During a visit to the Jesuit-run Astalli Centre for refugees in Rome, Pope Francis said:
“Dearest men and women religious, empty convents are useless to the Church if they are transformed into hotels and earn money. The empty convents aren’t ours; they are for Christ’s flesh, which the refugees are. The Lord calls us to live with generosity and courage, hospitality in empty convents. It certainly isn’t something simple; we need criteria, responsibility, but also courage.
“We do so much, perhaps we are called to do more, welcoming and sharing with determination what Providence has given us to serve; to overcome the temptation of spiritual worldliness to be close to simple people and especially the least.”
Priests preach for immigration reform
Priests across the US were asked to preach about immigration reform during last Sunday’s Masses.
The Church in the US has been very active in pushing for immigration policy reforms which would enable immigrants to regularise their position. Dioceses across the US placed special emphasis on immigration during the day. Some postponed these prayers to dedicate the Sunday to prayers for peace.
Kevin Appleby, director of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migration and Refugee Policy, told the Los Angeles Times that “we need to get the Senate bill through to the House. It needs a push. We’re doing everything right now to keep the pressure up.”
Lay woman beatified
Maria Bolognesi (1924-1980), an Italian lay woman who devoted her life to the service of the poor and the sick, was recently beatified in a celebration in Rovigo, Italy.
Bolognesi was an illegitimate child who grew up in poverty. Her parents were not at all exemplary. Her father was abusive and her mother was blasphemous. Bolognesi reacted to her poverty by devoting herself to the service of others.
‘Chilean reconciliation cannot be imposed’
In a statement marking the 40th anniversary of General Augusto Pinochet’s coup against Chilean President Salvador Allende, the bishops of Chile said: “As pastors of the Church we want to remember this date and reflect on the dignity of the human person. ...Motivated by this fundamental value, the Catholic Church, together with other Christian churches, had to assume, in a time when one abandoned dialogue, a preponderant role in the defence of human rights and protection of persecuted compatriots. …Nothing justifies the violation of human dignity perpetrated, starting from September 11, 1973.
“Truth, justice and reconciliation is the path we have proposed to have a life of dignity and human coexistence. More than ever, today we continue to believe in this path, despite the difficulties that arise. Reconciliation cannot be imposed by decree, but comes from a merciful heart.
“Our belief is that small, personal and institutional gestures can be vital to help heal wounds and contribute to true reconciliation.”
‘Don’t attack Syria’
Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo Hassaké-Nisibi, a Syrian Catholic bishop, has written to US President Barack Obama urging him not to attack Syria.
In his letter, he expressed sorrow at “the torments of war, the destruction and lack of everything” as a result of the current civil war. However he added that an American attack would bring “massacres, destruction and more suffering”.
He also expressed doubts about whether the Assad regime had used chemical weapons.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)