General Chapter Diary: Review and Approval of Final Statements
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General Chapter Diary: Review and Approval of Final Statements

ByFons

Today the capitulants had a late morning start to allow the writing committee to finish draft versions of the final statements of the 19th General Chapter. The first item on the agenda, when the Chapter convened at 11 am, was to finish the election process by designating a Vicar General from among the three elected…

General Chapter Diary – Election Process 2
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General Chapter Diary – Election Process 2

ByFons

This afternoon the General Chapter continued the election process. Three General Councillors were elected: Africa – Philip Adede Amek Asia- Bernie Luna Europe and North America: – Gerry Hastie Further pics on FLICKr The election of the vicar general was postponed till tomorrow, Tuesday.

General Chapter Diary- Election Process
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General Chapter Diary- Election Process

ByFons

Breaking News: The 19th General Chapter of the Mill Hill Missionaries has just re-elected Fr Michael Corcoran to the office of General Superior. Congratulations, Michael! In the afternoon the process will continue with the election of three General Councillors View additional pics on FLICKr

Philippines: Challenges Following Marcos Election
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Philippines: Challenges Following Marcos Election

ByFons

Archbishop-Emeritus Antonio J Ledesma SJ of Cagayan de Oro reflects on the results of this week’s presidential elections in the Philippines. Ferdinand Marcos Jr, known as ‘Bongbong’, the son and namesake of the country’s late dictator, who was ousted by a people’s revolt 36 years ago, is poised to become the next President of the…

Philippines Marcos Election Victory: Socio-Political Formation Sorely Wanting
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Philippines Marcos Election Victory: Socio-Political Formation Sorely Wanting

ByFons

Lawyer Antonio La Viña, former dean at the School of Government of the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, said “propaganda and fake news” contributed to the success of Marcos’ campaign. He said the “Church has failed to keep the morality of the people aligned in the height of disinformation.” “The disconnect here is they see…

Philippines Elections: All in the Family
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Philippines Elections: All in the Family

ByFons

Elite families have long ruled the poverty-ravaged nation, holding on to positions of power for generations by dishing out favors, buying votes or resorting to violence. Analysts say the system has become more pervasive in the decades since a popular uprising deposed Marcos and forced his family into exile. New dynasties have entrenched themselves in…

Philippines Elections: Which Way Will Clergy and Religious Vote Go?
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Philippines Elections: Which Way Will Clergy and Religious Vote Go?

ByFons

With just a week before the May 9 presidential election, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has exerted all efforts in the performance of its pastoral and prophetic duty to remind the nation of the grave consequences of the return of the Marcoses to Malacanang, the president’s official residence in Manila. Given this,…

Philippines: Elections Potential Game-Changer
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Philippines: Elections Potential Game-Changer

ByFons

Filipino voters, mostly lay Catholics, want to perform their civic duty to actively participate in and evangelize politics. Pope Francis has always said that the “lay people are, put simply, the vast majority of the people of God” (Evangelii Gaudium, 102), that the “hour of the laity” has arrived, and that in obedience to Christ…

Philippines: ‘No Neutrality in Battle between Good and Evil’ – Bishops
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Philippines: ‘No Neutrality in Battle between Good and Evil’ – Bishops

ByFons

Two senior Catholic prelates have urged fellow clergymen and the public to shun political neutrality when oppression exists. People cannot remain neutral in the battle between good and evil, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen Dagupan and retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said on Dec. 12. They were responding to critics who say the separation of church and state means…

DR Congo: Cardinal Ambongo Bid to Safeguard Electoral Process
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DR Congo: Cardinal Ambongo Bid to Safeguard Electoral Process

ByFons

Denis Kadima who was confirmed as the head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “is not the right choice”, a Cardinal in the Central African nation has said. On October 22, President Tshisekedi confirmed the appointment of Mr. Kadima as the head of CENI alongside 12 others as…

DR Congo: Catholic Church Weighs in to Ensure Credible Elections
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DR Congo: Catholic Church Weighs in to Ensure Credible Elections

ByFons

The Catholic Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) seeks to support democracy by ensuring an inclusive, credible and peaceful general elections in 2023, the Apostolic Nuncio in the Central African nation has said. Speaking to journalists Wednesday, October 6 after an audience with the President of the National Assembly, Christophe Mboso, Archbishop Ettore…

USA: Making Sense of Catholic Attitudes towards Trump
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USA: Making Sense of Catholic Attitudes towards Trump

ByFons

In the weeks before the election, I received Facebook messages from many Catholics struggling to make sense of pastors who cast the election in such terms or condemned Democrats outright, either from the pulpit or in private conversations. Many felt not only attacked for their political views but alienated from their own parishes. “How do…