‘Do not abandon Mozambique’, say Catholics, amid jihadist attacks
l Islamist terrorism threatens the future of Mozambique, according to a Catholic community aiding hundreds of thousands of refugees driven out by attacks.
“Do not abandon the people of Mozambique,” Fr Angelo Romano urged at a press conference in Rome on July 21.
“The future prospects of the country are in fact now in danger because of the terrorist onslaught that began in 2017 that is endangering peace throughout the country,” he said.
The priest is a member of the Catholic community of Sant’Egidio, a group that has been active in Mozambique for more than three decades and helped broker a peace agreement in the country in Southeastern Africa in 1992.
Nine members of Sant’Egidio have been killed in Islamist attacks in Mozambique since 2019.
US Congress urged to pass comprehensive immigration bill
At a Capitol Hill media event July 21, Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington joined immigrants, agriculture and business representatives and two US senators in calling for legislative protections for immigrants that keep families together, including a pathway to citizenship.
Speaking on the lawn of the Capitol, Cardinal Gregory said that “like many of our own family members who made a new life here … we too are called to demonstrate kindness and a spirit of welcome to our migrant and refugee sisters and brothers, who are greatly contributing to our society through work and service”.
He added a note of gratitude “for their dedication and service to this country in positions classified as essential work, health care and military service” during the pandemic.
Orthodox church in British Columbia destroyed in ‘suspicious’ fire
A Coptic Orthodox church in British Columbia was destroyed in a fire on Monday, July 19, just days after an attempted arson attack damaged the church’s door.
Local police said they were alerted to a fire at St George Coptic Orthodox Church in Surrey around 3:17 am on Monday. By the time the fire was extinguished, the building was almost entirely demolished and only a single wall was left standing. No one was reported injured in the fire.
“While today is a day of sadness, we will not be deterred and we will rebuild,” said Bishop Mina of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Mississauga, Vancouver and Western Canada in a statement on Monday. “Our church will always be open for all.”
Neocatechumenal Way requests opening sainthood cause of co-founder
Members of the Neocatechumenal Way formally presented to the archbishop of Madrid a request to open the sainthood cause of their co-founder, Carmen Hernández.
Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra of Madrid celebrated Mass in the city’s cathedral July 19, the fifth anniversary of her death.
Church rules require a waiting period of five years before opening a sainthood cause.
The initial stages include collecting the writings and speeches of the candidate and interviewing witnesses who knew the person. The information forms the basis of the positio or position paper, which is forwarded to the Vatican Congregation for Saints’ Causes.
When the cardinals and bishops who are members of the congregation are satisfied that the positio is complete, they recommend the candidate to the Pope.