The Holy See has officially announced the long journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. Card Goh of Singapore hopes the pope will bring to his predominantly Chinese city, “renewed fervour to all Catholics [. . .], especially in these most challenging of times”. It will also be the first time a pontiff visits Dili since independence. For Card Carmo da Silva, the Holy Father comes to “strengthen Timor-Leste’s Church in the faith and love of Christ.”
SINGAPORE The Vatican’s declaration to allow blessings of same-sex couples was not an endorsement of same-sex unions, but a setting out of the “rules and boundaries” for priests to bless these couples without it being mistaken as approval, the Catholic Church in Singapore said on Tuesday (Dec 19).