(Vatican Radio) Voters in the Philippines have been electing a new leader. The poll front-runner is Rodrigo Duterte whose tough talk on crime and drugs chimed with many voters' concerns. Although final results have not been officially declared, his opponents have conceded defeat.Duterte is a charismatic former city mayor whose presidential campaign was marked by blunt language.Listen to Alastair Wanklyn’s report: Rodrigo Duterte promised to target kidnappers and thieves. In the case of drug addicts, he said “either you will kill me or I’ll kill you, idiots.”Dutertes is seen as tapping frustrations with corruption and violence in a state that's too poor to help many of those in poverty. He has talked of suspending the Philippine parliament to get things done.Critics point to allegations by human rights activists that Duterte condoned or even encouraged killings by armed vigilante groups while he was mayor of Davao city.Crime levels went down during t...
(Vatican Radio) Voters in the Philippines have been electing a new leader. The poll front-runner is Rodrigo Duterte whose tough talk on crime and drugs chimed with many voters' concerns. Although final results have not been officially declared, his opponents have conceded defeat.
Duterte is a charismatic former city mayor whose presidential campaign was marked by blunt language.
Listen to Alastair Wanklyn’s report:
Rodrigo Duterte promised to target kidnappers and thieves. In the case of drug addicts, he said “either you will kill me or I’ll kill you, idiots.”
Dutertes is seen as tapping frustrations with corruption and violence in a state that's too poor to help many of those in poverty. He has talked of suspending the Philippine parliament to get things done.
Critics point to allegations by human rights activists that Duterte condoned or even encouraged killings by armed vigilante groups while he was mayor of Davao city.
Crime levels went down during the 22 years he was in charge. And that record is what he campaigned on in the presidential election.
There was a swell of support for a candidate who comes from outside the establishment. Some voters said they believe it's time for a maverick.
Internationally, Duterte said he wants to repair relations with China. He has proposed a regional summit to discuss disputed islands, and suggested that all sides take a step back and agree to leave the disagreement on ice.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said on Tuesday that the Church will work with the new government. In a statement, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan urged newly elected officials to see their success not as a popularity contest but as God calling them to service for the weakest and most distressed.
null / Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via ShutterstockACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on April 19 condemned the kidnapping and murder of a catechist in Burkina Faso, West Africa.In a news brief, ACN informed ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, that catechist Edouard Yougbare was kidnapped on Thursday night by "terrorists, and his lifeless body was found near Zigni this morning."According to other local sources, along with Yougbare, who was a member of Saatenga parish in Fada Gourma, Burkina Faso, more people were kidnapped and murdered."We are heartbroken by the loss of Yougbare. He served his community faithfully and his death is a devastating blow for the people of Saatenga," lamented Spaniard María Lozano, press and public relations director of ACN International."Catechists in Burkina Faso are on the front lines, risking their lives for the good of their people. Just two months ago, ano...
Pope Francis addresses the faithful at his Wednesday general audience on March 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Apr 19, 2024 / 10:07 am (CNA).In the latest move in Pope Francis' reform of the Vatican judiciary, the pope issued a new motu proprio on Friday on the retirement age and benefits for cardinal judges and magistrates in the Vatican's court system.The April 19 motu proprio states that Vatican magistrates will retire at the end of the judicial year in which they turn 75 and cardinal judges at the age of 80, unless Pope Francis asks them to remain in office beyond the age limit.Magistrates and judges who wish to resign from office before the retirement age can only do so with the approval of the pope.The pope also has the prerogative to dismiss magistrates unable to fulfill their duties at any time. Upon the termination of their duties, magistrates will retain the rights to assistance and welfare provided to Vatican citizens and employees.The motu proprio, wh...
Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow announced on April 14, 2024, the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017. / Credit: The Helena Kmiec FoundationACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow, Poland, announced the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017.The prelate said that after the preliminary phase began in December 2022, he made the decision to officially open the process for Kmiec after having consulted the Polish Bishops' Conference and receiving the go-ahead from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints."With this edict I call on all those who have any document, letter, or information about the Servant of God, both positive and negative, to send them to the Metropolitan Curia of Krakow before June 30," the archbish...
