29 Agosto 2022
We thank God for the relief of the four kidnapped nuns from the Congregation Sisters of Jesus in Nigeria. The four sisters were kidnapped around Okigwe Umulolo area on their way to mass. The secretary of the Congregation announced the joyful news of the release of their Sisters. This incident is a challenge that Africa has to deal with, especially in Nigeria, where bandits and armed individuals look for a reward in exchange for kidnapped people.
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19 Agosto 2022
Let’s pray for the religious people in Nicaragua. Tension between the Nicaraguan government and the Catholic Church has been worsening during the last month. Nicaragua closed seven radio stations that belonged to the Catholic Church. An investigation was launched against the bishop of Matagalpa Msgr. Rolando Álvarez, accusing him of inciting violent actions of hate against the population. The Vatican permanent observer to the Organization of American States, Monsignor Juan Antonio Cruz expressed concern and asked both parties to seek ways to understand each other.
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19 Agosto 2022
21 people were killed in the Afghan capital Kabul in a huge explosion that occurred in a crowded mosque. According to the police authorities, another 33 people were injured. The explosion took place at the evening prayers and it is not yet clear who was behind the attack. In the Tigray region, the World Health Organization Chief says that the situation in the northern Ethiopia region is the “worst humanitarian crisis in the world” and it is not receiving the same attention as other conflicts.
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19 Agosto 2022
We pray together for our Mother Earth. The summer in the Global North has been considered one of the most destructive due to wildfires, storms and heat waves. Early this week, 38 people died in Algeria due to wildfires. While 12 people have been killed due to the powerful storms that affected central and southern Europe. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began. Thus, governments and international leaders need to take urgent action.
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12 Agosto 2022
10 miners in Mexico remain trapped in a flooded coal mine. Rescue services are not yet able to reach the 10 workers who have been trapped inside the mine since last week. The government ensures that the rescue activities keep going, although there are already four attempts they have made. Families of the miners are afraid of their beloved ones. Mexican authorities have tried to drain some of the water using dozens of pumps.
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12 Agosto 2022
We pray for South Korea that experienced floods in the capital city and two neighboring provinces. At least 9 people were killed and thousands of homes were damaged by the heaviest rains in more than 100 years. The clean-up operation continued in the country while the railway and metro services were re-opened. We also keep praying for France, where more than 1000 firefighters are battling to stop the wildfire in the Gironde region.
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12 Agosto 2022
Let’s pray for Sierra Leone, where at least 12 people were killed during the protests which turned violent last week. People took to the streets to claim for better economic conditions and better government measures to control rising prices. We also pray for Kenya’s election that took place last week and there are not yet results about it. Although there is less tension in this election, the counting process is a worry and the expected votes can raise the prospect of unrest.
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7 Agosto 2022
We thank God for the visit of Pope Francis to Canada. The Holy Father expressed, during the General Audience on Wednesday, that this visit was a “penitential like no other”. During his catechesis, Pope Francis said the main motivation was to meet indigenous peoples to express his closeness and sorrow, and ask for forgiveness for the harm done to them by the Christians in the past. He said that the journey was undertaken in Canada to write a new page.
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7 Agosto 2022
We thank God for the Episcopal Conference of Ecuador and some congregations who helped to mediate a dialogue between the Ecuadorian government and the representatives of the confederations and indigenous groups, which ended the 18 days of strike in the country. The national strike was a reaction to fuel and food prices, the protection of indigenous rights and the respect of their lands and territories. The head of the Episcopal Conference of Ecuador, Luis Cabrera, called for a truce and invited the protesters and government to negotiate.
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7 Agosto 2022
Let’s pray for Iran where at least 69 people have died and 45 more are missing after floods and landslides hit most of the provinces in the country. 20000 houses have been affected by the mud. The flooding and landslides have been most deadly in the province of Tehran where 19 people died. Animals and livestock have also been affected and perished in the floods. Authorities warned people of more rain and to try to move from those dangerous places.
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