Pope Calls Refugee Situation “Offense Against God”

Independent catholic news,June 16 — Speaking to pilgrims from his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square on June 15, Pope John Paul II spoke of the forthcoming World Day of Refugees in light of Trinity Sunday.

John Paul noted that “God is not solitude, but perfect communion,” according to Independent Catholic News. From this divine source, he explained, “derives the vocation of all of mankind to form one great family, in which different races and cultures meet and enrich each other reciprocally.” Because of this, “every situation in which persons or groups of people are forced to flee their own land to seek refuge elsewhere is a serious offense against God and all men.”

The Holy Father called upon the “the international community to commit itself to taking care of not only the symptoms but [also] above all the causes of the problem: that is, to prevent conflicts by promoting justice and solidarity in every sphere of the human family.”

Indian Nationalist Rebuked for Criticizing Pope

THE TIMES OF INDIA, June 15 — The president of India's United Christian Council, Bishop Anthony Pappusamy, June 15 strongly condemned the remarks of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, head of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, The Times of India reported.

The minister had responded to Pope John Paul II's insistence on religious freedom for every Indian — including those who choose to covert to Christianity. In defense of her state's anti-conversion laws, she said the Holy Father “has no business to comment on a law passed by democratically elected governments in our country.”

Bishop Pappusamy said Jayalalithaa, who had promoted the law, was fanning “hate politics.” He insisted the bill “violated … basic human and religious rights” and summed up her attack as showing “her immaturity and bias.”

The bishop noted that the rights of Indians were protected by international declarations and agreements, which the Pope, as a head of state represented in the United Nations, had every right to invoke. He further warned that Christians would be forced to launch political demonstrations if she did not withdraw her antipapal remarks.

Vatican Observatory Summer School

VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE, June 13 — The Ninth Vatican Observatory Summer School in Observational Astronomy and Astrophysics will take place in the summer papal residence at Castel Gandolfo from June 15 to July 11, Vatican Information Service reported.

This year's focus is “Observations and Theoretical Understanding of Galaxy Evolution: From the Local Universe to the Distant Universe.” Some 26 young scholars from 20 developing countries will be in Rome for the 2003 summer session, led by Vatican Observatory director Jesuit Father George Coyne.

Each of the scholars has received a scholarship that covers at least 75% of school costs including travel, room and board. The school is meant to help promising scholars from poor countries begin their careers in research on the cosmos.