MARY, OUR MOTHER

AFRICA/LIBYA - “We need to avoid more bloodshed. There are better ways than with violence,” the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli tells Fides

Tripoli (Agenzia Fides) - “I pray that there will be no further spilling of blood. I don't believe that it is appropriate to step in with force, because there will be more bloodshed. So declared Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, in Libya. “I believe that we can find another way out of this situation,” continued the Bishop. “And it is not difficult to find one because in the Bedouin culture there are social structures that assist reconciliation. There may be people that would favour a turn in negotiating. In my humble opinion, it is the only way to surpass the crisis and prevent more bloodshed. There are better ways than with violence.” (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2011)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Candidates to succeed Bhatti: a Catholic favoured

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – The seat held by Shahbaz Bhatti in the National Assembly (the Parliament of Pakistan), was officially assigned today by the Electoral Commission to Javed Michael, a Catholic, and member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the ruling party.


Javed Michael, Fides sources in Pakistan reveal, is also the most credible candidate for succeeding Bhatti in the post of Minister for Religious Minorities. The Government, in fact – given the internal and international pressures that it is experiencing at the moment – does not appear to want to keep the seat vacant or to assign it in the interim to other ministers. In addition, to give continuity to Bhatti's work, and as a signal to the Christian community, would like to appoint a Christian to that role.
Javed Michael, 50, of Karachi, is a charismatic and passionate person, known for leading protests and demonstrations in favour of religious minorities. He is a member of the PPP and was elected in the past to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. According to Fides' sources, he is viewed well by the executive and very acceptable also to the Christian Churches in Pakistan. Therefore, he is a leader who has fair chance of being selected.
Other names of viable candidates are: Catholic, Jacob Daniel, a young activist who obtained his doctorate in London. His brother is a Salesian priest and he is supported by the faithful of Punjab; Khalid Gill, also a Christian, member of the “All Pakistan Minorities Alliance” (APMA) network, founded by Bhatti. Gill has picked up the baton of the Minister in social activity and awareness in favour of religious minorities within the APMA, and this could be his launching pad into active politics.
Less chance is given to Nazir Bhatti, a leading exponent of the “Pakistan Christian Congress”, the Christian party that continues to demand a type of “separate province” for Christians in Pakistan. This proposal, however, is not kindly looked upon by the executive, nor by many in the Pakistani Christian community.
Also running is Ansar Burney, a high-level Muslim intellectual, human rights activist and former Minister for Human Rights in Pakistan. He is currently a consultant to the UN Human Rights Council. However, Burney is already projected onto the international stage and, observers note, it would be difficult to return and play an active role on the domestic political scene. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/3/2011)

 

ASIA - Urgent measures to counter violence against women in Asia

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Violence against women in Asia is a widespread phenomena that affects the whole continent and that the governments must face and counter with urgent measures: So affirms the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to Fides, the NGO based in Hong Kong and terminal for a network of several NGOs from all civil society present throughout Asian countries.
Despite the statement of principles on the defence of women's rights, the Asian NGOs note that between 2010 and 2011 many obvious cases of violence, oppression and discrimination against women in Asia continue to occur, too often justified by presumed cultural or religious traditions.
Asian societies, still generally dominated by chauvinism, are lacking in the area of gender equality and equal opportunities. A country such as Pakistan sails into one of the last world rankings on the Global Gender Gap Index 2010”, which estimates the current divide. In Bangladesh or Indonesia, notes the AHRC, the situation is no better: in these countries women have little access to education or to socio-economic development, a problem that is also inherent in India. Here, as in China, discrimination based on gender is legitimised by cultural and religious practices that limit women's freedom from childhood.
The “crime of honour”, says the text, is still looked upon and accepted in many countries in South Asia and more than 5,000 women each year are paying for it. Bangladesh, however, is sadly notorious for the phenomenon of acid attacks against women who refuse male advances.
In Southeast Asia, Aceh stands out, the Indonesian province where the shariah rules (Islamic law) and where women are often subjected to violence also of a sexual nature by vigilantes who make distorted and restrictive interpretations.
The AHRC also notes that Asia continues to hold the record for the phenomenon of “trafficking in women”, sold as goods: as a result, in many countries in Southeast Asia prostitution of women and girls is flourishing.
Despite the gloomy picture – the AHRC's statement concludes that – in Asia there are women who have reached the top of politics and society (in Myanmar, Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines and other countries) and therefore they can represent hope for a true improvement in the status of women on the continent. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2011)

VATICAN - At the Angelus, the Pope remembers “the moving sacrifice of the life of the Pakistani Minister Shahbaz Bhatti” along with numerous others who have died and the “growing humanitarian crisis” in Libya

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “I am continuously following with great concern the tensions which are currently being manifested in various countries of Africa and Asia,” said Pope Benedict XVI after reciting the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square, on Sunday, 6 March. “I ask the Lord Jesus,” said the Pope “that the moving sacrifice of the life of the Pakistani minister Shahbaz Bhatti may arouse in people's consciences the courage and commitment to defend the religious freedom of all men and, in this way, to promote their equal dignity. My thoughts also turn to Libya where recent clashes have left many dead and created a growing humanitarian crisis. To all the victims, and to all those who find themselves in harrowing situations, I give assurances of my closeness and prayers, while at the same time invoking aid and assistance for everyone affected.”
Introducing the Marian prayer, the Holy Father stopped to comment on Sunday's Gospel reading, “the conclusion to the 'Sermon on the Mount' in which the Lord Jesus, using the parable of the two houses, one built on rock and the other on sand, invites the disciples to listen to His words and put them into practice.” The Pope urged the faithful “to make space for the Word of God every day” because it helps “to protect us from superficial activism, which may fill a moment of pride but which in the end leaves us empty and dissatisfied.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 07/03/2011)
Links:
The complete text of the Holy Father, in Italian, with greetings in multiple languages
http://www.fides.org/ita/documents/Angelus06032011.doc

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