News

• 14 February 2004
  AMERICA/COSTA RICA - 4th Central American Meeting for vicars of pastoral and diocesan delegates for missions will outline pastoral plans suited to implement the conclusions of the Second American Mission Congress (CAM 2) San Jose (Fides Service) - “Offer a theological-pastoral interpretation of CAM2 to highlight the more significant elements and the pastoral dynamics which should animate mission ad gentes in Central America in the comi ...
• 13 February 2004
  VATICAN - Cardinal Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Health Workers and the Sick, speaks about costs of drug therapy Vatican City (Fides Service) - On his return from Lourdes where as the Pope’s special envoy he presided the main celebrations for the 12th World Day of the Sick, Cardinal Lozano Barragan President of the Pontifical Cou ...
• 13 February 2004
  VATICAN - Half a century of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Iran celebrated at the Gregorian University in Rome Vatican City (Fides Service) - The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Islamic Republic of Iran was celebrated on 12 February in Rome with a Seminar “Iran and the ...
• 13 February 2004
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - “Island in situation of political uncertainty. Dangerous mix of politics and religion”: a local missionary reports to Fides Colombo (Fides Service) - “The elections are unnecessary. The electorate is almost equally divided between the two main groups, supporters of President Kumaratunga and supporters of Prime Minister Wicremesinghe. If the ...
• 13 February 2004
  ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Seoul archdiocese opens an Institute of Theological Studies for lay people Seoul (Fides Service) - It is a known fact that the laity are the engine of the Church in Korea: their valid cooperation in all fields of pastoral work puts the Church in South Korea among those which have better underst ...
• 13 February 2004
  OCEANIA/FIJI - Making music to announce the Gospel to Youth “We shall not give up”: CD ROM by young Salesian in the South Pacific Suva (Fides Service) - Music is an excellent channel of evangelisation, particularly among young people: this is the conviction of Isaia Bourne a theology student who has just produced a CD called “We shall not give up ...
• 13 February 2004
  EUROPE/ITALY - Solidarity fundamental resource in health care: St John of God Brothers reflect on“ solidarietà tra professionalità e umanizzazione ” Rome (Fides Service) - “Healing with solidarity” was the theme chosen by the Italian Bishops’ Conference for the 12 World Day for the Sick. The theme imposes special reflection on psychic suffering and discomfort, ...
• 13 February 2004
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - Tomorrow Fides presents: Special report on Sri Lanka - politics, society and religion in the present phase of the country’s history Colombo (Fides Service ) - Tomorrow 14 February, Fides will present a special report on Sri Lanka, an all round view of the situation on the eve of elections, analysis of political, social and religious questions. News i ...
• 13 February 2004
  AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Rising crime rate, bad management of resources, AIDS. Association of Catholic Women Religious in Zambia voice concern Lusaka (Fides Service) - “As most of the sisters in Zambia work with the disadvantaged sector of the population, we would like once again to voice our concern on the behalf of these people”. In a press statement issu ...
• 12 February 2004
  VATICAN - The Pope’s Wednesday Audience teaching: “To a simply human vision, pain and sickness may appear to be absurd realities: but if we let ourselves be illuminated by the light of the Gospel we are able to grasp their profound salvific significance”. Vatican City (Fides Service) - Pope John Paul II dedicated his teaching during the Wednesday Audience on 11 February to the mystery of the sick and the suffering. In fact it was the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and for ...
• 12 February 2004
  VATICAN - In St Peter’s the Pope meets and blesses the sick: “As we look at Mary our heart opens to hope…Immaculate Mary is the wonderful sign of the victory of life over death, love over sin, salvation over all sickness of body or soul ”. Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Once again St Peter’s Basilica throws open its doors to the sick: to you who are present and ideally to sick persons all over the world. With deep affection dearest sick people I greet ...
• 12 February 2004
  ASIA/IRAN - Earthquake: in the villages of Nartich and Esfikan Caritas will build 500 new homes with the direct involvement of local people. Another convoy of aid has reached Bam and supplies are being distributed to 303 families. Rome (Fides Service) - In the past month 1,012 families have been reached by Caritas aid, in all 4,166 persons. Supplies distributed include rice, sugar, tea, canned food, dried milk and soap. According to the latest inf ...
• 12 February 2004
  Gloria Germani - “TERESA OF CALCUTTA MYSTIC OF EAST AND WEST ” - Her thought in relation to India and Gandhi - Pauline Publications This is the first book which sheds light on the powerful mystical character of the spiritual experience of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, beatified by Pope John Paul II in October 2003. The figure of the nun is prese ...
• 12 February 2004
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Terrorists or guerrillas? Government in a hurry to negotiate with rebels Manila (Fides) - In view of elections in May, the Philippines government is in a hurry to reach an agreement with the different rebel groups in the country. While waiting for the start of explorative talks with the Moro ...
• 12 February 2004
  ASIA/IRAQ - “It is amazing to see that at the slightest signal of a return to normality, murderous hands are ready to strike causing death, destruction and terror” Father Nizar Semaan in Iraq tells Fides Baghdad (Fides Service)-“These crimes are the work of foreigners or Iraqis who are not patriots and do not want peace in their country” Father Nizar Semaan in Ninive, diocese told Fides expressing the grief and ange ...