Latest from Herald Malaysia
Herald Malaysia
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Bishop Rojas on rise in ICE raids: ‘It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ'
After the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered Church properties in California, Bishop Rojas has issued a message calling for an end to tactics that cause 'a tremendous amount of fear, confusion, and anxiety.' Jun 28, 2025 Members in a prayer group holds hands, while vans transporting migrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) depart from the ICE Broadview Service Staging Area, in Broadview, Illinois By Kielce GussieOn June 23, Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino, California, issued a letter responding to recent reports of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entering Catholic churches. Moving onto Church property On June 20, diocesan officials stated ICE agents entered two Catholic parish properties in Montclair and Highland and detained multiple people in the parking lot of St. Adelaide Church in Highland, California. The director of communications for the Diocese of San Bernardino, John Andrews, said those detained did not work for the parish nor were they parishioners. However, he did report that one male parishioner was taken into custody at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Montclair on June 20. We are with you Bishop Rojas, who heads the sixth-largest Catholic diocese in the United States, strongly condemned the ramping up of ICE activities. In his message to the Catholic community, he pointed out that 'authorities are now seizing brothers and sisters indiscriminately, without respect for their right to due process and their dignity as children of God.' He expressed his solidarity and closeness to the immigrant communities 'who are bearing the trauma and injustice of these tactics,' reminding them that 'we join you in carrying this very difficult cross.' The Bishop stressed his support for law enforcement doing their job to protect the community from violence criminals. At the same time, he emphasized that now ICE is detaining people as they leave their homes, offices, and other public settings. Pointing out that there is at least one recorded incident of ICE agents entering Church property, Bishop Rojas acknowledged that this creates fear, confusion, and anxiety. 'It is not of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—which guides us in all that we do.' A call for change The Bishop called on all political leaders to 'reconsider and cease these tactics immediately' and replace them 'in favor of an approach that respects human rights and human dignity.' These changes can help build 'a more lasting, comprehensive reform of our immigration system.' As many people voice their opposition to the current ICE tactics, Bishop Rojas challenged protestors to 'act without vulgarity, violence toward others, or destruction of property' to avoid a furthering of tension. Closing his message, the Bishop reflected on a statement Pope Francis once told him—that the Pontiff's greatest fear was division. 'It is painful to see such division amongst God's people at this moment,' Bishop Rojas continued, because this is contrary to God's plan for His children. In the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope, he urged everyone to share the hope of Christ to the world, as 'this hope is an antidote to the strife and suffering in our communities.'--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
13 hours ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Catholic Sister brings synodal approach to prison through restorative justice
Sr. Janet Ryan, OSF, facilitates restorative 'justice circle keeper' trainings for staff and incarcerated individuals inside prisons in the US state of Illinois, as part of her ministry with Mobilizing Network. Jun 28, 2025 Sr. Janet, OSF leads a circle training with Catholic Mobilizing Network at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, Illinois By Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Catholic Mobilizing Network*When thinking of the American penal system, we might recall the harsh conditions depicted in popular movies and television shows. And when one hears about justice being pursued or carried out in these environments, the first words that come to mind might be punishment and retribution. Of course, our Catholic understanding of justice extends beyond this narrow definition to include concepts and goals like rehabilitation and restoration. True justice—Gospel-inspired justice—is oriented toward genuine peace, flourishing, and even communion. This vision of justice is truly a synodal way of proceeding. It is rooted in the dignity of each person, something that is innate and cannot be forfeited. But does that vision of justice and the recognition of each person's dignity, even when they have committed grave crimes, seem like a mere fantasy, given the nature of incarceration and capital punishment in the United States? Sr. Janet Ryan, OSF, does not think so. That's why she is leading restorative justice trainings inside prisons throughout Illinois. Sowing Seeds of Hope in Prison Sr. Janet is a Fransiscan sister from Clinton, Iowa. For more than a decade, she has served at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR), an organization located in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago, IL, which exists to restore human dignity through hospitality, hope, and healing. It feels especially fitting to share the story of her hope-filled work in prison as we continue to celebrate this special Jubilee Year dedicated to hope. Founded by the Catholic religious order, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, PBMR serves community members who are impacted by violence and the criminal justice system, including men and women who are currently incarcerated. Sr. Janet's particular role within PBMR is to lead the peace circle prison ministry. A peace circle, also known as the restorative practice of circle process, invites participants to sit in a circle and pass a talking piece, which signals the speaking order. Facilitators, like Sr. Janet, guide the dialogue using a series of prompts to which every person has the chance to provide a response. Recently, Sr. Janet has initiated a new circle process training program inside prisons to equip incarcerated individuals and prison staff to use the restorative practice of circle process themselves. Offering this program not only to those who are incarcerated, but to the correctional staff at these prison facilities as well, Sr. Janet transcends this common divide in a highly uncommon way. Sr. Janet says each time she gathers in a circle is an opportunity to meet 'beautiful, loving, funny, gifted people.' There is a lot of laughter and a lot of tears. Through authentic dialogue, the circle process creates space to recognize the humanity in every person, which Sr. Janet says 'has the potential to have long-term impact and bring about real transformation'—even if that takes time. Each training is conducted over the course of four days and takes roughly 28 hours to complete. In that time, Sr. Janet shares that she hopes to reflect the goodness, beauty, and dignity of those who are incarcerated and those who work in corrections, creating a space where each person feels safe enough to share honestly and vulnerably without judgment. By the end of this experience, Sr. Janet says the participants—whether incarcerated individuals or prison staff—walk away with the skills and tools needed to facilitate these kinds of authentic dialogues in prison or in their community. Catholic Mobilizing Network's facilitator guide, Conversations in Communion: Parish Dialogues for Connection and Understanding, serves as a companion to Sr. Janet's trainings. She said that one inmate was particularly passionate about the potential impact of this model. He made a striking observation, suggesting that you could change parish to prison, and parishioner to inmate, and distribute copies throughout prisons across the country. Synodal Encounters Toward Healing and Communion A testament to the success of this approach is that Sr. Janet's co-trainer, Eric Anderson, is helping to facilitate circles in the very facility where he was incarcerated about five years ago. His story is a great inspiration to many of the men who know his history and desire a better way forward. The staff, meanwhile, have been polite and professional toward him, even those not yet ready to participate in a circle with him. Sr. Janet is aware that the circle process is deeply countercultural—particularly in the prison system. But this is why it can be so transformational. She believes we can do better—for the incarcerated individuals and the prison staff—to reduce trauma and stress and to create a more just and effective system. Hosting these trainings is one step in that direction. Amid fractured relationships and divided communities, we are all in need of dialogue like this that fosters deep listening, authentic encounter, and radical truth-telling that can build a path toward healing and communion. Whether behind prison bars or in the parish hall, this is the work of synodality that we as a Church are being called to. Both synodality and restorative justice encompass a vision and process for journeying together through woundedness and division, inside prison and here on the outside. Just how critical this work is can be best summed up here: When some of the incarcerated individuals found out that the Department of Corrections did not provide any funding for their trainings, they pooled their own resources and wrote Sr. Janet a check for more than $1,000. Sr. Janet's teaching of circle process—and the transformation made possible through the practices of restorative justice—is truly a tangible sign of hope today. * Are you interested in bringing the restorative process of circle process to your parish, ministry, or community? Explore Catholic Mobilizing Network's formation program Conversations in Communion: Parish Dialogues for Connection and Understanding. --Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
13 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
13 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
a day ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Peter's Pence 2024 report shows increase in support for Pope's mission
The 2024 report on Peter's Pence just released shows an increase in donations supporting the Pope's mission. The annual fund brings in donations for the Pope's mission for the universal Church. It raised € 58 million in 2024, an increase from € 52 million in 2023. A total of € 13.3 million funded 239 direct assistance projects in 66 countries around the world. Jun 27, 2025 Peter's Pence 2024 Report released (ANSA) By Salvatore CernuzioIn 2024 collections for Peter's Pence generated 58 million euro, a six million euro increase compared to 2023. Expenditures totaled 75.4 million euro. Of these, 61.2 million euro was used to support activities carried out by the Holy See through its Dicasteries serving the Pope's apostolic mission, while 13.3 million euro was allocated to support 239 aid projects for those in need. These projects include support for developing countries, community projects in places like Senegal, Peru, Romania, Benin, Angola, and material aid for populations affected by wars. The data was made public on Friday, 27 June, with the release of the fund's annual report on the donations helping the Pope's mission. The report also mentions that the Pope, through the Roman Curia, donated an additional 37.3 million euro to charitable works (with 6.2 million euro funded by Peter's Pence), bringing the total for charitable works to 50.6 million euro. Donations to Peter's Pence The report shows how donations to Peter's Pence in 2024 totaled 54.3 million euro, with financial income and other amounts reaching 3.7 million euro. Donations came in various forms: from collections taken up in parishes worldwide on the occasion of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, from those forwarded to the Holy See through dioceses (except for Italian dioceses, which send them directly); from direct offerings via wire transfers, checks, or the Peter's Pence official website; and from bequests specified in wills to Peter's Pence or directly to the Pope. Donor countries In 2024 dioceses made up 59% of donations (€ 31.8 million), followed by private individuals at 16% (€ 8.9 million), foundations at 12.2% (€ 12.2 million), and religious institutions at 1.4% (€ 1.4 million). The countries with the highest donation amounts included the United States (25.2%), France (15%), Italy (5.2%), Brazil (3%), and Germany (2.8%). Other donor countries included South Korea, Mexico, Ireland, Spain, Colombia, and others, contributing 15% of the total. Contributions to the Holy See's Mission Regarding expenditures, € 74.5 million was distributed to support the Holy See's apostolic mission and specific direct aid projects. These include projects providing material assistance to developing countries and populations affected by wars, as well as support for evangelization efforts by parishes, dioceses, and religious institutions in need. In 2024 Peter's Pence funded the construction of a training and missionary center in Senegal, a parish church in Peru, and a hostel in Thailand. Social Projects Social projects funded by Peter's Pence include training and support programs, as well as material aid for local communities. In Romania, the fund helped build a facility for rehabilitation for people with special needs. In Syria support provided healthcare for vulnerable families. In Benin, it contributed to the construction of the Catholic University of West Africa. Other projects included support for local churches and communities in Cuba, Angola, and India, as well as repairs to a monastery, renovations of a dormitory, and the construction of a nursing home. In total, 239 projects were financed across 66 countries, including: * Africa: 64 projects (€ 5.7 million) * Europe: 118 projects (€ 3.3 million) * America: 26 projects (€ 1.9 million) * Asia: 29 projects (€ 2.3 million) * Oceania: 2 projects (less than € 1 million) The report also highlights scholarships for seminarians, priests, and religious from Africa, Latin America, and Asia to study at Pontifical universities, as well as humanitarian aid for people in Ukraine. The Pope's Apostolic Mission The final tables of the report show that how in 2024 the Holy See's expenses amounted to € 367.4 million of which approximately € 61.2 million (17%) was covered by Peter's Pence. The Pope's apostolic mission covers several areas, including support for local churches in difficulty, evangelization efforts, Apostolic Nunciatures, charity services, communicating the Gospel message, cultural heritage, academic institutions, human development, family life, education, science, and culture.--Vatican News
