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CBCP to submit list of persecuted Catholics to Vatican
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has asked dioceses and other commissions to gather data on persecuted Catholics and Christians, which will be submitted to Rome for the 2025 Jubilee......»»
Taiwan VP vows to ‘resist annexation’
Taiwanese Vice President William Lai vowed “to resist annexation” in a speech given during a weekend trip to the United States that China has opposed. Lai is the frontrunner in Taiwan’s presidential elections next year and is making transit stops in the United States en route to and from Paraguay, where he will attend the inauguration of president-elect Santiago Pena. His trip has already roused anger from Beijing, which claims democratic Taiwan as part of China, and which particularly dislikes Lai, accusing him of espousing separatist views. At a New York luncheon on Sunday, Lai reiterated he would continue to uphold the core tenets of the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen — also hated by Beijing for refusing to accept that Taiwan is a part of China. “I will continue... our commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty,” he said in a speech carried by Taiwanese channel TTV News. China had said earlier on Sunday that it was closely monitoring “troublemaker” Lai’s visits, and vowed to take “resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty.” In a video released by Taiwan’s presidential office, Lai also reiterated that they “must uphold the value of democracy and freedom.” “At this critical moment, we promise again here and now that no matter how great the threat of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, we will never be afraid or back down,” Lai told an audience that included representatives of the American Institute in Taiwan — the de facto US embassy for the island. with AFP The post Taiwan VP vows to ‘resist annexation’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope’s vigil in Portugal draws 1.5 million pilgrims
A sea of 1.5 million pilgrims packed a riverside park near Lisbon on Saturday for a vigil held by Pope Francis as part of a global Catholic youth festival. Worshippers cheered as the 86-year-old pontiff slowly drove by on his "popemobile" to the stage at the Parque Tejo on the outskirts of the Portuguese capital. "We are the pope's youths!" they chanted. Several national flags fluttered in the crowd estimated at around 1.5 million people according to the Vatican, citing Portuguese officials. Many waited for hours under a blazing sun for the start of the vigil, singing, dancing and playing cards to pass the time at the park, which was built for the occasion on a former landfill site. There was little shade, and worshippers protected themselves from the sun with umbrellas or makeshift tents made from sheets, or tried to cool off by pouring water over their heads. Portugal's state weather office has put Lisbon on alert for scorching temperatures that reached nearly 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit) on Saturday. "It is very impressive to walk around and see the number of Catholics who turned out today," Ana Carvalho, a 19-year-old Portuguese nursing student, told AFP. The vigil is part of World Youth Day festivities, which is actually a week of religious, cultural and festive events held every three years in a different city. - 'Everyone can enter' - Santi Salvador, a 19-year-old Spanish student, said he walked to Lisbon from Barcelona to attend the event, a distance of some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles). "We left 40 days ago... It's a pilgrimage to see the pope," he told AFP. Earlier Saturday, Francis visited the shrine of Fatima, a revered site north of Lisbon devoted to the Virgin Mary, where he was welcomed by around 200,000 people. He recited the rosary with sick and disabled youths at the chapel built on the spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children in 1917. In an address to the crowd, the pontiff reinforced calls made many times during his trip for an inclusive Church. "This little chapel where we find ourselves, is like a beautiful image of the Church, welcoming, without doors," he said in improvised remarks. "The Church does not have doors, so that everyone can enter," he added to applause from the crowd. It is the second day running that the pope has not followed his prepared remarks. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters the pope had improvised one of his speeches on Friday due to "discomfort of vision", but that in Fatima it had been "a choice". - Final mass - The pope prayed in silence for several minutes before a statue of the Virgin Mary in the chapel. In a text published later on Twitter, recently rebranded as X, the pontiff said he had prayed for the "church and the world, especially for countries at war". The pontiff, who now uses a wheelchair or walking stick to get around, arrived in Portugal on Wednesday for the World Youth Day jamboree. The leader of the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics will deliver a final open-air mass on Sunday morning at the Parque Tejo before returning to Rome. World Youth Day, created in 1986 by John Paul II, is the largest Catholic gathering in the world and features a wide range of events, including concerts and prayer sessions. This edition, initially scheduled for August 2022 but postponed because of the Covid pandemic, will be the fourth for Francis after Rio de Janeiro in 2013, Krakow in 2016 and Panama in 2019. cmk-lf/ds/js © Agence France-Presse The post Pope’s vigil in Portugal draws 1.5 million pilgrims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Huge mass in Lisbon ahead of pope’s arrival for ‘Catholic Woodstock’
A sea of flag-waving pilgrims from around the world packed a Lisbon park on Tuesday for an open-air Mass that kicked off a week-long jamboree of Catholic youth on the eve of the arrival of Pope Francis. Lisbon's patriarch, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, delivered the homily at the service held at the hillside Eduardo VII Park with sweeping views of the Portuguese capital and the Tagus River. "Lisbon welcomes you wholeheartedly," he told the crowd as pilgrims waved national flags in the air. Local authorities expect some 300,000 people to attend the opening Mass of World Youth Day, which is actually a week of religious, cultural, and festive events held every three years in a different city. Francis is set to arrive in Lisbon on Wednesday morning to join the event, which has been dubbed the "Catholic Woodstock". The 86-year-old pontiff is by Church standards the most liberal pope in decades and is very popular with young people. During his papacy, he has tried to create a more compassionate church, reaching out to the gay community and talking frankly to youngsters about abortion, divorce, and gender identity. "Pope Francis is open to young people," said Cristina Kelly, a 39-year-old who came from Brazil, just before the start of the Mass. "He called on us and we came. People need that today, for young people to be called to God," she told AFP. 'Recharge spiritual battery' In Portugal, the pope has a typically packed schedule for his five-day visit, despite having spent nine nights in hospital after undergoing hernia surgery in June. Francis, the first Latin American pope, is due to make 11 public pronouncements and hold numerous meetings, and on Saturday will visit the shrine of Fatima north of Lisbon. Church organizers expect one million faithful will attend the event's closing mass which will be delivered by the pope on Sunday at a waterside park on the outskirts of Lisbon. Images of the pope were on display on banners across the city as well as on screens on automatic bank machines along with the message: "I am with you". A Lisbon pastry shop is even selling cookies with the image of the smiling pontiff wearing a crucifix. "My goal is to recharge my spiritual battery because sometimes, as young people, we let it run low," Xochilt Cecilia Velis, a 24-year-old from El Salvador, told AFP in central Lisbon. World Youth Day is part of the Vatican's efforts to galvanize young Catholics at a time when secularism and disgust over clerical child sex abuse cause some faithful to abandon the Church. Meeting with abuse victims The gathering comes as the Portuguese Catholic Church is reckoning with its legacy of clerical sexual abuse. A report released in February by an independent commission determined that at least 4,815 children had been abused by clergy members in Portugal since 1950. The inquiry -- similar to audits elsewhere in Europe and the Americas -- concluded that the Church hierarchy "systematically" tried to conceal the abuse. Pope Francis is scheduled to meet privately with abuse victims during his visit but the date of the encounter or other details has not been released. Initially scheduled for August 2022, but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lisbon World Youth Day is the 16th international edition of what has become the largest gathering of Catholics worldwide. Church organizers said there are pilgrims registered to take part in this year's event from every country in the world except the Maldives. A brainchild of the late Pope John Paul II, the event started in 1986. The current one is the fourth presided over by Pope Francis, who became head of the Catholic Church in 2013. The last three events took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013, in Krakow, Poland in 2016, and in Panama City, Panama in 2019. The post Huge mass in Lisbon ahead of pope’s arrival for ‘Catholic Woodstock’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Catholic Woodstock’ kicks off in Lisbon ahead of Pope arrival
The world's largest Catholic gathering, a week-long religious festival known as World Youth Day, kicks off in Lisbon on Tuesday, a day before Pope Francis arrives on his first foreign trip since recent surgery. Around 300,000 people are expected to attend the opening mass at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) at the hillside Eduardo VII park, which offers sweeping views of the Portuguese capital and the Tagus river. The 86-year-old pontiff is set to arrive in Lisbon on Wednesday morning to celebrate World Youth Day, a week of religious, cultural and festive events held about every three years in a different city. He has a typically packed schedule for his five-day visit to Portugal, despite having spent nine nights in hospital after undergoing hernia surgery in June. Francis, the first Latin American pope, is due to make 11 public pronouncements and hold numerous meetings, and on Saturday will visit the shrine of Fatima north of Lisbon. Church organizers expect one million faithful will attend the event's closing mass held by the pope on Sunday at a waterside park on the outskirts of Lisbon. Images of the pope were on display on banners set up across the city as well as on screens on automatic bank machines along with the message: "I am with you". A Lisbon pastry shop is even selling cookies with the image of the smiling pontiff wearing a crucifix. "I think it is going to be amazing experience to be in the same spot as the pope," said Barbara Weisz, a 19-year-old student from the United States, part of a group of 37 youths who came from a San Diego parish. "It is a great feeling to be among so many young people who share your beliefs," she added as the group, who wore matching red t-shirts, gathered in the lobby of their hotel before going sightseeing before attending the opening mass. World Youth Day, which has been dubbed the "Catholic Woodstock", is part of the Vatican's efforts to galvanize young Catholics at a time when secularism and disgust over clerical child sex abuse cause some faithful to abandon the Church. In recent days groups of event volunteers, decked out in their distinctive yellow T-shirts, could be seen outside of churches in Lisbon to welcome pilgrims who have flocked to the city. "It is a special moment that you should experience at least once in your life," said Samuel Navarro, a 19-year-old student from Spain. - Meeting with abuse victims - Pope Francis is expected during his visit to meet privately with victims of sexual abuse by members of the Portuguese clergy. A report published in February by an independent commission found at least 4,815 children were sexually abused by clergy members -- mostly priests -- since 1950. The inquiry, based on testimony from over 500 victims, concluded that the Church hierarchy in Portugal "systematically" tried to conceal the abuse. "I know (the meeting) will take place... but I don't know where it will happen or how many people will take part," Lisbon's patriarch, Cardinal Manuel Clemente, told a news conference Monday. "There is a total commitment on the part of the Portuguese Church to settle this issue," he added. Around 16,000 members of law enforcement, civil protection and medical staff are being deployed for the pope's visit, officials said. Initially scheduled for August 2022, but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lisbon World Youth Day is the 16th international edition of what has become the largest gathering of Catholics worldwide. The brainchild of late Pope John Paul II, this year's event is the fourth presided over by Pope Francis, who became head of the Catholic Church in 2013. The last three events took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013, Krakow, Poland in 2016 and Panama City, Panama in 2019. lf-tsc/ds/yad © Agence France-Presse The post ‘Catholic Woodstock’ kicks off in Lisbon ahead of Pope arrival appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pope in hospital for tests, two months after bronchitis infection
Pope Francis visited a Rome hospital for a medical check-up on Tuesday, the Vatican said, just over two months after he was hospitalized with bronchitis. "This morning Pope Francis went to the Gemelli Polyclinic to undergo some clinical tests and returned to the Vatican before noon," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. Francis, 86, was forced to take a day off at the end of last month with a fever, which the Vatican secretary of state blamed on tiredness. The pope does not have public audiences scheduled on Tuesdays. His general audience at the Vatican was confirmed for Wednesday, according his official schedule. The Vatican also released the schedule for Francis's next trip abroad, which will see him attend World Youth Day in Lisbon from August 2-6. The examination had been pre-planned, the Repubblica newspaper said, citing a Vatican source. It added that the pontiff was undergoing specialized scans. When Francis was hospitalized at the end of March, the Vatican initially said in a one-line statement that he had gone into the Gemelli for health checks that were previously scheduled. It later emerged that he had been rushed in after suffering breathing difficulties. He was diagnosed with bronchitis and stayed in hospital for three nights, before returning to the Vatican to preside over Easter services. Asked how he felt, he quipped with a big smile, "I am still alive!" Francis, who has been the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics for a decade, has suffered increasing health issues over the past year. He has persistent pain in his right knee as well as sciatica, and his hospital stay for bronchitis sparked widespread concern. Just in time It also fueled speculation over his future. Francis' predecessor, Benedict XVI, who died in December, quit in 2013 due to failing health. For about a year, the pope has had to rely on a wheelchair due to the recurring knee pain he has said cannot be treated through surgery. Asked about his health in an interview with US Spanish-language network Telemundo broadcast in May, Francis said it was "much better". "I can walk now. My knee has been mending. I could hardly walk beforehand. Now I can. Some days are more painful than others," the pope said. Francis added that doctors had caught his bronchitis infection just in time. "If we'd waited a few more hours, it would've been much more serious. But I was out (of hospital) in four days," he said. Despite his health issues, Francis continues to travel widely. But the pope acknowledged in July 2022 that he needed to slow down. "At my age and with this limitation, I have to save myself a little bit to be able to serve the Church," he said then. "Or, alternatively, to think about the possibility of stepping aside." In March, however, he insisted that he had no current plans to quit. Benedict XVI, who died on 31 December aged 95, surprised the world in 2013 when he announced he was stepping down, a radical move not taken by a pope since the Middle Ages. The post Pope in hospital for tests, two months after bronchitis infection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan’s WHO exclusion risks ‘terrible impact’
Taiwan's health minister warned Sunday that the continued exclusion of the self-ruled island from the WHO amid pressure from China posed a significant threat to global health. "Excluding Taiwan from WHO not only jeopardizes the right to health of the 23.5 million people of Taiwan, it also seriously undermines WHO's efforts to achieve health for all," Hsueh Jui-yuan told an event hosted by the Geneva Press Club. He spoke shortly before the World Health Organization's annual assembly kicked off in Geneva on Sunday. Taiwan has been blocked from attending the World Health Assembly (WHA) in recent years by China, which considers the island a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland. There have been growing calls to allow Taiwan in as an observer, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of global cooperation in reining in infectious diseases. Hsueh warned that leaving Taiwan out in the cold hampered the swift and efficient sharing of information that would be needed to prevent or more efficiently respond to the next pandemic threat. "I am afraid that Taiwan will become the gap of the next pandemic," he said, speaking through a translator, warning that would "have a terrible impact for the entire world." Washington has warned of the negative consequences of continuing to exclude Taiwan. "As we continue to confront emerging health threats around the world Taiwan's isolation from WHA76... undermines inclusive global public health cooperation led by WHO," the US mission in Geneva tweeted Saturday. Beijing has staunchly opposed efforts to include Taiwan as a WHA observer. "Any attempt to play the 'Taiwan card' to contain China will lead nowhere," the Chinese foreign ministry said recently. Taiwan was expelled from the WHO in 1972, a year after losing the "China" seat at the United Nations to the People's Republic of China. It was allowed to attend the WHO's top annual meetings between 2009 and 2016 as an observer when relations with China were warmer. But Beijing has stepped up its campaign to pressure Taipei since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power, as she refuses to acknowledge its stance that self-ruled democratic Taiwan is part of China. The post Taiwan’s WHO exclusion risks ‘terrible impact’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CBCP encourages faithful to return to Sunday Masses in churches
CEBU CITY, Philippines — With the easing of the COVID-induced community restrictions and protocols, a conference of Catholic diocesan bishops has called on the faithful to physically attend Mass inside churches. In a circular addressed to all the bishops and diocesan administrators on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President […] The post CBCP encourages faithful to return to Sunday Masses in churches appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebu bishop to faithful: Come out, attend mass in churches
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo has echoed the call of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for the Catholic faithful to attend mass physically now that COVID-induced restrictions have been eased. In an interview on Saturday, October 15, 2022, Labajo said even before the CBCP issued the circular encouraging members […] The post Cebu bishop to faithful: Come out, attend mass in churches appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Church to faithful: Physically attend Ash Wednesday rites
Church officials yesterday urged the faithful to attend masses today as Roman Catholics observe Ash Wednesday, which ushers in the observance of Lent leading up to Holy Week......»»
Dawn masses a gift of hope – CBCP
Dawn masses a gift of hope – CBCP MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Catholics flocked to the first of the nine-day pre-dawn masses or Simbang Gabi yesterday despite the threat of COVID-19 – an act described by the officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) as a gift of hope. CBCP vice president […].....»»
Dawn masses a gift of hope – CBCP
Filipino Catholics flocked to the first of the nine-day pre-dawn masses or Simbang Gabi yesterday despite the threat of COVID-19 – an act described by the officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines as a gift of hope......»»
CBCP: Memories of dearly departed unite us
While the coronavirus disease 2019 prevents Catholics from visiting their deceased loved ones in cemeteries, this should not prevent them from developing a deeper experience of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, according to the Church......»»
Daily Gospel, March 28
This is the Daily Gospel for today, March 28, 2024, which is Holy Thursday (Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper). READ MORE: Daily Gospel, March 27 Daily Gospel, March 26 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 13, 1-15. Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass.....»»
Holy Week 2024: Tabor Hill in Talamban, experience the authentic essence of Via Crucis
CEBU CITY, Philippines – This Holy Week, the Via Crucis, also known as the Stations of the Cross, is one of the most practiced form of devotion among Catholics, particularly in the Philippines. The Via Crucis commemorates the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It typically involves a series of 14 stations.....»»
Over 2,700 cops in Western Visayas promoted in mass ceremony
Over 2,700 cops in Western Visayas promoted in mass ceremony.....»»
Davao police clueless on Quiboloy’s whereabouts
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) — Police authorities in the Davao region claim they are still clueless on the whereabouts of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy. The Senate had earlier ordered the arrest of Quiboloy for his continued refusal to attend its investigation of alleged human trafficking and child abuse. Police major Catheine Dela Rey, Police […].....»»
Davao Metro Shuttle declines offer to manage bus system
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) — The Davao Metro Shuttle Corporation has declined the offer of the City Government of Davao to operate the Davao City Public Transport Modernization Project (DCPTMP), a public mass transportation project that will replace the jeepneys with buses, an executive of the bus company said. In an interview at […].....»»
Braving the Heat
BRAVING THE HEAT. Workers install a platform in front of the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Monday, 25 March 2024. The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the city's heat index reached 43 degrees Celsius at 1 p.m. the same day. The platform is in preparation for Easter Sunday's "Salubong" mass. MindaNews photo.....»»
Nexperia workers decry mass ‘lay-offs’, claim union-busting
The lay-offs are set to begin while Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations are underway. The post Nexperia workers decry mass ‘lay-offs’, claim union-busting appeared first on Bulatlat......»»