A Catholic Archbishop in the Philippines has been named a “hero for the environment” for his strong advocacy against mining, especially in the northern part of the country.

The Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan award was given to Archbishop Sergio Utleg of Tuguegarao for his “exemplary deeds and initiatives” to advance environmental protection. The award is given to those who “serve as an example” in protecting the environment by activist groups led by the Centre for Environmental Concerns. “We honour the efforts of extraordinary environmental defenders who are fighting through various forms and capacities,” said Owen Migraso, executive director of the organization.

The award recognized Archbishop Utleg’s “passion, commitment, and integrity” to carry on his advocacy for the environment “amidst life-threatening circumstances.”

“He is recognized for being a rock and foundation of pro-environment movements that successfully closed down illegal mining operations,” said Migraso. In a message read during the awarding ceremony, Archbishop Utleg said he was “sharing this award with all the people who stand for the protection of all creation, the promotion of human rights and the dignity of life.”

Danggayan, an activist group in Cagayan nominated Archbishop Utleg for the award. “He is not just a good shepherd but also a fierce environment defender,” said Isabelo Adviento, the group’s leader.

Dutch-born Jesuit Father Karl-Edmund Prier, 80, was the victim of a sword-attack on Feb. 11 when he was celebrating Mass.

A priest in Indonesia attacked and wounded in his church by a sword-wielding man says he has forgiven his attacker.

A suspected Muslim extremist called Suliyono attacked Dutch-born Jesuit Father Karl-Edmund Prier, 80, during a Mass at St. Lidwina Church in Yoyakarta on Feb. 11.

Three other Catholics were injured in the attack, which also saw the attacker decapitate Mary and Jesus statues, before being shot and wounded by police.

“I forgive Sulyono with sincerity. Every day I pray the Our Father prayer, which states that as we forgive those who trespass against us,” wrote Father Prier in a letter posted on the bishops’ commission on social communication website on Feb. 24.

Father Prier said he could have run away during the assault but did not.

“However, my conscience said: ’Do not go. The good shepherd should not run when wolves come.’ I remained standing on the altar to divert the attacker’s attention to me,” he said.

“He had the sword raised high and shouted, Allahhu akbar! As he ran down the aisle toward me,” he added.

He also said Muslims were very kind and helped clean up the church after the attack.

The family of a young Christian man who sustained serious injuries while allegedly escaping sexual abuse is demanding to know how he was implicated in a blasphemy case.

Sajid Masih, 24, was due to have surgery on Feb. 27 after jumping from the fourth floor of the Punjab headquarters of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a suicide attempt on Feb. 23. He was being interro-gated with his cousin Patras Masih, 18, who was arrested on Feb. 19 for allegedly posting an insulting photo of the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad on a Facebook account.

Sajid claims he was being punished for an act allegedly committed by his cousin and that security authorities had ordered the two men to engage in a homosexual act as they attempted to force confessions from them both. Critics say police duress in such cases is common in Pakistan.

Abid Masih Ghouri, Sajid’s father, was called by a govern-ment hospital official shortly after the suicide attempt that sparked a nationwide outcry from mino-rity circles and civil society. “My senses faded after seeing his bloody body on a hospital trolley. I have never cried so much in my life,” Ghouri, 46, a sanitary worker, told ucanews. com.

A group of female theologians from different churches in Pakistan have gathered to discuss equal opportunities for men and women to participate in mission and witness. The national consultation on “Women Doing Theology” brought together 33 female theologians from a range of Christian groups, including the Church of Pakistan, last week in Lahore. Addressing the question “what it means by ‘doing theology in Asian Context, especially in Pakistan,’ the participants said that “men and women are equals before God, both bearing the image of God.”

The continued: “God calls upon both men and women to fulfil the roles and responsibilities specially designed for them. However, in all spheres of Asian society, women are being dominated and de-womanised. In the Church and society women are being treated with bias”.

The participants challenged the gender based discrimination in the church and society, and said that “biblical and theological exegesis often grant men fuller participation than women in the life of the church [and] restricts the role of women to inferior levels.”

Thousands of young adults from around the world will gather in Hong Kong in August for a five-day Taize Pilgrimage of Trust and Reconciliation. The Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH) – the Anglican Church in Honk Kong – has joined with the Catholic Church and the Hong Kong Christian Council to invite Taize to stage the significant international gathering in Hong Kong City. Some brothers from the France-based Taize Commu-nity arrived in Hong Kong last month and will stay in the Chinese autonomous territory to help plan for the international event. They have taken part in local services and welcomed to a provincial meeting of HKSKH Clergy.

In a joint letter to Taize, the Anglican Archbishop of Hong Kong, Paul Kwong; the Bishop of the Hong Kong Catholic Church, Cardinal John Tong Hon; and the chair of the Hong Kong Christian Council, the Revd So Shing Yit Eric; said: “We see in this initiative a sign of faith, hope and love, so necessary today for our world and for Hong Kong in particular in promoting justice, reconciliation and peace. Indeed, we have to educate our young people in this respect, so that they too can contribute to transforming human society. It is our understanding that the coming event would not be an end in itself, but rather a means for Christians, together with all people of good will, to open up new paths of faith, hope and love.
From 8-12 August, thousands of young people aged between 18 and 35 will gather in Hong Kong City.

The rumoured deal between the Holy See and China is an “act of suicide” and a “shameless surrender,” Cardinal Joseph Zen has said.

In a recent blog post, the former Bishop of Hong Kong blamed papal advisors for the “bad deal”, accusing them of being “obsessed” with an “Ostpolitik” solution that “compromises without limits.”

The deal would likely involve the Vatican lifting the excommunications on seven Beijing-appointed bishops who were consecrated without papal approval. It would also likely give the Vatican a say over the appointment of future Chinese bishops, but still leave the final decision to Beijing.

Chinese Catholics are currently split between those in the government-backed Church and those in the ‘underground’ Church who remain loyal to Rome. Cardinal Zen said that the Pope “has never had direct knowledge of the Chinese Communist Party and, moreover, is poorly informed by the people around him.”

He singled out Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin for criticism, comparing him to his predecessor Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, who was “obsessed with Ostpolitik” and pursued “a sort of political compromise.”