(ANS - Santiago) - There is no doubt that the question of what the role of the laity in the Church today is remains a theme currently much in vogue for various reasons; for the scarcity of clerics, or for the more significant presence and the rediscovery of the laity in the mission of the Church. For this reason on Saturday, June 22, about 100 people, belonging to different groups of the Salesian Family, gathered in the auditorium of the "Salesianos Alameda" educational center in Santiago, and participated in the debate entitled: “The role of the laity in the Church of today”, conducted by the well-known theologian Antonio Bentué.
(ANS - Vatican City) – Today, 22 May, Holy Father Francis has appointed Salesian Fr Alberto Ricardo Lorenzelli Rossi as auxiliary bishop of Santiago de Chile. He is currently Director of the Salesian Community in the Vatican and Chaplain of the Directorate of Security Services and Civil Protection of the Vatican City State. Fr Lorenzelli, who was assigned the titular bishopric of Sesta, was appointed auxiliary bishop along with Fr Carlos Eugenio Irarrázaval Errázuriz, of the clergy of Santiago, to whom was assigned the titular episcopal see of Tanudaia.
(ANS – Sampran) – Salesian confreres and members of the Salesian Family joined in the Eucharistic Celebration at the inauguration of the 350th anniversary of the apostolic vicariate of Siam Mission [1669 - 2019 A.D.] on the 18th of May 2019. His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, was the main celebrant. The celebration was held at St Pope John Paul II hall located within “St. Joseph Upatham School”, Sampran, Nakorn Pathom.
(ANS - Santiago) - The Salesian Province in Chile, represented by the Provincial, Fr Carlo Lira, and with the presence of the Provincial Vicar, Fr David Albornoz, participated in the signing of the framework agreement for collaboration between the Episcopal Conference of Chile and the Public Prosecutor, on Tuesday 30 April.
(ANS - Rome) - In 2019 the world celebrates 30 years since the origins of the web. Professor Fabio Pasqualetti, SDB, Dean of the Faculty of Social Communication of the Salesian Pontifical University, identifies changes and new challenges.
(ANS - Kampala) - Kampala, with the obvious contradictions of the capitals of developing countries; and Palabek, in the refugee center that houses the last of the last – here, too, in these two problematic realities the message of Easter shall resound: a message of hope that the Salesians, present in both places, try to testify every day of the year.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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Myanmar – Tragedy of Innocent Children in the midst of Armed Conflicts(ANS – Naypyidaw) - Myanmar finds itself immersed in profound grief and anguish as innocent lives, particularly those of children, continue to be mercilessly lost in the enduring armed conflicts. Families are left devastated by the tragic loss of their loved ones while the relentless violence shows no signs of abating. This week, a heartfelt plea from Myanmar reached our community, shedding light on the heart-wrenching death of a young girl Juliet in a military airstrike, prompting a unified call for prayers and action.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of protection and prevention models": PGS conference with UPS(ANS – Rome) – The synergy between the Salesian Youth Sports Centres (PGS) and the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome gave rise to the conference on "Education and culture of safeguarding in sport. Towards the establishment of models of protection and prevention", which will take place on 13 April, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at the UPS facilities in Rome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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United States – INT’L DAY FOR STREET CHILDREN: Salesian Missions highlights programs that provide shelter and support(ANS – New Rochelle) – Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco, joins humanitarian and international organizations around the globe in highlighting the plight of homeless children on the International Day for Street Children. The day provides organizations and the millions of street children in countries worldwide with an opportunity to have their voices heard while ensuring that their rights are not ignored.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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I’M A SALESIAN AND I’M A BOROROTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
Diary of a Happy and Blessed Missionary Day
Dear friends , I’m writing to you from Meruri in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. I write this greeting almost as if it were a journalistic report, because it has been only 24 hours since I arrived in the middle of this Brazilian state.