AS02396.1443 May 4, 2007 58 EM-lines (590 words) ASIA    Salesians Focus On Poor Youth In South Asia PANAJI, India (UCAN) -- Salesians, especially in South Asia, see their traditional mission among young people as requiring a new focus on the "formation and integral growth" of those most at risk. "We are focusing on poor youth" because they get excluded from the mainstream, explains Father Joaquim D'Souza, the Asia-Pacific regional head for the Salesians of Don Bosco. The 62-year-old priest from Goa took over the post in 1996. He previously headed the Salesians' Bombay province and established Tejprasarini, the province's media and communications department. Father D'Souza recently returned from a tour of missions in South Asia that began in early February. He spoke with UCA News in the Goa state capital of Panaji, 1,910 kilometers southwest of New Delhi. After realizing that at-risk youths can progress only if their families are supported, he said, the Salesian society has started women-based self-help groups that work through micro-credit in several parts of Asia. Narrowing his attention to South Asia, the priest reported that his congregation has helped youths in Sri Lanka build bridges in the throes of a deadly conflict. The Salesians encourage Sinhalese and Tamil youth, whether Buddhists, Christians or Hindus, to live together and develop a proper orientation in life. "Our aim is to see that they learn to live together and help build a united country," Father D'Souza said. The congregation also provides skills training. It has three technical schools in Negombo, a predominantly Sinhalese and Catholic area about 30 kilometers north of Colombo, and plans another on the island, Father D'Souza said. The existing institutes have networked with the hotel industry to provide jobs for individuals in need and manpower for the industry. However, the priest sees no hope for a Salesian high school in Sri Lanka, where the government nationalized schools in the 1960s. For now Salesians run remedial classes after school hours and offer poor students free snacks, which keeps attendance high. To help tsunami-displaced children, the priests built apartments for 197 families in Boscopura, an enclave in Negombo. In Nepal, the Salesians manage a high school in Kathmandu and a technical institute in Dharan, an eastern city, hoping to foster peace and harmony through education, Father D'Souza said. In northern Myanmar, a vocational training school in Myitkyina trains 200 boys and girls. The Salesians' largest involvement in South Asia nonetheless remains in India, where they run 40 centers for street children and youths at risk. They serve 35,000 children annually in the country. The congregation has career guidance programs for poor students enrolled in government schools in Tamil Nadu, a southern state. It has also set up a database of job seekers and trains tribal youths in how to fill out job applications and face interviews. Father D'Souza said Salesian colleges in India prefer poor but intelligent students. Some send staff to visit applicants' homes and verify their economic condition. The priest noted dramatic changes in dalit (low-caste) families whose children attended Salesian-established computer institutes in Tamil Nadu five years ago. Alumni of those institutes now earn around 35,000 rupees (US$855) a month, he said, recalling that they could not pay the tuition and boarding fees, usually no more than 1,000 rupees, when they attended the institutes. The Salesians waived the fees. Father D'Souza said his congregation aims to instill in students a sense of duty to their family and society, as well as their school. He admitted that it has not been successful in its attempt to cull sponsors from alumni ranks, "but we hope to see it in the long run." END Related UCAN Reports INDIA Salesians' Mobile School Steers Shanty Children To A Better Future (March 10, 2006) INDIA Priests Promote Technical Education To Help Youth In Goa (March 30, 2004) INDIA UCAN SHORT - Salesians Plan Center To Help Youth In Northeastern India (March 29, 1995) IC02412.1443 May 4, 2007 64 EM-lines (651 words) INDIA    New Bishop In Hindu Holy City Wants To Build Better Human Community VARANASI, India (UCAN) -- The new Catholic bishop based in Hinduism's holiest city says he looks forward to establishing a better society of various religious communities. About 6,000 people, including hundreds from other religions, attended the consecration of bishop-designate Raphy Manjaly as the new leader of Varanasi diocese April 30. The diocese is based in Varanasi city, a Hindu spiritual center on the banks of the Ganges, about 780 kilometers southeast of New Delhi. Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, who led the consecration liturgy, said in his homily that the new bishop has to mediate Jesus' love to all irrespective of sex, caste and creed because all are children of the Almighty. Some 30 bishops, including retiring Bishop Patrick Paul D'Souza, and 250 priests and hundred of nuns attended the ceremony. Archbishop Lopez Quintana reminded the gathering that the bishop is the "shepherd of the flock." Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Jains live together in the diocesan area of 21,395 square kilometers. Catholics number just 17,044 in a population of about 21 million people in the area. Some 3,000 Catholics live in the ancient city of Varanasi, where Hindus come to take a ritual bath in the Ganges River on prescribed days, believing that such actions will wash away their sins. The diocese, created in 1970, had been led by Bishop D'Souza for the past 37 years. It has 42 parishes, 38 educational institutions, 28 dispensaries, 16 orphanages and four hospitals. The diocese, considering the uniqueness of its location, has also set up five Catholic ashrams (spiritual centers), where people follow Hindu prayer and meditation disciplines. Bishop D'Souza said that his big challenge was "how to give the message of Jesus" in this culturally unique place. Poverty, illiteracy and unemployment also posed "big challenges," he told UCA News. To make the Good News more readily available, he had the Bible distributed, and also provided faith formation to catechists. The diocese also adapted the liturgy. "We have implemented well-planned schemes to eradicate illiteracy. We have formed about 2,000 self-help groups in the villages. We have created job opportunities for at least one member of every Catholic family," the bishop said. Social worker Suresh Simon, 48, who works in a remote mission station, told UCA News that "it is becoming clear to the people of other religions that the service of the Church is not conversion, but the welfare of humanity." According to him, the Church has made significant achievements in relating with other religions. Father Subhash Jose, superior general of the indigenous Indian Missionary Society, told UCA News, "Varanasi city has special significance in the multi-religious context. Therefore, inter-religious dialogue for mutual enrichment must be the prime concern of the new bishop." At a later celebration, the new prelate later told a gathering that he will "continue all the good works initiated by my predecessor. I will exert all my efforts to make the diocese reach new heights." He later told UCA News that the establishment of a better human society and harmony among various religious communities are part of his plans. His priorities include helping Catholics to be part of the social mainstream and dialoguing with the people of other faiths so that "together we can build a better humanity." Education and formation of laypeople to empower them to influence society are also among his aims, he said. And laypeople need to be empowered spiritually as well to help them cope with the practical challenges of life, he continued. Bishop Manjaly, although born in the southern Indian state of Kerala, is nevertheless familiar with the region. In 1973, he became a seminarian of Agra archdiocese in Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is a suffragan of Agra. After his priestly ordination in 1983 for Agra archdiocese, he worked there as seminary rector and school principal. At the time of his appointment as Varanasi bishop, he was administrator of Agra archdiocese. END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code IC02412.1443 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports INDIA Church People Condemn Explosions In Hindu Temple City, Pray For Peace (March 8, 2006) INDIA Peace Journey Initiated By Priest Stresses Religious Harmony (January 4, 2006) INDIA Christians Allowed To Sing Hymns In Hindu Sacred Temple In Varanasi (December 23, 1993) IE02409.1443 May 4, 2007 58 EM-lines (633 words) INDIA    Tribal People Including Catholics Continue Hunting Festival Tradition JAMSHEDPUR, India (UCAN) -- Tribal people in eastern India, some of them Catholics, went ahead with a traditional hunting festival in spite of official attempts to stop such activities in order to conserve wildlife. About 40,000 tribal men gathered atop a hill in Jharkhand state April 30 and prayed ahead of their annual Bishu Sendra. As in previous years, the state forest department placed advertisements in media ahead of the festival, trying to persuade tribal people to stop the hunt. But this had little effect on tribal groups in the region that celebrate the festival together as part of their religious and cultural heritage. "Nobody can stop us. Since unknown times our ancestors have believed that this hilltop is a holy place, and they took part in the annual ritual," said Demka Soy, convener of Dalma Buru Sendra Samiti, the festival committee. Soy told UCA News his people's ancestors carried weapons because of wild animals. After the night prayer ritual, they would descend from the hill in the morning and hunt animals, while beating drums. "We are following the same tradition," Soy explained. "But now the number of wild animals has been decreasing very fast. That's why we decided on a 'symbolic hunt.'" On the eve of the festival, groups of men from the neighboring states of Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal gather, equipped with their traditional hunting weapons and drums. At dusk, they climb the forest-covered hill to offer prayers and sacrifices to Singbonga, supreme god in the traditional tribal religious system, called Sarna. The sacred hill, Dalma, sits in Jharkhand, 90 kilometers southeast of Ranchi, the state capital. Soy said Jharkhand Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto, who heads the forest and environment ministry, favors tribal people having a "symbolic" hunt. This year the men hunted only a few wild boars and other small animals, the tribal leader added. "Many people, including several expert hunters, went back to their homes after the night ritual," Soy continued, reiterating that the hunt was "symbolic." Joseph Bodra, a Catholic and leader of a hunting group from West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, told UCA News that Christians join the groups because men from the villages form hunting parties. "We live together in our villages. There is no difference between a Christian tribal and a Sarna tribal. We join together for all our social activities. This hunting festival is one such activity," he elaborated. When asked if it was right for Catholics to attend rituals dedicated to a Sarna god, he replied: "I don't know about that. But I don't think there is anything wrong in praying to God." Catholic priests have "never objected" to the men attending the festival and prayers, he said. "And many of our Sarna brethren also join us in our feasts, like Christmas and Easter. If they join us, why should we not join them?" According to Father Augustine Kerketta of Ranchi archdiocese, who has been working to build Christian-Sarna unity, tribal people "are brothers and cannot be divided on the basis of faith." In joining the rituals, "Christian tribal people are not violating the First Commandment because they are not worshiping idols or the devil," the priest told UCA News. "They are offering prayers to the supreme God described in the First Commandment." Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi confirmed that he has been encouraging Catholics to take part in all the social and religious activities of the Sarna community. Such activities preserve "the rich virtues which our ancestors have inherited," he told UCA News. "Just because we are Christians, we cannot deprive ourselves of such social and religious values." Asia's first tribal cardinal added that such virtues, which God has "especially provided" to tribal people, "do not go against our Catholic faith." In fact, he stressed, "they enrich our faith." END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code IE02409.1443 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports INDIA Hunting Festival Creates 'Temporary Widows' In Tribal Region (May 27, 2005) INDIA Priest In Coma After Assailants Attack Him In Eastern India (August 23, 2004) INDIA UCAN Feature - Hunting Festival Showcases Tribal Spirit And Culture (May 14, 2003) Related UCAN Reports INDIA Hunting Festival Creates 'Temporary Widows' In Tribal Region (May 27, 2005) INDIA Priest In Coma After Assailants Attack Him In Eastern India (August 23, 2004) INDIA UCAN Feature - Hunting Festival Showcases Tribal Spirit And Culture (May 14, 2003) IJ02415.1443 May 4, 2007 64 EM-lines (676 words) INDONESIA    Church-Assisted Labor Union Forum Brings May Day Campaign Off The Streets And On The Air BANDAR LAMPUNG, Indonesia (UCAN) -- A Catholic radio station in western Indonesia aired a talk show to mark this year's Labor Day, as tens of thousands of workers took to the streets in major cities around the country. Suara Wajar (right voice) radio, which is owned by Tanjungkarang diocese, aired the one-hour talk show run by Forum Komunikasi Serikat Pekerja Lampung (FKSPL, communication forum of labor unions in Lampung) on 3 p.m. of May 1. Tanjungkarang is the former name of Bandar Lampung, the provincial capital of Lumpung, 200 kilometers west of Jakarta. The Church-facilitated communication forum of labor unions had asked all its members, spread over 25 labor unions, not to join in May Day street demonstrations but to listen to the program instead. According to members of the forum, May Day demonstrations of previous years did little to improve laborers' welfare. So they decided to mark this year's May Day with a campaign through electronic and print media. The radio show focused on improving workers' welfare. Invited were seven resource persons, including Heronimus Surya Tisnanta, lecturer of the Faculty of Law of Lampung University and head of the Center of Strategy and Policy Study of Lampung. Another guest was Y. Yogitarius A. Yamin, a judge of Industrial Relations Court (PHI) of Lampung. According to Tisnanta, people should fight for the welfare of laborers. "They are regarded as factors of production, or low-paid workers, but Indonesia has about 100 million laborers," said the Catholic lawyer, adding that workers' wages would be first to come under pressure when production costs increase. Indonesia would be doing well if Indonesian laborers had good living conditions, but in fact more than 50 percent of the population are considered poor. The minimum wage for a laborer in the province has been 555,800 rupiah (US$61.41) per month since Jan. 1, 2007, but "some have lower wages." Talking about May Day, Tisnanda also said that for workers May Day is sometimes spelled "mayday," like the international distress call or radio code SOS, or "save our souls." For the workers, he said, the May Day call is, "Free us from the businessmen and the government's pressures." May Day for workers is a cry for help, he continued, "but unfortunately, the government responds repressively, employing thousands of policemen to stop their struggle for better conditions." To resolve labor disputes, Indonesia passed Act No. 2 of 2004, concerning Industrial Relations Dispute Settlement, which established the system of industrial relations courts. According to Yamin, however, so far Lampung has only one Industrial Relations Court and it has only three cases a month. It might be that "the laborers do not know yet about the PHI, because Lampung just opened it one year ago," the Catholic judge opined. The other possible reason for the low activity might be location, he added, because laborers living upcountry might find it difficult to reach the Court, located in the provincial capital. It was reported that only some 100 people demonstrated this May Day on the streets of Bandar Lampung. Pujoko, a staff member of Religious Affairs office of Lampung, told UCA News later, "It was a good program and must be aired regularly, with different themes." With the help of Sacred Heart Sister Mathea Marietta Widiyanti of the diocesan socio-economic development office, 15 labor unions in Bandar Lampung established FKSPL in July 20, 2000, a forum for workers, regardless of religious and tribal background, provide training and education for them. Sister Widiyanti recalled, she started gathering Catholic workers in 1990s with Catholic services, "but in fact laborers' problems could not be solved only with joint prayer or pilgrimages, and the gathering developed to be an interfaith meeting that did not only talk about spiritual things but labor issues." FKSPL runs monthly training and discussions concerning labor issues, and publishes a monthly bulletin, Lembur To give continuous guidance for laborers and to support FKSPL activities, the sister built a team called Pemerhati Buruh Keuskupan Tanjungkarang (PBKT, Workers Care Team of Tanjungkarang diocese) which involves Catholic people who care about the workers. END Related UCAN Reports INDONESIA UCAN Interview - Tomorrow Must Be Better Than Today, Says Muslim Woman Labor Activist (February 27, 2007) INDONESIA Jakarta Church Leaders Encourage Workers To Strive For Common Good (May 3, 2006) INDONESIA UCAN Interview - Laywoman Helps Laborers Organize, Fight For Their Rights (March 1, 2006) INDONESIA Labor-Rights NGOs See Church As Not Attentive To Labor Issues (February 20, 2006) INDONESIA Denpasar Church Commission Plans Support For Low-paid Workers (August 29, 2005) INDONESIA Church Groups Mark Labor Day By Gathering Workers, Businessmen Together For Reflection (May 3, 2005) INDONESIA Bishop Supports Workers' Rejection Of Manpower Bill (May 26, 2003) INDONESIA Struggling Catholic Workers Turn To Jakarta Archdiocese For Help (January 27, 2003) INDONESIA Church Tries To Help Workers Deported From Malaysia (August 21, 2002) INDONESIA Survey Among Industrial Workers Helps Improve Pastoral Service (August 20, 1996) INDONESIA Catholic Workers Advised To Study Labor Law To Improve Conditions (July 15, 1994) INDONESIA Unskilled Workers Rejected Priest's Proposal To Resettle (July 5, 1993) INDONESIA Nuns Offer Women Factory Workers Training, Look To Organizing (June 25, 1993) INDONESIA Catholic Workers Urged To Help Each Other (February 3, 1992) KO02398.1443 May 4, 2007 53 EM-lines (577 words) KOREA    Seoul Archdiocese Committee Recommits To Serve Urban Poor SEOUL (UCAN) -- The Catholic Urban Poor Pastoral Committee (CUPPC) of Seoul archdiocese renewed its "preferential option" during a celebration of its two decades of service to the poor. Father Peter Lee Kang-suh, committee president, proposed a 10-year Poverty Practice Agenda during its anniversary conference, held April 28 at Myeongdong Cathedral's Coste Hall. The 250 participants comprised diocesan priests, Religious and laypeople serving on or working with the committee as well as Anglican and other Protestant pastors, residents of urban poor areas and NGO representatives. The Poverty Practice Agenda sets forth five principles: practicing the Gospel in one's life, having a spirituality of poverty, living with the poor, protecting their homes and building a sense of community among them. Father Lee told UCA News the agenda was the fruit of CUPPC members' reflections over the past year. "From our reflections, we concluded that we needed an agenda as a road map to practicing the gospel of poverty ... going beyond our (earlier) Poverty Declaration," he explained. That Declaration, which the CUPPC issued in 1997, on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, emphasized the committee's preferential option for the poor and suggested that it establish institutions to serve them. Speakers at the recent conference expressed unanimous support for the new agenda. One of them, a Protestant pastor, also urged the Church to focus less on itself and reach out more effectively and directly to the poor. Auxiliary Bishop Lucas Kim Un-hoe of Seoul, episcopal vicar for the archdiocese's youth and social ministry, said in his congratulatory remarks that "although the CUPPC does not represent the entire Church, it has shown the Church a right direction." Since the CUPPC issued its Poverty Declaration 10 years ago, Seoul archdiocese has established five "mission parishes" that specifically serve the poor, as well as eight "Houses of Peace." Jesuit Father Francis Park Mun-su, a CUPPC member since its genesis, explained to UCA News that a mission parish helps to organize and train poor people to improve their situation. The priest, who serves at one of these parishes, added that each has about 100 parishioners and comes under the jurisdiction of a "regular" parish. Houses of Peace, on the other hand, are facilities the Church provides for local residents to hold meetings and conduct various activities. They also facilitate interaction between Church personnel and the people. A CUPPC official told UCA News it has also established 16 scout troops for children in poor areas. In addition, it runs study rooms for young students and day-care centers for children of working couples. According to material provided by the CUPPC, the committee was set up when the government demolished the huts of urban poor people ahead of the Asian Games in 1986 and the Olympic Games in 1988, both held in Seoul. Nonetheless, John Park Jae-cheon, a committee member, feels the Korean Church as a whole is not concerned enough about the poor. "So one of our roles is to help the Church maintain a spirituality of poverty," he told UCA News. According to a survey conducted by a Seoul archdiocesan research institute and published in March, the Catholic Church in Korea has become a "religion of the middle class," with many of its members having much higher education levels than do South Koreans in general. Pusan diocese, like Seoul archdiocese, has a committee serving urban poor people. It runs nine study rooms in slum areas of Busan (Pusan), the second-largest city in the country. END Related UCAN Reports KOREA Church Urged To Do More In Addressing High Suicide Rate (March 6, 2007) KOREA Violent 'Service Companies' Make Profit At Expense Of The Poor (June 10, 1998) KOREA Seoul Cardinal Leads Church In Launching 'Clean Poverty' Movement (May 12, 1997) MA02414.1443 May 4, 2007 70 EM-lines (700 words) MACAU    Catholics Urge Political Reforms After Labor Day Protest Turns Into Riot MACAU (UCAN) -- Local Catholics and a scholar have called for political reforms in Macau to address the May 1 protests of this and the previous year, the first such rallies to be held in the territory. Both turned into confrontations with police, who firing warning shots during this year's protest, hitting a passerby. Legislator Antonio Ng Kuok-cheong, who took part in the rally, told UCA News the following day that it protested against government corruption, collusion between government officials and businessmen, and working-class poverty. The protesters were angry that the local government has long neglected their demands, said Ng, a Catholic and one of the few pro-democracy politicians here. Such problems will continue to plague Macau for 50 years if there is no constitutional reform for popular suffrage, he noted. Under the territory's "one country, two systems" policy, its capitalist and political systems should remain unchanged for 50 years from its 1999 handover to China. Ng accused the police of overreacting to the peaceful rally. According to reports, people started throwing water bottles and eggs when police tried to disperse them. Vicar General Father Pedro Chung Chi-kin of Macau told UCA News on May 2 that he was shocked to learn the police fired shots. He added that the incident exposed deep-rooted social problems beneath the veneer of a flourishing economy. Father Chung noted that most protesters were middle-aged, low-skilled workers unable to compete for jobs with younger people in the mushrooming casino industry, or construction workers whose jobs were taken by workers from outside Macau, some of whom working here illegally. "They cannot enjoy the fruits of the prosperous economy driven by the gaming and tourism industries," said the vicar general, highest official in a diocese after the bishop. He stressed his belief that reforms are needed. Most imported and illegal workers in Macau are from the mainland, but some also come from Hong Kong or outside China. Bill Chou Kwok-ping, assistant professor at the University of Macau's government and public administration department, agreed the local political situation has reached an impasse. Macau's chief executive was elected by a 300-member election committee, comprised mainly of pro-Beijing and business people, Chou noted. He also described the Legislative Assembly as not playing an effective role, since it sides with government and business interests. Under such an undemocratic system, government policies currently favor a small group of people with vested interests and prevent the public from enjoying the fruits of a flourishing economy, Chou said. Addressing unregulated labor importation, illegal workers, inflation and governance issues might not be enough to satisfy the masses, he continued, but it would be better than nothing. Meanwhile, Father Chung said the local Church is a small player in society and can do very little to help resolve such problems. "In the days of Portuguese rule, the Church and local government had a partner relationship, and Church leaders sometimes advised the government on policies," he acknowledged, but this role diminished after Macau reverted to Chinese rule in 1999. "Now, it is more important for the laity to participate actively in politics and local government," he declared. Macau diocese has about 20,000 Catholics, mostly Chinese, Filipinos and Macanese of mixed Chinese and Portuguese ancestry. This amounts to 4.2 percent of the 480,000-strong population. The local government estimated the number of employees to be about 276,000 by the end of 2006. Ng estimates that the number of imported workers exceeds 66,000. On May 1, police fired five shots in the air when the workers' rally turned violent. Police said 2,400 people took part in the demonstration but rally organizers put the number at 10,000. Some protesters called for Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah to step down. A bullet struck a 50-year-old passerby's shoulder as he was riding with his son on a motorcycle 300 meters from the rally area. A local government statement on May 1 evening denounced protesters for violating the law during the rally. "The police have taken appropriate measures to handle the situation to maintain social order," it said. During the 2006 May Day rally, clashes occurred when police prevented some 2,000 protestors from changing their route so as to approach the local government headquarters. END Related UCAN Reports MACAU Legislator, Other Catholics Want More Evenly Allocated Social Resources (September 27, 2005) MACAU Church Should Focus On Social Concerns Arising From New Gambling Scenario (March 25, 2002) MACAU Catholic Schools Should Do More To Promote Social Justice (October 5, 2001) MACAU Catholic Legislator Stages Sit-In To Protest Triad Violence (May 22, 1998) PM02408.1443 May 4, 2007 56 EM-lines (619 words) PHILIPPINES    Catholic Group Remembers Beheaded Fellow Member For 'Bravery' ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Wearing white shirts embossed with the word "Braveheart," about 30 members of a Catholic renewal movement offered prayers at the burial of their fellow member who was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf extremist group. The April 27 funeral Mass for 23-year-old Roger Francisco, who belonged to Couples for Christ (CFC), drew about 300 mourners to Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Upper Calarian village, Zamboanga City, 850 kilometers south of Manila. He was one of seven men kidnapped and beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf Muslim extremist group. Fellow CFC members likened Francisco to Scottish national icon William Wallace, who about 700 years ago fought for Scotland's independence, only to be beheaded by English soldiers. Similar to Wallace in the 1995 movie Braveheart, Francisco was considered a "brave" man, said his uncle, Rizalino Francisco, a former unit head of CFC, a worldwide Catholic movement for renewing and strengthening family life. Rizalino told UCA News on May 3 he encouraged other CFC members to wear any of the movement's shirts for the burial but was surprised that most of them wore the shirt that carried the word "Braveheart." He said, "I think they wanted to refer to my nephew as someone who was brave and had sacrificed so much for his family, only to be killed in that manner." The Abu Sayyaf on April 15 kidnapped Francisco and six other men working on a road project of Governor Benjamin Loong in Jolo, Sulu province, southwest of Zamboanga City. The rebel group initially asked the governor to pay five million pesos (about US$105,300) ransom for his workers, but when no payment came after five days, the extremists beheaded the men and scattered their remains along the highway where they had worked. Government soldiers later recovered the bodies. Edwina Aracon, a CFC leader, told UCA News Francisco was a "good" Catholic and has been actively involved in the movement before leaving the city to find a job. Aracon said that Francisco's "courage" led him to look for a job in Sulu, an active operations base of the Abu Sayyaf, tagged a terrorist group by the Philippine and United States governments. She added CFC members prayed the rosary for nine days prior to the burial as part of the memorial service for Francisco. CFC members from Zamboanga City have accompanied Francisco's family and relatives during the burial, and have provided financial assistance to his wife, Lisa, and their two-year-old daughter, according to Aracon. Lisa told UCA News at the burial that her husband's job as a truck driver "paid a little more than anything he could find in the city," and despite the danger he decided to work in Sulu. The couple joined CFC soon after they got married in 2004. They attended Bible study classes held in the homes of fellow CFC members, joined liturgical services and participated in community projects, she said. The widow believes her husband was "tortured" before he was killed "because his chest bone was broken and there were wounds on his nose and back and his hands were tied together." Father Allan Sasi, who led the Mass, said in his homily that Francisco has "gained the crown of martyrdom, just like Jesus." Therefore, "we are not celebrating a funeral Mass, but a Mass of resurrection," he declared. The priest referred to the biblical words written on the shirts of the CFC members: "Fear not, I am with you." The Abu Sayyaf has been involved in kidnapping and beheading foreigners and Filipinos alike. The military launched Operation Plan Ultimatum on Aug. 1, 2006, to "neutralize" the group in Sulu, where its leaders purportedly fled following military operations on Basilan Island, just south of Zamboanga. END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code PM02408.1443 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports PHILIPPINES Bishop Says Death of Abu Sayyaf Leaders Brings No Guarantee of Peace (January 24, 2007) PHILIPPINES Church Leaders Air Concern Over Telecast of Abu Sayyaf Beheadings (February 22, 2002) PV02413.1443 May 4, 2007 57 EM-lines (585 words) PHILIPPINES    Church Calls For Intensified Prayers Amid Rising Election Violence CEBU CITY, Philippines (UCAN) -- Church leaders in the Philippines are urging more prayers for a peaceful election, as the death toll from election-related killings reached 75. A day after the May 2 assassination of Mayor Regelio Ilustrisimo, Sr. of Santa Fe town in Cebu City, Cebu archdiocese released a pastoral letter that demands the killings "must stop." Ilustrisimo, who was running for re-election, had just attended a disqualification hearing at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office in Cebu, 565 kilometers southeast of Manila, when a lone gunman shot him twice. Auxiliary Bishop Julito Cortes of Cebu prepared the statement together with Monsignor Robert Alesna and Marilou Chiongbian, both of whom are leaders of Cebu-Citizens' Involvement and Maturation in People's Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel), a Church-based election watchdog. "As the countdown to the May 14, 2007 election continues, it seems that those with bloody intentions also continue their grim countdown," says the statement made while Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu was still in Rome. The archdiocesan statement also calls on all political rivals to "desist from taking things into their (own) hands," emphasizing that "human lives are more important than temporary political positions and power." Monsignor Achilles Dakay, archdiocesan media officer, told UCA News on May 3 local Catholics have been praying an oratio imperata (required prayer) for "clean, honest, violence-free and credible elections," as requested by Cardinal Vidal in a March 27 circular. The prayer, recited after Holy Communion at all Masses, started on April 8 and is set to continue until May 20, the Sunday after the election, Monsignor Dakay said. The prayer reads: "That we may regard the national and local elections as a timely opportunity to transform society by electing wise, capable and upright leaders who will lead our beloved country." It also asks for moral renewal, lasting stability, prosperity and peace. In Cabanatuan diocese, based 100 kilometers north of Manila, Bishop Sofronio Bancud also urged Catholics to continue praying for peace in the diocese and the country. "Let us reject violence and work together to achieve peace," Bishop Bancud asked in a letter written in Filipino. The April 27 letter was released the day after an election rally in Jaen town resulted in a clash that killed a councilor and a policeman, apart from wounding 11 others. Police in Nueva Ecija province, where the diocese is based, reported four others were killed in the past two weeks. Bishop Bancud admitted that what happened in Jaen shows "there are many obstacles to peace in our community and our country" and "there is a greater challenge to promote it." COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos, who visited Cabanatuan on April 28, announced Nueva Ecija was now under COMELEC control to prevent further election violence. Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, who heads the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, had earlier called on Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) and parishes nationwide to organize "Holy Hours," or prayer vigils, from May 5 to 14, election day. In his April 24 pastoral exhortation, the prelate said "all acts of violence and cheating" must be condemned as "immoral." He also said, "Let us accompany with extreme vigilance and prayer the crucial period of campaigning, voters' education, transporting of election paraphernalia, poll watching, and very especially, the canvassing and reporting of the votes." According to Philippine National Police, of the 75 recorded election-related deaths, 36 were incumbents, seven were other candidates, 24 were supporters and eight were other people. It also tallied 82 people wounded due to politically motivated violence. END Related UCAN Reports PHILIPPINES Southern Church Leader Exhorts Filipino Voters To Hope And Act For Clean, Peaceful Polls (May 2, 2007) PHILIPPINES Politically Tense Northern Province Awaits Installation Of New Bishop (February 22, 2007) PHILIPPINES Poverty, Injustice Remain Top Church Concerns During Election Year (January 29, 2007) SR02395.1443 May 4, 2007 59 EM-lines (713 words) SRI LANKA    Troubled Youth Turn To Church In Times Of Difficulty COLOMBO (UCAN) -- Brittany James sits alone near the grotto of St. Joseph's Church. The 22-year-old does not consider herself particularly religious, but when she is troubled, she seeks sanctuary away from her family and those she says bully her. "I often visit the church and sit alone near the grotto, since it is quiet," James told UCA News. "To me, it is like I am home and someone up there is watching over me and would never let me down." Her church, in Ratmalana, just outside the capital, is the only place she feels "secure," and she is not alone. Priests and bishops have not counted the number of wayward or unhappy Catholic youths who have come to them, but they say dozens in a parish, perhaps thousands across Colombo. Faced with nagging families, difficult acquaintances and troubled lives, young people "seek sanctuary from the real world," as Bishop Marius Peiris puts it. The auxiliary bishop of Colombo knows many young people who visit their parish priest or other clergy "whom they trust, to open their hearts." The Church offers guidance and programs on marriage, trauma, alcoholism and drugs. But sometimes youths just come looking for a sympathetic ear or a little breathing space, in the form of a priest or the quiet of the church. Damien Georgesz, 19, told UCA News he has been kicked out of home by his parents many times for drinking, smoking, chasing girls or other "wild behavior." But he does not get kicked out of his church, he said, referring to St. Mary's Nedimala Church in Colombo. He finds, like many of his friends, that the church is a place where he can be accepted, not judged. He can talk about anything with the priest, he says. Like James, Amanda Pereira finds she is often lonely, despite her late nights at nightclubs. "I am not a regular Massgoer, but a good friend of mine once told me that if ever I felt lost and lonely that I should head for the church," she told UCA News at St. Mary's Church in Dehiwela, just south of Colombo. Whenever Pereira is upset she goes to the parish priest, her confidant. "I know that no matter what trouble I get into, I can trust the Church to help me," she said. "I do not get lectures about going to hell. Instead I get friendship and trust, which is what matters to me." Many youths feel insecure and worried about life, and admonitions from parents and relatives that they are "going to hell" do not lessen their anxiety. One such troubled youth is Adrian Keller, 20. "I drink a lot on a daily basis and clubbing is in my veins," he said. "I also get into a lot of fights. I have tried to cut down on drinking, but try as I might I just cannot. It does make me feel guilty." Keller could not explain why he comes to St. Anthony's Parish in Mt. Lavinia, 10 kilometers south of Colombo, but he said the priests do not treat him as a lost cause. "I get advice too, but it is never harsh," he added. Father Jude Bernard, a trained youth counselor in Colombo, told UCA News he has noticed a trend of more and more young people seeking advice at parish churches the past 10 years. Many youths come for counseling, and the Church has trained priests and laypeople to handle this, he said. Father Ernest Poruthotha acknowledges that over the years, many youths have visited him to chat. "What they want is friendship and the security that they can be themselves and not be judged," according to the parish priest of St. Anthony's Church in Kirimatiyagoda, on the outskirts of Colombo. "Parents make the mistake of nagging youth about bad points. And of course, favoritism amongst siblings is another sore spot that causes disarray in the family," he continued. Bishop Peiris likewise said troubled youth visit him seeking advice and to confide misdeeds, but looking above all for friendship. "Young people are the future of the Church, and we must give them the assurance that they can come to us for support and consolation," he said. "We should give them time and patiently help them overcome their difficulties." END Related UCAN Reports SRI LANKA Catholic College Sends Its Students Out To March On War, Disunity And An Uncertain Future (April 3, 2007) SRI LANKA Catholic Youth Complain Church Not Giving Them Enough Attention (April 20, 2006) SRI LANKA Catholic Youth Campaign For More Involvement In Parishes (September 14, 2006) TH02372.1443 May 4, 2007 65 EM-lines (701 words) THAILAND    Religions Join In Honoring Thai King BANGKOK (UCAN) -- A Thai Church official led 50 Catholics in prayer at a "merit-making" festival commemorating King Bhumibol Adulyadej's coming 80th birthday and his 60th year on the throne. Laypeople and women Religious joined Father Joseph Phaisal Anamwat, general secretary of the Thai bishops' Catholic Commission for Interreligious and Cultural Dialogue, for the Catholic prayers during the April 17-22 celebration. Franciscan sisters from Ubon Ratchatani, northeastern Thailand, took part as did Lovers of the Holy Cross and St. Paul de Chartres nuns. Father Phaisal told UCAN News the festival gathered people of all religions to pay tribute to the king for always acting for the good of all Thais. "Economic problems and violence are threatening our country these days. So those of us who are Catholics and Thai citizens participate in any activity that brings social stability and unity. We go out of our way for people who have different religious beliefs, because they are our brothers and sisters," the priest added. Ruam Palang Thai Therdthai Ong Rachan (Thai people united to honor the king) was the theme of the government-organized the celebration at Sanam Luang (royal field), a 12-hectare field in central Bangkok where the king performs state functions. In Thai Buddhism, merit, gained through prayer, good deeds and sacrifice, counteracts misfortune and the negative effects of bad deeds. A person can direct the fruits of meritorious conduct for the benefit of another. During the six-day festival, events began daily at 6 a.m. with tributes and songs for the king. Every morning, alms were given to Buddhist monks, who in turn preached and performed sacred rituals, and chanted verses from scripture. Various government representatives presided at activities, paid tribute to the king and led songs. A special religious program on April 17 drew more than 2,900 Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. The Catholic session began with the singing of hymn. Next came a Scripture reading, Saint Paul's famous exhortation on love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3), followed by prayers beseeching God for the king's happiness, health and long reign, and for peace in Thailand. The session ended with another hymn. An altar set up for the service held two candles and a picture of the king. In front of the altar was a wooden crucifix. St. Paul de Chartres Sister Michelle Wongwai was one of the Catholics present. "My heart fills with happiness that I was born in Thailand and have this great king, who devotes himself to his people. We all should be grateful," she told UCA News. "Besides praying with other, I will also do other good things such as helping people who are in need and giving smiles to everyone whom I meet," she said. "These seem to be small tasks, but I will do them with a sincere and grateful heart." King Bhumibol was born on Dec. 5, 1927. On June 9, 1946, he ascended to the throne as King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri dynasty. Almost 61 years later, he is the world's longest-reigning monarch. Thailand is one of 25 countries that still have a king as head of state. The kingdom has been governed by 49 kings, through eight dynasties since 1238. King Si Intharathit established the first dynasty, Phra Ruang. Over time a set of ruling principles was codified as Thotsaphit Ratchatham (ten principles of royal conduct). These Buddhist-derived moral principles of good governance include charity, diligence, endurance, gentleness, honesty and justice. Even though the absolute monarchy changed to a constitutional monarchy on June 24, 1932, the king remains the refuge of all Thai people, the symbol of national unity and the protector of all religions. King Bhumibol has contributed to people's welfare through personal initiatives and foundations under his patronage, and through a philosophy of self-sufficient economics, which last year earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United Nations Development Program. He has initiated flood-control, housing, irrigation and rainmaking programs. Besides the events at Sanam Luang, local government units in all 77 provinces of Thailand, civic and religious groups are organizing commemorative programs. A nationwide blood drive is among the activities. The government of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra organized a merit-making event for the king in 2005. END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code TH02372.1443 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports THAILAND Catholics Ask About Interreligious Limits, Eucharist At Lenten Retreat (March 14, 2005)