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THE GREATEST CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH

Italy: Pope John Paul II has stated that the greatest challenge facing the Church is the third millennium is to regain the spirit of the Gospels. The Pope was addressing a conference of the Italian Bishops. Though Christians are familiar with the Bible, the inspired word of God has not entered deep into their hearts. They are not able to enliven their faith with the richness of the word. We need to train our young people to penetrate into the essence of the Biblical message and thus discover new meaning in life. The Pope said that St. Jerome's statement, made long ago, that ignoring the Holy Bible was tantamount to ignoring Jesus Christ himself, is relevant even today.

INTERNAL DISSENSION - AN OBSTACLE TO EVANGELIZATION

Chicago: The new Archbishop of Chicago, Franz George, addressing to a Priest's Conference, reminded the participants that domestic quarrels among priests are preventing the work of evangelization. Priests are those who maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is this personal relationship that gives them strength and enthusiasm to evangelize. But the differences they have with one another are obstructing this work. How can those involved in endless, unnecessary arguments over subjects like devotions, liturgy, love of neighbor and justice, give themselves fully to this work of evangelization, asked the Bishop.

The Church's mandate is to transform the whole of mankind into a community of love. It is for this purpose that members of the Catholic Church should work, said the Archbishop.

JESUS' MEMORY REVIVED EVERYDAY.

Denver: We are going to celebrate the two thousandth anniversary of the most important event in the history of the world. The Incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God, is the central event of the history of mankind, reminded Archbishop John Fowly when he was speaking to a group of newspaper reporters.

Even though we do not recall this fact that divided time into BC and AD every time we note the date or write a letter, is it not this event that shines before our eyes, asked the Archbishop. He added that we cannot celebrate the end of second and the beginning of the third millennium, forgetting the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Can there be any event greater that that of God becoming man ?.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FAMILY

Rio de Janeiro: An International Conference on the eroding values of family life is due in October 1997. Rio de Janeiro, which played host to the International Conference on Protection of the Natural Environment in 1992 will be the venue for this conference too. It will be held under the auspices of Pontifical Commission for the family.

Monsignor Francis Fehoi, Under Secretary of the Pontifical Commission said: "The Church has in mind the renewal and sanctification of family life in calling this assembly. The Church cannot remain a silent spectator of the current erosion of the religious values that once made the family and family relationships stable and secure. Something has to be done immediately. This is the purpose of this International Conference.

THE "OUR FATHER" DEAR EVEN TO BUDDHISTS

Calcutta, India: Hindu, Buddhists and Christian students together recite the "Our Father" daily. This prayer is accepted and said devoutly before class in St. Mary's school, Payong in W. Bengal. The school is held in great esteem by the public for its academic standard and its good discipline. Students of different faiths are happy to recite the "our Father" together, says Sr. Cecilia Beena.

YOUTH SHOULD SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

The Vatican, Rome: The Holy Father has exhorted the youth to spread the Good News of Jesus among their friends and their milieu. They should not confine their activities to the parish but become examples to the society they live in. Young people should become friends, to those who are deprived of friendship, family relationships and fellowship. This is their mission.

The Holy Father gave this message to a group of young people who visited him in connection with the World Youth Day to be celebrated on July 6th. The chief aim of youth is freedom. If freedom is opposed to the truth and militates against it, it is dangerous, warned the Pope.

THE BIBLE FOR RE-EVANGELIZATION

The Vatican, Rome: Pope John Paul II has stated that the importance of the Bible in the process of re-evangelization is indispensable. The immediate attention of the Church authorities should be focused on those whose faith has not been strengthened by the richness of the word of God.

Also, every effort should be made to let the Word of God enter the hearts of the people through Proclamation, Catechism and the Liturgy. The Pope stressed these points while addressing the Bishops of Italy during the month of May. While encouraging the study of the Bible, care should be taken not to interpret the Bible in a literal, sentimental or incorrect manner, the Pope pointed out.

WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS HELP HINDUS?

Bangalore, India: A number of sisters from various religious congregations in Bangalore collaborated with doctors to nurse those who suffered severe burns in a fire. 200 persons were killed and 500 suffered burns in a fire that broke out in February in Bangalore.

Seeing that treatment and care were given to all the victims without discrimination, they asked, "Why should you, who are Christians, nurse us, Hindus?" Sr. Lily of St. Ann's says, "I couldn't open my mouth for two days. It is the first time that I saw such a great disaster. Those who came to us for relief were not Hindus or Christians but human beings, human beings writhing in agony. There was no other reason why we went forward to nurse them. It was an unforgettable experience for which we can never be sufficiently grateful."