Pope appeals for non-violence in Nigeria
The celebration of Christmas leads people to pray in an even stronger
way that God would “stop the hands of the violent who sow death and that
justice and peace would reign in the world,” the Pope Benedict XVI said
on Dec. 26 as he recited the Angelus with visitors gathered in St.
Peter’s Square.
Pope Benedict XVI |
A group called Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombings.
News reports said at least 35 people died at St. Theresa Catholic Church
in Madalla, just outside Abuja. Other deadly bombs were set off at the
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Jos and at police stations in
three other cities. Pope Benedict told visitors and pilgrims that he was
deeply saddened by the news of the Christmas bombings and he offered his
prayers “to all those who have been stricken by this absurd gesture.
Once again I want to repeat: Violence is a path that leads only to pain,
destruction and death; respect, reconciliation and love are the paths to
peace,” he said.
Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital,
told Vatican Radio that most Christians in Nigeria simply do not
understand the reason for the bombings, but many of the young people are
very angry. “We have tried to calm them down,” he said, but church
leaders also have told the government that the only way bring stability
is to “identify and eliminate the dens of these terrorist groups.”
“The majority of Nigerians - Muslims and Christians - want to live in
peace together,” the archbishop said, pointing out that there were
Muslims injured in the bombing of St. Theresa’s. “They were not in the
church, but were just passing by on the street,” he said after visiting
them in the hospital. The head of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on
International Justice and Peace wrote Archbishop Onaiyekan to express
solidarity with Nigerian Christians. “Our thoughts and prayers are with
the church in Nigeria at this time of loss and sorrow,” said the Dec. 27
letter from Bishop Richard E Pates of Des Moines, Iowa. “We pray that
the New Year will bring peace to your beloved country.”
In Nairobi, Kenya, Christmas Mass at Holy Family Basilica was
interrupted when police asked Catholics to evacuate because a suspected
terrorist was in the church. Kenyan military officers have been fighting
with al-Shabab both in Somalia and the country, and security has been
beefed up everywhere, including churches.
Appointed Auxiliary Bishops
The Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka - Embassy of the Holy See - has
the honour to inform that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has
appointed Rev. Fr. Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando and Rev. Fr.
Sampathawaduge Maxwell Grenville Silva, as Auxiliary Bishops of the
Archdiocese of Colombo.
Bishop-elect Emmanuel Fernando was born on 20th May 1948 in Jaffna,
but grew up in Colombo. After completing his studies at St. Benedict’s
College and in Saint Aloysius’ Minor Seminary, Colombo, he entered the
National Seminary, Ampitiya (Kandy), where he studied Philosophy. He did
his theological studies at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome,
obtaining a Masters Degree in Moral Theology, and received his Priestly
ordination in the Vatican, from Pope Paul VI, on 6th January 1973. After
some years of pastoral ministry, he went to the U.S.A. for post-graduate
studies and obtained a Doctorate in Theology from the Catholic
University of Washington, D.C. The Bishop-elect has held the post of
Professor of Theology and also of Rector at the National Seminary, and
was Dean of the Moratuwa Area and Episcopal Vicar for the South in the
Archdiocese of Colombo. He is presently the Episcopal Vicar for the
Tamil Apostolate in the Archdiocese.
Bishop-elect Maxwell Silva was born on 27th September 1953, at
Willorawatte, in the Archdiocese of Colombo. After completing his
studies at St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa and in Saint Aloysius’
Minor Seminary, he entered the National Seminary, Ampitiya (Kandy),
where he studied Philosophy and Theology. He obtained a Bachelor Degree
and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Science of Education from the University
of Kelaniya, as well as a Master of Science in Sociology from the same
University.
He received his Priestly Ordination in Colombo on 25th July 1981. He
was Assistant Parish Priest at Dalugama, Parish Priest at Thibbotugoda
and at Mabola, while teaching at St. Joseph’s College, Grandpass and at
Basilica College, Ragama. Since 2001, he is the Rector of St. Thomas’
College, Kotte.
‘My dream was to become a priest’
He said that his adoptive parents, a Swedish childless couple, father
- a Colonel and mother - an economist - are very kind and lovable to him
and to his adoptive sister. Father did not find any difficulty in
communication with his adoptive parents as he was very fluent in English
language from his childhood as his mother had Burgher descent. After 10
years after his arrival in Sweden, another adoptive sister from India
joined the family. Father said “Three of us have grown up like sisters
and brother of one family and my adoptive parents guided us to be what
we are today.”
Father Michael Bjerkhagen |
“From my childhood, my dream was to become a priest. After I
graduated from high school, I told my parents that I wanted to become a
priest. Thanks to my parents, they gave their blessings for my wish and
helped me to become a priest. As my first step to achieve my goal of
becoming a priest, I chose the Sweden’s oldest University in Uppsala to
study theology. After completing my studies in the University, then I
was sent to English Theological College in Lincoln in Northeastern
England.”
Q: What do you think about Sri Lanka?
A: I was able to find my parents through a friend of mine in
Sri Lanka. He helped me to find the details of my parents from the files
of the ‘Evelyn Orphanage’. Thereafter I went to Sri Lanka for the first
time in the summer 2011. Unfortunately, I was shocked to know that my
parents are no more. However, I was able to meet my grand parents and
sisters. I am very happy about it. I spent about 3 to 4 weeks with them
and came back to Sweden. But I must say that with my visit to Sri Lanka,
I turned over a new leaf in my life. I always think about my family and
my country. Now I feel that I have two homes; one in Sweden and one in
Sri Lanka.
Q: Do you have any agenda to work for the people of Sri Lanka?
A: Yes, definitely. I have my plans to work for my people and
my country through my contacts. I want to share my knowledge to help
people and to develop my country. I am also well off to do that.
Q: How do you build up contacts with our embassy in Sweden?
A: I am very happy to mention that now we have a very young
and energetic ambassador to represent Sri Lanka. Accidentally, I came to
know through the doctor who is in the embassy’s doctors’ panel that a
new ambassador from Sri Lanka arrived in Stockholm.
The doctor said that the ambassador is a young person and can be of
my age. I requested the doctor to give my contacts. To my surprise,
ambassador called me and paid a courtesy visit to my residence.
Thereafter, I also went to the embassy several times and the ambassador
and the staff have been very friendly and treated me well. I feel at
home at the embassy. I have realized that now it is easier for me to
serve my motherland as the ambassador also has a good vision and a plan
to serve the country. I would like to cooperate with him to serve Sri
Lanka.
Q: What is the message do you have to give our Sri Lankans?
A: If one wants to achieve a goal, it does not matter whether
their parents are with him or not. What one must have is the
determination.
Finally, Father Michael said, I am very proud to be a ‘Swe-Lankan’.
Weekly Devotions:
Some spiritual thoughts to make up your
New Year’s resolutions
As we enter 2012 it is good for us to think about the mistakes we
made in 2011, and think positively not to repeat them in 2012. God has
given us another year to spend it in bringing honour to His name, and it
is a good thing to make some decisions , with His help as to how we
intend to live it. If I list below a few obvious situations we all face,
may be it will throw some light on it as to how one can avoid getting
under it and being overwhelmed and lose out on Christ’s blessings for
you. The reason being to rise above it and soar as an eagle does, using
the winds that are against it to reach a higher realm.
1) Remember,
God’s word is important for your daily living. Start your day
submitting it to Him and acknowledging that He has full control of your
life. Confess with your mouth that you want His will to happen - and
mould your will to tally with His, so that your life will bring honour
to Him.
‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’
In heaven the
Lord’s will is done daily, but not on earth - here we have to make a
decision and surrender our wills to Him.
This does not mean that you will not face troubles, but it means that
God is in control and will work it out to bring about a blessing.
Remember this world is being ruled by Satan, and everyday we must ask
the Lord to be present with us.
Psalm 33:20-22
2) Make up
Your mind to live a life of holy sacrifice. God’s purpose is not to
develop you as a ‘person’ but to develop you to be more like ‘ Christ’.
This means you have to forget your rights as Jesus forgot His rights.
‘Self’ is absolutely anti for this to be achieved.
He is not interested in making you a beautiful, plump grape! Luscious
to look at and be
admired, but that He may squeeze the sweetness out of you - be
prepared to pour out your life - and not be bound by rules and
regulations. Stop seeking your own satisfaction, our lives have to be
broken so that others may be refreshed by it.
3) Sometimes
God takes us through spiritual confusion - but have faith that
through it all
He is unfolding a mighty plan for your life.
E.g. a friend who seems indifferent (Luke 11:5-8)
A father who seems harsh in dealing with his son.(Luke 11:11-13)
Stand firm in faith - there is a bigger issue at stake and God is
dealing with it - soon
You will understand. Sometimes true love can hurt, but it is sincere
in achieving something good for you.
4) Learn to
Enjoy adversities.
Many indelible lessons and truths are learned through adversities.
Try to look at your adversities through spiritual eyes. It is a good
opportunity to exhibit Christ’s life in you.
5) Let him
That stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with hishands
the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the
day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another,
even as
God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians:4:29,30)
Include these
5 points into your New Years’ Resolutions, and surely the Lord will
bless
Year 2012 for you - transforming your life to exhibit Christ in you
and increasing the trust you have in Him.
GOD’S
CHOICEST BLESSINGS ON YOU TO ENHANCE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE IN CHRIST
FOR THE
YEAR
2012.
Prayer:
My Lord and
my God, Jesus Christ - be thou my Guide and Protector a I enter into
2012.
Forgive me for the mistakes i made in 2011, cover me with your blood for
the
sins I have committed throughout last year and be gracious and merciful
unto me
that I will not repeat these mistakes. Lord Jesus, I want to draw closer
to you this year and submit my
emotions, thoughts and my will to you, so that the inner-person in me
belongs
to you. Transform me my Adoni, may my life be a sacrifice that is a
sweet
fragrance to you. Hold my hand right throughout this New Year and bless
me
with
a clearer revelations of you, I pray.
Amen.
Sunitha Sahayam
Christian Thought for the Week
Samuel 2, 18-23
As the king was getting ready to cross (David) Shimel threw himself
down in front of him and said, ‘Your Majesty, please forget the wrong I
did that day you left Jerusalem. Don’t hold it against me or think about
any more. I, know sir, that I have sinned and this is why I am the first
from the northern tribe to come and meet Your Majesty today.
Abishai son of Zeruiah spoke up, ‘Shemel should be put to death
because he cursed the one whom the Lord chose as king’.
But David said to Abishai and his brother, Joab. ‘Who asked your
opinion? Are you going to give me trouble, I am the one who is King of
Israel now, and no Israelite will be put to death today. And he said to
Shimel, ‘I give you my word that you will not be put to death’.
Parable on the text
This is a fine example how God forgives those who really repent their
sins through his chosen leaders like King David. No one can dispute the
sanctity of our faith. As true Christians, we must only be focussed on
the words of God, the promise He has given us towards our salvation, our
place with our redeemer.
Let us forgive our enemies, those who have wronged us and like our
redeemer, try to love each and everyone the way God does. If we are to
follow the word of God, our home, our country and our world will be a
better place to live.
When King David assured Shimel that he would not put him to death
because of his wrongs, it was the Lord who was speaking through him.
So, let us be His voice in our lives.
Gwen Herat from the Holy Bible
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