v2catholic

Shame Australia! Shame!
Funeral of Tamil asylum seeker who self-immolated May 31
Leo was so tormented by the uncertainty of his visa status and fear of being deported (to date, 1500 Tamils from Sri Lanka have been deported back to Sri Lanka) that he self-immolated and died from his injuries. Leo's parents and brother who live in India were unable to obtain a visa to attend the funeral (govt wouldn't issue a visa) so his friends skyped the service. The cruelty of this current government's refugee and asylum seeking policies is unprecedented.

Click this July 1 photo from 2012 to get an idea of what to expect today in HK

More photos from 2012
- notice the youthfulness of the protestors

National Day: Burundi, Canada and Rwanda

Tuesday July 1

Today is a public holiday in Hong Kong:
Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
(HK returned to China July 1, 1997)

But...the day has become
an annual day for protest marches.

Today's Bible Blog

A four-course menu

David much in common with Peter

A beautiful thanksgiving prayer

Paul VI: confronting the Devil's power

A mother-in-law story

	Today is also the birthday (1921) of the Chinese Communist Party, which may not have seen the light of day if the Versailles treaty had been fair to China. See this (May 4) reflection. (CCP article mentions 80,000,000 members. But everyone is business, education etc is forced to pay annual membership fee before they can get a job, so "80,000,000" needs many grains of salt)	Vatican II & Renewal (1) 16 Documents of Vatican II A Call to Action Assn Catholic Priests Ireland Bp Pat Power Bp Geoff Robinson Bruce Duncan Catalyst for Renewal Catholica Catholics for Ministry Catholics for Renewal STANDUP4VATICAN2 The Swag VII - Voice of the Church We Are Church Excellent articles on Mission Hugh McMahon SSC

???	Pope Francis jokes 'woman was from a rib' as he avoids vow to reform church

	Churches set alight as at least 30 die in Nigeria village attacks by Boko Haram

	Why the excluded are still waiting

Pope Francis Full text Summary	209. Jesus, the evangelizer par excellence and the Gospel in person, identifies especially with the (disadvantaged). This reminds us Christians that we are called to care for the vulnerable of the earth. But the current model, with its emphasis on success and self-reliance, does not appear to favour an investment in efforts to help the slow, the weak or the less talented to find opportunities in life.

	"If thy enemy wrongs thee, buy each of his children a drum."

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	An Australian-Chinese lady who works with asylum seekers and refugees in Australia is due to visit Hong Kong Aug 31 to Sep 8. During that time she will have meetings with asylum seekers and refugees in HK, and also join me for a prison visit. The excellent work she does in Australia is described in this website. If any kind reader could please help this lady with accommodation for the 8 nights of Aug 31 - Sep 7, please let me know: jdwomi@gmail.com

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia On this 1st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Anhui Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

	Darlene Starrs (Canada) Another Vatican document In order for a new evangelization to happen, women who have been called by Christ, must be the preachers! I believe Catholic women evangelists are the New Wine and the New Fire for a New Evangelization. They are the New Pentecost for the entire Church	This website's kind bloggers (past and present) with archives of articles: Bakhita Hazel C Daniel Daring Inigo Joachim Brian Lewis Judith Lynch Martin Mallon Chris McDonnell Bill Mulcahy Des O'Donnell Darlene Starrs TASMAD David Timbs Peter Wilkinson Harry Winter John Wotherspoon This website tries to stop "tanks" (war, global warming, exploitation of the poor, globalisation of indifference, liturgical "reform of the reform" & other anti-Vatican II forces etc) Weekly Archive of main page menus Previous archives 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 John W: Previous Daily Blogs

Eugene Kennedy	Bishops follow pope's lead - this is news? c.f. latest hints from Pope re being a good bishop

	Pakistan woman and husband killed by family over unapproved marriage This is the sort of thing Jimmy Carter is trying to stop through his book A Call to Action

John Allen	On sex abuse, pope's problems both simple and complex

	Interactive Bible Quiz - Two Samuel Based on the actual words of the Bible. How many times can you get 3/3 ?!

Pope Francis Full text Summary	208. If anyone feels offended by my words, I would respond that I speak them with affection and with the best of intentions, quite apart from any personal interest or political ideology. My words are not those of a foe or an opponent. I am interested only in helping those who are in thrall to an individualistic, indifferent and self-centred mentality to be freed from those unworthy chains and to attain a way of living and thinking which is more humane, noble and fruitful, and which will bring dignity to their presence on this earth.

	A drunk that smelled like a brewery got on a bus one day. He sat down next to a priest. The drunk's shirt was stained, his face was full of bright red lipstick and he had a half-empty bottle of wine sticking out of his pocket. He opened his newspaper and started reading. A couple minutes later, he asked the priest, "Father, what causes arthritis?" "Mister, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, and contempt for your fellow man," the priest replied. "Imagine that," the drunk muttered. He returned to reading his paper. The priest, thinking about what he had said, turned to the man and apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?" "I don't have arthritis, Father," the drunk said, "but I just read in the paper that the Pope does."

	Drug traffickers infiltrate foreign embassies in Tanzania This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	Tomorrow is a very important day for HK. It's a public holiday to mark the return of HK to China on July 1, 1997 .....and also the annual protest day for people with grievances against Beijing. Despite the summer heat a huge crowd is expected at the march, largely due to Beijing's recent release of this bullying White Paper which has sent shock waves through HK. Veteran democracy campaigner Martin Lee says that the bigger the July 1 crowd this year, the more chance there is that Beijing will allow HK people to choose their own Chief Executive (in this report). Jesus, may there be a big crowd, and may it be a peaceful one, with no violence

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe and Russia On this 30th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanghai & Tianjin Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Recently I started reading

Jimmy Carter on His New Book A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power
This Huffington Post article includes an interview with Jimmy Carter.
A very disturbing report

Because of this frightening White Paper from Beijing which threatens Hong Kong's freedom, around 800,000 people have voted so far in HK's democracy referendum.

Statement by Cardinal John Tong
(carefully-worded support for June 22-29 vote)

(right file goes at bottom of left column of left file)

BBC: Why Hong Kong is having an unofficial democracy referendum

For Chinese readers: Apple Daily send-up video of HK life under Beijing administration ....with reminder that today is the final day for voting in HK's democracy referendum

The name www.ChinaReferendum.com is available
- let someone organise a democracy referendum for people in China!

July 1 march 'to be larger than 2003'

Sunday June 29

Feast of Peter & Paul

Today's Mass readings

Daniel Daring's reflection:
Two sinners and God's mercy
Christian life tends to be divided into two stages: before and after meeting Christ. The story of Peter and Paul divides life differently: before and after realizing the power of sin in one's life

Unwell again, pope cancels visit to Rome's Gemelli Hospital, university

Today, the feast of Peter and Paul, is traditionally a special day of prayer for the Pope. Jesus, good health for Francis please!

Pope Francis:
Thank you Holy Spirit

Inspiring photos:

Link

Link
Links
01 02
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Link

2014-03-10Bergoglio-Mass-in-streets.jpg (14759 bytes)
Link

Link

Link

Link

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Link

Newness, harmony, mission

Engagements of Pope Francis

Zenit.org - reports from Rome

Many thanks for checking
this website each day

St Paul on Metro/Tube/MTR!

Little girl telling the story of Jonah
- brilliant!

The US doctor and Mother Teresa

70 years after defeating Japan, India forgets Imphal

Forgotten Chinese Laborers of World War I

60 Minutes Video

The Coptic Christians of Egypt
("Coptic" originally meant "Egypt")
Turmoil in Egypt has led to one of the worst persecutions of the country's Coptic Christians in their nearly 2,000-year history

Married priests and their return to public ministry - some considerations
"Hopefully their close relationship with their wife will have mellowed them to be loving, caring, and warm priests"

Sydney Symphony hits the right note in Beijing

Pope
Francis

Full text

Summary

207. Any Church community, if it thinks it can comfortably go its own way without creative concern and effective cooperation in helping the poor to live with dignity and reaching out to everyone, will also risk breaking down, however much it may talk about social issues or criticize governments.

It will easily drift into a spiritual worldliness camouflaged by religious practices, unproductive meetings and empty talk

Why do two such great saints as Peter and Paul share a common feastday?

Well, they couldn't get along so well on earth ....so God put them together in Heaven!

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's Hong Kong file
(encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)

John W mini-Blog

When I was working in China some years ago, I was sad to meet people who had to work 10 or 11 or 12 hours every day in factories. Recently in HK I have become aware that security guards, who used to work 8 hour shifts, are now working 12 hour shifts. Even the guards at many Catholic schools and parishes are doing 12 hour shifts ..... despite Church teaching about justice for workers

--------------

For HK readers: every Sunday night, about 9.30pm, AM 1044,
"Brother" Bruce phones me for a little chat about prison ministry

Sun: Africa           Mon: Europe & Russia          Tues: South Asia          Wed: East Asia
      Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific        Frid: South America           Sat: Central & North America
    Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday, please bless the people of Africa

On this 29th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Chongqing
Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

	Vietnamese boat refugee to be governor of South Australia - story two (story one on June 27 menu, below) When he arrived at Darwin as a penniless boat person fleeing Vietnam in 1977, he was greeted by two zinc-nosed fishermen who raised a beer and said: 'G'day mate, welcome to Australia!'	The unjust treatment of Bishop Bill Morris Tribalism lives on, for better and for worse North Africa refugee boat - Link

	Why we must demand justice in North Korea

	Rome signals end to suppression of Liberation Theology?

	A Legal Duty to Maximise Greenhouse Gases

	Sri Lanka Once Again on the Brink (this time: Buddhists vs Muslims)

Recommended by a HK reader	Preparing for the Synod, Part 1: Concerning Unions of Persons of the Same Sex c.f. Synod working paper is boring and joyless

	Abuse and corruption the Australian way

Pope Francis Full text Summary	206. Economy, as the very word indicates, should be the art of achieving a fitting management of our common home, which is the world as a whole. Each meaningful economic decision made in one part of the world has repercussions everywhere else; consequently, no government can act without regard for shared responsibility. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find local solutions for enormous global problems which overwhelm local politics with difficulties to resolve. If we really want to achieve a healthy world economy, what is needed at this juncture of history is a more efficient way of interacting which, with due regard for the sovereignty of each nation, ensures the economic well-being of all countries, not just of a few.

	From a reader in Australia: "Absolutely amazing" www.drawastickman.com (I tried it last night: yes, amazing!)

	Editorial in The Citizen (Tanzania): No mercy for drug dealers Australian Pham Trung Dung sentenced to death in Vietnam New letter (in Swahili & English) from a Tanzanian inmate in a Hong Kong prison - calling on the religious community to do more to help the poor in Tanzania This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	Stories like the one about South Australia's new governor being a former Vietnamese boat refugee make me proud to be an Australian. And it's not difficult to see a win-win situation coming up for South Australia and Vietnam: tourists, business and investment in both directions. I don't know what party is in government in SA, let along know the name of the Premier, but ....congratulations on making such an enlightened appointment

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America On this 28th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Beijing Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

	From refugee to SA governor A man who fled war-torn Vietnam 36 years ago is deeply humbled to be appointed as SA's next governor	Liturgy - New Translation 1998 ICEL Sacramentary Misguided Missal The new translation Ghastly process/result Ron Schmit: 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vatican II PrayTell ------------------------------------------ Spirituality Sacred Space Daily prayer online. Available in 19 languages Jackie Evancho - To Believe Pray-as-you-go.org Daily prayer with beautiful music Whole text of 1966 Jerusalem Bible Previous Smiles file The Last Supper - Bohdan Piasecki (click to enlarge)

August 14-18	Pope Francis is due to visit South Korea .... and church representatives from North Korea are likely to be invited. Yesterday as I dozed on the ferry to Hei Ling Chau Island (Drug Treatment Centre) I started thinking and hoping and praying that maybe Francis will do in Korea what he did for the Holy Land: bring together both sides of the conflict ...i.e. the leaders of North and South Korea. With a further wish/dream: that China would take part in such a gathering .... as a way of getting North Korea to take part ....and then on leaving Korea, the Pope and a top Chinese leader would travel together for a stop-over visit in Beijing to pay respects at the tomb of Matteo Ricci (c.f. Pope to visit China?)

	Tanzania parish pays last respects to slain nun The day Tanzania journos wished they spoke Chinese China remembers Salim 43 years on

	Abbott's Australia beds American Calvinism

	Women still in the back pew

	Words aren’t enough, Meriam Ibrahim needs the world to act

	An Arms Race Explodes in Asia-Pacific

R.I.P.	Fr David Power O.M.I.

Pope Francis Full text Summary	205 (b): I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor! It is vital that government leaders and financial leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare. Why not turn to God and ask him to inspire their plans? I am firmly convinced that openness to the transcendent can bring about a new political and economic mindset which would help to break down the wall of separation between the economy and the common good of society.

	Remote-control helicopter containing drugs crashes into Irish prison yard China sends dissidents on free holidays

	New letter (in Swahili) from a Tanzanian inmate in a HK prison - calling for better airport security to fight the Drug Lords This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	At Iona College in Brisbane, where I was a student (7 years) and teacher (6 years) there's a beautiful custom for today, the Feast of the Sacred Heart: students bring gifts for the poor On this day which remembers the love in Jesus' heart, let's pray that our hearts will reflect that love, especially towards the poor ------------ p.s. If you can find "captain" in boat picture at top of this menu, please let me know! jdwomi@gmail.com

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America On this 27th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Tibet Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Recommended by a reader in Australia	Book of the Pope's Quotes throughout the year - excellent	This site's full statistics for May 2014 To publish an article on this site please contact Fr John Wotherspoon omi: jdwomi@gmail.com If you find a broken link in this website, please contact: jdwomi@gmail.com Why I collect rubbish for Pope Taking a stand Navigation Aids Standing up to bullies "Reform of reform" agenda Too Western/European Abortion - a true story "Same-sex marriage": two elephants in the men's room Near Death Experiences Globalisation of Indifference Tale of Two Brains John W's other sites: www.doctorjesus.org www.riccicenter.com www.simplebible.info www.china8.org www.jesustower.com www.oneminuteenglish.com `China Library - essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian history`

	Asian democracy: fact, or figment of the imagination?

	American missionary who dedicated her life to orphans in South Africa has been killed

	Most ex-prisoners living on streets, unemployed - study Morrison: asylum seekers should go home or face 'very, very long' detention

June 28: Ramadan	Ramadan's challenge for all (Australians)

	What It Really Means for Pope Francis to Excommunicate the Mafia

Phyllis Zagano	Ordination of Women to the Diaconate in the Eastern Churches

	China Accelerates Meeting of Top Leaders

	'Vatican II' priests meet, express new hope Seattle archdiocese pays $12.1m to settle sex abuse claims

Pope Francis Full text Summary	205 (a) I ask God to give us more politicians capable of sincere and effective dialogue aimed at healing the deepest roots – and not simply the appearances – of the evils in our world! Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good. We need to be convinced that charity “is the principle not only of micro-relationships (with friends, with family members or within small groups) but also of macro-relationships (social, economic and political ones)”

	Yesterday near ferry pier on my way to Hei Ling Chau Drug Treatment Centre, I met a friendly couple from Colombia who said they will help me contact media in Colombia to try to reduce the number of drug mules coming to HK from Colombia. I introduced myself to the couple when I saw the man wearing a tea shirt which had the words "Colombia, not Columbia"!

	Today is International Anti-Drugs Day 400 young Tanzanian drug mules in foreign prisons (I don't know of any under 21 inmates among the more than 100 Tanzanian inmates in HK, so I'm not sure what "youth" means in this article) This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	In preparation for this Sunday's feast of Saints Peter and Paul, I went to the Catholic Centre in Central yesterday to buy some Chinese copies of Pope Francis' letter "The Joy of the Gospel"....to recommend on Sunday ....only to be told there's no such translation .....after which I phoned the Vicar General's office and learned that HK is waiting for a translation from Taiwan, and it will take another two or three months. The pope's letter was issued on November 24 last year ......and another two months is August .... that's 9 months to translate an encyclical?! I just checked the website of the Holy See ...and eventually found "The Joy of the Gospel" listed as an apostolic exhortation (not encyclical), available so far in only seven (European) languages at this site. Maybe Francis needs to put a George Pell in charge of translation?

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia & the Pacific On this 26th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Xinjiang Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Why Bishop Morris was sacked

Sacked Bishop Bill Morris raised sex abuse case with Pope Benedict

A shepherd, and some sheep in sheep's clothing

770,000 people have voted so far in HK's democracy referendum

The HK government has announced detention plans for anyone who takes part in a possible Occupy Central movement (if government backpedals on democracy). Two detention centres, capable of holding 3,000 inmates, are being readied. I won't mention the encouraging voices from Beijing calling for the use PLA tanks and troops in such an operation (PLA has a base in HK, just as Britain once had)

Beijing wants HK to be just like any other place in China. Which means no more freedom of the press. See this Ming Pao Editorial:
(click to enlarge)

Wednesday June 25

Today's Bible Blog
a four-course menu
- David a happy liturgical leader
- video: the Old 100th
- "only my group is going to Heaven" (?)
- praying for better leaders

Benedict treated me unfairly
says sacked bishop Bill Morris

Hardback: AUD$54.95

Paperback: AUD$39.95

PDF: AUD$24.95

Yesterday I bought and downloaded
the PDF version from this ATF website

700,000 people have voted so far in Hong Kong's democracy referendum

Photo from Apple Daily video of people voting on June 22

HK Standard report

Referedum voters urged to march

This RTHK link uses "Occupy Central voters", which I have changed to "Referendum voters" - because the vast majority of us who voted were not voting to support Occupy Central but to voice our fears about this frightening White Paper from Bejing threatening Hong Kong's freedom

Tuesday June 24

Feast of John the Baptist

Today's Mass Readings

YouTube June 24 meditation
- words of Pope Benedict XVI

An inspiring, timeless song,
a good one to be humming
and singing often on this day:|
Prepare ye the way of the Lord
(video from "Godspell")

Brendan Hoban	Denial is not an option for bishops We proposed three strategies; (i) ordain married men of proven responsibility and virtue (there are thousands available in the parishes of Ireland); (ii) invite priests who ‘left the priesthood’ to get married, to return to ministry (many would be happy to respond to the call); and (iii) to extend to women ordination to the Permanent Diaconate	Vatican II & Renewal (1) 16 Documents of Vatican II A Call to Action Assn Catholic Priests Ireland Bp Pat Power Bp Geoff Robinson Bruce Duncan Catalyst for Renewal Catholica Catholics for Ministry Catholics for Renewal STANDUP4VATICAN2 The Swag VII - Voice of the Church We Are Church Excellent articles on Mission Hugh McMahon SSC

	Australia's "Cambodia refugee solution" is no solution at all Our coal ambassador marches to a different tune

Recommended by Hazel (UK)	History in the making: An unprecedented visit to Ise Jingu, Japan’s holiest shrine, to see it rebuilt under the beliefs of the Shinto religion Hazel's comment: With big and little movements like this around the world who knows we might end up all talking to each other and all looking towards our Gods hand-in-hand only to find that He is the One and Only!

Recommended by Fr Alberto (Macau)	International Theological Commission website

	A daring paradigm for the new Silk Road What happens to the law when China cracks down? A bloody war wages in China's far west as authorities crack down on ethnic Uighurs

	The threat of dams grows on the Mekong River

Pope Francis Full text Summary	203. The dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns which ought to shape all economic policies. At times, however, they seem to be a mere addendum imported from without in order to fill out a political discourse lacking in perspectives or plans for true and integral development. How many words prove irksome to this system! It is irksome when the question of ethics is raised, when global solidarity is invoked, when the distribution of goods is mentioned, when reference in made to protecting labour and defending the dignity of the powerless, when allusion is made to a God who demands a commitment to justice. At other times these issues are exploited by a rhetoric which cheapens them. Casual indifference in the face of such questions empties our lives and our words of all meaning. Business is a vocation, and a noble vocation, provided that those engaged in it see themselves challenged by a greater meaning in life; this will enable them truly to serve the common good by striving to increase the goods of this world and to make them more accessible to all.

	From this article on yesterday's menu On Aug. 19, 1914, for instance, the semi-official Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano published a stinging editorial denouncing unnamed commentators who had suggested the day before that the reigning pope at the time, Pius X, was suffering from a cold. Less than 24 hours later, Pius X was dead

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	On this feast of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus, let's do whatever we can - by prayers, conversations, activities - to prepare the way for Jesus in our world. One of my hopes is that the Bibles and other books I give out in prisons are preparing a way for Jesus My weekly article in today's Ming Pao newspaper. Topic: Airport security .....Hong Kong? (on Ming Pao website - click "Australian in HK")

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Tuesday, please bless the people of South Asia On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Inner Mongolia Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Pope to Mafia Drug Lords: "You have excommunicated yourselves

"Those who in their lives follow this path of evil, as mafiosi do, are not in communion with God. They are excommunicated," he said in impromptu comments at a mass before hundreds of thousands of people in one of Italy's most crime-ridden areas.

To sustained applause he told the crowd on Sunday: "This evil must be fought against, it must be pushed aside. We must say no to it." He called the local crime group, the 'Ndrangheta, as an example of the "adoration of evil and contempt of the common good" and said the church would exert its full force in efforts to combat organised crime.

693,000 votes have so far been cast in Hong Kong's unofficial referendum on democracy. Voting will continue until June 29. A target of more than one million is not impossible

National Day: Luxembourg

Monday June 23

Today's Bible Blog
a four-course menu
- David was no angel
- Aaron, Moses, Samuel and ...us
- a glimpse of Heaven
- one phone never turned off

Yesterday morning at Tai Wai I had two Masses at St Alfred's Church. Across the road at a Caritas centre, a long line of people were lined up waiting to vote. Lined up in the rain, under umbrellas ....resolutely trying to preserve Hong Kong's freedom by taking part in the referendum (which is seen as a rebuttal to Beijing's recent White Paper trying to bully HK)

Last night at YMT I cast my vote. It took 60 seconds. See this photo report

(click to enlarge)

Today's Ming Pao has this editorial:
Capitalism and Socialism (in Hong Kong)

Recommended by
a reader in HK

The contents of Potiphar's Wife are used in the final part of
What Pope Francis and Groucho Marx have in common
by Fr Michael Kelly S.J.

China is the winner, & the US the loser, after Thailand’s coup

Pope
Francis

Full text

Summary

201. No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas. This is an excuse commonly heard in academic, business or professional, and even ecclesial circles.

While it is quite true that the essential vocation and mission of the lay faithful is to strive that earthly realities and all human activity may be transformed by the Gospel, none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice:

“Spiritual conversion, the intensity of the love of God and neighbour, zeal for justice and peace, the Gospel meaning of the poor and of poverty, are required of everyone”.

I fear that these words too may give rise to commentary or discussion with no real practical effect. That being said, I trust in the openness and readiness of all Christians, and I ask you to seek, as a community, creative ways of accepting this renewed call.

The preacher said: "There's no such thing as a perfect man. Anybody present who has ever known a perfect man, stand up." Nobody stood up. "Those who have ever known a perfect woman, stand up." One demure little woman stood up. "Did you ever know an absolutely perfect woman?" he asked, somewhat amazed. "I didn't know her personally," replied the little old woman, "but I have heard a great deal about her. She was my husband's first wife."

Thoughts on Nigerian Customs Service

This website's Tanzania File
(stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's South America file
(stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK)
- letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons

This website's Hong Kong file
(encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)

John W mini-Blog

A thought for Corpus Christi:
"Communion is not a prize for the perfect, but medicine for the sick"
- Pope Francis

---------------

For HK readers: every Sunday night, about 9.30pm, AM 1044,
"Brother" Bruce phones me for a little chat about prison ministry

On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Zhejiang
Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

One of the main reasons why I started this website was the shameful injustice inflicted on Bishop Bill Morris of Toowoomba, Australia

See my file:
The unjust treatment of Bishop Bill Morris

Now, after a long period of careful legal checking, Bill's book about this saga is finally available:

Sacked Aussie bishop lifts the lid on Vatican bureaucracy
(has radio interview with Bill)

Former Toowoomba bishop launches tell-all book

Walk for HK democracy started by Cardinal Zen - Day 6 of 7:

Latest video @ Apple Daily site

See menus of June 16-20, below, for many items about the walk

Huge turnout predicted for Hong Kong's July 1 walk for democracy

Apple Daily
June 20 report
of June 19 walk
(click to enlarge)

Law Society chairman urged to step down

Saturday June 21

Today's Bible Blog:
a four-course menu
- division is not healed overnight
- all nations meant to love God
- article: the Lamb of God
- time to judge others is never

Not a homeless beggar,
but 82 year old Cardinal Joseph Zen, resting during day 6 of his courageous 7-day walk for democracy

Make that 420,000 ! People are not saying they support Occupy Central; they are expressing "sense of crisis" alarm at Beijing's bullying.
If Beijing had not issued its frightening White Paper, nowhere near as many people would vote. Vote still has a week to go. Will reach a million?!

Today is the longest day of the year (Northern Hemisphere) or the shortest day of the year (Southern Hemisphere)	5 Facts To Know About The First Day Of Summer No solstice, no seasons!	The unjust treatment of Bishop Bill Morris Tribalism lives on, for better and for worse North Africa refugee boat - Link

	One bullet in the head - justice Mindanao style Reason: to create an atmosphere of fear to silence critics of corruption (now, where have we heard that before? Oh yes, in HK, where an atmosphere of fear has silenced most HK media on sensitive topics)

Grande and Romero in this free YouTube movie	And speaking of bullets in the head: Pope might beatify Rutilio Grande as well as Oscar Romero (So many bishops are like Romero before Grande's death ....)

Mary McAleese	Pope's plan to consult 'male celibate' priests on family life is 'bonkers'

	China sends four oil rigs to disputed South China Sea Check the map in this article

	Recommended by a reader in Australia: Horrific Positive Goal of the world cup?

	Iraq needs a local solution, not another intervention

Pope Francis Full text Summary	200. Since this Exhortation is addressed to members of the Catholic Church, I want to say, with regret, that the worst discrimination which the poor suffer is the lack of spiritual care. The great majority of the poor have a special openness to the faith; they need God and we must not fail to offer them his friendship, his blessing, his word, the celebration of the sacraments and a journey of growth and maturity in the faith. Our preferential option for the poor must mainly translate into a privileged and preferential religious care.

	Words of former Irish president to Pope Francis (not in person) re October Synod on the Family: "How many of the men who will gather to advise you on the family have ever changed a baby's nappy?

	Pope Francis says don't legalise drugs My recent posts at Jamii Forums (Kenya) ...notice how a kind anonymous reader has translated South China Morning Post article into Swahili ....and his post attracted 4,000 hits. Live link at Jamii is here This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	Yesterday at Lai Chi Kok Detention Centre I watched as a guard patiently and helpfully escorted a limping inmate with a bandaged knee across the Centre exercise yard on the way to the medical centre. And I remembered Pope Francis' words about looking for God in a busy city: wherever you see love, God is there

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Saturday, please bless the people of Central & North America On this 21st of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Yunnan Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

	What Francis would say to Obama: Let workers unionize	Liturgy - New Translation 1998 ICEL Sacramentary Misguided Missal The new translation Ghastly process/result Ron Schmit: 1962 Mass a condemnation of Vatican II PrayTell ------------------------------------------ Spirituality Sacred Space Daily prayer online. Available in 19 languages Jackie Evancho - To Believe Pray-as-you-go.org Daily prayer with beautiful music Whole text of 1966 Jerusalem Bible Previous Smiles file The Last Supper - Bohdan Piasecki (click to enlarge)

	Worries resurface over health of Pope Francis

	Another Drilling Rig Moves South While Chinese envoy chats up Hanoi’s leaders, more provocation looms

	Corporate Mergers Overrun By Insider Trading

	American Folly in Iraq

	Britain is an old, declining empire, says official Chinese newspaper

	Hong Kong Concern Over Beijing’s Financial Embrace

	Chinese multinational making millions out of vulnerable Ugandans

Pope Francis Full text Summary	199 (2): True love is always contemplative, and permits us to serve the other not out of necessity or vanity, but rather because he or she is beautiful above and beyond mere appearances: “The love by which we find the other pleasing leads us to offer him something freely”. The poor person, when loved, “is esteemed as of great value”, and this is what makes the authentic option for the poor differ from any other ideology, from any attempt to exploit the poor for one’s own personal or political interest. Only on the basis of this real and sincere closeness can we properly accompany the poor on their path of liberation. Only this will ensure that “in every Christian community the poor feel at home. Would not this approach be the greatest and most effective presentation of the good news of the kingdom?” Without the preferential option for the poor, “the proclamation of the Gospel, which is itself the prime form of charity, risks being misunderstood or submerged by the ocean of words which daily engulfs us in today’s society of mass communications”.

	Uganda TV station banned after showing president asleep in parliament

	New letter from a Tanzanian inmate in a Hong Kong prison - calling on President Kikwete to intensify efforts to fight the Drug Lords This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	After watching Apple Daily videos of Cardinal Zen walking the streets of Hong Kong to support democracy here, and seeing him mixing with people on the footpath, on the metro, at shopping centres etc, I feel the cardinal well qualifies for Pope Francis' words: "He smells of sheep" (meaning he's close to the flock)

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Friday, please bless the people of South America On this 20th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Sichuan Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

Hong Kong's media is putting up a white flag as Beijing bullies it into self- censorship of criticism of Beijing

Editorial censorship at South China Morning Post - the newsroom is demoralized and angry at what reporters regard as unwarranted manipulation of copy

HK radio and TV stations are in the same sinking boat ... this is a major drama.

Most HK papers are giving very limited, if any, coverage of the Cardinal's walk, for fear of Beijing. Only Apple Daily is standing fearless in Hong Kong. But its owner Jimmy Lai has an overworked guardian angel (linked article says how his house was firebombed in 1993)

Walk for HK democracy started by Cardinal Zen - Day 4 of 7:

Latest video @ Apple Daily site

Statement by Cardinal Tong
(carefully-worded support for June 22 vote)

(right file goes at bottom of left column of left file)

Beijing's bullying of Hong Kong gives Cardinal Zen's walk growing significance by the day

Apple Daily
June 18 report
of June 17 walk

Blue circles
around cardinal

(click to enlarge)

See menus of June 16, 17, 18 below, for many items about the walk

Thursday June 19

Today's Bible Blog:
a four-course menu
- Jesus had nomadic DNA
- the Artist of the Universe
- 20 "lukewarm" terms
- a goldmine of practical wisdom

Beijing’s Tentacles Enwrap Hong Kong
- this if frightening reading. HK is in crisis.
Expect one million people to take to the streets on the annual protest day, July 1

NCR Editorial	Electric, bold new voices are challenging inequality It's not news that the rich are growing richer. The real news is the concentration of wealth is more extreme than most imagine. This is sparking a new look at poverty	This site's full statistics for May 2014 To publish an article on this site please contact Fr John Wotherspoon omi: jdwomi@gmail.com If you find a broken link in this website, please contact: jdwomi@gmail.com Why I collect rubbish for Pope Taking a stand Navigation Aids Standing up to bullies "Reform of reform" agenda Too Western/European Abortion - a true story "Same-sex marriage": two elephants in the men's room Near Death Experiences Globalisation of Indifference Tale of Two Brains John W's other sites: www.doctorjesus.org www.riccicenter.com www.simplebible.info www.china8.org www.jesustower.com www.oneminuteenglish.com `China Library - essential reading for anyone interested in China's Christian history`

	Explained - What is Al Shabaab?

	ISIS has its roots in a broad sectarian conflict In Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Iraq and other states in the region people are fighting and killing each other not over issues of political ideology or national political interests. Rather they are killing and dying over issues of regional influence that is fuelled largely by beliefs as to whose religious interpretation that God favours. At a time when the region needs statesmen, with few exceptions all it appears to have are narrow-minded leaders obsessed with issues of sectarian primacy. From the outside looking in, God would have trouble bestowing his favour on any of them.

	Women hold South Sudanese society together amid war (...men are making such a mess of this world ... women are needed to clean up the mess?....Hilary?)

Click to enlarge this great photo!	Pope Francis appeals for concrete help for refugees (World Refugee Day June 20) The perhaps predictable fall of Cardinal Bertone

	No, Mr Hockey, the Budget is not fair Melbourne archbishop urges AFL not have football on Good Friday

	Zheng He May Not Have Been So Adventurous - with ramifications for current propaganda

	Association of U.S. Priests criticize head of doctrinal congregation for rebuke of LCWR

	Australian dairy producers cash in on Chinese milk demand

Pope Francis Full text Summary	199 (1): Our commitment does not consist exclusively in activities or programmes of promotion and assistance; what the Holy Spirit mobilizes is not an unruly activism, but above all an attentiveness which considers the other “in a certain sense as one with ourselves”. This loving attentiveness is the beginning of a true concern for their person which inspires me effectively to seek their good. This entails appreciating the poor in their goodness, in their experience of life, in their culture, and in their ways of living the faith.

	Brazilian President asked football-loving Pope ‘not to pray for Argentina to win’

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	I find it hard to believe how quickly things are deteriorating in Hong Kong. Media freedom is rapidly disappearing (see articles at top of this menu). The rule of law is being eroded. Social conflicts are increasing. Driving the whole thing is the fear, make that paranoia, that Beijing's Communist Party leaders have about democracy. How much longer can those leaders stay in power by the use of force? One thing for sure: the more they try to bully Hong Kong, the more Hong Kong people will react ....and that reaction might well spread to the Mainland

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia & the Pacific On this 19th of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Shanxi Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

This website was launched in construction mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011   - the Feast of Christ the King.
The official launching was held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20, 2012
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Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!

	Darlene Starrs (Canada) What is in the Mind of God? I find myself pondering the question: What is in the Mind of God Regarding the Roman Catholic Church of 2014?	This website's kind bloggers (past and present) with archives of articles: Bakhita Hazel C Daniel Daring Inigo Joachim Brian Lewis Judith Lynch Martin Mallon Chris McDonnell Bill Mulcahy Des O'Donnell Darlene Starrs TASMAD David Timbs Peter Wilkinson Harry Winter John Wotherspoon This website tries to stop "tanks" (war, global warming, exploitation of the poor, globalisation of indifference, liturgical "reform of the reform" & other anti-Vatican II forces etc) Weekly Archive of main page menus Previous archives 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 John W: Previous Daily Blogs

	Appeal to trim jail terms for prisoners

John Allen	'Health scare' confirms Pope Francis as church's indispensable man

	Presbyterian Church votes to divest holdings to sanction Israel

	Interactive Bible Quiz - One Samuel Based on the actual words of the Bible. How many times can you get 3/3 ?!

Pope Francis Full text Summary	202. The need to resolve the structural causes of poverty cannot be delayed, not only for the pragmatic reason of its urgency for the good order of society, but also because society needs to be cured of a sickness which is weakening and frustrating it, and which can only lead to new crises. Welfare projects, which meet certain urgent needs, should be considered merely temporary responses. As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems. Inequality is the root of social ills

	To go with voting in HK referendum on democracy (click to enlarge)

	This website's Tanzania File (stopping Africans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from Tanzanian inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's South America file (stopping South Americans from being tricked into bringing drugs to HK) - letters from South American inmates in Hong Kong prisons This website's Hong Kong file (encouraging local drug addicts to come off drugs)


John W mini-Blog	The enthusiasm gripping Hong Kong over the current unofficial referendum on democracy is really inspiring. Yesterday at Tai Wai I was a bit tired in between Masses, but then when I saw a hundred people with umbrellas, lined up in the rain waiting to vote before the polling station opened, I felt a surge of energy from the goodness of these people who are taking a stand against the bullying of Beijing. God bless all the voters ....and the many thousands of volunteers (mainly university students) who are running the referendum

Sun: Africa Mon: Europe & Russia Tues: South Asia Wed: East Asia Thurs: S.E. Asia & Pacific Frid: South America Sat: Central & North America Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day of the week: Jesus, today, Monday, please bless the people of Europe and Russia On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the prisoners of Guangxi Please join me in praying for prisoners in one part of China each day of the month

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	`Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡頌恆神父` Email: jdwomi@gmail.com Hong Kong mobile (852) 6709 5674 China mobile 13030213703 - out of action for the time being Mail address: PO Box 74013 Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon , Hong Kong