Reforming the College of Cardinals

 Reforming the College of Cardinals

Pope Francis has appointed 20 new cardinals at a ceremony in the Vatican, including many from developing countries, telling them their high rank is a call to be humble and work for justice.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo

Pope Francis also told the new cardinals to exercise charity and put aside pride, jealousy, self-interest and anger when he elevated them from prelates at the ceremony in St Peter's Basilica.
One of the cardinals selected was Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar.
"[This is] an extraordinary event. The first cardinal after the existence of the Catholic Church in Myanmar for 500 years," he said.
"And of course I'm very extremely happy at the challenge and responsibility."
The ceremony was attended by former Pope Benedict XVI, making only his fifth public appearance at a church event since his resignation in 2013.
In his homily, Pope Francis said being a cardinal "is not a kind of accessory, a decoration, like an honorary title" and warned against being "puffed up with pride", adding: "Nor are church dignitaries immune from this temptation".
Cardinals are the Pope's highest ranking aides in Rome and around the world. Those under the age of 80 can enter a secret conclave to elect the next pontiff after Pope Francis's death or resignation.
Since his election, Pope Francis has often criticised careerism and privileges among the clergy, setting an example by living in a Vatican guest house instead of the large papal apartments used by his predecessors.

Fifteen of those who received their red "biretta" hats on Saturday are under 80, bringing the total number of "cardinal electors" to 125.
The five older men were honoured for their long service to the church.
The new electors, whose names were announced last month, are from Italy, France, Portugal, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar, Thailand, Uruguay, Spain, Panama, Cape Verde and Tonga. Nine are from the developing world.
It is the first time cardinals from Myanmar, Tonga or Cape Verde have been appointed.
Cardinal Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia, Mexico, has worked in a region hit by violence related to drug cartels.
Cardinal Francesco Montenegro of Sicily has been at the front line of efforts to help migrants making the dangerous crossing from north Africa to the island of Lampedusa.

courtesy of: http://www.abc.net.au/news

"Post-Mamasapano Incident: Another Call for PNoy Resignation "

 "Post-Mamasapano Incident: Another Call for PNoy Resignation "

CEBU CITY -- Six officials from the Catholic church and three members of religious groups joined Friday the National Transformation Council’s (NTC) call for President Benigno Aquino III to “step down.”

Retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also appealed to other bishops and religious leaders to join the Catholic Church in praying for God’s guidance “for the renewal of the nation.”

The Archdiocese of Cebu, however, clarified that while Archbishop Jose Palma was present when Cardinal Vidal read his statement, this did not mean Palma was joining the call for Aquino to step down, following the Mamasapano tragedy last January.

Former senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales, who support the NTC, joined the Church officials in Vidal’s post-birthday party Friday at his home in Sto. Niño Village in Banilad, Cebu City.

Cardinal Vidal’s statement began this way: “The National Transformation Council has strongly articulated that the President should step down. We, bishops of the Catholic and other Christian Churches, have often been asked if there is moral basis to this growing demand. Recent developments have made this call even more urgent and imperative.”

(Although the text uses “articulated” in the first sentence, when Cardinal Vidal read the speech, he used “advocated.”)

“We cannot be apathetic,” the cardinal’s seven-paragraph statement also pointed out.

Appeal

It mentioned the resignation call only in the first paragraph. It ended this way: “We appeal to our fellow bishops and religious leaders of faith-based communities to join us in praying to God for His guidance for the renewal of the nation that is deeply rooted in faith values, love of country and respect for human life and environment.”

Hours after the event, the Archdiocese of Cebu clarified that it is not supporting calls for President Aquino to resign.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Archdiocese of Cebu, told Sun.Star Cebu that Archbishop Palma is “in no position” to issue or support such calls.

“The Archbishop of Cebu is in no position to issue any political statement of whatever kind because such an act would not be part of the competence of the ministry of the Church,” Tan added.

Tan clarified that Archbishop Palma’s role during Friday's activity was only to participate in the 84-year-old prelate’s post-birthday party with some of his friends.

“We want to make it clear that no one will hear from the Archbishop of Cebu issuing such a statement nor would we be interested in making such a statement,” he added.

Courtesy of: youtube.com and  sunstar.com.ph

"The Over-killing of the Fallen 44 committed by the MILF"

"The Over-killing of the Fallen 44 committed by the MILF"

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina blasted Moro rebels Monday morning over the “overkill” of 44 police commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on January 25, 2015.

Espina, speaking during the Senate hearing on the incident, demanded for answers.
Granting that the mission went awry and killed 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members, Espina asked three questions he wanted to be answered as the Senate probed the incident.
First, was the “overkill” of the SAF men, mostly in the 55th SAF company, valid?
“Almost all were shot at close range in their head. They were stripped of their uniforms, personal belongings, cellphones. Some were even telling the wives of my men, ‘Patay na ang asawa mo. Huwag ka nang tumawag’,” Espina lamented.

The 392 SAF troopers encountered the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the ill-fated operation on January 25.
Second, Espina said the Moro rebels saw SAF patches in the uniforms of the government troops. Why would they kill them at close range considering the continuing peace talks between the two parties?
Third, he asked, after killing 36 troopers from the 55th SAF company, why did they have to maneuver and kill more from the 84th SAF company, the assaulting force that killed Marwan?
“We request them to answer all these questions and return all the firearms belonging to us,” he said.
“We seek answers from the other party. Forty four of my men from the SAF were killed in a brutal and merciless fashion they were killed in a legit police operation to arrest a terrorist who continued to be a threat to peace-loving citizens,” Espina added.
He said he was thankful for the Senate inquiry “so we can seek justice.”

Courtesy of: youtube.com and inquirer.com.ph