Brief news
Cuba: Bishops call for more freedom for citizens
The Catholic Church is asking the Cuban government to renounce its iron fist policy and to show more compassion. In an appeal launched in Havana, the bishops are asking for more freedom for citizens.
Nevertheless, the Bishops Conference supports the governments battle against crime, and drug addiction and drug trafficking.
In their message, the bishops complain of the moral deviations of the Cuban population, the ever growing number of abortions and of families abandoned by the father. Furthermore, many families live in destitution because of wages which are often insufficient to cover basic needs. This precariousness is constantly inciting more people to leave the country.
For decades now, the worlds police have been missing a great opportunity to put their own house in order.
Philippines: Arrest of one of the kidnappers of the missionary killed in June 2002
An Islamic rebel who played a part in the abduction of the American missionary killed in June 2002, has been arrested in the south of the Philippines. The news was divulged on 12th February by military sources, who said that the man arrested was a member of Abu Sayyaf.
Islamic guerrilla separatists and the Philippine army said on Wednesday that more than 70 people had died in fighting in the south of the country. Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee because of the conflict.
Great Britain: Imam calls for a Jihad
You must learn to shoot, fly airplanes, drive tanks and you must learn to load weapons and fire missiles, said Abdullah el-Faisal, 39, on his tapes, according to the public prosecutor at the Old Bailey (London). Condemning India as 100% infidel, he had authorized an attack on the country with nuclear weapons, and he is also accused of encouraging schoolboys to man Kalashnikovs.
Madagascar: rapturous reception for the relics of Saint Thérèse
The relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, exposed regularly throughout the world, passed through Madagascar at the end of February. Their arrival took place amid great ceremony, in the presence of political and religious leaders and a considerable number of faithful. The red carpet was rolled out for the occasion, and the fanfare of the Republic was sent for the reception. Half of the members of the government had travelled there, led by the Prime Minister Jacques Sylla. Senior dignitaries from the Catholic Church were also there, with their leader His Grace Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra, Archbishop of Antananarivo, and the apostolic nuncio Bishop Bruno Musaro.
The representatives of all the Catholic congregations and, of course, the Carmelites Fathers and Sisters, were present. It was a magnificent and unique event in the history of the Catholic Church in Madagascar. Everywhere the procession went, thousands followed.
