News
The Church in Russia
Moscow: The
Catholic Church of Russia is facing the problem of a spiritual vacuum created
by a communist regime that lasted for the span of three generations - so
stated Archbishop Thaddeus Condruvisde, the Apostolic Administrator of
European Russia.
The people of Russia are
trying to rise from their ruins. They need churches. They need institutions,
native gospel - workers. The future of Russia lies in training indigenous
priests and nuns. What is necessary now is to counter the spirituals void
with the values of the gospel. The last three generations of Russians had
not received any religious education. With the 1917 revolution, numerous
churches, monasteries and convents were destroyed. Some were changed into
cinema theaters and factories. Several bishops, priests and laity were
assassinated. More than 7 crores of people were confined to concentration
camps.
Praise God that with the
collapse of communism in 1991 there were significant changes. Today there
are 96 parishes in European Russia. Many of them, however, do not have
a church of their own. the attempt is on to construct churches in these
parishes.
Cloning - offense
against the Creator
The Vatican:
The Vatican has denounced the attempt to experiment with the cloning of
man. Osservatore Romano, the official organ of the Vatican, has stated
that creating man through cloning is a sin. An article written by the renowned
moral theologian, Fr Gino Consetti, revealed unambiguously the attitude
of the Vatican.
The Canadian scientist,
Richard Seed had publicly announced his intention of going ahead with his
plans to clone human beings. This attempt is an evil that is against the
Creator, wrote Fr Consetti.
Abortions on the
decrease
USA: The number
of abortions which had risen to fearful proportions, is now on the
wane by 4-and-half per cent. A study conducted by the Centre for Diseases
Control and Prevention has disclosed this fact. It is believed that this
has come about as the result of the indoctrination and relentless battle
waged by the Pro Life Movement.
Faith in God - sources
of peace in face of death: Korean President
Seoul: "It
was only faith in the existence of God and in the risen Christ that made
me live in faith and in a firm determination in the midst of unjust imprisonment
and the threat of death," said the newly elected South Korean president
Kim Deung. The military authorities who ruled over S Korea for four decades,
had kept Kim under house arrest, exiled and imprisoned and persecuted him.
But on December 18, 1997, when the 73 year old Kim was elected President,
he forgave all his persecutors.
Go on a pilgrimage
to Rome and to the Holy Land - The Pope
The Vatican:
Pope John Paul II has exhorted the faithful to go on a pilgrimage to the
Holy Land and Rome in honor of the great jubilee. During the celebrations
lasting from the Christmas of 1999 till the Easter of 2000, several millions
of people are expected to visit the Holy Land and Rome, the seat of the
universal Church.
Five centuries of
ministry of the word of God
Calicut: On
20th May 1998, it will be five hundred years since the first missionary,
Fr Pedro de Kovilham landed on Kappad beach near Calicut, in the company
of Vasco de Gama. Fr Pedro belonged to the Trinitarian Congregation. The
Indian Latin Catholic Church had its beginnings in the pioneering work
of this missionary. The celebrations marking his arrival in 1498 were held
along with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the diocese of Calict in
the first week of February 1998 at Calicut.