Pope takes wary approach to medias explosion
Vatican City, August 21, 2009 - Toward the end of his encyclical "Charity in Truth," Pope Benedict XVI included a brief but strongly worded analysis about the "increasingly pervasive presence" of modern media and their power to serve good or immoral interests.The two pages on communications were barely noticed in an encyclical that focused on economic issues, but they underscored the pope's cautionary and critical approach to today's media revolution.In particular, the pope zeroed in on the popular assumption in the West that the penetration of contemporary media in the developing world will inevitably bring enlightenment and progress."Just because social communications increase the possibilities of interconnection and the dissemination of ideas, it does not follow that they promote freedom or internationalize development and democracy for all," the pope wrote.The pope's critique made several important points:-- The mass media are not morally "neut ...Read More
Nuns still praying for burglary suspect
INDEPENDENCE, Mo., August 21, 2009 - A 17-year-old man confined in the Jackson County Jail as he faced serious felony charges now has an entire community of sisters praying for him.If he needs any help to turn his life around, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist will provide it as best they can.But he should know now that he is loved, said Sister Connie Boulch, one of the two sisters who helped police capture the burglary suspect, later identified as Cory D. Anderson, as he tried to cut through their motherhouse property in northern Independence."I hope we get a chance to talk to him," said Sister Connie, the community's vicar who also works as the director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. "I would like to tell him that he was on our property not by accident, but by providence."This young man has his whole life ahead of him," she told The Catholic Key, newspaper of the diocese. "He has the opportuni ...Read More
Bishops June statement put dialogue between two faiths at risk
WASHINGTON, August 21, 2009 - U.S. Jewish leaders have expressed concern over a June statement issued by the U.S. bishops to clarify a 2002 document that raised questions about the church's mission of evangelization and how the church relates to the Jewish community.In a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the leaders said that because of the statement dialogue between the two faiths is at risk.Representatives of the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee and rabbis from various branches of Judaism sent the letter Aug. 20.They were reacting to a June clarification of a 2002 document called "Reflections on Covenant and Mission," written by participants in an ongoing dialogue between the National Council of Synagogues and the USCCB interreligious affairs committee."Catholic-Jewish dialogue has been important to the U.S. bishops for almost 50 years. The U.S. bishops have just received the letter and currently are studying it, ...Read More
Last call for youth to participate in Taiwan Youth Day
Taichung, July 29, 2009 – Almost everything is ready and the Diocese of Taichung, which will host the Taiwan Youth Day 2009, is making another appeal to all the youth of Taiwan to come together on August 19-22 to participate in this great national event. “I think, I speak, I act like Jesus” is the theme of the “Taiwan Youth Day '09” that calls the youth to transmit the Lord's love with concrete actions. According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, the program for the event will includes moments of diocesan communion, sharing in the history of evangelization, faith workshops, a reenactment of the Way of the Cross, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a concert, sharing experiences from the Asian Youth Day...The Regional Bishops' Conference of Taiwan has given great importance to the event. Bishop Thomas Chung, Director of the Youth Group of the Commission for the Evangelization of the Bishops' Conference, on Palm Sunday published a Letter entitled “Youth, joy ...Read More
Santwana - new Lay Center inaugurated in India
New Delhi, India, August 01, 2009 - “The 'Santwana' (Consolation) Lay Movement is a great gift to the Church in India.” These were the words of Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi, in inaugurating the new Lay Center, recently opened in Delhi by the Movement.The 'Santwana' Movement is formed by lay men and women who wish to be disciples of Christ, on the “way of love,” building up and proclaiming His Kingdom. Thus, the movement leads programs of formation for evangelization, pastoral training for the laity, correspondence courses, and mission initiatives in various Indian dioceses.The Archbishop, in inaugurating the new structure, mentioned the Santwana laity as an example of the laity's role in the Church and in Indian society.The movement began 20 years ago, founded by Fr. Dheeraj, of the Indian Missionaries Society (IMS), and is now led by Mr. Alexy Pallan, former businessman from Kochi.The movement has contributed to a greater reflection on lay leade ...Read More
26th World Youth Day (WYD) preparations are underway in Madrid
Madrid, August 01, 2009 – Preparations are already underway for the 26th World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, August 15-21, 2011, with the theme: “Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith.” Yesterday, July 30, a press conference was held at the Archdiocese of Madrid headquarters, given by the WYD Director of Communications, Santiago de la Cierva, along with Auxiliary Bishop Cesar Franco. During the conference, a presentation was made of the official logo of WYD. The creator's name is Jose Gil-Nogues, a graphic designer who works in Madrid and Oviedo (Spain). He explained that the drawing depicts “the youth of the entire world who come together to celebrate their faith with the Pope, at the foot of the Cross, and form a crown of the Virgin of Almudena (Patroness of Madrid). The crown shows an “M” for Mary, as well as to recall the first letter of Madrid, the site of the encounter. The Cross, the sign of the Christian, presides this meeting of the Pope with the youth, who be ...Read More
A day of mourning for Fr. James Mukalel's death is observed in India
Mangalore, August 01, 2009 – The assassination of Fr. James Mukalel, a 39-year-old priest found dead near Mangalore (Karnataka, southern India), is still a mystery without any suspects in custody. His lifeless body was found by several parishoners in a rural district on July 30, after the young priest had not returned to the parish, in the Siro-Malabar Siorce of Belthangady.Investigators say that the homicide seems to be the result of suffocation, however no clear facts are evident yet, in order to solve the case.On July 29, in the hours shortly prior to his death, the priest had been visiting several families in the area, had eaten lunch in a convent, and later celebrated a funeral. According to the hypothesis of the Church in India, it could be a case of anti-Christian violence, as last year the area also experienced several attacks from extremists. However, nothing is certain yet and police work continues.The young priest was well-loved by all, always smiling ...Read More
A special holy card of the Year for Priests dedicated by Niedzela
Czestochowa, August 01, 2009 – The Polish Catholic weekly magazine “Niedzela,” the most widely-read magazine in the country, based in Czestochowa, has recently prepared and published a special “holy card” of the Year for Priests, dedicated to the priests in this special year. The holy card portrays an image of Saint John M. Vianney, the Holy Cure of Ars, and a prayer invoking his intercession. There is a space reserved for printing the name and last name of a priest, along with his date of ordination.Over 120,000 copies of the cards have been distributed by the magazine.“The Holy Father Benedict XVI's initiative is that of dedicating this year to priests and the priesthood and it is of great pastoral, evangelizational, and theological importance,” Fides was told by Monsignor Ireneusz Skubis, Editor-in-Chief of Niedzela. “In this Year for Priests, our magazine hopes to offer the priests and faithful of our parish a panoramic vision of the various pastoral initiatives de ...Read More
Church in Sri Lanka preparing for annual pilgrimage to Madu Matha Shrine
Colombo, Srilanka, August 01, 2009 – With special prayers for peace in all the dioceses, the Church in Sri Lanka is preparing the customary annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu (Diocese of Mannar), which will be held this August 15, for the Solemnity of the Assumption, according to an over 400-year-old tradition.The pilgrimage will focus on the theme of peace and national reconciliation, which will be the main prayer intentions during these days leading up to the event and during the pilgrimage (which many make on foot), as well as in the celebrations at the Shrine.Following an accord between the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and the government, the pilgrimage was no longer post-poned or cancelled as had been previously thought, for security reasons. The Shrine has been affected in recent months by the fighting between national forces and the Tamil rebels. The statue of the Virgin Mary had to be moved for safety reasons.The government authorities ...Read More
Maria Corazon C. Aquino former President of the Philippines died
Manila, philippins, August 1, 2009 - Maria Corazon C. Aquino, the first woman president of Asia and 7th President of the Philippines died tonight at 3:18 local time from colon cancer. She was 76 years old. Fr. Laguerta, rector of the seminary of San Carlos said that Aquino - familiarly known as "Tita (aunt) Cory" - "was a woman of faith, full of courage and a symbol of democracy."In 1986, Aquino with the collaboration of the late Cardinal Jaime Sin, archbishop of the capital, and the support millions led the “rosary revolution" that resulted in the ousting of Dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy in the country after years of martial law and political attacks, including one on Aquino’s husband, Benigno, in 1983.Current President Gloria Arroyo, who owes her election to the support of Cory, has declared 10 days of national mourning. Thousands of people are flocking to her house and the Edsa Shrine in Quezon City, where the “rosary revolution” culmina ...Read More
Pope Benedict XVI : Vatican and Italian police like guardian angels
LES COMBES, Italy, Aug 1, 2009 - Pope Benedict XVI said the Vatican and Italian police who watched over him while he was on vacation in the Italian Alps were like "guardian angels, discreet and efficient."But he was not quite so sure what his own guardian angel was up to."Unfortunately, my guardian angel -- certainly following orders from above -- did not prevent my accident," he said, referring to the fact that he tripped in the dark July 17 and broke his wrist.Before leaving Les Combes to fly to the papal summer villa in Castel Gandolfo south of Rome July 29, the pope met with the police, firefighters and other officials who were involved in maintaining public order and security while he vacationed in northern Italy.Still referring to his broken right wrist, the right-handed pope told them, "Perhaps the Lord wanted to teach me greater patience and humility, and give me more time for prayer and meditation."The pope said he had spent the past 16 d ...Read More
Benedict XVI has laicized a Franciscan priest
LONDON, July 30, 2009 - Pope Benedict XVI has laicized a Franciscan priest who served as the spiritual adviser to the Marian visionaries in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina.The pontiff, in a document issued "motu proprio" (on his own initiative), returned Father Tomislav Vlasic to the lay state and dispensed him from his religious vows as a member of the Order of Friars Minor.Vlasic was confined to a Franciscan monastery in L'Aquila, Italy, in February 2008 after he refused to cooperate in a Vatican investigation of his activities for suspected heresy and schism.He also was being investigated for "the diffusion of dubious doctrine, manipulation of consciences, suspected mysticism, disobedience towards legitimately issued orders and charges contra sextum (against the Sixth Commandment not to commit adultery)," as stated in the interdict signed by Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.According to the congregat ...Read More
Pope Benedict XVI to visit the Shroud of Turin
VATICAN CITY, July 30, 2009 - Pope Benedict XVI confirmed his intention to visit the Shroud of Turin when it goes on public display in Turin's cathedral April 10-May 23, 2010.Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin, papal custodian of the Shroud of Turin, visited the pope July 26 in Les Combes, Italy, where the pope was spending part of his vacation. The Alpine village is about 85 miles from Turin.The cardinal gave the pope the latest news concerning preparations for next year's public exposition of the shroud and the pope "confirmed his intention to go to Turin for the occasion," said the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, in a written statement July 27.The specific date of the papal visit has yet to be determined, the priest added.The last time the Shroud of Turin was displayed to the public was in 2000 for the jubilee year. The shroud is removed from a specially designed protective case only for very special spiritual occasions, and its rem ...Read More
Ave Maria: Mgr. Luciano Alimandi : God's Power revealed in weakness
Vatican City - The root of our rebellion against the Lord is pride which, we might say, makes us want to do without God, to feel self-sufficient, capable of running our own lives and sometimes, even the lives of others. Man's intelligence, a gift of God, unless it remains humble can even revolt against God and imagine it can create an alternative path to the one traced by the Lord, who wishes us to be directed to the Supreme Truth and the Supreme Good, that is to God himself. Sacred Scripture tells us of such rebellion, starting with that of Adam and Eve which was the cause of "original sin".Pride blinds the mind and paralyses the heart of man, his interior, stopping him from moving towards eternal Light which shines in all its fullness in the Person of Jesus, the Logos of the incarnate God!The Lord Jesus placed one fundamental condition for following him, deny oneself and take up one's cross (cfr. Mk 8, 34), in other words to accept one's situation.The people ...Read More
Obama expressed his commitment to reduce abortions
vatican City, July 10, 2009 - When Pope Benedict XVI gave President Barack Obama a Vatican document on bioethics, he was trying to be clear with him about church teaching and open a path to further dialogue, the Vatican spokesman said.Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters after the meeting between the pope and the president that, in giving Obama the document July 10, "the intention was not to be divisive or political, but for clarity and objectivity; to say that, for us, this is extremely important."Pope Benedict gave Obama the document "Dignitas Personae" ("The Dignity of a Person"), which was published in December by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.In discussing issues such as abortion, artificial fertilization and stem-cell research, the document started with two fundamental church teachings: that the human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception and that responsible human procreat ...Read More
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