Pope amends Roman church law to allow women read at mass; but still cannot be priests

 In a step towards greater equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during mass, but reaffirmed they cannot be priests.

Francis amended the law on Monday to formalize what is common practice in many parts of the world: that women can read the Gospel and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers.

By introducing the change in the Code of Canon Law, it will be impossible for conservative bishops to block women in their diocese from having those roles. Previously, such roles were officially reserved for men, even though exceptions were made.

In the decree, called Spiritus Domini (The Spirit of the Lord), Francis said he had taken his decision after theological reflection and was making the change to increase recognition of the “precious contribution” women make in the church.

He said many bishops from around the world had said that the change was necessary to respond to the “needs of the times”.

But the Vatican stressed that these roles were “essentially distinct from the ordained ministry”, meaning that they should not be seen as an automatic precursor to women one day being allowed to be ordained priests.

The Vatican reserves the priesthood for men.

“The pontiff, therefore, has established that women can access to these ministries and they are attributed by a liturgical function that institutionalizes them,” the Vatican said in an explanatory note.

The changes come as Francis remains under pressure to allow women to be deacons - ordained ministers who perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals.

Francis has created a second study commission of experts to study whether women could be deacons, after a first one failed to reach a consensus.

Advocates for expanding the diaconate to include women say doing so would give women greater say in the ministry and governance of the church, while also helping address priest shortages in several parts of the world.

Opponents say allowing it would become a slippery slope towards ordaining women to the priesthood.

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Source: News agencies

Corona Voice - Angola. The tok show with Sofonie Dala. Don't Miss Out! Day 38

 Our Corona Voice show is ongoing. Day 38

With the covid-19 pandemic in our daily lives we've all had to adjust to a new way of life. However, it is thought young people are being particularly affected by the restrictions.

Our today's guest is João, he will share with us the impact of covid-19 on his life.

Hello my name is João Celatita, I am a musician from the ''firefighters group''. I'm here to talk about the covid-19 and the impact it has had on my life.

Well, covid-19 came to teach some things, and life is not going so well because of this pandemic. This was disgraceful but it also came to teach people how to save money.

How did the covid-19 affect your studies, your family and finances?

Well, it was very complicated, I stopped studying, I am unemployed, my family is broke. We are praying God to do miracles in our lives.

Are you following the coronavirus prevention measures?

Yes, I always wash my hands with water and soap, disinfect them with alcohol and always use the mask.

Could you tell us at least one good thing that Covid-19 brought to your life?

I will not say just one point. This disease caused a lot of problems but it also taught me good life lessons and made me more mature.

João was with us in the beginning of the program. Do you remember him?

Click here to see his first show:

https://sofoniedala.blogspot.com/2021/01/corona-voice-angola-tok-show-with_3.html

 

This is the first and the only Coronavirus show in Angola where the most ordinary citizens show their brilliant talents.

The heroes of the program are the most ordinary citizens - they share with the audience their songs, poems and real stories of how the Coronavirus pandemic affected their lives.

We launched the “Corona Voice show” campaign to provide a space for young women and men around Angola to share their views, experiences and initiatives.

FIND SOMEONE TO SPONSOR TODAY

Your sponsorship will help the most affected people by covid-19 to take the first step out of poverty.

Click here to watch free full webisodes: https://coronavoice-angola.blogspot.com/

Africa Educates Her Campaign - Angola. Season 3. Don't Miss Out! Webisode 24

 Our girls back to school campaign is live in Angola. Day 24

Helping children and young people cope with the changes caused by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) means providing accurate information, discussing facts without causing undue alarm, and re-establishing routines.

Our today's guest is Estefania, she will share with us the impact of Covid-19 on her academic life.

Interview with Estefânia

Hello! how are you?

Hi, I'm fine thanks.

What is your name?

My name is Estefania

How old are you?

I am 6 years old.

Estefania do you study?

Yes, I study in the first grade.

Why don't you go to school anymore?

I don't go to school because of the coronavirus.

What is coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a disease.

Being at home, have you done anything to continue learning?

Yes, I have been receiving some topics and exercises to solve at home.

Isn't it difficult?

It's hard.

Do you want to go back to school?

Yes I want.

Why?

Because I miss my classmates and my teachers.

Have you been following the coronavirus prevention measures?

Yes I do.

I wash my hands with water and soap, disinfecting them with alcohol gel and use face mask.

Ok bye!

The COVID ‑ 19 pandemic is harming health, social and material well-being of children worldwide, with the poorest children, including homeless children and children in detention, hit hardest. School closures, social distancing and confinement increase the risk of poor nutrition among children, their exposure to domestic violence, increase their anxiety and stress, and reduce access to vital family and care services.

Click here to watch free full webisodes: https://she-leads.blogspot.com/

We launched this campaign to ensure that every girl is able to learn while schools are closed and return to the classroom when schools safely reopen. Everyone can play a role in supporting girls ’education - whether you’re a teacher, parent, student, journalist, policymaker, or simply a concerned citizen.

Don't miss this opportunity to bring girls back to school. Tell us your story!

Do you have a personal experience with the coronavirus would you like to share? Or a tip on how your town or community is handling the poverty among women?

FIND SOMEONE TO SPONSOR TODAY

Your sponsorship will help the most vulnerable girls and women to take the first step out of poverty.

Government of ​Brunei Darussalam Scholarships 2021/2022 for Foreign Students (Fully Funded to Brunei)

 Application Deadline: 15 February 2021

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to invite applications for the Government of Brunei Darussalam Scholarship under the above Scholarship Award Scheme for the 2021/2022 academic session.

Tenable in Brunei Darussalam, the scholarship award provides applicants with the opportunity to undertake Diploma, Undergraduate Degree and Postgraduate Master's Degree

Requirements

We are a family owned and operated business.

Applicants must be, between the ages of 18-25 for Undergraduate and Diploma programs and must not exceed the age of 35 for Postgraduate Master's Degree programs on the 31st July 2021.

The award is NOT eligible to Brunei Darussalam Permanent Residents.

Benefits

The scholarship recipient will be facilitated with the benefits of the scholarship as follows:

i) exemption from paying tuition fees including acceptance, examination, registration and orientation fees for the duration of the program;

ii) an economy class air-ticket to Brunei Darussalam from the scholarship recipient's country of origin / country of domicile prior to the commencement of the course and an economy class air-ticket from Brunei Darussalam to the scholarship recipient's country of origin / country of domicile upon completion of the course;

iii) a monthly personal allowance of BND $ 500.00;

iv) a monthly meals allowance of BND $ 150.00;

v) an annual book allowance of BND $ 600.00;

vi) accommodation at the residential college of the University / Polytechnic;

vii) baggage allowance for shipment of the scholarship recipient's personal effects to his country of origin / country of domicile upon completion of the program, at a maximum amount of:

· BND $ 250.00 to a country within the ASEAN region; or

· BND $ 500.00 to a country outside the ASEAN region;

Click here to apply:  http://bit.ly/3hRR6SQ

Gov Labs by NED Incubation Program 2021 for Civil Society Organizations ($2,500 worth of equity-free funding)

 Application Deadline: February 6th 2021 

GovLab is a 12-week program designed to identify, select, and support organizations that develop innovative and practical solutions to enhance good governance and public service delivery.

This program is designed to enhance citizen engagement, government accountability, and transparency by finding solutions that foster wide-scale access to public services. These innovations would primarily address pain points that militate against effective implementation and enforcement of human rights and rule of law by government officials and its representatives at the local, state, and national levels. Selected participants will then engage stakeholders to get a deeper understanding of the issues and be supported through a mentorship program to develop solutions that meet the objectives of the program.

Requirements

Solution improves services

Solution can be adopted easily

Solution should leverage technology

Idea / solution solves a clearly defined pain point

Solutions show scalable impact

The solution should provide data capturing abilities

Citizens should prioritize new solution over what already exists

Benefits

Why you should apply

Grant

Get up to $ 2,500 worth of equity-free funding

Deals

Get discounts and free offers from our partners

Business Advisory

Get access to a pool of mentors and business experts

Strategic Partnerships

Access to a network of partners

Click here to apply: http://bit.ly/3ntbPNM

Rise Global Talent Program 2021 for young emerging Leaders

 Application Deadline: January 29th 2021 

Rise is a global talent program that finds extraordinary young people who need opportunity and supports them for life as they use their talents to serve others.

An initiative of Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust, Rise will build a global community of future leaders, connecting everyone who applies with a network of peers, learning resources, and additional opportunities from Rise partners around the world. Each year, Rise will select 100 Global Winners, ages 15 to 17, and provide them with individualized support throughout their lives as they commit their talents to building a better world. Winners will receive need-based financial support for university and internships, mentorship and career services, and access to funding to scale up their social impact throughout their careers.

Requirements

Anyone between the ages of 15 and 17, from any country, with any background, passionate about any topic, and dedicated to building a better world.

Benefits

Each year, 100 Rise Global Winners will receive a lifetime of individualized support as they use their talents to build a better world.

Winners will receive need-based financial support for university and internships, gain access to mentorship and career services, and be able to compete for funding to scale up their social impact.

Click here to apply: http://bit.ly/3s3RClr

The France - South Africa Scholarship Programme 2020/2021 for young South Africans to study in France (Fully Funded)

 Application Deadline: 20 January 2021 

The France - South Africa Scholarship Program is directed to South African students who intend to study in universities or higher education institutions in France for their Master’s degree or PhD.

This call for application is open for students who intend to start their studies in France in September 2021. The deadline for online application will be on 20 January 2021. The list of the laureates and the waiting list will be announced in March. Due to the differences between the Southern and Northern hemisphere calendars, laureates will follow a specific track in South Africa from March to July 2021. This track will include online French courses organized by the network of the Alliances Françaises. It may also include an internship in French Companies based in South Africa, depending on the opportunities and the profile of each laureate

Benefits

The status of scholarship-holder of the French Government which includes social security, priority for accessing student housing, visa fee exemption and assistance offered by Campus France Paris.

The payment of tuition fees, not exceeding € 5000 per year.

A return flight ticket to France.

A monthly allowance (approximately 700 euros for master students and 1060 euros for PhD students).

An additional individualized accommodation aid (approximately 150 euros / month) can be obtained from the French Government.

Click here to apply: http://bit.ly/34EjO4B