All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary.
The Italian government went on high alert last week after threats from the Islamic State called Italy “the nation signed with the blood of the cross.”
The video threat, released with images of 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt who were beheaded this month, warned that Islamic State forces were “south of Rome,” in Libya. At its closest point, Libya is little more than 100 miles from the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis marked the second anniversary of his election on Friday by giving an interview in which he says he expects his time at the Vatican to only last for another two or three years.
"I have a feeling my pontificate will be brief," the 78-year-old told Mexico's Televisa channel.
"Four or five years, I don't know. Two years have already gone by.
"It is a vague feeling I have that the Lord chose me for a short mission. I am always open to that possibility."
In a recently released video that showed the killing of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya, the Islamic State made an ominous warning: “Today we are south of Rome,” one masked militant said. “We will conquer Rome with Allah’s permission.”
To make matters worse, Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence group, pointed out that supporters of the Islamic State have begun using a hashtag to warn of their plan to reach “Rome.”
Exactly what “Rome” means to the Islamic State is unclear – some experts say it may actually be a reference to the United States or Turkey, or even the West in general.
But Italy is worried. Libya is just a short boat ride across the Mediterranean.
Thousands of refugees already make this journey to Italian shores every year. What’s to stop the Islamic State?
In fact, Renzi didn’t specify exactly who would wield that military might, and, two days later, when no one volunteered to lead the charge, he backtracked.
“It’s not the time for a military intervention,” Renzi told an Italian television station Monday night and said the United Nations had to lead the way.
“Our proposal is to wait for the U.N. Security Council. The strength of the U.N. is decidedly superior to that of the radical militias.”
I like how the Washington Post says, "Exactly what "Rome" means to the Islamic State is unclear".
Here, I'll help you out WaPo:
THE VATICAN IS IN ROME. THE VATICAN IS THE SEAT OF CHRISTENDOM. THEREFORE, TO ISIS, ROME IS THE CAPITOL OF CHRISTIANITY.
A foreign intelligence service: two Arabs spoke of the opportunity to 'do something' at the Vatican.
ROME - The alert has been upgraded three days ago, on the eve of the public hearing of Pope Francis. A "demonstrative act in the Vatican" spoke a signal transmitted intelligence to law enforcement.
The alert is based on an intercepted conversation between two Arabs, nothing particularly alarming. But the tension is already high and the threat of terrorism Isis is scary, especially after the decision of the United States and the United Kingdom, which is shared by Italy and other European allies to arm the peshmerga, and more recently to initiate targeted bombings in Iraq .
In St. Peter's Square was increased the number of patrols of police and policemen in uniform, but mostly it was intensified surveillance carried out by men in plain clothes. Better checks are carried out inside, on the directive of the gendarmerie who still has constant exchange of information with the Italian authorities.
The spokesman of the Vatican Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, however, tends to minimize "For part of the Vatican, the situation is normal and there were no threats or special concerns.
Everything takes place in the normal range. The Italian security has always been some strengthening during the Sunday Angelus and general audiences. "
For weeks of anti-terrorism specialists of the Interior Ministry and the police of the Ros examine the reports that come from the police, often elaborating what is also highlighted by the structures of foreign intelligence.
In recent days, was sent an informative coming from a foreign intelligence service, which showed a conversation between two Arabs on the possibility of "doing something in the Vatican."
The two names were quickly controlled: one of them appeared totally unknown, the other would be passed from Italy about eight months ago. And this has convinced devices to prevent the need to further raise the level of attention, albeit without taking any extraordinary initiative.
The fear of an attack by Islamic fundamentalists, especially the Isis, against a western state was revived by President Barack Obama.
The experts agree the Vatican at the top of the list of possible targets, especially after the position taken last August by the Pope on what is happening in Syria, when he stressed that it was "lawful stop the unjust aggressor.
Zardari promises Pope to overcome discrimination caused by religion.
The "need" to promote respect for the rights of all citizens in talks between the President and Benedict XVI. In Islamabad, meanwhile, it is announced that Christian organizations in the country have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The ‘need’ to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religion emerged from meetings today between the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo and Secretary of State cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr. Dominique Mamberti. Echoing this statement is news from Islamabad that the Pakistan Christian organizations have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law.
A statement released by the Vatican Press Office states that " The cordial discussions provided an opportunity to examine the current situation in Pakistan, with particular reference to the fight against terrorism and the commitment to create a society more tolerant and harmonious in all its aspects. Talk then turned to the positive role played by the Catholic Church - continues the statement - in the social life of the country through her educational, healthcare and aid activities. Evoking recent episodes of violence against Christian communities in some localities, and the elements that have favoured such serious incidents, emphasis was given to the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for the rights of all citizens".
The same argument was also addressed by Zardari in his talks with Italian politicians, in which the Pakistani president said the government of his country will take steps against the abuse of the blasphemy law. Moreover, on 18 September, during a state visit to London, Zardari had promised greater government vigilance, but human rights organizations in Pakistan say the president's words remain an unrealistic goal that ignores the reality of the situation.
The law, created to defend against offenses against Islam and the Prophet, has become an instrument of discrimination and predatory violence. The event promoted by the CCP Christian is called All Parties Conference and was created to coordinate the efforts of all Christian groups who are calling for the abolition of Article 295, paragraph b and c of the Penal Code. On 24 October, to facilitate the participation of as many people as possible, the initiative will be held simultaneously in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Church (NCJP) states that "the country's Christian community continues to live in fear and insecurity" and cites the most recent cases of abuse of the law arguing that the authorities undertake investigations without decision or results.
In the district of Sialkot and the village of Gojra, Punjab, investigations and the trials are blocked. The NCJP says that over the last five days no progress has been made to see justice done for the Christians killed and assaulted there. Local Pakistani sources say that in Gojra, a village in which eight Christians were burned to death in early August, the provincial administration and police are covering up the affair so as not to risk public disorder. The Commission adds that "some of those detained over the violence have been released on bail by the Anti-Terrorism Court”.
There is a similar situation in the district of Sialkot, home to Fanish Robert, the 20 year old Christian who was killed in prison September 14 two days after his arrest for blasphemy. The family of the young man had to leave their home in Jethikey for security reasons and only returned on 24 September. Now they are asking the authorities to transfer the remains of their son to his village of origin. The funeral and burial of Fanish were to have taken place in Sialkot to avoid anti-Christian episodes, but were marred by police intervention to "prevent further unrest”.
(CNA).- In a surprising move, President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday evening that Miguel H. Diaz, Ph.D., a 45 year old lay Liberation theologian born in Havana (Cuba) is his pick to become the United States Ambassador to the Holy See.
An associate professor of theology at St. John's University and the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota, Diaz, a strong Obama supporter and father of four, earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla., and his master’s and doctorate in theology from the University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame, Ind.
He taught previously at Barry University, Miami Shores, Fla.; St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, Fla.; University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio; and the University of Notre Dame. He also served as the academic dean at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and is fluent in Italian, Spanish and French.
Diaz serves on the board of the Catholic Theological Society of America, is past president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, and is a past member of the steering committee of the Karl Rahner Society.
His body of work, which includes some controvesial positions on “inclusivity,” has gained him significant praise from the Catholic left, and his nomination was immediately hailed by pro-Obama Catholics such as “Catholics United” and “Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good,” as well as Prof. Douglas Kmiec.
Diaz's election seems to be the first return that Catholics who have unconditionally supported Obama's policies and appointments have received for their investment in the ticket. Diaz, in fact, is listed as a member of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, although he explains his relationship with the pro-Obama group founded by Democratic activist Alexia Kelley as “a response to an invitation to become a theological advisor.”
In a brief statement, Diaz said that “I wish to be a diplomatic bridge between our nation and the Holy See, and if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, I will continue the work of my predecessors and build on 25 years of excellent relations with the Holy See.”
Miguel Diaz served in 2008 on the Obama campaign’s Catholic advisory board. Also in 2008, he donated $1,000 to the Obama Victory Fund.
Although he claims to be a “defender of life in all of it stages,” Diaz was among 26 Catholic leaders and scholars who signed a statement supporting the nomination of staunch pro abortion Catholic Kathleen Sebelius as Health and Human Services Secretary. (Read entire article)
In choosing professor Miguel H. Diaz to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, President Obama has selected a man whose writings do not address such hot-button issues as abortion, embryonic stem cell research, doctor-assisted suicide and gay marriage. In that regard, it appears this is a safe choice.
It is disconcerting, nonetheless, to learn that Diaz supported Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sebelius is so extreme on abortion that she has been publicly criticized by the last three archbishops in Kansas City, Kansas. Moreover, when the current archbishop, Joseph F. Naumann, asked her to name a single instance in 30 years of public service where she supported restrictions on abortion, she could not name one. Thus, his decision to request that she not present herself for Communion.
It is a lame argument to say that it is morally acceptable to promote abortion-reducing public policies while jettisoning all legal remedies. If we applied this same logic to racial discrimination, no one would regard someone who worked to reduce the incidence of discrimination while abandoning all legal strategies as a bona-fide opponent of racism. Both approaches would be demanded.
It is a sad commentary on the Democratic party that out of the entire country they can’t field a candidate to represent the U.S. to the Vatican who is unequivocally opposed to abortion-on-demand.
DÃaz is a member of the speaker’s bureau of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, a pro-Obama organization that was criticized last fall by some Church leaders, including Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver.
In a speech responding to arguments put forward by pro-Obama Catholic law professor Doug Kmiec, Archbishop Chaput said Kmiec’s “activism for Senator Obama, and the work of Democratic-friendly groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, have done a disservice to the Church, confused the natural priorities of Catholic social teaching, undermined the progress pro-lifers have made, and provided an excuse for some Catholics to abandon the abortion issue instead of fighting within their parties and at the ballot box to protect the unborn.”
And DÃaz also publicly supported the nomination of pro-abortion Catholic Kathleen Sebelius as Obama’s secretary of Health and Human Services. The nomination of Sebelius was opposed by many Church leaders, including her own bishop, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kan., who last year publicly requested Sebelius not present herself for reception of Communion because of her pro-abortion record as governor of Kansas.
Comments Deal Hudson at InsideCatholic.com, “It will be interesting to watch how the confirmation process proceeds with Prof. Diaz. Questions will be asked about his suitability as a U. S. diplomat to the Holy See. The Holy See itself may express reservations about his visible support for a pro-abortion Catholic like Sec. Sebelius.”
Miguel Diaz is a Libertation Theologist in the mold of Jean Bertrand Aristide, the Sandinistas, Gerard Jean Juste (who died yesterday), Hans Kung, Paulo Freire, Fernando Lugo and Jeremiah Wright !!!
Obama's picks leftist, Liberation Theologist Catholic as envoy to the Holy See: