Parishioners Pray for End to Persecution of Iraq’s Christians

Parishioners Pray for End to Persecution of Iraq’s Christians

Mass calls for peace

The sound of overlapping prayers chanted in both Arabic and English filled Mary Immaculate of Lourdes parish Saturday evening as parishioners joined the Iraqi community to Pray for Peace and an End to the Persecution of Christians in Iraq.

“Particularly in times like this, we must remember that Christ is the Light, that Christ is victorious,” the Rev. Michael Harrington, director of the office of outreach and cultural diversity for the Boston Archdiocese, told the several hundred at Mass. “We must all be reflections of that light, bringing hope where there is only despair.”

He deplored the actions of the Islamic State in Iraq, where it is reported that up to 100,000 Christians have fled toward Iraqi Kurdistan under pressure from the militant group.

Praying for Christians in Iraq

“There are no words to describe it,” said Sermed Ashkouri, an Iraqi immigrant and co-coordinator of Our Lady of Mesopotamia Syriac Catholic Mission. “It’s a holocaust right now.”

Ashkouri said his family and friends in Mosul and surrounding villages have been forced out of their homes after Islamic State threatened to kill Christians and other religious minorities who do not flee or convert to Islam.

The Rev. Bassim Shoni, chaplain to the Iraqi Community of Boston, encouraged people to pray for the suffering Iraqis “kicked out from their villages, their homes, with nothing.”

Passed out with prayer books Friday was a flier depicting the Arabic letter ‘N,’ standing for ‘Nasrani,’ the Arabic word for Christian. In Mosul, the letter was spray-painted on Christian homes to be seized by Islamic State. Those Christians were given an ultimatum, the flier said: Convert to Islam and pay a religious levy, or face death. Tens of thousands fled.

The Mass, he said, was a chance to come together. In the midst of the strife, it was a small help.

In a blog post this week, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley asked Catholics around the world to pray for the people of Iraq.

“It is important that we pray for them during this time when so much of the Christian population has been completely displaced and so many people have lost their homes, their families, and even their lives,” he wrote Friday, the same day he celebrated a Mass focused on the Iraqi situation at St. Leonard’s Church in the North End.

 

Last week, Pope Francis condemned the militants’ campaign against religious minorities, which he said left him “in dismay and disbelief.” In his Sunday blessing, he cited “thousands of people, including many Christians, driven from their homes in a brutal manner; children dying of thirst and hunger in their flight; women kidnapped; people massacred; [and] violence of every kind.

“All this gravely offends God and humanity. Hatred is not to be carried in the name of God,” he added. “War is not to be waged in the name of God.”

Saturday’s Mass in Newton was “a time to give them our support and pray for them and tell them they’re not alone in this country,” said Father Charles J. Higgins of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, where the Iraqi community often celebrates Mass.

The Syriac Catholic Mission, which has grown to include 90 mostly refugee families, provides a sense of home to Iraqis in America. Every few weeks, Shoni drives 600 miles from Allentown, Pa., to deliver Mass in Arabic and Syriac.

Many non-Iraqis attended in solidarity. Veronika Vanags of Latvia sat solemnly as the crowd prayed in Arabic. “This is very serious,” she said. “God will hear our prayers in peace, and he will help.”

Ashkouri said he hopes the man chosen to be the country’s new prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, will be able to quell the violence of the Islamic State.

“They are more than terrorists,” Ashkouri said. “They are more than monsters."

                            By Claire McNeill

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/08/16/iraqimass/yuPY9NQJTz4HFb55wm2nTL/story.html

"Don't proselytize; respect others' beliefs." We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyses: 'I am talking with you in order to persuade you,' No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. "The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing,” the Pope said.

"Work for peace." We are living in a time of many wars, he said, and the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive and dynamic.

Yes, surely we, as the Lord of Creation, should restore our human dignity and an appreciation of the value of life. For any kind of religions teaches to live in peace not in war. Concerning the origin of religion, the master is the Creator, God. Therefore all religions should be unified as one under God's Providence. If so, there is no more wars and conflicts one another. Nevertheless because one side of religions has been occupied by the Devil Satan, there always were wars and conflicts between Satan's side and God's. 

But now is the Time of Peace, so we should come together and find solutions for World Peace. As surely as God lives, he will be with us and let us live in Peace and security. Let us pray for that, Peace will come upon us. No to war and persecution, Yes to Peace and Love.

May God bless those who pray and practice for it.

Amen.

'Nevertheless, I will bring Health and Healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant Peace and Security.'      (Jer 33:6)

Pope Francis’s 10 Secrets to Happiness

Pope Francis’s 10 Secrets to Happiness

1. “Live and let live.” Everyone should be guided by this principle, he said, which has a similar expression in Rome with the saying, “Move forward and let others do the same.”

2. “Be giving of yourself to others.” People need to be open and generous toward others, he said, because “if you withdraw into yourself, you run the risk of becoming egocentric. And stagnant water becomes putrid.”

3. “Proceed calmly in life." The pope, who used to teach high school literature, used an image from an Argentine novel by Ricardo Guiraldes, in which the protagonist — gaucho Don Segundo Sombra — looks back on how he lived his life.

4. "A healthy sense of leisure." The Pope said consumerism has brought us anxiety, and told parents to set aside time to play with their children and turn off the TV when they sit down to eat.

5. "Sundays should be holidays." Workers should have Sundays off because Sunday is for family, he said.

6. "Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people." We need to be creative with young people. If they have no opportunities they will get into drugs and be more vulnerable to suicide, he said.

7. "Respect and take care of nature." Environmental degradation is one of the biggest challenges we have, he said. “I think a question that we're not asking ourselves is: 'Isn't humanity committing suicide with this indiscriminate and tyrannical use of nature?'”

8. "Stop being negative." Needing to talk badly about others indicates low self-esteem. That means, 'I feel so low that instead of picking myself up I have to cut others down,' the Pope said. "Letting go of negative things quickly is healthy.”

9. "Don't proselytize; respect others' beliefs." We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating. But the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyses: 'I am talking with you in order to persuade you,' No. Each person dialogues, starting with his and her own identity. "The church grows by attraction, not proselytizing,” the Pope said.

10. "Work for peace." We are living in a time of many wars, he said, and the call for peace must be shouted. Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive and dynamic.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pope-francis-issues-top-10-tips-for-happiness-9639488.html

It sounds very appropriate Tips for this crucial Time of World Peace. It's time for mankind to meditate where we are and what we should do at this crucial time of mankind's destiny because we are standing the turning point of the significant choice for World 'War or Peace.'
Though as surely as God lives, World Peace shall come true, but it depends upon mankind's Resolution and Zeal for Peace. I hope more Religious Leaders shout for Peace and come together to ask God of Counsel. 

'A little while, and the wicked will no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great Peace.' (Ps 37:10)

Restoration Day of Light: Independence Day of Korea

Restoration Day of Light:
Independence Day of Korea

The official Independence Day of Korea is celebrated on 15th August, though the actual day of independence was on August 13th 1948. The official date which is 15th August, 1945 was not the day the South Koreans attained final autonomy from Japan.
It was only on 13th August, 1948, that South Korea was fully liberated from any sort of outside administration. For political reasons, 1st President of the country I Seung-man, chose 15th August, instead of 13th as the official Independence Day of Korea. 

The Independence Day of Korea commemorates the freedom from decades of Japanese occupation and the formation of the South Korean Republic. Subsequent to the 1905 Taft-Katsura agreement, the Japanese took control of Korea in the year 1910. They restricted the political freedom of the Koreans and also took control over the Korean economic and communications systems. The Japanese further attempted to assimilate the people of Korea into their culture.

There are records of a number of Korean resistance movements for economic and social independence. The biggest demonstration of such resistance was the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919. 

The Japanese surrendered after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki were hit by atomic bombs in the beginning of August 1945, which ended the World War II, and Korea achieved its Independence. 


The Independence Day of Korea is declared an official National Holiday countrywide. The day is celebrated with festivities and parades. The National Flag is hoisted to honor the great Koreans who fought for the country's freedom.

South Korea celebrated its 69th Independence Day in August 15, 2014. One of the largest Independence Day celebrations is the festival at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts with high-ranking officials, independence activists, the foreign diplomatic community, and many other Korean nationals attending. At noon, 12 people including the mayor of Seoul and former independence fighters strike the large bell of Bo-sin-gak Pavilion in memory of the Leaders of the Nation’s Independence Movement. 

http://www.123independenceday.com/south-korea/

President Park proposed Inter-Korean Joint Management throughout the river on the Korean Peninsula and the mountains at the Independence Day Speech 

Korean Independence Day 69th Anniversary Ceremony held on the 15th August, 2014 at the Seoul Sejong Cultural Center. South Korean President Park attended the event and delivered a speech, proposed by the Inter-Korean Joint Management throughout the river on the Korean Peninsula and the mountains.

President Park on inter-Korean relations, said the both sides must in the first place set up the environmental field channels of cooperation, and gradually restore the ecosystem of the Korean Peninsula, co-management throughout the two rivers and mountains, and then gradually expand mutual beneficial cooperation projects in order to form the ecological environment realms of cooperation, the South Korean government hopes the North Korea(DPRK) to participate in the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in October, held in Pyeong-chang, Kangwon province. (http://www.wantinews.com/).

President Park then pointed out that inter-Korean residents to achieve integration, the need to promote mutual understanding through cultural channels, it is proposed that inter-Korean joint excavation and protection of valuable cultural heritage will be passed to offspring. Next year 2015 is the 70th Anniversary of the Recovery of Korean peninsula. For North and South Korea's Cultural Activities preparatory to commemorate Independence Day and the Significance of the Liquidation of the Extraordinary divided Korean Peninsula, President Park also proposed the DPRK High-Level Talks on the suggestions to respond to usher in a new situation in the Korean Peninsula and create opportunities for constructive dialogue.

For the stalled Korea-Japan Relations, President Park said the South Korean government has repeatedly urged the Japanese leaders to establish a correct view of history, especially in the Japanese comfort women issue hoping the Japanese side to take effective measures to allow them to accept. She said, only when Japan makes faithful efforts to resolve historical issues, the Korea-Japan relations can develop healthily. She also stressed that next year is the 50th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and South Korea, both countries hope next year to be a new starting point for a common peaceful future .

Every 15th August has been being commemorated in South Korea as 'Independence Day of Korea' from Japanese Colonial Rule since 1945, the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

http://www.wantinews.com/news-8757692-Korean-President-Park-Geun-hye-proposed-inter-Korean-Independence-Day-speech-condominium-mountain-river.html

Independence Day of Korea is also called 'Restoration Day of Light'. In a sense 'Restoration of Light' is not fulfilled yet, since Korea is still divided into North and South. Furthermore True Light, Jesus, is not shone throughout the Korean Peninsula yet. But surely someday 'Restoration of True Light' will be fulfilled in this Land of Sufferings.

Korea suffered too much afflictions for so long throughout its history. But now is the Era of Peace for world, so Peace should be fulfilled in Korea first. Then World Peace shall come true naturally on the earth. The time of Korea's Peaceful Unification is the time of World Peace. As long as God lives, World Peace shall come true, as it is said in the Bible. So let's arise and shine for the sake of ourselves and our own descendants and God himself!

'...I will make Peace your governor and righteousness your ruler.' (Isa 60:17)

Pope Francis Voices: Hope for Korean Peace and Grief for Ferry Victims

Pope Francis Voices: Hope for Korean Peace and Grief for Ferry Victims

Pope Francis, arriving in South Korea on Thursday, expressed Hope for Reconciliation on the divided Korean Peninsula and offered Consolation to the families of the Ferry Victims who died in a Sewol Ferry Disaster in April.

'I came here thinking of Peace and Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula,' the pope told President Park who greeted him at a military airport south of Seoul, the capital.

Underscoring the military tensions on the peninsula, North Korea fired 3 short-range rockets off its east coast shortly before the pope’s arrival. After his plane landed, the North fired 2 more rockets. North Korea has conducted such launches frequently in recent months.

The pope’s trip is widely seen as indicative of the Vatican’s increasing interest in Asia, where Roman Catholicism is a minority religion in most countries but is growing quickly, reflecting a shift away from the church’s traditional geographic base. 

Francis impressed many South Koreans with his humble touch when he chose to ride to the Vatican Embassy in a Kia Soul hatchback, one of the smallest cars in the country. His security details and other officials followed in big sedans.

'The pope rode in a Soul because he is full of soul. Soul Soul Seoul!' wrote a South Korean on his Twitter account. Another Twitter user praised the pope as 'a real leader not only because he rejected pomposity and vanity but also because he showed concern about global warming.'

During his 5 day visit, the pope plans to attend Asian Youth Day, a gathering of young Catholics, and to beatify 124 Catholics who were killed amid religious persecution in the 18th and 19th century.

For South Korea, the pope’s trip comes after a troubling few months. The country is still in grief over the loss of more than 300 people, mostly high school students, in the April 16 sinking of the Sewol Ferry Disaster off the southwestern coast. At a brief welcoming ceremony at the airport, the pope met with the father of an 18-year-old student who died in the Sewol Ferry Disaster, and with 3 other people who also lost one of their family members.

'My heart aches for you,' the pope said. 'I remember the victims.'
                                By CHOE SANG-HUN
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/15/world/asia/in-south-korea-pope-francis-offers-consolation-and-hope-for-peace.html?_r=1

Pope Francis urges dialogue 
as he begins South Korea visit

Pope Francis urged dialogue between North and South Korea instead of 'displays of force' at the start of his 5 day visit to South Korea.

The Pope's call for Peace came hours after North Korea fired 5 short-range rockets around the time of his arrival.

It is his 1st visit to Asia since he became pope in March 2013.

Pope Francis will beatify Korean Catholics who died for their faith, attend a Catholic Youth Festival and conduct a 'Reconciliation' Mass.

In a speech addressed to South Korean President Park and senior officials, the Pope said Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula had implications for 'the stability of the entire area and indeed of the whole war-weary world.'

'Diplomacy... is based on the firm and persevering conviction that peace can be won through quiet listening and dialogue, rather than by mutual recriminations, fruitless criticisms and displays of force,' he said.

He also called on Koreans to set an example for future generations. 'I think it is especially important for us to reflect on the need to give our young people the Gift of Peace,' he said.

Earlier in the day, North Korea fired 3 rockets off its east coast as the Pope's plane approached South Korean airspace. It fired another 2 in the afternoon.

Pyongyang has engaged in several such launches in recent months in what it says is a response to US and South Korean provocations - in the latest case, a military drill due to start on Monday.

The Pope is spending 5 days in South Korea, where the Catholic Church is growing. It currently has just over 5.4 million members, some 10.4% of the population.

Pope Francis will pay tribute to some of South Korea's 1st Catholics when he beatifies 124 Koreans who died in the 18th and 19th Centuries. After an individual is beatified, he or she is given the title 'Blessed'.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, with up to one million people expected to attend.

The pontiff is also attending Asian Youth Day, a festival for young Catholics from across the region, and will meet students who survived the Sewol Ferry Disaster.

On the last day of his visit, on Monday, the Pope plans to hold a 'Reconciliation' Mass in the Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul.

He will deliver a Message of Peace for the Divided Korea and East Asia, according to Yonhap News Agency.

North Korea rejected an invitation by the Archdiocese of Seoul for 10 North Korean Catholics to attend the final mass, South Korean officials said.

It is not clear how many Catholics there are in North Korea. A UN Human Rights Council report released in February 2014 said that apart from the few organised state-controlled churches, Christians were prohibited from practicing their religion and were persecuted.

Pope John Paul II was the last pope to visit South Korea in 1989, where he prayed for Reunification between the North and the South Korea.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28768880

It is very encouraging to see that worldwide religious leaders are practicing for Peace and Reconciliation of the world. As long as God lives, World Peace shall come true on the earth in order for us to live in peace and love as God does, only if we all arise and shine on the Light of Truth as God promised for so long. For Peace is a Precious Gift of God.
Amen.

Man Hee Lee Representative of HWPL at ICD conference

Man Hee Lee Representative of HWPL at ICD conference

ICD

The full title is the 'Institute of Cultural Diplomacy.' It is a course of actions, which are based on and utilize the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and other aspects of culture of identity, whether to strengthen relationships, enhance socio-cultural cooperation or promote national interests; It can be practiced by either the public sector, private sector or civil society. 
ICD, International Conference on Religion and International Symposium on Cultural Diplomacy in the promotion of peace and stability in the world and religion to influence the society, held at Vatican City in Rome. ICD tried to make peace in reality by influencing the "Global Public Opinion" and ideology of individuals, communities, cultures or nations. 

5 principles which will bring Peace and Stability: 

1.Respect and Recognition of Cultural Diversity and Heritage
2.Global Intercultural dialogue
3.Justice, equality and interdependence
4.The protection of international human rights
5.Global peace and stability

Even they have practiced for centuries, peace is still not fostering throughout the world. 

However, they have met the man who has the answer for World Peace. The Peace Advocate, Man Hee Lee attended the ICD Conference in Vatican City in Rome, Italy and made a speech about the Peace Resources. By his powerful speech, everyone in the conference room even reporters were amazed and they all promised to be the Peace Emissaries. The Works for World Peace have been performed by Man Hee Lee Peace Advocate and his Peace Envoys in 16 countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe, as well as former and current presidents from 10 countries worldwide leading to sign up for Peace Agreements. The leader of Inca tribes having 14 million people in Peru, signed up a Peace Agreement also. 

Now Man Hee Lee Peace Advocate and his Peace Envoys have started another 12th Peace Tour. In spite of his age 84, Man Hee Lee Peace Advocate is performing great works for the sake of World Peace on the earth. It proves God is with him obviously. Who else can do like these without any reward or any personal profit? Only Man Hee Lee Peace Advocate can do it because of God's Sake and mankind's.

Man Hee Lee Peace Advocate announces, 
"Mission of Peace shall be achieved!"
Amen.

*HWPL: Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light

http://peaceformodu.blogspot.kr/2014/05/man-hee-lee-at-icd-conference.html

ICD advertise a Summit conducted by Man Hee Lee Peace Advocate. Last april, I saw a news of ICD conference in Rome, Italy. There were 400 people of politician, and religious leaders from all over the world.
A few of them made a speech for 30 min' about world peace and the conference lasted 3 hours.

At there, Man hee Lee announced secondly.
He showed a movie clip of Peace Walk hosted by International Peace Youth Group, introduced the meaning of that peace walk and process of peace agreement in Mindanao. He called upon participants to inherit peaceful heritage to future generations.
So appealing, because of showing the real output!
And I visited ICD website today, I could see him, Man Hee Lee!

There will be a Summit for World Peace in Korea.
The topic is as written 'Inter-faith Dialogue and International Political Discussion towards World Peace.'
As he mentioned so far, religions have take a big part of conflict. So interfaith dialogue is important to achievement World Peace. Maybe, this kind of thinking,
Everyone might can do. But nobody can make it real. His message is simple and clear.

I look forward to take part in the summit in Korea!
This is the teaser about the summit.

http://sowpeaces.blogspot.kr/2014/06/icd-advertise-summit-conducted-by-man.html

The Significance of Pope Francis’ visit to Korea

The Significance of Pope Francis’ visit to Korea

The focus of Pope Francis’ visit to Korea during the 6th Asian Youth Day, is to meet with the Asian youth, to celebrate the Beatification Mass for the 124 Korean martyrs and to celebrate a special Mass for Peace and Reconciliation.  During this historic visit, He will lead the Asian Catholic Community in celebrating the past, embracing the present and blessing the future, according to the Most Rev. Gyuman Basil Cho, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Seoul.

This visit marks the 1st time a Roman Pontiff has visited Korea in 25 years when St. Pope John Paul II visited the Korean Peninsula for a Eucharistic Congress in 1989. The official theme 'Arise, Shine (Isa 60:1),' will serve to encourage the rapid growth in faith in the country and give hope to those suffering economic hardship while promoting Peace and Reconciliation, between North and South Korea.

The Beatification Mass that will be celebrated on August 15 will be for the 124 Korean martyrs who died for their Faith. Over 100 years, more than 10,000 believers suffered persecution. They were tortured, beheaded, hung or drowned. The 124 Korean martyrs that will be Beautified includes high-class scholar, Jichoong Yoon, who gave up his privilege to live by faith. All classes of men and women were included in the persecution. According to Professor Kwang Cho, the best known historian of the Korean Catholic Church, 'Korean  martyrs were proactive. They arose, shined and gave God  the glory. Catholics, especially from the lower classes, were taking themselves as nobility carrying on God’s Holy Missions.'  

For example, Il-Kwang (Simon) Hwang was the butcher who was respected greatly in the community regardless of his low status. This was completely counter-cultural in the neo-Confucian ideal society and thus punishable by the law of that time. Despite extreme torture, Hwang retained his cheerful spirit. He declared, 'There are 2 heavens. One is in our community and the other is the one after life.'

The Spirit of Martyrdom survived a long series of persecutions and has been the root and driving force of the Korean Catholic Church. Their firm faith, community spirit and charity work have had a great impact on the Korea society. The most distinctive feature of the Korean Church is that it is founded by the laity, and flourished through the many sacrifices of the martyrs. When Father James Zu Mun-Mo (Zhou Wen-Mo) from China, the 1st Catholic priest dispatched to Korea, arrived at the request of the Korean Church group, there were already 4000 members. When a warrant was issued to Fr. Zu’s arrest he refuse to escape to China and suffered martyrdom with his fellow Catholics.  

Despite the growing faith in Korea, both Church and Society are not without their problems. Koreans are dealing with a new set of social issues that challenge our faith and hope for the future. A high rate of suicide, divorce and unemployment affect the youth in Asia. Conflicts between North and South Korea are still threatening our peace in the Peninsula and the East Asia and truly testing the faith of the people.

Pope Francis has mentioned to not to be afraid of going outside our ways of thinking in order to follow God because God always goes beyond. We all count down the days for his soulful messages of peace and hope to arrive.

By Jeun Marie Lee, editor at Salt + Light

http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/general/the-significance-of-pope-francis-visit-to-korea


North Korea rejects offer to attend Mass given by Pope Francis in Seoul

North Korea has apparently declined an invitation to send Catholic believers to a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Seoul later this month, a South Korean Church official said.

Pope Francis is to conduct a special Korean Reconciliation Mass in Seoul on the last day of his visit to South Korea between 14~18 August, and church officials in the South had sent several requests to Pyongyang to send a Group of Catholics to attend.

But the day of the mass coincides with the Launch of the Annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian Joint Military Drill, which the North has condemned as a rehearsal for nuclear war.

The Catholic Church, like any other religion, is only allowed to operate in North Korea under extremely tight restrictions, and within the confines of the state-controlled KCA. It has no hierarchical links with the Vatican and there are no known Catholic priests or nuns.
The KCA claims 3,000 followers in the North but outside estimates put the figure at around 800. Some analysts believe the organisation is intended to give the impression that North Korea allows religious freedom, which defectors say does not exist in the secretive state.

A recent comprehensive report compiled by a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights in North Korea concluded that practising Christianity outside the state-sanctioned church amounted to a “political crime”.

The Pope’s Final Mass, to be held in Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral, will focus on a Message of Peace and Reconciliation for the Korean Peninsula.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/06/north-korea-rejects-mass-pope-francis-seoul

Pope Francis chooses ‘Fraternity’ as the Theme for World Peace Day

For the 1st Peace Day Message of his pontificate, Pope Francis has chosen the theme: 'Fraternity, the foundation and pathway to Peace.'

The message released by the Vatican said that an overemphasis on 'personal well-being' and general indifference have eroded any sense of responsibility toward others.

Announcing the theme for the celebration scheduled for New Year’s Day 2014, the Vatican said Pope Francis’s Message will stress "the need to combat the ‘throwaway culture’ and to promote instead a ‘culture of encounter,’ in order to build a more just and peaceful world.”

As Children of One Father, all human beings are linked to one another in Fraternity, and only efforts that are born from a sense of fraternity can overcome the poverty, conflict, inequality, crime, fundamentalism and other ills facing the world today, the Vatican note said.

It continued: 'The culture of personal well-being leads to a loss of the sense of responsibility and fraternal relationship…Not uncommonly, the poor and the needy are regarded as a ‘burden,’ a hindrance to development. At most, they are considered as recipients of aid or compassionate assistance.'

Everyone needs to be seen as a brother or sister, who is 'called to share the gifts of creation, the goods of progress and culture,' it said.

Fraternity is both a gift and a responsibility each human being receives from God the Father, who calls people to fight against 'inequality and poverty that undermine the social fabric, to take care of every person, especially the weakest and most defenseless, to love him or her as oneself with the very heart of Jesus Christ,' the Vatican communique said.

As the world becomes more and more interdependent, mutual responsibility becomes more essential in every field, 'including the economy, finance, civil society, politics, research, development, and public and cultural institutions,' it said.

The Vatican added that Pope Francis’ message is 'in continuity with that of his predecessors,' and 'proposes to everyone the pathway of fraternity, in order to give the world a more human face.'

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/08/02/pope-francis-chooses-fraternity-as-the-theme-for-world-peace-day/

It's good to hear that Pope Francis visit South Korea and Asia regions in August. Current Situations of the world are changing rapidly that every moment worldwide religious leaders' activities have very significant influences on World Peace. Especially Korea is located at the Far East in the Korean Peninsula which is divided into North and South. At this crucial moment for stability and Peace in Korea, Pope's visiting Korea is very encouraging affairs not only in religious issues but also in political ones. So we hope that Pope's Peace Messages will resound through Korean Peninsula to bring Peace and unification in Korea at last. Through Korea's Unification World Peace shall come true on the earth.

Ebola Outbreak: Ebola Declared International Health Emergency

Ebola Outbreak: Ebola Declared International Public Health Emergency

Taking extreme measures to keep a deadly West African Virus from spreading around the globe.

The World Health Organization’s officially declared the Ebola Outbreak an International Public Health Emergency. Such a declaration requires an extraordinary response to stop the  spread of the virus.
WHO announced the Ebola outbreak — the largest and longest in history — is of high enough concern to merit being declared an International Health Emergency. WHO declared similar emergencies for the swine flu pandemic in 2009 and for polio in May.
The World Health Organization examined the severity of the ongoing epidemic at a meeting this week. 

There’s currently no approved treatment or vaccine for Ebola; the fatality rate is 50 percent or higher

                                                                     by Liz Montano on August 8, 2014 at 5:52 

Liberia declares State of Emergency over Ebola

ABUJA, Nigeria --Liberia's president declared a State of Emergency Wednesday as the World Health Organization said the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to 932.

The new figures come as Nigeria confirmed the death of a nurse of Ebola. It was the 2nd Death from the disease in Nigeria and a growing number of cases are being reported in Lagos, a megacity of some 21 million people.

The 1st Death in Nigeria was that of Patrick Sawyer, a 40-year-old American of Liberian descent with a wife and 3 young daughters in Minnesota. Sawyer, who worked in Liberia, was traveling on a business flight to Nigeria when he fell ill. Nigerian authorities acknowledge they did not treat Sawyer as an Ebola patient and failed to isolate him for the first 24 hours after his arrival in Nigeria last month.

In Liberia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf declared a State of Emergency late Wednesday and said some civil rights may have to be suspended as a result of the crisis.

'Ignorance and poverty, as well as entrenched religious and cultural practices, continue to exacerbate the spread of the disease,' she said in a televised address to the nation.

Ben Webster, a Red Cross disaster response manager in London, said it is 'critically important' that people displaying symptoms are identified quickly.

'It's impossible to say whether this specific situation could have been avoided, but there is certainly more likelihood of travelers coming from an Ebola-affected country in the region and authorities need to be aware, even if the infrastructure and situation is challenging,' Webster said.

Ebola, which has a mortality rate between 60 percent and 96 percent, is a systemic virus, meaning it impacts all organs that control various functions in the body. But before it attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, vascular, muscular, neurological and immune systems, Ebola starts off looking a lot like the flu.

At its onset, a patient may experience fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat and pain in the joints and muscles. The initial symptoms are so common that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases are often misdiagnosed.

In Saudi Arabia, officials say a man who was being tested for the Ebola virus has died. The 40-year-old returned on Sunday from Sierra Leone, where at least 286 people have died from Ebola, and was then hospitalized in Jiddah after showing symptoms of the viral hemorrhagic fever.

There have now been at least 1,711 cases of Ebola this year, which has no proven vaccine or treatment, according to new figures released Wednesday by the World Health Organization. More than 932 people have died in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria as of Aug. 4, WHO said.

In Nigeria, the 5 people now infected from Sawyer would not have been contagious to their neighbors or family members until they started showing symptoms of their own, health experts say. The delay in enforcing infection control measures, though, is another setback in the battle to stamp out the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

Ebola can only be transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is sick - blood, semen, saliva, urine, feces or sweat. Millions live in cramped conditions without access to flushable toilets, and signs posted across the megacity tell people not to urinate in public.

Since the incubation period can last up to 3 weeks, some of the Nigerians who treated Sawyer are only now showing signs of illness that can mimic many common tropical illnesses - fever, muscle aches and vomiting.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ebola-death-toll-reaches-932-world-health-organization-says/

Ebola: Basic Facts About the Virus

The Ebola Outbreak of 2014 has become the largest in history. News about the disease spread very quickly and was accompanied by rumors and disinformation, some of which created panic and stuck fear in people. Scientists are still attempting to create a vaccine against the deadly virus, and many questions about the disease remain unanswered. However, there are basic facts about the Ebola Virus that people concerned should know, including the virus’ history, symptoms, treatment and ways to protect oneself.

Previously, the virus was known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, but nowadays it is more commonly called Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The disease is caused by the 5 representatives of the genus Ebolavirus. Each one can infect humans, however only Bundibugyo Ebolavirus, Zaire Ebolavirus and Sudan Ebolavirus species cause disease or death. The current outbreak is caused by the Zaire Ebolavirus species, which is considered to be the most dangerous due to its 90 percent death rate.

The origin of the EVD remains a mystery. One theory suggests that dogs, bats and pigs could harbor the Ebola virus in their intestines. As a result, people who eat one of these animals could get infected. The 1st outbreak happened in 1976 in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Nzara, Sudan, simultaneously. The outbreak in Yambuku was situated close to the Ebola River, which explains the name given to the virus.

Symptoms of Ebola may appear in only 21 days and initially may be fever, headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting, which is similar to flu. Further progression of the disease can lead to kidney and liver failure, dehydration and hemorrhaging. At the last stage, the immune system releases excess immune and cytokine cells, which leads to tissue and organ damage. Presence of Ebola is usually determined by a blood test.

Currently, a vaccine for Ebola Virus Disease does not exist. The best doctors can do is provide intensive patient support, which includes introduction of intravenous fluids and maintenance of optimal temperature, blood pressure and oxygen levels. Scientists have developed vaccines that demonstrate promise, but which are not yet tested and can give no guarantees.

EVD is spread through contact with an infected person’s body fluids, including sweat. Ebola can be transmitted sexually through semen as long as seven weeks after the person is infected even if the symptoms are weak. People involved in healthcare have to be extremely cautious with products of human excretion. Those involved with the preparation of bodies for burial must be very careful as well, because Ebola can be transmitted via bodily fluids even after death has occurred.

The Outbreak of 2014 originated in Guinea in March. As of now, the disease has spread to Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Out of 1,323 cases registered in West Africa, 729 were fatal. 2 citizens of the U.S. were infected with Ebola during their stay in Africa. Both of them were transported to the U.S. where currently, doctors of Emory University Hospital in Atlanta are fighting to save their lives. 60 health care workers died this year in attempts to control and stop the disease.

According to the predictions of many health officials, spread of the virus beyond the African continent is not likely. The reason why it spread so rapidly in Africa is due to an inappropriate level of health care. Representatives of the World Health Organization are keeping their eye on the Ebola Virus Disease in order to prevent transmission of  the disease to other countries and regions.

One basic fact to consider about the Ebola virus is that the best way to eliminate the possibility of getting the disease is to avoid trips to the locations where cases of 
Ebola virus have been registered this year. If one has traveled to such an area or has been exposed to a person who has, there is a necessity to contact a hospital for medical assistance. Practicing proper hygiene is also mandatory if the slightest chance of being infected exists.

                By Yevgeniya Migranova

'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' 
(Isa 41:10)