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Herald Malaysia
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Cardinal Czerny asks Church to remember seafarers on Sea Sunday
In his message for Sea Sunday, the second Sunday of July, Cardinal Michael Czerny recognizes seafarers as 'pilgrims of hope' and calls on Catholics to shine a light on the global economy and its effects on those who work on ships and in ports. Jun 28, 2025 FILE PHOTO: Container ship crosses the Gulf of Suez towards the Red Sea before entering the Suez Canal By Christopher WellsBasing his reflection on the insight of Vatican II that whatever is genuinely human resonates in the hearts of Christians, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny, assures 'all those who work at sea… that they are in the heart of the Church; they are not alone in their demands for justice, dignity, and joy.'Questioning the global economy In his Message for Sea Sunday—observed each year on the second Sunday of July—Cardinal Czerny insists that the Good News of the Risen Christ demands that Christians question 'even more radically… the existing order, because the Kingdom of God calls us to conversion.' So, he continues, 'the whole Church is called to consider how people work in ports and on ships today, with what rights, under what conditions, with what material and spiritual assistance.' In concrete terms, Cardinal Czerny calls on Catholics 'to shine some light on what lies behind our economies, on those who make them work on a daily basis, often not benefitting from them at all and indeed exposing themselves to discrimination and danger.' Seafarers as 'pilgrims of hope' He goes on to express a desire to recognize seafarers as 'pilgrims of hope' who 'embody the desire of every human being… to live a life of dignity, through work, exchange, encounters.' Hope, the Cardinal explains, 'must always remind us of our goal: we are not wanderers without a destiny, but daughters and sons whose dignity no one and nothing can ever erase.' And because we are all brothers and sisters coming from and returning to the same home, 'we can hope.' 'Already today, solidarity among ourselves and among all living beings can be stronger and more alive', Cardinal Czerny says. The sea calls us to conversion After thanking seafarers and their colleagues, whatever their religious or cultural affiliations, the prefect tells them, for being pilgrims of hope, the prefect invites them 'to be bridges even between enemy countries, prophets of peace'. And at the same time he asks ecclesial communities, and especially dioceses encompassing seas, rivers, or lakes, 'to promote attention to the Sea as a physical and spiritual environment that calls us to conversion.'--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
Star of "The Chosen": 'Life is only better with Jesus in it'
Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in 'The Chosen', shares his experience portraying such a prominent character and his hopes for what it can share about the works of Jesus to viewers. Jun 28, 2025 Earlier this week, "The Chosen" cast and crew held a press conference in Rome By Grace LathropJonathan Roumie, along with other members of the team of 'The Chosen' presented Pope Leo XIV with a wooden box on Wednesday morning. Having just attended his weekly General Audience, the cast and production team of the hit show depicting the life of Jesus were given time to meet with the Pope and present him with the box and other gifts. In an interview with Vatican News following the meeting, Jonathan Roumie, cast as Jesus, explained that the show's team made the box 'out of the wood from one of our crosses on set.' The box held items used during the filming of season seven, including nails from the crucifixion, the Crown of Thorns, and a piece of a bloodied garment. 'That's why we're in Italy,' explained Roumie, who, along with the rest of the team, recently travelled to Rome from Matera, in southern Italy—a location whose renowned rock-cut architecture has made it a faithful backdrop for film crews filming scenes on Jesus for decades. Recent success and the portrayal of Jesus Roumie expressed his gratitude for the opportunities that The Chosen has given him. He pointed out that when the crew first started shooting, there was no guarantee that the show would go beyond four episodes. Now, as they film their sixth season, Roumie's gratitude circles back to God, whom, he noted, 'thankfully had other plans. It's been an extraordinary adventure for me.' Now, all five of The Chosen's released seasons are in the top ten ranking for viewership on Amazon Prime Video. Roumie described his work in seeking to portray Jesus in ways that viewers can easily connect to him. One of his techniques, he said, is to try to bring the humanity of Christ to life that viewers may have never seen before. He explained that 'seeing His humanity on full display has been revelatory for so many people, and it's always about finding the balance between Christ's divinity and His humanity.' Roumie's impact on set In May, the cast filmed scenes depicting the crucifixion of Jesus, which Roumie described as 'heavily emotional.' According to him, having a good relationship with castmates during these scenes generated good on-screen chemistry. Roumie said he tries 'to love them in a way that I think Jesus loves all of us' and with this approach, gives them 'as much as I have to give.' 'Life is only better with Jesus in it' At the end of the interview, Roumie also shared what he wants viewers of The Chosen to take away from the show. To him, understanding the works of Jesus is just part of the experience. Growing closer to Jesus, however, is something he hopes everyone gets to experience. Finally, Roumie shared his hope that the show helps people understand that 'Jesus loves them unconditionally' and that 'everyone's life has the potential to change irrevocably for the better." "Life is only better with Jesus in it," he said.--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
2 days ago
- Health
- Herald Malaysia
Studies show need to raise Catholic mental health support for young women, mothers
Experts say rising isolation drives worsening mental health in young women and mothers Jun 26, 2025 The US Conference of Catholic Bishops during their annual General Assembly. (Photo: Vatican News) By Zoey Maraist, OSV NewsLimited access to mental health care, rising substance use disorders and increasing income inequality are three likely reasons that young women and mothers are reporting declining mental health. But another reason for worsening mental health struggles that's widely cited by studies and mental health experts alike is the growing, societal-wide social isolation. "We expect everybody to be able to handle everything by themselves," said Daniel Roberson, a Catholic mental health counselor based in Arlington, Washington. "Women are more relational ... (so) isolation is always going to affect women more than it's going to affect men, and I think isolation could be the word of the decade." A March 13 Gallup poll found that from 2020 to 2024, just 15% of women aged 18-29 polled said they have excellent mental health, down 33 points from 2010-2014. A May 27 study from the JAMA Network found that self-reported mental health was found to have significantly declined for mothers of minor children. The Gallup poll notes that some of this reported decline in mental health is due to a growing awareness of mental issues. "The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have been a turning point in Americans' perceptions of their mental and physical health, compounding declines already underway," the survey notes. "The shift in how people perceive their mental health could reflect several dynamics: heightened anxiety brought on by the COVID-19 crisis; heightened public and medical attention to mental health during this period; and a lessening of the stigma around admitting mental health challenges." In his clinical experience, Roberson believes there is both an increased personal awareness of mental health struggles as well as a decline in mental health. Among his clients who are mothers, especially stay-at-home mothers, he sees a tendency to give and give that leads to burnout. "There's a risk where the woman starts to think that it's her job to pour out everything until she has nothing left," said Roberson, who is also part of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. He helps clients to see that taking care of themselves ultimately allows them to take better care of their family and friends. At her practice, The Perinatal & Reproductive Wellness Group, Becky Morrison Gleed works with women and mothers struggling with mental health issues. She echoed the findings of the studies. "This is matching what I see," said Morrison Gleed, who is based in Falls Church, Virginia. "It's a bit stark (and) sad." She feels mothers are expected to do more with fewer resources, in addition to other problems including medical birth-related traumas or difficulties with partners, if they have partners. "This is a new generation where we have more dual-working parents and so gone are the days of the stay-at-home mom who has the village in her cul-de-sac," she said. "The expectations have not necessarily shifted to catch up with demands on mothers in terms of roles, mental load, working responsibilities and childcare." Morrison Gleed said she encourages people to check in on their mom friends and family members, especially postpartum moms. "The biggest risk factor that we know is if the person is not sleeping. If they've gone multiple days with no or minimal sleep, that should be considered an emergency," she said. She also advises against giving unsolicited advice. "Try to listen to what she's telling you," said Morrison Gleed. "Then she might share a little bit more and before you know it, you have a better idea of what she might need to feel supported and thrive as a mom." The JAMA Network study noted that the self-reported physical and mental health status was significantly lower among mothers who were US born, single parents, less educated, and those with publicly insured or uninsured children. Countless Catholic ministries reach out to the underserved through food banks, rental assistance and free medical clinics. But there's also special outreach to struggling pregnant women through parish-based ministries such as the Gabriel Project and Walking with Moms in Need. Kat Talalas, assistant director of pro-life communications for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, is working to expand Walking with Moms in Needs so that every parish is equipped to serve struggling families. So far, at least 60 US dioceses — approximately one in three — have a Walking with Moms in Need presence. Talalas sees the ministry as answering St. John Paul II's call to "radical solidarity" with mothers. "We are meant to welcome children into a community and have that community be a secure place to raise a family," she said. "It's really important to increase opportunities for women to know they're not alone, to have people who are willing to help them both practically and emotionally with all the changes that come with motherhood. Community and friendship can be a huge benefit to women's mental health." In one archdiocese, just advertising the program has made a big difference, said Talalas. "Women who are struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, maybe they're a single mother — they might think that the church doesn't want to help them because they're a single mother," she said. "By advertising, it helps reconnect women to the church, where they find that God loves them and they have people around them who are going to support them in welcoming new life." Other parishes and dioceses support flourishing mental health through Catholic Charities' counseling services or through mental health ministries. Numerous parishes and dioceses are part of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, including the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, which recently launched a diocesan mental health team. They've held retreats for parish staffers, an outreach event in a community impacted by suicide, and some "Catholic Mental Health 101" sessions. "Many people suffer from this, sometimes silently," said Jay Wonacott, director of Marriage and Family Life at the Boise Diocese. "There's still a great stigma around mental health issues and I think the purpose of the church is to allay that mental health stigma and help people understand the psychological, the medical and the spiritual dynamics." Separately, the diocese also has a ministry for women suffering from miscarriage. "Especially when there's a loss, there can be depression and there can be anxiety," he said. On an institutional level, Roberson believes the Catholic Church can better serve women's mental health by helping them form and keep healthy marriages, and by making mothers feel welcome in church, even when their babies are crying. "A lot of the single mothers that I work with and a lot of women with children simply don't feel like they can go to church, simply don't feel like they can engage in society until the children are grown up," he said. "And by then they've formed a habit through their life of staying on the outskirts." On an individual level, Catholics must commit to accompaniment. Roberson thinks of a friend who is currently accompanying a woman going through a mental health crisis. "That's painful and messy for him and his family, and it takes a lot of his time," said Roberson. While it's tempting for his friend to go back to his job and family and leave the struggling woman by herself, he knows that's not right. "I think we can talk about all the financial or societal supports that we need — and they're good and true — but it begins at the heart," Roberson said. "Do I individually make space for the people around me to talk to me about the things that are hurting them, and do I allow that to actually hurt me?"--
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Pope: No military win can justify children's fear
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV condemned recent US strikes on nuclear sites in Iran, warning that humanity is 'crying out for peace' amid mounting tensions in the Middle East. The pope noted that every member of the international community bears a moral responsibility to halt the tragedy of war 'before it descends into an irreparable abyss.' 'No military victory can compensate for the suffering of mothers, the fear of children, and the loss of a stolen future,' the pontiff continued. Pope Leo XIV appeals for an end to the tragedy of war, especially in the Middle East, and recalls that war only amplifies problems and creates deep wounds without providing lasting at the Angelus address on Sunday, the Pope said, "Alarming news continues to… — Vatican News (@VaticanNews) June 22, 2025
Herald Malaysia
20-06-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Papal diplomats reflect Church's universal mission of peace
Pope Leo XIV met Apostolic Nuncios and papal representatives from around the world on June 10 for the first time since the start of his pontificate. Jun 20, 2025 The ring bears the inscription 'Sub umbra Petri'. VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV met Apostolic Nuncios and papal representatives from around the world on June 10 for the first time since the start of his pontificate. Upholding tradition, he gave each a ring inscribed with 'sub umbra Petri,' a sign of their bond to the successor of Peter. In his address, Pope Leo urged them to remain closely united to the Pope and in communion with local bishops. 'Only in obedience and effective communion with the Pope can your ministry be effective for the Church,' he praised the Holy See's diplomatic corps as a global witness to the Church's unity and mission, calling them a symbol of human fraternity and peace. Off-the-cuff, he described their work, especially in helping select bishops, as 'irreplaceable.' Pope Leo thanked them for their pastoral spirit and diplomatic insight, quoting Pope St Paul VI, who said papal representatives allow the Pope to 'participate in the very life of his children.' Reflecting on the Acts of the Apostles, Pope Leo likened their mission to St Peter healing the lame man, saying papal envoys must offer not riches but Christ himself —building hope and relationships even in difficult places. He called on them to be 'Peter's gaze' and ambassadors of Christ's love, especially in regions marked by suffering, war, or injustice. Pope Leo concluded by encouraging them to be 'instruments of communion and unity' and witnesses of faith and dignity throughout the world. --Vatican News
