Tag Archives: Homeless

Religion

THE VATICAN AND ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO HAVE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF FREE SHOWERS FOR HOMELESS

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St. Peter's Basilica,top, and St. Mary's Cathedral, bottom
St. Peter’s Basilica,top, and St. Mary’s Cathedral, bottom

THE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – In his latest bid to ease the suffering of the poor — and upend the expectations of the papacy —   Pope Francis is building showers for the homeless under the sweeping white colonnade of St. Peter’s Square.

Three showers are to be built into refurbished public restrooms provided for Catholic pilgrims along the marble columns leading into the historic basilica, which was completed in 1626.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has a different idea of providing free showers for the homeless who seek shelter at the doorways of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the principal church of the Archdiocese.

The cathedral, located at Geary and Gough Streets, has installed a watering system to keep the homeless from sleeping in its doorways. There are four tall side doors, with sheltered alcoves, that attract homeless people at night.

Water pours from a hole in the ceiling, 30 feet above, drenching the alcoves and anyone in it.  The ‘shower’ runs for about 75 seconds, every 30 to 60 minutes, soaking homeless people and their belongings.

In contrast, The Vatican is finishing renovations on public restrooms just off St. Peter’s Square that will include three showers and a barber shop for the homeless.

Each “homeless pilgrim,” as the Vatican called the clients, will receive a kit including a towel, change of underwear, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, razor and shaving cream. The showers will be open every day but Wednesday, when the piazza is full for the pope’s general audience. Haircuts will be available Mondays.

Barbers volunteering on their days off — Rome’s barber shops are closed Mondays — as well as students from a local beauty school will be donating their time, as well as some sisters from religious orders and other volunteers.

The bathrooms were made with high-tech, easy-to-clean materials to ensure proper hygiene, The Vatican said in a statement.

Perhaps, Pope Francis should summon San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone to The Vatican and give him a little re-orientation.

And maybe, the Archdiocese should be fined by the state for wasting water in the midst of California’s continuing drought conditions.

 

 

Human Interest, Politics, Tourism

HOMELESS IN PARADISE

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Photo credit: civilbeat.com

HONOLULU, Hawaii (The Adobo Chronicles) – Forget about ‘Sleepless in Seattle.’ How about ‘Homeless in Paradise?’

Hawaii is not exempt from America’s worsening homeless problem.  Even in the heart of Waikiki, one of the world’s most popular — and expensive — tourist destinations, homeless people are seen on the beach and on sidewalks, in front of ABC Stores, outside of Starbucks, and next to sidewalk newspaper stands.

At least, the same beachside showers and restrooms for tourists are also available for use by the homeless.

But nothing compares with the opportunity for occasional retreats and camping at 5-star resorts  for street children and the homeless — in Manila.  Under the leadership of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman, street children and homeless families are rounded up and stashed away for luxury accommodations and meals, especially when the Philippines is visited by dignitaries like Pope Francis.

A group of homeless individuals hanging out on Kalakaua Street across from Waikiki Beach wants to send a message to Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino and Secretary Soliman to consider extending this luxury benefit to them.

In order to make this happen, the homeless group has asked the City of Honolulu to provide them with complimentary one-way plane tickets to Manila.  The City is seriously considering the request as an effective way to solve the homeless problem in Paradise.

From paradise (Hawaii) to the ‘Gates of Hell’ (Manila)!

Politics, Religion

POPE FRANCIS EXCOMMUNICATES PHILIPPINES SOCIAL WELFARE SECRETARY DINKY SOLIMAN

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imageTHE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) –  As she wiped her tears, Philippines Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman finally admitted on Tuesday that she had homeless people rounded up to put Manila in order for the visit of Pope Francis last month.

Soliman testified at a hearing of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development that was called to investigate persistent reports that she rounded up homeless people and  street children, sending  them on a paid vacation for the duration of the papal visit. She explained that the 100 families, or 427 individuals, living along Roxas Boulevard that traverses the cities of Manila, Pasay and Paranaque were brought to Chateau Royale resort in Batangas, south of the capital. It cost the government 4.75 Million Pesos.

Upon learning of the admission, Pope Francis immediately signed a pastoral document excommunicating Soliman from the Catholic Church.  As per tradition, excommunication bars a Catholic individual from receiving or participating in church sacraments, including, but not limited to, receiving Holy Communion or a church burial.

“I visited the Philippines to be with the poor, homeless, sick and down-trodden,” Francis said, “and it is unconscionable  that they were hidden from me just so the government will look good.”

The Pope promised to return to Manila for a private visit later this year to be with the children and homeless who were rounded up and hidden by Soliman.