Catholic Blog: January 2008

Vietnamese police, newspapers spread propaganda calling archbishop a liar

HANOI, January 29 (CNA) - Tensions are rising as Catholics in Hanoi continue their sit-in protests while the city police accuse the clergy of lying to their flock and forcing the laity to demonstrate. In response, Archbishop Joseph Ngô has said, Im prepared to go to jail for my flock.

Vatican cardinal sides with Denver archbishop in debate over Catholic Charities

DENVER, January 29 (CNA) - At a press conference today on the Popes Lenten Message, Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes offered his support for Archbishop Charles Chaputs recent stand against a potential Colorado law. The bill would eradicate Catholic Charities ability to ensure its employees follow Catholic beliefs when working on state funded projects.

Vatican cardinal sides with Denver archbishop in debate over Catholic Charities

DENVER, January 29 (CNA) - At a press conference today on the Popes Lenten Message, Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes offered his support for Archbishop Charles Chaputs recent stand against a potential Colorado law. The bill would eradicate Catholic Charities ability to ensure its employees follow Catholic beliefs when working on state funded projects.

Catholic political leader murdered in Kenyan upheaval

NAIROBI, January 29 (CNA) - A Catholic opposition politician is one of the latest victims of the Kenyan violence that began after contested elections in December, the Catholic Information Service for Africa (CISA) reports.

Church in Italy insists on abortion moratorium

ROME, January 30 (CNA) - During an interview on the Italian TV network La7, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar for the city of Rome, said the Church in Italy continues supporting a moratorium on abortion but has not called for a revolt against the current law.

If you are far from God, you are far from yourself, says the Pope

VATICAN CITY, January 30 (CNA) - Pope Benedict returned to his reflections on St. Augustine today, urging everyone to draw close to Jesus, saying that those who are far from God are far from themselves.

Sharing Good News is essence of Church mission, Pope says

"The Kingdom of God-- the Kingdom of Heaven-- is near," Pope Benedict XVI said at his Angelus audience on Sunday, January 28. That simple message, he said, encapsulates the good news of ..

New Jesuit general meets with Pontiff

Father Adolfo Nicolas, the newly elected superior general of the Society of Jesus, met with Pope Benedict XVI in a private audience on Saturday, January 26. Jesuit officials released a ..

Science cannot define human identity, Pope says

At a private audience on January 28, Pope Benedict XVI urged a group of scientists and ethicists "to ensure that science does not become the criterion of good, that man is still respected ..

Mutual prayer is key to Christian unity, Pope repeats

On January 25, as he presided at an ecumenical Vespers service concluding the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Benedict XVI repeated his observation that any real progress ..

Hong Kong Catholics Ask for Detainees' Release

Plea on Behalf of 3 Human Rights Defenders

HONG KONG, JAN. 27, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Catholic peace organizations in Hong Kong launched a letter campaign urging the Chinese government to release three human right defenders and to stop harassing their families.

On the Good News

"God Reigns in the World Through His Son Made Man"

Miracles Show God Is Near, Says Pope

Reflects on the Good News of Christ

Former office of the Vatican's delegate to Hanoi, confiscated by the state when he was expelled in the late 1950s.

They say the large French-colonial villa and the 1.1 hectares (2.7 acre) it sits on are the former office of the Vatican's delegate to Hanoi, confiscated by the state when he was expelled in the late 1950s.

Hanoi authorities have kept the building intact but used it as a sometime discotheque while local officials have also used the garden area, shaded by an enormous banyan tree, as a motorcycle carpark, the Christians say.

"It's the land and the property of the church. We have the certificate of ownership of the property since 1933," one priest from the Hanoi archdiocese told AFP, speaking on condition he not be named.

Catholic prayer vigil turns into clash with Vietnamese police

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Thousands of Catholics blocked a busy street in Vietnam's capital Friday in a rare public demonstration, chanting and praying for the Communist government to return land once owned by the church.

A priest in a white robe carrying a large cross led a procession of parishioners, accompanied by a marching band, from St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown Hanoi to the adjacent site of the former Vatican embassy.

Cardinal Rouco: abandonment of God is cause of crisis of loneliness

MADRID, January 21 (CNA) - During the ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Juan Antonio Martinez of Madrid, Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela said that the abandonment of God in todays society is the reason for the radical loneliness that leads to crises in marriages and families.

Upcoming congress to focus on code of cannon law

VATICAN CITY, January 22 (CNA) - The Vatican held a press conference today to present the upcoming congress theme: Cannon Law in the Life of the Church, research and perspectives in the context of recent Pontifical Magisterium.

Austrian expert: Manipulation of embryonic stem cells no longer necessary

VIENNA, January 21 (CNA) - Günter Virt, an Austrian expert in moral theology, said this week that given the advances in recent years in the field of adult stem cell research, there is no reason to destroy human embryos.

Influential Catholics leaders: Civility in politics not as important as justice for unborn

WASHINGTON DC, January 22 (CNA) - "Rather than giving pro-abortion Catholic politicians a pass, we should vote them out of office and encourage them to repent, said Austin Ruse, the president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM) on Monday.

Pray for Christian unity, Pontiff encourages faithfuLl

Pope Benedict XVI called attention to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, encouraging all the faithful to join in that prayer, during his weekly Angelus audience on January 21. An ..

Massive crowd shows support for Pope

A crowd of about 200,000 people assembled in St. Peter's Square for the regular papal Sunday audience on January 20, in a massive show of support for Pope Benedict XVI. After the ..

Pro-lifers converge on DC for Roe anniversary

Thousands of American Catholics are expected to join in a vigil Mass on January 21 in Washington, DC, before joining in the March for Life the following day. Cardinal Justin Rigali of ..

Papal Message for World Day of the Sick

"Mary Suffers With Those Who Are in Affliction"

On Christian Unity

"We All Have the Duty to Pray and Work for the Overcoming of Every Division"

Pope: Unity Linked to Evangelization [2008-01-20]

Notes Christ Wanted the World to Believe.

Venezuelan cardinal demands Chavez respect Church leaders

CARACAS, January 15 (CNA) - The archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, is demanding that President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela show more respect for the Church and her representatives, after he accused the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Giacinto Berloco, of protecting a criminalstudent leader Nixon Morenoin the Nunciature.

Papal visit to Italian university postponed after protests

VATICAN CITY, January 15 (CNA) - A planned papal visit to the prestigious La Sapienza University in Rome was canceled after protesting faculty, staff and students accused the Pope of holding an offensive position on the scientist Galileo Galilei, the BBC reports.

Rejection of Pope's speech is fear of dialogue between faith and reason, professor says

ROME, January 15 (CNA) - Opposition to Pope Benedicts now postponed appearance at La Sapienza University, has led Professor Giorgio Israel to write that the resistance of his colleagues is a sign of fear about a dialogue between faith and reason taking place.

Cardinal Ruini calls on faithful to show support for Holy Father this Sunday

ROME, January 16 (CNA) - Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Popes Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, has called on the faithful to gather this Sunday in St. Peters Square during the recitation of the Angelus to show their support for Pope Benedict XVI after his visit to La Sapienza University in Rome was cancelled amid protests from students and faculty.

Kenyan bishops encourage peace and justice as politicians trade blame

ELDORET, January 10 (CNA) - Following a meeting of the entire Kenya Episcopal Conference, John Cardinal Njue, the archbishop of Nairobi, and the 22 other bishops of Kenya, are urging peace and justice as a solution for the crisis caused by the recent violence.

Bishops from Europe and US to visit Holy Land in support of peace

ROME, January 11 (CNA) - Father Pierre Grech, the general secretary of the Latin Bishops Conference in the Arab Region, said this week that a group of bishops from the European and U.S. Bishops' conferences will visit the Holy Land January 12-16 in order to support the peace process in the region, where Christians are a minority.

Vatican shocked at manipulation of Popes speech on Rome

VATICAN CITY, January 11 (CNA) - The Holy Sees Press Office has expressed amazement at how Pope Benedict XVIs meeting with the mayor of Rome and other regional government officials yesterday is being used for political gain.

Episcopal diocese sells off properties to fund lawsuits against breakaways

RICHMOND, January 10 (CNA) - The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is taking out a $2 million line of credit to finance legal action against 11 churches that left the denomination a year ago, the Washington Times reports.

Catholics for a Free Choice attempts to confuse voters, says Catholic Association

WASHINGTON DC, January 9 (CNA) - A new ad campaign from the group, Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC), has drawn criticism from the Catholic Association for confusing the Catholic position on abortion and attempting to sway voters in the presidential primary elections.

President Bush visits birthplace of Christ

BETHLEHEM, January 10 (CNA) - This morning after visiting the Church of the Nativity on a one day visit to Palestine, President Bush thanked the government for the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Christ and reflected on its significance.

Diocese discourages Catholics from attending services by priest who resigned

PHOENIX, January 9 (CNA) - Hundreds disregarded a request from the Diocese of Phoenix to ignore services by former Monsignor Dale Fushek. According to the Arizona Republic, more than 600 people packed three rooms at the Mesa Convention Center last weekend.

Pakistans Catholics join Muslims in remembering Benazir Bhutto

LAHORE, January 9 (CNA) - Catholics in Pakistan joined their countrymen in grieving for Benazir Bhutto with a special Mass in Lahore on Sunday.

Papal visit plans consider security threats, ticket scalpers

WASHINGTON DC, January 9 (CNA) - Those planning Pope Benedict XVIs April visit to New York are considering security concerns, the logistics of stadium seating, and the threat of ticket-scalping at the Papal Mass, the Washington Post reports.

Pope visits homeless shelter in Rome founded my Mother Teresa

ROME, January 7 (CNA) - On January 4 Pope Benedict XVI visited a homeless shelter in Rome founded 20 years ago by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and currently operated by the congregation she founded, the Missionaries of Charity.

All mankind must be guided by Word of God, Pope emphasizes

VATICAN CITY, January 8 (CNA) - During the recitation of the Angelus at St. Peters Square on Sundays Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the importance of being faithful to ones vocation in order to help guide the steps of fellow believers.

Pope and Kenyan bishops pray for peace in election conflict

NAIROBI, January 8 (CNA) - The Kenya Episcopal Conference denounced the many acts of political violence after the reaction to disputed results and allegations of voting fraud in the national election. The bishops joined the Pope in praying for peace in the country.

Pope Benedict XVI attracts 3 million in 2007

VATICAN CITY, January 8 (CNA) - Recently released figures reveal that pilgrims continue to come to Rome in significant numbers under Pope Benedict XVIs pontificate.

Benedict XVI delivers state of the world address to diplomatic corps

VATICAN CITY, January 8 (CNA) - Yesterday at the Vatican, Benedict XVI addressed the 176 States of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. The Pope spent most of his talk giving a rundown of the state of the world, focusing on several regions that have seen unrest.

Human life under attack warns Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY, January 7 (CNA) - Continual attacks against human life that are being launched around the world must be addressed by todays intercultural and inter-religious discussion, Pope Benedict told the diplomatic corps this morning.

Vietnamese Catholics protest stealing of church property

HANOI, January 7 (CNA) - Hundreds of Catholics held prayer vigils in the Vietnamese capital over the weekend as part of a continuing effort to recover confiscated church lands, Agence France Presse reports.

Information on Invitations to the Address of Pope Benedict XVI at The Catholic University of America

he Vatican has requested that the audience invited to the address of Pope Benedict XVI on the campus of The Catholic University of America on April 17, 2008, be composed of presidents of Catholic universities and colleges in the United States and the highest ranking individual (1 person) responsible for Catholic education (elementary and secondary schools) in each of the archdioceses or dioceses of the United States identified and designated to The Catholic University of America by the respective archbishop or bishop.