Pacific NW NEW Service
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Bob Shannon

Pope denounces child exploitation of millions of children

2014-06-11

During his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis talked about the suffering of countless victims of child exploitation.

POPE FRANCIS

"Tomorrow, June 12th, we celebrate the World Day Against Child Labor. Millions of children, listen closely, dozens of millions of children are forced to work in degrading conditions, exposed to forms of slavery and exploitation, to abuse, mistreatment and discrimination.”

The Pope asked the international community to protect children from this plague. He said a "calm childhood allows kids to look at the future with confidence.” He also recited a Hail Mary for them.

Pope Francis arrived to St. Peter's Square 30 minutes early. He greeted a large group of children with disabilities, taking refuge from the heat inside the Paul VI Hall. 

During his catechesis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Pope described fear of the Lord. He then explained what it means.

POPE FRANCIS

"It doesn't mean being afraid of God. No, it's not that. We know that the Lord is our Father, and He loves us and wants our salvation. He always forgives, always. So we have no reason to be afraid of Him.”

Pope Francis explained that this gift "makes us feel like children in the arms of their father.” He added that before God, Christians are weak and fragile.

POPE FRANCIS

"That's what the Holy Spirit does with the gift of fear of the Lord. It opens hearts. An open heart so that forgiveness, mercy, kindness, and the embrace of our Father may come to us.”

The Pope added that fear of God is also an alarm against sin.

POPE FRANCIS

"Do you think that a corrupt person will be happy elsewhere? No! The fruits of his corruption have corrupted his heart, and make it difficult to search for the Lord. Listen! Don't place all your hopes on money, on pride, power and vanity. These cannot promise you anything.”

The Pope also had some words for human and weapon traffickers.

POPE FRANCIS

"I'm sure that if I ask a question now: How many of you are weapon manufacturers? None! None! Because they don't come to listen to the Word of God.”

With his weekly audience, Pope Francis resumed his scheduled activities. He had canceled all appointments on Monday and Tuesday, after a particularly busy weekend.

Local broadcasting icon Jean Enersen plans to step down from the KING/5 evening anchor desk after Friday. However, she will stay on at the TV station to present health news and special coverage.

Last Day Hell Week

Bob Shannon

LINCOLN – Beth Ihle envisions a Butte pasty when she explains how a huge pit in the hills east of town will hold 800,000 cubic yards of Mike Horse mine waste.
“You know how when it’s cooked just right, the potatoes are all tender and the meat holds together and doesn’t crumble when you bite into it?” the U.S. Forest Service geologist said as she walked up the berm above Montana Highway 279. “That’s what we want here.”

 Ron Rattray

Potential tragedy was averted on the Kootenay River yesterday, thanks to a heroic rescue by a South Slocan Resident.

Nelson RCMP were called after an overturned aluminium boat was found drifting in the Slocan Pools area of the Kootenay River, near Shoreacres.
No one was seen around the boat, but after rescue crews were deployed they got a call from Chris O'Gorman, who had pulled an 84 year old Glade man from the river a little earlier...the senior had been out fishing, when his boat started filling with water, and then overturned.

Break Time

Bob Shannon