News Updates From Agenzia Fides:

VATICAN-Benedict XVI: "The Church, each one of us, must bring in the world this Good News that Jesus is the Lord"

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "Faith is not kept alive by itself in the world, it is not transmitted automatically to the human heart, but must always be proclaimed... The Church, each one of us, needs to bring in the world this good news that Jesus is the Lord, the One in whom the closeness and love of God for every man and woman, and for all humanity has been made flesh. This announcement should resonate again in the regions of ancient Christian tradition. Blessed John Paul II spoke of the need for a new evangelization aimed at those who, despite having already heard of the faith, do not appreciate, do not know the beauty of Christianity, indeed, sometimes even consider it an obstacle to happiness". These are the words uttered last night, on June 13, by Pope Benedict XVI during the speech with which he inaugurated the Ecclesial Diocesan Convention of Rome in the Cathedral of San Giovanni in Laterano on the theme: "They were cut to the heart" (Acts 2, 37). The joy of generating faith in the Church of Rome".

Men today often forget God also because they reduce the person of Jesus "to a wise man and is weakened, and divinity more than often is denied " the Pope said, noting that " incarnation belongs to the heart of the Gospel" and calling for "the commitment to a renewed season of evangelization, which is the task not only of some, but all members of the Church. Evangelization tells us that God is near: God is shown. In this hour of history, is this not the mission that God entrusts to us: to proclaim the permanent news of the Gospel, as Peter and Paul did when they came to our city? Do we not also need to show the beauty and the reasonableness of faith, bringing the light of God to the man of our time, with courage, conviction, and joy? "
After pointing out that there are many "people who have not yet met the Lord", who should be given special pastoral care, the Pope underlined that the messenger of this good news "is every baptized", especially the parents... called to cooperate with God in transmitting the priceless gift of life, but also to get to know He who is Life". Because "the knowledge of Jesus grows and continues beyond the celebration of the Sacraments" catechesis has an important role, which "is ecclesial action and therefore it is necessary that the catechists teach and witness the faith of the Church and do not give their interpretation. For this reason the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been realized, which ideally tonight I give back to all of you, so that the Church of Rome can undertake with renewed joy in the faith". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 06/14/2011)

Links: 
The full text of the Holy Father's speech, in Italian
http://www.fides.org/ita/documents/Conv_Ecc_Dioc_13062011.doc

AFRICA/SUDAN-Stop violence that affects defenseless civilians: Appeal on behalf of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum

El Obeid (Agenzia Fides) - In less than a month Southern Sudan will be an independent state, and a new humanitarian crisis is likely to erupt in the territories. In a statement released by ANS says that the Sudan Ecumenical Forum (SEF), a network of peace of all Christian churches in the country, calls for immediate intervention by international agencies to stop the violence affecting civilians. The United Nations estimates 40,000 people are fleeing the state of South Kordofan, and in particular the town of Kadugli, because of clashes between the army of the north, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), and members of the armed group of the former southern rebels, the "Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) (see Fides 07/06/2011 and 06/09/2011). Bombardments were heard over the city of Kauda and areas of Heiban and Um Dorain. Aircraft at low altitude terrorize the displaced who seek shelter in the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), located on the northern border of Kadugli. Many people in the city have been shut up in their homes, without food or water for fear of attacks, while those who have taken refuge outside the city, on the hills of the Nuba Mountains, are now hunted by helicopters.
According to a statement released by the EDF, some witnesses report that the troops of the SAF are going through Kadugli house to house looking for suspects, who are sometimes killed immediately on the spot, and even the SPLA forces are accused of atrocities. "The international community, led by the UN Security Council, with explicit and specific support in particular by China, the United States, African Union, Arab League and the European Union, must urgently take all necessary measures to stop the hostilities, protect civilians and allow humanitarian access to all parts of South Kordofan, as a first step to re-engage the political and military factions in conflict, seeking a negotiated solution", said Co-Chairman of the EDF, Eberhard Hitzler.
In the same statement among the priorities pointed out is the creation of a "no-fly zone" on the state of Kordofan, to put international operators in a position to bring relief, and provide adequate protection for civilians in the United Nations mission of Kaduqli. Currently violence, ransacking and fires are endangering the lives of over 300 000 people living in Kordofan. The city of El Obeid in the centre of the country, where the Salesians are working, has become a place of refuge for many displaced persons. The situation is difficult and, in the tense atmosphere, school activities have been suspended. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 06/14/2011)

OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Headmasters of Catholic schools will sleep outdoors among 16 000 homeless to draw attention to this plague

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - The executive Headmaster of Catholic schools in Sydney, Dan White, has decided to provide himself a cardboard and a hat to protect himself from the cold when he sleeps among the homeless to raise money for them. This is what we read in the local newspaper "Inner West Courier" according to a statement released by the Australian Catholic newspaper CathNews. White, along with the executive headmaster of the Australian Society of St. Vincent de 'Paoli, Vinnies, will sleep away from home at the Luna Park, one of the meeting places of the homeless, on 16 June. "About 16 000 people sleep anywhere every night, most of them are women and children, and this is not acceptable in a rich country like ours", said White. "Vinnies is working hard to break down common stereotypes about the homeless and provide them security, warmth and dignity that they deserve". For one night, White and other executive headmasters of 800 schools across Australia will change their roles for one night, drawing attention to the need to seek a dignified solution for the life of the homeless. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 06/14/2011)

 

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