(ANS - Vatican City) - "So, does this girl cook well?", Pope Francis asked the Salesian Fr Jorge Crisafulli yesterday, in the margins of the general audience. With the human trait that distinguishes him, the Holy Father was already entering into a relationship with Augusta, the young girl from Sierra Leone forced to prostitute herself as a child, but thanks to the "Don Bosco Fambul" in Freetown she now has a small restaurant business and teaches cooking to other girls who are victims of forced prostitution. Fr Crisafulli talked about this meeting and the effectiveness of Salesian advocacy for the neediest.
190 people attended the meeting "The Protection of Minors in the Church", which took place from 21 to 24 February.
Present were:
114 presidents of Episcopal Conferences, of which:
36 from Africa
24 from the Americas
18 from Asia
32 from Europe
4 from Oceania
14 leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches
15 bishops who do not belong to any Episcopal Conference
12 superiors general of religious orders (men)
10 superiors general (women)
4 members of the Roman Curia
5 members of the Council of Cardinals
5 between organizers, presenters and moderator
Source: Avvenire
Vatican City, Vatican - February 2019 – Beginning 21 February was the meeting on "The Protection of Minors in the Church", in the new Synod Hall, in the Vatican, until February 24th, presided over by Holy Father Francis. The Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences of the Catholic Church, the Heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches, the representatives of the Union of Superiors General and of the International Union of Superiors General, Members of the Roman Curia and of the Council of Cardinals are all taking part in the Meeting. After the initial prayer, the Holy Father gave his speech, followed by the screening of a video, the reports of card. Luis Antonio Tagle, of mgr. Charles Jude Scicluna, and sessions of group work. Also present at the meeting: Fr Francesco Cereda, Vicar of the Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation.
(ANS - Rabat) - Mgr Cristóbal López, archbishop of Rabat, Morocco, expresses in an interview his joy for the visit of Pope Francis to the country, scheduled for 30 – 31 March 2019.
Pope Francis is the most appreciated international leader in the world, with a global approval rating of 56%.
In the past year, the approval rating has increased by 28%.
The 5 countries where Pope Francis is most appreciated are:
Croatia - 83%
Colombia - 80%
Philippines - 80%
Armenia - 79%
Italy - 76%
Source: Two Global Leaders with Very Different Global Perceptions
(ANS - Buenos Aires) - The federations of the Past Pupils, men and women, of Don Bosco and of the Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) of the American continent have drawn up and signed a document expressing their support for the pontificate of Francis, who enthuses them for the Synod of Bishops on Youth, the WYD in Panama, and the forthcoming anti-pedophilia summit. "We live in a unique and unrepeatable ecclesial context for young people," they say.
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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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”