Local Catholic communities in China are following the Lenten path, redoubling their efforts in works of charity and empathy for others, always ready to respond to new needs and specific demands. Alongside traditional methods of offering alms, innovative initiatives have been also implemented to support those in need during the Lenten season.
The Pilgrim Relics of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus have arrived in the Philippines for their fifth visit, bringing with them a renewed sense of faith and inspiration. O Clarim’s photo feature captures the solemnity and reverence of this spiritual pilgrimage, as thousands of devotees offer prayers and seek the intercession of the beloved saint known as the ‘Little Flower.’
Vatican astronomers have announced exoplanet discoveries and plans to launch a space mission. Surprised? The Church’s history with astronomy ranges from its contributions to scientific discoveries to its infamous trial of Galileo. Today, the Church is actively investing in astronomical observatories and space research as part of its ongoing efforts to reconcile with its past and support scientific exploration.
The University of Saint Joseph joined forces with the Catholic University of Portugal to create a second laboratory of applied neurosciences. The lab, which will be headquartered in Porto, aims to take advantage of the scientific assets and the critical capacity that exists in Portugal’s second-largest city.
Earlier this month, a lecture on the most scientifically-proven miracle in the history of the Catholic Church was attended by sixty people. Even after five centuries, the Marian apparitions witnessed by Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin and his uncle, Juan Bernardino, in December 1531, continue to baffle modern science in numerous ways.
On October 9, the Yale Center in Beijing will host a forum dedicated to Father Ferdinand Verbiest’s life and legacy. Co-organized by the Macau Ricci Institute, the initiative takes place on the exact day when the 400th anniversary of the birth of the influential Flemish Jesuit will be celebrated. Ferdinand Verbiest, Father Stephan Rothlin says, is still a perfect example of a rational and scientific approach to dialogue with China.
Even in the midst of their own struggles with natural disasters, the Catholic communities of Bangladesh continue to extend a helping hand to those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Through prayer, donations, and solidarity campaigns, these communities are repaying the international aid they have received in the past. Meanwhile, in South Korea, Caritas is mobilizing for an emergency fund to support the earthquake victims, and the Catholic bishops are advocating for the abolition of the death penalty.
In an interview with O Clarim, Fr Cyril Jerome Law, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Macau, speaks about his participation in the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality. He highlights the multilingual and multi-cultural dimension of the local Church in Macau and the need for effective communication. Fr Cyril further believes that Catholics in Macau can contribute to the synodal process by engaging in spiritual conversation and promoting the Church’s teachings through pastoral outreach.
Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, emphasizes the urgent need for unity among Eastern Churches to safeguard the future of Christianity in the Middle East. Building bridges with Muslims is also essential, says the patriarch.
The Catholic communities in Laos and Cambodia are facing significant challenges in training local clergy and reaching out to young people. With only 0.5% of the population in Laos and 0.1% in Cambodia being members of the Roman Catholic Church, the bishops are focusing on creating “prospects of hope” among those who are left behind in society. The lack of local clergy and language barriers are just a few of the challenges they face.
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