For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A 15-Minute Read)
On World Refugee Day we are reminded of the plight of some many of our brothers and sisters around the world, who risk their lives to seek refuge and often find hostility instead. By Francesca Merlo
Every year thousands of refugees leave their homes and undergo dangerous journeys in search of safety. Every year thousands of refugees die in the process.
It is estimated that more than 120 million people have been forcibly displaced globally, by May 2024, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, and human rights violations.
Danielle Vella, from the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), has interviewed countless of them, seeking refuge in Europe.
“Why did you leave?”, she asks them. “The journey is so dangerous”.
Their answer is more or less always the same, she says: “I left because I had to”.
“One answer, in particular, really struck me”, she tells Vatican News: “Not for a better life... just life”.
Be Attentive To The Voice of Refugees
As we mark World Refugee Day on 20 June, Danielle Vella’s appeal is that we listen and be attentive to that message.
It’s 2024 and the numbers are increasing, “they're projected to reach one hundred and twenty million refugees this year” warns Vella. But before our attention is overwhelmed by that ginormous figure, she asks, “Let's turn it back to the reality that each one of those millions is a human being, with a unique story that's waiting to be noticed, and for their dignity and suffering and their hope to be respected”.
A Pope Who Advocates For The Rights of Refugees
Her message is similar to one we’ve heard many times before, from one of the world's biggest advocates for the rights of migrants and refugees: Pope Francis. This year, too, during his General Audience on the eve of World Migrants Day, the Holy Father appealed for Refugees around the world. He asked that this World Day be “an opportunity to turn an attentive and fraternal gaze to all those who are forced to flee their homes in search of peace and security.”
Two Words of This Appeal Stood Out to Danielle Vella: “Attentive And Fraternal”.
Be Attentive And Fraternal
“’ Attentive’ because World Refugee Day is an opportunity to stop and really think about people who are forced to leave all that is known and familiar to them because circumstances make it impossible for them to do anything else”.
And ‘fraternal’, she continues, because “this is what we believe in, right?” Vella makes it sound so obvious: “if we subscribe to catholic teachings on social justice, we believe that we are one human family, all children of God, and that we are bound by solidarity to be really responsible for all”.
The Murderous Mediterranean Route
She recalls Pope Francis’ visit to Lampedusa eleven years ago during which he asked: “Where is your brother? His blood cries out to me”.
This question, Vella notes, “is not directed to others. It's a question directed to me, to you, to all of us”.
It’s a question he posed in one of the most significant places when we talk about migrants and refugees. Lampedusa receives countless migrants each year as they take the perilous routes across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa...
...and people are drowning by the thousands in the Mediterranean Sea.
We Must Hold Our Governments Accountable
In 2023, 3,105 people are known to have lost their lives, or gone missing, in the Mediterranean while attempting to cross to reach European shores. “I believe we need to do more to hold our governments accountable for their part in this”. The problem, as Vella points out, does not only lie in the deaths of migrants as they try to reach Europe. Governments are responsible “for criminalising NGO rescue boats and not allowing them to disembark people they rescue at sea; for stopping maritime patrols that used to save thousands of lives; for fatefully delaying rescue boats; and for pushing refugees back”.
Having said this, Danielle Vella emphasises that she does not, in any way, want to downplay the EU naval operations that have rescued so many people over the years.
But turning migrants back is “not only about migrants drowning in the sea. It's also about being pushed back to places where they face cruelty, forced labour, trafficking… torture”. She speaks of the agreement with Libya which facilitates the pushback of refugees to Libya where, we all know, “they face horrendous treatment in detention centres”.
Stop With The Politics Of Fear
Sadly, in a world so ravaged by war, the number of refugees is destined to rise. On this World Refugee Day, we must think about what we, all, can do. Danielle Vella says we must stop the use of stereotypes. The dehumanising rhetoric which demonises refugees
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Safeguarding & Disability Conference: Injustice Affects All
Cardinal Pietro Parolin delivers a speech at the 4th International Safeguarding Conference on the prevention and protection against abuse in the Catholic Church, organized by the Institute of Anthropology at the Gregorian University in Rome.
Speaking at the 2024 International Safeguarding Conference, an annual event designed to help people work together to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, the Vatican Secretary of State noted that abuse is “an injustice that affects everyone, people with and without disabilities."
Cardinal Pietro Parolin delivered his speech at the start of the 18-21 June event, dedicated, in particular, to “Safeguarding and Disability”. The conference, at the Pontifical Gregorian University, was organized by the University’s Institute of Anthropology, founded in 2012 as a Center for the Protection of Minors.
A report by the World Health Organization estimates that 16% of the global population lives with “a significant disability, considering health, environmental, and personal conditions.” Thus, the programme of the conference, bringing together experts, both consecrated and lay, focuses on "the care of children and adults in the face of abuse, with particular attention to people with disabilities due to their greater vulnerability."
Overcoming Barriers And Discussing How To Combat Abuse
"About one in five people worldwide lives with some form of disability, and people with disabilities are more vulnerable to various types of abuse and physical and psychological violence," Cardinal Parolin said in his opening speech. "Here," he added, "we have the opportunity to overcome various barriers, meet, and discuss ways to combat abuse."
The cardinal noted that "in recent years, the international community has made significant progress in recognizing the rights of people with disabilities, but unfortunately, this has not yet happened worldwide." Therefore, it is necessary, he added, to make "a fairer and more attentive society flourish."
Preparing Church Leaders And Creating Networks
The conference included several sessions with the participation of the Deaf Catholic Youth Initiative for the Americas (DCYIA), a non-profit organization that supports the pastoral, cultural, and linguistic needs of deaf youth in the Americas. Three American Sign Language interpreters translated the presentations for the audience and assisted participants. Three other sessions were dedicated to the cultural approach to disability in different geographical and social contexts, the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in the life of the Church, and the difficulties that people with disabilities face in recognizing and reporting possible abuses.
The goal, conference promoters explained, is to create "a space for training and preparing Church leaders to address situations of abuse and violence against people with disabilities" and, at the same time, "provide a platform for learning, networking, and sharing best practices in the field of care, prevention, and follow-up for children and adults in situations of violence or abuse."
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Vatican Athletics To Compete In European Small States Championship
Atletica Vaticana will participate in the Championships of the Small States of Europe athletics competition. The relay baton has been blessed and signed by Pope Francis.
On Saturday, June 23, Athletica Vaticana (the Vatican Athletics team) will compete in the Championships of the Small States of Europe.
18 other small countries will compete in the event, which is being held in Gibraltar.
As a symbol of fraternity, they will bring a relay baton blessed and signed by Pope Francis.
The Vatican's sporting presence in Gibraltar, located on the Mediterranean, is particularly significant: the "Pope's team" is there to promote the messages of fraternity, inclusion, and peace in an area which the Pope has often described as a ‘cemetery’, due to the high numbers of migrants who die trying to reach Europe.
Participating Nations
Alongside the five Vatican athletes—Emiliano Morbidelli, Carlo Pellegrini, Rien Schuurhuis, Giuseppe Tetto, and Giuseppe Zapparata—athletes from Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, and San Marino will compete.
Among them are athletes who have participated in Olympic and World Championship finals.
This marks the third time Athletica Vaticana has participated in this European event, following editions in San Marino and Malta, where Sara Carnicelli achieved a "historic" third place in the 5000 meters.
Sports and Fraternity
Athletica Vaticana continues to promote its mission of fraternity on the international sports stage, alongside peoples who—both in and out of sports—do not often have significant exposure.
Their goal is to tangibly demonstrate the "culture of fraternity" and the "culture of encounter," building bridges of friendship and dialogue with all.
In an international context of tension and war, sports can be an opportunity for mutual understanding, breaking down prejudices and hostilities through dialogue between different cultures and religions.
Pope Francis reiterated this message recently in the preface of his book "Games of Peace: The Soul of the Olympics and Paralympics" (Vatican Publishing House), promoted by Athletica Vaticana.
Engagement With Local Community
In Gibraltar, following the example set by Pope Francis, the Vatican athletics team—which departed from Rome on the morning of Thursday, June 20—will engage with local social communities.
Specifically, they will offer an Italian dinner to people with intellectual disabilities and their families, part of the "Faith and Light" association.
There will also be a moment of fellowship with the Christian community of Gibraltar, which will host the team.
Accompanying the athletes will be some family members, as well as Vice President Valentina Giacometti, and Claudio Carmosino, who, after 40 years of experience with the Italian financial police’s sports group, now coordinates Athletica Vaticana's training sessions.
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Pope On AI: Welcome Its Benefits To Humanity, But Mitigate Its Risks
Pope Francis reaffirms that artificial intelligence must only be used to benefit humanity, as he thanks participants in the international convention on 'Generative Artificial Intelligence and Technocratic Paradigm,' organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Vatican Foundation. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Slightly more than a week after Pope Francis addressed the G7 Session in Bari, Italy, on artificial intelligence, the Holy Father is reaffirming that the powerful technological advancement must be used ethically, to serve humanity, and that its inherent risks must be mitigated.
The Holy Father's latest words on AI came during his audience on Saturday morning in the Vatican with participants in the international convention on 'Generative Artificial Intelligence and Technocratic Paradigm,' organized by the Vatican's Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice.
Must Remain Tool In Human Hands
In his remarks, the Pope thanked those before him for their commitment to exploring how AI can help promote human dignity and be at the service of the disadvantaged.
"I appreciate," he expressed, "that the Centesimus Annus has given ample space to this subject, involving scholars and experts from different countries and disciplines, analysing the opportunities and risks related to the development and use of AI."
The Pope likewise warned against the tool acting autonomously, stressing AI "is, and must remain a tool" in human hands.
Moreover, the Holy Father warned against artificial intelligence perpetrating a 'throwaway culture,' favouring inequality, and making decisions outside of its purview.
AI's Purpose Must Promote Human Dignity
As he encouraged them to continue examining the true purpose of AI, he asked: "Does it serve to satisfy the needs of humanity, to improve the well-being and integral development of people?" Or does it, rather, "serve to enrich and increase the already high power of the few technological giants despite the dangers to humanity?"
This, he said, is the basic question.
Since the future of humanity will be played out on the front of technological innovation, he stated, "We must not miss the opportunity to think and act in a new way, with mind, heart and hands," in order to "direct innovation toward a configuration centred on the primacy of human dignity."
This, he underscored, is not up for discussion.
Encouragement And A Provocation
As the Pope encouraged Centesimus Annus to "boldly continue" its commitment in this regard, he specifically applauded its having launched a second joint research project between the Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU), insisting: "Please keep me informed about this!"
Pope Francis concluded by offering what he described as "a provocation."
"Are we sure we want to continue to call 'intelligence' what intelligence is not?" he said. Insisting that we must think about this, he urged them to ask themselves "whether the misuse of this word, that is so important, and so human, is not already a surrender to technocratic power."
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Pope To Scientists: Harmonise Faith And Science In The Pursuit For Truth
Pope Francis urges scientists to harmonise faith and science in their pursuit of truth, emphasising that both stem from God's absolute truth and should serve humanity. By Francesca Merlo
Pope Francis on Thursday addressed Participants at the second conference of the Vatican Specola, which focused on the theme of “Black Holes, Gravitational Waves and Space-Time Singularities”.
The Holy Father warmly welcomed all those present by paying homage to Archbishop George Lemaître, to whom the scientists’ conference was dedicated.
Pope Francis noted that the scientific value of the Belgian priest and cosmologist has been recognised by the International Astronomical Union, which, he noted, “has decided that the well-known Hubble law should more properly be called the Hubble-Lemaître law”.
As the scientists gathered to debate “the latest questions posed by scientific research in cosmology”, Pope Francis assured them that “the Church is attentive to such research and promotes it, because it shakes the sensitivity and intelligence of the men and women of our time”.
He went on to highlight that the beginning of the universe, its ultimate evolution, and the profound structure of space and time “confront human beings with a frantic search for meaning, in a vast scenario where they risk losing themselves”. He noted that through psalms, amongst other things, it becomes clear that these themes have a particular relevance for theology, philosophy, science and also for the spiritual life.
An example of this was, in fact, George Lemaître, whom the Holy Father described as “an exemplary priest and scientist” whose “human and spiritual journey represents a model of life from which we can all learn” as he understood that “science and faith follow two different and parallel paths, between which there is no conflict”.
In fact, Pope Francis continued, “these paths can harmonise with each other, because both science and faith, for a believer, have the same matrix in the absolute Truth of God”.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Cardinal Parolin: Russia’s Absence At Summit For Peace in Ukraine A Limitation
On the sidelines of an event at the Italian Senate dedicated to peacemaking Cardinal Parolin comments on the high-level Conference for Peace in Ukraine that was held over the weekend. By Salvatore Cernuzio
Cardinal Parolin: Dialogue Is The Only Means To Achieve Peace
Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, upheld the high-level Conference for Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland over the weekend, describing it as “useful”, but with “the limitation, noted by many of the participants, of not having Russia’s presence.”
“Peace is always made together,” he said.
Cardinal Parolin was speaking on the sidelines of an event dedicated to peacebuilding at the Italian Summit on Wednesday, 19 June. His comments referred to the conference in Lucerne, Switzerland where he headed the Vatican delegation that was present as an observer.
Just Peace And The Principle Of Fraternity
"I heard from many – and I liked – that we are not at war with Russia, we are here to find a way to peace between Russia and Ukraine," the cardinal said, reiterating the importance of the adjective "just" associated with the word peace: "A just peace... that is based on the principles of international law and strict adherence to the UN Charter."
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ******
Reflections Of Three Women At The Centre Of C9 Meetings
The two-day work session of the Council of Cardinals that concluded on Tuesday focused on the role of women in the Church and on the issue of the protection of minors. Cardinals Ambongo and Gracias note the many opportunities for developing women's leadership in the Church. By Alessandro De Carolis
A reflection not 'on women' but 'with' women about their role in the Church marked the topic of reflection and discussions of the Council of Cardinals, especially on Monday during the first of the two-day work meeting that concluded on Tuesday, when a religious sister and two university professors gave a series of presentations for the Pope and the C9 Cardinals.
A Sister And Two Professors
The Holy See Press Office issued a communiqué late on Tuesday, 18 June, noting that the speakers were: Sister Linda Pocher, who introduced the addresses; Valentina Rotondi, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)in Lugano and a researcher at Nuffield College specialising in the social sciences at the University of Oxford and the NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience; and Donata Horak, professor of Canon Law at the Alberoni Theological Study in Piacenza, Italy, affiliated with the Pontifical Angelicum University.
The Guest Speakers
In her talk, the Vatican note reads, Professor Rotondi "highlighted a vision of the economy as care and good management in the context of a profound intergenerational relationship," while for her part Donata Horak pointed out "various antinomies, such as justice and mercy, consultative power and deliberative power, hierarchical principle and ecclesiology of communion, democratisation and monarchical model, in the context of a broader reflection on Canon Law."
Cardinal Ambongo: Valuing Motherhood In The Church
The speeches also brought about input from the Cardinals present and two of them, at the conclusion of the C9 meeting, shared with Vatican media ideas that emerged on the topic during the meeting. The Cardinal Archbishop of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, recalled how yesterday marked the fourth time a discussion on the role of women in the Church had taken place. "Here in the churches more than half of the people who participate in the celebrations are women," but when we see the responsibilities they hold, "they are few," he noted. After all these meetings, he said it had become clear to us that these responsibilities must grow, but, he points out, not in a "militant" sense but solely because, as the Pope says, "the Church is a woman" and there is a "motherhood" that must be valued in the Church community.
Cardinal Gracias: Women's Leadership In The Church
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bombay, agreed on the importance of a role that needs to be increased. "I come from India and in some areas women have little importance, they are 'second class', and for this reason the Church is working" to give them "the right position in the family, in society, in politics." In the Church, in Canon Law itself "there are many possibilities" for a women's leadership profile
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pope Says He Keeps Slain Ukrainian Soldier's Bible On His Desk
During his weekly General Audience, the Pope says that he keeps on his desk a Bible that belonged to a Ukrainian soldier killed in the country’s war with Russia. By Joseph Tulloch
In the middle of his Wednesday catechesis – which this week was devoted to the Psalms – Pope Francis laid aside his prepared remarks and spoke off-the-cuff.
“I have on my desk a Ukrainian edition of this New Testament and Psalms”, he said, “from a soldier who died in the war. It was sent to me. He prayed at the front with this book.”
The Pope was referring to 23 year-old Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr, whose rosary and Bible he received several months ago.
Oleksandr's Bible
At the General Audience of April 3rd of this year, the Pope had held up the items and showed them to those gathered in St Peter's Square.
“I am holding in my hands a rosary and a copy of the New Testament left behind by a soldier who died in the war,” he said. “This young man was named Oleksandr — Alexander — and he was 23 years old.”
“Alexander read the New Testament and the Psalms,” the Pope added, “and in the Book of Psalms, he had underlined Psalm 130: 'Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!'.”
“This 23-year-old young man died in Avdiïvka,” said the Pope. “He had his life ahead of him. And this is his rosary and his New Testament, which he read and [with which he] prayed.”
“I would like all of us to take a moment of silence, to think about this young man and many others like him who have died in this madness of war. War always destroys!"
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC News
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE
Praying the Luminous Mysteries, hearing the Word of God proclaimed, and following behind a monstrance holding Jesus Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament, more than 1,200 faithful took to the streets of NE Washington to celebrate the arrival of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in the #WashArchdiocese with prayers, songs and a procession.
Read the full article HERE!:
https://www.cathstan.org/faith/in-nations-... ********
[On] #WorldRefugeeDay, we pray[ed] for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are faced with the challenges of fleeing their homes and creating new lives in new places.
Visit our site[s] to find resources and information about advocacy at: bit.ly/44oAxnW and
https://justiceforimmigrants.org/?fbclid=I...
Posted By: agnes levine
Sunday, June 23rd 2024 at 3:14PM
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