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Pope at Audience: Love is mystical root of believer’s life – Vatican News

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Pope at Audience: Love is mystical root of believer’s life - Vatican News

By Christopher Wells

At the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis turned his gaze to the prayer life of the early Church, as he continued his catechesis on prayer.

“The Church’s first steps in the world were interspersed with prayer,” the Pope said. The writings of the New Testament, and especially the Acts of the Apostles, give us “the image of an active Church on the move, yet which gathered in prayer finds the basis and impulse for missionary action.”

Prayer, the driving force of evangelization

The Holy Father pointed out four essential characteristics of ecclesial life, drawn from St Luke’s account in the book of Acts: “listening to the Apostle’s teaching” which involves preaching and catechesis; the continual quest for fraternal communion; the “breaking of the bread,” the Eucharist, which is the Sacrament of Jesus’ presence among us; and prayer, “which is the space of dialogue with the Father through Christ in the Holy Spirit.”

Anything that arises outside of those “coordinates,” the Pope warned, “is deprived of a foundation… deprived of ecclesiality.” When these four characteristics are present, however, it is a guarantee of the Holy Spirit. 

Pope Francis said that reading the Acts of the Apostles, “we then discover what a powerful driving force of evangelization the prayer gatherings can be.” In prayer, he explained, we experience Christ’s presence among us “and are touched by the Spirit.”

Making Jesus present

The Pope quotes the Catechism: “The Holy Spirit … keeps the memory of Christ alive in his Church at prayer, also leads her toward the fullness of truth and inspires new formulations expressing the unfathomable mystery of Christ at work in his Church’s life, sacraments, and mission.” This, Pope Francis explained, “is the Spirit’s work in the Church: making us remember Jesus.”

He insisted, however, that this is not simply a question of recalling facts. Instead, “Christians, walking on the paths of mission, remember Jesus while they make Him present once more; and from Him, from His Spirit, they receive the ‘push’ to go, to proclaim, to serve.”

Love, the mystical root

Prayer, the Pope said, “immerses” Christians in God’s love for each and every person and provides the missionary impulse to preach the Gospel to every human person. “God is God for everyone,” the Pope said, “and in Jesus every wall of separation has definitively crumbled.”

The exchange of love – God’s love for us, and the love He asks in return – is “the mystical root of the believer’s entire life,” Pope Francis said. And, both for the early Christians and for Christians today, prayer enables us to live that experience. Through prayer, the Pope continued, every Christian can make his own the words of St Paul: “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Pope Francis said it is “only in the silence of adoration” that “we experience the full truth of these words… And this prayer is the living flame of the Spirit that gives strength to witness and mission.” 

‘One-third of women live in fear of violence’ – Vatican News

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‘One-third of women live in fear of violence’ - Vatican News

By Devin Watkins

Wednesday, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which seeks to raise awareness of what the UN calls a “shadow pandemic”.

The Spanish NGO Manos Unidas (“Hands United”) joined its voice to those of many others to decry the situation in which countless women find themselves.

“Societies cannot remain indifferent to abuse and violence,” according to Ricardo Loy, the Secretary General of the Catholic organization. “We cannot abide that 30% of the world’s women and girls live in fear of violence, of speaking out, or of the reactions of those around them… And all this in the face of widespread apathy from most of society.”

Staggering statistics

According to the World Health Organization, around one third of all women in a relationship have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by their partner.

UN Women adds that domestic violence shot up by 30% in many countries during widespread lockdowns earlier this year put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, a recent study says data from 30 countries indicates that only 1% of abused women have ever sought professional help.

Back in 2013, the WHO called violence against women “a global health problem of epidemic proportions.”

Listen to our report

Excluded and invisible

Mr. Loy said Manos Unidas finds itself working on various fronts in developing nations because violence is not limited to the physical kind nor only to the household.

Education carried out by the NGO, he pointed out, “aims to deal with those religious or cultural customs that physically harm women, or make them invisible and exclude them.”

Raising awareness

One Manos Unidas partner offered an example from a project in Sierra Leone, where women and girls are subdued into silence and economic privation, since violence is widespread.

Fr. Peter Konteh, director of Caritas Freetown, said they are so often subjected to rape that the Prime Minister declared the situation a national emergency in 2018. “He even set up a police unit to deal with rape cases, especially against children.”

Killing a culture of silence

Thanks to the help of Manos Unidas, Fr. Konteh said the local Caritas outfit was able to make inroads in combatting the culture of silence, which kept victims from going to the authorities.

Now, he noted, “women, girls, and families are willing to talk openly about abuse, and the guilty parties are brought to justice.”

Fr. Konteh said the projects biggest success was making many people in Sierra Leone aware of the horrors of violence against women.

“One great victory,” he said, “is knowing that the project is warning ‘potential abusers’ and thus protecting women and girls from further abuse.”

New bishop appointed in China – Vatican News

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New bishop appointed in China - Vatican News

By Vatican News staff writer

The Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China is bearing fruit. A new bishop, the third since the Agreement was signed in September 2018, was appointed in communion with the Successor of Peter and ordained. The news was confirmed by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni.

“I can confirm that the Reverend Thomas Chen Tianhao is the third bishop appointed and ordained within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China on the appointment of bishops,” he said, in response to questions by journalists.

Bruni also added that “certainly other episcopal consecrations are expected in the future because various processes for new episcopal appointments are underway.”

Upon its expiration date at the end of September, the Provisional Agreement was extended for two more years. It does not directly concern diplomatic relations between the Holy See and China, nor the legal status of the Chinese Catholic Church or relations between the clergy and the authorities of the country. The Provisional Agreement concerns exclusively the process of nomination of bishops: an essential issue for the life of the Church and for the communion of the pastors of the Chinese Catholic Church with the Bishop of Rome and the bishops of the world.

The objective of the Provisional Agreement has always been genuinely pastoral: its purpose is to allow the Catholic faithful to have bishops who are in full communion with the Successor of Peter and at the same time are recognized by the authorities of the People’s Republic of China.

Cyprus-Greece coordinate action in view of European Council meeting

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Cyprus-Greece coordinate action in view of European Council meeting

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on the phone on Tuesday evening in a bid to coordinate action in view of the European Council meeting in December and UN special envoy Jane Hall Lute’s visit to the divided island on November 30.

An official statement on Wednesday said Anastasiades and Mitsotakis spoke about the Cyprus problem and efforts for the resumption of the UN-brokered talks and the possibility of a five plus one conference as well as the ongoing Turkish provocations in the region.

The Council meeting is scheduled for December 10-11 and Turkey-EU relations will be assessed by the EU leaders.

Lute, UNSG`s envoy for the Cyprus problem on Tuesday will hold separate meetings in Nicosia with the President Anastasiades and newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar.

After her meetings in Cyprus, Lute is expected to visit Athens to hold meetings with the Greek government.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The latest UN backed round of talks took place in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield any results.

(CNA)

Members of European Parliament write to Pakistan PM seeking action against LeT for 26/11

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Members of European Parliament write to Pakistan PM seeking action against LeT for 26/11

NEW DELHI: Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Ryszard Czarnecki and Fulvio Martusciello, have pulled up Pakistan for not yet having brought to justice those who orchestrated the 2008 Mumbai terrorists’ attacks.
Polish MEP Czarnecki and Italian MEP Martusciello, in a letter to Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, stated, “On 26 November 2008, an extremist terrorist organisation, Lashkar-e-Taiba, based in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the Mumbai bombings in which 166 innocent people were murdered, nine attackers killed, and more than 300 individuals sustained injuries. Subsequent documented evidence from United States intelligence reports, from India’s intelligence services including DNA, photographs and identification of the origins of the attackers; and an admission by Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s of the country’s involvement in the crimes; highlight the engagement of accomplishes in Pakistan. However, to date, the senior coordinators and promoters who orchestrated the attacks remain at large.”

The MEPs demanded it was “essential that justice is served on those who have carried out, instructed or supported such terrorist activities. It is equally important that leaders of countries publicly condemn these acts of violence and proceed to ensure justice is done for the victims, by apprehending and sentencing the perpetrators”.

The MEPs further stated in their letter, “Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, often in pursuit of political or ideological aims. European politicians, we are committed to fighting against terrorism and extremist violence. We all have a responsibility to condemn terrorism and bring to justice those who perpetrate such actions.”

Czarnecki and Martusciello also asked Imran to inform “action taken against Lashkar-e-Taiba, the extremist Islamist terrorist organisation, based in Pakistan, known to have carried out the multiple shooting and bombing attacks that happened in Mumbai in 2008?”. They further asked, “what action has, and is, Pakistan taking against terrorist groups operating within the country in general?”

Meanwhile French Member of the European Parliament Thierry Mariani, and Gianna Gancia, Italian Member of the European Parliament, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to express their support for India’s respect for democratic constitutional responsibility and to reinforce their backing for a common goal to address extremism and terrorism.

“As the Republic of India, the largest democracy in the world, celebrates Samvidhan Divas on the 26 November 2020, we send our congratulations to the country for maintaining peace, democratic values and freedoms and for upholding the Constitution of India established in 1949,” the letter read.

The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) wrote India’s Republic was “steeped in history and culture. With its diversity of states, cultures and religions, India is a beacon for the democratic and free world.”

Further praising India, they highlighted that India “must be recognised for her dedication towards advocating and encouraging the principles of freedoms and rights under its constitution, one which treats all citizens equally.” India was also honoured for its principles of non-violence, when it was acknowledged that it had always maintained peace, in the country and the region, and had retained its independence through principles of non-alignment.

.“We send our condolences on this somber occasion and recognise the families and the individuals of the army and emergency services who were forced to witness the horrors resulting from these attacks. Europe mourns with you as we are also facing increased attacks from fundamentalists and extremists at this time.”

“Whilst Pakistan has tried to deny its links with terrorist organisations the evidence, including United States intelligence reports, the origin of the attackers and Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s admission of the country’s involvement, all demonstrate, without doubt, that the Islamic Republic of Pakistan remains a global threat”, stated Mariani and Gancia.

The MEPs stated that “as parliamentarians we have called for the European Union to impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and on individuals; terrorists, and those supporting and promoting terrorist activities; and to condemn state sponsored terrorism. Addressing visa and passport fraud, as well as illegal migration are challenges that both India and the European countries face in preventing terrorism emanating from third countries.”

Allahabad HC upholds the right to choose partner irrespective of religion

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PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad high court has held that “right to choose a partner, irrespective of religion, is intrinsic to right to life and personal liberty” and quashed an FIR of kidnapping, forcible conversion and under POSCO Act against a man accused of forcefully converting and marrying a Hindu girl.
The court also observed that judgments into two previous cases of interfaith marriages, where it observed that “conversion for the purpose of marriage is unacceptable” were not “good laws”. “We hold judgments in Noor Jahan and Priyanshi cases as not laying good law. None of these judgments dealt with the issue of life and liberty of two mature individuals in choosing a partner or their right to freedom of choice,” the bench said.

Justice Pankaj Naqvi and Justice Vivek Agarwal made these observations, while allowing a petition filed by Salamat Ansari and Priyanka Kharwar alias Alia of Kushinagar on November 11. The petitioners sought quashing of FIR lodged on August 25, 2019, at Vishnupura police station of Kushinagar. The petitioners’ contention was the couple were adults and competent to marry as per their choice. Counsel for the woman’s father opposed the petition on grounds that conversion for sake of marriage was prohibited and such a marriage had no legal sanctity.
The court after hearing both parties observed, “To disregard the choice of a person who is an adult would not only be antithetic to freedom of choice of a grown-up individual, but would also be a threat to concept of unity in diversity. An individual on attaining majority is statutorily conferred with the right to choose a partner, which if denied would not only affect his/her human right, but also his/her right to life and personal liberty, guaranteed under Article 21 of Constitution,” the bench observed.
It added, “We do not see Priyanka Kharwar and Salamat as Hindu and Muslim, rather as two grown-up individuals who out of their own free will and choice are living together peacefully and happily over a year. The courts and constitutional courts in particular are enjoined to uphold life and liberty of an individual guaranteed under Article 21 of Constitution.”
“Right to live with a person of his/her choice irrespective of religion professed by them, is intrinsic to right to life and personal liberty. Interference in a personal relationship would constitute a serious encroachment on the right to freedom of the two individuals. The decision of an individual who is of age of majority, to live with an individual of his/her choice is strictly a right of an individual and when this right is infringed upon, it would constitute breach of his/her fundamental right to life and personal liberty as it includes right to freedom of choice, to choose a partner and right to live with dignity as enshrined in Article 21 of Constitution,” the bench observed.
“We fail to understand if the law permits two persons even of same sex to live together peacefully then neither any individual nor a family nor even State can have objection to relationship of two major individuals who out of free will are living together,” the judges observed.
The judges also cited Supreme Court’s judgment in K S Puttaswamy vs Union of India case on the right to privacy, which said, “The autonomy of the individual is the ability to make decisions on vital matters of concern to life.”

Biden pushes new approach to EU ties

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Biden pushes new approach to EU ties

US President-elect Joe Biden spoke with the heads of the European Union institutions and Nato on Monday in a round of calls seen as part of his efforts to repair tattered transatlantic ties. 

Biden “underscored his commitment to deepen and revitalize the US-EU relationship,” a statement from his office said after a call with Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission.

In a marked difference in tone from US President Donald Trump, who branded the EU a “foe” and accused it of ripping off the US in trade, Biden expressed his hope that the two sides would “cooperate on common challenges.”

Von der Leyen sounded upbeat and optimistic.

“Great to speak with President-elect JoeBiden,” von der Leyen tweeted. “It is a new beginning for the EU-US global partnership … working together can shape the global agenda based on cooperation, multilateralism, solidarity and shared values,” she added.

Biden has already spoken to a host of European leaders bilaterally, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Both Biden, and his nominated secretary of state, Antony Blinken, have both criticised Brexit, a key concern of EU, and have expressed concern about the impact on peace on the divided island of Ireland.

Biden also spoke to the head of the transatlantic Nato defence alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, telling him of the “United States’ enduring commitment to Nato – including its bedrock principle of collective defence under Article 5.” Article 5 is a mutual defence clause which holds that an attack on one Nato member is an attack on the whole alliance .

Scientology free course to help with planning for the future

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Scientology Volunteer Ministers share free course to help with planning for the future, no matter how uncertain

With 2020 upsetting so many people’s lives, many are seeking new directions to reach their personal targets and goals in life.

It is not Man’s dreams that fail him. It is the lack of know-how required to bring those dreams into actuality.”

— L. Ron Hubbard

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES, November 24, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ — Life as we know it has changed in many ways due to the events of 2020. Statistics and indicators show that it might continue to change for some months to come.

How does one navigate so many changes in life, particularly those greatly impacted by the economic challenges of 2020? How can one stay on top of the changes and be the driver of their life and not the passenger?

With a lot of change can come confusions that toss one into apathy, anxiety and frustration. Many now have unrealized goals or incomplete plans or face tasks that appear overwhelming—even impossible to achieve. This is true not only of individuals, but of companies and even countries. History is filled with incomplete or failed projects.

Availing oneself of the free online course “Targets and Goals” can put one in the driver’s seat and more in control.

Based on the works of bestselling author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard (lronhubbard.org), the “Targets and Goals” course is offered by the Church of Scientology on its Volunteer Ministers website.

The course addresses what steps to take and how to apply them to anything—a personal ambition, a family, a group, a business and more.

“Targets and Goals” guides one step by step through the reading material and the practical exercises to use each new skill learned. The course is self-paced and generally takes about five hours to complete.

“So you may ask yourself: Did COVID-19 throw my 2020 plans and dreams out the window and give me unexpected hurdles and challenges? If the answer is yes, this course will give you the practical tools to achieve the new goals you set,” said Rev. Susan Taylor of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, DC.

“Mr. Hubbard states, ‘It is not Man’s dreams that fail him. It is the lack of know-how required to bring those dreams into actuality.’ Having and applying the tools to reach your goals is the first step,” concluded Rev. Taylor.

Offering the free online courses is just one of many activities Volunteer Ministers around the country have been engaged in during much of 2020. Another is the distribution of millions of hygiene protocol education booklets to residences, shops, community centers, government agencies, medical centers and hospitals. In the Washington, DC, metro area over 100,000 booklets have been personally distributed. The important material is also available online at their “How to Stay Well Prevention Resource Center” site.

EU seeks comments on review of RED II, biomass sustainability

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EU seeks comments on review of RED II, biomass sustainability
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The European Commission on Nov. 17 launched a public consultation on the European Union’s review of its Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) focused on aligning RED II targets with the European Green Deal and a review of sustainability criteria for forestry biomass.

A report filed with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Global Agricultural Information Network explains the European Commission committed to “review and propose to revise, where necessary” relevant energy legislation by 2021 to better align with the provisions of the European Green Deal.

Under the European Green Deal, the EU aims to become carbon neutral by 2050. The GAIN report explains that the EU currently has a target in place to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission by 20 percent by 2020 and by 40 percent by 2030, when compared to a 1990 baseline. Too achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the Commission has proposed a 55 percent GHG reduction by 2030. To achieve that reduction, the EU will need to increase its production and use of renewable energy.

As part of the review, the Commission is also considering the sustainability criteria included in RED II for forest biomass. The report notes an ongoing study on the use of forest biomass for energy production is being carried out by the Commission’s Joint Research Center. That study, which is expected to be published before the end of the year, will also feed into the review criteria.

Feedback gathered during the public consultation is expected help the Commission determine whether a revision of the RED II is needed and what revision would be the most appropriate.

Comments can be filed through Feb. 9. A full copy of the report is available on the USDA FAS GAIN website.

EU to provide Rs1.9 bn for UNHCR assistance to Afghan DPs

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EU to provide Rs1.9 bn for UNHCR assistance to Afghan DPs

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) is providing €10 million (Rs1.9 billion) to significantly boost the UNHCR’s assistance for Afghan refugees and their host communities in Pakistan. The funding will focus on mitigating the short and medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With this funding, UNHCR will expand its health response as well as improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in refugee and host communities. Another important component of the new project will be implementing activities that help protect and empower vulnerable Afghan refugees and host communities, including through livelihood opportunities.

The three-year project will be implemented across the country and is expected to benefit some 370,000 Afghan refugees and Pakistani host communities.

The Ambassador of the EU delegation to Pakistan, Ms. Androulla Kaminara, and UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, signed the agreement at a ceremony on Monday. The agreement coincides with the quadrennial Afghanistan Conference held in Geneva, intended to present an important opportunity for the Afghan government and the international community to commit to common objectives for promoting sustainable development, prosperity and peace in Afghanistan.

Since July 2018, the EU has contributed €37 million from its development budget and €10 million from its humanitarian resources to support the Afghan refugees and their host communities, in particular through UNHCR’s regional programmes.

In May 2020, the EU announced a €150 million package to support Pakistan’s efforts in addressing the short-term and long-term public health and socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including this new funding of €10 million for UNHCR. This funding will be channelled towards three sectors: health, WASH and social protection.

In the health sector, it will boost health initiatives by helping to provide personal protective equipment, medical supplies and other relief items to health facilities in support of refugees and host communities. Community outreach on the prevention and response to COVID-19 will also be strengthened.

In the WASH sector, the EU’s contribution will help enable UNHCR to upgrade or construct facilities such as toilets, wash basins and water pumps in schools, health centres and communal facilities in or close to refugee villages – benefitting both refugees and Pakistanis. In terms of social protection, the assistance will contribute to UNHCR’s emergency cash programme for the most vulnerable registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The one-time cash assistance mitigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by helping refugees meet their basic needs. In addition, the project – covering a three-year period – aims to support the COVID-19 recovery through medium-term interventions, such as income-generating activities and technical and vocational skills training. This will ultimately help provide new skill sets to both refugees and their host communities.

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