At #EasterVigil in #Nicaragua, @silviojbaez tells people: "The historical moment that our country is living, tinged with tears and blood and with such an uncertain horizon, seems more full of sadness, pessimism and death than life and hope" (CNS photo/Reuters) 1/5 This is last Easter in Nicaragua for awhile for @silviojbaez. He has faced increasing death threats and #PopeFrancis asked him to come to the Vatican. At vigil: "As believers enlightened by the Risen One, we cannot fall into fatalism or let fatigue or despair overpower us." 2/5

In a statement from Newark today, @CardinalJWTobin, currently at #VEncuentro, said he will not be attending @synod2018. After #sexabuse revelations "I could not see myself absent for a month from our archdiocese & from you, the people entrusted to my care." (CNS/Tyler Orsburn) "After prayer and consultation, I wrote to Pope Francis, asking that he dispense me from attending, but assuring him that I strongly support the objectives of the Synod and that I would obey whatever he decided,” said @CardinalJWTobin #sexabuse @synod2018