Chilean President Sebastián Piñera Parents urge Chile president to veto bill
Pro-family organisations in Chile are urging President Sebastián Piñera to veto completely the recently passed “System of Guarantees of Children’s Rights” bill.
“Today the children of Chile are more defenceless than ever, thanks to the irresponsibility of parliamentarians who, knowing the content of the bill, gave it their approval. Mr President, I ask that for the love of the children of Chile and without delay, veto this law,” says a video from the pro-family CUIDE Chile Foundation.
The bill undermines “the relationship between parents and children, leaving the state as the first protector and guarantor of children, above the parents,” Pamela Pizarro, executive director of CUIDE Chile, told ACI Prensa
Canadian bishops, indigenous to meet Pope in December
Some Canadian bishops, along with indigenous leaders, will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican in December 2021, according to the Canadian bishops’ conference.
The delegations of a “small” group of Canadian bishops, along with indigenous First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders, will be scheduled for papal meetings at the Vatican from December 17-20, 2021, “to foster meaningful encounters of dialogue and healing”, the Canadian bishops’ conference stated June 29.
Pope Francis is inviting each group of indigenous delegations – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – to a distinct meeting, the bishops said, praising “the Holy Father’s spirit of openness”.
Nun surprised to be appointed to Eritrean bishops’ conference
Comboni Sr Tseghereda Yohannes said she was caught off guard when she was appointed secretary-general of the Eritrean bishops’ conference.
“This was most unexpected to me as my whole ministry has been on teaching,” she told Catholic News Service in a recent interview.
She has taught biology and chemistry in various schools. She also has served as a chaplain at Eritrea University and counselor for the Comboni Missionary Sisters in Kenya and Eritrea.
During the interview, the 64-year-old nun touched on various issues affecting Eritrea.
On the protracted conflict between her country and neighbouring Ethiopia, Sr Tseghereda said it is unfortunate that the two countries should be at “loggerheads”.
Tokyo Catholic churches to keep restrictions during Olympics
The Tokyo Archdiocese says it will maintain infection control measures despite the Japanese government having lifted the Covid-19 state of emergency in many cities ahead of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tokyo Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi said Catholics would remain on their guard following the government’s easing of restrictions, reported ucanews.com.
He said pandemic control measures will be in place in areas covered by the Tokyo Archdiocese, which expects many people will visit the metropolitan area during the Olympics and Paralympics.
Following safety protocols, only a limited number of people will be allowed to enter churches, and they have to keep a one-metre distance from each other.
Call for prayers after George Floyd’s killer sentenced
Following Derek Chauvin’s June 25 sentencing for the murder of George Floyd, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St Paul and Minneapolis prayed it would “bring a measure of peace and healing” to Mr loyd’s family, his friends “and our community”.
At the same time, he said in statement, he also prayed this will prompt everyone “to go deeper in our conversations about race, justice, violence and peace”.
“Please join me in praying that the Lord will guide us in those conversations, no matter how difficult and uncomfortable they may be,” he said.
A former Minneapolis police officer, Mr Chauvin was given 22 and a half years in prison.