The Churas of Pakistan: Alienated in Their Own Homeland
- Details
- Hits: 2284
Every early morning you find her there.
Day in, day out – Kiran Masih broom in hand is sweeping across Ayub Market, in F- 8 Markaz Islamabad.
The dust settles on her tired face with wrinkles and those sturdy callused hands, all while she shrugs off and brings back the dupatta to cover her hair.
From indifference to mercy, which commitment?
- Details
- Hits: 2322
Why this title?
Before Easter time 2015, Pope Francis was pointing out that one the most pressing challenge is to address the "globalization of indifference", the selfish and indifferent attitude towards the suffering of others that has achieved a global dimension. Some months later the Pope was announcing 2016 as the year of the mercy, that it may be considered as a response to this human indifference attitude. It’s about to recover the gratuity and goodness, the human link with the other human, the only way to have a fuller sense of human and divine world. However, this transformation process from the indifference to the mercy requires commitment, which one?
CPNZ Harare Activity report
- Details
- Hits: 2225
Description of the organisation
The CPNZ was launched in October 2011 with the blessings of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference. The organisation was commissioned to harness the professional and intellectual talents of Catholics in service to the Church in Zimbabwe. Amongst their obligations and objectives, members of the CPNZ are charged with carrying out critical analysis and discernment of dominant thoughts, ideologies and cultures from a Catholic perspective, and to be committed to building a culture of Justice and Peace, and the protection of vulnerable groups, as well as safeguarding of Human and People's rights.
Riace Italy: win-win with migrants
- Details
- Hits: 2770
It was a special day in Riace, a small village in Calabria, in southern Italy, as residents recently celebrated Saints Cosmas and Damian — doctors of the poor, patrons of Riace and of gypsies.
There was also a special guest joining the mayor to open the ceremony: 9-year-old Even, who had arrived from Ethiopia just three days before.
“Saint Cosmas and Saint Damian came from Syria. Today Syria is in many ways at the centre of the world’s problems; there’s an exodus that’s unprecedented in the history of mankind. Today, in Riace, we have a child as a symbol of hope, of a new life, to which all humans are entitled,” Domenico Lucano, Mayor of Riace, said during the celebrations.
What means evangelization for me?
- Details
- Hits: 2888
During the Iscam meeting (International Catholic Action Movements April 2016) we shared definitions of Evangelization , according to the charisms of the different movements:
1 Evangelizing is to account for what has pushed us to act in order to make situations more human.
2 Evangelisation is faith in God which leads to personal transformation and a conviction to reach out to others.
3 Evangelisation enables personal, environmental and structural transformation
4 Evangelisation is a prophetic act of humanity with solidarity, which opens the future.
The first true Vatican II pontiff
- Details
- Hits: 2390
The Second Manchester Newman Lecture was given by Paul Vallely in a talk entitled Pope Francis-reform and resistance. An audience of about 60 enjoyed a superb lecture at the Friends Meeting House, Manchester. Paul Vallely outlined the opposition to actions and writings of Pope Francis. Critics called Evangelii Gaudium Marxist for its critique of capitalism and they told him to stop meddling with science when his landmark eco-encyclical Laudato Si’ was published. With the two synods on the family and the publication of Amoris Laetitia, Paul claimed that these actions amount to the first practical application of the Second Vatican Council’s call for a return to a more collegial church. This Pope is no longer monarch but a bishop among bishops. As primus inter pares he does not judge (or fudge) but rather is content to nudge. With this document Francis has shown himself to be the first true Vatican II pontiff.
Jesuits Discuss Christology in Bangalore
- Details
- Hits: 2620
Twenty-seven South Asian Jesuit theologians met at Ashirvad, Bangalore for the First Seminar of the South Asian Jesuit Theologians’ Forum from 23rd to 25th April 2016. They explored “South Asian (Indian) Christology” in the three day seminar. P.R. John SJ, professor of Systematic Theology at Vidyajyoti, the convener of the forum, organized this seminar.
The key to the dynamics of the Seminar can be traced to the First South Asian Jesuit Theologians’ Colloquium that was convened by Father Michael Amaladoss in Delhi, 2014. The participants of this Colloquium recognized that the pivotal aspect of their mission as Jesuit theologians was the quest to facilitate Christians as well as peoples of other religious faiths and traditions in the nourishment of their faith. In other words, they sought a context-oriented theology.
Strange Culture we are living IN!
- Details
- Hits: 2150
Our Culture allows women to practice prostitution, but it’s difficult to allow her to practice profession Like Lawyer, Doctor, and teacher. Girls Schools are being destroyed by the extremist, but prefer to look for the female doctors for maternal issues for wives. People appreciate to have female partner and get married to but always keeping the desire of having a baby Boy standing at the front of the delivery room. Is it STRANGE?
Open letter to Polish Bishop Conference
- Details
- Hits: 2829
ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES TO POLAND’S ABORTION LAWS
We, the undersigned, are Catholics who respect the Church’s moral stance against abortion. We are writing to you with a request to engage in dialogue and reflection about the possible consequences of criminalizing abortion in Poland.
We uphold the sanctity of all human life, including the right to life of women and their unborn children. However, we also acknowledge that sometimes women and girls face agonizing decisions about whether or not to continue with a pregnancy that is the consequence of an act of sexual violence; that poses a serious threat to their own health, or that would result in the birth of a profoundly disabled or terminally ill child. While we respect those who decide to continue with such a pregnancy, we do not believe that this decision can be imposed upon them through moral coercion, and far less through the force of law. In our view, the latter constitutes a violation of a woman’s freedom of conscience and personal dignity, and it runs counter to the Catholic tradition’s distinction between morality and legality. The law should not be used to control a person’s moral life, except when that person’s behaviour poses a threat to society.
Women Day and Religious Minorities of Pakistan
- Details
- Hits: 2128
Empowering Youth in Education and Skills (EYES) conducted the one day awareness seminar for women on the topic of “Women Protection Law & Status of Religious Minorities in Pakistan” with the religious minorities of Pakistan in Sahiwal on 23rd of March 2016 with collaboration of ICMICA, Active Youth Group, International Christian Concern and Servants of Christ (SOC). EYES is working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights
There were 40 Women and 10 Men from Muslim, Sikh, Baha’i and Christian faith. Seminar was led by Mr. Tariq Abi Nazr who is founder and president of SOC Int’l. Tariq said that rights of religious minorities often violated and the justice system also fails to protect them. In fact the presence of discriminatory laws in the constitution legitimize the victimization of religious minorities.
In Search of Justice For Sana Shahid
- Details
- Hits: 2401
In Pakistan, freedom of religion exists but only on paper because the number of incidents affecting religious minorities continues to rise like anything. Just take the case of Sana Shahid, a thirteen year old Christian girl that was abducted last year in November by some Muslim men.
Sana Shahid was targeted for abduction just because she was a member of a Christian family living in a Muslim majority neighborhood in Sialkot. Later, she emerged back into the scene with a Muslim identity and married to one of her kidnappers.
Europe, a continent without soul?
- Details
- Hits: 2717
The grief over the death of two of our fellow (italian) citizens in the confusing battlefield of Libya stoked again the fire of an internal political conflict that expands now without any verbal limits, and fueled a feeling of fear and closure inside our borders. Europe is falling apart, like a giant with clay feet, under the pressure of thousands of men, women, children coming from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and a lot of African countries. By now even the subtle (and often brutal) distinction between refugees and "economic migrants" is no more evoked, in front of the multitudes who camped inside controlled fences.
The Culture of Peace as a tool for dialogue
- Details
- Hits: 3047
Role of Art as an actor and a vehicle for peace
Art as a cultural and motivating expression of feelings, coming from the heart of the society is a powerful tool for the service of the common good welfare. Art has a social function beyond the aesthetic and it is a key element in the integral development of peoples. Art is a great tool to unite society, therefore education must take into account its potential to affirm cultural identity and createwellbeing, which are essential for a culture of peace.
The role of christians in today’s Europe
- Details
- Hits: 2855
The European Union was created as value-based. It was not in the first place an economic project. It was our answer to the cruelty and barbarism of World War II and all the preceding wars. The Union was based on reconciliation between nations and thus, on the restoration of human dignity, and the irreplaceable value of each human person. We renounced revenge. By dehumanizing others inexorably we are dehumanizing ourselves in a never-ending spiral of violence and hate. The EU stopped this fatal evolution.
Dialogue – a vital issue for the Church and for Europe
- Details
- Hits: 2457
In Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union undertakes to hold an “open, transparent and regular dialogue” with the churches and religious communities. This dialogue, carried out at various levels, also includes EuropeInfos. This publication puts forward comments with a Christian perspective on current issues of the European Union, proposed in the spirit of dialogue.
ISCAM meeting Rome 2016
- Details
- Hits: 2653
From Thursday April 28th to Saturday April 30th 2016. Istituto Madonna del Carmine, Via Doganale 1 - 00043 Ciampino
Context
History
Up to 2005 Iscam (International Specialized Catholic Action Movements) used to meet within the ICO conference. This organization was later dissolved, and the Pontifical Council for the Laity (PCFL) only supported ecclesial movements and new communities. In June 2013, Iscam decided to resume their cooperation. In September 2014, they prepared a project with PCFL participation. In January 2015, PCFL denied his participation but Iscam decided to keep on cooperating by organizing a meeting in Paris on 22-23 May 2015. The Rome meeting is the followup of this meeting.
Objectives of the cooperation between Iscam
- Make more visible our way of being Christians in the world, inspired by specialized Catholic Action.
- Challenge each other, to better face the current challenges that require creativity.
- Conduct activities that can hardly be implemented individually, for example, presence in International institutions, real estate management ...
CoE : Contribution by the Conference of INGOs to the Ministers’ Deputies’ thematic debate
- Details
- Hits: 2148
The Committee of Ministers held a thematic debate on “Rising extremism, radicalisation and xenophobia in the fight against terrorism: Building inclusive societies as a cure / The need for collective action” on 15 March 2016.
The Conference of INGOs submitted a written contribution to this debate in answering the following questions :
- What challenges are facing your NGO in its actions to impede extremism and xenophobia?
- Inclusion is now the focal point of the political agendas of international bodies, is this an opportunity for your NGO?
- Have you noticed, for example, that the actions of your NGO have been seen in a more favourable light by national and international donors?
22 INGOs sent their contributions and Anna Rurka, President of the Conference of INGOs, submitted them to the Committee of Ministers.
Anna RURKA's report hereafter :
Happy International Women's Day 2016
- Details
- Hits: 2014
On this women day. We might have heard of many messages and contribution of the males in empowering women. Many Qouted statements from the church leaders they are supporting women empowerment strongly. Meanwhile, condemning the women violation all over the world. But today I request dear males to peep inside the soul. Are they sure?? Just To peep inside the (church) rather than legislation. Laws and church are made to facilitate their people to share the love of God not to impose but to accept. Not to condemn but to forgive.
Fifth Anniversary of Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti’s Assassination
- Details
- Hits: 2231
On 2nd March 2011, Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minority affairs had been shot dead by armed militants in Islamabad. Shahbaz was shot dead at the I-8/3 area of Islamabad by three armed assailants who could not be unidentified. Reports had claimed that outlawed and banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed responsibility for the attack.
CoE :Recommendation & Guide lines of the Committee of Ministers (CM) to member States on HR
- Details
- Hits: 1705
During its 1249th meeting of last March 2nd, the CM adopted:
- Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)3 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on human rights and business (link)
- Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the protection and promotion of Human rights in culturally diverse societies (link)
They are particularly useful texts of which NGOs members of Pax Romana can take advantage in their own activities by insuring the follow-up of the effective implementation of these instruments by Member states.
If you have knowledge of breaches of these Recommendations and Guidelines do not hesitate to communicate them to me.
