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Content about UCAN Column

December 14, 2010
O Wait, O Wait

It is ironic that he would not wait in a season that is all about waiting. The word “advent” means “coming,” but the Lord does that. Our part in the season is waiting “in joyful hope” to welcome his coming. And not just in this season.

A friend complained that his parish had not used the hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel on the first Sunday of Advent. I tried explaining that the hymn is not legitimately used until December 17, when the focus of Advent’s prayers and readings shifts to preparing for Christmas. He did not care for liturgical or theological niceties, however. He wanted his favorite hymn, and he was not willing to wait for it.

November 15, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI's Message for G-20 Summit

The meeting about to take place in Seoul of Heads of States and Government of the world's twenty-two leading economies together with the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization, the Presidency of the European Union and some regional Organizations, as well as the leaders of various specialized Agencies, is not only of global importance but also clearly expresses the significance and responsibility which Asia has acquired on the international scene at the beginning of the 21st century.

Mr. President,

October 18, 2010
Rediscovering Catholic Journalism

The Catholic Press Congress at the Vatican may be over but the real mission begins now.

Having spent four days sharing concerns with Catholic journalists worldwide, I discovered many similarities shared by Catholics reporting for their local Church.

Is it possible to have a free Catholic press? Can the Church speak in the language of the younger generation? Will Catholic publications survive in today's' digital era?

August 9, 2010
Lord, Make Me an Instrument

Aug. 6 will mark the 65th anniversary of the first time a nuclear weapon was used in war.

Aug. 9 will mark the 65th anniversary of the last time a nuclear weapon was used in war.

Aug. 15 will mark the 65th anniversary of the end of the most extensive, destructive war in human history.

Those atomic bombs that exploded over Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended World War II, a war that had cost more than 60 million lives. Those horrible weapons saved hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, more.

July 12, 2010
The Age of Giants is Past

In Genesis we read, "There were giants on the earth in those days.... These were the heroes that were of old, warriors of renown.' The Scriptural reference is mythological, but for the Catholic Church in Asia there was, indeed, a time when there were giants on the earth, and they were bishops.

The recent death of Bishop Francisco Claver may have marked the end of that era.

June 27, 2010
Let's Follow Japan's Honest Lead

Disturbed by news of the sexual abuse of children by priests and religious in the United States and the failure of bishops there to respond properly, in 2002 the bishops of Japan investigated the situation here. In June of that year, they issued a statement on the sexual abuse of children.

May 31, 2010
Time For Asia's Bishops to Rise to Fresh Challenges

Akkad in Mesopotamia was the center of the world's first empire some 25 centuries before Christ. The Akkadian language outlasted the empire, becoming the language of several later cultures, including Babylonia.

Even 45 centuries later, we possibly still use a couple of words from that language in our day-to-day activities, words that may descend from the Akkadian words asu, "to ascend," and erub, "to descend." They were the roots of the words for "east" and "west," where the sun ascends and descends. In English, we pronounce them "Asia" and "Europe."