Rome & the World: Nun tells of escaping terrorists • crypto donations in DC Archdiocese

Friday 16 September 2022
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1. Chilling story of nun who escaped from terrorists in Mozambique
2. Washington Archdiocese offers crypto option for donations
3. A Hungarian Cardinal to be Pope? 
4. Chinese president reportedly refused to see the Pope
5. Synod on synodality is a huge achievement
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It was almost 9:00 PM on September 6 when Maria de Coppi and Ángeles López, Italian and Spanish Comboni missionaries, both 82 years old, learned of the attacks by Islamist terrorists in two villages located about 20 kilometers from their mission in Chipene, Mozambique. Returning to her room, the Italian nun sent a voice message to her niece Gabriella Bottani, also a Comboni missionary and coordinator of the Talitha Kum network. "Pray for us, everyone is fleeing," the missionary said, before a gunshot rang out. The Italian nun was shot by terrorists who had seen her through the window, and her body was dragged into the street, while the mission and the Church were set on fire. Her Spanish colleague, chased by six militiamen, was captured and tied up, but was subsequently freed. "They told me that we should leave because they didn't want this religion here," Sister López says. Running "like a gazelle," the octogenarian missionary reached a nearby building with a few students from the school in her care. "We went into the forest to rescue the girls, because some had been kidnapped. They spent hours in pyjamas in total darkness. It was a night of cold and fear that only God knows," testified the nun, who was able to reach, safe and sound, two Italian priests who were living nearby. However, no missionary remained in Chipene, and it is in a dramatic context that Sister Ángeles López celebrates this year her 50th anniversary in the country, where she has lived through several episodes of violence. During the Angelus on Sunday, September 11, Pope Francis remembered her Italian Sister. Sister Maria "served with love for almost 60 years," said the Pope, wishing that her testimony would give "strength and courage to Christians and to all the Mozambican people." The pontiff had visited the country in 2019, as part of his tour that also took him to Madagascar and Mauritius.

Alfa y Omega, Spanish

Catholics in Washington will now be able to donate money to their archdiocese and its parishes through Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other forms of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that is exchanged through computer networks and not issued by or reliant on central authorities such as governments or banks. For Joseph Gillmer, the Archdiocese’s executive director of development, the addition of cryptocurrency as a donation medium is another step in his goal to make it as easy as possible for parishioners to make contributions. The Archdiocese partnered with Engiven, a provider of cryptocurrency donation services to nonprofits and faith-based organizations. The organization’s co-founder had the idea for the company in 2017, when he wanted to donate $100 in Bitcoin to a Protestant church but had no way to do it. Since implementing the system at the end of July the Archdiocese has not received any cryptocurrency donations, but Gillmer underlined that this addition was more about giving people as many options to support the Church as possible. A disadvantage of cryptocurrencies is that the market is very volatile. However, Gillmer explained that the Archdiocese will liquidate donations right when they are received in order to eliminate any chance of a market impact. Another issue that the Church needs to look out for is ensuring that cryptocurrency they receive isn’t involved with anything that goes against Church teaching, an expert consulted by Crux explained. A pioneer in this sector, the Archdiocese of the American capital could now inspire other dioceses ... and maybe even the Vatican. 

Crux, English  

Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdő's chances of succeeding Francis could be boosted as Hungary toughens abortion laws. 

Catholic Herald, English

The Vatican reportedly sought to organize a meeting between the Pope and Chinese President Xi Jinping while the two leaders were in the Kazakh capital. According to Reuters, China declined the proposal.

Reuters, English

“It’s the first time in the history of the Church but also for humanity to have such a consultation,” said Sister Nathalie Becquart, under-secretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod, who spoke of a  “huge achievement.”

RNS, English