As the nation prepares for its first papal visit in nearly four decades, the dialogue about the interplay between faith and public policy is intensifying. The visit by Pope Francis on September 11–13 is eagerly anticipated, not only by the local Catholic community but also by the broader society, given its potential to influence discussions on a range of pressing issues, including social justice, family values, and education.
Catholic parliamentarian Alex Yam, known for integrating religious values into his political work, emphasized the importance of upholding the dignity of every individual. ”As Catholics, we are called to uphold the dignity of every person, no matter their circumstances in life, outlook, or sexual orientation, since we are all created in the image and likeness of God,” he said.
This message resonates as Singapore grapples with societal shifts such as rising divorce rates and declining birth rates, challenging traditional family structures.
Yam referenced the Church’s position as articulated by Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortations, Evangelii Gaudium and Amoris Laetitia. ”The sanctity of marriage and human sexuality is an area where the Holy Father has upheld traditional Catholic teaching,” he remarked. Yam stressed the need for policies that strengthen families, promote healthy relationships, and provide support for those in difficulty. He highlighted the Pope’s endorsement of an educational approach that emphasizes human values, solidarity, and respect for diversity, advocating for a holistic system that nurtures intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. ”This allows for more diversity and creativity in our society and economy, which, in turn, builds a more resilient workforce,” he said.
On economic disparities, Yam emphasized the Church’s commitment to the preferential ‘Option for the Poor’, a principle underpinning policies aimed at fostering a more equitable society. ”
Daily Archives: July 12, 2024
Report records 1,045 cases of violence against minorities in Bangladesh
Persecution of ethnic and religious minorities in Bangladesh continues unabated amid a lack of justice and impunity for perpetrators, a Bangladeshi minority forum says. The Muslim-majority Asian nation witnessed some 1,045 cases of human rights violations against minorities, according to the latest annual report of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC).
The interreligious forum’s findings are based on media reports from July 2023 to June 2024. During this period, 45 members of minority communities were murdered and there were 10 attempted murders and 36 death threats.
A total of 479 people were attacked, physically abused or injured, and 11 were victims of extorsion. The violence included 25 gang rapes, while 12 people were abducted, went missing or forced to convert. Eight were arrested on false charges of blasphemy.
The report also recorded 102 attacks, acts of vandalism, looting and arson against homes and businesses belonging to minority communities. According to the BHBCUC, 70-75 per cent of the violence is centred on land grabbing, often under the influence of political parties and with the complicity of government agencies. The findings reported 47 incidents of land and homestead encroachment and 45 cases of land occupation, eviction activities, and threats, as well as 11 threats or attempts of expulsion.
The parliamentary elections in January this year saw 32 incidents of communal violence while local elections reported five incidents of this kind. At the press conference presenting the report, BHBCUC secretary general Rana Dasgupta, a Supreme Court lawyer, affirmed that these incidents are part of organised violence. He noted that the influence of extremist groups is growing in all areas, including the government administration, politics, and society, making minority communities more insecure and distrustful, forcing many of their members leave the country.
11 Vietnamese Christians missing from detention amid religious freedom concerns
Eleven Vietnamese Christians, including five Catholics, are reportedly missing from detention, according to a recent report from International Christian Concern (ICC), a U.S.-based advocacy group. The ICC report, released on July 5, claims the missing individuals were sentenced between 2011 and 2016 to a combined total of 90 years and eight months in prison for their religious activities. Their current whereabouts are unknown. According to the report, the five missing Catholics — identified by the names of Runh, A Kuin, A Tik, Run, and Dinh Kuh — were allegedly accused of “undermining national unity policy” for their participation in the Ha Mon Catholic Church, which lacks government approval. The report also mentions six Protestant detainees among the missing, including four who were allegedly accused of involvement with Degar Protestantism, a movement not recognized by Vietnam’s government.
Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisconsin, commented on religious persecution in Vietnam in 2022, stating: “The United States has a role as a leader to promote and defend religious liberty on the world stage, and that starts with denouncing the Vietnamese government for its track record of religious persecution.”
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)has consistently raised concerns about religious freedom in Vietnam. In its 2024 report, USCIRF recommended that Vietnam be designated a “country of particular concern” for its violations of religious freedom. A 2019 USCIRF report noted that Vietnam’s Law on Belief and Religion, which went into effect in 2018, has been problematic in its implementation.
Historic Cathedral in the Philippines Designated as National Shrine
In a significant and symbolic gesture, the 17th-century Cathedral of Maasin in Southern Leyte has been declared a national shrine. This announcement, celebrated by the local Catholic community, underscores the cathedral’s importance as a centre for devotion and pilgrimage. Monsignor Oscar Cadayona, the vicar general of the Diocese of Maasin, expressed that this designation signifies a profound blessing for the faithful devotees of Nuestra Amada Señora de la Asunción (Our Beloved Lady of the Assumption). “This honour is a testament to the divine grace bestowed upon our community,” Cadayona shared with UCA News. As a national shrine, the Cathedral of Maasin, now officially known as the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Assumption, will be under the over-sight of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). This prestigious recognition marks it as the first national shrine in the Eastern Visayas region, which encompasses six provinces and a predominantly Catholic population of around four million people. The announcement was made during the 128th plenary session of the CBCP in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, on July 6, 2024. The CBCP acknowledged the cathedral as a pivotal site for religious devotion and pilgrimage. “We look forward to welcoming pilgrims from across the Philippines,” Cadayona added. Mayor Nacional Mercado of Maasin City hailed the declaration, noting that it transforms Maasin into the pilgrimage capital of Eastern Visayas. “Our city is immensely honoured and blessed by this recognition,” Mercado stated on July 7.
Holy See encourages Catholics in Philippines to ‘listen to their pastors’ on divorce bill
Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Gallagher said the Holy See would encourage Catholics, particularly political leaders, in the Philippines to “listen to their pastors” regarding the latest divorce bill, which passed the country’s lower house of government in May.
At a press briefing held, during his visit to the southeast Asian nation from July 1-5, Gallagher addressed the topic of the Absolute Divorce bill, which passed the Philippines’ House of Representatives on May 22 with 131 votes in favour of the bill. One hundred and nine members of the house voted against the bill and another 20 declined to vote.
“And at the pastoral level, the question is within the competence of the bishops’ conference of the Philippines and the individual bishops,” he said. “I would presume, because it is an important issue, that they will be discussing it. So we [the Holy See] will look forward to hearing from the bishops on this in a matter which is principally of their concern.”
Since May, Filipino bishops and priests have been active in addressing the issues seen as grounds for “absolute divorce” including violence, drug addiction, and alcoholism.
Emphasis on women and accountability in document for second Synod session
How to be a missionary synodal Church? That’s the question at the heart of the Instrumentum laboris (IL) for the upcoming session of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place from October 2 to 27. It will be the second session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly, following the one in 2023. The IL – published on July 9, and presented at the Holy See Press Office – does not offer any “pre-packaged answers” but rather “indications and proposals”.
These regard how the Church, as a whole, can respond “to the need to be ‘synodal in mission.’” That is, to be a Church closer to people, less bureaucratic, where all the baptized are – within their different ministries and roles – co-responsible and participants in its life.
The document is structured in five sections: introduction, foundations, and three central parts. The introduction recalls the journey traveled so far and highlights the milestones already reached, such as the widespread use of the synodal methodology of the Spiritual Conversation. The foundations (nn. 1-18) then dwell on the understanding of synodality, seen as a path of conversion and reform. In a world marked by divisions and conflicts, it is emphasized, the Church is called to be a sign of unity, an instrument of reconciliation and listening for all, especially for the poor, the marginalized, and the minorities excluded from power. The foundations also give ample space (nn. 13-18) to reflection on the role of women in all areas of the Church’s life, highlighting “the need to give fuller recognition” to their charisms and vocation.” God chose women as the first witnesses and heralds of the Resurrection,” recalls the IL; therefore, “by virtue of Baptism, they enjoy full equality, receive the same outpouring of gifts from the Spirit, and are called to the service of Christ’s mission..”
In some cultures, the IL notes, “the presence of machismo remains strong”; therefore, the second synodal session calls for “a wider participation of women in the processes of ecclesial discernment and all stages of decision-making processes” along with “wider access to positions of responsibility in Dioceses and ecclesiastical institutions,” as well as in seminaries, institutes, theological faculties, and “an increase in the number of women judges in all canonical processes.” The suggestions also concern consecrated women.
World Religions Sign Pope’s Appeal for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Japan
Eleven World Religions, six-teen new signatories, thirteen nations in attendance, more than 150 participants: these are some of the numbers of AI Ethics for Peace, the historic multi religious event held in Hiroshima, Japan, on July 9th and 10th. The event was greeted by Pope Francis with a dedicated tweet and a message, which read, “Recognizing the contribution of the cultural riches of peoples and religions in the regulation of artificial intelligence is key to the success of your commitment to the wise management of technological innovation.”
July 10th, religious leaders representing various faiths of the Eastern world (such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Bahá’í and many other), accompanied by leaders of the Abrahamic religions (Christians, Jews and Mu-slims), signed the Rome Call for AI Ethics in the evocative venue of Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park. The new signatories, in the presence of top representatives of the Japanese Government and of big tech Microsoft, IBM and Cisco, signed the Call which urges the application, in the field of AI, of algorethics, i.e., ethics by design.
Nigeria: Catholic priest freed after two weeks in captivity
Nigerian priest Mikah Suleiman was released on Sunday night, July 7, after more than two weeks in captivity. The parish priest of St Raymond’s Catholic Church, in Damba, Zamfara State, had been abducted from his presbytery in Sokoto Diocese, north-west Nigeria, in the early hours of Saturday, 22nd June. In the days that followed, fears for his safety grew, especially after a video was released, in which the captive priest warned of threats to kill him. Announcing his release, Bishop Matthew Kukah of Sokoto thanked Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for praying for Father Suleiman’s safety: “Thank you so much [to] the entire ACN family. Your love and support mean so much.” Speaking in a video message shared on Facebook yesterday, Father Suleiman stated he was in good health adding: “I want to thank you for your prayers and your support towards my rescue. “By the grace of God, I am out of the hands of the bandits. Thank you very much.” Sokoto Diocese communications director Father Pascal Salifu said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for his protection and to everyone who offered prayers and support during this challenging time.” He added: “Our thanks also go to the authorities and all involved in securing Father Mikah’s release.” About 10 days ago, a video message was released in which Father Suleiman stated: “[The bandits] told me that killing a person is not difficult for them.” He added: “Please save my life in the name of God. Look at my head, look at my legs. I was tied to a [rope] and I am the only one in this place. Normally, if they kidnap somebody, they don’t waste time.”
Pope Francis Decries Israeli Bombing of Catholic School in Gaza
In a press release issued by the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis expressed his pain over the recent bombings by Israel and Russia against innocent people. Israel attacked a Catholic school in Gaza and Russia attacked two medical centres in Kiev, one of them a children’s hospital. “With great sorrow the Holy Father has learnt the news of the attacks against two medical centres in Kiev, among them, the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine, as well as against a school in Gaza,” stated the press release, adding that “The Pope expresses his profound shock over the escalation of violence. At the same time, he expresses his closeness to the victims and the innocent wounded; he hopes and prays that soon concrete ways will be identified to put an end to the conflicts underway.” The Israeli attack against the Catholic school in Gaza, where previously the same Army killed innocents, occurred on Sunday, July 7, leaving four people dead. The Israeli Army attacked two classrooms on the ground floor, places where entire families are sheltered. The Israeli Government said the building was being used as a hiding place and housed a weapons manufacturing plant, something yet unproven. Up to now, the number of killings committed by the Israeli Government surpasses 35,000.
Pope will find ‘strong and multicultural’ Church in Papua New Guinea
“Pope Francis will find a Church with a strong practice of faith, but in the style of Papua New Guinea. These are very ancient peoples with very ancient traditions. For them, the Pope’s presence is a confirmation of their journey as a Church, as the people of God.” Fr. Mario Abzalón Alvarado Tovar, Superior General of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), offered that assessment in an interview with Vatican News ahead of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, which will include a stop in PNG on September 6-9.
The Guatemalan-born missionary describes Papua New Guinea as a multicultural world and the Church there as multi-coloured, multilingual, and multi-ethnic in every sense. “There is a saying that describes Papua New Guinea,” Father Alvarado said, “as ‘the land of the unexpected’.” It is a country with a very ancient cultural tradition but with a way of life very different from the Western world. “Pope Francis will find a Church with a strong practice of faith, but in the style of Papua New Guinea, of the islands of New Guinea, of the mainland, of the highlands, and of the coastal areas,” he said. “These are very ancient peoples with very ancient traditions. We need to change the SIM card in our heads when we arrive in Papua New Guinea.”
Referring to the ecclesial reality that Pope Francis will encounter in Papua New Guinea, Father Alvarado indicated that it is a Church with many rituals and dances, born from a rural world of jungle, rivers, fishing, and hunting.
“We missionaries have a province with more than 115 missionaries, all natives, and there are several congregations in the Church of Papua New Guinea. It is a very simple people in that sense, but very multicultural, multilingual, multi-coloured. It is difficult to describe in words, but there is a rhythm of time where what we say in the missions becomes evident: the people have the time, and we have the clocks. For them, time is always present. That is the great people of New Guinea.”