Christ’s cross is a powerful symbol of God’s love for humanity and not just a decoration or trinket, Pope Francis has said.
The Australian office of the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has launched a national emergency appeal for Lebanon, requesting prayers for victims and their families, and raising funds in the wake of the deadly explosion in Beirut on the 4th of August, which has killed at least 135 people, injured 5000 and decimated the capital city.
Since many of the celebrations of the Our Lady of Loreto jubilee year were grounded because of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has extended the celebration to December 2021.
Caritas Australia has this week provided an initial $50,000 in crucial emergency relief as part of its Middle East Regional Appeal.
Everyone, including the Pope, experiences trials that can shake his or her faith; the key to survival is to call out to the Lord for help, Pope Francis said.
Hospitals in the Lebanese capital are overwhelmed with those suffering injuries from a massive explosion in Beirut’s port, causing widespread damage the city and rocking the tiny Mediterranean nation already devastated by the coronavirus and its worst financial crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war.
The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has last week released a 17-page document offering a step-by-step guide for how bishops, religious superiors and canon lawyers are supposed to handle accusations of alleged abuse by clerics against minors.