Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Ban of crucifix in classrooms in Italy infuriates Catholics & other Christian denominations

11/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


It is the sobering message of the times. If one is not paying attention, the anti-Christians, the secularists and those against faith-based beliefs have been assaulting religion again. In a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, the crucifix, the symbol of the suffering Jesus Christ revered by Christians, has been banned in Italian schools. The court rationalized its caustic decision by saying that faith-based symbols are “breach of religious rights of children.”

The case against the crucifix was lodged by atheists----Soile Lautsi, a Finnish immigrant and her Italian husband who protested that the classroom display of the cross violated the freedom and religious rights of their two children. For their complaint, they were awarded EU$5,000 as damages. Seven judges of the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg upheld their argument adding:

"The presence of the crucifix could easily be interpreted by pupils of all ages as a religious sign and they would feel that they were being educated in a school environment bearing the stamp of a given religion.

This could be encouraging for religious pupils, but also disturbing for pupils who practised other religions or were atheists, particularly if they belonged to religious minorities." ---MailOnline (11/04/09, Pisa, N.)

The Italians, the Vatican authorities along with many Christian believers worldwide expressed their outrage over the ruling. Angry reactions came from abroad. In cyberspace, Catholics and other denominational Christians expressed dissatisfaction. All over Italy, mayors pledged to disobey the unfriendly ruling.

Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, a conservative, asserted the removal of the symbol of Jesus in classrooms "denies the rights and roots of Europeans." He said banning the crucifix is not acceptable to Italians. Msgr. Vincenzo Paglia, the head of the Italian bishop’s intercultural dialogue commission commented the court's decision was "irresponsible".

“They are creating a Europe without identity and tradition,” said Alessandra Mussolini, the granddaughter of Benito Mussolini, who in his time ordered the display of the crucifix.

Foreign minister Franco Frattini said the prohibition is a death blow to “a Europe of values and rights.” Agriculture minister Luca Zaia remarked the crucifix’s removal is shameful. Antonio Mazzocchi, a Berlusconi ally, noted Europe is forgetting its Christian heritage.

Mara Bizzoto, a parliamentarian, asked why the European court only ruled against the crucifix but spared Islamc symbols such as veils, burqas, and niqabs. Are the court members afraid of the Islamic faith? Is it clear that there is double standard in antagonizing Christians while avoiding the ire of Muslims, a growing immigrant ethnic group with known violent minority in their ranks?

Christians must stand up and be resolute in countering the growing anti-Christian hostility of radical secularists, agnostics, and atheists who wish to throw away faith and social traditions of believers. The controversial ban on crucifixes in the classroom is reminiscent of the persecution of early Christians. Prejudice against the Christians has gone overboard and must be rejected. (Photo Credit: giftscatholic.com) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Phelps helps 400m relay team for a world-record win

8/03/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


In a rematch between Olympic swimming icon Michael Phelps and Serbia’s Milorad Cavic, the former thrust himself to the last seconds to keep his title as the fastest in 100 m butterfly category. Phelps won, bringing him his 4th gold.

But on Sunday, August 2, 2009, in the World Swimming Championship in Rome, Italy, Phelps was part of the US relay team to bag his 5th gold medal, helping his group in 400-meter medley relay to win the 43rd world record in the championship.

Overall, not as good as his 8 gold medal sweep in the unforgettable Beijing Olympics, Phelps' spectacular showing ends the meet with two individual gold, one silver medal (200 freestyle) and three relay gold medals. He still remains the greatest in swimming history. (Photo Credit: D. Daniel) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Italian hostage Eugenio Vagni released by Mindanao Abu Sayyaf Bandits

7/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


After months of captivity, the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) volunteer who was abducted in January while assisting the setting up water supply in Jolo, Sulu was finally released. Eugenio Vagni, 62 year- old Italian, the last of the group of hostages taken forcibly by Abu Sayyaf under bandit Al Bader Parad through months of negotiation, intimidation, and coercion.

It was through the two wives of bandit-leader Parad namely Simang Annudin and Rowena Aksan and facilitation by Sulu Vice Gov. Ann Sahidulla. On July 12, 2009 in Maimbung, Jolo, Mindanao, the captors decided to release the Italian captive who was the companion of earlier-freed Swiss kidnap victim Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jane Lacaba.

Vagni, tired after the grueling 6-months captivity took rest prior to medical check-up as he prepared to return to Italy with wife Khawanrufan and two daughters Leticia and Norison.

It was assumed that Parad’s group had custody of Vagni, but it was the group headed by Yasser Igasan who freed the hostage. An “Islamic scholar not linked with ICRC abduction,” Ignasan, also Al-Qaeda-affiliated, had been thought to lead a subgroup of rebels replacing killed Islamic militant Khadaffy Janjalini.

Contrary to the no-ransom policy of the government, Sahidulla helped secure Vagni’s release by giving P50,000 worth of cigarettes. Yet, authorities were quick to defend the “goodwill’ gift as "acceptable" in dealing with the law-breakers.

As this developed, Sen Francis Escudero reminded the public of other hostages in Mindanao, particularly the 3 teachers Jocelyn Enriquez, Jocelyn Inion and Noemi Mandi of Bangkaw-Bangkaw Elementary School who were snatched last March 13, 2009 in Naga, Zamboanga Zibugay after their work. One of them, Mandi, was unconfirmed to have died while waiting for a rescue. (Photo Credit: AP/ Al Jacinto) =0=

UPDATE: July 15, 2009---Eugenio Vagni appealed to the Abu Sayyaf militants to abandon their outlawed life and live a normal life. Asked if he wanted to still work in the Philippines, he said its up to ICRC to decide. In the meantime, Vagni was preparing to leave the country, probably to his homeland, Italy.

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PostHeaderIcon Abu Sayyaf’s Italian hostage still languishes in captivity

5/09/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


""He was able to call his family in the morning of Friday 8 May. However, the entire situation is difficult for his loved ones, who of course remain very worried about him. We are keenly aware of the distress they are feeling…

It hurts to see people who respond to crisis with purely humanitarian intentions become the victims. We hope the kidnappers will heed our repeated appeals and release Eugenio safe and sound, without condition and without further delay."---ICRC Executive Alain Aeschlimann said. GMA TV News (05/08/09)

Reading about Eugenio Vagni, the Italian who is a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who is still a captive of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, Jolo Philippines, makes people think how evil can be so indiscriminate and unfair. At 62, the innocent humanitarian worker suffers needlessly since he was captured while working to help communities there.

Suffering from medical problems, Vagni is held as a hostage by Al Qaeda-affiliated bandits since January 15, 2009. Two of his companions, Swiss Andreas Notter and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba have been released. The ICRC, his family and the entire world are deeply worried that the efforts to gain his freedom are fruitless. Let us pray for Vagni’s safety and immediate release. (Photo Credit: Carlie Saceda)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon Pig flu spreads to Italy

5/03/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


While the temptation to be complacent is there to stifle the fight against the swine influenza, the first case of infection is reported in Italy.

The Italian who traveled from Mexico was hospitalized in Massa near Florence after coming down with flu on April 23, 2009. With treatment, he apparently recovered. Anti-viral medications were given to his relatives as disease prevention.

Raising the alert level to 5 which indicates that a pandemic is likely, the viral illness cause fear in all corners of the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has closely monitored the spread of the disease which is present in at least 15 countries. In USA, 143 cases are confirmed in 20 states. In Mexico, the total number of persons infected has jumped to 443, including several deaths. (Photo Credit: shhexycorin) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Another ICRC hostage freed by Abu Sayyaf?

4/23/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
Jesus Versoza, director general of the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that Italian Eugenio Vagni, 62, the last International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worker being held by Abu Sayyaf has been released. He was kidnapped on January 15, 2009 along with Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba and Swiss Andreas Notter.

Yet, no one knows where the exact location of Vagni is. A reward of P500,000 ($10,300) has been offered for information of his exact whereabouts. The kidnappers who disbanded into groups to elude rescuers are said to have left the ailing captive. Other kidnapped victims for ransom are being held in Basilan, Mindanao, including a Sri Lankan national and 8 Filipinos. (Photo Credit: Jager) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "9 hostages are still captives of Abu Sayyaf bandits Mindanao" Posted by mesiamd at 4/21/2009; "ICRC hostage crisis: Abu Sayyaf’s Swiss captive freed" Posted by mesiamd at 4/18/2009

UPDATE: April 24, 2009--- Subsequent reports indicate that Eugenio Vagni was not yet freed by his abductors. His whereabouts in the hinterlands of Sulu are not fully known.

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PostHeaderIcon Immigrant Filipinos among victims in Italy’s earthquake

4/16/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
Many are wondering how the people in the medieval city of L Aquila and neighboring environs are coping with the strong earthquake that brought death to close to 300 people, damaged more than 10,000 buildings and rendered 58,000 people homeless. 33,000 emergency tents were set up to house those who were displaced.

"There is little industry here, the economy was based on the students from out of town, and they are not coming back for a long time," said Daniele Cerrone, who owned a pub in L'Aquila's ravaged historic center. "In the meantime what are we going to do? Buy clothes and go the pub between ourselves?"----AP/ Yahoo. News (04/15/09, David, A)

The suffering and uncertainty of the earthquake victims aren’t shared by the local Italians alone. Scores of immigrants from Peru, India, the Philippines and neighboring countries who set up their lives in their adopted land sought refuge in tent shelters after their homes were leveled on the ground. Filipino expatriates Julyn Macabenta and Shane Cipriano who lost their home were among the thousands who were displaced.

It will take years for the city ravaged by the earthquake to recover. With many aftershocks, the April 6 tremblor with an intensity of 6.3 has raised a rebuilding dilemma which is estimated to cost $12 billion euros ($16 billion dollars)---Bloomberg.com (04/14/09, Krause-Jackson, F.)(Photo Credit: AP/ Alessandra Tarantino)=0=

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PostHeaderIcon More grim news in Italy’s earthquake

4/09/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post


The rising death toll in the recent earthquake which hit central Italy had gone up to 272 people dead along with 15,000 injured victims. About 100 were listed to be in serious condition. Pope Benedict XVI expressed his intention to visit the affected villages and towns to be with the earthquake victims.



Many buildings which include historic ancient edifices, numbering to about 10-15,000, either crumbled or suffered severe damage all across 26 settlements surrounding the city of L Aquila. Amidst sporadic after-shocks, 28,000 people lined the streets to seek food and shelter.

In a report by the National Institute of Geophysicis and Vulcanology prior to the earthquake, many buildings in Italy’s vulnerable zones are in danger of suffering damages when seismic activity strikes. Experts say only 14% of these buildings meet the standards to counter the effect of a significant tremor.(Photo Credits: Garofalo, Alessandro/ Reuters; Perrozi, Sandro/ AP) =0=

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PostHeaderIcon Italy’s rising quake death toll

4/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Ninety-two (92) people were reportedly killed in an earthquake which struck central Italy on April 6, 2007 injuring scores of people and leaving about 50,000 homeless. The tremblor which registered 6.3 in magnitude heavily destroyed the city of L’Aquila prompting Prime Minister Berlusconi to declare a state of emergency.

“Some surrounding villages, where a greater proportion of homes were older, are feared to have fared even worse. People in Tempera, a few kilometres east of L'Aquila, told the Guardian that virtually every house in the historic village centre had been flattened, with many people feared dead.”----Guardian.co.uk (04/06/09, Hooper, J; Walker P)

Rising death toll has been reported in L’Aquila which is in a state of chaos. Dozens of buildings, a big proportion are old, have collapsed as rescue workers race with time to save survivors trapped in the rubble.

Makeshift shelters, mobile hospitals, and tents are being dispatched in the region to help in the worst calamity in the area since 2002. Humanitarian help and offer for assistance poured in from neighboring countries. (Photo Credit: Seele) =0=

UPDATE: Later counts of those who perished and suffered injuries placed the dead to about 150. The injured numbered 1,500 and is increasing. Many people who lost their homes had to stay out in the open for fear of another tremblor.
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PostHeaderIcon Miss Sister 2008 courts one of Christianity’s deadliest sins?

8/26/2008 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post
“Vanity is so secure in the heart of man that everyone wants to be admired: even I who write this, and you who read this.”-Blaise Pascal


Like the movie Sister Act, it’s an amusing tale that comes with the shaking of the head and a smile. As we get serious about organizing beauty contests for nuns, Fr. Antonio Rungi’s idea of an “inner” beauty derby for nuns seems very secular, even raunchy, especially if Christians consider vanity, along with pride, as one of humanity’s deadliest sins.

Fr. Rungi, a theologian and school teacher in Naples, Italy, believes nuns need a boost in visibility and an online voting contest may be the answer.

“The "Miss Sister 2008" contest will start in September on a blog run by the Rev. Antonio Rungi and will give nuns from around the world a chance to showcase their work and their image....Nuns will fill out a profile including information about their life and vocation as well as a photograph.

We are not going to parade nuns in bathing suits," Rungi said. "But being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun. External beauty is gift from God, and we mustn't hide it." AP (O8/25/08)

The controversial beauty contest gets mixed reactions. There are those who ask if there's really a need to improve a nun's visibility and if it needs a competition to do that. The liberals think the "pageant," a part of modern life, is just fine, but some suspect it can can lead to a non-religious a business franchise like the Miss Universe contest.

Evil-conscious Christians fear the derby is Satan’s way of wagging its tail into the nunnery’s door. The beauty competition can become a butt of jokes and a topic of wild speculations. Another thinks beauty contests among the religious can be "habit-forming" and may be addicting.

"It's an initiative that belittles the role of nuns who have dedicated themselves to God," says president of Association of Catholic Teachers, Alberto Giannino, told Italy's ANSA news agency on Sunday. AP (08/42/08)

The line separating propriety and vulgarity is thin. Whatever goes on in the minds of Catholics, Fr. Rungi might be subliminally touched by secularism, making him a bit cozy with the world. With Vatican’s traditionally conservative stance many wonder what the late Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI think of his idea. (PhotoCredits: Lovemetwee;Bsidez)=0=

Update: Facing strong pressure from the clergy and lay people against the nun beauty contest, on August 28, 2008, Fr. Rungi decided to stop the plan. Interested in projecting the inner beauty of nuns, he said he didn't mean to have the nuns do a catwalk, like in a physical beauty pageant. He claimed he was misunderstood. =0=
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