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  • World is one step away from nuclear war – Pope warns

    World is one step away from nuclear war – Pope warns

    The world is on the “brink” of nuclear war, Pope Francis warned on Monday, as he set off on a trip to Chile and Peru that threatens to become overshadowed by sexual abuse scandals.

    “Yes, I am really afraid. We are on the brink. We only need an accident to trigger war,” Francis said

    “If we go on like this the situation risks precipitating.

    So, we need to destroy the weapons and to strive for nuclear disarmament,” he added.

    On Francis’ instructions, reporters on the papal plane were each given a picture of a child survivor of the Nagasaki bomb carrying his dead brother, with the inscription: “the fruit of war.”

    The same picture has been circulated by the Vatican over the Christmas and New Year period, in a show of the pope’s concerns about a new nuclear conflict.

    The pope’s appeal came as North and South Korea held working-level talks on Monday, raising hopes that months of rising tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes may be easing.

    Francis said Jan. 10 that the global community must “support every effort at dialogue” with North Korea.

    Francis was expected to arrive in the capital Santiago de Chile late on Monday, and to travel on Thursday to neighbouring Peru, where an earthquake killed one person and injured dozens on Sunday.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Pope urges FG to prioritize future of youth

    The pope’s visit was preceded by six arson attacks against Chilean churches or parishes.

    A leaflet left at a parish in Santiago de Chile criticised “the domination” the Catholic Church wanted to exercise over people.

    Chile is the Latin American country where the pope is least valued, receiving an approval rating of 5.3 out of 10, according to a poll by the non-governmental organization Corporacion Latinobarometro.

    Latinobarometro director Marta Lagos said Francis’ popularity had declined over the case of Chilean priest Fernando Karadima, whom the Vatican finally found guilty of abusing minors in 2011, after years of accusations.

    The pope has been criticised for his 2015 appointment of Juan Barros as bishop of Osorno, Chile, in spite allegations that Barros had protected Karadima.

    The Vatican has meanwhile tried to mitigate the repercussions of another sexual abuse scandal in Peru, announcing Jan. 10 that it was taking over a Catholic movement based there, Sodalicio, whose founder prosecutors want to arrest over alleged abuses.

    Thousands of believers were travelling from neighbouring countries to Chile to see the pope, whose programme includes visits to Temuco in the centre and Iquique in the north.

    Francis, an Argentine, is making his sixth visit to Latin America.

    He has been to Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia, but, much to the chagrin of his compatriots, never to his homeland.

    dpa/NAN

  • Russia, Vatican disagree with Trump over Jerusalem

    Russia, Vatican disagree with Trump over Jerusalem

    Russia and the Vatican disagree with the decision of President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv, Alexander Avdeyev, the Russian ambassador to the Vatican City has said.

    Avdeyev recalled that Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in one of his recent statements said that the status quo of Jerusalem, which is a place of pilgrimage and worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims, should be respected.

    “This is a city of three Abrahamic religions and it should not be politicised by recognition as a capital.

    “I draw attention to the fact that this statement was made by the Pope, who usually expresses his position very carefully in order not to offend anyone.

    “So we can see a clear disagreement with the U.S. decision here. We have the similar position,” Avdeyev told Sputnik.

    On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and instructed the State Department to launch the process of moving the U.S. Embassy, which is currently located in Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.

    The step has prompted criticism from a number of states, first and foremost Middle Eastern states and Palestine, and triggered a wave of protests in the region.

    On December 7, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Jerusalem’s legal status.

    The document called on UN member states to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the city.

    The diplomat also said that Russia and the Vatican share similar views on the world and the threats posed to it in the 21st century.

    “We have much in common in our vision of the threats and dangers of the 21st century. This is an important issue that unites us.

    “First of all, I speak about the threat of any terrorism, criminal, religious or separatist one. The second threat is the weakening of non-proliferation regimes.

    “Of particular concern is the drug trafficking and the separation into rich and poor in the world,” Avdeyev said.

    The Russian diplomat added that the two states also had a common view on the threats posed by social and economic inequality and terrorism, which were behind migration.

    According to the diplomat, unregulated globalisation that was closely tied with neoliberal values could result in “a significant deformation of the civil societies.”

    Avdeyev added that the two states were supportive of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and backed the negotiating process and dialogue as a path toward these goals.

    The ambassador also said that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church were concerned over the destruction of the moral and ethical values of the Christian civilisation.

    (Sputnik/NAN)

  • Pope, UN, EU, others chide US President

    Pope, UN, EU, others chide US President

    Pope Francis, the United Nations, the European Union and others criticized President Trump’s decision.

    Pope Francis said, “I cannot remain silent.” The United Nations secretary general spoke of his “great anxiety.” The European Union expressed “serious concern.” American allies like Britain, France, Germany and Italy all declared it a mistake.

    A chorus of international leaders criticized the Trump administration’s decision on Wednesday to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a dangerous disruption that contravenes several United Nations resolutions and could inflame one of the world’s thorniest conflicts.

    Secretary General António Guterres and Pope Francis both expressed alarm that the announcement would provoke new tensions in the Holy City, which is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    Within minutes of Mr. Trump’s speech, in which he said the American Embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Mr. Guterres delivered what amounted to a diplomatic rebuke.

    Reading a statement outside the Security Council chambers at United Nations headquarters in New York, Mr. Guterres criticized “any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” underscoring the administration’s departure from decades of American policy.

    “Jerusalem is a final-status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, taking into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides,” Mr. Guterres said.

    “In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution,” he said. “There is no Plan B.”

    In Rome, Pope Francis prayed that Jerusalem’s status be preserved and needless conflict avoided.

    “I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days,” Francis said at his weekly general audience at the Vatican. “And at the same time, I wish to make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that everyone is committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.”

    “Jerusalem is a unique city,” he said, “sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, where the Holy Places for the respective religions are venerated, and it has a special vocation to peace.”

    In especially strong language, the pope added, “I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.”

    The European Union’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, expressed concern about “the repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace.”

  • Imo Catholic crisis: Pope may shut down 163 parishes

    Imo Catholic crisis: Pope may shut down 163 parishes

    • Adamant priests adopt new tactics 
    • I’m awaiting my installation, says Okpalaeke

    Pope Francis is seriously considering total shut-down of the 163 parishes in Catholic Diocese of Ahiara in Imo State over the protracted crisis generated by appointment of Peter Okpalaeke as Bishop.

    Okpalaeke’s appointment four years ago after the demise of Bishop Victor Chikwe has been vehemently resisted by Reverend Fathers of Mbaise extraction and the Laity, leading to a stalemate.

    Ahiara Cathedral and the Bishop’s Court have remained under lock and key with nobody to administer Holy Communion ever since.

    A key figure at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria confided in one of our correspondents the Pope would be left with no choice than to wield the big sticks if the stalemate continues.

    The source said: “What is happening in Ahiala is a great affront unheard of in the history of Catholicism in Nigeria and Africa.

    “Never has the appointment of a Bishop been this hotly contested. It is a shame and very embarrassing to the CSN and the Pope.”

    He said since the gladiators have indicated they would not back down, the Pope might have to close down the 163 parishes in the Diocese.

    “If you consider how much patience the Pope has displayed, you will agree that it won’t be out of place for him to act now.

    “Any moment from now, he may announce the parishes are no longer under the Vatican. In that instance, they can get somewhere else to go.

    “The Pope is the final authority of the church and nothing will make him back to primordial ethnic sentiments,” the source, who pleaded for strict anonymity, stated.

    He indicated that some of the recalcitrant Priests fuelling opposition to the Bishopric appointment may also be derobed to serve as deterrent to others.

    The embattled Okpalaeke however declared yesterday that he is unperturbed by opposition to his appointment.

    He declared he was awaiting his installation despite protests from Priest of Ahiara extraction.

    He spoke during the 70th birthday ceremony of Monsignor Johnbosco Akam at his Uga country home in Aguata Council of Anambra State.

    According to him: “What they are saying is foreign to my vocation; my vocation comes from God, declared by the church.

    “I have been living my life as a fulfilled priest. Wherever I found myself as a priest, surely I will see God on the last day. That is my mission.”

    He spoke just as investigations revealed the Reverend Fathers have adopted new measures to fight the appointment, which they said was not transparent.

    Though they have all written the letter of apology as demanded by Pope Francis as a punishment for resisting the authority of the Church, checks revealed they have decided to operate from the sidelines while urging on Laity leaders to continue with the struggle.

    It was gathered they weighed the consequences of disobeying the Vatican and mobilised the laity to defiantly reject Okpalaeke.

    President of the Ahiara Diocesan Catholic Men Organisation, Chief Gerald Anyanwu, told reporters the Diocese is not rebelling against the Pope but demanding justice and equity.

    “We are not questioning the decision of the Pope but we will not accept Okpalaeke as Bishop.

    “The process of his appointment did not follow laid down procedures for the appointment of Bishops.

    Another member of the Laity, Sir Sebastian Eke, said: “Our position is justice. We don’t see any reason why somebody from this Diocese or any other Diocese from Imo State cannot be appointed as the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese.

    “All we are saying is that we don’t want Okpalaeke and trying to force him on his on us is not justice”.

    Vice President of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) in the Diocese, Dr Liona Ohanu, who spoke on behalf of the women, appealed to the Vatican to listen to the demand of the people.

    She said: “We respect the Pope and cannot disobey his directive as our Supreme Head but the issue of Okpalaeke is an exemption and we will not welcome him as the Bishop of this Diocese. Let the Pope appoint any other person from anywhere we will accept but not Okpalaeke”.

    While the Laity was protesting, the Priests converged in one of the buildings in the Cathedral from where they were monitoring the development and issuing directives, apparently operating from the background to avoid further infuriating the Vatican.

    But the top Catholic leader in Abuja said the Pope would act any moment to stop “the embarrassment these ethnic jingoists have caused the church.”

  • Pope hangs sign warning whiners to stay away from new office

    Pope Francis, a regular denouncer of gossip and intrigue inside the Vatican, has hung a sign outside his private study warning whiners to stay away.

    “No complaining. Offenders are subjected to a syndrome of victimhood that lowers the mood and the ability to solve problems,’’ the sign said.

    A picture of it was published by the La Stampa newspaper yesterday.

    “Fines are doubled if the offence is committed in the presence of children.

    “To get the best out of yourself, you must focus on your own potential and not on your own limits, so stop complaining and act to change your life for the better,’’ it also said.

    The sign was donated to the pope by a Sicilian psychologist and motivational speaker, Salvo Noe, during one of the pontiff’s weekly audiences in St Peter’s Square.

    “When the pope saw the sign, he lit up immediately.

    “He read all of it and then turned around to his aides and said, ‘I want to put this sign outside by office,” the psychologist added.

    The pope’s new office sign came after a troubled few weeks during which German Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, a leading critic of the pope who was the Vatican’s doctrine chief, was dismissed from his post.

  • Champions League Final: Buffon Runs to Pope?

    Champions League Final: Buffon Runs to Pope?

    Gianluigi Buffon can become the oldest winner of the Champions League ahead of Paolo Maldini at the age of 39, but Paul Parker feels Real Madrid could find a chink in his armour on Saturday night.

    It would be a wonderfully romantic story if Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon becomes the oldest winner of the Champions League, but Real Madrid will not be in the mood to give his glorious career a golden finale.

    I’m looking forward to seeing how Cristiano Ronaldo copes going up against that Juventus defence. He has scored 10 times in the Champions League, and It will be fascinating to see how he plans to outwit the Italians.

    Juve possess a very clever and streetwise backline, losing only three goals in 12 matches in the tournament which speaks for itself. But if there is one weakness in that Juventus side, I think it is probably Buffon at crosses and corners.

    You can see that he is struggling to deal with them at times. I don’t know if it is his decision-making or simply because that happens when you get to a certain point in your career.

    At the age of 39, your movement is perhaps not as sharp as it used to be when you are coming for crosses.

    Over two legs against Monaco in the semi-finals, he got caught out coming for crosses. For me, it is certainly a concern.

    Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for Champions League final.

    Cristiano Ronaldo prepares for Champions League final.Eurosport

    As great as he has been in shot-stopping in this tournament, there’s definitely a weakness with balls coming into the box.

    Crosses are one of Ronaldo’s strengths. The Juventus defenders can go deep to win headers, but anywhere between six yards to the penalty box can be open season when you sometimes need a goalkeeper to come and punch. Or ease the strain on your defence.

    As great as Buffon has been over the years in winning the World Cup, UEFA Cup and all those national trophies, there comes to a point when sentiment comes into it. And you do worry about the balls coming into the area.

    He is a bit more reluctant to come than yesteryear. It might sound a bit old fashioned, but if you are Real Madrid you will be looking to ask questions of the goalkeeper.

    He will be protected by superb defenders in Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini who defend like their lives depend upon it.

    The Juventus defence has allowed Buffon to extend his career, and why he has been so good for so long with those three in front of him.

    Juventus are a unit, but Buffon needs his defenders more than ever in Cardiff.

    Champions League needs an Italian winner

    I’ve tipped Juventus from day one in this tournament because I felt they had the best balance to win the trophy. I’ve not been proved wrong so far, and I’d definitely like to see them do it.

    We’ve had English, German and Spanish sides win it over the past six years so I think we need the Italians to come good and get Serie A back on the ladder.

    Inter won this tournament in 2010, but Juventus look better balanced then them this time as they bid to win this for the first time since 1996.

    Massimiliano Allegri and his daughter, Valentina Allegri, celebrating Juventus scudetto, Serie A 2016-17 (Getty Images)

    Massimiliano Allegri and his daughter, Valentina Allegri, celebrating Juventus scudetto, Serie A 2016-17 (Getty Images)Getty Images

    It is refreshing that Juve have been in two finals in three years having rebuilt their squad, but it would be good if we had a Juventus win. It would shake up Serie A to give that league greater prominence across the world.

    With Milan on the way back, it just might help the Italian clubs to recruit better players.

    Juventus are very good in defence, but they have also lifted it offensively. Mario Mandzukic, Dani Alves and Paulo Dybala have provided a real attacking threat.

    Massimiliano Allegri has done a fantastic job as Juventus coach, and I don’t think anybody really thought he could bring the club back to this level with what is essentially a new side from the one that lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the final two years ago.

    It has been a real team effort from Juventus. One more win will be the ultimate endorsement of their hard work.

    Madrid and Juventus set benchmark for Premier League

    The Champions League final is on the doorstep of the world’s richest football league, but the millions from television does not bring class or quality to the table.

    If that were true, we would have seen a Premier League side in or around this final, but they have been sorely lacking.

    England will have five teams in there next season, and the omens do not look great. There is a difference between them, and the two teams in Cardiff. Our sides have got a lot of work to do in the summer.

    Manchester United are best equipped because they set up not to lose. They are difficult to beat which isn’t the greatest compliment to pay a club with so much clout.

    Manchester City set out to score more goals rather than defend, you can forget about Arsenal at this level – and the Gunners are absent next season anyway – and Tottenham have shown they struggle at Wembley. I think teams will raise their game against Spurs because they are playing in the big open spaces of Wembley. It is going to be difficult for them playing there in Europe.

    Liverpool have plenty of work to do defensively at Champions League level. They were not great taking the lead and holding it, and that can cost you in the Champions League.

    Antonio Conte needs more experienced players playing his preferred system at Chelsea. It works in the Premier League, but you need a plan B in the Champions League.There is work needed there on a bigger and stronger squad. A game-changer would be needed for them I think for them to think about enjoying an extended run.

  • ‘Mother’ should not be used to describe bomb – Pope

    ‘Mother’ should not be used to describe bomb – Pope

    Pope Francis has criticized the naming of the U.S. military’s biggest non-nuclear explosive as “Mother of All Bombs”, saying the word “mother” should not be used in reference to any deadly weapon.

    The Pope said he was ashamed when he heard the name of the U.S. most destructive non- nuclear bomb, reports said.

    Pope Francis told an audience of students on Saturday that: “I was ashamed when I heard the name.

    “A mother gives life and this one gives death, and we call this device a mother. What is happening?”

    The U.S. Air Force dropped one of the bombs, officially designated as the GBU-43 Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) on suspected Islamic State fighters in eastern Afghanistan in April.

    The nickname was widely used in briefings and reporting on the attack.

    Pope Francis is set to meet President Donald Trump on May 24 in a potentially awkward encounter given their opposing positions on immigration, refugees and climate change. (NAN)

  • Pope, Japanese, Israeli PMs, other world leaders greet new US President

    Pope, Japanese, Israeli PMs, other world leaders greet new US President

    Pope Francis, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and other world leaders, yesterday sent greetings to newly-inaugurated US President, Donald Trump.

    In his goodwill message, Pope Francis said: “I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nation’s commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide.”

    America’s bitter enemy, Russia, said it looks forward to fixing relations that “fell apart”. Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, in a Facebook message said, “We are ready to do our share of the work in order to improve the relationship.”

    Japanese Prime, Minister Shinzo Abe issued a statement extending his “heartfelt congratulations” to President Trump on being sworn in to office.

    According to the Japanese PM, “Please accept my best wishes for your great success, as well as for health and happiness of you and your family,” the statement said.

    Abe also noted that he’s looking forward to meeting with Trump “at the earliest possible occasion.”

    Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau also offered his congratulations to President Trump in a statement.

     “We look forward to working with President Trump, the U.S. Administration, the 115th Congress, and officials at the state and local levels to restore prosperity to the middle class on both sides of the border, and to create a safer and more peaceful world,” Trudeau said.

    UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson looks forward to working with the new administration. In a twitter message, Johnson said: “Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK – US bond  — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 20, 2017

    Also speaking, Hillary Clinton wrote a message of hope. “I’m here today to honor our democracy & its enduring values. I will never stop believing in our country & its future. #Inauguration   — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 20, 2017

  • Terrorism casts bloodstain over world, says Pope

    Terrorism casts bloodstain over world, says Pope

    Pope Francis has urged leaders to work together to fight the “plague of terrorism.” In his New Year address he said a bloodstain was covering the world as it started 2017.

    Speaking to some 50,000 people in St. Peter’s Square for his traditional noon address, Francis departed from his prepared text to condemn the Istanbul nightclub attack that killed at least 39 people.

    “Unfortunately, violence has stricken even in this night of good wishes and hope. Pained, I express my closeness to the Turkish people. I pray for the many victims and for the wounded and for the entire nation in mourning,” he said.

    “I ask the Lord to sustain all men of goodwill to courageously roll up their sleeves to confront the plague of terrorism and this stain of blood that is covering the world with a shadow of fear and a sense of loss,” he said.

    He said 2017 will be what people make of it.

    “The year will be good in the measure that each one of us, with the help of God, seeks to do good day after day,” he told the crowd on a cold morning.

    Speaking on the day the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church marks its World Day of Peace, Francis said peace was constructed by saying ‘no’ to hate and violence and ‘yes’ to brotherhood and reconciliation.

    The pope earlier said Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, lack of physical contact among people brought on by modern means of virtual communication “is cauterising our hearts and making us lose the capacity for tenderness and wonder, for pity and compassion”

  • Pope offers comfort to friends and relatives of Nice attack victims

    Pope Francis on Saturday sought to comfort relatives and close friends of the more than 80 victims of the attack in Nice in July, who were run down by a man driving a truck as they celebrated France’s national day.

    The pope began his solemn address by apologizing for not speaking French because he said his was not “bon”.

    Then, shifting to Italian, he urged those who were “attacked by the demon” to respond with “forgiveness, love and respect for your neighbor” rather than giving in to the temptation to react with hate and violence.

    Among the some 1,000 people who attended the ceremony were members of Nice’s Jewish community and a local Muslim imam.

    “It makes me happy to see that inter-religious relations are very vibrant among you, and this cannot but soothe the wounds left by this dramatic event,” Francis said.

    Islamic State (IS) militants claimed responsibility for the July 14 Nice attack. Less than two weeks later, IS militants killed an elderly French priest, Father Jacques Hamel, in his church, prompting the pope to declare the “the world is at war”.

    But the pope also insisted the war was not a religious one, and that it was wrong to “identify Islam with violence”, suggesting instead that the lack of economic opportunities for young people in Europe was one of the causes of terrorism.

    After speaking briefly, the pope descended from the pulpit and spent more than 45 minutes meeting those who attended the ceremony, many of whom were in tears.