The Honorable Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6Fax: 613-992-6802 Dear Minister: I wish to bring to your attention the urgent case of Mr. Musa Sayed. Reports indicate that he is to be executed within a few days on charges of apostasy because of his conversion to Christianity some eight years ago. Mr. Sayed is an Afghani amputee who is currently in prison. He has worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross for some 15 years, and has specialized in fitting children with prostheses. He is a married man and the father of six young children. We urge the Government of Canada to express its condemnation of this religious persecution, and to intervene with the Government of Afghanistan for mercy and clemency for Mr. Sayed. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Sincerely, + Brendan M. O’Brien Archbishop of Kingston Chairman of the Human Rights Committee Canadian Conference of Catholic BishopsAFP also reported on Sayed's case and other Afghan Christians in imminent danger. More details on his arrest can be found here. The contact information for the minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as your local Member of Parliament, is available online.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life.
Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.
In this month of December, Pope Francis asks us to pray for pilgrims of hope: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.
We at Salt + Light Media are saddened to hear that Bishop Frederick Henry has recently died. We pray for the repose of his soul, for the Catholic community in Calgary and southern Alberta, and all who mourn.