by SrDeniseSickinger | Dec 20, 2021 | Accompaniment, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Missions, Outreach, Persecutions, Salesians of Don Bosco, SDB
By Fr. Gabriel Cruz SDB Lahore, Pakistan 20 December 2021 — In the second week of December the Salesian community, Don Bosco Lahore was able to distribute humanitarian aid to Afghan immigrant-refugees and communities in Pakistan. The beneficiaries of this aid have been 200 Afghan families who are in the community of Peshawar. This activity has been carried out with the cooperation and coordination of the local authorities, the police and city administration, who have facilitated the distribution. We are infinitely grateful for the joint donations of the offices of Don Bosco Missio Aachen, Don Bosco New Rochelle, and Don Bosco Switzerland who were the main benefactors. Afghan refugee families in Pakistan are still waiting for a lot of help. Let us continue to pray for them. ...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Nov 15, 2021 | Missions, Persecutions, Salesians of Don Bosco, SDB, Terrorism
People displaced by conflict in Ethiopia receive basic humanitarian aid CHURCH ETHIOPIA WAR HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY MISSIONARIES RELIGIOUS POLITICAL VIOLENCE A group of religious and lay members of a Salesian missionary organization who were arrested and detained 10 days ago by government forces has been released. Many others remain held in custody. By Vatican News staff writer There are 14 people still held in custody by the Ethiopian police, including Salesian religious, brothers, laity, employees. According to Fides news agency, seven other Salesians, plus an employed woman, were released by the police on Saturday morning. On Monday they reportedly appeared before a court and should be released on bail. State of Emergency and crackdown Amid a recently declared state of emergency, Ethiopian authorities have begun a crackdown on people that the government says are “supporters” of the rebellious Tigrayan forces. The arrests have included Salesian missionaries, as well as 72 humanitarian aid truck drivers and 16 other UN humanitarian staffers. READ ALSO 11/11/2021 Ethiopia: Salesian missionaries arrested in Addis Ababa The raid on 5 November was carried out on a centre in Gottera in Addis Ababa, and the 17 people who were arrested were taken to an unknown destination....
by SrDeniseSickinger | Nov 11, 2021 | Missions, Persecutions, Prayer Intentions, Salesians of Don Bosco, SDB, Terrorism
Ethiopian soldiers CHURCH ETHIOPIA WAR UN RELIGIOUS Amid a recently declared state of emergency, Ethiopian authorities have begun a crackdown on people that the government says are “supporters” of the rebellious Tigrayan forces. The arrests have included Salesian missionaries, as well as 72 humanitarian aid truck drivers and 16 other UN humanitarian staffers. By Vatican News staff writer Government forces in Ethiopia raided a centre run by the Salesians of Don Bosco in Addis Ababa and arrested 17 people, including priests, religious brothers, and employees, amid a general climate of uncertainty and tension in the country brought about by the year-long war between the government and Tigrayan forces. Reports say that the raid was carried out on 5 November on a centre in Gottera, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, and the 17 people who were arrested were taken to an unknown destination. The motive for their arrest remains unclear. Meanwhile, the Salesians, who have worked in Ethiopia since 1975, are continuing to pray for peace and unity in the country, and for the safe return of their arrested brothers. Tense situation The war in Ethiopia has not spared civilians, as thousands have died and millions have been displaced, forced...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Mar 16, 2021 | Ad maiorem Dei gloriam and the salvation of souls!, Past Pupils, Persecutions, Salesian Martyrs, Salesian News, Salesian Past Pupils, Teens and Young Adults
Sixth Anniversary of martyrdom of Akash Bashir, Pakistani past pupil By Sunil Iqbal Lahore Pakistan, 15 March 2021 — Akash Bashir’s final words as he was martyred were: “I will die but I will not let you to go”. Pakistan’s Salesian Community celebrated Mass on 15 March, the 6th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Akash Bashir, the Pakistani Salesian Past Pupil who saved hundreds of people inside the Church by embracing a suicide bomber and offered his own life. We humbly ask all of you to pray for our Pakistani Christian community. “Faith in Jesus and in the power of His Holy Name is the greatest spiritual force in the world today. It is a source of joy and inspiration in our youth; of strength in our manhood, when only His Holy Name and His grace, can enable us to overcome temptation; of hope, consolation and confidence at the hour of our death, when more than ever before, we realize, that the meaning of Jesus is ‘Lord, the Savior.’ We should bow in reverence to His Name and submission to His Holy Will.” Source: Sixth Anniversary of martyrdom of Akash Bashir, Pakistani past...
by SrDeniseSickinger | Oct 25, 2020 | a current event, Justice, Persecutions, Prayer Intentions
Court rejects bail for elderly Indian Jesuit priest A special anti-terrorism court has denied bail to Father Stan Swamy, accused of links with terrorism. Cardinal Gracias urges prayers for the Jesuit. By Vatican News staff writer A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Friday rejected the bail plea of Father Stan Swamy, the 83-year-old Jesuit priest arrested for his alleged links with Maoist insurgents involved in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case in Maharashtra state. The elderly priest has denied any involvement in the violence saying he has never been to the place in all his life. After his arrest on October 8 by NIA agents from his residence in Ranchi in Jharkhand state, where he works for the rights of indigenous and marginalized people, Father Swamy was flown to Mumbai, where an NIA court remanded him in judicial custody the following day. Frail health The Hindu daily newspaper reported that advocates Sharif Shaikh and Kritika Agarwal applied for bail saying the frail priest, who has Parkinson’s disease and has almost lost hearing ability in both ears, has fallen several times in custody. Due to his illness, Father Swamy was not even able to sign the documents court...
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