Fides News - English

ASIA/MYANMAR - Severe earthquake in the north of the country: "There is little or no aid"

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:29:11 +0100

Mandalay - "The tragedy is that there is little or no aid. We see so much solidarity among the people, but we note the complete absence of the state. The Sagaing area, epicenter of the earthquake, is one of the areas where clashes are most intense due to the ongoing civil war. In the general instability, there is no organized aid for the victims," said a local Fides source from the Catholic community of Mandalay, near Sagaing, where the earthquake of March 28 caused the greatest damage. "In the areas not controlled by the army, the so-called 'liberated areas,' there are no functioning civil institutions, so everything is left to the goodwill of the population or the organization of ethnic minority communities and armies," continued the Fides source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. "In the areas controlled by the junta, some fire brigades are operating in the capital, Naypyidaw, and in Mandalay, where several multi-storey buildings have collapsed. Many other areas are completely abandoned. The state is completely uninterested in its citizens, their condition, and their well-being."
Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on March 28 at 12:50 p.m. local time, with the epicenter in the Mandalay area. Dozens of people were seriously injured, and scenes of panic ensued in the streets of Mandalay, with people running to open spaces to save their lives. The tremors were also felt in neighboring Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the adjacent Chinese region of Yunnan. Official figures on casualties and damage are not yet available. The ruling military junta has now declared a state of emergency in six regions, requested humanitarian assistance from the international community, and ordered the closure of airports in the capital, Naypyidaw, and Yangon. The colonial-era "Old Sagaing Bridge," built 91 years ago by the British Empire over the Irrawaddy River, collapsed. Several Catholic churches in Mandalay were damaged: St. Michael's Catholic Parish was the hardest hit, while 20 people were killed when a mosque collapsed in Mandalay. St. Joseph's Cathedral in the city of Taunggyi, Shan State, was also damaged. Many churches in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Taunggyi suspended liturgical celebrations and asked the faithful for gestures of solidarity with those now homeless.
Earthquakes are relatively frequent in Myanmar, and in the past they have affected the Sagaing fault, which runs from north to south through the center of the country. In 2016, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan caused the walls of Buddhist temples to collapse. According to experts, rapid development in Myanmar's cities, combined with outdated infrastructure and poor urban planning, has made the country's most populous areas particularly vulnerable to the effects of earthquakes. Due not least to the four-year civil war, the country has a very poor health system, especially in rural areas.

AFRICA/DR CONGO - The drama of Congolese refugees in Burundi

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:18:43 +0100

Kinshasa - "The new Congolese refugees who arrived in Burundi on March 15, 2025, are currently living a difficult life due to the lack of continuous support from United Nations agencies and international humanitarian organizations," reads a statement from the Congolese human rights organization ACMEJ, sent to Fides. "Fortunately, the Burundian authorities continue to welcome the refugees and ensure a very high level of protection and security," continues the statement from the civil society association based in the Congolese province of South Kivu.
More than 63,000 Congolese from South Kivu province have been forced to flee due to the advance of the M23 troops, who have taken over the capital of this province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo .
"Most of these Congolese refugees in Rugombo, in the Burundian province of Cibitoke, consider themselves fortunate to have good diplomatic relations between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo," the ACMEJ statement reads. "The refugees ask UNHCR personnel working in Burundi to show the same goodwill by applying the guiding principles of international refugee law," the statement continues.
According to the ACMEJ, "the Congolese refugees would not be willing to go to the new camp in Rutana, on the border with Tanzania," which is located in the opposite direction from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which would further displace these people from their homes. The new refugee camp is, in fact, more than 200 km from the camp in Rugombo.

EUROPE/ITALY - The Society of the Divine Word missionaries commemorate 150 years of their founding, as a sign of the “Missio Dei”

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:14:37 +0100

Rome – In the Gospel accounts, the disciples who first encounter the risen Jesus do not recognize him immediately: Mary Magdalene mistakes him for the gardener, Peter and the other Apostles who see him on the shore of the lake doubt that it is Him. The disciples of Emmaus only realize that it is the Nazarene when he breaks the bread for them. It is always Jesus himself who makes himself known to them. And even now, only those who are amazed by his newness recognize Jesus, allow themselves to be guided by Him on the journey to follow him and remain with him.
Thus, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, suggested that the heart of the mission is the work of Christ himself, of his living and active presence. He said this in a brief address at the opening of the International Conference entitled "Missio Dei in Today's World, Witnessing to the Light from Everywhere for Everyone," organized to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Society of the Divine Word .

The Conference, which began on Thursday, March 27, and is hosted at the Matteo Ricci Conference Center of the Pontifical Gregorian University, was divided into three mornings of conferences and meetings. The introductory presentation was given by American theologian Stephen Bevans, Professor emeritus of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and former president of the American Society of Missiology, who offered an in-depth examination of the theology of "Missio Dei," outlining the characteristics of mission as a work of God, inspired by the mystery of the Trinity.
The various work sessions covered a wide range of topics.
On the first day, dedicated to the theme "Healing Wounds," the interventions and discussions of the working groups focused on "Missio Dei," which takes the form of care and predilection reserved for people wounded by life, migrants, and victims of violence.

On Friday the 28th, the reflection focused on the challenges of postmodernity, including those of "transhumanism" and "posthumanism."
For the session on Saturday, March 29, talks and debates are scheduled on the contribution that religions and cultures offer to the crises and emergencies of the present time.
The Society of the Divine Word was founded in Steyl, Holland, by Saint Arnold Janssen in 1875. It is an international congregation of brothers and priests known as Missionaries of the Divine Word or "SVDs."
The worship, imitation, and preaching of the Incarnate Word are the principal activities of the SVD missionaries. The triune God, who is at the center of their spirituality, is manifested in the world through the incarnation of the Son of God. The first group of SVDs also included Saint Joseph Freinademetz, who was sent as a missionary to China. The Society of the Divine Word currently has more than 6,000 members, spread across five continents.

VATICAN - The Missionary Exhibition in the Vatican Gardens, which 100 years ago introduced the world to the “Church in a state of mission”

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:06:23 +0100

by Fabio Beretta

Vatican City – Books, black and white photographs, artifacts from deserts and tropical rainforests. Letters with testimonies and accounts of excursions to impenetrable and inaccessible areas, along with bird and reptile eggs. The Vatican Missionary Exposition, held exactly one hundred years ago, offered a fascinating tour of the cultural diversity and universality of the Church's mission. In 1925, on the occasion of the Jubilee, the Vatican Gardens hosted this great exhibition, which attracted pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. The exhibition not only reflected the richness of cultures and geographies, but also the universal scope of the mission of liberation and salvation entrusted by Christ to His Church.

The initiative was promoted by Pius XI, who personally financed and supervised the realization of this unprecedented exhibition.

Pope Ratti had been nurturing this idea for some time, and the project took shape in a record time of two years. The compass that guided Pius XI in the creation of the Vatican Missionary Exposition was his deep commitment to missionary work, shared with his predecessor Benedict XV. It was the latter who, in 1919, signed the Apostolic Letter Maximum illud, “on the work of missionaries throughout the world”. Historian André Rétif defined Achille Ratti as "the Pope of the missions" for the decisive impulse he gave to the evangelizing work of the Church of Rome.

That period was marked by numerous initiatives and innovations that reflected the strength, audacity, and creativity of the missionary spirit. In 1926, Pius XI instituted World Mission Sunday, consolidating the Church's universal commitment to evangelization. That same year, at the Janiculum, the transfer of the Pontifical Urbaniana Athenaeum, the precursor to today's Pontifical Urbaniana University, intended for the training of seminarians from mission territories, was completed. A year later, in 1927, Fides Agency was founded, the Church's first missionary agency.

The Vatican Missionary Exposition, inaugurated in 1925, had a clear purpose: "To gather and exhibit in this City, the capital of the world, everything that can shed light on the nature and activity of the Catholic missions, on the places where they operate, in a word, everything related to them," wrote Pius XI himself.

To bring his project to fruition, Pius XI entrusted the organization of the Vatican Missionary Exposition to Dutch Cardinal Willem Marinus Van Rossum, then Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith . Following the Pope's instructions, Van Rossum initially convened, in a consultative capacity, the Procurators and Representatives of the Missionary Institutes residing in Rome. However, the initiative took official status on April 24, 1923, when Pius XI sent him a letter granting him full authority to hold the event. In order to organize the Exposition, Van Rossum created a Steering Committee, which included Angelo Roncalli, who was elected Pope John XXIII in 1958. In addition, a thirty-six-member subcommittee was formed, composed of representatives from various missionary institutes.

Pius XI's decision to promote this event transcended the religious sphere. In a Europe still traumatized by the First World War, the Pope saw in the Exposition a message of hope and a testimony to the role of the Church in a world marked by secularization. Through the Expositions, the Church not only communicated its mission but also sought new forms of expression to bring its message to the contemporary world. The scale of the project was exceptional: enormous resources were allocated to ensure the success of the Vatican Missionary Exposition. Set up in the gardens adjacent to the Vatican Museums, the Exposition pavilions were divided into two large blocks along geographical lines: the Holy Land, America, parts of Asia, and Indochina in the Pine Garden Courtyard; China, Japan, Oceania, and Africa in the adjacent garden. In the Chiaramonti Museum gallery, stands were set up dedicated to the travels, exploits, and stories of all the Missionary Institutes participating in the Expo. In addition, a separate pavilion was dedicated to the theme of hygiene and medicine, highlighting the healthcare work of missionaries. The complex covered an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, with a total of thirty-eight pavilions.

The inauguration took place on December 21, 1924, a few days before the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, and was presided over by the Pope, accompanied by diplomats and several members of the Roman Curia. It was decided to also publish the "Illustrated Magazine of the Vatican Missionary Exhibition", biweekly: the first issue was published on December 15, 1924. It consisted of a 32-page booklet, richly illustrated and could be purchased for 160 Italian lire.

The main objective of the exhibition was to document the missionary activities and highlight all the apostolic work supported by the Church in mission. In addition to books and artifacts, visitors were also shown maps of the most remote places in the world, along with information compiled by the missionaries on the mineralogy, flora, and fauna of the mission lands.

In one of the pavilions, visitors could consult two complete collections of the magazine “Les Missions Catholiques” and a double collection of the “Annals of the Propagation of the Faith.” These publications, dedicated exclusively to missionary work, composed of 158 volumes, illustrated with more than 15,000 reproductions of sketches, drawings, and photographs sent by the missionaries themselves. The goal was to make known the stories linked to missionary work, the concrete fruits of evangelization, and the numerous testimonies of men and women transformed by their encounter with the Gospel. Furthermore, they sought to awaken solidarity and support, both material and spiritual, for the Church's work in missionary lands. At the same time, these publications served to counter the manipulated representations of critics who attempted to discredit missionary work by labeling it "obscurantism."

A year after the Exposition, and at the request of Pius XI, some 40,000 works were selected from those on display and brought together in the first Missionary Ethnological Museum in history. One hundred years later, many of these works are on display today in the Vatican Museums, in the section entitled "Anima Mundi Ethnological Museum."

AMERICA/ARGENTINA - A society that gives space to God, that seeks to be guided by Him is a society that is a sign of hope

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:08:15 +0100

La Rioja - "Social pastoral care is a fundamental dimension of the Church's mission, which seeks to make the Kingdom of God present amidst the difficulties and challenges of daily life," said Dante Braida, President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral Care and Bishop of the Diocese of La Rioja, who pointed out that "this action promotes a Church close to its citizens, concerned with the problems of its community and committed to justice and solidarity." The Prelate considers social pastoral care a fundamental area in the Church's interaction with society, especially in the context of an outgoing Church.

Bishop Braida's goal is "a social pastoral ministry that strengthens and promotes four main axes: the social dimension of faith, so that every Christian can exercise their identity in the social commitments they assume; participation as a citizen, that is, as part of social life; the protection of the environment and the way in which we deal with addictions, the meaning and care of life and everything that damages it, such as drug trafficking."

"There are many reasons to have hope," the bishop continued. "When a family is founded, opens itself to life, grows, and raises its children, that is a very strong sign of hope. When people launch new entrepreneurial initiatives to serve society; when children, adolescents, and young people want to study and develop professionally in sports, the arts, and science. Other signs of hope are when society cares for its elderly; a society that cultivates its faith, that gives space to God and wants to be guided by Him, that is a sign of hope."

"Local parishes, in particular, and the entire diocese, which has a diverse population and significant social challenges, are committed to addressing the social reality of their community. The support of priests, sisters, and lay people, as well as that of Bishop Braida, is fundamental," Sister Silvia Somaré, missionary of the "Hermanas Esclavas del Corazón de Jesús" in La Rioja and member of the diocesan press office, told Fides. "The presence of indigenous communities is notable, as is the existence of rural areas with high rates of poverty and difficulties in accessing basic services. Another precarious situation is social inequality, manifested in the gap between the most privileged and the most vulnerable. This situation is exacerbated in some suburbs of the capital and in the inland cities, where a lack of opportunities and unstable job security lead to exclusion and marginalization."

In light of this reality, several social pastoral measures have been launched to support the most vulnerable communities and promote their integral development. These measures are based on the principles of the Church's social doctrine, which promotes human dignity, social justice, and the common good. Among the most important initiatives are the distribution of food and the establishment of community kitchens for families in vulnerable situations; initiatives aimed at strengthening the social fabric and creating development opportunities for communities through training workshops, micro-enterprises, and productive projects; support for the homeless, drug addicts, or victims of violence through comprehensive assistance programs, personalized care, and support through soup kitchens; the promotion of local culture and identity; and networking with other institutions.

"The entire Church in La Rioja remains committed to building a more just and fraternal society, where everyone has the opportunity to develop their potential and live with dignity," Sister Silvia concluded.

AFRICA/MALI - Operation Sounkalo Solidarité: solidarity, sharing, social cohesion during Ramadan and Lent

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:05:03 +0100

Bamako - Since March 1, the official start of Ramadan, thousands of people of all faiths have gathered in various locations across the country to share food, which is distributed every afternoon at 6:00 p.m., when Muslims can break their fast.

The initiative, launched by the Malian government, aims to create a climate of solidarity and cohesion among the population and consists of distributing meals and food packages to everyone. Every day, workers, local authorities, and NGOs gather with the population to break the fast at designated locations such as football fields, open spaces, or mosques to share the meals provided .

This year, the occasion is even more significant, as Ramadan for Muslims coincides with Lent for Christians. Thanks to this initiative, the entire population has the opportunity to share not only food but also genuine moments of aggregation. In a climate of solidarity, people feel motivated and encouraged, despite the instability in the country. Life continues as normal for everyone until the evening, when everyone, from local authorities to religious and ordinary citizens, gathers for meals that conclude with prayers and blessings in a true atmosphere of conviviality, peace, and social cohesion.

In addition to the packages delivered to the main religious organizations by the President of the Republic's Commissioner for Social Works on March 4, 2025, another 50 tons of rice were delivered to the country's main Muslim and Christian religious organizations on March 13, 2025, by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Worship, and Customs, Mahamadou Konè, in the presence of Mahamane Adamou Cissé, Deputy Director General of the Maison du Hadj, as well as numerous religious leaders, members of the government, and civil society actors at the Maison du Hadj.

Mahamane Konè recalled on this occasion that this initiative is part of the Operation "Sounkalo Solidarité" of the President of the Transitional Government, Army General Assimi Goita, and aims to provide support to vulnerable populations through religious structures. For his part, Mahamane Adamou Cissé emphasized that this initiative testifies to the commitment of the highest authorities of the transition to the Muslim and Christian religious communities, noting that in this blessed month, a month of sharing, piety, and solidarity, this gesture takes on a very special meaning that will allow many families to live this time with dignity.

Since 2012, Mali has been ravaged by a civil war between the country's regular army, Tuareg rebels, and various jihadist groups in conflict with the central government and among themselves. According to international statistics, the escalation of this political crisis has led to two further military coups in 2020 and 2021, respectively, while conflicts between the various armed groups within the country have further intensified since August 2022, when French troops withdrew from Malian territory, ending a nine-year military operation.

Following the dismissal of Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga on November 20 of last year, the government is currently led by General Abdoulaye Maïga, and presidential elections are not expected soon. Local sources indicate that security in the country has improved thanks to the opening of various barracks and frequent movements organized by the countries of the "Alliance pour l'État du Sahel" .

ASIA/PHILIPPINES - In a nation divided over Duterte's judicial affair, the Church preaches and works for unity

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:26:04 +0100

Manila - In a country torn apart by the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity committed during the "war on drugs" he waged , the Catholic Church in the Philippines is trying to restore national unity, while society - which is preparing, among other things, for the midterm elections next May - appears increasingly divided into pro-Duterte and anti-Duterte groups.
One of the first measures adopted by Catholic communities is prayer: in a period considered extremely critical, the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal José Advincula, invites the faithful to "overcome differences and be open to a constant conversion towards truth, justice and peace." For this reason, the Cardinal issued a public appeal for an "oratio imperata," a "compulsory prayer" for the nation, to be recited daily during Mass in all parishes of the archdiocese starting on the third Sunday of Lent.
For the Catholic community, this time - which coincides with Lent -should be an opportunity for conversion: The imprisonment of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague could be a "special grace," "a spiritual opportunity," according to Msgr. Patricio Buzon, Bishop of Bacolod, who urged Rodrigo Duterte's supporters to "change their perspective." The time in prison is like a spiritual retreat, said Bishop Buzon, adding: "After all, Duterte is his son. God wants him to be saved, because 'God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he turns from his ways and lives' ." The bishop stigmatized "the blind fanaticism that is tearing us apart as a people": "It is time to put our love for our country above any political loyalty," he said.
Among the countermeasures devised by Duterte's supporters is the so-called "No Remittances Week": As a form of protest, large groups of Filipinos abroad -more than 10 million people -plan, especially in Europe, to block remittances, the economic contributions sent home that are a vital support to the national economy. This measure would negatively impact thousands of Filipino families. Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo said: "Freezing remittances, even if only temporarily, could devastate the lives of these families and leave them vulnerable, as they will struggle to make ends meet," and there are fears of a "domino effect" on businesses and communities that depend on this flow of money. "As a bishop, I call for unity and dialogue. Let us seek peaceful and constructive ways to address problems without harming our families and our nation" in order to "promote healing and support the common good." Archbishop Monsignor Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindanao - the region where Duterte had the most supporters - rejected claims that a daily Mass was being celebrated in the cathedral "for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines." The Eucharist, like all Masses, was "not dedicated to any particular person, group, or political cause," he wrote. The archbishop emphasized the Church's commitment to neutrality and to ensuring that "places of worship remain spaces of faith, reflection, and unity," and urged the faithful to work for "peace, unity, and justice."
Meanwhile, the office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that it would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court regarding the charges of crimes against humanity filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte, "since the Philippines does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC." The government rejected claims that the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC was due to a dispute between Marcos and Duterte, stressing that "there is nothing personal about the arrest." Other politicians emphasized that "beyond political advantages, the country's sovereignty and the interest in true justice for every Filipino must remain a priority".

AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Escalation in South Sudan: Christian churches appeal for a peaceful solution

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:27:57 +0100

Juba - The situation in South Sudan is escalating: Yesterday, March 26, Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest, further escalating the renewed clashes between him and President Salva Kiir .
According to his party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition , Machar, his wife, and two bodyguards are being held at home on suspicion of involvement in the recent clashes between the army and the White Army militia in Nasir, Upper Nile State.
On the day of Machar's arrest, artillery fire had been fired in the area around the capital, Juba. The high tensions of recent days have prompted several embassies in Juba to ask their citizens to leave South Sudan , while calls are multiplying for a peaceful solution to the crisis that threatens to plunge the country back into civil war.
"This is not the time for senseless wars; instead, politicians must foster an atmosphere of unity and engage in peace dialogues to address the challenges faced by the public," said the Bishop of Wau, Matthew Remijio Adam Gbitiku.
The Council of Evangelical Churches of South Sudan is calling for " an impartial investigation into the root causes of these conflicts. If anyone is found guilty should be taken to court for justice."
The CEOFSS also expresses "concern about the presence of foreign forces in South Sudan and encourage the resolution of security concerns through diplomatic engagement, ensuring that national sovereignty and stability are upheld." In addition to the political disputes between the two "strongmen" who have been competing for power since the country's independence , South Sudan is torn by communal and tribal conflicts that contribute to the country's insecurity. In this context, the CEOFSS points out that "intercommunal violence remains a pressing problem, including cattle thefts in the states of Warrap and Jonglei, and clashes between farmers and herders in parts of Equatoria."

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Father John Ubaechu, kidnapped on Sunday 23 March, has been released

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 11:35:06 +0100

Abuja - Nigerian priest John Ubaechu, kidnapped on Sunday, March 23, has been released . This was announced yesterday, March 26, by the Archdiocese of Owerri in a statement signed by the Chancellor and Secretary of the Archdiocese, Father Patrick C. Mbarah. " I am directed to inform you that our priest, Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu who was kidnapped on Sunday, 23 March, 2025 has been released. He regained his freedom from his abductors today, 26 March, 2025," the statement reads.
"We thank God for his infinite mercy and for answering our prayers. We appreciate your fraternal solidarity and prayers. To God be the Glory," the statement concludes.
Father John Ubaechu, parish priest of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Izombe, was kidnapped on Sunday evening, March 23, on Ejemekwuru Road in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, southern Nigeria, while on his way to the annual priestly retreat.

GENERAL AUDIENCE - The Pope: "mission springs precisely from the experience of feeling loved"

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:11:45 +0100

Vatican City – "To go and proclaim the Gospel, we first need to set down the burden of our history at the feet of the Lord, to consign to Him the weight of our past. Only reconciled people can bring the Gospel." This is what can be read in the text of the catechesis of the general audience that the Pope, back in the Vatican three days ago after more than a month of hospitalization for bilateral pneumonia, was due to deliver today.

Continuing the cycle of catecheses dedicated to the life of Jesus, read in light of the theme of the Jubilee, the Pontiff continues his analysis of the encounters Jesus took place along the way, focusing today on the encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. This, the Pope emphasizes, is one of those moments "in which it seems that He is in fact waiting right there, at that crossroads in our life. They are encounters that surprise us, and at the beginning we are perhaps even a little diffident; we try to be prudent and to understand what is happening," as happened with the Samaritan woman.

She, the Bishop of Rome emphasizes, "did not expect to find a man at the well at noon; indeed she hoped to find no one at all. In Perhaps this woman is ashamed of her life, perhaps she has felt judged, condemned, not understood, and for this reason she has isolated herself, she has broken off relations with everyone." At the same time, Jesus, who "could have chosen another road and not pass through Samaria," and "it would also have been safer, given the tense relations between the Jews and the Samaritans. Instead, He wants to pass through there, and stops at that very well, right at that time! Jesus waits for us and lets Himself be found precisely when we think that there is no hope left for us."

The place of the encounter is also significant: "The well, in the ancient Middle East, is a place of encounter, where at times marriages are arranged; it is a place of betrothal. Jesus wants to help this woman understand where to find the true answer to her desire to be loved."

And "if Nicodemus had gone to Jesus at night, here Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at midday" because "it is the time when there is most light. It is indeed a moment of revelation. Jesus makes Himself known to her as the Messiah and also sheds light on His life." "When she realizes that Jesus knows her life, the woman shifts the conversion to the religious question that divided Jews and Samaritans. This happens sometimes to us too when we pray: at the moment in which God is touching our life, with its problems, we lose ourselves at times in reflections that give us the illusion of a successful prayer. In reality, we have raised barriers of protection. However, the Lord is always greater, and to that Samaritan woman, to whom according to cultural precepts He should not even have spoken, He gives the highest revelation: He speaks to her of the Father, who is to be adored in spirit and truth. And when she, once again surprised, observes that on these things it is better to wait for the Messiah, He tells her: “I am he, the one who is speaking with you” . It is like a declaration of love: the One you are waiting for is Me; the One who can finally respond to your desire to be loved."

At that point "the woman runs to call the people of the village, because mission springs precisely from the experience of feeling loved. And what proclamation could she have brought, if not her experience of being understood, welcomed, forgiven? It is an image that should make us reflect on our search for new ways to evangelize". For her, "the past is no longer a burden; she is reconciled. And it is like this for us too", the Pope concludes.

ASIA/CHINA - Four new priests ordained in Ningbo on the Feast of the Annunciation

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:48:22 +0100

Ningbo – The Diocese of Ningbo, in the Chinese province of Zhejiang, celebrated the ordination of four new priests on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. The diocesan priests, according to the diocesan website, then concelebrated the liturgy with Bishop Francis Xavier Jin Yangke, Ordinary Bishop of the diocese, in the Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.

The ecclesial communities of the four deaneries, together with friends and family, accompanied the vocational journey of the new priests. Three of them graduated from the Major Seminary of Hebei and one from that of Shenyang, completing their missionary and pastoral formation in various parishes in the diocese.

The ecclesial community of the Diocese of Ningbo is experiencing a flourishing of vocations, with several priestly ordinations and religious professions recorded each year.
The Sisters of the Congregation of the Daughters of Purgatory, composed of about fifty nuns, also receive numerous vocations annually. The diocese is divided into four deaneries, with 12 parishes and 106 churches and chapels. Historically, the ecclesial community of Ningbo is linked to the missionary work of the Lazarist Fathers and, earlier, between the 17th and 18th centuries, to the mission of Jesuits such as Martino Martini, Lodovico Buglio, Joao Monteiro, Rodrigue de Figueredo, Antoine de Gouvea, and Jean Alexis de Gollet. The Apostolic Vicariate of Ningbo was established in 1924 and entrusted to Paul Marie Reynaud CM, and elevated to a diocese in 1926, the year in which the first six Chinese bishops were ordained.

Since the resumption of ecclesiastical activities in 1979, the diocese has prioritized the reopening of churches, the formation of priests and religious, and the application of the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. Located in a region of significant economic development, the Diocese of Ningbo stands out for its pastoral, cultural, and social activities. On May 24, 2024, the diocese hosted a conference commemorating the centenary of the Primum Concilium Sinense, the first council of the Church in China, held in Shanghai in 1924.

ASIA/JAPAN - Archbishop Nappa visits Nagasaki and Tokyo: safeguarding the memory of the Japanese martyrs

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:33:06 +0100

Tokyo - On Monday, Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Secretary of the Governorate of the Vatican City and former President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, began his visit to Nagasaki, Japan, at Nishizaka Hill, where Saint Paul Miki and his 25 companions were crucified in 1597 while guarding their village. It was a busy program, alternating visits to some important sites in the history of the Japanese Church with equally significant encounters. "In Nagasaki," said Father Marco Sungsu Kim, a collaborator of the the Dicastery for Evangelization , who accompanied Archbishop Emilio Nappa, "the delegation visited the new Cathedral, which houses some remains from the time of the atomic bombings, including the head of a statue of the Virgin Mary, and the Church of Oura, a so-called 'Minor Basilica' and co-cathedral of the Archdiocese of Nagasaki, where Christians who preserved their faith until the 19th century were rediscovered."
Archbishop Nappa's visit continued the following day in Tokyo with a visit to the Shinseikaikan Center, founded in 1934 by Father Iwashita as a student dormitory named after Saint Philip. It celebrated its 90th anniversary last year and is currently headed by the Auxiliary Bishop of Tokyo, Andrea Lembo.
Archbishop Nappa recalled how since its origins, this center offered not only food and shelter, but also an education based on the values of Catholicism, at a time marked by rampant militarism. "Given the current dominance of nationalism and the many global conflicts, the need for people educated according to these values is becoming ever greater," Archbishop Nappa said. "It is important to share material goods with the poor, because in this way we can give each other the necessities of life and preserve our fundamental dignity as human beings created in the image of God. However, we must not forget to share the richness of faith with the spiritually poor. I firmly believe that special attention must continue to be paid to this aspect of the commitment to Shinseikaikan."
Yesterday afternoon, at a meeting with catechists of the Archdiocese of Tokyo, Archbishop Nappa recalled that the Catholic Church in Japan, although a minority in the country, nevertheless has an extraordinary history and a centuries-old tradition of martyrdom, distinguished above all by keeping the faith alive during the long years of persecution. In this context, Archbishop Nappa referred to the numerous armed conflicts, particularly in Myanmar, and emphasized the special attention paid by the Archdiocese of Tokyo and the Japanese Church to these peoples. "As former President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, I would like to make a special request to you: Do not forget to teach the Church's social teaching, both through the catechesis you live in your lives and in the catechesis you address in the classrooms to catechumens and the faithful. Your witness helps us walk the path of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. It is an important message of great persuasive power," the Archbishop concluded. Archbishop Nappa noted the support the Pontifical Mission Societies provide to about 1,200 mission dioceses in Asia, Africa, and Oceania, including Japan, and invited participants to take advantage of the presence of Father Joseph Naoki Momma, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Japan, to learn more about opportunities to support the work of missionary priests and local priests in mission territories. From Japan, the former President of the Pontifical Mission Societies will travel to South Korea, where he will participate in the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Asian country.

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Bishop Kukah: "The democratization of development leads to the development of democracy"

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:11:25 +0100

Abuja - "Democracy is a progressive development. Democracy gives one the opportunity to prove one's failures and gives one a greater chance to correct past mistakes," said Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto in his speech at the conference to celebrate the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, former governor of Imo State, held in Abuja on March 24.
"The American constitution was first written in mind to protect the white property," Bishop Kukah explained, but over time, amendments were made that extended civil rights to the entire population.
Bishop Kukah further emphasized that Africans have inherited a system "that is not ours, but we can’t say it’s not relevant to us."
In this context, the Bishop of Sokoto asked whether there are "differences between democracy in Asia and that of Africa." The answer, he argued, lies in how well the democratic system succeeds in meeting the development needs of the population. "The democratization of development leads to the development of democracy," Bishop Kukah emphasized. "That is if you decide to equitably democratize development, and not take every institution, university, medical school whatever to your village and if all the roads are done". A practice often used by African leaders who favor their home regions at the expense of others. The Bishop emphasized that "if we do not have a mechanism by which we are measuring our growth, our chase for a democratic society becomes an empty chase."
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on the other hand, emphasized in his speech that "democracy in Africa has failed because it is not African." According to the former President, the democratic model imported from the West is in crisis because it is inconsistent with African values, culture, and ways of life. In this context, Obasanjo emphasized the need for an Africa-centric democratic system that truly benefits the people and not just a privileged elite: "Democracy is meant to be a system of government that delivers to all the people, not just a select few. But what do we have today? A government by a small number of people, for a small number of people, while the majority are deprived of their needs."

AFRICA/IVORY COAST - Bishops invite “to work together to ensure that the vote on October 31 takes place peacefully”

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:10:01 +0100

Abidjan - "Fair, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections." This is the wish of the bishops of Ivory Coast for the presidential elections on October 31.
" Ivory Coast is at a crucial turning point in its history. We therefore call for strengthening its ethical foundations and democratic legitimacy by deciding to politically include all candidates for a fair, transparent, and peaceful presidential election," said Marcellin Yao Kouadio, President of the Bishops' Conference of Ivory Coast and Bishop of Daloa, at a press conference on March 24.
The bishops called on the authorities in Abidjan to ensure a peaceful climate and an electoral process without the exclusion of any candidate. This was a clear reference to the exclusion of Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and Guillaume Soro from the recently published electoral list. Giving all candidates a chance to be elected is all the more necessary and "urgent given that national reconciliation represents a real challenge." "Despite the government's considerable efforts, some projects initiated for this purpose have remained like unfinished symphonies," noted Bishop Marcellin Yao Kouadio. The bishops appealed to the Independent Electoral Commission to guarantee the transparency of the electoral process from beginning to end and to work for a climate of trust between political parties and citizens that ensures dialogue and fairness.
Addressing the political parties, the President of the Bishops' Conference called on them to work for national unity and put the common interest first. The media and social networks should disseminate "verified and balanced" information and refrain from any form of incitement to hatred and division. The same appeal was addressed to young people and the defense and security forces, so that they do not allow themselves to be manipulated by political actors and demonstrate professionalism and neutrality in safeguarding the electoral process.

ASIA/MYANMAR - Bishop Sumlut Gam: Cathedral in Banmaw "miraculously remains standing" after the fire

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:01:42 +0100

Banmaw - The majestic building of Banmaw Cathedral, in Kachin State, northern Burma, set on fire in recent days by the Burmese army “is still there, miraculously standing,” the Bishop of Banmaw, Raymond Sumlut Gam, told Fides, moved and surprised. "We will continue to investigate to better understand the situation there," he added, but it is currently impossible to visit the area for an inspection because it is a war zone, where fighting is raging between the Myanmar regular army and the Kachin Independence Army , the army of the Kachin ethnic minority who, in the state where they are the majority, have been demanding autonomy and self-determination for 60 years.
The KIA, like other ethnic militias, has joined the resistance struggle of the People’s Defense Forces, born in the aftermath of the 2021 coup, which is fighting the ruling military junta. In the photo sent to Fides by the bishop , we can see the cathedral. Although it bears clear signs of the fire that devastated its interior, it is still in place on its perimeter walls and covered by its roof, and is therefore not reduced to ruins, as feared.
In front of the cathedral, we can see the building of the former presbytery, burned and destroyed on February 26 . The bishop explains the context of these events: "Since the beginning of December last year, the area where our Catholic complex in Banmaw is located has been at the center of clashes between the army and the Kachin Independence Army . We, along with all the staff, religious, priests, and lay people, had to flee. At the end of February, the battle unfortunately took place within our very structures. The cathedral was set on fire on March 16, the eve of St. Patrick's Day," notes the bishop, perhaps because the military believed that Korean People's Army soldiers were hiding there. "While there is ash and rubble throughout the complex, and we are all truly in shock, we see the cathedral still there and it seems like a small miracle to us," he observes. All treaties and conventions affirm that, even in times of war, the protection of places of worship, religious structures, and areas that include historical and cultural heritage must be guaranteed. "But obviously, in our conflict, given the widespread destruction, rules are not being respected, acts of vandalism are being committed without hesitation," a Burmese priest tells Fides.
"Let us pray that our country may be freed as soon as possible from the evil desire for war," he notes.
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Banmaw was built by missionaries of the Society of St. Columban in 1958-1959 and consecrated in 1960. The missionaries of St. Columban arrived in Banmaw in the early 1930s, after the region had been evangelized a century earlier by priests of the Foreign Missions of paris , who remained there from 1856 to 1939.
Over the years, the priests and nuns of St. Columban preached the Gospel to the Kachin community, which was predominantly animist at the time, leading to thousands of baptisms and priestly and consecrated vocations. A baptized layman from the Diocese of Banmaw, currently in exile abroad, expresses his gratitude: “We thank God for these priests and religious, for their sacrifices and their apostolic mission. The cathedral building may be destroyed, but our faith and fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ will never be destroyed by fire or the fear instilled by violence.” The faithful recalls his faith journey with emotion: “I was baptized, received Communion, Confirmation… My faith has grown and matured in Banmaw. I have many fond memories of serving at the altar alongside missionaries such as the late Bishop Paul Grawng, Bishop Philip Ze Hawng, and Bishop Francis Daw Tang.” “Today we suffer to see our country torn apart by war, but we trust that one day we will be reunited with those who loved us and passed on the faith to us. We are eternally grateful to the priests and religious who have ‘finished their earthly mission’ and now rest in their heavenly home: the French priests like Bishop Ambrose Bigandet MEP, Father Charles Gilhodes MEP, and all the other Fathers of the Foreign Missions of Paris; the 38 Missionaries of St. Columban, like Bishop Patrick Usher, Bishop John Howe, Father Kellerher, Father Wade, Father James Cloonan, and so many other disciples of Christ. We would not be what we are today without the works of all these wonderful disciples of Christ. May their legacy of faith always flourish through us.”

AFRICA/NIGERIA - Two people involved in the kidnapping and murder of Father Sylvester Okechukwu have been arrested

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:35:56 +0100

Abuja - Two people suspected of being involved in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Father Sylvester Okechukwu, the priest kidnapped and murdered in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, have been arrested .
The arrests were carried out by troops of the special military unit "Operation Safe Haven" . According to a statement by OPSH spokesperson, Major Samson Zhakom, the suspects were arrested on March 24 following a raid on the hideout of the main suspect in a Ruga settlement in the Warsa-Piti community, in the Lere local government area of Kaduna State.
"During the preliminary investigation, the main suspect, a 33-year-old man, confessed that he had been hired by another person who lived in the same house as the slain priest to kidnap him," the military spokesperson said. "In a subsequent operation, security agents arrested the second suspect in Agwan Sarki, Tachira, in the Kaura Local Government Area. The suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation," he added. Father Sylvester Okechukwu, a priest of the Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, was kidnapped from his home in Tachira on the evening of March 4. His lifeless body was later found on March 5. The spokesperson added that investigations are ongoing to determine the whereabouts of other individuals involved in the crime.

ASIA/CHINA - Lent in Chinese Catholic communities: pilgrimages, vocational testimonies, and scrutiny for catechumens preparing to receive Baptism

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:04:26 +0100

Beijing – ‘Scrutiny’ for catechumens preparing to receive Baptism, along with pilgrimages, works of charity, and sharing: this is how many Chinese Catholic communities intensely experienced the third Sunday of Lent.
In Beijing, in the parish of the Miraculous Medal, also known as Xutang , the scrutiny of the thirty catechumens of the parish catechism course was celebrated.
Accompanied by their godparents, the catechumens received the anointing and recited prayers to "draw closer to the Lord and follow Him, resembling Him," as the parish priest, Fr. Paolo Feng Pengji, explained. In addition, two nuns from the Diocesan Congregation of Saint Joseph, who had professed their perpetual vows on the Solemnity of the Holy Spouse of Mary, shared their testimony of the birth of their vocation with the community. Young people from the same parish made a Lenten pilgrimage to the Beijing Diocesan Seminary. After visiting the church, library, classroom, and refectory, and listening to the vocational testimony of some of the seminarians, they celebrated the Stations of the Cross together.
In the Diocese of Shanghai, approximately 100 faithful received the sacrament of Confirmation on the third Sunday of Lent.
In the parish dedicated to Saint Joseph in Xinpudong, 35 adult faithful received Confirmation from Bishop Joseph Shen Bin. Another 60 parishioners from the Parish of the Annunciation received Confirmation in preparation for today's patronal feast, March 25.

ASIA/LAOS - A new Bishop for the small Church: the new Apostolic Vicar of Vientiane consecrated

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:09:56 +0100

Vientiane - The small but vibrant Catholic community of Laos has joyfully welcomed its new bishop. Msgr. Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong, a priest of the Apostolic Vicariate of Pakse, received episcopal ordination at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Vientiane, during a solemn Eucharist celebrated on March 25, 2025. His appointment as Apostolic Vicar of Vientiane was announced by Pope Francis in December 2024. The ceremony was attended by the prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia , gathered in the Laotian capital for their annual assembly.
Msgr. Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong, 61, succeeds Cardinal Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, who turned 80 in April 2024. Fr. Hongsaphong was a professor at the National Major Seminary of Thakeh and responsible for pastoral care in the 11 mission stations of the Apostolic Vicariate of Paksé, his hometown. Ordained a priest in 1994, he completed his studies at the University of Fribourg and the Pontifical Angelicum University in Rome. He carried out pastoral service in Thailand and then in 2005, he began contributing to the Laotian Catholic community by dedicating himself to the formation of young people at the Pastor Bonus preparatory seminary in Paksé.
Among the prelates from Cambodia, Jesuit Father Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, highlights “the great hope of the Church in Laos,” highlighting “the vitality of a small but vibrant ecclesial community.” Despite the government ban on the presence of foreign missionaries, the local Church shows signs of growth. Laos has 20 priests in total, but there is a flourishing vocational program that inspires confidence for the future: some 50 Laotian boys and young men are on their way to the priesthood .
The Lao People's Democratic Republic is a socialist state with 7.5 million inhabitants, a Buddhist majority. The Catholic Church in Laos originated within the Apostolic Vicariate of Eastern Siam and is currently organized into four apostolic vicariates: Vientiane, Pakse, Luang Prabang, and Savannakhet. Since the official recognition of the Church by the Lao Front for National Development in 1979, relations with the government have improved, particularly in terms of religious freedom, recognized in the 1991 Constitution, which allows four religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith. However, in some provinces, Christianity is still viewed as a "foreign faith."

AFRICA/SUDAN - South Sudan and Chad condemn war threats launched by a Sudanese general

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:52:05 +0100

Khartoum – Tensions are growing between South Sudan and Chad, on the one hand, and the Sudanese government of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on the other. The dispute erupted following statements by General Yasir Al-Atta, deputy commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, who, in an interview with Al Jazeera on March 23, 2025, stated that the airports of N'Djamena and Amdjarass, in Chad, are legitimate targets for Sudanese forces. Khartoum suspects that the United Arab Emirates is using these airports to supply the Rapid Support Forces , a Sudanese paramilitary group opposed to the national army .
In his statements, Al-Atta also issued threats against South Sudan, prompting an immediate reaction from both neighboring countries.
Chad and South Sudan reacted strongly to the Sudanese general's remarks. "The statements made on March 23, 2025, in which General Al-Atta declared the readiness of the Sudanese government and its armed forces to confront what he describes as 'traitors' within the Republic of South Sudan, are not only reckless and provocative, but also a flagrant violation of the principles of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and international law," reads a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Juba. "The Government of the Republic of South Sudan remains firmly committed to regional peace and stability and has consistently supported dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes," the statement continues.
The South Sudanese government has also reiterated its call for an immediate end to the devastating conflict in Sudan, which continues to force thousands of Sudanese citizens to flee beyond its borders in search of safety. “We urge the leaders of the Republic of Sudan to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful relations and to ensure that public statements by their officials reflect respect for international norms and the sovereignty of all nations,” the statement added. For its part, the Chadian government has responded with an even stronger condemnation. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, N'Djamena strongly rejected the Sudanese general's remarks, warning that they “could be interpreted as a declaration of war if put into practice.” “Such statements could lead to a dangerous escalation for the entire region,” the statement said. The Chadian government has been clear in its warning: “Chad reserves the legitimate right to respond firmly to any attempt at aggression against our country, regardless of its origin. If even a single square meter of our territory were threatened, Chad would respond in accordance with the principles of international law.” Despite the gravity of the situation, Chad reiterated its commitment to peace in Sudan, recalling that “the conflict in Sudan is an internal matter, the sole responsibility of the parties to the conflict.” Furthermore, it underscored its humanitarian role in the region: “Chad, faithful to its traditions of hospitality and solidarity, has welcomed and continues to welcome hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, which represents a considerable burden for our country and demonstrates our commitment to peace, solidarity, and regional stability,” the statement concludes.

AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - The Eparch of Adigrat: "We are trying to move forward as a Church in a context of total precariousness, with the risk of a new civil war"

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:43:36 +0100

Adigrat - The bloody civil war that ravaged Tigray between 2020 and 2022 is now compounded by an internal split within the Tigray People's Liberation Front , one of the two factions vying for control of the region. The fragile peace agreement signed in Pretoria in 2022 between the Addis Ababa government and representatives of the TPLF appears to have succumbed to a new wave of violence and disorder, with the growing risk of plunging northern Ethiopia back into civil war.

On March 11, the rebel faction took control of Adigrat, a town on the border with Eritrea, and subsequently captured Adi-Gudem, located near the regional capital, Macallé, thus escalating an internal conflict within a larger conflict. For weeks, various media outlets have reported the imminent possibility of a new outbreak of violence, this time with the direct involvement of Eritrea.

The bishop of the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat, Tesfaselassie Medhin, confirmed this situation to Fides. “Instability in our region continues to persist, tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are increasing, and the country could be engulfed in a very bloody confrontation. God forbid that the factions involved start a new war in Tigray, which has already suffered enormously.”

“In general, internal politics in Tigray are not good,” Medhin continues. “The division between local politicians and the sudden interruption of USAID funding are severely penalizing millions of people. The impact on programs for the poor run by NGOs, religious organizations, and government agencies is devastating, and there is no exit strategy. Even the Catholic Relief Services in Ethiopia - humanitarian agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops which provides emergency food aid, has seen its activities suspended. We have been informed that they will continue to operate with private funding, but only for smaller programs. We do not yet know what these will consist of,” explains the bishop.

“For the rest, in a context of great anguish and suffering for our people, we are trying to move forward as a Church, to give hope to the people and be a sign of hope for them. We try to be at their side and work for healing from the trauma of the bloody conflicts of which they have been victims,” notes Medhin.

The Eparch of Adigrat concludes his conversation with a thought for Pope Francis: “We pray for him. We are united in his suffering, but also in the joy that God has given us to have him as our pastor on the Chair of Peter.”