cross connections

The Catholic community in the Diocese of El Obeid -Sudan, under the leadership of his lordship Michael Didi, Coadjutor Bishop of El Obeid celebrated Mass on the 10th October 2010, the Feast of St. Daniel Comboni - First Catholic Bishop of the Sudan who was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II on 5 October 2003. The Eucharistic celebration, held at St. Daniel Comboni’s chapel in El Obeid (Our Lady queen of Africa parish) was presided over by Bishop Didi and co-celebrated by priests from El Obeid, Christian faithful from the Catholic Church as well from other Christian denominations. The attendance was estimated - by the diocesan PALICA Coordinator - to be more than 500 people. In his homily, Bishop Didi stated the great vision, life and work of saint Daniel Comboni. He advised that priests should know that the future of the people was in their hands as religious people and that they should take good care of their people.

Deng Majok succeeded his father Kwol Arob, as Paramount Chief of the Ngok Dinka of Abyei in 1943 and reigned until his death in 1969. He is widely recognized as one of the most prominent tribal leaders who contributed effectively to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in Sudan’s volatile North-South border area, where warrior African and Arab tribes come in contact, interact, and often clash in competition over scarce natural resources. Working in close partnership with his Arab counterpart, Babo Nimir, Paramount Chief of the Missiriya Arab tribes, Deng Majok succeeded remarkably in ensuring peaceful coexistence and cooperation between the two communities. Deng Majok was also an innovator who brought to his area the benefits of the market economy, health care, veterinary services, modern education, and a credible administration of justice. But perhaps the most unique aspect of Deng Majok’s life was his profile as a family man. He married over two hundred wives from all...

John Paul II   The late Pope John Paul II was moved a major step closer to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church on Friday when his successor approved a decree attributing a miracle to him. The move by Pope Benedict means that John Paul, who died in 2005 after a papacy of nearly 27 years, will be beatified. Beatification is the last step before sainthood. The ceremony will take place on May 1 in Rome. Sr. Marie Simon-Pierre   Church officials have said the miracle attributed to the intercession of Pope John Paul with God concerned Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, a 48-year-old French nun diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, from which Pope John Paul himself suffered. She said her illness inexplicably disappeared two months after his death after she and her fellow nuns prayed to him. Church appointed doctors agreed that there was no medical explanation for the curing of the nun. Another miracle occurring after the date of the beatification ceremony — which will confer th...