Category: Diocese of Scranton News

HONESDALE – Amazed and overwhelmed.

Those are two words that Rev. William A. Asinari used to describe his feelings shortly after his Ordination Mass to the Priesthood on June 29, 2024.

“I am overwhelmed in the best way. All I can think of is God filling me with joy to the point where I overflow, and it doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t feel overwhelming in a negative way. It feels like you’ve just got blessing upon blessing and all you can really do is just sit in it and enjoy it,” Rev. Asinari said.

Hundreds of family members, friends, and fellow parishioners filled Saint John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale for the Ordination Mass. The Wayne County church is the place where Asinari grew up and first learned how to pray.

“I am overjoyed that the people who were here long before I was born, who’ve seen me since I was a little kid, who have watched me grow and have shaped me, get to be present for that moment where they can see the fruit of all of that throughout their lives and how much they cared and really supported me,” Rev. Asinari added.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant, homilist, and ordaining prelate for the Mass. The Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani, Ghana, along with many priests of the Diocese of Scranton concelebrated the liturgy.

“Bill, the priestly ministry that will be entrusted to you this day will bear fruit in your life and in the lives of those given to your care only if you understand that your ministry is a gift from God, that it is Jesus whom you must follow and proclaim, and that it is His life and example that you must make your own,” Bishop Bambera told Asinari during his homily.

Before the Bishop delivered his homily, Asinari was officially called forward.

Father Alex Roche, Diocesan Director of Vocations and Seminarians, testified that after inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those involved in Asinari’s formation, he has been found worthy of the Priesthood.

“As a priest, the Church will call you ‘another Christ.’ Remember well, however, that this title has little to do with rank or status among the People of God,” Bishop Bambera added. “Instead, it carries with it a perpetual challenge to be like Christ.

Always hold in your heart the same selfless commitment to love and service that so characterized Jesus’ ministry. Live with integrity the life of celibacy, obedience, and simplicity.”

Prior to the Prayer of Ordination being said by Bishop Bambera, Asinari lied prostrate on the floor of Saint John the Evangelist Church in a gesture of solemn petition. The people in attendance, through the intercession of all the saints, asked God’s blessing upon him.

After the Prayer of Ordination, Father Asinari was vested, his hands were anointed, he received a chalice and paten and was congratulated by all the priests in attendance with a fraternal kiss.

Among all those special moments, Father Asinari said the moment did not hit him until someone greeted him by saying “Congratulations Father.”

“I gasped. It didn’t hit me and just hearing it, it felt like someone acknowledging you for something far greater than what you are,” Father Asinari explained. “It’s as if someone walked up to someone on the street and addressed them as a king. It almost felt otherworldly.”

Upon the conclusion of the Mass, Father Asinari spent an hour greeting family and friends and providing personal blessings to those in attendance.

His first priestly blessing was given to his family.

“They have always been there for me. I learned faith from them. I learned how to pray from them. I learned everything along the way from them. If it hasn’t been for my mother and my father being open to me about this, I don’t know if I would have done it, but the love and support that they’ve shown over the years in the worst times and in the best of times, I wouldn’t trade it,” the newly ordained priest ended by saying.

SCRANTON – Four seminarians from the Diocese of Scranton pledged their intention to continue formation for the priesthood during a special Mass with the Rite of Candidacy at Marywood University on June 26, 2024.

Jeremy Barket of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Dupont, along with Jacob Mutchler, Jan Carlo Perez, and Cody Yarnall, all of Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg, each indicated their desire to continue forming their mind and heart to serve Christ and His Church during the special Mass.

“What candidacy represents is a seminarian recognizing that, while his discernment is not completed, he has come to a point where he feels reasonably confident that he’s called to be a priest and he’s ready to begin the process of not only discerning where God is calling him, but actually preparing for priesthood,” Father Alex Roche, Diocesan Secretary of Clergy Formation, explained. “On the flip side, candidacy also represents the Church saying we have spent sufficient time with this man, we’ve worked with him, and we’ve seen the gifts that God has given him, and as a Church, we believe that he could be a good candidate for priesthood.”

Perez first entered seminary in 2017. He said the Candidacy Mass is an important step on his journey to the priesthood.

“It was the first time I got to say, ‘I do,’” he explained. “It has been a long time coming for me.”

Perez was drawn to the Catholic faith after being inspired by the stories of different saints. After his first year in college, he transferred to the seminary after feeling called to the priesthood.

“I want to be more like Jesus. He’s the center of everything, He’s the center of reality and I feel like He wants me to be more like him,” Perez explained. “I want to be an example to people. I want to help people. I want to serve people. I want to be holy, and I want to help lead people into deeper union with Christ in the Eucharist especially.”

Mutchler, who just finished his second year of philosophical studies at Saint Vincent’s Seminary in Latrobe, has relied on God to lead the way up until this point.

“I really brought to prayer, ‘Lord, if this is what you want, grant that desire,’” Mutchler said. “I have really experienced through prayer and through affirmation of brother seminarians and formators that this really makes sense. It really just seems to be fitting given where I am in my life and my experiences.”

Yarnall expressed deep gratitude for all the support he has received up to this point and called the Rite of Candidacy a grace-filled moment.

“It’s a continuation of God’s commitment to us. His invitation to extend grace to us, to draw us along in formation and for us to respond in love and fidelity,” he said.

Barket acknowledged the importance of the Rite of Candidacy, indicating this is where many people believe seminarians are considered true candidates for the priesthood.

“I tried to run away from the idea of the priesthood for a long time, but it just kept coming back to me,” Barket said. “I would be in church, and I would start having peace. I would listen to certain homilies, and I used to say, ‘Why isn’t the priest talking about this? Why isn’t he talking about that? If I was up there, I would talk about this and this and this.’ I thought, oh, if I was up there, well, what does that mean?”

After moving back to Dupont from Pittsburgh at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barket felt called to enter the seminary.

“Every day I just trust that this is where God wants me. I’m excited to continue this journey,” he added.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist for the Candidacy Mass, which was held in conjunction with annual Quo Vadis and Fiat Days at Marywood University.

During his homily, the bishop encouraged each candidate to deepen their resolve to follow Jesus.

“We pray today that you will continue to open your hearts to the call of the Lord, most especially to take all that you have learned and will be shared with you during these times of formation and translate them into lives that are open to the People of God and are willing to walk with them,” Bishop Bambera said.

SCRANTON – Nearly 50 young adults spent part of their summer discerning God’s will in their life.

The Diocese of Scranton held its annual Quo Vadis retreat for young men in high school June 24-26 at Marywood University. For the first time ever this year, high school women were invited to participate in Fiat Days during the same period.

“It was an incredible program. The center of Fiat Days is trying to hear that call that we are given from our Lord,” Emily Frisbie of Saint Katharine Drexel Parish in Forest City, said. “I have seen these past three days the power of young people praying together and praying for each other.”

Participants in both the Quo Vadis and Fiat Days retreat had the opportunity to connect with priests and religious sisters, hear discernment stories and build new friendships with other students through sports, music, and small group discussions.

“I came in here worrying a lot about things. Taking this time to pray by myself and with other people, the power has alleviated the sense of worry,” Jayden Batoon of Saint John the Apostle Parish in East Stroudsburg, said. “Quo Vadis gave me a lot of insight from many different people of many different walks of life to help me sort out where I want to go.”

Defne Ramos, a parishioner of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Scranton, said the three-day retreat helped her grow closer to God.

“Nowadays there are not a lot of teenagers that like to go to church. Some do really bad stuff. But coming here and seeing so many other people that want to get closer to God and learn more things made me realize that I’m going on the right path, and I think those are the real people you should stay beside,” Ramos explained.

In all, 28 young men and 19 young women participated in this year’s programs.

“It was an amazing opportunity to have so many young Catholics in one space to share their faith together. We don’t get that opportunity enough,” Michael McIlvried of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore, explained.

The young adults also got a chance to celebrate Mass with the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, and meet the Diocese of Scranton’s ten seminarians who are discerning the possibility of becoming a priest.

Raymond Full, a parishioner of Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg, has thought about the possibility of becoming a priest himself.

“I think there is something in me that is really attracted to that and I can’t explain it other than it is God-given, that he instilled that there and I think there is a certain beauty about it that is attractive to me and I’m very fond of,” he said.

The cost to attend the three-day camp was only $25 for students. Because of donations to the Diocesan Annual Appeal, the Vocations Office can put on these important events.

“I was very grateful to have so much time to do the Divine Office. It was really beautiful to take that time,” Marcellina Cavalier of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Brodheadsville, added.

SCRANTON — Young Dave Bohr answered “the call” some 60 years ago and he has never stopped.

Monsignor David Bohr’s calling to become a priest came to fruition on Dec. 11, 1971, when he was ordained for the Diocese of Scranton, and the “calls” just kept coming.

As he steps down as Diocesan Secretary for Clergy Formation, Director of the Permanent Diaconate & Continuing Formation of Priests, and rector of Villa Saint Joseph home for retired priests, the time has come to reflect upon a priesthood overflowing with unparalleled scholarship, pastoral ministry and administrative leadership.

A mere glance of the curriculum vitae of Monsignor Bohr reads like the index of a history book on the Scranton Diocese.

On more than 20 occasions, Father/Monsignor David Bohr was called upon to serve in a plethora of assignments for the past 52 years — covering an expanse of time that undeniably proved his faithful service and loyalty to his home Diocese and five of the ten Bishops who have headed our local Church.

From assistant chancellor to high school catechist, hospital chaplain to religious education director, seminary rector to Cathedral pastor — and a smattering of assignments in between — Monsignor Bohr has faithfully gone where few Catholic priests have gone before.

Along the way, he also served the Universal Church in a key administrative position at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. His return to the Eternal City stirred memories of his priestly formation and seminary studies at the Pontifical Lateran University and Pontifical Gregorian University.

Rome was also setting for the successful defense of Monsignor Bohr’s doctoral dissertation, leading to the conferral of his Doctorate in Moral Theology a few short years after his ordination.

Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, the most recent Bishop of Scranton Monsignor Bohr has closely ministered with, may have said it best.

In extending his profound gratitude, and that of the entire Diocese, on the occasion of Monsignor’s recent retirement, Bishop Bambera said of his longtime colleague, “It is very hard to sum up 50-plus years of very active ministry of writing, reflecting and teaching. As I look at the number of individuals you have touched, from priests to permanent deacons to religious to lay faithful, in many respects you, more than most any of us, have touched people’s lives and drawn them and given them the ability to come closer to the Lord than any of us could ever hope for or imagine.”

Most notably, Monsignor’s leadership ability and theological acumen were called upon when he was chosen as founding director of the Diocese’s Religious Education Institute, Office of Evangelization, and Office for the Permanent Diaconate.

As he wryly related, “I served twice as director of continuing formation of priests and three times as director of permanent diaconate formation. I tell people, ‘They figured if they gave me these positions enough times, I would finally get them right.’”

A prolific writer, Monsignor Bohr is the author of four books, the most recent — The Diocesan Priest: Consecrated and Sent — receiving the 2010 Catholic Book Award from the Catholic Press Association.

“I am truly grateful for all the wonderful people I have met and have gotten to know along the way,” Monsignor shared. Forever the teacher, he offered one last important lesson upon his departure: “Pope Francis likes to speak of Christ knocking on the door of our heart; not to get in, but to get out to welcome and serve others. I pray that we all can spend the rest of our lives doing just this.”

The positions vacated by Monsignor Bohr will now be filled by Father Mark DeCelles as Director of the Permanent Diaconate Program; Father Ryan Glenn, Director of Continuing Education of Priests; and Father Alex Roche, Secretary for Clergy Formation.

 

SCRANTON – During their 50 years of marriage, John and Fran DiGregorio have experienced many ups and downs, but they have always worked to keep the Catholic faith at the center of their lives.

From their early days as newlyweds – when their premature son spent six months in intensive care – to more recent times when a football-size tumor was removed from John’s kidney, the Shohola couple has often turned to God for help.

“God has really been with us,” Fran said. “Now, we’re here to say thank you!”

On Sunday, June 23, 2024, the DiGregorios were one of 135 couples that attended the 2024 Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. The Mass recognizes couples who are celebrating their 25th and 50th anniversaries.

“It was glorious to see couples of all ages and at all points in their marriage,” Linda Romano of Matamoras said.

Linda and Peter Romano, parishioners of Saint Joseph Parish, are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

“You could just feel the love, joy and everyone’s happiness celebrating together. I really enjoyed it. It was quite the celebration and I’m grateful that we have this available to us,” Linda added.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, served as principal celebrant and homilist for the special Mass. In welcoming the couples to the Cathedral, the Bishop acknowledged that they are each a witness to “love, faith and the power of Christ at work in our lives.”

In all, the couples registered to attend the Mass signified 5,914 years of married life.
During his homily, Bishop Bambera noted that many of those times weren’t always blissful, but reflective of hard work, struggle, disappointment and fear.

“Your marriage has endured not because your years together have been perfect, but because you have come to see your marriage as part of something much bigger than yourselves – as part of the mystery of God’s love woven into creation – embraced in your lives and lived through God’s grace and mercy,” the bishop said.

Before ending his homily and asking each couple to renew their commitment to one another, Bishop Bambera asked each man and woman to look into the eyes of their spouse and think about how their relationship is sacred.

“For all that you have been through, realize how blessed you are to have each other,” he said. “For as familiar as those eyes are, see through them to discover the face of God abiding within the heart of the one you love and offer a prayer of thanks.”

The Wedding Anniversary Mass took on special significance for the Pender and Jackson families.

Donald and Margaret Pender, parishioners of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale, celebrated 50 years of marriage, while their daughter and son-in-law celebrated 25 years.

“It has all happened so quickly. The years went by so fast. We raised five children, and we were just busy raising them and building a home. My husband built a business. There have been ups and downs, but it has all been wonderful,” Margaret Pender explained.

William and Emily Jackson, who are currently living in West Virginia, made the four-hour drive to attend the Mass and celebrate with their parents.

“It was a nice opportunity,” William said. “It’s nice to see that people stay together and work through things.”

“It’s beautiful to see how people still look at each other with love in their hearts. I hope me and my husband can make it to our 50th (anniversary) too and be the same way,” Emily said with a smile.

SCRANTON – Ushu Mukelo came to the United States after spending 12 years in a refugee camp in Uganda.

Explaining that armed groups often take over small villages causing widespread poverty and chaos, Mukelo was happy to celebrate World Refugee Day at Nay Aug Park in Scranton on June 24, 2024.

“For us, as refugees, it is a day to get together, it is a day to remind us of those difficulties and it is a day to remember that resilience is real and if we are to continue to be human, we’re not supposed to forget the stories of our past,” Mukelo explained.

Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton works with the federal government to assist refugees resettling in northeastern Pennsylvania. The agency works with several other non-profit agencies to sponsor World Refugee Day each year.

“The main purpose is to celebrate that we’re here to help them to be a part of the community,” Joe Mahoney, CEO of Catholic Social Services, explained. “We invite them to partake in Scranton, to share with us.”

Fikile Ryder is the Director of Community for Catholic Social Services. She oversees the immigrant and refugee resettlement program.

“The United States has a history of immigrants that are building this country,” Ryder said. “Each one of them brings a special unique talent and they bring the diversity that reaches our country.”

During World Refugee Day, refugee communities share music, food, fellowship and personal stories.

“Refugees don’t come here because it is a choice that they make. They had to leave their homeland because of violence, persecution and war,” Julie Schumacher Cohen, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at The University of Scranton, said. “It’s really an enriching experience and the more that we can do to welcome them and learn from one another, the richer the community we are and the richer the country we are.”

Downpours during the event forced many attendees to seek shelter together under pavilions at the park – but many say that helped facilitate people talking to one another.

“Everyone was huddled under the gazebo. There were people from all different areas and walks of life talking to each other,” Ann Montoro Williams, Stewardship Manager with Friends of the Poor, said.

DORRANCE TOWNSHIP – Braving 90-degree heat, a total of 152 golfers gathered at Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club on July 8 for an annual tournament with a higher purpose: raising money to support seminarians and future priests of the Diocese of Scranton.

The picturesque greens of the Luzerne County golf course once again served as the setting for the Vocations Golf Classic – John Yourishen Memorial Tournament.

“It’s a different place to build up our church, a different way to get to know one another,” Rev. Alex Roche, tournament chair, explained. “As our number of seminarians starts going up, as it increases every year and we have more guys discerning and thinking about the priesthood and praying about the priesthood, it becomes more important to support them.”

The golf tournament raised more than $120,000 to support seminarian education expenses and pastoral training for those preparing to dedicate their lives to the service of others.

“This is a cause that everyone loves to support,” Sandra Snyder, tournament co-chair, added. “We have been coming to this course for years, so people know this tournament and they mark it on their calendars. It is one of those ‘save the date’ tournaments.”

The Vocations Golf Classic attracted a diverse group of players from every corner of our 11-county diocese, ranging from seasoned pros to enthusiastic amateurs, all united by their shared commitment to a worthy cause.

“My three guys carry me every year,” Deacon Carmine Mendicino joked. “I come to enjoy the company. I enjoy the weather and riding around and greeting people.”

Deacon Mendicino has attended the tournament since it started more than a decade ago.

“Over the years, the camaraderie builds on the golf course with all of the seminarians,” he added. “I look forward to it every year.”

Nicholas Wasko of Saint Ann Basilica Parish in Scranton, who was just accepted as the newest seminarian for the Diocese of Scranton, attended the tournament for the first time.

Although he had never golfed before, Wasko greeted golfers as they arrived at the registration tables and later hit the fairways with a group to get to meet those supporting the cause.

“To get to meet the supporters of the Vocations Office and supporters of the diocese in general, it is a great opportunity to connect,” Wasko said.

As the sun set on the tournament, participants gathered for a celebratory dinner and awards ceremony. While there were stories of great shots and friendly rivalries exchanged, the golfers celebrated the collective impact they made in supporting seminarian education.

Seminarian Cody Yarnall of Saint Matthew Parish in East Stroudsburg gave remarks on behalf of those who will benefit.

“I can speak on behalf of myself personally, and also the seminarians in the Vocations Office, when I say the financial support is invaluable, contributing to our formation as we progress towards priesthood,” Yarnall stated.

With plans already in motion for next year’s tournament, in the July 18 edition of The Catholic Light, a listing of all those who sponsored or contributed to the Vocations Golf Classic this year. In gratitude, we thank everyone who supports our seminarians!

(OSV News) – The newly released working document for the Synod on Synodality offers inspiration, while revealing the journey is far from over in realizing the fullness of the church’s mission, experts told OSV News.

On July 9, the Vatican’s General Secretariat of the Synod released the working document for the second session of the Synod on Synodality, which takes place at the Vatican Oct. 2-27. The document centers on the upcoming discussions on the topic of “how to be a missionary synodal church” — part of the synod’s governing theme of “communion, participation and mission.”

The working document, consisting of five sections, begins with a passage from Isaiah 25, in which the prophet presents what the document calls “the image of a superabundant and sumptuous banquet prepared by the Lord on the mountaintop, a symbol of conviviality and communion intended for all peoples.”

After an introduction that recaps the timeline of the synod, it outlines “the foundations of the vision of a missionary synodal Church,” noting that it does not intend to provide “a complete treatise on ecclesiology” but rather a reflection “placed at the service of the particular work of discernment” for the synod’s upcoming 2024 session in Rome.

The document then examines the relationships that sustain the church; the paths for nurturing such relationships, particularly formation, discernment, participatory decision-making and transparency; and the concrete contexts in which such relationships — ultimately nourished by the Eucharist — are found. The document also makes clear that “synodality is not an end in itself” or “an alternative” to the church’s communion with the triune God through the salvific work of Jesus Christ; rather, it is a way of living and working (“modus vivendi et operandi”) together as the church.

The text is an invitation “to reflect deeply upon the grace of our relationship to God, the Most Holy Trinity, and to one another as incorporated into Trinitarian life in Christ by the Spirit,” said Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine and lead coordinator for the synodal process in the U.S., in a July 9 statement issued by the USCCB.

Bishop Flores said that “these relations are practically lived out in our local communities and in the universal Church and are at the service of the mission.”

“The quality of our relations, rooted in charity, their theological and practical shape at all levels, are at the heart of synodal discernment and renewal in the church,” he added.

At the same time, the working document depicts “a typically abstract, high-brow summary of what should happen ideally, with little mention of what needs to happen developmentally for Catholics to become capable of functioning as a community at such a high level,” said Sherry Anne Weddell, co-founder and executive director of the Colorado-based Catherine of Siena Institute.

“It is a vision that would require great spiritual maturity of the majority and a much higher level of trust than is present at the moment,” Weddell, author of “Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus,” told OSV News.

In particular, Weddell reflected on several passages in part one of the working document (sections 27-31) that examine the charisms and ministries of the faithful. She noted that “the implementation of all that the church teaches and the synod is calling us to regarding our co-responsibility — as ordained and lay Catholics — for the church’s mission requires a higher level of personal and communal spiritual maturity than is true at present.”

“Answering the calls of God that come with these wonderful gifts is a job for spiritual adults,” Weddell said. “But most of our baptized people are still stuck in a spiritually passive infancy.”

Based on some three decades of experience in helping Catholics discern such gifts, Weddell estimated that “roughly 98% of all the charisms given to baptized Catholics are not yet being discerned and exercised.”

The main obstacle is that “most of our baptized people are not yet disciples and so their charisms — while objectively present — have not yet begun to emerge and manifest in real life,” she said.

But “when Catholic parishes and dioceses evangelize their own, the charisms just begin to pop,” Weddell said. “Ordinary Catholics start to undertake the most amazing initiatives and become the unexpected answer to so many people’s prayers.”

Jesuit Father James Martin, editor-at-large of America magazine, told OSV News the working document “sets out a broad plan for real listening, dialogue and progress in the church in the coming years.

“It proposes a truly ‘synodal’ church, that is, one that listens to all voices and discerns the invitation of the Holy Spirit in those voices,” he said. “As such, it should be a great sign of hope for those who have not felt included, welcomed or heard.”

Addressing that call to inclusion, Charleen Katra, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, told OSV News that she and her team “greatly appreciate the emphasis this document raises regarding the need for accessible liturgies.”

Commenting on section 12 — which urges “the renewal of liturgical and sacramental life, starting with liturgical celebrations that are beautiful, dignified, accessible, fully participative, well-inculturated and capable of nourishing the impulse towards mission” — Katra told OSV News that “for persons with disabilities to exercise his or her baptismal call and co-responsibility in the life of the church, it is imperative that the source and summit of our faith — the Eucharist — be fully accessible to all.

“When liturgical planning takes into account the needs of persons with autism, Down syndrome, mental illness, etc., an increase of sensory-friendly Masses being offered in parishes across the nation will become the norm,” she said. “Such advancements extend an authentic welcome to a community that is often underrepresented due to inaccessibility in parish life. It also supports the many gifts of persons with disabilities to bless and evangelize faith communities.”

Katra also spoke regarding section 34, which proposes the creation of “a recognized and properly instituted ministry of listening and accompaniment.”

“Accompaniment takes time,” said Katra. “And creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to be engaged in the life of the church takes intentionality as adaptations are often needed. All efforts are worthwhile as every effort honors the sacred dignity of the individual person.”

She added that “an increase of formation of clergy, religious, and lay ministers in disability and mental health ministry would greatly benefit the entire church.”

In the USCCB’s July 9 statement, Bishop Flores said that the document is not simply for those who will be at the synod’s next session in October.

“I encourage everyone to read and discern this document within your community in conversation with the insights and fruits of earlier local, national, and continental synodal consultations,” he said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis called on representatives from the world’s religions to unite behind the defense of human dignity in an age that will be defined by artificial intelligence.

“I ask you to show the world that we are united in asking for a proactive commitment to protect human dignity in this new era of machines,” the pope wrote in a message to participants of a conference on AI ethics which hosted representatives from 11 world religions.

Religious leaders representing Eastern faiths such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and Bahá’í, among others, as well as leaders of the three Abrahamic religions gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, for the conference, titled “AI Ethics for Peace.” They also signed the Rome Call for AI Ethics — a document developed by the Pontifical Academy for Life which asks signatories to promote an ethical approach to AI development.

Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the innovation ministry of the Italian government have signed the document. A July 10 press release from the academy said Franciscan Father Paolo Benanti, an ethics professor at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University, presented an addendum to the document in Hiroshima specifically focused on the ethical governance of generative AI — which can process, interpret and produce human language. The addendum said generative AI requires sustained commitment to ensuring its use for humanity’s good.

In his message to the conference published by the Vatican July 10, Pope Francis noted the “great symbolic importance” of the religious leaders’ meeting in Hiroshima and noted the increasingly central role which artificially intelligent technology plays in society.

“As we look at the complexity of the issues before us, recognizing the contribution of the cultural riches of peoples and religions in the regulation of artificial intelligence is key to the success of your commitment to the wise management of technological innovation,” he wrote.

Echoing his address on artificial intelligence to the G7 summit in June, the pope asked the participants to jointly push for the ban of lethal autonomous weapons, which “starts from an effective and concrete commitment to introduce ever greater and proper human control.”

“No machine should ever choose to take the life of a human being,” he wrote.

Opening the conference July 9, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, academy president, said that artificial intelligence “must be guided so that its potential serves the good from the moment of its design.”

“At Hiroshima, a place of the highest symbolic value, we strongly invoke peace, and we ask that technology be a driver of peace and reconciliation among peoples,” he said. “We stand here, together, to say loudly that standing together and acting together is the only possible solution.”

(OSV News) – A July 8 attack by Russia on a children’s hospital and other civilian targets throughout Ukraine is “a sin that cries out to heaven for revenge,” said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

At least 42 have been killed and some 190 injured as Russian bombers pummeled Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and numerous cities throughout the nation with more than 40 missiles and guided aerial bombs.

Among the sites struck was the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, where two adults died and about 50 were injured, including seven children. The hospital, which is the largest children’s medical facility in Ukraine, had just under 630 patients in its care at the time of the missile strike.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported on his X (formerly Twitter) account that one of those adult victims was 30-year-old Svitlana Lukyanchuk, a Lviv-born pediatric nephrologist.

With rescue efforts ongoing, the casualty count is expected to rise. July 9 was declared a day of mourning in Kyiv.

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, released a July 8 statement denouncing the strike.

“In the name of God, with all determination, we condemn this crime against humanity,” he said. “This is not only a crime against human laws and rules, international rules that tell us about the customs and rules of warfare. According to Christian morality, this is a sin that cries out to heaven for revenge.”

The strike — part of Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war against Ukraine — was “a cowardly act of a depraved man,” said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. “There are just no words.”

Archbishop Gudziak — who spoke to OSV News from an undisclosed location in Ukraine — noted that the name of the attacked children’s hospital means “protecting mothers and children” in Ukrainian.

Associated Press footage of the attack showed dozens of individuals digging through the rubble to free survivors, with bandaged hospital patients being carried in their mother’s arms to shelter.

The Holy See press office released a statement expressing Pope Francis’ expressed “great sorrow” over the attack.

The apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, told Vatican Radio shortly afterward that Russia’s strike on the hospital had targeted “the smallest of the smallest, the weakest of the weak.

“Why does someone continue to provide explanations for the war as if it could be justified for some reason?” he asked. “I do not know how … consciences can continue to do so.”

Ukraine President Volodmyr Zelenskyy called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council in response to the strike on civilian infrastructure, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Major Archbishop Shevchuk lamented that children who had come to the hospital for lifesaving treatment — some of whom were in kidney surgery and other medical procedures — “were mercilessly killed by Russian criminals.”

His statement, posted to the website of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, included an image from Ukraine public broadcaster Suspilne showing a surviving patient of the children’s hospital being carried in a woman’s arms. The child was covered in blood and dust, with medical tubes and tapes dangling, as a blood-streaked medical professional looked on.

“We saw how the doctors saved lives even with bloodied faces,” said the archbishop, adding that medical workers and volunteers were digging through the hospital’s wreckage “to save even those children whose hearts are beating there under the rubble.”

“Today we cry with all the victims,” said Major Archbishop Shevchuk. “Today we want to pray for all the dead, especially innocently killed children. Today, we want to wrap our Christian love around all the wounded, all those who are currently hurting the most.”

He concluded his statement with a prayer “for the protection and victory of the lives of our children and women.

“Merciful God, bless our long-suffering Ukrainian land with your just peace,” said Major Archbishop Shevchuk.

Reached by telephone July 8, two staffers at the Russian Embassy in Washington declined to comment to OSV News about the attack, with one promising to “check with colleagues” in the embassy’s press center regarding a possible statement, which OSV News has not yet received.

Two joint reports from the New Lines Institute and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights have determined Russia’s invasion — which continues attacks launched in 2014 — constitutes genocide, with Ukraine reporting more than 135,141 war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine since February 2022.

During its recent meeting in Bucharest, Romania, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing Russia’s 10-year aggression against Ukraine as genocide.