Fr Anil Philip Indian priest and director to release new film
A priest and film director in India is to release a new film of someone living with HIV and their family. Michael’s Coffee House, by Fr Anil Philip, will soon be released in Indian cinemas.
Fr Philip, a member of the Congregation of Mary Immaculate (CMI), based his first film, Madhuram EE Jeevitham (‘This Life is Sweet’), on CMI founder St Chavara Kuriakos Elias.
The film won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 34th International Kolkata Cultural Film Festival.
“I celebrate holy Mass and recite my prayers early in the morning,” he said. “On movie sets often, many actors and crew members ask me for spiritual advice.”
Southern Arabia vicar named north apostolic administrator
Msgr Paul Hinder, the vicar of southern Arabia, has been appointed apostolic administrator of the northern Arabia following the death of Msgr Camillo Ballin in April.
The Archbishop has been entrusted with safeguarding and preserving the links between the Christians of Arabia during the Covid-19 pandemic.
His priorities are the conclusion of the cathedral of Bahrain “by the end of the year” and to aid migrant communities in the Gulf regions.
“We must stay close,” said Msgr Hinder of the Christian community, “and make our presence felt as a Church.”
Flippino clergy oppose new anti-terrorist bill
Catholic clergy have launched a campaign to oppose a controversial new anti-terrorism bill in The Philippines.
Under the bill passed by congress last week, which is pending final approval from President Rodrigo Duterte, authorities would be empowered to jail suspected terrorists without trial or an arrest warrant.
Several Church leaders say the bill could “be abused by those who wish to dominate the people, canceling the opposition and also suppressing legitimate dissent”.
Fr Daniel Pilario, a priest and theologian from Manila, says the framework also “increases the probability of serious impunity for misconduct by state forces”.
Faith helps Bangladesh Catholic doctor beat Covid-19
A Catholic doctor in Bangladesh who battled successfully against Covid-19 has credited his strong faith in God and unwavering hope for his recovery.
Dr Edward Pallab Rozario, 47, head of health programmes at Caritas Bangladesh, caught the virus in late April.
Despite testing positive at the time, following 14 days of isolation in May he later came back negative.
“At a time of any massive crisis, we must have complete faith and hope in God so that we can overcome it,” Dr Rozario said.
“The crisis has brought us closer to God, and I strongly believe God will help us overcome this and humanity will start all over again.”
African bishops ask multinationals to make Covid-19 contributions
Bishops in Africa have called on large multinational companies to do their part to help the debt-ridden continent during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a SECAM (Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar) statement, they called on businesses to “join in the efforts” in providing care for vulnerable people.
“Africa is a major supplier of raw materials to industrialised countries,” read their statement.
“Therefore, we call upon large companies which exploit these raw materials to make significant contributions to the host countries to enable them provide basic social services such as hospitals, schools, adequate and affordable housing.”