Report: Pope encourages Ukrainians to carry their faith to other nations

From Catholic News Agency
Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received the Letters of Credence of Tetiana Izhevska, the new ambassador of the Ukraine to the Holy See. He opened his French-language speech to the diplomat by thanking her for the invitation of Victor Iouchtchenko, President of Ukraine, to visit his country.
“Ukraine, which because of its [...]

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Report: Archbishop warns radical secularism could turn Spain into atheistic society

From Catholic News Agency
In his latest pastoral letter, Archbishop Agustin Garcia Gasco of Valencia warns that “the radical secularism that we find the Spain of today constitutes a utilization of the power of the State to establish a society as if all citizens were atheists, with no regard for religious freedom and its repercussions in [...]

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Report: European Parliament investigates Poland over law limiting homosexual propaganda

From Catholic News Agency
The Committee on Civil Liberties of the European Parliament has ordered an investigation into a future law against homosexual propaganda in Poland, in order to determine if the norm will violate EU laws.
According to international news agencies, the EU committee has requested that its internal services determine if the measure would violate [...]

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Report: Catholic-Muslim turf war still resonates at Cordoba cathedral

From L.A. Times
Mansur Escudero knew the answer before he asked.
Approaching the guard at Cordoba’s majestic once-a-mosque, now-a-cathedral, Escudero posed the question: May I say Muslim prayers inside?
The slightly startled Spanish guard gave an emphatic no. This is a Catholic church, he said, and as such it is absolutely prohibited to pray in any other faith. [...]

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Report: Italian bishops to legislators: Legalization of civil unions “unacceptable” and “dangerous”

From Catholic News Agency
The Permanent Council of the Italian Bishops Conference, led by new president Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, has sent a firm message to members of the Italian Legislature – voting for the legalization of civil unions, which would pave the way for legalized homosexual “marriage,” is not compatible with the Catholic faith and is [...]

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Report: Thousands march in defense of life in Mexico

From Catholic News Agency
More than five thousand people marched through the streets of Mexico City to the Basilica of Guadalupe to express their commitment to the defense of life, especially of the unborn, who are being threatened by an anti-life proposal that would legalize abortion on demand up to the twelfth week of pregnancy.
“Abortion No, [...]

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Theme: The Church and Globalization

“Peace on earth to those whom God loves!” The Gospel greeting prompts a heart-felt question: will the new century be one of peace and a renewed sense of brotherhood between individuals and peoples? We cannot of course foresee the future. But we can set forth one certain principle: there will be peace only to the [...]

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Report: Europe committing a form of ‘apostasy,’ says Pope

From Times of Malta:
Pope Benedict strongly criticised the European Union yesterday for excluding a mention of God and Europe’s Christian roots in declarations marking the 50th anniversary of its founding.
In a toughly worded speech to European bishops, His Holiness said Europe was committing a form of “apostasy of itself” and was thus doubting its own [...]

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Report: Pope: Europe ‘losing faith in its own future’

From International Herad Tribune:
Europe appears to be losing faith in its future, Pope Benedict XVI said, citing the continent’s demographic trends, which include dramatically low fertility rates and declining and graying populations.
“One must unfortunately note that Europe seems to be going down a road which could lead it to take its leave from history,” the [...]

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Theme: Crisis in Zimbabwe

Catholic News Agency: “Zimbabwe needs your prayers more than ever,” African priest tells ACN
Father Joaquín Alliende, the international ecclesiastical assistant of Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), is asking all Catholic faithful to pray for Zimbabwe after receiving a message from a priest in the country. “We recommend the Zimbabwean people [...]

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