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Pope Francis meets with Prime Minister of Iraq
(Vatican Radio) Before the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis met with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haydar al-Abadi. The meeting took place in the studio of the Paul VI Audience Hall. Afterwards, the Prime Minister met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
Rights group welcomes Pakistan law against violence on women
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday welcomed a landmark law passed by the country's most populous province to stop violence against women, but said it would make a difference only if there was "efficient enforcement". The Protection of Women against Violence Bill 2015, passed on Wednesday by Punjab, criminalises all forms of violence against women, including domestic, sexual, psychological, emotional, economic and verbal. Under the new law, the provincial government will establish district protection centres, residential shelters and a toll-free helpline for victims of violence. The law also says family courts must hold hearings within seven days of a complaint being made, and a decision must be taken on all complaints within 90 days. For serious offences, courts can order defendants to wear GPS-linked bracelets to monitor their movements.
Sri Lankan bishops insist on Holy Thursday washing of women’s feet
Sri Lankan bishops have instructed priests to follow Pope Francis' decree of including women in the washing of the feet during Mass on Holy Thursday. "Pastors may select for the washing of the feet, a small group of the faithful to represent in variety and unity each part of the people of God," said Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, president of the Sri Lankan bishops' conference, in a statement Feb. 19. "Such small groups can be made up of men and women, and it is appropriate that they consist of people young and old, healthy and sick, clerics, consecrated men and women and laity," said the cardinal, archbishop of Colombo.
