– Tej Francis
PARIS, FRANCE
‘WHAT CAN WE SAY?’ FRENCH BISHOPS CAUTIOUS IN RESPONSE TO ‘YELLOW VEST’ PROTESTS
(CNA) French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced Tuesday morning that the government would suspend the imposition of a proposed fuel tax increase for six months. The planned increases, originally set to take effect in January, have been at the center of two weeks of demonstrations nationwide, including rioting in Paris.
Catholic leaders have been cautious in their reactions to the demonstrations, expressing sympathy for those bearing the brunt of economic reforms but stopping short of supporting the “yellow vest” movement which has led to cars being burned in the streets of the capital.
Bishop Gilbert Aubry of the Diocese of Saint-Denis de la Réunion, on the small island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, has been the most forthright in addressing the situation, which has also affected the French territory. In an article released on local media, Bishop Aubry said while civil unrest and violence were unacceptable, the wider economic climate had to be considered.
The planned tax, which would have meant a further 6.5 cent tax increase on a litre of diesel and 2.5 cents per litre on gasoline nationwide, is the latest in series of price hikes which have seen fuel costs increase by about 23 percent in the last year. Tighter emissions standards for cars were also meant to be imposed from January. The measures have been suspended for six months in an attempt to quell the civil unrest.
Earlier this year, the government of President Emmanuel Macron brought in a 7.6 cent-per-litre “carbon tax” on fuel as part of the government’s green agenda. While condemning the violence, the bishop said thought must be given to its underlying causes. “There is some pressure on bishops to take a position on the yellow vests. But what can we say?” La Croix quotes Bishop Xavier Malle of Gap and Embrun as saying on social media.
ROME
DIPLOMATS AT VATICAN BACK NUNS IN FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Trafficking is a problem in every part of the globe, and it’s a priority for Pope Francis. As such, it serves as a natural point of convergence for ambassadors looking to build bridges with both the Vatican and their counterparts from other nations, with the added bonus that a joint commitment can actually make a difference.
In a show of just how eager ambassadors seem to be to tackle the issue, somewhere between 10-15 diplomats accredited to the Holy See showed up for a Dec. 3 presentation on anti-trafficking efforts in Africa carried out by a global network of religious sisters.
Ambassadors of Burkina Faso, South Africa, Croatia, Hungary, the United States, Georgia, the Philippines, Nigeria and Australia were just a few who attended the panel outlining the activities of the “Talitha Kum International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons.”
Organized by the embassies of Ireland and the United Kingdom and hosted by the International Union of Superiors General, the event was focused on the work the sisters do in Africa.
Described as a “network of networks,” Talitha Kum is made up of some 22 networks active in more than 60 countries around the world, developing educational programs, victim assistance projects, and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at preventing trafficking, helping victims to break free from their slavery and fostering their reintegration into society after they escape.
Part of the reason for the high-level engagement is because trafficking is such a big priority under the Francis papacy, she said, noting that Talitha Kum has formal involvement with around six or seven embassies to the Holy See, and local partners on the ground engage with others at a national level.
ALGERIA
ALGERIA: UPDATE ON CHRISTIANS FACING PROSELYTISM CHARGES
(meconcern.org) In recent weeks MEC has requested prayer for four Christians, including three from the same family, who were to appear in court on 6 November in Province of Bouira, in the Kabylie region. The hearing was postponed to 27 November. At that hearing, the court listened to both parties and a verdict is expected on 25 December 2018.
These Christians are accused of “inciting a Muslim to change his religion,” an offence under Ordinance 3-6 of 2006, punishable with a prison term of two to five years and a fine of 500,000 to 1 million Algerian Dinars ( approx. US$4,350 to US$8,700).
The charges follow accusations made in July 2018 by a woman (aged 40) whose husband (50), the main defendant, had converted to Christianity. She and members of her family accused her Christian husband, together with a Christian family that had attempted to mitigate the conflict between the couple, of wanting to convert her to Christianity.
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