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VOL: XI - ISSUE: 019 – AUGUST 3rd 2017 (Estd. July 3rd 2007)

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CONTENTS

ASIA : Youth Day people urged to assert Christian identity By Sesawi.net

CAMBODIA : "We are united in our desire to promote peace and reconciliation" Fr.

Arturo Sosa, SJ

HOMILY : Transfiguration By Fr. Anthony Kadavil

INDIA : First Martyrs of Arunachal Pradesh remembered in Miao Diocese By Felix

Anthony

INDONESIA : 7th Asian Youth Day inaugurated with Mass in Yogyakarta - Vatican

Radio

IRAQ : Knights to send $2 million to restore Christian town in Iraq by Josephine

von Dohlen ROME : Pope Francis to German soccer team ‘Be athletes for peace’ By Devin Sean

Watkins SRI LANKA : Deed by Tamil judge towards two Sinhalese children becomes a real

example - AsiaNews

ASIA : Youth Day people urged to assert Christian identity By Sesawi.net

Indian Bishop Antonio Barretto of Sindhudurg (2nd from L), being feliciated at Palembang Archdiocese, Indonesia. (photo: Sesawi.net) - RV

An Indian bishop on Sunday urged young Catholics at the 7th Asian Youth Day in Indonesia

to affirm their Christian identity by knowing Jesus and getting closer to Him. Celebrating

the inaugural Mass of the preliminary “Days in the Dioceses” (DID) event in Palembang

Archdiocese, Bishop Antonio Alwin Fernandes Barretto of Sindudurg said young people

should talk about everything in their lives to the Lord Jesus. “Jesus is our life. Jesus lives

among you,” he said in his homily. Archbishop Aloysius Sudarso of Palembang welcomed

251 Asian Youth Day guests from India, Malaysia and Indonesia for the preliminary July 30

to Aug. 2 DID. During the 4 days they will live with local Catholic families, share and learn

about their faith and also celebrate and interact with local communities and youth

groups. The guests from India, Malaysia and Indonesia who arrived in Palembang by train

and air were felicitated by their hosts with garlands, the tanjak head gear and shawl

according to the local Palembang tradition. They were driven to Saint Peter’s Parish of

Palembang where they were greeted with entertainment, dancing, singing and typical local

dishes. The evening Mass with two bishops and 41 priests was attended by some 600 young

people, including many local youth. It started with a colourful procession that included

flags of Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the Vatican and the AYD. The Indonesian anthem

“Indonesia Raya” was sung and the AYD prayer recited at the Mass. For Bishop Barretto who

led a group of 46 young people from India’s 20 dioceses, it was his first visit to

Indonesia. He said he only heard about the beauty of Indonesia from people. “I am very

happy to be here and enjoy,” he added. After the Eucharist, followed a dinner and opening

ceremony that included the Tanggai traditional. At the end of the DID, all participants will

travel to Yogyakarta on Wednesday where the main AYD event will take place, Aug. 2-

6. The theme of the 7th Asian Youth Day is, "Joyful Asian Youth: Living the Gospel in

Multicultural Asia!” (Source: Sesawi.net)

> > > http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/08/01/asian_youth_day_people_urged_to_assert_christian_identi

ty/13282

CAMBODIA : "We are united in our desire to promote

peace and reconciliation" Fr. Arturo Sosa (SJWEB via

CNUA)

Landing in Siem Seap on the second leg of his first trip to

Asia Pacific, Fr General Arturo Sosa quickly found himself in

completely different setting. From Indonesia, a predominantly

Muslim country with about 350 Jesuits and many institutions

and collaborators, he was now in a largely Buddhist country,

with a small cohort of 26 Jesuits working with a modest

number of collaborators. It was his first time in a Buddhist country, and to visit Jesuits and

partners in mission working together in such a context, he shared in his homily on July 15 in

the chapel of the Metta Karuna Reflection Centre in Siem Reap where stayed for most of his visit.

He pointed out that the readings of the day were reminiscent of General Congregation 36,

saying "In a world of so much violence, divisions and intolerance, we are called to build

bridges, to create a ‘culture of hospitality' and welcome. In a world where there is so much

‘fear and anger,' and where ‘hope is threatened,' we are called to bring the hope of the risen Lord in all our apostolates and ministries."

Later that morning, Fr In-don Oh SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in Cambodia, presented the

history of the Jesuit mission in the country, from its beginnings in the refugee camps of

Thai-Cambodia border in the early 1980s to its present commitments in social service,

education, ecology, inter-religious dialogue and pastoral work. Msgr Enrique Figaredo SJ,

the Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, introduced Fr General to the creative ministries of the Prefecture.

In his talk after the presentations, Fr Sosa underscored the importance of collaboration and

reminded them that they are, themselves, collaborators too. "We like to talk about Jesuit

mission with our collaborators. But, we have to remember that our mission is not our own, but Christ's mission, and we Jesuits are also collaborators in that mission," he said.

In the afternoon, Fr General met with a group of Buddhist monks to learn about Buddhism

and Buddhist work on peace and reconciliation in Asia including the story of the Buddhist

peace walk, begun by the great Buddhist sage Maha Ghosananda during the bloody days of the civil war in Cambodia.

The 80 Jesuits, collaborators and volunteers gathered were touched by the simplicity, depth

and spiritual wisdom shared by Buddhist monk Ven Sovechea and peace activist Bob Mat. Fr

Sosa found it "deeply consoling to see how we are united in our desire to promote peace

and reconciliation in our world". He added, "It is also consoling to see how we share a belief

that the path to peace begins from within, from the deep transformation of the inner person, from growing in detachment and in loving kindness".

The interreligious dialogue ended fittingly with the blessing of the wheels of reconciliation

located along a pond in the Metta Karuna grounds that was hollowed by a cluster bomb. The

monks chanted blessings for peace and reconciliation, and the Christian beatitudes were proclaimed in the Khmer language.

Afterwards, JCAP Coordinator for Dialogue with Buddhism Fr In-gun Kang took Fr General to

the 1,000 year old Wat Svayromeath, the oldest temple in Siem Reap. It was Fr Sosa's first

visit to a Buddhist temple and the Chief monk Ven Vuthi introduced Fr General to 80 novice

monks - children and teenagers studying in the monastic school - who impressed him with

their concentration during meditation. In a gesture that surprised Fr Kang, Ven Vuthi invited

him and Fr Sosa to sit among the young monks. "It is very unusual to sit in that way in the

Theravada tradition; even the king has to respect monks by sitting in a separate seat. I

think Ven Vuthi respected us as equal religious friends who deserve to sit together in the temple," said Fr Kang.

On July 16, Fr General Sosa flew to Phnom Penh where he visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide

Memorial Museum built to remember the tens of thousands who were tortured and killed

after the Khmer Rouge took power in 1975. The visit prompted Fr Sosa to recall the tragic

events of his own country, Venezuela, during the dictatorship. He said that this kind of

history is tragic and terrible but something that people have to remember. After his tour, Fr Sosa met with Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh.

The following day, Fr General visited Banteay Prieb, the Jesuit vocational training centre for

survivors of landmines and polio and people with learning disabilities that had been the

foundation of Jesuit involvement in Cambodia. Fr Sosa was also shown the room where

Richie Fernando, a Filipino Regent, was killed in October 1996 while attempting to calm a

problem student who had threatened the school with a grenade. Fr Sosa, moved by the

martyrdom of Richie, offered a short and silent prayer in front of Richie's memorial and blessed the people gathered around.

Fr Oh, who accompanied Fr Sosa from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and then to Singapore,

said that Fr Sosa's visit had been a source of inspiration for the Jesuits and collaborators in

the Cambodia mission. "Many expressed their gratitude and joy for being graced with his

loving presence, simplicity, joyful laughter and accessible nature." > > > http://sjweb.info/news/index.cfm?Tab=11&publang=1&pubtextid=17029&pubid=15497

HOMILY : Transfiguration By Fr. Anthony Kadavil August 06,

2017 Readings : Gen 12:1-4a; II Tim 1:8b-10; Matthew 17:1-9

Transfiguration - RV

Anecdote: “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” There is a mysterious

story in 2 Kings that can help us understand what is happening in the Transfiguration of Our Lord described in today’s gospel. Israel is at war with

Aram, and Elisha, the man of God, is using his prophetic powers to reveal the strategic plans of the Aramean army to the Israelites. At first the King of

Aram thinks that one of his officers is playing the spy, but when he learns

the truth he dispatches troops to go and capture Elisha who is residing in Dothan. The Aramean troops move in under cover of darkness and surround

the city. In the morning, Elisha’s servant is the first to discover that they are surrounded and fears for his master’s safety. He runs to Elisha and says,

“Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” The prophet answers “Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” But who

would believe that when the surrounding mountainside is covered with advancing enemy troops? So, Elisha prays, “O Lord, open his eyes so he

may see.” Then the Lord opens the servant's eyes, and he looks and sees the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:8-23).

This vision was all that Elisha’s disciple needed to reassure him. At the end

of the story, not only was the prophet of God safe, but the invading army

was totally humiliated. (Fr. Munacci)

Introduction: The common theme of today’s readings is metamorphosis or transformation. The readings invite us to work with the Holy Spirit to

transform our lives by renewing them as we celebrate the feast of our Lord’s transfiguration, and to radiate the grace of the transfigured Lord around us

by our Spirit-filled lives. The Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain reminds us that the way of the cross leads to Resurrection and eternal life

and that the purpose of Lent is to help us better to enter into those mysteries. Both the first and second readings present salvation history as a

response to God’s call, a call going out to a series of key persons beginning

with Abraham and culminating with Jesus Christ and His Apostles. Faith is presented here as the obedient response to the call of God which opens up

channels for the redemptive action of God in history, thus transforming the world. In answering this call, both Abram and Saul broke with the

experiences of their past lives and moved into an unmapped future to become new “people of the Promise,” for a new life. The first reading

presents the change or transformation of the patriarch Abram from a pagan tribesman into a man of Faith in one God and the father of God’s chosen

people, Israel, and somewhat later the transformation of his name from Abram to Abraham. The second reading, taken from St. Paul’s second letter

to Timothy, explains the type of Lenten life-transformation expected of us. Today’s Gospel describes Jesus’ Transfiguration during prayer on a

mountain.

The first reading(Genesis 12:1-4) explained: The reading from Genesis

explains how blind obedience to God transforms the childless and pagan Abram into a believer in the one true God, and, later in his story, from

Abram into the Abraham who became the prototype of trusting Faith and the father of God’s Chosen People. Blind obedience to God at His command

transformed childless Abram into the Patriarch Abraham, a believer in the one God. Today’s passage is really the first encounter between Abram and

God. Abram was prosperous in land and livestock, but he had no children, and that, to people of his time, was the most serious of all possible

deprivations. So God challenged him with an offer: "I will make of you a great nation." But God's requirements were absolute: "Go forth from the

land of your kin." The requirements were to become even more absolute

when, after Abraham finally had a son, God asked him to sacrifice that same son (Genesis 22:1-18). God asks us, too, to leave our old life of sin behind,

to go forth with Him into a period of repentance, renewal of life and transformation and to surrender to Him the whole of our being in loving

surrender forever.

The second reading (II Timothy 1:8-10) explained: St. Paul’s letter to

Timothy explains the type of Lenten life-transformation expected of us. We should be ready to bear hardship for the Gospel and be thankful to God for

our call to holiness, not trusting in our own merits but in grace. “Bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from

God.” This passage has the following Lenten themes: a) bearing hardship for the sake of the Gospel; b) understanding that we are called not because

of our own good works, but by undeserved grace; c) allowing God to make our belief that we were drawn into Jesus from before time began the central

reality in our daily living; and d) facing death but hoping for immortality, a share in the Resurrection. The phrase "manifest through the appearance of

our Savior" may be a reference to today's Gospel story of Jesus' Transfiguration, traditionally read on the second Sunday of Lent.

Exegetical notes on today’s gospel: The objective and time of the Transfiguration: The primary purpose of

Jesus’ Transfiguration was to consult his Heavenly Father in order to ascertain His plan for Our Lord’s suffering, death and Resurrection. The

secondary aim was to make his chosen disciples aware of His Divine glory, so that they might discard their worldly ambitions about a conquering

political Messiah. A third purpose was to strengthen their Faith and hope and to encourage them to persevere through the future ordeal. The

Transfiguration took place in late summer, probably in AD 29, just prior to the Feast of Tabernacles. Hence, the Orthodox tradition celebrates the

Transfiguration at about the time of the year when it actually occurred in order to connect it with the Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles. Western

tradition celebrates the Transfiguration twice, first at the beginning of Lent

with the Gospel account and second on August 6 with a full feast day liturgy.

The location of the Transfiguration was probably Mount Hermon in North Galilee, near Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus had camped for a week before

the Transfiguration. The 9200-foot mountain was desolate. The traditional oriental belief that the transfiguration took place on Mount Tabor is based on

Psalm 89:12. But Mount Tabor is a hill in the south of Galilee, less than 1000 feet high with a Roman fort on top of it, an unlikely place for solitude

and prayer.

The scene of Heavenly glory: The disciples received a preview of the

glorious figure Jesus would become at Easter and beyond. While praying, Jesus was transfigured into a shining figure, full of Heavenly glory. This

reminds us of Moses and Elijah who also experienced the Lord in all His glory. Moses had met the Lord in the burning bush at Mount Horeb (Exodus

3:1-4). After his later encounter with God, Moses' face shone so brightly that it frightened the people, and Moses had to wear a veil over his face

(Exodus 34:29-35). The luminosity of the face of Moses is also meant to

signal the invasion of God. The Jews believed that Moses was taken up in a cloud at end of his earthly life (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 4.

326). Elijah had traveled for forty days to Mt. Horeb on the strength of the food brought by an angel (1 Kings 19:8). At Mt. Horeb, Elijah sought

refuge in a cave as the glory of the Lord passed over him (1 Kings 19:9-18). Finally, Elijah was taken directly to Heaven in a chariot of fire without

experiencing death (2 Kings 2:11-15). In addition, “Moses led his people out of slavery in Egypt, received the Torah on Mount Sinai and brought God’s

people to the edge of the Promised Land. Elijah, the great prophet in northern Israel during the ninth century B.C., performed healings and other

miracles and stood up to Israel’s external enemies and the wicked within Israel. Their presence in Matthew’s transfiguration account emphasizes

Jesus’ continuity with the Law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) in salvation history.”(Fr. Harrington S. J.)

These representatives of the Law and the Prophets, foreshadowed Jesus who is the culmination of the Law and the Prophets. Both prophets were initially

rejected by the people but were vindicated by God. The Jews believed that these men did not die because God Himself took Moses (Dt 34:5-6), and

Elijah was carried to heaven in a whirlwind (II Kgs 2:11). So the implication is that although God spared Moses and Elijah from the normal process of

death, He did not spare His Son.

God the Father’s Voice from the Cloud: The book of Exodus describes

how God spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai from the Cloud. God often made appearances in a cloud (Ex 24:15-17; 13:21-22; 34:5; 40:34; 1 Kgs 8:10-

11). I Kgs 8:10 tells us how, by the cover of a cloud, God revealed His presence in the Ark of the Covenant and in the Temple of Jerusalem on the

day of its dedication. The Jews generally believed that the phenomenon of the Cloud would be repeated when the Messiah arrived. God the Father,

Moses and Elijah approved the plan regarding Jesus' suffering, death and Resurrection. God’s words from the Cloud: “This is my Son, the Beloved;

with Him I am well pleased; listen to Him,” are the same words used by God at Jesus' baptism (3:17). They summarize the meaning of the

Transfiguration: on this mountain, God reveals Jesus as His Son -- His beloved -- the One in Whom He is well pleased and to Whom we must listen.

Life messages: (1) The Transubstantiation in the Holy Mass is the source of our strength. At the shortage of wine during the wedding of Cana, Jesus

hanged water into wine. A substance became another substance. In each

Holy Mass our offering of bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of

Jesus under the appearances of bread and wine. Hence, just as Jesus’

Transfiguration strengthened the Apostles in their time of trial, each Holy

Mass should be our source of Heavenly strength against our own temptations and our source for the renewal of our lives during Lent. In

addition, communion with Jesus in prayer and in the Eucharist, should be a source of daily transformation of both our minds and hearts. We must also

be transformed by becoming more humble and selfless, sharing love, compassion and forgiveness with others. But in our everyday lives, we often

fail to recognize Jesus when he appears to us “transfigured,” hidden in someone who is in some kind of need. Jesus will be happy when we attend

to the needs of that person. With the eyes of Faith, we must see Jesus in every one of our brothers and sisters, the children of God we come across

each day and, by His grace, respond to Him with love and service.

(2) Each Sacrament that we receive transforms us. Baptism, for

example, transforms us into sons and daughters of God and heirs of heaven. Confirmation makes us the temples of the Holy Spirit. By the Sacrament of

Reconciliation, God brings back the sinner to the path of holiness. By receiving in Faith the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, we are

spiritually, and if God wills physically, healed and our sins are forgiven.

(3) A message of hope and encouragement. In moments of doubt and during feelings of despair, the expectation of our transformation in

Heaven helps us to reach out to God and listen to His consoling words: “This

is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well pleased.”

(4) We need these 'mountain-top’ experiences in our own lives. We can share

experiences like those of Peter, James and John when we spend some extra time in prayer

during Lent. Perhaps we may want to fast for one day, taking only water, thus

releasing spiritual energy, which in turn, can lift our thoughts to a higher plane. Such a

fast may also help us to remember the starving millions in the world, and make us more

willing to help them. > > > http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/08/01/transfiguration_-_august_06,_2017/1312894

INDIA : First Martyrs of Arunachal Pradesh remembered in Miao Diocese By Felix

Anthony, Miao (CNUA)

August 2 every year is an important day for the people of east Arunachal Pradesh. On this

day the Catholics in the eight districts fondly remember the two French Missionaries, Frs.

Krick and Bourry, who were killed by a Mishmi tribal chief in Somme Village near Khibito

bordering China.

Frs. Krick and Bourry, the 19th century martyrs who sowed the first seeds of Christianity in

Arunachal Pradesh, had Tibet as one of their important goals. Back then, the only way to

Tibet was through Arunachal Pradesh. It was on their way to Tibet via Arunachal Pradesh,

while halting at Somme, a Mishmi tribal village, they were killed by its chief Mr. Kaisha on 2

August 1854.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese, that covers the eastern part of Arunachal

Pradesh, has taken keen interest to promote the cause of Canonization of these two

martyrs. “Having read about these two missionaries from the few literatures available, we

can say it with confidence that these two are holy men beyond doubt” says Bishop George.

In order to make these two holy men known and promote their cause of attaining

Sainthood, the Diocese of Miao conducts various events on the day of their martyrdom. In

the two centres dedicated to names of Frs. Krick and Bourry at Tezu in Lohit district and

Injan in Changlang district, there were Quiz competitions and prayer service conducted to

mark their martyrdom this year.

Around 20 schools participated in the Quiz Competitions at Krick and Bourry Memorial

School, Tezu in Lohit district. In a keen contest, St. Bonaventure School, Dumba won the

first prize and Mother Theresa School, Kharsang and Holy Rosary School, Changlang won

the second and third prize respectively in the senior level. Holy Rosary School, Changlang

emerged winner also in the junior level and Krick and Bourry Memorial School, Tezu won

second and Mother Theresa School won the third prizes.

The Krick and Bourry Memorial Hospital, the only Hospital run by the Diocese of Miao, at

Injan in Changlang district organized a prayer service to remember the two martyrs. Dr.

Sudip Bhattacharya, a senior doctor of the hospital expressed his happiness to have known

about the two holy men through the prayer service, in which the nurses working in the

hospital too prayed for its smooth running and for the canonization of the two martyrs.

With Pope Francis adding a new fourth way to possible Sainthood – people who lived a good

Catholic life and who freely accepted a certain and premature death for the good others, the

Diocese of Miao is hopeful that it would soon have two Saints from Arunachal Pradesh in heaven to intercede for all the faithful. By email : felixa@miaodiocese.com,

INDONESIA : 7th Asian Youth Day inaugurated with Mass in Yogyakarta - Vatican

Radio

Opening Mass of the 7th Asian Youth Day in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 2, 2017. - RV

(Vatican Radio via CNUA) The 7th Asian Youth Day (AYD7) kicked off with a

colourful concelebrated Mass Wednesday evening in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in a colourful and festive show of unity around Christ and his Gospel amidst

the continent's diverse cultures and peoples. After four days of the preliminary ‘Days in the Dioceses’ (DID) live-in programme in 11

Indonesian dioceses, July 30- August 2, the over 2000 young Catholics from

21 countries converged in Yogyakarta, the cultural and intellectual heartland of Indonesia. The 7th Asian Youth Day on the theme “Joyful Asian

Youth! Living the Gospel in Multicultural Asia,” will conclude on Aug. 6.

Youth participants had begun pouring in at Yogyakarta’s government facility, Jogja Expo Centre (JEC), since early morning, August 2. After lunch

the various national contingents began celebrating with songs and performances and shared their DID experiences of living with local families

in dioceses, in preparation for the Eucharistic celebration.

The inaugural AYD7 Mass, that was streamed live by organizers, was presided

over by Bangladeshi Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario of Dhaka, chairman of

the Office of Laity and Family of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences

(FABC), under which comes the Youth Desk that organizes the AYD in collaboration with the country’s bishops’ conference body and its youth

commission. Joining Card. D’Rozario at the altar were 52 bishops, including 6 cardinals and 158 priests. Among the concelebrants were AYD host

Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko of Semarang, Indonesian bishops’ president, Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta and President of

Indonesian bishops’ Youth Commission, Bishop Pius Riana Prapdi of Ketapang.

Card. D’Rozario began his homily singing a few lines from the hymn, “Rejoice in the Lord always….” setting the mood of his reflection on the

theme of the AYD7– “Joyful Asian Youth! Living the Gospel in Multicultural Asia.” The young people, many in traditional dress and country t-shirts and

holding their country flags, joined in with rhythmic clapping accompanied by the piano. The cardinal explained that the reason for their joy was that

Jesus loves them, despite their unworthiness and sinfulness. He said when they feel sad or without joy, it is then that Jesus loves them most. Jesus

loves them by calling them, choosing them and sending them out to mission, to proclaim His love, mercy, compassion and healing to others.

Card. D’Rozario compared the AYD gathering to the Pentecost where people of diverse cultures, languages, ethnic groups and nations of Asia were one in

the Holy Spirit who manifests Himself in a variety of gifts. The Holy Spirit was inviting them all to celebrate their oneness of faith, life and mission at

the WYD. After dinner, the AYD7 was officially launched with a variety programme in

which the participating countries showcased thier cultural

richness. >http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/08/02/7th_asian_youth_day_inaugurated_with_mass_in_yogyakarta_%E2%80%8E/1328507

IRAQ : Knights to send $2 million to restore Christian town in Iraq by Josephine von Dohlen (Catholic Heald via CNUA)

A Catholic church destroyed by Islamic State militants in Karamdes, Iraq (CNS photo/Archdiocese of Erbil)

The Knights of Columbus are seeking to help Christians return to their homeland

on the Nineveh Plain

In 2014, the Islamic State removed hundreds of families of religious minorities from their

homes in Karamdes, a mostly Christian town on the Ninevah Plain in Iraq. Just over two

years later, the town, also known as Karemlash, was liberated. The Knights of Columbus will

raise $2 million (£1.5 million) to assist these families in returning to their homes, according

to Knights CEO Carl Anderson, who announced their pledge at the Knights’ 135th annual Supreme Convention being held this week in St Louis.

“The terrorists desecrated churches and graves and looted and destroyed homes,” Anderson

said in his annual report, which was live streamed from the convention. “Now we will ensure

that hundreds of Christian families driven from their homes can return to these two locations and help to ensure a pluralistic future for Iraq.”

The Knights are following the example of the Hungarian government, whose new spending

bill allowed for $2 million to be sent to the Archdiocese of Erbil in Iraq, assisting with the

rebuilding of a Christian community near Mosul, Iraq. Families who were previously

displaced from their homes were able to return to their homeland because of the

government of Hungary. This example served as proof to the Knights of the impact of returning families to their homes.

The cost of resettling one family is around $2,000, the amount the Knights are encouraging

councils, parishes and individuals to donate. “These Christian communities are a priceless

treasure for the Church,” Anderson said to the Knights attending the convention. “They have every right to live.”

The Knights have actively sought to provide humanitarian aid to Christians in Iraq, as well

as Syria and the surrounding areas, donating over $13 million. In June Anderson joined

Chris Smith, Republic congressman for New Jersey, and Anna Eshoo, Democrat

congresswoman for California, in speaking at a press conference to urge the Senate to pass

legislation that would provide US humanitarian aid to the Archdiocese of Erbil, after the House unanimously voted in favour of the bill.

Pope Francis commended the Knights for their work in the Middle East in a letter sent to the

Knights at the convention from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Pope

professed his “gratitude for the commitment of the Knights to supporting our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East,” according to the letter.

Pope Francis also described the Knights’ relief fund as “an eloquent sign of your order’s firm commitment to solidarity and communion with our fellow Christians.”

In a press conference last month, Secretary of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert

reaffirmed the use of the word “genocide” to describe the situation of Christians and other

religious minorities in the Middle East. “When we look at Iraq and we look at what has

happened to some of the Yazidis, some of the Christians, the secretary [Rex Tillerson]

believes, and he firmly believes, that that was genocide,” Nauert said.

In March 2016, then Secretary of State John Kerry first declared that ISIS militants’ actions

in Iraq and Syria against minority Christian, Yazidi and Shiite Muslim groups was genocide.

The Knights of Columbus will also join the US Conference of Catholic Bishops for a “Week of

Awareness” for persecuted Christians, which will begin on November 26 with a day of prayer for persecuted Christians.

In his annual report, Anderson urged each council of Knights to mark this day with “highest

priority.” “Our work has truly changed history,” Anderson said. The work to rebuild

Karamdes will begin in the first week of August and any funds raised will go directly to the

project. > > > http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/08/03/knights-to-send-2-million-to-restore-christian-town-in-iraq/

ROME : Pope Francis to German soccer team ‘Be athletes for peace’ By Devin Sean

Watkins

Pope Francis meets with the German "Borussia Mönchengladbach" soccer club

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met briefly with the managers and players of

the German “Borussia Mönchengladbach” soccer team on Wednesday, inviting them to be “athletes for peace”. The Holy Father met with them ahead of his weekly General Audience. He thanked the team for the “friendly

relations” built up through the years between the team and the Vatican Employees’ Athletic Association. The teams sometimes face off on the field in

Rome and in Mönchengladbach. The Pope said the club “distinguishes itself by being a team ‘at the human level’, in a manner of speaking, and a team

which promotes the family.” Pope Francis said he enjoyed seeing “how families live in your Borussia Park and how many athletic and educative

initiatives are held to promote young people, in particular the less fortunate,” he said. Finally, the Pope invited those sportsmen present to “be

athletes for good and for peace”. “I entrust you, your families, and all your

loved ones to the Lord. May He ever accompany you with His blessing.”

> > > http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/08/02/pope_francis_to_german_soccer_team_%E2%80%98be_athletes_for_peace%E2%80%99/1328488

SRI LANKA : Deed by Tamil judge towards two Sinhalese children becomes a real

example of peace By Melani Manel Perera, Colombo

(Asia News via CNUA)

High Court Judge Manickavasagar Illancheliyan A Tamil High Court judge has decided to care for the two children of his slain Sinhalese

bodyguard. "As of today, I have four children. I am committed to taking full responsibility

for these other two children until my death," said Manickavasagar Illancheliyan at the

funeral of Sarath Hemachandra, who died in the line of duty. For some Sinhalese and Tamil

activists, this is a true example of peace and reconciliation for the country. On Saturday 22

July, around 5 pm, a gunman fired at the judge near Jaffna Nallure Kovil, but hit the police

officer in charge of his security, Sergeant Sarath Hemachandra, a Sinhalese and a Buddhist,

married with two children who later died in hospital from the injuries he sustained.

"I have two children, but from now on I will also care for Hemachnadra's daughter and son,"

Judge Illancheliyan said. "I will look after these two children as my own children, and not

only will I give them the same education, but in the future, I will provide for their

marriage," he added. Hemachandra was his bodyguard for almost 17 years. At the funeral,

the judge knelt in front of the widow.

Contacted by AsiaNews, some Sinhalese and Tamil human rights activists noted that the

judge’s action is a true example of peace and reconciliation for Sri Lanka. Because he is a

Hindu Tamil and his bodyguard was a Buddhist Sinhalese. "I am speechless,’ said S.

Swarnamalitha Peramunagama, a student at the University of Ruhuna (Matara). “This

means that for 17 years the judge treated his bodyguard not as an outsider, but as a

brother,” he told AsiaNews. “Hence, he could take responsibility for his children. He did not

look at race, religion or nationality, he did the right thing”. Peramunagama, a Sinhalese

Buddhist, said that when he arrived in Jaffna and Mannar for the first time in 2015 he was

just 24, and scared of Tamils, from what media and politicians said about them. "I was

doing some research on fishermen. Some young Tamil helped me a lot. So I could see that

they were not 'tigers' but human beings like us. Thanks to my research I recognised the

deep humanity in that population." "Tamil’s humanity emerged here with the total

acceptance of these two Sinhalese Buddhist children, a great example," he added.

Anthony Jesudasan, a Tamil Catholic human rights activist, said that the act of kneeling in

front of the widow “for some people might be opportunistic". "The judge could have asked

for state compensation to the bodyguard’s bereaved family. Instead, he put himself on the

line," he explained. In fact, his action "is a very, very honest and great deed towards the

person who saved his life. He sent society a strong message if only Tamils and Sinhalese want to seize it." > http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Deed-by-Tamil-judge-towards-two-Sinhalese-children-becomes-a-real-example-of-peace-41442.html

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