Archbishop asks for ‘sensible solutions’ to violence
After a standoff between police and a gunman in Philadelphia last week, in which six officers were shot, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has praised the work of the responding officers and called for solutions to root causes of violence.
“The terror that filled yesterday serves as a stark reminder not only of the fragility of life but also of the clear and present danger that illegal drugs and illegally obtained firearms pose to our community,” Archbishop Chaput said in a statement.
“In addition to our prayers, let’s work together toward sensible solutions that address the root causes of continued violence and seek to lift up those struggling with addictions.”
Albinos need greater protection in African Church
The Church in Africa must work to end violence against people with albinism through its schools and other education efforts, said Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, South Africa.
The symposium, known as SECAM, condemns “all forms of violence against albinos”, from murders to mutilations to harmful attitudes, Bishop Sipuka said last week.
“It’s the mindset that needs to be changed,” said Bishop Sipuka, noting that superstitions are entrenched.
About 150 people with albinism have been killed for their body parts since 2014 in countries that include Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Congo. With 76 murders, Tanzania reported the highest number of killings, Amnesty International said.
Scientists optimistic about new Ebola virus treatment
Scientists are hopeful after a clinical trial of two experimental drugs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) showed promise in treating the deadly Ebola virus.
Regeneron’s REGN-EB3 and a monoclonal antibody known as mAb114 were among four experimental drugs being tested in a recent DRC trial, Reuters reported. Both were developed from the antibodies of people who had survived Ebola.
The other two products being tested displayed less success in the clinical trial, and further testing of them has been discontinued.
Ebola is a deadly virus that is primarily spread through contact with bodily fluids. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains and occasional bleeding.
Religious among those accused in abuse lawsuits
Over 400 lawsuits were filed in New York state on the first day of a one-year window in the statute of limitations, allowing abuse survivors to file suit against their abuser or the institution where the abuse occurred.
The lawsuits include an allegation against a sitting bishop and a RICO suit against the Diocese of Buffalo and the Northeast Province of the Jesuits. Other suits were filed against former archbishop Theodore McCarrick, and against retired Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany. Hubbard has denied the allegations.
The one-year window was created through the Child Victims Act, which altered New York’s statute of limitations for filing criminal claims and civil claims for survivors of child sexual abuse.
Pope to give 6,000 rosaries to Syrian communities
Pope Francis announced last week that he is giving 6,000 blessed rosaries to Catholic communities in Syria as a sign of his closeness on the Marian Feast of the Assumption.
“Prayer made with Faith is powerful! We continue to pray the rosary for peace in the Middle East and in the whole world,” Pope Francis said on August 15 in his Angelus message for the Assumption of Mary.
The Pope blessed the rosaries made by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, and said that the Syrian families that lost someone because of the war are close to his heart.