‘Houses of mercy’ in every diocese proposed to mark the Holy Year

In his homily at the vigil for Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis proposed that “a hospital, a home for the elderly, for abandoned children, a school where none exists, a home for the recovery of addicts” or some similar structure be established in every diocese as “a living memory” of the Year of Mercy, writes James Roberts.

He said the idea came to him during a meeting with directors of a charity, but he thought: “I will share it in the square on Saturday.” “What can we leave as a work of living mercy? Let us reflect on this,” he said.
Meanwhile theologians and activists are to meet in Rome from 11 to 13 April for a conference on non-violence. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Catholic organisations will discuss “Nonviolence and Just Peace: the Catholic Understanding of and Commitment to Nonviolence”.

Organisers said participants will envision ways the Church can deepen its commitment to “active nonviolence” including “an explicit rejection of ‘just war’ thinking in favour of an alternative ... framework”.