Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Cuba's Castro meets Catholic Church leaders
Cuba's Castro meets Catholic Church leaders
Church sources said the talks touched on the issue of imprisoned dissidents
Cuban President Raul Castro has held a rare meeting with leading members of the Catholic Church.
Mr Castro met Cardinal Jaime Ortega, head of the country's Church, along with Archbishop Dionisio Garcia of Santiago.
Wednesday's talks touched on the sensitive issue of imprisoned political dissidents, Church sources said, without providing details.
This comes ahead of a visit next month by the Vatican's foreign secretary.
Dissidents hope that the visit of Archbishop Dominique Memberti could lead to the release of some political prisoners, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.
The official Communist party newspaper - Granma - said the discussions had covered relations between Church and state, as well as international and domestic issues.
'Small steps'
Archbishop Garcia, the head of Cuba's bishops' conference, was cautious when asked whether the discussion might lead to an agreement to free dissidents.
"There will be a process and this process has to start with small steps and these steps will be made," he was quoted as saying by AFP. "We hope that the conversation will go in that direction."
Earlier this month Cardinal Ortega successfully mediated between the Cuban authorities and a group of wives and female relatives of imprisoned dissidents, known as the Ladies in White.
That resulted in the group being allowed to resume their Sunday marches in Havana free from harassment by government supporters.
In the early days of the revolution, Cuba officially became an atheist state, but relations with the Church have been steadily improving since Pope John Paul II's historic visit in 1998.
Church sources said the talks touched on the issue of imprisoned dissidents
Cuban President Raul Castro has held a rare meeting with leading members of the Catholic Church.
Mr Castro met Cardinal Jaime Ortega, head of the country's Church, along with Archbishop Dionisio Garcia of Santiago.
Wednesday's talks touched on the sensitive issue of imprisoned political dissidents, Church sources said, without providing details.
This comes ahead of a visit next month by the Vatican's foreign secretary.
Dissidents hope that the visit of Archbishop Dominique Memberti could lead to the release of some political prisoners, says the BBC's Michael Voss in Havana.
The official Communist party newspaper - Granma - said the discussions had covered relations between Church and state, as well as international and domestic issues.
'Small steps'
Archbishop Garcia, the head of Cuba's bishops' conference, was cautious when asked whether the discussion might lead to an agreement to free dissidents.
"There will be a process and this process has to start with small steps and these steps will be made," he was quoted as saying by AFP. "We hope that the conversation will go in that direction."
Earlier this month Cardinal Ortega successfully mediated between the Cuban authorities and a group of wives and female relatives of imprisoned dissidents, known as the Ladies in White.
That resulted in the group being allowed to resume their Sunday marches in Havana free from harassment by government supporters.
In the early days of the revolution, Cuba officially became an atheist state, but relations with the Church have been steadily improving since Pope John Paul II's historic visit in 1998.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
CSM regional meeting at Mona, anniversary Mass in Curepe
The Catholic Students’ Movement (CSM) held its annual regional meeting from September 23-26 under the theme Sharing the Vision, Living the Life.
Mona, Jamaica campus hosted the meeting with visiting representatives being welcomed by CSM Mona chaplain, Fr Orville Shields and his student body.
Meeting participants were Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, Antilles Episcopal Conference liaison to the CSM; Fr Shields; Afiya Bynoe, CSM president, Mona; Martina Rodriguez, CSM vice president, Mona; Fr Charles Dominique OP, chaplain, Cave Hill campus, Barbados; Gabrielle Moore, CSM president, Cave Hill; Sr Monique Moniquette OP, chaplain, St Augustine campus, Trinidad; Micah Martin, CSM president, St Augustine; and Sr Mary Anthony HF, chaplain, University of Trinidad & Tobago.
The main events of the weekend included an address on the theme by Bishop Malzaire, the reading of the 2009 minutes, and presidents’ reports.
The CSM Constitution was also discussed in relation to broadening CSM’s scope to embrace other tertiary institutions.
Plans for the 20th anniversary were discussed with CSM St Augustine taking the lead, along with a few faith-building sessions that were interwoven among the main activities. The weekend concluded with a visit to Dunn’s River for some adventure and relaxation.
The anniversary celebrations on October 9, began with a concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Curepe. Archbishop Edward Gilbert was the main celebrant with concelebrating priests including many who have served as CSM chaplains. An alumni choir led the singing.
In his homily, Archbishop Gilbert congratulated the Movement for its dedicated commitment to serving the university community in the region, noting that while the CSM was formally established 20 years ago, it is really celebrating 45 years of continued service and ministry from its beginnings at UWI Mona, Jamaica. He reminded the large gathering of students and alumni that as lay persons they have a special mission of evangelisation on and off campus.
Giving brief remarks, Sr Monique thanked the Dominican order for its long support for campus ministry, as well as all those who had supported the movement over the years.
Many past CSM presidents greeted the congregation and the current CSM St Augustine president, Micah Martin, announced a number of activities to mark the anniversary. After Mass all were invited for refreshments at the nearby church hall.
Mona, Jamaica campus hosted the meeting with visiting representatives being welcomed by CSM Mona chaplain, Fr Orville Shields and his student body.
Meeting participants were Bishop Gabriel Malzaire, Antilles Episcopal Conference liaison to the CSM; Fr Shields; Afiya Bynoe, CSM president, Mona; Martina Rodriguez, CSM vice president, Mona; Fr Charles Dominique OP, chaplain, Cave Hill campus, Barbados; Gabrielle Moore, CSM president, Cave Hill; Sr Monique Moniquette OP, chaplain, St Augustine campus, Trinidad; Micah Martin, CSM president, St Augustine; and Sr Mary Anthony HF, chaplain, University of Trinidad & Tobago.
The main events of the weekend included an address on the theme by Bishop Malzaire, the reading of the 2009 minutes, and presidents’ reports.
The CSM Constitution was also discussed in relation to broadening CSM’s scope to embrace other tertiary institutions.
Plans for the 20th anniversary were discussed with CSM St Augustine taking the lead, along with a few faith-building sessions that were interwoven among the main activities. The weekend concluded with a visit to Dunn’s River for some adventure and relaxation.
The anniversary celebrations on October 9, began with a concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Curepe. Archbishop Edward Gilbert was the main celebrant with concelebrating priests including many who have served as CSM chaplains. An alumni choir led the singing.
In his homily, Archbishop Gilbert congratulated the Movement for its dedicated commitment to serving the university community in the region, noting that while the CSM was formally established 20 years ago, it is really celebrating 45 years of continued service and ministry from its beginnings at UWI Mona, Jamaica. He reminded the large gathering of students and alumni that as lay persons they have a special mission of evangelisation on and off campus.
Giving brief remarks, Sr Monique thanked the Dominican order for its long support for campus ministry, as well as all those who had supported the movement over the years.
Many past CSM presidents greeted the congregation and the current CSM St Augustine president, Micah Martin, announced a number of activities to mark the anniversary. After Mass all were invited for refreshments at the nearby church hall.
New Acolytes in Grenada
In the presence of their wives and other family members, six married men were instituted in the order of Acolyte by Bishop Vincent Darius OP, during an October 9 Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, Grand Anse.
The six new acolytes, in the third year of training for the diaconate, are: Carlyle Glean Jr, Raphael Johnson, Anthony Joseph, Loftus McMillan, Goderick Pierre and Cecil St Louis.
In his homily, Bishop Darius told the newly-instituted acolytes not to limit their ministry to their liturgical duties but to extend it into the wider community.
The permanent diaconate course in the diocese of St George’s, Grenada is being directed by Fr Clifton Harris OP and will end with their ordination as deacons in 2011.
The term “acolyte” was formerly used to denote young men and women (altar servers) who assist at the altar in liturgical celebrations. The ministry of instituted acolyte is a permanent institution. It is the responsibility of the acolyte to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels for Mass. If necessary he also assists with the distribution of Holy Communion. In the absence of a deacon the acolyte carries the sacred vessels to the credence table where he purifies them and returns them to their proper place.
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