advocacy events, LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK -56 6LQJDSRUH 7KH XUEDQ UHIXJHHV KDYH VKDUHG their experiences of sons and husEDQGV EHLQJ NLOOHG E\ $O 6KDEDDE militants in Somalia, who have HYHQ EHHQ IRUFLEO\ UHFUXLWLQJ ER\V in their early teens, said Ms Muchai. 2QH XUEDQ UHIXJHH WR ZKRP -56 JDYH HPHUJHQF\ DVVLVWDQFH and pastoral care was a young single mother. Âł$IWHU VKH DUULYHG LQ 1DLUREL VKH ZDV UDSHG DQG WKH VPDOO EDE\ >KHU \RXQJHVW FKLOG WKHQ@ ZDV three months old. She conceived out of the rape. She was sleeping LQ WKH VWUHHWV :H ZHUH DEOH WR VXSSRUW KHU ´ VDLG 0V ,UHQH :DZHUX SURMHFW GLUHFWRU RI -56Âś XUEDQ HPHUJHQF\ SURJUDPPH LQ 1DLUREL The young mother eventually OHIW .HQ\D ZLWK KHU IRXU FKLOGUHQ DQG UHVHWWOHG LQ WKH 86 „

22 FOCUS

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

‘Similarities between Church teaching and Wall St protests’ VATICAN CITY – Catholic social

teaching and the Occupy Wall Street movement agree that the economy should be at the service of the human person and that strong action must be taken to reduce the growing gap between rich DQG SRRU 9DWLFDQ RIÂżFLDOV VDLG “The basic sentimentâ€? behind the protests is in line with Catholic social teaching and the new docuPHQW RQ JOREDO ÂżQDQFH LVVXHG RQ 2FW E\ WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO for Justice and Peace, said Cardinal Peter Turkson, council presiGHQW The US protesters have focused on Wall Street because “Wall Street is considered to be a ELJ HQJLQH KRXVH Âą D ELJ ÂżQDQFLDO structure whose power extends all over the worldâ€?, the cardinal told &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH People who suffer from the ZD\ WKH ÂżQDQFLDO PDUNHWV FXUrently operate have a right to say, Âł'R EXVLQHVV GLIIHUHQWO\ /RRN

/HRQDUGR %HFFKHWWL D SURIHVVRU of economic policy at Rome’s Tor Vergata University, explained why the Vatican sees the need for an international authority to govern the JOREDO ÂżQDQFLDO PDUNHW DQG ZK\ individual government interventions to bail out banks have not KHOSHG WKH JOREDO HFRQRP\ “The problem of international ÂżQDQFH LV D SUREOHP RI VHOI FRQtrolâ€? with very few hard and fast rules in place to save both investors and innocent bystanders, mainly the poor of the world, he VDLG “It’s like someone in a car going 400 miles an hourâ€? and the government mandates wearing a VHDWEHOW (YHQ ZLWK WKH VHDWEHOW serious accidents are bound to happen – injuring the driver and anyone on the road – if there is no VSHHG OLPLW LPSRVHG 3URI %HFFKHWWL VDLG The government bank bailouts, he said, were like “a ben-

‘

The Vatican is not behind any of these movements, but the basic inspirations can be the same.

’

2FFXS\ :DOO 6WUHHW SURWHVWHUV LQ New York. CNS photo

at the way you’re doing business because this is not leading to our ZHOIDUH DQG RXU JRRG´ KH VDLG “If people can hold their government to account, why can we not hold other institutions in society to accountability if they are not achieving or not helping us live peacefully or well,â€? Cardinal 7XUNVRQ VDLG Âł7KH 9DWLFDQ LV QRW behind any of these movements, but the basic inspirations can be WKH VDPH ´ KH VDLG %LVKRS 0DULR 7RVR VHFUHWDU\ of the justice and peace council, told reporters the Vatican’s new document “appears to be in line with the slogansâ€? of Occupy Wall Street and other protest movements around the globe, but “even more it is in line with the previous teaching of the Churchâ€?, includLQJ 3RSH %HQHGLFW ;9,ÂśV HQcyclical, Charity in Truth (Caritas LQ 9HULWDWH At the Vatican news conference to present the document,

– Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH DQG 3HDFH

efactor who donated blood for a transfusion for someone dying Âą WKH EDQNV ZHUH DW GHDWKÂśV GRRU The benefactor is weakened by the donation and, once recovered, the one saved punches his benHIDFWRU´ In a globalised economy, he said, no one can pretend that one QDWLRQÂśV ÂżQDQFLDO DFWLRQV ZLOO LPpact only that nation, which is why a global authority is needed to establish balance and promote the economic growth and develRSPHQW RI WKH ZKROH ZRUOG The continued well-being of the more developed nations also depends on helping the poor, Prof %HFFKHWWL VDLG “The presence of an enormous mass of the poor and disinherited on a global level, ready to work for salaries that are much lower than those of our workers with the VDPH TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV´ PHDQV MREV also are threatened in richer counWULHV KH VDLG „ CNS

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

23

24

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

By Joe Sarnicola

father and your mother.â€? The man said, “All of these I Wherever Jesus went, He attracted have observed from my youth.â€? But Jesus knew the man’s heart, crowds of people who came to hear him, and many times they brought so He said, “There is still one thing their children with them, hoping Je- left for you: Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you sus would bless them. The apostles tried to keep the will have a treasure in heaven. Then children away from Jesus, but Jesus come, follow me.â€? When the man heard this, he bestopped them and said, “Let the children come to me and do not prevent came upset, because he was very rich. So Jesus said, “How hard it is them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, for those who have wealth to enter whoever does not accept the kingdom the kingdom of God!â€? When the other people in the of God like a child will not enter it.â€? Later, a man who held a position crowd heard this, they asked, “Then DV DQ RIÂżFLDO VDLG WR -HVXV Âł*RRG who can be saved?â€? Jesus told them, “What is imteacher, what must I do to inherit possible for human beings is possieternal life?â€? Jesus replied, “You know the ble for God.â€? Then Jesus left the crowd and said commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; to his apostles privately, “Behold, we you shall not steal; you shall not are going up to Jerusalem and everybear false witness; honour your thing written by the prophets about

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Rose Philippine Duchesne Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852) was the daughter of a wealthy merchant in Grenoble, France, so she had many advantages that allowed her to receive a good education. She also was encouraged by a Jesuit priest to consider working as a missionary. When she was 17 years old, she joined a convent. Unfortunately, there was a revolution in the country, and she was unable to continue living in the convent for very long. She still ministered and offered aid to children and to people who were sick or in prison. Many years later, in 1818, she became one of only four nuns who travelled to New Orleans to work as a missionary in a foreign country. She struggled to speak English and the Native American languages, but she was able to start a school as well as a convent. She was loved because of her holiness and determination. We honour her on Nov 18. „

WKH 6RQ RI 0DQ ZLOO EH IXOÂżOOHG ´ Along the way, when Jesus was near to Jericho, a blind man who was begging by the side of the road heard a commotion and asked what was happening. Someone said to him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.â€? The blind man immediately called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!â€? The people in front of Jesus told the blind man to be quiet, but he called out even louder, “Son of David, have pity on me!â€? This time, Jesus heard the man and

told his apostles to bring him closer. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?� “Lord, please let me see,� he replied. Jesus said to him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.� From that moment the man was able to see, and he praised God. „ Read more about it: Luke 18 Q&A 1. What did Jesus say about children and the kingdom of God? 2. What did Jesus say had saved the blind man?

KIDS’ CLUB:

PUZZLE:

Write an essay, answering the following question: Why do you think that it is so important for us to have faith?

Rearrange the following books of the New Testament so that they are in the order in which they appear in the Bible: John Romans Mark Philippians Galatians Luke 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Matthew Ephesians Acts

WORDSEARCH: „ CHILDREN „ APOSTLES „ OFFICIAL „ TEACHER „ JERUSALEM „ HEAVEN

„ BLESS „ KINGDOM „ COMMANDMENTS „ WITNESS „ TREASURE „ JERICHO

Bible Accent:

Answers to wordsearch: Answers to Puzzle: Mark, John, Romans, 2 Corinthians, Ephesians,

Matthew, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians.

Jesus performed many miracles while He was on earth. Some were of healing (for example, in Luke 18 Jesus restores sight to a blind man), and others were to demonstrate God’s power, such as when Jesus fed thousands of SHRSOH ZLWK RQO\ D VPDOO SRUWLRQ RI ¿VK DQG EUHDG 7KH ¿UVW PLUDFOH WKDW -HVXV SHUIRUPHG ZDV ZKHQ +H changed water into wine at a wedding that He attended with His mother in Cana. Although some of the miracles of Jesus are recorded in more than one of the Gospels, this miracle can only be found in the second chapter of the Gospel of John. „

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday November 20, 2011 „ 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.sg/webevent_form.php

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

Saturdays November 26 RCIY@CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING 3pm: For youths aged 15-23 years. T: 9853 5334; E: rciyctk@gmail.com Thursdays December 1 RCIA@CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL 7.45pm: At Church of St Michael. T: 6291 9272; E: lilipll@singnet.com.sg Sunday February 5 2012 RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR 7.30-9.30pm: At Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. With welcome night on Jan 30. T: 9671 8216 (Christina), 9630 3276 (Edward), 9760 0038 (Bob). Forms available at church secretariat. SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER The order offers a way to deepen your &KULVWLDQ OLYLQJ DQG ORYLQJ WR IXOÂżO WKH mission God gave to St Francis of Assisi, “Go, repair my Church.â€? If you are above 18 years of age, we invite you to explore a vocation to the Secular Franciscan Order. A new journey for inquirers will start in November. T: 9756 0239, 9760 7551; E: sforegional@gmail.com RETROUVAILLE WEEKEND If you are serious about making your marriage work, this programme could be worthwhile for you. Weekends on Mar 23-25, Jun 22-24, Sep 28-30 2012; T: 6749 8861; Register W: http://helpourmarriage.sg November 14 FEAST OF ST HOMOBONUS MASS 7-9pm: Patron saint of business people. Give thanks to 2011 and pray for blessings for 2012. By Catholic Business Network. At Caritas Singapore Solomon Hall (#09-03). T: 9686 2107; E: ed@cbn-singapore.com November 19 EXPERIENCING THE LABYRINTH 2.30-6.30pm: By Edwina Yeow. Cost: $15. By Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At 100 Jln Merbok. T: 6466 2178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg November 19 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: All are welcome. At Armenian Church of St Gregory (60 Hill Street). For information on Taize, visit http:// www.taize.fr/en_article9687.html, taize_ sg@yahoogroups.com; E: bennycah@gmail.com

CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Thank you St -XGH IRU VSHFLÂżF favour granted. (76 times). &ODVVLÂżHG DGYHUWLVHPHQW UDWHV Minimum S$30 for WKH ÂżUVW ZRUGV $GGLWLRQDO ZRUGV D ZRUG ,Q PHPRULDP UDWHV 0LQLPXP IRU DQ LQVHUWLRQ QRW H[FHHGLQJ DQ HLJKW FHQWLPHWUH FROXPQ ZLWK RU ZLWKRXW D SKRWRJUDSK $GGLWLRQDO VSDFH SHU RQH FHQWLPHWUH FROXPQ

November 20 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLESSED JOHN PAUL II’S VISIT 10am: Mass to commemorate 25th anniversary of Blessed John Paul II’s visit to Singapore in 1986. Main celebrant: Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore. At Cathedral of the Good Shepherd Monday November 21 to Monday November 28 DISCIPLESHIP & MISSION 6pm (Mon)-3pm (Mon): Semi-directed 8-day retreat by Msgr Sebastian Francis (Vicar General, Melaka-Johor diocese). At Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre (100 Jln Merbok). Cost: $400. T: 6466 2178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg Friday November 25 to Sunday November 27 CHOICE WEEKEND 7.30pm (Fri)-6pm (Sun): For young adults aged 18-35 years. A weekend for singles to relook multiple changing roles and to improve relationships with family and friends. At Jurong West St 42. T: 9880 3093 (Dawn), 9047 2297 (Albert); E: registration@choice.org.sg; W: http:// www.choice.org.sg/registration.htm November 26 THE WONDERS OF LIFE 2-5pm: Experiential workshop with creative activities fostering self-discovery, positivism, resilience, and self-esteem. Ms Aggie Aik, an art therapist/counsellor, with years of experience in counseling and pastoral care will facilitate the workshop with her team. Dress for ease of movement. Cost: $20 (per participant with all art materials provided). By Clarity Singapore. At Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (96 Waterloo St). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org; W: http://www.clarity-singapore.org November 25 ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 9am-1pm. November 25 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR YOUNG ADULTS 8-10pm: Gather in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, with rosary, VFULSWXUDO UHÀHFWLRQ DQG EHQHGLFWLRQ By Generation CHRIST! Ministry. At Church of St Ignatius. E: gen.christ.ministry@gmail.com November 26 VOCATION DAY OF PRAYER 9am-6pm: Come and discover for oneself the gift of God, the gift of vocation this Advent. Opportunities for personal SUD\HU UHÀHFWLRQ DQG GLVFXVVLRQ Theme: The Ultimate Gift. For single women aged 23-35 years. By Women Religious Vocation Team. At FMDM House of Prayer (Holland Rd). T: 9362 5408 (Sr Angeline); E: wrvocationteam@gmail.com Monday November 28 to Thursday December 1 KIDS HOLIDAY CAMP 9am-1pm: Inviting from K2-Pri 6 to the Kids Holiday Bible Camp to discover more about the Mass through faith teachings, music, games and crafts. Also seeking youths 15 years and above and adult volunteers to help out. Organised by WKH &DWHFKHWLFDO 2I¿FH

At CAEC (2 Highland Rd). T: 6858 7019 (Sylvia); ( FDWRI¿FH#FDWKROLFVSL RUJ Monday November 28 to Saturday December 3 CATHECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD LEVEL 1 PART 1 9am-6pm: A Catholic formation process for children aged 3-12 years where they experience and form an authentic, faithful relationship with God, rounded in scriptural and liturgical study, framed by Maria Montessori’s principles of education. Formation begins with Level 1 Part 1 course for parents and catechists of 3-6 year-olds. Training is by the Australian CGS Association. Cost: $350 (per participant). At Church of St Mary of the Angels. Register T: 6858 3011 6\OYLD ( FDWRI¿FH#FDWKROLFVSL RUJ W: http://www.catholicspi.org Friday December 2 to Sunday December 4 WOMEN OF FAITH: A RETREAT FOR WOMEN 9.30am (Fri)-5.30pm (Sun): A 3-day semi-directed retreat for women to meditate on and be inspired by women of faith in the Bible. Also a time to rest, UHÀHFW DQG GLVFRYHU \RXU RZQ WUXH EHDXW\ in God’s presence. One-to-one spiritual direction offered. Cost: $105 (non-aircon), $180 (aircon). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com; December 8 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 11.30am-1pm: Prayers and rosary followed by Eucharist. Confessions available. Please bring along last year’s prayer book. At Church of Sts Peter and Paul (225A Queen St). December 8 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 11.45am: Rosary and prayers in Tamil followed by Mass in English. Celebrant: Fr Gerardus Suyono, SSCC. At Blessed Sacrament Church. Saturday December 10 and Sunday December 11 A PLAY ON THE LIFE OF ST IGNATIUS 7pm (Sat), 3pm (Sun): Turning Points, a play by Church of St Ignatius on the life of St Ignatius, as part of the church’s jubilee celebrations. Free admission with tickets. Tickets available E: tickets.stignatiusplay@gmail.com Saturday December 10 COMPASSION FATIGUE: WHEN YOU’VE GOT NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE 10am-12pm: Compassion fatigue is a debilitating weariness brought on by caring for people who are suffering. Left unattended, it can lead to burnout and depression. International speaker Karl D LaRowe, MA, LCSW, will teach techniques on how to recharge and replenish energy. Cost: $15. By Clarity Singapore. At National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (MPH 1, #04-88 at The Central,6 Eu Tong Sen Street, above Clarke Quay MRT). T: 9710 3733; E: lightingtheway@clarity-singapore.org; W: http://www.clarity-singapore.org Sunday December 11 to Saturday 17

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of

In loving memory of

Sixth Anniversary Thirteenth Anniversary

LUKE ANG

AGATHA YONG Departed: Nov 24, 2005 Feb 8, 1998

Our Lord Jesus knew what was best He took both of you home. Papa and Ma Our hearts still ache with sadness DQG VLOHQW WHDUV VWLOO ÀRZ IRU what it means to love and miss you. Dearly missed and remembered by your children, grandchildren and relatives.

THOMAS TAN HOCK KIM Called Home to be with the Lord on Nov 26, 1982 He longed to be with Him Now God has him in His keeping We have him in our hearts We will always cherish you with love. Dearly missed by wife and loved ones.

December HOUSE BUILDING TRIP TO INDONESIA Seeking 15-20 adult Catholic volunteers who might or might not have prior experience in house building for a house-building mission trip in Jogoyudan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in aid of the victims of the eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010. Register T: 6338 0182; E: mission@charis-singapore.org; W: http://charis-singapore.org

explaining why you are Catholic. Topics include Catholics and Protestants, differences and similarities, apologetics after Vatican II, the spirit of the liturgy, the Theology of the Body and more. By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At Choice Retreat House (47 Jurong West St 42). Cost: $40. T: 9649 3983 (Andrew); E: andrewkong@me.com; W: http://www.catholic.sg/act December 17 TOWARDS INNER FREEDOM WITH CHOICE THEORY 2-5pm: By Louisa Lim, fdcc. Cost: $20. By Lifesprings Canossian Spirituality Centre. At 100 Jln Merbok. T: 6466 2178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg

Sunday December 11 INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD: ADVENT SUNDAY RETREAT 9.30am-4.30pm: One-day silent retreat RI SUD\HU DQG UHĂ€HFWLRQ LQ SUHSDUDWLRQ IRU the coming of Christ. Retreat director: Fr A Ponnudurai, SJ. Cost: $30 (with lunch). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Cost: $40. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com

Wednesdays January 4 2012 to March 21 2012 WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? 8pm: Gain deeper knowledge of Jesus through 12 evening sessions reading Pope Benedict XVI’s book, Jesus of Nazareth, Vol. 1, praying, and sharing experiences and insights. Facilitated by Fr Christopher Soh, SJ. Cost: $60 or $40 (before Dec 15). By Centre for Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Cost: $40. T: 64676072; F: 6468 7584; E: cisc2664@gmail.com;

Friday December 16 to Sunday December 18 ROMAN CATHOLICISM 201 7pm (Fri)-1pm (Sun): 3-day Catholic apologetics seminar. Learn the art of

Crossword Puzzle 1045 1

2

3

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28 ASIA

Sunday November 20, 2011 CatholicNews

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD IN THE PHILIPPINES: A man stands on a ladder as he prays for his relative who is buried at a public cemetery in Navotas city, north of Manila. More than 80 percent of the

Philippines’ 94.9 million people are Catholics and observe All Saints’ Day on Nov 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov 2, with visits to the cemetery to offer prayers for the dead. CNS photo

PUBLISHED BY ARCHBISHOP NICHOLAS CHIA, 2 HIGHLAND ROAD #01-03, SINGAPORE 549102. PRINTED BY TIMESPRINTERS, 16 TUAS AVE 5, SINGAPORE 639340.

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