Denver Catholic

3 DENVER CATHOLIC | MARCH 7-13, 2015 DENVER CATHOLIC Vatican Notes A Syrian Catholic archbishop said the Islamic terrorist group ISIS has taken more than 300 Christians hostage, a rise in the origi- nal number of Assyrians and Chaldean Christians reported missing from villages on the Khabur River in Syria. Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo said that while the fi rst reports spoke of 90 seized, "now we can say that the hostages in the hands of the jihadists are around 350." The archbishop noted that in times of uncertainty, it's important to verify infor- mation and not to spread rumors. "The Christians who have fl ed from the villages of Khabur," he said, "tell us that during the assault of the jihadists, four Assyrian militants, members of the self-defense militia known as the Assyr- ian Sutoro were killed." He also reported news of another death. He said another Christian was burned death by the terrorists. "Another Christian must be added to the list who was burned to death because his shop was set on fi re by jihadists," Archbishop Hindo said. "Perhaps he was also armed and had tried to oppose those of the Islamic State. At the moment, there is no confi rmed news of more deaths." SOURCE: CATHOLICNEWSAGENCY.COM Chart-topping nuns to drop new Easter album Together with the joys of the Resurrection and feasting, this Easter will have an added delight: listening to the new album by the hit-making, Missouri-based Benedic- tines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. "Hopefully our recording will help bring many to a fuller awareness of the Easter season in its entirety," said Mother Cecilia, prioress of the community. The nuns' new album, "Easter at Ephesus," brings listeners through the Easter season, including Ascension and Pentecost. It was released March 3 and can be ordered from the nuns. It's the Benedictines' fourth album, which had made the cloistered commu- nity chart-toppers. The group has been Billboard's Best-Selling Classical Traditional Artist list for three years in a row. SOURCE: CATHOLICNEWSAGENCY.COM Canadian bishops 'very disappointed' in Supreme Court decision The unanimous deci- sion of the Supreme Court of Canada Feb. 6 to overturn the country's ban on physician-assisted suicide demonstrates the tendency in culture to "set individual rights over any other consideration," said the Canadian episcopal conference president. Archbishop Paul-André Durocher said Canada's Catholic bishops are "very disappointed" in the decision of the Supreme Court to "open the door" to physician-assisted sui- cide. The Court said that a fully consenting adult, who has a grievous and irremediable medical con- dition and which causes them "severe and intol- erable su" ering " has the right to physician-assisted suicide. "We were hoping the court would not go this way," said Archbishop Durocher. SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA.VA Pope to lapsed Catholics: It's never too late Fallen away Catholics are being invited to "come home" this Lent through a worldwide initiative led by Pope Francis. "This initiative is to let people know that it is never too late and there is always a way back," said Father Geno Sylva, o£ cial for the Vatican's new evan- gelization council. "So often, people are afraid to come back to church or to the sacrament of reconciliation for they feel that, since they have been gone for so long, there is no way back." The "24 Hours for the Lord" initiative is a yearly event on the fourth Friday and Saturday of Lent. In his 2015 message for Lent, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the Church would observe the initia- tive, saying it "is meant to be a sign of this need for prayer." SOURCE: CATHOLIC NEWSAGENCY.COM NEWS IN BRIEF Syrian Catholic archbishop says more Christians taken hostage Christian refugees, like this family of eight living in a construction site in Iraq, continue to fl ee the onslaught of ISIS militants raiding villages in Syria and Iraq. PHOTO BY INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN The Archdiocese of Denver takes allegations of sexual abuse of children very seriously and is committed to addressing each allegation with compassion and respect for all involved. To report an allegation of sexual abuse involving a child to the Archdiocese of Denver, contact the Victims Assistance Coordinator at 720-239-2832. To report an allegation of sexual abuse involving a child to civil authorities, use the child abuse hotline number. In addition to the referenced number below, reports also may be made to the local law enforcement agency. 1-844-CO-4-KIDS | 1-844-264-5437 CHILD ABUSE REPORTING PHONE NUMBER

• Cover