Daily Archives: September 16, 2015

Church

Pope Francis: Church is a mother, not a rigid association

Independent Catholic News

The Church is a mother and must have that loving and tender maternal feeling and human warmth as otherwise all that remains is rigidity and discipline. Pope Francis said in his homily during Mass on Tuesday morning at Casa Santa Marta. The liturgy was attended by the C-9 Cardinals who are meeting in the Vatican this week.

The inspiration for Pope Francis’ reflections came from Jesus’ words spoken from the Cross to Mary and to the apostle whom he loved when he entrusted each of them to the others care. Jesus, he stressed, does not leave us orphaned, we have a mother who protects us. Continue reading Pope Francis: Church is a mother, not a rigid association →

Migration

UK warship will be used to ‘board, seize and divert’ refugee boats

The Guardian
HMS Richmond is to take part in ‘more aggressive’ phase two of EU naval operation off coast of Libya
Alan Travis Home affairs editor

HMS Richmond would be used to board and seize vessels in the southern Mediterranean, said the Ministry of Defence. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA
HMS Richmond would be used to board and seize vessels in the southern Mediterranean, said the Ministry of Defence. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA

A Royal Navy frigate is to be sent to take part in a blockade-style naval operation aimed at “boarding, seizing and diverting” refugee boats in the Mediterranean, the Ministry of Defense has said.

The British warship HMS Richmond is to take part in a “more aggressive” phase two of a European Union naval operation operating off the coast of Libya aimed at ending the people-smuggling trade across the Mediterranean.

British defense and foreign ministers gave their informal approval to the EU plan at meetings in Brussels last week, after being told by the Italian admiral in charge of the naval force that 16 boats used by the smugglers could have been seized or destroyed in recent weeks if the new phase had been in force.

HMS Richmond, which has surveillance technology enabling it to operate across a wide area, is likely to be sent to the waters off Libya, where it will be stationed at least 12 miles off the coast. Although it will be able to rescue refugees it comes across, the Ministry of Defense said its primary role would be to board and seize vessels in the southern Mediterranean. Continue reading UK warship will be used to ‘board, seize and divert’ refugee boats →

Africa, Women

The girls aiming to change Africa: young activists speak out

The Guardian

Five activists from countries across Africa talk about the issues that affect their lives, from disability rights to gender equality and FGM

Teenage girls in Uganda. Activists attending a recent mentorship meeting in Kampala discussed strategies for championing the rights of women and girls in Africa. Photograph: AfriPics.com/Alamy
Teenage girls in Uganda. Activists attending a recent mentorship meeting in Kampala discussed strategies for championing the rights of women and girls in Africa. Photograph: AfriPics.com/Alamy

Alon Mwesigwa in Kampala

Last month, 30 girls’ rights activists aged between 13 and 19 from six African countries – Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Malawi and South Africa – attended a mentor-ship and empowerment meeting in Kampala.
“At its most simple, the girls will change Africa,” said Happy Mwende Kinyili, a senior program officer at international women’s fund Mama Cash, which sponsored the event. “They will do that because they know what they want and they will go for what they want. When others see that, their worlds will also change. It is important that it is girls from different parts of Africa, because it is about changing Africa.”

According to Mama Cash, the meeting was intended for “the girls to learn, train, grow, network and strategies together – strengthening the next generation of feminist activists”.

We spoke to some of the attendees about the big issues they face as girls and young women in their countries, and asked them what they would like to see changed. Continue reading The girls aiming to change Africa: young activists speak out →