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Last Updated: 28 March 2015

CWN - Members of the Taliban launched suicide bombings against a Catholic church and a Protestant church in Pakistan, leaving at least 14 dead.

Arriving at the bombed church in the afternoon, Archbishop Sebastian Shah of Lahore complained, “The government has failed to protect us.” The bishop said that Christians have pleaded for protection, warning of impending attacks, to no avail. He praised the members of the congregation who had blocked the terrorists from entering the church, at the cost of their own lives, describing them as martyrs. “We are already on the road to Calvary,” the archbishop said.

Later the Pakistani bishps’ conference issued a statement deploring the bombing and calling upon all of the people of Pakistan to “stand alongside their Christian brothers and sisters, against extremist forces.” The statement demanded “extraordinary measures” by the government to protect religious minorities, and instructed Christians to “avoid violence and to cooperate with the police in their investigations.”

“With pain, with much pain, I learned of the terrorist attacks today against two churches in the city Lahore in Pakistan, which have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries,” Pope Francis said following his March 15 Angelus address.

“These are Christian churches: Christians are being persecuted,” he continued. “Our brothers’ and sisters’ blood is shed only because they are Christians.”

“As I assure you of my prayers for the victims and their families, I ask the Lord, I beseech the Lord, source of all good, for the gift of peace and harmony to this country,” he added, as he prayed “that this persecution against Christians, which the world tries to hide, might end, and that there be peace.”

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Last Updated: 28 March 2015

CWN - The United States has joined over 60 other nations in signing a joint statement of support for the Middle East’s beleaguered Christians.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See’s leading diplomat at UN offices in Geneva, said that “a core group composed of the Russian Federation, Holy See, and Lebanon” drafted the statement.

Citing atrocities committed by the Islamic State, the statement noted that “there are more and more reasons to fear seriously for the future of the Christian communities that have more than two thousand years of existence in this region, where Christianity has its full place, and began its long history.”

“We ask all states to reaffirm their commitment to respect the rights of everyone, in particular the right to freedom of religion, which is enshrined in the fundamental international human rights instruments,” the statement added.

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Last Updated: 13 March 2015

Damascus 24/02/2015

15-16 March 2015

“Howbeit, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17: 21)

This fast is the Fast of Great Lent prior to the Resurrection: a fast that prepares the faithful to celebrate the glorious Feast of the Resurrection. Lent is a way of the cross, and we are in the fifth year of the way of the cross of our Arab countries, especially in Syria, Iraq and Palestine, but also in Lebanon, which is influenced in a dramatic way by the wars that have flared up around it. Today, Lebanon has received at various stages and been hosting refugees and displaced persons from Palestine, dating back to 1949, and from Iraq several times from 2003 onwards and from Syria since 2011. Our countries’ Golgotha is very great: the greatest tragedy of the region’s territories and even of the world since the Second World War. As bishops, our role is to be with our people, alongside our people, before our people, behind our people and in the service of our people. We want to wash the feet of those who suffer, as Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. Yet we ask forgiveness from our faithful, because, despite our efforts, we are unable really to meet all their needs which are increasing on a daily basis. We are at a loss before the great pain and great suffering of our people in all its Christian and Muslim communities. This is tragedy and suffering on a global scale, which affects everyone. All have been affected by poverty, hunger, cold, lack of clothing, illness, sufferings and disability. The great majority of our faithful suffer from all that, especially in Syria. All are equal now in this kind of suffering. And as we said, this is the case also for all Arab countries, especially, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon, and also Libya, Egypt and the Yemen.

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Last Updated: 28 March 2015

(ugcc.org.ua) March 7-8, 2015 St. Anne’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, Ohio (U.S.A.) of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, whose new pastor is Father Lubomyr Zhybak, hosted an annual Lenten lock-in retreat for the eparchial youth. This year's theme of spiritual renewal was “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”

The Great Fast (Lent) is a liturgical period in which we begin a journey, a pilgrimage towards the unique joy and light of the Pascha of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We enter a time of preparation—working to acquire a spirit of repentance, humility, patience, and love through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a movement from the darkness of our sins and failings to the brightness and splendor of new life in Christ’s Resurrection. In the spirit of the Great Fast, over 50 youth, young adults, youth leaders, and chaperones from The Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma gathered together at St. Anne’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, OH on March 7-8, 2015 for the 6th annual “Lock-In” Youth Retreat. The theme of the event, “Rejoice and Be Exceedingly Glad for Great Is Your Reward in Heaven” emphasized the underlying atmosphere of The Great Fast — joyful anticipation of Pascha in a time of spiritual and physical preparation.

The retreat, planned by Deacon Myron Spak, members of the Eparchial Youth Committee, and by various youth leaders, was an opportunity for the young people of our eparchy to pray, reflect, meet others and take time to focus on their spiritual journey to Pascha. The retreat began with a service project at the Pregnancy Help Center in Youngstown, OH. The Pregnancy Help Center is a faith based, privately funded organization that provides ultrasound services, screenings, and information about abortion, adoption and parenting for women with unplanned pregnancies. Women with limited resources have access to a ‘free’ store maintained by the center that has supplies, clothing, toys, and diapers for infants and toddlers. The center also runs a Bible study for men and women to address the questions, concerns and hesitations that they might have about pregnancy. It is the goal of the Pregnancy Help Center that women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy can be presented with information and be provided with resources in a safe, confidential, and ‘judgement-free’ environment before considering abortion.

The youth, young adults and chaperones met the Executive Director, Sally Dubinsky, and the Development Director, Raelyn Kish of the Pregnancy Help Center. Sally and Raelyn explained the mission statement of the center and provided a short video of testimonials of women, who decided to choose life. Many of the young people were moved by the testimonials. One of the youth leaders, Bohdan (Bo) Michaels commented that “it was inspiring to witness the power of the Holy Spirit working through the good people of the Pregnancy Help Center. Women faced with the struggles of unplanned pregnancies know that they have options, that they have support and that they have access to resources to help them choose life. The people working at the Pregnancy Help Center are living the Gospel on a daily basis. Charity and love have made this happen. It brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart!” The youth and young adults ‘rolled up’ their sleeves and helped Sally and Raelyn sort boxes of toys, clothing and supplies. The young people worked together in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity. Michael Spak, a young adult and chaperone, mentioned that “missionary spirit is essential to our Christianity. Many hands make light work. O, what a joyful noise. A joyful noise, indeed!”

As the group began to depart the pregnancy center, Sally Dubinksy surprised the group with pictures and anecdotes from a ‘sister’ pregnancy center in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The pregnancy center in Ukraine does not have the resources, vitamins, medical equipment and/or staff and is supported by the Pregnancy Help Center in Youngstown, OH. This connection resonated with group! Vasyl Zhurybida was “blown away” by the visit. He commented that “Man, I am standing on the shoulders of giants.” Upon completion of the service project at the pregnancy center, the youth went to St. Anne’s Church facilities, where they experienced dynamic and engaging presentations. The Very Rev. Dr. James Barkett, Pastor of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church (Youngstown, OH) spoke to the youth with a very direct and unapologetic presentation geared to the “do’s and don’ts” of living an Eastern Christian life as a young person. Julian Hayda, an actively involved youth lay leader from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Nicholas in Chicago, IL, provided a presentation focused on the joy of The Great Fast from an Eastern Christian perspective, and Fr. Andrew Deskevich, Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Warren, OH and the Chancellor of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh addressed the youth on the subject of sin and repentance. Christine Patoray, a lay leader from St. Anne’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Austintown, OH shared a personal testimony on the subject of chastity and morality. A clergy and religious “Question and Answer” session was also provided and was met with humor, candid questions and catechetical lessons. Much of the retreat was centered on prayer.

On Saturday night, the youth participated in a moving Great Vespers service led by Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak, pastor of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Youngstown, OH & Saint Anne’s UC Church in Austintown, OH. The youth were also given an opportunity to participate in The Mystery of Repentance. Fr. Michael Polosky, Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic in Ambridge, PA and Sts. Peter and Paul UC Church in Aliquippa, PA, provided a poignant and stirring Examination of Conscience, helping the retreatants to focus and prepare for confession. Several priests from various parishes were present and accessible for The Mystery of Repentance, including Fr. Lubomyr Zhybak; Fr. Jason Charron from the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie, PA; Fr. Philip Bumbar, an Assistant Pastor from Saints Peter and Paul UC Church in Aliquippa, PA plus Fr. Andrew Deskevich and Fr. Mike Polosky. On Sunday, March 8, the youth participated in the Divine Liturgy with the faithful of St. Anne’s Church, presided over by His Excellency Bishop Bohdan Danylo. Bishop Bohdan addressed the youth and thanked all of the volunteers that helped to plan the retreat. Deacon Alex Wroblicky, Michael Spak, Julian Hayda, Christine Hlutkowsky, Joseph Levy, Bohdan (Bo) Mykhailiv and Michael Levy helped to sing the responses. Many volunteers helped to make the event a tremendous success. Dave and Debbie Patoray from the Holy Trinity UC Church in Youngstown, OH worked tirelessly to prepare all the meals for the attendants; Michael Migielicz, Bohdan Mykhailiv and Vasyl Zhurebida handled all aspects of registrations; Christina Hlutkowsky served as Mistress of Ceremonies, Michael Migielicz provided a powerful presentation on reflection and introspection, Joseph Levy provided audio/visual assistance, Alex Lischak prepared a video recording of the event and several others provided chaperone services and assisted with event operations. The 2015 “Lock-In” Retreat was a wonderful, prayerful, and engaging event for our youth. We pray for God’s continual blessings on the youth and the volunteers of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, OH! Till the next year!

Reported by Michael J. Levy

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Last Updated: 28 March 2015

risu.org.ua - Pope Francis has given his assent to the canonical election by the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church of Rev. Fr. Teodor (Taras) Martynyuk, M.S.U., as auxiliary of the archieparchy of Ternopil'-Zboriv. The bishop-elect was born in Yaremche, Ukraine in 1974, gave his solemn vows in 1997 and was ordained a priest in 2000. He holds a doctorate in Oriental canon law from the Pontifical Oriental Institute. During his pastoral ministry he has served in various roles in the Lavra of Univ and the monastery of St. Michael in Lviv, and as a lecturer in Oriental canon law at the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Rome. He is currently Igumen of the Lavra of the Dormition in Univ, Ukraine.

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Last Updated: 12 March 2015

CWN - An ancient Chaldean Catholic monastery in Mosul, Iraq, has been damaged but not destroyed by the Islamic State, the Fides news service reports.

The façade of the monastery of St. George has been demolished, and crosses removed from the dome. The cemetery adjacent to the monastery has been desecrated, with headstones destroyed. But the 10th-century building remains largely intact, Fides reports.

Since seizing Mosul, Islamic militants have used the monastery as a prison, housing their opponents and local officials of the government they ousted.