“It is our presumption that they wish to draw out some financial assistance from abroad without conceding their pride or self-esteem.” This is how Bishop Peter Kang U-Il, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, described North Korea’s threat of nuclear war.

Bishop Kang said these threats are a sign of desperation meant to extract foreign aid as the North’s economy is “demolished”. He described the living conditions of the people there as “destitute”.

He appealed for a lot of patience in dealing “with the people [of North Korea] who have been isolated for [a] long time from modern world”.

Pope Francis’ thoughts on Margaret Thatcher

In a message sent on behalf of Pope Francis, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone wrote: “His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

“He recalls with appreciation the Christian values which underpinned her commitment to public service and to the promotion of freedom among the family of nations.

“Entrusting her soul to the mercy of God, and assuring her family and the British people of a remembrance in his prayers, the Holy Father invokes upon all whose lives she touched God’s abundant blessings.”

‘Don’t underestimate God’s patience, mercy’

“How many times in my pastoral ministry have I heard it repeated: ‘Father, I have many sins’, and the plea I have always made is: ‘Don’t be afraid. Go to him. He is waiting for you. He will take care of everything’.”

Pope Francis said these words while celebrating Mass in the Roman basilica of St John Lateran on the feast of Divine Mercy. During his homily he said God always waits for us, even when we draw away from Him, and gave examples of God’s patience: the patience Jesus showed to St Thomas, who questioned his Resurrection; to St Peter, who denied him; and to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who had begun to lose hope. In each case, the Pope observed, the Gospel shows how Jesus waited for his followers to understand and accept him.

Detroit archbishop denies Communion

Catholic politicians who advocate legal recognition of same-sex marriage should not receive Communion, according to Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit, the US. He said a Catholic who receives Communion while rejecting the teaching authority of the Church is engaged in an act of hypocrisy.

On the other hand, Fr Thomas Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Centre at Georgetown University, said that “most American bishops do not favour denying either politicians or voters Communion because of their positions on controversial issues”. He added “about 30 or so bishops have said that pro-choice or pro-gay-marriage Catholics should not present themselves for Communion”.

Christians flee Aleppo as rebels march on

Fr David Fernandez, a Divine Word missionary, said over 300 Christian families have fled Aleppo, Syria, after the rebels’ victory in the area. Over 100 have taken refuge in the house run by the Marist brothers.

Christians’ fears over the Syria uprising are not unfounded. According to media reports, a Jordanian Islamic cleric said it is permissible for rebel fighters to rape women who are not Sunni Muslims.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)

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