Juliana Taimoorazy Peace Prize nominee urges Biden to protect Iraqi Christians
After the last US forces left Afghanistan last week, an interfaith coalition implored President Joe Biden to keep American troops in Iraq to protect Christians and other persecuted religious minorities.
“We beseech you on behalf of two historic and endangered peoples, Assyrian Christians and Yazidis, to continue the presence of American troops in Iraq,” said a letter signed by Juliana Taimoorazy, Founder and President of the Iraqi Christian Relief Council, as well as Hadi Pir, Vice President of the Yazda organisation.
Ms Taimoorazy was nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her work to protect Assyrian Christians, Yazidis, and other minority groups in Iraq from the threat of genocide.
Bishop urges Queenslanders to fight euthanasia and assisted suicide
Catholics in Australia’s Queensland state are being urged to sign a petition asking the parliament not to pass a bill that would allow for euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The parliament of Queensland is set to debate the bill later this month.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane sent a letter this week urging all people of good will to sign the petition, which has about 1,300 signatures so far.
“These laws, if passed, will overturn foundational principles that have underpinned our medical and legal systems for centuries – the ethic of ‘do no harm’ and the prohibition on killing,” Archbishop Coleridge wrote.
Pope Francis appoints Benedictine as Swiss Guard chaplain
The Pontifical Swiss Guard’s new chaplain is the Swiss Benedictine Fr Kolumban Reichlin, who completed part of his studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana.
Fr Reichlin, 50, was appointed chaplain by Pope Francis September 1 and will take up his new position in October.
The Pontifical Swiss Guard was established by Pope Julius II in 1506 and is charged with serving and protecting the Pope.
Members of the world’s smallest but oldest standing army – known for its colourful striped Renaissance-era uniforms – are responsible for Vatican security together with the Vatican gendarmes.
Mexico’s bishops oppose migrant restrictions at country’s border
The bishops of Mexico have reiterated their opposition to the “contain and return measures” implemented by their government to stop migrants passing through the country.
The Mexican bishops’ conference said on Twitter August 31 that “as Christians, we reject the contain and return measures that governments have implemented against migrants”.
The conference also condemned “the xenophobia, discrimination and violence against them”.
“We demand strict respect for their rights!” they insisted.
German bishop proposes alternative ‘Synodal Way’ text
A German Catholic bishop last Friday proposed an alternative text for the country’s controversial “Synodal Way”.
Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg presented the text on a website launched on September 3, reported CNA Deutsch.
In an introduction to the website, the bishop wrote: “We are joining in the Synodal Way, but we are increasingly convinced that [this process] will not reach its goal if it continues along the path it has taken so far.
“We are convinced that only a Synodal Way that is undertaken alongside and by the whole Church can be sound and achieve its goal. The whole Church is not only the worldwide Church, but also the early Church and the Church of the saints who have already arrived at their destination.”