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Pakistani Christian Accused of Blasphemy Set Free

A Pakistani woman sentenced to death for allegedly blaspheming Mohammed has been released from prison following an international outcry that included a specific plea on her behalf from the Pope. Asia Bibi was pardoned by the president of Pakistan, the group International Christian Concern reported. Bibi, 45, was charged a year ago for blaspheming Mohammed in a conflict with fellow farm workers. She was sentenced to death earlier this month. At the conclusion of last Wednesday’s general audience, Benedict XVI appealed for her freedom.
 
He mentioned the plight of Pakistani Christians in general, who along with Hindus make up only a 5% minority in the Muslim country.  "In these days, the international community is following with great concern the difficult situation of Christians in Pakistan, who are often victims of violence and discrimination," the Holy Father said.   Then he mentioned Bibi specifically: "Today I particularly express my spiritual closeness to Mrs. Asia Bibi and her family, asking that she be given full liberty as soon as possible. As well, I pray for those who find themselves in similar situations, so that their human dignity and fundamental rights be fully respected."
 
Human rights groups have long decried Pakistan’s blasphemy laws as a means by which people take advantage of religious minorities. It is reported that Bibi is now in hiding out of fear for her safety. There are precedents of those accused of blasphemy in Pakistan being killed by vigilantes.
 
Court stays proceedings against Catholic school

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has come to the rescue of a Catholic school being harassed by a government commission meant to protect religious minority groups. The court made an interim order on Nov. 12, staying all proceedings against Christ Jyoti Senior Secondary School, Satna. The school approached the court after Lakshmi Yadav, a member of the Other Backward Castes and Minority Welfare Commission, accused it of indulging in conversion activities, school manager Father Joly Kannukadan said.
 
The school, managed by Satna diocese for the past 30 years, has 2,670 students. Father Kannukadan said Yadav, a member of the ruling pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people’s party), had spurred a “witch hunt” by district officials against the school. Yadav had issued constant demands for documents. “We initially cooperated with him, but he never stopped to make our life miserable,” he added. The priest thanked the High Court for coming to the school’s rescue and said he hoped the court would restrain Yadav from interfering with the school’s work.
 
Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson of the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh, said Church officials took up the matter with BJP state president Prabhath Jha. Jha said that he would look into the matter and promised co-operation from his party and the government for the school.
 
New Miracle Takes Fr. Agnel Closer to Sainthood

Devotees of Venerable Agnelo D’Souza are excited after sending to Rome a report of a miracle attributed to the Goan priest. Venerable Agnelo Gustavo Adolfo de Souza, a member of the indigenous Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, died in 1927 and his canonization process began 20 years later. Rome declared him venerable, the second stage in the canonization process, in 1986. Father Hilario Fernandes, vice postulator of the cause, says although thousands of miracles are attributed to the priest, his canonization process hit bottlenecks on at least eight occasions. In one instance, a blood sample sent to Rome was lost in transit.
 
The new miracle is about a 62-year-old woman, who suffered from metal poisoning. She was admitted in a hospital and doctors said she would die. But after the woman’s relatives prayed to Venerable Agnelo she recovered. Father Fernandes said they sent the case to Rome on Nov. 15. “We hope this will clinch his fate to be declared blessed,” he said. The priest, who belongs to the same congregation as Venerable Agnelo, said doctors fear their hospitals and profession would suffer if they certify a patient’s recovery is medically unexplainable.
 
Father Fernandes claims Venerable Agnelo is second only in popularity saint among people in Goa after Saint Francis Xavier. Fiona Carnerio, an Agnelo devotee, says having a saint of the soil would help keep people’s faith intact. Jesus Ribeiro, another Catholic, blamed Rome for going slow in processing the cases of candidates from developing countries. The canonization process begins with granting the title “Servant of God.” Candidates who fulfill certain criteria are declared “Venerable.” The next stage is beatification, for which a miracle attributed to the candidate is needed. Sainthood requires another miracle under the same condition.
 
Nun has recipe to spice up catechism
 
Catechism classes need not be boring, says Sister Bernadette D’Rozario, who has spent more than 50 years teaching basics of Catholic faith to children. What’s more they can have lasting impact on a person’s moral and social life, especially if they start with the very young.

The 72-year-old Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary nun coordinated the Catechetical Commission of Calcutta and shares with ucanews.com her views on the changing face of catechism teaching in parishes and Catholic schools.

ucanews.com: How do you feel about spending 50 years promoting catechism classes?

SISTER BERNADETTE D’ROZARIO: I feel satisfied. There is an urge to do more. I was invited to join the archdiocese’s Catechetical Commission when I had retired from active work. I still have the energy to do more to make catechism teaching meaningful to children.

How did you get interested in teaching catechism?

Ours was a family of teachers and when we were small, our mother would make us sit around and tell us Bible stories. We went to the church together and had our assigned places. At school, friends would often ask me questions about catechism. When I began to teach catechism, I came across children from broken families, to whom I could give Christ and the matters of faith. I like being with children.

What are the changes that happened in catechism teaching over the decades?

In terms of content, it is much-structured now, with so many books on catechism. When I began there were neither text books for catechism nor prescribed methods. I taught whatever I found useful and meaningful to children. Now, we have textbooks for teachers and students and the lessons have been prepared in the books. However, as content and methodology improved, teaching of catechism in parishes and schools declined.

A teacher should read the textbook before coming to the class. But sadly they do not use the textbook for teachers and use only the book for students. Often, they do not understand what they teach. They do not have time to prepare their lessons.
In olden times, we used to have catechism classes five times a week in school. Today, they have been reduced to three and in some schools only two classes a week.

Why did they cut catechism classes in Catholic schools?

With so many subjects to teach, schools are pressed for time. They have to find time also for extra-curricular activities. The catechism class is the first casualty. We have not given priority to catechism classes in our schools. In many schools, sadly catechism is not an important subject. School principals are often preoccupied with too many things, and find it hard to accommodate catechism classes.

How do parents respond to catechism classes?

Unfortunately most Catholic parents now do not want their children to attend catechism classes. They say they have no time. No wonder then that many parents do not go even to Sunday Mass. Parents want their children to be preoccupied with so many things, but not catechism.

Have you noticed any difference between those attending catechism regularly and others?

You see the effect when these children grow older. I have seen students helping poor children. Some children tell me after many years that they still remember my stories. I remember a girl telling me that she brought the parish priest to administer the sacrament of the sick for her dying mother. There was another girl who learned to forgive her father, who had deserted her, after the death of her mother. I received a card on the Teacher’s Day some years ago with the words, “To my dear Catechism Teacher.” That was the most beautiful card I had ever received.

How can the Church make its catechism classes interesting?

Use modern means of communication. They are hardly used in these classes. This is because people are not interested in using them. This means teachers have to be prepared to make use of the media. Most teachers now spend time in singing and telling stories. Only a few teachers know how to use the media for effective communication.

Are you sure modern multi-media can change catechism classes?

The scenario can change drastically if we use PowerPoint presentations, video and other modern methods. This will make the children interested. Then they would listen. Now, they find it hard to listen to our talks. If Adults like PowerPoint presentations in seminars, how much more would children who are brought up on television and computers. I try to motivate young teachers, through inviting them to attend seminars and workshops on how and what to teach!

What is your wish list for catechism teaching in the next few years?

First, we should train enough lay teachers with proper motivation, Second, every Catholic school should have proper textbooks and syllabus for catechism. The schools should complete the syllabus during the academic year. Third, motivate parents to send their children for classes regularly. Four, teachers attend regular training programs, organized by the Catechetical Commission once in a few months.