NOVEMBER 29, 2015, Vol 65, No 24

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SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2015

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Nothing can justify terrorist attacks: pope Pontiff asks Virgin Mary to protect world in wake of Paris tragedy

VOL 65

NO. 24

INSIDE ASIA Will pope and Chinese leader meet? Catholic scholars give their views „ Page 7

Myanmar’s elections Christians to help choose new president „ Page 8

WORLD Attacks an ‘unspeakable affront’ to human dignity, says the pope.

Escape from Islamic State

VATICAN CITY – Using God’s

Syrian priest tells his story

name to try to justify violence and murder is “blasphemy�, Pope Francis said on Nov 15, speaking about the terrorist attacks on Paris. “Such barbarity leaves us dismayed, and we ask ourselves how the human heart can plan and carry out such horrible events,� the pope said after reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors in St Peter’s Square. The attacks in Paris on Nov 13 caused the deaths of at least 129 people and left more than 350 injured, many of them critically. The attacks, Pope Francis said, were an “unspeakable affront to the dignity of the human person�. “The path of violence and hatred cannot resolve the problems of humanity, and using the name of God to justify this path is blasphemy,� he said. He asked the thousands of people who gathered at St Peter’s for the Sunday midday prayer to observe a moment of silence and to join him in reciting a Hail Mary. “May the Virgin Mary, mother of mercy, give rise in the hearts of everyone thoughts of wisdom and proposals for peace,� he said. “We

„ Page 10

POPE FRANCIS Pope on workers’ rights: People observe a moment of silence at noon in Republique square in Paris on Nov 16 in memory of victims of the terrorist attacks. CNS photos

ask her to protect and watch over WKH GHDU )UHQFK QDWLRQ WKH ÂżUVW daughter of the Church, over Europe and the whole world.â€? “Let us entrust to the mercy of God the innocent victims of this tragedy,â€? the pope said.

Speaking on Nov 14, the day after the terrorist attacks, Pope Francis told the television station of the Italian bishops’ conference, “I am shaken and pained.â€? “I don’t understand, but these WKLQJV DUH GLIÂżFXOW WR XQGHUVWDQG

STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE The Catholic Church in Singapore deplores all violence, which is an affront to humanity. All true religions work for peace and harmony, and mutual respect for the individual. Terrorism can never be MXVWL¿HG XQGHU DQ\ FLUFXPVWDQFHV Our hearts go out to all innocent

victims of the carnage. We pray for them and their loved ones as they come to terms with this hate crime, for their healing and for forgiveness of their enemies. We pray also for the perpetrators of this crime against humanity, that God will enlighten them in the truth. „

how human beings can do this,â€? the pope said. “That is why I am shaken, pained and am praying.â€? The director of the television station recalled how the pope has spoken many times about a “third world war being fought in pieces.â€? “This is a piece,â€? the pope reVSRQGHG Âł7KHUH DUH QR MXVWLÂżFDtions for these things.â€? Islamic State militants claimed responsibility on social media, but Pope Francis insisted there can be no “religious or humanâ€? excuse for killing innocent people and sowing terror. “This is not human.â€? „ Continued on Page 9

Rest, maternity, UHWLUHPHQW EHQH¿WV „ Page 12

FEATURE Pontiff interviewed by homeless man Shares how childhood experiences shaped him „ Page 17

ADVENT FEATURE Learning to wait Following Mary’s example „ Page 19

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Sunday November 29, 2015 CatholicNews

Archbishop’s vision for restored cathedral Hopes for it to come alive with activities, religious celebrations catering to a wide range of people By Christopher Khoo The restored Cathedral of the Good Shepherd must be a vibrant place hosting various religious celebrations, and reaching out to youth, the elderly, migrants and expatriates. Catholics from more well-off parishes have a duty to ¿QDQFLDOO\ VXSSRUW WKH DUFKGLRcese’s “Mother Church”. These were some salient points made by Archbishop William Goh during a fundraising dinner for the cathedral on Nov 6. Some 430 people attended the event held at The Fullerton Hotel. “The rectory is almost ready and the main church due for completion next year,” said Archbishop Goh. “One thing is clear for me as the bishop. The cathedral cannot remain as it was before it was renovated, in terms of pastoral engagement, in terms of pastoral activities.”

He said the most important consideration is “how we can regain the cathedral’s status as the ‘mother’, teacher and heart of the Church’s work of evangelisation and liturgical celebrations”. Firstly, it must be “a welcoming place for everyone … Catholics and non-Catholics alike, rich and poor, young and old”, he said. The cathedral must therefore offer “catechesis, formation, information, guidance and counselling to those who need help, advice and instruction”. Secondly, he would like the cathedral to have “more devotional and liturgical celebrations to enhance and reinvigorate the spiritual life of our people”. “We want all the sacraments to be celebrated occasionally at the cathedral because she is the Mother Church,” he said. Archbishop Goh added that he looks forward to having Holy

Mr Lim Boon Heng, chairman of the cathedral’s fundraising organising committee, presenting a commemorative book to Archbishop William Goh at the fundraising dinner on Nov 6. Photo: GERARD GOH

Hours, adoration, popular devotions and praise and worship meetings at the cathedral. He hopes the cathedral could eventually provide “regular confessions throughout the day for those who need to be freed of their sins and guilt”. Archbishop Goh also stressed that he would like the cathedral “to be vibrant with activities for youths”. “The cathedral, being at the centre of the city, and situated at the node of youth activities, including SMU [Singapore Management University], we are well placed to reach out to them,” he stressed. “I hope too that the cathedral can be a place for elderly,” he shared, adding that he hopes it can be a place where they “can gather together to share their faith, to share WKHLU OLYHV´ DQG WR ¿QG VXSSRUW The cathedral must also be a place for migrants and expatriates. “Our migrants must feel welcomed, experience a sense of place in our local Church so that they in turn can look after their own people from a different culture and language,” he said. It should also be a place where the poor are “tended to”. “Without outreach to the poor, the Church would fail in being the mother of mercy,” he said, adding that the cathedral could work “with some established institutions” in this area.

Archbishop Goh also voiced concern about the operational costs of the cathedral, which will be fully air-conditioned and will include a heritage centre. “With no parishioners, only a transient population comprising the occasional tourist, migrant workers and expatriates, a handful of helpers from all over the island … how is the Mother Church ever going to be able to sustain the operational costs?” he asked.

The most important ‘ consideration is how we

can regain the cathedral’s status as the ‘mother’, teacher and heart of the Church’s work of evangelisation and liturgical celebrations.

’

All Catholics from better off parishes “have a duty to help other Catholic communities, especially the poorer parishes … including the cathedral”, he said. “The failure to support the cathedral is an indictment of all Catholics because when others see how the Mother Church is neglected and abandoned, they would think that we are all very individualistic … and also demonstrates the lack of unity among Catholics, which the cathedral is supposed to symbolise.”

Mr Lim Boon Heng, chairman of the fundraising organising committee, noted in his speech that the restoration project has been “full of ups and downs”. In early September, a pediment at the side of the cathedral collapsed but no one was injured. He also noted that Jesuit Msgr Philip Heng is now taking over the cathedral duties from Fr Adrian Anthony, who is coping with health issues at present. The event also saw the launch of a commemorative book on the cathedral titled I Am The Good Shepherd, and the presentation of a cheque of more than $5 million to Archbishop Goh. The cathedral fundraising committee told CatholicNews another $4 million is needed to complete the renovation and construction works, out of the project cost of $40 million. An estimated additional $4 million is needed to fully furnish and equip the facilities for full operations. The committee said the restoration is expected to be completed in the third quarter of next year. To donate to the restoration project, see the form on Page 3. Archbishop Goh’s written speech is at http://www.catholic. org.sg/messages/speech-at-fundraising-cgs/ christopher.khoo@catholic.org.sg

Artist’s impression of the restored cathedral buildings, expected to be completed in the third quarter of next year.

Sunday November 29, 2015 CatholicNews

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Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

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It wasn’t your usual fundraising dinner. For one thing, it began with a short talk on meditation and the 250 guests were even invited to enter into silence for 10 minutes. However, the session – at the ÂżIWK DQQLYHUVDU\ IXQGUDLVLQJ GLQner of mental health charity Clarity Singapore – was welcomed by many. “I thought that to keep quiet for 10 minutes was long but as it turned out, it wasn’t that long and

to “assist more types of mental health patients, including those suffering from more severe and GLIÂżFXOW LOOQHVVHV DQG ZH FDQ DOVR expand our services to other parts of Singaporeâ€?, he added. During the dinner a video Clarity’s development over the SDVW ÂżYH \HDUV ZDV VFUHHQHG IURP LWV LQLWLDO FKDOOHQJHV DW ÂżQGLQJ a permanent location to having its own premises at Yishun Ring Road in 2012 to offer communitybased mental health services.. According to Clarity, the funds

I felt good after that!� said one participant. Mr Peter Ng, president of World Community of Christian Meditation Singapore, led the session at the dinner, which was themed Peace and Serenity through Clarity. He shared with

WKH JXHVWV WKH EHQHÂżWV RI PHGLWDtion and silence. Clarity chairman Joseph Tan told guests that with their support, Clarity was able to set up a second centre at Agape Village in Toa Payoh. He added that Clarity hopes

Clarity hopes to ‘assist more types of mental health patients, including those suffering IURP PRUH VHYHUH DQG GLIÂżFXOW LOOQHVVHVÂś – Clarity chairman Joseph Tan

raised at this dinner will be used to fund its services at Agape Village, which include professional counselling, psychotherapy and art therapy. Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, was guest of honour at the event. Other special guests included Dr Lee Bee Wah, MP for Nee Soon GRC; and Fr John Joseph Fenelon, parish priest of Church of our Lady of Lourdes. Clarity Singapore’s website is http://www.clarity-singapore.org/ „

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Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

1st deaf priest in SE Asia to be ordained

Pauline Sisters with (from left) Fr Edward Lim, Fr Valerian Cheong and Fr Terence Wee, and the St Damien Youth Choir performing during the Heavenly Voices Concert at the Church of the Risen Christ. PHOTOS: Vernon Leow of Vital Images

Pauline nuns show off dance moves in their centennial concert By Jared Ng There were cheers all around as the Daughters of St Paul sang and danced at a concert held at the Church of the Risen Christ on Nov 14. The delighted audience clapped as the nuns in habit swayed to the beat. At one point, the performers used glow sticks and smartphone lights, which soon had members of the audience doing the same. These were just some of the fun highlights of the Heavenly Voices Concert attended by hundreds to celebrate the centennial of the Daughters of St Paul. Another similar concert was held at the Church of Our Lady

Perpetual Succour on Nov 13. The concerts attracted a total of about 1,000 people. Apart from the local nuns – Srs Wendy, Jocelyn, Karen and Theresa – Daughters of St Paul nuns from other countries also performed. They were Srs Tracey and Fay from the US, Srs Carmel and Mayan from the Philippines and Sr Roselyn from Kenya. Sr Roselyn greeted the audience at the start of the concert with a loud African greeting that thrilled them. The opening item was an African song titled Jambo Bwana (Hello Friend). Other songs included a Chinese one titled Warmth, duetted by Sr Jocelyn and Carmelite Fr Edward

Franciscan Friar Rowland Yeo will EH WKH ÂżUVW GHDI SULHVW LQ 6RXWKHDVW Asia after his ordination on Nov 28.

The Pauline Sisters moving to the beat during one of their songs.

Lim, and a Filipino song, Humayo’t Ihayag (Go and Proclaim). A Samoan folk song, Minoi Minoi (Move Move), had the audience on their feet and dancing. Fr Edward Lim, Fr Valerian Cheong and Redemptorist Fr Terence Wee also performed two songs together – Go Light Your World and Let Your Living Water Flow. The St Damien Youth Choir from Blessed Sacrament Church accompanied the concert performers. A centennial video on Blessed James Alberione and Venerable Mother Thecla Merlo, the found-

ers of the Daughters of St Paul, was also screened. One song, Angels Among Us, was dedicated to the victims of the Paris attacks on Nov 13. “We would ‌ like to pray for the angels that are helping the families of the victims who have been affected by the bombings,â€? said Sr Wendy Ooi, superior of the Daughters of St Paul in Singapore. She said the concert was also to help her community raise funds for a new convent here. „ jared.ng@catholic.org.sg

Deaf Franciscan Friar Rowland Yeo will be ordained to the priesthood on Nov 28. He will be Southeast Asia’s ¿UVW GHDI SULHVW DQG RQO\ RQH RI 25 such priests in the world. The ordination Mass, presided by Archbishop William Goh, will be celebrated at the Church of St Mary of the Angels at Bukit Batok on Nov 28 at 10am. The Mass will be in spoken English and sign language. Friar Rowland will then celeEUDWH KLV ¿UVW SXEOLF 0DVV WKH IROlowing day in sign language, with spoken English translation. The Mass will be held at the Church of the Sacred Heart at 3pm. Friar Rowland joined the Franciscans in 1997, and made his solemn profession of vows in 2003. He was ordained a deacon in June last year. „

6 ASIA

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Review of Indonesian religion law welcomed JAKARTA – A Church leader in Indonesia has welcomed an announcement that the government will review legislation that critics say restricts constitutional protections to religious freedoms. “The most important thing is that freedom of religion and of worship guaranteed in the constitution must not be narrowed with regulations that can create prob-

lems,� Fr Guido Suprapto, the Indonesian bishops’ laity commission secretary, told ucanews.com. Fr Suprapto made his remarks in response to a Nov 9 statement by Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, which said KLV RI¿FH ZLOO UHYLHZ WKH OHJLVODtion in coordination with Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. The legislation, enacted in 2006, laid out onerous require-

ments to build places of worship. This has particularly impacted religious minorities in Muslimmajority communities. &KXUFK RIÂżFLDOV IRU H[DPSOH are obligated to provide a list of names and signatures of 90 worshippers and get signed support from at least 60 local residents along with the approval of a village head. The legislation provoked a spate of church demolitions this year in Aceh province, where authorities took down places of worship that did not possess required permits. In one incident, a group of Muslim hard-liners torched a Protestant church. “If a place of worship is already built but has no building permit yet, the local government should facilitate the issue of the building permit. But they fail to understand this,â€? Fr Suprapto said on Nov 10. “We don’t need [this legislation] as the constitution has accommodated every citizen’s freedom of religion and of worship. It would be good if we return to the constitution,â€? Fr Suprapto said. Mr Kumolo said in his statement that the legislation should be reviewed and, if necessary, revised. „ UCANEWS.COM

16 November 2015

CHANCERY NOTICE

CHN/CN/2015/016

Foreign Speakers During the week of 11-14 November 2015, an individual named Fabienne Guerrero, believed to be of French nationality, had given a series of talks on subjects relating to the Roman Catholic faith at various locations within the Archdiocese of Singapore. She has not complied with the Archdiocesan and statutory requirements of foreign speakers intending to minister in Singapore. She has not been approved by the Archdiocese and her messages are to be disregarded. Please be advised that henceforth, she is not permitted to do any ministry work in Singapore. All organisers of her talks are similarly to take note of this.

“Maria Divine Mercyâ€? The Archdiocese of Singapore strongly advises members of the Roman Catholic community against obtaining, distributing, using and wearing devotional objects or other items associated with the cult following of an individual calling herself Maria Divine Mercy. These include ‘Marian’ medals of unapproved or unfamiliar devotions such as the so-called ‘Numisma Salutis’ (Medal of Salvation), miniature prayer cards with the ‘Seal of the Living God’, and other items which may DFFRPSDQ\ WKHP LQFOXGLQJ FUXFLÂż[HV RU OLWHUDWXUH FRQWDLQLQJ 0DULD Divine Mercy’s messages and prophecies. These are unauthorised, false and against Catholic teaching. Anyone possessing items originating from her is advised to dispose of them.

Fundraising by Foreign Religious/Priests Foreign religious/priests have in recent times been known to have attempted fundraising in the Archdiocese of Singapore. Please be reminded that all solicitation of donations by foreign bodies need to be approved by the Chancery with a letter of proof. Civil norms regulating fundraising efforts for foreign projects also need to be observed.

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

ASIA 7

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Pope-President Xi meeting unlikely, Catholic scholars say TAIPEI, TAIWAN – The recent

meeting between the presidents of China and Taiwan should not be seen as a model for a possible Pope Francis-President Xi Jinping meeting,

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping waving to the media in Singapore on Nov 7. CNS photo

Taiwanese Catholic scholars said. Chinese President Xi and Taiwanese President Ma Yingjeou met in Singapore on Nov PDUNLQJ WKH ÂżUVW PHHWLQJ EHtween the leaders of

China and Taiwan in 66 years. However, some scholars in Taiwan think that the same diplomatic model is not applicable to China-Vatican relations, even though the two sides met in Beijing in October — the second meeting since talks resumed in June 2014. “The meeting between Xi and Ma is a political issue while a meeting between Pope Francis and Xi will be a religious one. They are totally different,� said Mr Michael Chen, president of Shih Chien University in Taipei. “The Holy See has to insist on the Church’s historical tradition. It is hard for either side to compromise and thus, it is quite unlikely that they will meet in the near future,� said Mr Chen, who also serves as president of the Taiwan Catholic Mission Foundation. Noting that both parties are independent states operating under a centralised system without a

congress, Mr Chen told ucanews. com, “unless agreed, it is even less likely they would ‘bump into each other’ in a third country.â€? Pope Francis and President Xi did not cross paths when both visited the United States in September. “It showed that one of the parties did not want [a meeting],â€? he said. Mr Bernard Li, former president of Fu Jen Catholic UniverVLW\ VDLG &KLQDÂśV GHVLUH IRU XQLÂżcation with Taiwan compels it to “approach Taiwan softly.â€? With the Vatican, there is no compelling need for Beijing to negotiate, he said. Holding a slightly different view, Mr Hsi Hsien-te, a professor of mass communication at Fu Jen Catholic University, believes “anything is possible nowâ€? but WKH ÂżQDO GHFLVLRQ UHVWV QRW ZLWK the Holy See, but with Chinese SROLWLFDO DQG UHOLJLRXV RIÂżFLDOV „ UCANEWS.COM

8 ASIA

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Christians to help choose Myanmar’s new president MANDALAY, MYANMAR – Myan-

mar’s new parliament will see at least 20 Christian lawmakers take their seats with the National League for Democracy, after the election DXWKRULWLHV RI¿FLDOO\ GHFODUHG WKDW RSSRVLWLRQ OHDGHU $XQJ 6DQ 6XX .\LœV SDUW\ KDG ZRQ HQRXJK VHDWV WR FKRRVH WKH FRXQWU\œV QHZ OHDGHU The National League for Democracy has so far won close to 400 seats in Myanmar’s parliaPHQW DIWHU WKH 1RY HOHFWLRQ This means that the party has VXUSDVVHG WKH VHDW WKUHVKROG QHHGHG WR JDLQ D PDMRULW\ LQ SDUliament – ensuring the party will EH XQLPSHGHG LQ FKRRVLQJ 0\DQPDUœV QH[W SUHVLGHQW LQ D SDUOLDPHQWDU\ FRPPLWWHH YRWH VFKHGXOHG IRU )HE Mr Mahn Johnny, a Catholic member of the National League IRU 'HPRFUDF\ VDLG KLV SDUW\œV

ODQGVOLGH YLFWRU\ LQFOXGLQJ LQ PDQ\ HWKQLF DUHDV VKRZHG WKDW WKH FRXQWU\ GHPDQGHG FKDQJH DIWHU PRUH WKDQ ÂżYH GHFDGHV RI UXOH E\ D KDUVK PLOLWDU\ UHJLPH Âł7KH 1/' OHG JRYHUQPHQW ZLOO VXUHO\ FDUU\ RXW WKH IHGHUDO system that the ethnic people have been longing for, so that ethnic people will have equal rights,â€? VDLG 0U 0DKQ -RKQQ\ ZKR ZRQ D seat in regional parliament for the ,UUDZDGG\ GHOWD MXULVGLFWLRQ Mr Gint Kam Lian, a Christian politician from the Zomi Congress for Democracy party in Chin state, VDLG WKDW WKH 1DWLRQDO /HDJXH IRU Democracy’s overwhelming vicWRU\ QDWLRQZLGH ZDV ZHOFRPHG “We have high expectations WKDW WKH 1/' OHG JRYHUQPHQW ZLOO OLVWHQ WR HWKQLF YRLFHV ´ VDLG 0U Gint Kam Lian, who won an upper house seat – one of four national

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Mr Tu Ja, a Catholic politiFLDQ DQG FKDLUPDQ RI WKH .DFKLQ 6WDWH 'HPRFUDF\ 3DUW\ VDLG WKDW DOO WKH SHRSOH RI 0\DQPDU ZDQWHG FKDQJH OHDGLQJ WR 6XX .\LÂśV ODQGVOLGH YLFWRU\ “It is a big blow for ethnic SDUWLHV DV WKH\ ORVW WKH PDMRULW\ of seats in national parliament,

Mr Tu Ja, a Catholic politician, said that all the people of Myanmar wanted change, leading to Ms Aung San Suu Kyi’s landslide victory.

VR ZH DUH FRQFHUQHG WKDW WKH QHZ SDUOLDPHQW PD\ QRW UHĂ€HFW WKH YRLFHV RI HWKQLF SHRSOH ´ VDLG Mr Tu Ja, who lost his own state SDUOLDPHQW VHDW LQ 0\LWN\LQD +LV party won one seat in the national SDUOLDPHQW DQG WKUHH LQ WKH VWDWH SDUOLDPHQW +H VDLG 0V $XQJ 6DQ 6XX .\L VKRXOG EH FDUHIXO WR HQVXUH WKH YRLFHV RI HWKQLF PLQRULWLHV DUH KHDUG LQ WKH QHZ JRYHUQPHQW Âą DQG QRW MXVW the views of Myanmar’s ethnic %DPDU PDMRULW\ „ UCANEWS.COM

Philippine bishops: churches should not allow new ivory images PHILIPPINES – The 3KLOLSSLQH ELVKRSVÂś FRQIHUHQFH KDV XUJHG &KXUFK OHDGHUV WR NHHS QHZ LYRU\ RXW RI FKXUFKHV DURXQG WKH FRXQWU\ “I appeal to my brother bishRSV RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV WR SURKLELW the clerics from blessing any new VWDWXH LPDJH RU REMHFW RI GHYRWLRQ PDGH RU FUDIWHG IURP VXFK PDWHULDO DV LYRU\ RU VLPLODU ERG\ SDUWV RI HQGDQJHUHG RU SURWHFWHG >VSHcies], nor shall such new statues RU LPDJHV EH XVHG DV REMHFWV RI veneration in any of our churchHV ´ $UFKELVKRS 6RFUDWHV 9LOOHJDV of Lingayen-Dagupan, conference SUHVLGHQW VDLG LQ WKH SDVWRUDO OHWWHU VLJQHG RQ EHKDOI RI WKH ELVKRSV 7KH ELVKRSVÂś 1RY OHWWHU PDGH a push for the spiritual aspect of UHVSHFWLQJ *RGÂśV FUHDWLRQV DQG the roles they play in the scheme RI QDWXUH ,W ODPHQWHG WKDW LQ WKH

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$UFKELVKRS 9LOOHJDV WROG &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH WKDW WKH SDVWRUDO letter was part of a programme of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV WR KLJKOLJKW VHFtions of the pope’s encyclical on WKH HQYLURQPHQW /DXGDWR 6Lœ $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH :RUOG :LOGOLIH )XQG $IULFDQ HOHSKDQWV QXPEHUHG DERXW PLOOLRQ PLOOLRQ in the past century, but rampant NLOOLQJV IRU LYRU\ LQ WKH V GHFUHDVHG WKHLU QXPEHUV E\ SHU \HDU 7RGD\ WKHUH DUH $IULFDQ HOHSKDQWV DQG GHVSLWH DQ international ban on ivory poachLQJ WKH DQLPDO DGYRFDF\ JURXS VDLG WKRXVDQGV FRQWLQXH WR EH SRDFKHG „ CNS

WORLD 9

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

1,500 gather for Mass in Paris cathedral „ From Page 1

In France, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris issued a statement calling for calm and prayers, not only for the Paris victims, but also for the victims of recent terrorist attacks in Lebanon and Africa. “May no one allow himself to be defeated by panic and hatred,â€? the cardinal said. “Let us ask for the grace of being peacemakers. We must never lose our hope for peace if we work for justice.â€? With some 1,500 inside Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral and hundreds more gathered outside on Nov 15, he celebrated a special Mass in memory of the victims. As the cathedral bells tolled a death knell, police patrolled the square in front of the cathedral and checked people as they entered the Paris landmark for Mass. The cardinal told the crowd – which included government ofÂżFLDOV DQG DPEDVVDGRUV IURP D variety of nations – that the Mass was intended as a sign of sharing the pain of the victims and of praying for them, their families, for Paris and for France. “The savage killings this black Friday plunged entire families into despair, and this despair is all the more profound because there can be no rational explanation that would justify the indiscriminate

May no one allow ‘ himself to be defeated by panic and hatred.’

– Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris

Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois leaves in procession after celebrating a Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Nov 15 to pray for those killed in the terrorist attacks. CNS photo

execution of dozens of anonymous people,� he said. The only Christian response, he said, is to be “messengers of hope in the heart of human suffering�. The terrorists succeed if their actions shake Christians’ hope founded on faith in Christ and on a belief that all of history, including moments of suffering, is in God’s hands, he said. The appropriate response to the “barbaric savagery� of the terrorists, he said, is “to demonstrate

additional trust in our fellowmen and their dignity�. Just a few hours after the attacks occurred, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, issued a statement saying the Vatican was “shocked by this new manifestation of maddening terrorist violence and hatred, which we condemn in the most radical way�. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, sent a message in the pope’s name to Cardinal Vingt-Trois, calling the attacks

ÂłKRUULÂżF´ DQG UHOD\LQJ WKH SRSHÂśV prayers for the victims, their families and the entire nation. “He invokes God, the Father of Mercy, asking that He welcome the victims into the peace of His light and bring comfort and hope to the injured and their families,â€? Cardinal Parolin wrote. The pope also “vigorously condemns violence, which cannot solve anything, and he asks God to inspire thoughts of peace and solidarity in allâ€?.

Fr Lombardi was asked about security concerns throughout Europe, and particularly whether the terrorist attacks would impact plans for the Year of Mercy, which is scheduled to begin on Dec 8. “These murderers, possessed by senseless hatred, are called terrorists precisely because they want to spread terror,â€? Fr Lombardi responded in a statement. “If we let ourselves be frightened, they will have already reached WKHLU ÂżUVW REMHFWLYH ´ “It goes without saying that we must be cautious, and not irresponsible,â€? he said, but “we must go on living by building peace and mutual trust.â€? “I would say that the Jubilee of Mercy shows itself even more necessary,â€? Fr Lombardi said. Preaching God’s love and mercy also is a call for people to love one another and reconcile with each other. It “is precisely the answer we must give in times of temptation to mistrustâ€?. „ CNS

Church leaders slam attacks in Paris, Beirut Bishop disturbed by calls to WASHINGTON – Catholic leadnal act and urges the Lebanese said in a Nov 14 statement that stop refugees entering US ers around the world condemned to join efforts to combat terror- he prayed that Muslim comterrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut, offering prayers and condolences. “The time has come for the world to stand united against terrorism and to confront the reasons of terrorism, such as feelings of oppression, hatred, bad education and fanaticism, with no double standards,â€? said the Jerusalem-based Assembly of Catholic Bishops of the Holy Land. 7KH\ FDOOHG IRU D XQLÂżFDWLRQ of “forces of goodâ€? and “countries and followers of all religions against violence, which hits the world with increased brutalityâ€?. Otherwise, they said, it will hit everyone “sooner or laterâ€?. “We express our full solidarity with the French and Lebanese peoples and with the victims of terrorism and their families in Paris and Beirut and worldwide,â€? they said. In Beirut, the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon concluded its meeting on Nov 14, a day after multiple terror attacks in Paris and two days after a twin suicide bombing in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed at least 46 people and wounded more than 200. The Islamic State claimed responsibility in both cases. The Lebanese assembly “strongly condemns the crimi-

ismâ€?. The council also denounced the violence to which Christians and other minorities in Syria and Iraq are subject and urged the international community and major powers to end war and achieve a “peaceful settlementâ€? of the conĂ€LFW

Cardinal Tagle expressed ‘sadness and shock’. CNS photo

Meanwhile, grief at the terror atrocities in Paris was being expressed on a global scale, with Church leaders from Scotland to South Korea sending messages of condolences to Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris. In London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales,

munities in France and England “may not be victimised because of the actions of these violent and ruthless extremists but strive always for the way of peace and cooperation with the wider society�. In Brussels, Fr Patrick Daly, general secretary of COMECE, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, issued a statement urging the countries of the bloc to respond to the crisis together. Philippine Church leaders responded to the attacks by urging Catholics to pray for the terrorists, so that “a new sense of humanity will possess their souls again�. “There is no place for terrorism in a civilised society,� Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Philippine bishops’ conference, said on Nov 15. “Causing the death of anyone is a sin against God and a crime against humanity.� Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila also urged citizens to “unite ourselves with the many people who are suffering and the victims of violence�. “We cannot isolate ourselves from what is happening in different parts of the world,� he said, adding that the Catholic Church joins the whole world in “sadness and in shock�. „ CNS

Syrian refugees at the Turkishborder city of Sanliurfa. Bishop Eusebio Elizondo said refugees cannot be blamed for the actions of a terrorist organisation. CNS photo

BALTIMORE – The head of the US bishops’ Committee on Migration said he was disturbed by calls IURP IHGHUDO DQG VWDWH RIÂżFLDOV IRU an end to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. Âł7KHVH UHIXJHHV DUH Ă€HHLQJ terror themselves – violence like we have witnessed in Paris,â€? said Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the migration committee. “They are extremely vulnerable families, ZRPHQ DQG FKLOGUHQ ZKR DUH Ă€HHing for their lives. We cannot and should not blame them for the actions of a terrorist organisation.â€? In a statement issued on Nov 17 during the bishops’ general assembly in Baltimore, Bishop Elizondo offered condolences to the French people, especially families of the victims of the Nov 13 attacks in Paris in which at least 129 people were killed and hundreds

injured. He said he supported “all who are working to ensure such attacks do not occur again – both in France and around the world.â€? But addressing calls from some JRYHUQRUV DQG IHGHUDO RIÂżFLDOV – including House Speaker Paul Ryan – to pause or halt refugee resettlement until the US can ensure the safety of its citizens, Bishop Elizondo said refugees “must pass security checks and multiple interviews before entering the United States – more than any arrival to the United States. It can take up to two years for a refugee to pass through the whole vetting process. We can look at strengthening the already stringent screening programme, but we should continue to welcome those in desperate need.â€? +H XUJHG SXEOLF RIÂżFLDOV WR ZRUN WRJHWKHU WR HQG WKH FRQĂ€LFW LQ Syria so the country’s nearly 4 million refugees can return home. „ CNS

10 WORLD

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Syrian priest captured by Islamic State tells his story Fr Mourad recounts how he was threatened with death and beaten during his captivity BEIRUT – When a man dressed

Fr Jacques Mourad poses for a photo in the reception area at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Beirut, Lebanon. CNS photo

us, that was a source of strength, head-to-toe in black entered the ZDV WKH URVDU\ ´ WKH SULHVW VDLG room where Fr Jacques Mourad adding that they also relied on was being held by the Islamic Scripture. “I used to remember State, the Syriac Catholic priest the verse from Matthew: ‘But thought his time for martyrdom I say to you, love your enemies had come. and pray for those who persecute “That moment was really in- \RX ϫ WHQVH DQG GLIÂżFXOW ´ KH UHFDOOHG There was no electricity It was eight days after his in their cell. Daylight entered abduction in May by the Islam- through a tiny window near the ic State from Qaryatain, Syria, ceiling. Nights were dark, long where he served as prior of the DQG HVSHFLDOO\ GLIÂżFXOW WKH ancient Syriac Catholic Mar priest recalled. The two prisonElian monastery. ers were given rice and water The militants also kidnapped twice daily. Tea was added to Boutros, a deacon. Together they that ration three times during spent 84 days in captivity. their captivity. He recounted that during Periodically, they were threathis captivity, to his surprise, his ened with: “Either you become would-be executioner did not Muslim, or we cut your head treat him and RII ´ Deacon Boutros One time, as though they Fr Mourad was I used to ZHUH ÂłLQÂżGHOV´ beaten. Nothing remember the The man in in particular problack shook their voked the punishverse from hands, greeted ment, which was Matthew: them with “salam carried out with D O D \ N R X P ´ a plastic hose, ‘But I say to you, (peace be with functioning as a love your you) and asked whip. questions as if he “It really enemies and would like to get KXUW ´ KH FDOPpray for those who ly recalled of acquainted. persecute you.’ When Fr the scourging, Mourad asked, which he said – Fr Jacques Mourad “Why are we lasted about half KHUH"´ WKH an hour. “They masked man told him to con- thought maybe I would succumb VLGHU LW DV D ÂłNKDHOZH´ ZKLFK LQ DQG DJUHH WR EHFRPH D 0XVOLP ´ Arabic means a time of spiritual “Personally, despite the pain, UHĂ€HFWLRQ D VSLULWXDO UHWUHDW Âł, , OLYHG WKLV KDOI KRXU LQ SHDFH ´ needed this concept of a ‘spiritual the priest said. “I felt privileged UHWUHDW ϫ WKH SULHVW WROG &DWKROLF that I was participating in Jesus’ News Service while visiting Leb- suffering. But at the same time, anon on Nov 11, a month after his I considered myself unworthy of escape. “I felt that the Lord was LW ´ speaking through this masked The day after the beating, one Muslim. It gave me a push to of the captors apologised for his NHHS JRLQJ ´ colleague who carried out the asInstead of the dreaded death sault. “It’s like a psychological sentence, the encounter turned JDPH ´ )U 0RXUDG VDLG Âł7KH\ out to be a turning point for him, scourge you, and then they apoloFr Mourad told Catholic News gise, as if they want to show that Service while visiting Lebanon ,VODP LV PHUFLIXO ´ on Nov 11, a month after his esHe said he responded, “Don’t cape. From that day, the priest worry, I had already forgiven said, he began to see his impris- KLP ´ onment as a way to embrace the When asked by Catholic cross of Jesus. News Service how he sees his In the 5.8 by 3 m bathroom mission for the future, the priest that served as their prison cell, he responded: “After this happened and Deacon Boutros spent most to me, I have a bigger responsiof their time praying together. bility now, with Christian-Mus“The prayer that really helped OLP GLDORJXH ´ „ CNS

‘

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WORLD 11

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Hindus, Christians urged to care for human ecology VATICAN CITY – 8QLWHG E\ KX-

manity and mutual responsibility, as well as shared values and convictions, Hindus and Christians are urged to “always foster a culture which promotes human ecology,â€? said leaders of the PonWLÂżFDO &RXQFLO IRU ,QWHUUHOLJLRXV Dialogue. “In this way, there will be harmony within us, and in our relationships with others, with nature and with God,â€? said Cardinal -HDQ /RXLV 7DXUDQ DQG )U 0LJXHO Ă ngel Ayuso Guixot, respectively president and secretary of the council, in their message to Hindus for Deepavali. The message spoke of how Hindus and Christians “are all called, regardless of religious belief or national identity, to live with a greater responsibility towards nature, to nurture life-giving relationships and, most of all, to reorder our lifestyles and economic structures according to the ecological challenges facing us.â€? The Hindu tradition “stresses the ‘oneness’ of nature, humanity and the divine. The Christian faith teaches that the created world is God’s gift to all human beings.â€? Together, “as stewards of the created order, we are called to care for it responsibly and resolutely,â€? the message said. On the relationship between humanity and the care of the earth, the message stressed the

stewards of ‘theAscreated order, we are called to care for it responsibly and resolutely.

’

– Vatican’s message to Hindus for Deepavali

need for “the cultivation of ‘ecological virtues’. “These virtues include a sustainable use of the earth’s resources through the adoption of policies, at national and international levels, which respect the interconnectedness and interdependence of human beings and nature,� it said. The interreligious council

said that “praying for a healthy ecology and creating awareness of the various ways to care for creation is a truly ennobling work.� Referring to the annual Sept 1 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, initiated by Pope Francis, the message added “it is hoped that this initiative will increase awareness among all people of the need to be good stewards of creation and, thereby, promote a true human ecology.� „

Evangelisation congregation denies mismanaging property VATICAN CITY – The Congrega-

tion for the Evangelisation of Peoples has strongly denied accusations of cronyism in renting out properties in Rome. The congregation released a statement on Nov 11 after several news reports claimed that Vaticanowned apartments were rented far below market value and that several of those owned by the congregation were rented at nominal rates to Italian politicians, entertainers and relatives of Vatican employees. The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples promotes evangelisation and missionary cooperation around the globe and has special responsibility for bishops, dioceses and developing jurisdictions in Africa, the Far East and parts of the PaFLÂżF DQG /DWLQ $PHULFD In its statement, the congregation also denied reports that it owned a spa and a prominent hotel in Rome, saying the reports were “unacceptableâ€? and “untrue.â€? “All the properties belonging to the congregation were donated

for the missions and are rented out at the market price, although there are exceptions for people living in situations of poverty,â€? the statement said. The properties, the statement continued, are rented out “in compliance with Italian law.â€? Income from the rents, it said, is used to “maintain the congreJDWLRQ WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO 8UEDQLDQ 8QLYHUVLW\ WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO 8UEDQ College, missionary institutions and young Churches in mission territories.â€? Regarding the continuing reform of the Roman Curia and efforts to revise and standardise 9DWLFDQ EXGJHWLQJ DQG ÂżQDQFLDO reporting procedures, the congregation said it fully adheres to Pope Francis’ “line of thoughtâ€? and will continue to hand over ÂżQDQFLDO DQG EXGJHWDU\ UHSRUWV to the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy. The statement also warned of further false or misleading reports, saying the congregation was prepared “to protect its image in the appropriate forums.â€? „ CNS

12 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews CNS photo

POPE DINES WITH POOR: Pope Francis places a candle on a birthday cake bearing his coat of arms during his lunch with the poor at a charity centre run by Caritas in Florence, Italy, on Nov 10. He “checked-in� at the cafeteria, just like the other guests, and then he greeted each and every one of them. They had a Tuscan specialty soup made out of bread and tomatoes. They also had beef, mashed potatoes and dessert, according to the archdiocese. The pope will celebrate his 79th birthday on Dec 17.

„ CNS

Persecution is a ‘shared experience’ uniting all Christians VATICAN CITY – The persecution and martyrdom of Christians around the world have become “a shared experienceâ€? and a common journey that unites all who give witness to Christ, Pope Francis said. The pope sent a message addressed to Cardinal Kurt Koch, SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO &RXQcil for Promoting Christian Unity, who attended the Nov 2-5 Global Christian Forum meeting in Tirana, Albania. Participants of the forum, an ecumenical institution made up of representatives of various ChrisWLDQ FKXUFKHV ZHUH UHĂ€HFWLQJ RQ the plight of Christians who face discrimination, persecution and martyrdom. Greeting the participants of the gathering, the pope remembered those Christian communities, especially those in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, that were “suffering for their profession of faith in Jesus Christâ€?. The meeting of the Global Christian Forum, he said, showed that “we are not indifferent to our

suffering brothers and sisters.� “In various parts of the world, the witness to Christ, even to the shedding of blood, has become a shared experience of Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Protestants, Evangelicals and Pentecostals, which is deeper and stronger than the differences which still separate our Churches and ecclesial communities,� he said. The pope said that the communion of martyrs “is the greatest sign of our journeying together� and that the meeting would give a voice to those suffering injustice and violence. Assuring his closeness to those suffering persecution, he conveyed his hope that today’s martyrs “help us to understand that all the baptised are members of the same Body of Christ, His church.� “Let us see this profound truth as a call to persevere on our ecumenical journey towards full and visible communion, growing more and more in love and mutual understanding,� the pope said. „ CNS

Laity are not ‘second-class’ VATICAN CITY – Laypeople are

not second-class members at the service of the Church hierarchy, but are disciples of Christ called to “enliven every environment, every activity and every human relationship according to the Gospelâ€?, Pope Francis said. The pope sent a message on Nov 10 to Cardinal Stanislaw 5\ONR SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO Council for the Laity, and participants of a workshop marking the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on the AposWRODWH RI WKH /DLW\ ZKLFK GHÂżQHG the role, vocation and mission of laypeople in the Catholic Church. In his message, the pope said

that the Second Vatican Council did not just highlight the importance of the laity in the Church, EXW GHÂżQHG WKHLU UROH DV D YRFDWLRQ The proclamation of the Gospel “is not reserved to some ‘mission professionals’ but should be the profound aspiration of all lay faithful who are called to evangelise by virtue of their baptismâ€?, he said. The pope said that while the council’s teachings have contributed to the growth of lay formation, its application challenges “every generation of pastors and laypeople, because it is a priceless gift of the Holy Spirit that must be accepted with gratitude and a sense of responsibilityâ€?. „ CNS

Pope on workers’ right to rest, maternity leave, UHWLUHPHQW EHQHÀWV VATICAN CITY – The dignity and

rights of workers must never be compromised, not only with regard to fair wages and pension, but also in “their right to restâ€?, Pope Francis said. The pope on Nov 7 met in St Peter’s Square with an estimated 23,000 members of the Italian National Social Security Institute, which oversees the government’s disability and pension structure. Work and rest are connected, Pope Francis said, and true rest comes when one has “a secure job that gives dignity to you and your familyâ€?. He praised the institute’s work in defending worker’s rights based on the natural and “transcendental dignityâ€? of the human person while acknowledging that their work is both an honour and a responsibility. “You are in fact called to deal with increasingly complex challenges,â€? he said. “They come both from today’s society with the critical nature of its balances and the frailty of its relationships, and from the workLQJ ZRUOG SODJXHG E\ LQVXIÂżFLHQW employment and the precariousness of guarantees that it can offer.â€? The pope stressed that unemployment, social injustice and

the lack of new job opportunities place a strain on people, thus forcing them to work under unfair working conditions that deny them the right to rest. CNS photo

Chefs preparing meals. Work and rest are connected, said the pope.

Reminding the institute’s members of their duty in protecting the rights and dignity of workers, the pope said they are also charged with ensuring that unemployed workers can support their families. He urged

them to “protect womenâ€? and their rights in the workplace, especially their right to maternity leave when choosing to raise a family. The pope also urged them to protect the rights of those who are entering into retirement, emphasising that receiving a “pension is a rightâ€?. “Be aware of the supreme dignity of each worker to whose service your work is offered,â€? he told them. “Supporting their income during and after their period of employment, you contribute to the qualityâ€? both of their work and of their retirement. Work, he said, guarantees a ÂłGLJQLÂżHG H[LVWHQFH´ IRU HPSOR\ees and cannot be reduced to “a mere cog in a perverse mechanism which grinds resources in order to PDNH D SURÂżW´ QRU DV D PHDQV RI SURÂżW WKDW VDFULÂżFHV ÂłYDOXHV UHODtionships and principlesâ€?. “Do not forget mankind: this is the imperative; to love and serve humanity with conscience, responsibility and willingness. Work for those who work and no less for who would like to but cannot,â€? he said. “Support the weakest ones so that no one lacks the dignity and freedom to live a truly human life.â€? „ CNS

Christians cannot exclude others VATICAN CITY – Christians are called

to follow Jesus’ path of inclusion and “do not have the right to exclude� or drive away those they deem unworthy of salvation, Pope Francis said at an early morning Mass. In his homily on Nov 5 during Mass in the chapel of his residence, the pope said that like the Pharisees and scribes depicted in the Gospels, people are often

tempted to be selective and form their own “little groupâ€?, an attitude “that is not Christianâ€?. 7KH SRSH UHĂ€HFWHG RQ WKH GD\ÂśV Gospel reading (Lk 15:1-10) in which the Pharisees criticise Jesus for welcoming sinners and eating with them. “The attitude of the scribes, the Pharisees is the same, they exclude: ‘We are the perfect ones, we

follow the law. These are the sinners, they are publicans,’� he said. Jesus, on the other hand, “looks for us to include us� and Christians are called to follow His example and not exclude people “from my heart, from my prayers, from my greeting, from my smile and, if the opportunity comes – a nice word. “Never exclude, we do not have the right!� the pope said. „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 13

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Pope warns Church against conservatism, fundamentalism FLORENCE, ITALY – When “fac-

ing evils or problems in the Church,â€? Pope Francis said, “it is useless to seek solutions in conservatism and fundamentalism, in the restoration of outdated conduct and formsâ€? that are no longer culturally relevant or meaningful. Christian doctrine, in fact, isn’t a closed system void of questions or doubts, but is alive, restless, animated. Its face “isn’t rigid, its body moves and develops, it KDV WHQGHU Ă€HVK ,WV QDPH LV -HVXV Christ.â€? Speaking to hundreds of Italian cardinals, bishops and laypeople, on Nov 10, attending a national congress in Florence held only every 10 years, the pope gave a lengthy, yet clear indication of where their discussions and pastoral mission should be heading. “We must not tame the power RI WKH IDFH RI -HVXV ´ ZKR WDNHV RQ the face of the humiliated, the enslaved and “the emptied,â€? he said. $ GLYLQH &KULVW UHĂ€HFWV D YHU\ human gaze of humility and selflessness, and He insists His disciples follow the beatitudes like He did, the pope said.

‘I want a happy

Church with the face of a mother, who understands, accompanies, caresses.’

– Pope Francis

Pope Francis gives the homily during Mass at the Artemio Franchi soccer stadium in Florence, Italy, on Nov 10. CNS photo

“We must not be obsessed with power,� he said, even if it is a useful or seemingly innocuous way of getting things done. Otherwise the Church “loses its way, loses its meaning.� Do not feel superior and place complete trust in structures and

perfect plans, he said. This focus on the abstract and on security “often leads us to take on a style of control, harshness, regulation.� He also recalled an old practice in Italy when mothers left behind a small medallion, snapped in half, with the babies they gave

up for adoption at a Catholic hospital. The birth mothers would keep the other half, he said, in the hopes that one day, when times had improved, they would be able WR ÂżQG WKHLU FKLOGUHQ “We have that other half. The Mother Church has the other half of everyone’s medallion and it recognises all of its abandoned, oppressed and tired children,â€? he said. “The Lord shed His blood for everyone, not a select few.â€? “I like a restless Church in Italy, ever close to the abandoned, the forgotten, the imperfect,â€? the pope said. “I want a happy Church with the face of a mother, who under-

stands, accompanies, caresses. Dream for this Church, too, believe in this, innovate with freedom,� he told the bishops, pastors and lay leaders. Later that day, during a Mass to end a full day of visiting workers and young people in an industrial town, as well as the sick and the homeless, Pope Francis said during his homily that Christians must have “healthy contact with reality, with what people are going through, with their tears and joys – it is the only way to be able to help, form and communicate with them.� The only way to speak to people’s hearts and help them listen to God is by acknowledging their daily ups and downs, their jobs, families, health issues and problems with commuting, with school and health care, he said. Christ’s disciples must never forget that they, too, were chosen from among the masses, the pope said. “They must never fall into the temptation of taking on an attitude of detachment, as if what people think and experience doesn’t matter or isn’t important to them.� „ CNS

14 POPE FRANCIS

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Pope to visit Czestochowa, Auschwitz: Polish president

The former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz in Poland. The pope plans to visit it during World Youth Day 2016, says the Polish president. &16 ¿OH SKRWR VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis

wants to visit the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa as well as the Auschwitz concentration camp when he travels to Poland next year, according to Polish President Andrzej Duda. After meeting Pope Francis on Nov 9, Mr Duda told journalists of the pope’s desire to visit the two historical sites during his apostolic trip to the country in July for World Youth Day 2016. The monastery of Jasna Gora houses the famed icon of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, which, according to legend, was painted by St Luke on a tabletop built by Jesus and was brought to Europe after its discovery by St Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine. The monastery, which is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the

world, was visited by St John Paul ,, IRXU WLPHV GXULQJ KLV SRQWLÂżFDWH and by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. The Polish president said the pope also wished to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and pray at the Auschwitz concentration camp where more than 1 million people, most of them Jewish, were systematically murdered by the Nazis. The Vatican said that Pope Francis and Mr Duda also discussed issues of mutual interest, including “the promotion of the family, support for social groups most in need and the welcome of migrantsâ€?. “Some themes regarding the international community were discussed, such as peace and seFXULW\ WKH FRQĂ€LFW LQ 8NUDLQH DQG the situation in the Middle East,â€? the statement said. „ CNS

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Kenyan bishops rally citizens ahead of papal trip NAIROBI, KENYA – The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops called on Kenyans to prepare for Pope Francis’ first visit to Africa at the end of November by embracing peace and co-existence, and with prayer. They also invited people to turn out to welcome the pontiff

during his Nov 25-27 visit to the East Africa nation. 7KH FDOO UHĂ€HFWV WKH ELVKRSVÂś desire that the pope’s visit will unite Kenyans, especially because the country is politically divided along ethnic lines. “May his coming bring us all WKH VSLULWXDO EHQHÂżWV ZH QHHG WR grow as one united nation, strong in faith and rooted in God’s love,â€? the bishops said in a statement released as they concluded their regular plenary meeting on Nov 9 in the Kenyan capital. The bishops also urged Kenyans to tackle the “‘festering wound’ of corruption, the heightened looting from public coffers by those entrusted with public resources.â€? The pope’s visit offers “a good WLPH WR HYDOXDWH DQG FOHDUO\ GHÂżQH in law the relationship between

the Church and the state here in Kenya�, the statement said, noting that the different areas of expertise has allowed them to collaborate to meet the needs of Kenyans. “The state has to respect the autonomy of the Church and at the same time give the necessary concessions to the Church in view of her missionary and charitable works, especially in the area of tax exemption,� the bishops’ conference said. Pope Francis’ visit “will be an opportunity of renewal for all of us Kenyans as we expect his message to inspire us to a greater sense of responsibility and duty to build a country that is peaceful and God-fearing�, they said. 3RSH )UDQFLV ZLOO YLVLW 8JDQGD and Central African Republic before returning to the Vatican on Nov 30. „ CNS

POPE FRANCIS 15

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Leaked documents won’t stop ÀQDQFLDO UHIRUPV SRSH VD\V VATICAN CITY – Leaked and pub-

lished information about Vatican ÂżQDQFLDO SUREOHPV DQG LUUHJXlarities were already known and are the reason “measures have already been taken that have beJXQ WR EHDU IUXLW ´ 3RSH )UDQFLV said. $W KLV ÂżUVW SXEOLF DSSHDUance since the release on Nov 5 of two books based on the leaked GRFXPHQWV 3RSH )UDQFLV DVVXUHG Catholics that the leaks “certainly will not divert me from the reform work that I and my collaborators DUH FDUU\LQJ RXW ZLWK WKH VXSSRUW RI DOO RI \RX ´ $IWHU UHFLWLQJ WKH $QJHOXV prayer on Nov 8 with visitors in St 3HWHUÂśV 6TXDUH WKH SRSH WROG WKH crowds he knew that some people were “disturbed by the news circulated in recent days about private documents of the Holy See that were taken and pubOLVKHG ´ Âł6WHDOLQJ GRFXPHQWV LV D FULPH ´ WKH SRSH VDLG Âł,W LV D GHSORUDEOH DFW WKDW GRHV QRW KHOS ´ *LDQOXLJL 1X]]LÂśV ERRN 0HUFKDQWV LQ WKH 7HPSOH DQG (PLOLDQR )LWWLSDOGLÂśV ERRN $YDUL]LD *UHHG FLWH GRFXPHQWV ZULWWHQ IRU RU E\ D FRPPLVVLRQ 3RSH )UDQFLV HVWDEOLVKHG WR VWXG\ WKH ÂżQDQFLDO DFWLYLW\ RI 9DWLFDQ RIÂżFHV and make recommendations for

reforms and improvements. Both ERRNV IRFXV RQ WKH LUUHJXODULWLHV uncovered. The Vatican announced on Nov 2 the arrests of two members RI WKH IRUPHU 3RQWLÂżFDO &RPPLVVLRQ IRU 5HIHUHQFH RQ WKH 2UJDQL-

One of the books based on leaked documents. CNS photo

VDWLRQ RI WKH (FRQRPLF $GPLQLVtrative Structure of the Holy See. 7KH PRQVLJQRU DQG WKH OD\ZRPDQ DUH VXVSHFWHG RI UHOHDVLQJ FRQÂżGHQWLDO GRFXPHQWV ZKLFK LV D crime under Vatican law. ,Q KLV PDLQ $QJHOXV DGGUHVV

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16 OPINION

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

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Keep Christ in Christmas, ÀJKW SUHVVXUH WR FRQIRUP to world, pope advises VATICAN CITY – Keeping the

“Christâ€? in “Christmasâ€? is part of not giving in to pressure to conform to the “normâ€? and become like non-believers, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. Giving in to the things of the world is like saying, “Let’s put our ID up for auction. We are the same as everyone,â€? the pope said. Celebrating an early morning Mass on Nov 16, Pope Francis warned against the very small, hidden way that worldliness takes root in a culture, and later gives rise to apostasy and religious persecution. In fact, “the liturgy in these ÂżQDO GD\V RI WKH OLWXUJLFDO yearâ€? urges people to be careful of the “poisonous rootsâ€? that lead people away from God, he said. The pope focused on the day’s reading from First Maccabees in which many “children of Israelâ€? wanted an alliance with the Gentiles in order to be better protected. They abandoned their religious practices and covenant with God, and took to the pagan ways of the Gentiles. The pope said the reading showed how the king’s order to create one identical people led to apostasy. “In the history of the Church, in history, we have seen – I’m thinking of one example – how the name of religious holidays has been changed – Christmas has

3RSH )UDQFLV NLVVLQJ D ÂżJXULQH RI WKH %DE\ -HVXV +H XUJHG &DWKROLFV WR EH aware of the ‘deceit of worldliness’. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

What is my identity? ‘Christian or worldly? Or do I say I’m a Christian because I was baptised as a baby and I was born in a Christian nation.

’

another name, in order to erase identity.� “It begins with a root, it’s small, and it ends in the abomination of desolation, in persecution. This is the deceit

Do you have a burning question on the faith? Questions on the Faith is a new column for you to have your questions answered by authorities on various topics. Just email your question to cnedit@catholic.org.sg,

and include your full name, address and contact number. All decisions on submissions rest with those answering the questions. Published submissions will be edited.

of worldliness,â€? he said. Today, too, there is pressure from “this humanism that comes to take the place of the true man, Jesus Christ, that comes to take away our Christian identity and leads us to a single way of thinking: ‘Everyone does it this way, why not us?’â€? He said people today must ask themselves, “What is my identity? Christian or worldly? Or do I say I’m a Christian because I was baptised as a baby and I was born in a Christian nation where everyone is a Christian?â€? Worldliness seeps into one’s life very slowly and then JURZV LW VHHPV MXVWLÂżHG DQG backed by sound reason, “and in the end it contaminates, and many evils come from there,â€? he said. The pope asked that people pray that God protect them from taking on a worldly mentality and the desire to be “normalâ€? and like everyone else. He also asked that the Church always keep its identity grounded in Jesus. „ CNS

Looking objectively: science and religion THERE is no such a thing as pure objectivity, a view that is free of all bias. Yet that’s the claim often made by non-religious, secular thinkers in debates about values and public policy. They argue that their views, unlike those who admit that their views are grounded in religious principles, are objective and free from bias. Their underlying assumption is that a purely rational argument, a view in effect from nowhere, is objective in a way that religious arguments, based upon someone’s faith and religious perspective, can never be, as if there was such a thing as a purely objective starting point. There isn’t. We all have a bias. The late Langdon Gilkey, an American ecumenical theologian, used to put this in a gentle, more palatable way. We don’t have a bias, he says, but rather a “pre-ontologyâ€?, a subjective stance from which we look at reality. And that stance includes both the place where we stand, outside, when we look into any reality, as well as the software through which we perceive and reason as we look at anything. There’s no view from nowhere, no view that’s unbiased, and no view that’s purely objective. The religious person and the secular person simply stand at different subjective places and process things through different subjective, mental software. Does this mean then that all views are equally subjective and that everything is relative? Can we not then distinguish between science and superstition? No. There are clearly degrees of objectivity, even if no one can claim DEVROXWH REMHFWLYLW\ 7R DGPLW WKDW HYHQ WKH VWULFWHVW HPSLULFDO VFLHQWLÂżF research will always contain a degree of subjectivity is not to put science on the same level as superstition or even of faith. Empirical science and rational thought must be given their due. It is medical doctors, not faith healers, who cure physical diseases. Likewise, WKH VFLHQWLÂżF WKHRU\ RI HYROXWLRQ DQG WKH IXQGDPHQWDOLVW UHOLJLRXV EHOLHI that our world was made in seven days are not to be given an equal claim. Much as religious thinkers are sometimes irritated by the absolutist claims of some secularists, science and critical rational thinking must be given their due. But religious thinking must also be given its due, especially in our debates about values and politics. Religious opinion also needs to be respected, not least with the more explicit acknowledgement that secular reasoning too operates out of a FHUWDLQ IDLWK DV ZHOO DV E\ WKH DFNQRZOHGJHPHQW WKDW OLNH LWV VFLHQWLÂżF and philosophical counterparts, religious thinking also brings invaluable and needed perspectives to any debate. Just as we cannot live on religion alone, we too cannot live on science and philosophy alone. Wisdom needs knowledge and knowledge needs wisdom. Science and religion need to more deeply befriend each other. More important however than having a proper apologetic about the place of faith and religion inside of public policy is an understanding of this for our own health and happiness. We need to understand how subjectivity colours everything, not so much so that we might eventually convince secularists that religious perspectives are important in any discussion, but so that we can more deliberately choose the right “pre-ontologyâ€? so as to see the world through better eyes and make better judgments on the world. The 12th century mystic, Hugo of St Victor, gives us, I believe, the right “pre-ontologyâ€? out of which to operate: Love is the eye! For Hugo, we see most accurately when our eyesight works through the lens of love and altruism, just as we see most inaccurately when our eyesight is coloured by suspicion and self-interest. And this isn’t an abstract idea. Experience tells us this. When we look at someone in love, beyond of course those periods when love is overly obsessed with romantic attraction, we see straight. We then see the other as he or she really is, with full recognition of his or her virtues and faults. That’s as accurate as we will ever see. Conversely, when we see someone through the eyes of suspicion or self-interest our vision is clouded and there’s not as fair a perception. -HVXV VD\V DV PXFK ZLWK WKH ÂżUVW ZRUGV WKDW FRPHV RXW RI +LV PRXWK LQ WKH 6\QRSWLF *RVSHOV ,Q +LV YHU\ ÂżUVW UHPDUNV +H LQYLWHV XV LQ RQH ZRUG WR VHH WKH ZRUOG DV LW UHDOO\ LV +LV ÂżUVW ZRUG" 0HWDQRLD This is a Greek word that is generally translated in English Bibles, as repent, but it literally means “to enter a different, higher mindâ€?. And that connotation is highlighted when we contrast it to another Greek word which we already know, namely, Paranoia. Metanoia is the opposite of paranoia. When we look at the world through the eyes of paranoia, we are not seeing straight. Conversely, when we look at the world through eyes of PHWDQRLD ZH DUH VHHLQJ VWUDLJKW UHOLJLRXVO\ DQG VFLHQWLÂżFDOO\ /RYH indeed, is the eye. „

FEATURE 17

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

Pope gives interview to homeless man, reveals childhood memories VATICAN CITY – Inundated with requests from major media outlets around the world, Pope Francis chose to sit down for an interview with a homeless man who makes his living selling newspapers in the Netherlands. Marc, 51, visited the pope at the Vatican on Oct 27. The homeless man was accompanied by Frank Dries, the Straatnieuws newspaper’s editor; Stijn Fen, a journalist; and Jan-Willem Wits, the former spokesman of the Dutch bishops’ conference. The interview was published on Nov 6. The interview began with a question about the pope’s early days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio would often sneak out of his home to play soccer with his classmates. The pope admitted that although he loved to play, he wasn’t exactly a star athlete. “In Buenos Aires, those who played soccer like me were called pata dura, which means ‘having two left feet.’ I played; I was the goalie many times,� he said. The pope’s personal commitment to those in need was also rooted in his childhood, he said, recalling the poor Italian woman who worked as his family’s housekeeper. Her poverty, he said, “struck me� and his mother often gave her necessities that she lacked for her own family. The woman eventually went back to Italy and returned to Argentina many years later when the pope was Archbishop of Buenos Aires. “I accompanied her until she died at 93 years old. One day, she gave me a Sacred Heart of Jesus medal that I carry with me every day,� the pope said, adding that it serves as a daily reminder of how she and many others suffer from poverty. When asked if he fears that people will grow tired of his defence

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Pope Francis is pictured cooking in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in an undated ÂżOH SKRWR CNS photos

of the poor and refugees, the pope noted that while he does feel that some may be tired of it, “it does not scare me. I must continue to speak the truth and how things are.� “It is my duty, I feel it inside me. It is not a commandment, but as people, we all must do it,� he said. Pope Francis stressed that the Church must also be “a witness of poverty�, but there are also temptations to lead by words alone and

not by deeds. “If a believer speaks about poverty or the homeless and lives the life of a pharaoh: this cannot be done,� he said. He also warned against the dangers of corruption in both political and religious life, recalling that during the 1982 Falklands War with Great Britain, many people, including Catholics, would take home the food and supplies they had been tasked with distributing to others.

The pope said his personal commitment to the needy was rooted in his childhood, recalling the poor Italian woman who worked as his family’s housekeeper. “It is corruption: a piece for me and another piece for me,â€? he said. Regarding the fact that, as SRQWLII KH LV FRQÂżQHG ÂłOLNH D SULVoner in the Vaticanâ€?, the pope was asked if he had a desire to switch places with a homeless person. The pope compared his life to the Mark Twain classic, The Prince and the Pauper, saying that while the prince lacks nothing and even has friends, he

still lives in a “gilded cage�. Asked if he ever dreamed of becoming pope, Pope Francis replied with a categorical “no�. adding that as a child, he had very different aspirations. “I would go grocery shopping with my mother and grandmother,� he said. “I was very small, I was four years old. And once they asked me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I answered, ‘A butcher!� „ CNS

18 FAITH ALIVE!

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

To receive healing and to heal %\ (IÂżH &DOGDUROD No one escapes this life without needing to be healed in some form. Whether it’s the toddler scraping her knee as she begins to walk or the older person recovering from knee replacement, pain and hurt – physical, emotional or spiritual – accompany the human condition. And often, physical pain is surpassed by the psychological, mental or spiritual anguish that besets us at various times in our lives. We can be hurt by a lack of love, hurtful words or actions, by society, by people we trust, and even family members. No matter how hard we pretend to be tough, hurtful words and actions can wound the soul. When this happens, where do we turn to when we need to be healed? 6RPH RI XV ÂżQG LW LQ IDLWK with those who share our faith or through prayer. -XVW DV ZH ÂżQG KHDOLQJ LQ RXU lives of faith, so, too, our faith propels us to be healers of others who might be wounded. Recently, during an interfaith gathering in New York City, leaders of various faiths prayed at the site of great destruction – the former World Trade Centre – for peace in the world. One of those leaders was Pope Francis, who pronounced that “in the depths of pain and suffering,

Women talking on a bench. Its important to seek to be healers of others just as it is to receive healing. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

you also witnessed the heights of generosity and service. Hands reached out, lives were given. “In a metropolis that might seem impersonal, faceless, lonely, you demonstrated the powerful solidarity born of mutual support, ORYH DQG VHOI VDFULÂżFH ´ 7KRVH were words have provided greatly needed healing for those affected on Sept 11, 2001. As Christians, we seek to develop patience and empathy. We do not know the battle that a person or group might be experiencing, but

6RPHWLPHV OLVWHQLQJ WR VRPHRQHÂśV WURXEOHV FDQ KHOS KLP RU KHU JHW WKURXJK D GLIÂżFXOW VLWXDWLRQ we seek to bring a healing response. This means keeping dialogue open or encouraging others to look beyond words of division and hate that may keep us from looking at another person as a friend rather than a foe. How do we, individually and

as a faith community, bring healing? We step forward at times of illness or death with food, with prayers, with our simple presence at a bedside or a grave. We reach out to others – even those who are shunned. We become mindful of unseen pain that may be around us, in the next pew or the house next door, or in the country nearby. When we need healing, we have to acknowledge it, confront it truthfully and seek the best help or instruments of healing available to

us. A heartfelt prayer can bring tears of healing. Each of the sacraments brings untold grace and healing. Sometimes listening to someone’s troubles can help him or her JHW WKURXJK D GLI¿FXOW VLWXDWLRQ We can inform ourselves about the lives of faith of the saints, including those who found holiness and grace as the product of healing GXULQJ GLI¿FXOW WLPHV We also are offered enormous healing in the Eucharist. But how often do we receive it thoughtlessly, mindlessly, conscious of the time on our watch or the clothes of the lady sitting next to us during Mass? Community is essential to faith and healing. Joining a prayer group or making a retreat can be a source of healing. Likewise, retreats for troubled marriages can offer healing and growth on many levels for those seeking to be cured of hurtful actions or events. Prison ministries, too, can bring healing to the incarcerated. No matter who we are, we’ve all been wounded. We are not alone. We even share that reality with Christ, who was wounded for us. We turn to Him for healing and to know that we, too, can be wounded healers. „ CNS &DOGDUROD LV D IUHHODQFH ZULWHU DQG FROXPQLVW IRU &DWKROLF 1HZV 6HUYLFH

Sunday November 29, 2015 „ CatholicNews

ADVENT FEATURE 19

Learning to wait like Mary this coming Advent By Kelly Bothum

WHQG IDU EH\RQG WKRVH QLQH PRQWKV RI SUHJQDQF\ 6KH HQGXUHV PRUH We don’t like waiting for anything WKDQ DQ\ PRWKHU HYHU *DEULHO ± IRU WUDI¿F OLJKWV IRU ZHLJKW ORVV PLJKW QRW KDYH WROG KHU EXW 6LPHRU HYHQ FRPPHUFLDOV WKDW LQWHUUXSW RQ JLYHV KHU D JOLPSVH RI ZKDW WKH RXU IDYRXULWH VKRZV (YHQ &KULVW- IXWXUH ZRXOG KROG ZKHQ VKH DQG PDV WUHHV QRZ FRPH DOUHDG\ GHFR- -RVHSK SUHVHQW -HVXV LQ WKH WHPSOH UDWHG +H VD\V ³ DQG \RX \RXUVHOI 7KLV FRQWHPSRUDU\ DEKRU- D VZRUG ZLOO SLHUFH VR WKDW WKH UHQFH RI ZDLWLQJ VWDQGV LQ VWDUN WKRXJKWV RI PDQ\ KHDUWV PD\ EH A mosaic of Mary and Joseph presenting the child Jesus to Simeon. In this meeting, Simeon gives her a glimpse of FRQWUDVW WR 0DU\ +HU JUDFHIXO UHYHDOHG´ /N SDWLHQFH LV VRPHWKLQJ WR FRQVLGHU 0DU\ ZDWFKHV -HVXV JURZ what the future would hold for her. CNS photo HVSHFLDOO\ DV &DWKROLFV EHJLQ WKH IURP DQ LQIDQW WR D ER\ WKH NLQG SUD\HUIXO SUHSDUDWLRQ RI $GYHQW ZKR JHWV ORVW LQ WKH WHPSOH DQG RQ 1RY FDQ¶W XQGHUVWDQG ZK\ +LV SDU0DU\ UHPLQGV XV WKDW ZDLW- HQWV ZRUU\ 6KH ZDWFKHV +LP ULVH LQJ LV SDUW RI RXU &DWKROLF IDLWK QXGJLQJ +LP DORQJ IRU +LV ¿UVW 6RPHWLPHV *RG¶V SODQ LVQ¶W YLV- PLUDFOH DW &DQD WKHQ VXIIHUV WKH LEOH 6RPHWLPHV LW¶V QRWKLQJ XOWLPDWH KHDUWDFKH 6KH VWDQGV DW OLNH ZH LPDJLQHG WKH FURVV ZDWFKLQJ 6RPHWLPHV WKH RQO\ KHU VRQ GLH D WHUULMary reminds WKLQJ ZH NQRZ LV EOH GHDWK us that waiting WKDW ZH GRQ¶W NQRZ $QG VWLOO VKH ,Q WKDW ZD\ ZDLWV is part of our 0DU\ LV $GYHQW +HU SDWLHQW Catholic faith. She didn’t know ZDLWLQJ SURYLGHV ZKDW ZDV KDSSHQSometimes God’s D URDGPDS RI IDLWK ing the day the IRU XV 6WHDG\ plan isn’t visible. REHGLHQW IDLWKIXO DQJHO *DEULHO DSSHDUHG WR KHU 6KH VKH VLPSO\ IROORZV Sometimes it’s ZDV D IULJKWHQHG WKH SDWK *RG KDV nothing like we JLUO EDUHO\ D WHHQGUDZQ IRU KHU ager and already 'XULQJ $GYHQW imagined. EHWURWKHG WR -RVHSK ZH VKRXOG DOO EH VR *DEULHO WHOOV KHU VRPHWKLQJ WKDW ZLOOLQJ WR ZDLW DQG OLVWHQ WR ZKDW RQ WKH VXUIDFH VRXQGV DEVXUG *RG LV UHDOO\ VD\LQJ WR XV 7KDW 6KH D YLUJLQ ZRXOG KDYH D PHDQV VORZLQJ GRZQ DQG VDYRXUEDE\ E\ WKH +RO\ 6SLULW DQG WKLV LQJ WKH PRPHQW UDWKHU WKDQ SXVKFKLOG ZLOO JURZ XS WR EH WKH VRQ RI LQJ WR JHW WR WKH QH[W JUHDW WKLQJ WKH *RG 1R GHWDLOV RI KRZ LW ZLOO ,W DOVR PHDQV DFFHSWLQJ VXIIHUKDSSHQ -XVW ZDLW IRU LW WR KDSSHQ LQJ LI QHHG EH EHFDXVH ZH GRQ¶W *DEULHO VDLG NQRZ ZKHQ LW ZLOO WXUQ WR MR\ ,W $QG VKH DFFHSWHG 6KH GLGQ¶W PHDQV DSSUHFLDWLQJ WKH VWUXJJOHV DVN *DEULHO WR OHW KHU WKLQN DERXW EHFDXVH HYHQWXDOO\ WKH\ OHDG WR LW WR UHWXUQ DW DQRWKHU WLPH RU VXFFHVVHV ,W¶V WUHDVXULQJ WKH XQFRPSODLQ 6KH GLGQ¶W LJQRUH *RG¶V H[SHFWHG SODQ RU ZDLW WR VHH LI +H¶G IRUJHW LW 0DU\ GLG MXVW WKDW DQG ORRN ,QVWHDG VKH VDLG ³%HKROG KRZ LW WXUQHG RXW IRU DOO RI XV „ , DP WKH KDQGPDLG RI WKH /RUG CNS 0D\ LW EH GRQH WR PH DFFRUGLQJ WR \RXU ZRUG ´ /N

Bothum is a freelance writer and +HU ZDLWLQJ DQG SDWLHQFH H[- mother of three.

20

Sunday November 29, 2015 CatholicNews

After King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated the king of Judah, he brought a man named Daniel and some other Israelites from Jerusalem to serve him. Although he was living among people who worshipped other gods, Daniel never stopped worshiping the Lord. So God gave Daniel the power to interpret dreams and visions, and he became well-known for his wisdom and understanding. When Darius became king of Babylon, he chose people – including Daniel – to help him run his kingdom. Darius liked Daniel and planned to put him in charge of the entire kingdom. Darius’ other assistants were jealous and wanted to accuse Daniel of doing something bad. So they asked the king to pass a law they

knew Daniel would not obey. “For 30 days,” they said, “whoever makes a petition to anyone, divine or human, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions.” The king agreed. And once the king made a law, it could not be cancelled. Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day at his home. One day, the king’s assistants rushed in and caught him. They went to the king and insisted that Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den. 'DULXV WULHG WR ¿QG D ZD\ WR save Daniel, but in the end he had no choice. He ordered Daniel to be cast into the lions’ den and for a stone to be placed in front of the entrance. He sealed the stone with his ring so it could not be tampered with. “May your God, whom you serve so constantly, save you,” he told Daniel.

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Nicholas of Myra St Nicholas was born in the fourth century in Asia Minor, which is now part of Turkey. He became Bishop of Myra and was known for his miracles. There are many legends about St Nicholas. One tells of a man who had lost all his money and could not support his three daughters. On three occasions, the saint waited until dark and then threw a bag of gold into an open window of the man’s house. The man used the money as dowries so his daughters could get married. Over the years, this legend turned into the tradition of giving presents at Christmas. We remember St Nicholas on Dec 6.

In the morning, the king raced to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel. “My God has sent His angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me,” Daniel replied. 7KH NLQJ ZDV ¿OOHG ZLWK MR\ and gave a decree to all his people: “Throughout my royal domain the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and feared. For He is the living God, enduring forever; His kingdom shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall

be without end. He is a deliverer and saviour, working signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, and He delivered Daniel from the lions’ power.” Read more about it: Daniel 6

Q&A 1. Who brought Daniel to Babylon? 2. Why was Daniel thrown into the lions’ den?

Wordsearch: EARTH

DEN

KING

KINGDOM

ANGEL

POWER

RING

LAW

STONE

MOUTHS LIONS

HEAVEN

BIBLE TRIVIA: What vision did Daniel interpret for King Belshazzar?

Bible Accent:

Answer to puzzle: & ( $ % ' Answer to Bible Trivia: +H LQWHUSUHWHG WKH YLVLRQ RI ¿QJHUV ZULWLQJ WH[W RQ D ZDOO

The Bible has many examples of God using visions or dreams to talk to people. For example, in Genesis 28, Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven, then God told him of the land He would give to his descendants. In Genesis 37, Joseph dreamed that his 11 brothers and his parents would bow down before him. After his brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, God gave Joseph the power to interpret the pharaoh’s dreams. When he was a boy, Samuel lived in the house of God and heard a voice calling to him while he was sleeping. He thought it was the priest Eli calling him, but actually it was God speaking to Samuel in a dream. In 1 Kings, the Lord came to King Solomon in a dream and offered him anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead his people. In the Book of Matthew, God gave Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, several dreams. In one, he was told not to be afraid to take Mary, his betrothed, into his house. In another, he was told to save Jesus’ life by taking his family to Egypt to hide from King Herod. And almost all of the Book of Revelation describes the visions God gave to John.

(Hint: Daniel 5)

PUZZLE: Match these biblical people’s names with the actions they performed with God’s help. Hints have been provided. 1. Moses

A. Raised a widow’s son (1 Kings 17:21-23)

2. Peter

B. Killed the giant Goliath the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:30)

3. Elijah

C. Parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21)

4. David

D. Cured Saul’s blindness (Acts 9:10-12)

5. Ananias

E. Healed a crippled beggar at the temple (Acts 3:7-8)

Answer to Wordsearch

By Jennifer Ficcaglia

WHAT’S ON

Sunday November 29, 2015 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.catholicnews.sg/whatson

ZRUNSODFH WR ¿QG WUXH KDSSLQHVV 7KH conference features world-class speakers and corporate leaders, and ends with Mass, celebrated by Archbishop William Goh. 8.30am-6pm. Venue: Catholic Junior College Performing Arts Centre. Cost: $60. Register. T: 92284463 (Raymond); E:admin@cbn.sg; W: http://www.christatworkconference.com

NOV 25 TO DEC 30 ART THERAPY OPEN STUDIO @ AGAPE VILLAGE Feeling down, lost and confused? Let your creative energy guide you to tap into your wisdom and expand insights to your life. Come join us and let the healing qualities of art awaken you. No art experience is required – just an open mind, open heart and creative spirit! Wednesdays from 9.30 am-noon. Organised by Clarity Singapore, Agape Village 7A Lor 8 Toa Payoh, #02-08. Fee: $10 per session.

NOV 28 ST PATRICK’S SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE St Patrick’s Open House for Primary Six students and parents. Time: 9am-1pm. E: stpatricksch@moe.edu.sg; T: 63440929 Address: 490 East Coast Road, S429058 NOV 29 CELEBRATING INNER FREEDOMREDUCING HUMAN TOLL IN RELATIONSHIPS 90% of our unhappiness is related to human relationships. This one-day programme helps us to explore our inner landscape through looking at needs and behaviour and understand why we behave the way we GR $ VSHFL¿F VNLOO ZLOO EH VKDUHG WR KHOS us explore our goals and decisions in life, and learn to use communicative language to improve every relationship in our life. 10am-4pm. Venue: Lifesprings Spirituality Centre. Cost $90. Register. T: 64662178; E: lifesprings@singnet.com.sg

NOV 27 SJI INFORMATION DAY For Primary Six boys who are seeking Secondary one admission in 2016 (Integrated and ‘O’-level programmes). Time: 2pm-5pm. Register. W: http:// app.sji.edu.sg/openhouse/nov2015.php. Limited seats available. Venue: 21 Bishan Street 14, S579781. W: www.sji.edu.sg NOV 27 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS OF MIRACULOUS IMAGES Shroud of Turin, Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Face of Manopello. Organised by Apostolate for Catholic Truth (www.catholic.sg/act). Time: 7.45pm-9.30pm. Venue: St Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) Conference Room. Speaker: Heather Goh. FOC. All are welcome. Register. W: http://tinyurl.com/ ACT- Talk-Signup; T: 96493893

NOV 29 TO DEC 5 CHARIS HAIYAN HOUSEBUILDING TRIP On Nov 8 2013, Typhoon Haiyan claimed the lives of more than 6,000 people in the Philippines. Last June, after initial relief efforts, CHARIS helped fund the Archdiocese of Cebu in various housebuilding projects. A CHARIS mission team will be deployed to help with the building of houses. Join us as we work hand-inhand with our brothers and sisters in need to help rebuild their homes and their lives. Come experience faith in action and the joy of mission work with team members and the locals. Register. T: 63374119; E: lilynne@charis-singapore.org

NOV 27 TO NOV 29 CHOICE WEEKEND It takes that one weekend that will inspire you for the rest of your life. It is by the FKRLFHV ZH PDNH WKDW GH¿QH ZKDW RXU OLIH LV all about. Venue: Choice Retreat House, 47 Jurong West Street 42, S649368. Register. T: 97900537 (Hillary); T: 97109680 (Francesca); E: registration@choice.org.sg

DEC 4 THE TRUTH OF CATHOLICISM Are all non-Catholics unsaved? What about people who call themselves Christians but are not in full communion with the Catholic Church? Is God that cruel to condemn all non-Christians to hell? Time: 7.45pm-9.30pm. Venue: St Joseph’s Church Conference Room (Victoria Street) Organised by Apostolate for Catholic Truth (www.catholic.sg/act) FOC. All are welcome. Register. W: http://tinyurl.com/ACT- Talk-Signup; T: 96493893 (Andrew)

NOV 28 ART JOURNALING FOR SELF CARE A workshop for those who need to reconnect with their inner world so as to declutter and reboot. No previous experience of art making is necessary. 2pm-5pm. Organised by Heartspace, 55 Waterloo St. Catholic Centre #05-03. Cost: $150. Register. E: jo@joannatan.com NOV 28 CHRIST@WORK 2015 CONFERENCE – PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AT WORK This special edition marks the 10th anniversary of Christ@Work, and seeks to equip you with the skills and inspiration to help you answer Christ’s calling at the

DEC 5 ‘A LIGHT TO THE WORLD’ CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2015 BY RISEN CHRIST YOUTH SYMPHONY Organised by Risen Christ Youth Symphony featuring all-time Christmas

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iniquity and sow trouble _____ the same.” (Job 4:8) 14 Rubberneck 15 Get to know

16 Jaguarundi 18 Small land mass surrounded by 17 “…that I have water sinned exceedingly in thought, word, 19 Borscht ingredient and _________” $I¿UPDWLYH

ACROSS 1 Husband of Ruth 5 Starting point of the Exodus 10 “As I have seen, those who plow

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favourites including classics such as Ave Maria, The Lord’s Prayer, Ancient Ritual and Lord of the Rings. Led by Dr Aloysius Leong, the youth orchestra will be performing in aid of the Syrian refugees in Europe. Venue: Church of the Risen Christ. Time: 8pm. Tickets at $10 each. Register. T: 9010 8032 (Daniel); E: rcysconcert@gmail.com; W: https:// ZZZ IDFHERRN FRP 5&<62I¿FLDO DEC 5 BABY JESUS, CHRISTMAS AND ME An Advent day of recollection for children. An invitation for children (aged 5-10 years old) to spend a morning WR UHÀHFW RQ KRZ WKH\ FDQ SUHSDUH WR welcome Baby Jesus into their lives. There will be time for songs, creative expression, and learning how to share their hearts with Jesus. Time: 10am-12.30pm. At Kingsmead Centre, 8 Victoria Park Road, S266492. Contribution: $10. Register. T: 64676072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com DEC 8 FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION All are reminded to bring their previous year prayer book. Venue: Church of Sts Peter and Paul, 225A Queen Street. Prayers and the rosary will begin at 11.30am. Mass to be celebrated at 1pm. DEC 8 WALK FOR PEACE AND MERCY Assembly Time: 5.15pm at Changi Prison Museum (Changi Chapel). The walk will end at the Church of Divine Mercy. Mass to be celebrated at 7.30pm. Join the Religious priests, Brothers and Sisters in this opening event of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Transportation will be provided to those who came by car to come back to Changi Prison Museum after Mass. Organised by the Conference of Major Religious Superiors Singapore. For more information. E: major superiors@gmail.com DEC 11 WHY WE TAKE MARY AS OUR MOTHER? Organised By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. Time: 7.45pm-9.45pm. Venue: St Joseph’s Church, Conference Room (Victoria Street). FOC. All are welcome. Speaker: Andrew Kong (Licentiate in Canon Law). Register. W: http://tinyurl. com/ACT-Talk-Signup; W: www.catholic. sg/act; T: 96493893 (Andrew) DEC 11 TO DEC 13 ACAMS YOUTH CAMP 2015 (MANDARIN) Calling all youth who are interested.Venue: Nativity Church. Theme: Our Father. Spiritual director: Fr Jeffrey Tan, OCD. We hope to give our youths a chance to experience Christian fellowship through games and also to grow closer to Jesus Christ through talks and spiritual programmes. Register. T: 91136598 (Nicholas); E: acamsyouthcomm@gmail.com; W: www.facebook.com/camsyouthcomm

21 French holy woman (abbr.) 22 Tribe of Israel 23 “Quiet!” 26 Made off with 28 Agency headed by uncle of Cardinal Dulles 29 Level of command 33 Furnace 35 Muscular type 37 Writer Fleming 38 Mary made a request of Jesus here 39 High mountain 40 Soft drink 41 Schnozz ending 42 “…but I could be wrong” 44 Members of a religious order 45 Out of the game 47 Governor Bush, convert to Catholicism 48 French-speaking Canadian diocese 49 Whatsoever 52 These fell in Jericho 55 In ____ Signo 57 Hotel annex? 59 Fourth person 60 “______ in Deum Patrem omnipotentem…” 62 Typee sequel 63 Traveled 64 Speak off the cuff

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Wading bird Couple Bundles The Spirit descended on Jesus as this (Mk 1:10)

DOWN 1 “We are many parts, we are all one _____…” 2 Double curves 3 First letter of the Hebrew alphabet 4 Last letter in Paris 5 He cured Naaman of leprosy (2 Kings 5:8–14) 6 Exploit 7 Eli’s university 8 ______-Cana Conference 9 Explosive stuff 10 Reprimand 11 Looked at 12 Certain code 13 Route 22 Fourth Evangelist 24 Sch. with the motto “Fiat lux” 25 It may be one of omission 26 Entice one to sin 27 Wood sorrel 30 The righteous are as bold as this animal, according to Prov 28:1 31 Mighty shades 32 Vane reading

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RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. NOV 1 TO DEC 25 2016 CALLING YOUTHS TO JOIN OUR CATHOLIC FAMILY! The RCIY team is welcoming non-Catholics, aged between 14 and 24 years old, to join us on a journey to know about the Catholic faith from November 1. Venue: Church of Christ the King. Sessions will take place on Sundays at 3pm. Register. T: 96718555 (Randy), T: 81880239 (Bernadette) DEC 3 TO MAY 11 2017 RCIA NEW JOURNEY “COME AND SEE”. Every Thursday evening from 7.45pm-9.30pm in Church of St Michael, St Michael’s room (level two) Register. E: stmike@singnet.com.sg; 7 DGPLQ RI¿FH

Address: 17 St Michael’s Road S(327976) DEC 13 JOY TO THE WORLD – AN ADVENT CELEBRATION Come for an evening of sacred music in preparation for Christmas. FOC. Love offerings welcomed in aid of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (Church of St Teresa). Time: 7.30pm-8.30pm. Organised by The Advent Chorus at the Church of St Teresa, 510 Kampong Bahru Road. JAN 5/JAN 7 TO JULY 14 2016 BIBLE TIMELINE SALVATION HISTORY Understand the entire Bible using a series of 24 videos presented by Jeff Cavins. Includes group discussions and sharing.Venue: Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Event starts Jan 5 (Tues 9am or 7.30pm) or Jan 7 (Thurs 7.30pm) 2016.Cost: $45. Registration is open on Sunday mornings until Dec 13 at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. T: 94553456 (Felicia); T: 97323368 (David) JAN 10 TO JAN 24 2016 KERYGMA SCHOOL 7KH .HU\JPD 6FKRRO UXQ E\ WKH 2I¿FH for Young People, is a two week live in formation. It inspires, equips and releases participants to share with joy the basic message of the Gospel. Participants will gain practical experience of what it means to evangelise. Age range: 18-30 years old. Registration closes on Dec 20. Cost: $200. Venue: OYP 2 Lorong Low Koon, S536449. For more info, W: www.oyp. org.sg; E: info.oyp@catholic.org.sg JAN 17 TO JAN 24 2016 QUIETING THE SOUL – CENACLE PHILIPPINES Enter your sanctuary to discover and deepen your life, your relationship and \RXU IDLWK ([SHULHQFH D ¿YH GD\ UHWUHDW in quiet prayer and solitude with God. Register. T: 65652895/ 97223148; E: cenaclesing@gmail.com Closing date for registration: Nov 30

33 Green vegetable 34 “________ ideal world…” 35 Laying on of ____ 36 “Strange Magic” rock grp. 38 Swan 40 Benedict XVI visited here in 2012 42 Units of electrical resistance 43 Classic wheels 44 “…the kingdom of heaven is like a ______” (Mt 13:47) 46 “For many are _____, but few are chosen.” (Mt 22:14) 47 _____ Ladder

50 It was thought to be the abode of the unbaptized but innocent 51 Pope before Benedict III 52 One of two names in a Catholic book publishing company 53 “_____ Ben Adhem” 54 Castor’s mother 55 The Inferno 56 Drooling dog of comics 58 Patron saint of South America 60 Singer Calloway 61 Dietary data )DFW ¿QDOH

Solution to Crossword Puzzle No. 1146 B O D Y

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CLASSIFIED THANKSGIVING Thank you for your kind help and intercession on our behalf. We will always be deeply grateful to you. C.L.

Dearest St Jude, I was very worried but you interceded with God for me. Thank you. I am grateful to you. H.Q.C

Please turn to pages 22 and 23 for more in memoriam advertisements.

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Sunday November 29, 2015 CatholicNews

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

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