World Refugees Day

On the celebration of World Refugee Day, Benedict XVI is calling attention to the needs of those who have been forced to move away from their homeland.

The Pope stated this today after praying the midday Angelus with the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“Today the United Nations celebrates World Refugee Day,” he said, “to recall attention to the problems of those who have been forced out of their own land and familiar customs, traveling to environments that, often, are profoundly different.”

“Refugees desire to find welcome and to be recognized in their dignity and their fundamental rights,” the Holy Father affirmed… Read more »

Pastoral work with youths should not only involve working for them, but working with them (Synod Document on Adolescents and Youth Nr. 54) The Diocesan Synod urges youths to take an active role in the Church, and among other initiatives, it enourages them to offer a service to society through voluntary service.

The number of youths, members of groups and Church movements, who commit themselves to offer their services on a voluntary basis during the summer months, is always on the increase.  … Read more »

On Wednesday, 23rd June, 2010, Archbishop Paul Cremona OP will ordain nine young men to the priesthood, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mdina. The celebration will commence at 6.30 pm. The general public is invited to attend and pray for the sanctification of priests, especially those who are being ordained. The nine seminarians to be ordained priests are:

Rev. Deo Debono OSA, Rev. Stefan Galea (Naxxar), Rev… Read more »

The topic of refugees and our relation to them is becoming more and more relevant, most especially for the Church, which, according to the words of Pope Benedict himself in his latest encyclical letter Caritas in Veritate, para 15, states that one should always bear in mind the holistic development of the person.  In the same encyclical, para 62-05, the Pope also makes reference to the subject of refugees… Read more »

Caritas is calling for international aid to abate a food crisis in the Sahel region of West Africa, where 10 million people are facing hunger. Niger is the worst hit with 8 million people at risk, Caritas reported today, although there are also food shortages in Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Raymond Yoro, secretary general of Caritas Niger, called for immediate help, affirming, “It’s not too late to avert a tragedy… Read more »

Louisiana oil spill

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the anti-poverty program of the U.S. bishops, is giving $300,000 in grants to aid victims of the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted from an April 20 well blowout on the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil drilling platform that killed 11 and injured 17 others.

The oil company BP has been fingered as being primarily responsible for what has become the largest spill in U.S… Read more »

On Saturday, 12th June, 2010, the Secretariat for Catechesis along with the Youth Football Association organised a seminar with the theme: World Cup 2010 – Values in Sports for the coaches and all those involved in the running of nurseries. The seminar commenced at 9.00 a.m. at the Phoenicia hotel ballroom, Floriana. Maltese President, Dr. George Abela presided over the seminar with the main speakers being Fr… Read more »