Nigerian archbishop calls for government rescue of schoolgirls

Amid government reports that the nearly 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok could be home soon, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama has called the country’s leaders to follow through with their promises.

“At the conclusion of the National Council of States Meeting…there was news that it will just be a matter of time before the girls are released,” Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama said.

“That is good news, we hope. But we will have to see how far it goes, how concrete that news will be. As I said there’s a lot of promises,” but “promises are not enough, we just want to see concrete action and the fruit of whatever the government is doing along with the international community.”

Pope’s audience with elderly to explore vocation of old age

Organizers for the first-ever audience to be held between a pope and the elderly population have revealed that a central reflection will be the active vocation of the aged in the Church and in society.

“We have given 20 years of life to old people now in occident, but 20 years to do what? This is the big question that this meeting wants to share with everyone,” Fr. Andrea Ciucci of the Pontifical Council for the Family told CNA July 11.

“There is a particular vocation of elderly and grandparents in society and in the Church.”

Entitled “The Blessing of a Long Life,” the event will take place Sept. 28 in St. Peter’s Square. The square will open at 7:30 a.m. with the official celebration beginning at 9 a.m. The day will culminate with an audience and Mass at 10:30 presided over by Pope Francis.

Pope denounces ‘racist, xenophobic’ attitudes toward migrants

In his message for the Mexico-Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development Pope Francis called for a change in the way migrants are viewed, giving particular emphasis to unaccompanied children.

“Many people forced to emigrate suffer, and often, die tragically; many of their rights are violated, they are obliged to separate from their families and, unfortunately, continue to be the subject of racist and xenophobic attitudes,” the Roman Pontiff stated in the July 15 message.

The Pope’s letter was read aloud during the July 14 – 15 colloquium by the Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico Christophe Pierre. Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin was also present.

Addressing the topic of globalization, the Bishop of Rome observed that although there are many things to be gained from it, the issue presents various challenges, particularly that of emigration, which he referred to as “one of the ‘signs’ of this time.”

Engage world with Catholic principles, author says

Catholic involvement in civic life is necessary to defend human dignity and move society in a positive direction, says the author of a new book on Catholics principles in public life.

“If we want a free, just and virtuous society that upholds the common good and the dignity of all human beings, then we have to be involved in shaping moral social policy. That takes being involved in the political process,” Sheila Liaugminas said.

Liaugminas is the author of the Ignatius Press book “Non-Negotiable: Essential Principles of a Just Society and Humane Culture.”

She said that the Catholic tradition, expressed in the U.S. bishops’ document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” holds responsible citizenship to be a political virtue and participation in political life to be “a moral obligation.”

Cardinal Lajolo: “Land invasion is a leap in the dark”

The cardinal shares the Italian President’s fears regarding the current crisis in Gaza. “I am pessimistic. If one seeks revenge … there will never be an end to all this”

“The Holy See’s diplomats are deeply committed to achieving peace, always seeking to appeal to people’s reason. But I confess that I am feeling rather pessimistic right now…” Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, who hails from the northern Italian city of Novara, worked alongside John Paul II’s Secretary of State, Agostino Casaroli and as John Paul II’s ambassador in Germany. He was Vatican “foreign affairs minister” from 2003 to 2006, before Benedict XVI placed him at the helm of the Governorate, a position he kept until 2011. The Vatican diplomat shares the apprehension expressed by the Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, in an interview with daily newspaper La Stampa, regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Italian Head of State said an invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israeli armed forces would have “unpredictable consequences”. What is your take on this?
“Benjamin Netanyahu said we need to prepare for a long war ahead. We cannot predict which other factors may influence the situation. I agree with those who see it as a leap in the dark and I must confess that I am feeling rather pessimistic at the moment … I recently heard the testimony of a priest living in Gaza. At the end, the person interviewing asked him what we could do to help him. ‘Pray! What we need here is a miracle,’ he responded.”

“Sudan’s Christians are second-class citizens”

Mgr. Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, bishop of a South Sudanese diocese, says Khartoum does nothing to protect religious freedom

“The legal situation of Christians in Sudan is worrying,” says the bishop of the South Sudanese diocese of Tambura-Yambio, Mgr. Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, who is currently visiting the main offices of Aid to the Church in Need.

Although the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all Sudanese citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, Christians are considered and treated as second-rate citizens. Bishops and priests are not granted passports and they do not have legal status. They are able to leave the country but re-entry may be refused. Priests have already been expelled; and the bishops are condemned to remain silent,” the prelate said.