Pope Francis said he was horrified over the murder of yet another Catholic missionary, this time from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Marie-Sylvie Kavuke was a member of the Little Sisters of Our Lady's Presentation in the Temple.
She was one of the victims of the October 19 terrorist attack committed by the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamist rebel group in Uganda.
POPE FRANICS
We watch in horror the events that continue to stain the Democratic Republic of the Congo with blood. I strongly deplore the unspeakable attack that recently took place in Maboya in North Kivu, where unarmed persons were killed, among them a religious sister working in healthcare. We pray for the victims and their families.
Moments earlier, the Pope continued his catechesis series on discernment. This time, he focused on sadness, and said that one should not try to escape feelings of sadness, but rather learn how to navigate them.
POPE FRANCIS
Sadness sometimes works as a traffic light. Stop, stop. It's red. Stop. Am I sad? There is something there.
He recommended a piece of advice from Saint Ignatius for handling difficult moments: to not let yourself be swept away by them immediately.
The Pope expressed his dissapointment in the fact that many people take strong decisions such as leaving their partner or religious life without first stopping to understand what is behind their feelings of sadness. He also recommended seeking the help of a spiritual guide.
POPE FRANCIS
A wise rule is to not make any changes when desolate.
Pope Francis also said that some feelings of sadness, however, once identified, must be firmly rejected.
JRB
TR: JM