A day after appealing for an end the violent persecution of the Rohingya people, a Muslim minority in Myanmar, the Vatican announced Pope Francis will visit the country in late November. After his visit from 27 to 30 November to the cities of Yangon and Naypyitaw in Myanmar, the Pope will travel on to Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 30 November to 2 December, the Vatican said in a statement on 28 August. By Junno Arocho Esteves.
The eRecord this week recounts the life and priestly vocation of an extraordinary man and priest. One who, upon his retirement after 51 years of service, received both an Apostolic Blessing and the Papal Award ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ (For Church and Pope) from Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.
Sincere but less than slick, the low-key, fact-based drama All Saints celebrates Christian faith and family life. Believers, accordingly will likely be inclined to overlook its artistic shortcomings. The story is about the titular Episcopal Parish in Smyrna, Tennessee. With its dwindling congregation down to a mere dozen, the church appears to have no future. By John Mulderig.
Although the Church is built upon a strong foundation, it is always in need of being reformed and repaired, Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square, before reciting the Angelus prayer on 27 August. “Even with us today, Jesus wants to continue building his church, this house with solid foundations yet where cracks aren’t lacking and which still needs to be repaired.” By Junno Arocho Esteves.
Pope Francis has this week urged young Brazilian Catholics to follow the example of Mary by courageously setting out to improve their society with love for the poor and a commitment to make real connections with other people.
Pope Francis has last weekend called on Muslims and Jews in the Holy Land to “moderation and dialogue” as tensions continued around a key site in Jerusalem that is sacred to members of both faiths.
“Jesus doesn’t draw people to him by conquering them but by giving himself, like a sower, spreading with patience and generosity his word, which isn’t a cage or a trap, but a seed that can bear fruit if people welcome it,” the Holy Father said.
20 million people are currently on the threshold of famine in seven countries in East Africa and Yemen. This major crisis has been driven by droughts, climate change, inflation and ongoing conflict in some countries.
Former Irish soccer pro Philip Mulryne was last weekend ordained a priest of the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans.