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The World

Family is place of spiritual and moral formation of young people, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 9th November 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II, receiving bishops this morning from the Episcopal Conference of the Indian Ocean (CEDOI), invited "Christian people to live the just-begun Year of the Eucharist as an intense time of encounters with Christ," and stressed the need for well formed priests and laity, and the “harmonious development” of families.

Deep spiritual life, based in sacraments, is the soul of apostolate, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 5th November 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II, on receiving participants in the General Chapter of Augustinian Recollects this morning, spoke on the necessity of founding “authentic renovation” and “apostolic initiative” on a “deep spiritual life.

All people called to become God’s children, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 3rd November 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II spoke on the "Hymn of the Saved," from the Book of the Apocalypse during this morning’s general audience in Saint Peter’s Square, affirming that all people are called by God to become children of God.

Remembering Christian roots "fundamental" for Europe’s future, says Pope after Buttiglione steps down

Vatican City, Vatican, 1st November 2004 (CNA) - After praying the Angelus with the faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope John Paul II stressed the need for Europe to take into account its Christian roots was “fundamental for future developments of the Union.”

Catholic condemned to 10 months in prison and 300 lashings for mission work in Saudi Arabia

New Delhi, India, 29th October 2004 (CNA) - The Fides News Agency is reporting on a new call by Christians in India for the release of Brian Savio O’Connor, a Catholic from India who is imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for the crime of “spreading Christianity,” which has earned him a 10-month sentence and 300 lashings.

Money, success, power, not absolute, can’t save us from death, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 27th October 2004 (CNA) - In today’s general audience Pope John Paul II said that reflection on death puts things we ususally consider absolute into perspective, during his catechesis on Psalm 48, "Human riches do not save."

U.S. bishops launch national ad campaign to teach about stem-cell research

Washington DC, USA, 26th October 2004 (CNA) - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launched a nationwide two-week ad campaign on stem-cell research today.

Place talents at the service of the Church, says Pope to students

Vatican City, Vatican, 25th October 2004 (CNA) - In his homily during the Mass for the inauguration of the academic year of ecclesiastical universities on Saturday October 23, Pope John Paul II exhorted students to place their talents "at the service of the Church, with humility and generosity," and to obtain wisdom and strength from the Eucharist.

Chaste love defends the family against attack and fights AIDS, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 22nd October 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II, in an address to bishops from Angola and Sao Tome this morning – the 26th anniversary of the beginning of his papal ministry – spoke about the need to work for justice and reconciliation and urged the education of chastity and chaste love as the “solid hope to overcome the forces that threaten the institution of the family, and at the same time, to free humanity of the devastating scourge of AIDS."

Great riches not advantage, better to be poor and live as one with God, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 20th October 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II spoke on the “Vanity of riches,” the theme of the first part of Psalm 48, in today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, and emphasized that to be rich is not an advantage in this life if it takes one away from life with God.

Buttiglione says Europe plagued by “anti-Christian inquisition”

Rome, Italy, 19th October 2004 (CNA) - The Foreign Affairs Minister of Italy and candidate for justice minister on the European Commission, Rocco Buttiglione, denounced the existence of an “anti-Christian inquisition” in Europe and a “campaign of hate” against him that twists and distorts his public statements.

Jewish and Catholic solidarity in essential values, says statement

Vatican City, Vatican, 19th October 2004 (CNA) - The Holy See’s Commission for Religious Relations with Jews, headed by Cardinal Jorge Mejia, and Delegations of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, led by Rabbi Shar Yishuv Cohen, today released a shared statement on social justice and ethics, calling for respect for religious communities and persons, and affirming Jewish and Catholic solidarity in essential moral values and human well-being.

Powerful anti-Christian lobbies drown voice of Pope and Church, says cardinal

Vatican City, Vatican, 18th October 2004 (CNA) - In a press conference this morning in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Renato Martino of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, stated that “the voices of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church are little heard, above all in rich and comfortable countries…they are submerged under the noise created by powerful economic, cultural, and political lobbies, which mobilize against all that is Christian.”

Pope John Paul II inaugurates Year of the Eucharist

Vatican City, Vatican, 18th October 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II inaugurated the year of the Eucharist with the celebration of Mass on Sunday, October 17, concomitantly with the closing Mass of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Pope set to celebrate 26 years of pontificate

An 84 year old and ailing Pope John Paul II - recognised as the world's longest-serving elected leader - will tomorrow quietly celebrate the 26th anniversary of his election as pope.

Vatican encourages recovering use of Latin, Gregorian chant

Vatican City, Vatican, 14th October 2004 (CNA) - The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments has encouraged familiarity of Latin ...

Title of bishop is of service, not power, Pope tells American Bishops

Vatican City, Vatican, 8th October 2004 (CNA) - Bishops from the province of New York were received by Pope John Paul II this morning on the completion of their 'ad limina' visit, who spoke to them of the bishop's "great responsibility of governing the faithful," saying that their office is one of service, not power.

Pope presents Apostolic Letter to mark beginning of Year of the Eucharist

Vatican City, Vatican, 8th October 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter "Mane Nobiscum Domine" ("Stay with us, Lord"), on the occasion of the October 2004-October 2005 Year of the Eucharist, was presented today in the Holy See Press Office by Cardinal Francis Arinze, who said that the "the underlying theme of the Apostolic Letter is the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus."

Pope John Paul's new book on Philosophy of History unveiled

Vatican City, Vatican, 7th October 2004 (CNA) - The Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro Valls revealed Wednesday during the Frankfurt Book Fair the latest title from Pope John Paul II, "Memory and Identity: Conversations Between Millenniums.”

Man is capable of knowing objective norms of moral behavior, Pope says

Vatican City, Vatican, 7th October 2004 (CNA) - On receiving this morning members of the International Theological Commission which is celebrating its annual plenary in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II affirmed the capacity of man to know the truth and to know the objective norms of moral behavior.

Urban monks set up first mission in North America

Montreal, Canada, 5th October 2004 (CNA) - A thousand voices echoed through the large Montreal cathedral for sung vespers Sept. 25 during the welcoming ceremony for a new religious community that is also new to the city and the continent.

Expert warn of radical Islam filling spiritual vacuum in the West

London, England, 5 October 2004 (CNA) - During Aid to the Church in Need’s annual Mass and Conference in Westminister Cathedral Hall in London on Saturday October 2, Fr. Paul Stenhouse, ACN’s chairman of the board in Australia, explained that Western society’s current religious and moral vacuum is in grave danger of being filled by an intolerant and militant Islamic fundamentalism.

Pope commends Croatian fidelity to Catholic tradition

Vatican City, Vatican, 1st October 2004 (CNA) - In an audience this morning with 2000 Croatian pilgrims from the archdiocese of Split-Makarska, Pope John Paul II highlighted their “adherence to the faith” confessed by Sts. Peter and Paul and the martyrs of that region throughout the centuries, and exhorted them to “promote a Christian humanism” in their lives.

Renew fidelity to original charism, says Pope to religious

Vatican City, Vatican, 24th September 2004 (CNA) - The Pope stressed the important need to “constantly renew fidelity” to the “original charism” by “permanent care of the spiritual life” in an address to participants of the General Chapter of the Institute of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate this morning.

“Stay faithful to your history” of witnessing to God, says Pope to Benedictines

Vatican City, Vatican, 23th September 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II received Benedictine Abbots and Priors at Castelgandolfo this morning and encouraged them to “stay faithful” to their history, noting the valuable witness of their monastic communities that remind the secularized world of God and create “vital spaces” in which to encounter Him.

Sales of ‘Passion’ DVD continue despite campaign against release

New York, USA, 20th Septembe 2004 (CNA) - DVD/VHS sales of the “The Passion of the Christ” continue to soar, despite a campaign that had 100 theologians sign a statement, condemning the Mel Gibson film for being anti-Semitic. About nine million DVDs were sold in the first three weeks of its release.

Evil’s apparent victory is defeated by the Cross of Christ, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 20th September 2004 (CNA) - Before praying the Angelus at Castelgandolfo on Sunday, Pope John Paul II shared his reflections on the presence of evil in the world today and God’s answer in the death of His Son on the Cross.

Christian morality must be considered most powerful factor in economic relations, says Pope to bankers

Vatican City, Vatican, 17th September 2004 (CNA) - This morning at Castelgandolfo Pope John Paul II spoke about the role of bankers to 25 members of the Italian baking group Capitalia, telling them that "your presence in society can become an instrument of true progress, offering support for valid initiatives of individuals and groups who come to you for their legitimate financial and economic needs."

Protect the sacraments, give faithful dignified celebrations, says Pope to bishops

Castel Gandolfo, Vatican, 17th September 2004 (CNA) - This morning at Castelgandolfo, the Pope spoke to 130 recently-appointed bishops from both the Oriental and Occidental Churches, about their duties as bishops, especially emphasising their duty “to take special care of the celebration of the Sacraments and worship in general.”

Pope: God guides history despite Satan and evil

Vatican City, Vatican, 15th September 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II said today that "history is driven through the effective work of God, despite the storms, the lacerations, and the devastations caused by evil, man and Satan."

Pope “deeply saddened” over death of Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria

Vatican City, Vatican, 13th September 2004 (CNA) - This morning Pope John Paul II sent a telegram to the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa expressing his sadness upon the death of Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria in a plane crash, and remembering the “spiritual closeness” he shared with him ...

May Mary watch over mankind in this hour marked by violence, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 13th September 2004 (CNA) - During his address before Sunday’s Angelus prayer at Castelgandolfo, John Paul II, noting that "according to an ancient tradition, today is the feast of the name of Mary,” prayed that She “watch over mankind in this hour marked by shocking explosions of violence." said the Pope.

Holy See denounces death of Chinese bishop in prison and demands release of those under arrest

Vatican City, Vatican, 13th September 2004 (CNA) - The Holy See’s Press Office has released an official statement denouncing the death of a 76 year-old Chinese bishop who had been imprisoned since the late 1990’s and demanding that all Catholic clerics under arrest by the Communist regime be released.

Cooperation among peoples, religions, and cultures is urgent, says Cardinal

Vatican City, Vatican, 13th September 2004 (CNA) - On Saturday September 11, Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, stressed the “pressing urgency” of cooperation among cultures towards the goal of world peace, during an event entitled “In Memory of Spetember 11 – Dialogue for Peace.”

Mary’s maternal love inspires us to open our hearts to the suffering of others, says Pope

Vatican City, Vatican, 13th September 2004 (CNA) - In a message marking the occasion of the 17th International Meeting on Mariology, the Holy Father said that "Mary, with a heart pierced by a sword of sorrow, encourages us to liven our faith in the One Who saved us, shedding His precious blood for all of mankind.”

New film about ‘ex-homosexuals’ to premiere on ‘Coming Out Day’

New York, USA, 10th September 2004 (CNA) - A new film, to be released next month, debunks the notion that homosexuality is a fixed sexual orientation. “I Do Exist!” documents the lives of five individuals who at one time identified as homosexual but have since left the homosexual lifestyle.

St. Paul’s Outside the Walls to remain under care of Benedictines, turnover cancelled

Vatican City, Vatican, 10th September 2004 (CNA) - Vatican observer Sandro Magister issued a post scriptum concerning news of the turnover taking place in the running of the basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. The Benedictine monks were to hand over the basilica to the new monastic community, the Fraternity of Jesus, but the Holy See has reversed its decision.

World needs peace, not violence, says Pope to inter-religious summit

Vatican City, Vatican, 8th September 2004 (CNA) - In view of the third anniversary of September 11, 2001, Pope John Paul II strongly affirmed in a message to the participants of an inter-religious summit held in Milan from September 5-7, that conflicts and violence are not “an inevitable outcome of history” and that “peace is always possible,” even though much work and cooperation is needed to deal with the roots of violence.

New monastic community assumes care of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome

Rome, Italy, 6th September, 2004 (CNA) - A new monastic community called the Fraternity of Jesus has replaced the Benedictines as the caretakers of the Roman basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and they announced their goal to return the church its splendor as one of the most symbolic edifices of worldwide Catholicism.

Bishop denounces destruction of the religious culture in Spain

Madrid, Spain, 6th Septembre 2004 (CNA) - Addressing thousands of faithful together with political leaders gathered in the Cathedral of Palencia, Spain, to celebrate its patron saint, St. Antolin, Bishop Rafael Palmero of Palencia denounced the “pulverization of religious culture” in Spain by the socialist government.

Swiss Dignitas Organization Euthanized 22 British

London, 3rd September 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Swiss group, Dignitas, has assisted 22 British citizens to kill themselves since its founding in 1998, rather than the five previously thought, according to the sister of a UK man who sought out Dignitas to end his own life. The revelation comes one week before Lord Joffe is scheduled to table proposed legislation to legalize euthanasia for the British isles before a House of Lords committee.

Pope to lay people: Holiness is greatest gift to Church and world

Vatican City, Vatican, 6th September 2004 (CNA) - During the celebration of a Mass on Sunday September 5 in Loreto in which he beatified the Servants of God and members of Catholic Action Fr. Pedro (Pere) Tarres i Claret (1905-1950), Alberto Marvelli (1918-1946), and Pina Surian (1915-1950), lay persons, Pope John Paul II affirmed that “holiness is the greatest gift you can give to the Church and to the world.”

New Order of Sisters will do Pro-life and Post-abortion Counseling Work in Siberia

Chicago, 3rd September 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A LifeSiteNews.com reporter attended the annual meeting, near Chicago, of the Institute on Religious Life, an organization that trains and assists Catholic religious communities, including ones just starting up. One of those groups is forming to do missionary work in Eastern Siberia, ...

Mexicans confront Satanism with National Meeting of Exorcists

Mexico City, Mexico, 2nd September 2004 (CNA) - The Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, inaugurated this week the first National Meeting of Exorcists as a means of combating the spread of Satanism. Among those participating in the event is Fr. Gabriel Amorth, founder of the International Association of Exorcists.

Schedule of Pope’s trip to Marian shrine of Loreto announced

Vatican City, Vatican, 3rd September 2004 (CNA) - The Vatican released the schedule of the Holy father’s pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Loreto this Sunday, September 5. The Pope will leave Castelgandolfo by helicopter and after a one-hour trip will arrive in Montorso, near Loreto, to celebrate Mass and beatify three servants of God, members of Catholic Action.

Phoenix, USA, 3rd September 2004 (CNA) - The world is longing for communion with Christ and evidence of that is the box office success of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” said Bishop James Olmsted of Pheonix.

Bishops of India condemn wave of violence against Christians and call for religious tolerance

Rome, India, 2nd September 2004 (CNA) - The Catholic Bishops of India are voicing concern for a new wave of violence against Christians and calling on civil authorities to intervene and urging people to work to build religious tolerance and harmony.

Praise and concern for role of media from Chilean Cardinal

Santiago, Chile, 2nd September 2004 (CNA) - Speaking at a breakfast for the Press Club of the Pontifical University of Chile, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa of Santiago, Chile, commented on both the positive and negative aspects of the media in today’s culture.

Pope encourages US Catholics to be witnesses to hope despite sex scandal

Vatican City, Vatican, 2nd September 2004 (CNA) - During an audience this morning with bishops from Boston and Hartford, the Holy Father encouraged Catholics in the U.S. to persevere in their witness to the Gospel, citing the “critical role” of the American church in “bringing about a fruitful encounter” between the Gospel and global culture.

Passion sells 2.4 m copies on DVD

Washington DC, USA, 01st September, 2004 (CNA) - Mel Gibson's Biblical movie The Passion of the Christ has sold 2.4 million copies in the US by midday on its first day of release on DVD.

Idolatry is a temptation for all humanity, Pope says during general audience

Vatican City, Vatican, 01st September, 2004 (CNA) - Focusing on the second part of Psalm 113 in today's general audience, in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, the Pope spoke about the temptation to idolatry and it’s contrast with worship of the true God.

Cardinal encourages fostering of a “culture of vocations” in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 31st August 2004 (CNA) - During the opening of the Second Vocations Congress, taking place at the headquarters of the Bishops Conference of Brazil, Cardinal Geraldo Majella Angelo emphasized the need to “create a culture of vocations” in the country.

U.S. bishops urge FCC to adapt rules so public can oppose indecency

Washington DC, USA, 31st August 2004 (CNA) - U.S. broadcasters should be required to maintain archives of the programs they air and make them easily available in order to make it easier for the public to oppose indecent programming, says the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Russian Patriarch responds to Pope’s gesture, insists on “respect” for Orthodox territories

Moscow, Russia, 31st August 2004 (CNA) - The Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II sent a letter to Pope John Paul II thanking him for the handing over of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan back to the Russian Orthodox Church, and insisting that the Catholic Church “respects” the Russian Orthodox territories.

France Government Proposes Change to Allow Euthanasia

Paris, 30th August 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - France's National Assembly will debate changes to the country's euthanasia law by year's end. The health minister argued that the terminally ill should have "the right to die in dignity," according to a news24.com report.

Pope prays for persecuted Christians around the world

Vatican City, Vatican, 30th August 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II paid tribute to the martyrs of the faith and to the thousands of Christians around the world throughout the centuries who lost their lives as they witnessed to the truth of the Gospel.

Pope says Christians must bear witness even to the cost of suffering

UK Reports Highest Ever Number of Abortions

London, 27th August 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Statistics revealed today by British government sources show that abortion reached a record level in England and Wales in 2003, rising 3.2% since 2002 to reach the all-time high of 17.5 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44.

EWTN to release interview: Mel Gibson explains life after “The Passion”

Irondale, USA, 27th August 2004 (CNA) - EWTN announced this Friday that Actor and Academy Award-winning director and producer Mel Gibson sat down with Raymond Arroyo this week to talk about the aftermaths of “The Passion of the Christ” on the eve August 31st DVD and video release.

Vatican Cardinal says promoters of abortion have no place in the Church

Mexico City, Mexico, 27th August 2004 (CNA) - The President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, said this week in Mexico that those promote abortion have no place in the Church.

Our Lady of Kazan icon arrives in Russia

Moscow, Russia, 27th August 2004 (CNA) - The much venerated icon of Our Lady of Kazan has arrived in Moscow on the eve of the Eastern Orthodox feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, brought by a delegation of high ranking Vatican officials headed by Walter Cardinal Kasper.

Killing of Italian hostage condemned by Pope and prime minister

Rome, Italy, 27th August 2004 (CNA) - Pope John Paul II issued a ''firm condemnation'' of the execution of an Italian hostage, saying he hoped that all ''understand the urgent need to reject violence'' in Iraq, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi denouncing the slaying as “barbaric” and vowed on Friday that Italian troops would not leave Iraq.

The devil uses euphemisms to deceive people about life and the family, warns Chilean Cardinal

Santiago, Chile, 27th August 2004 (CNA) - Cardinal Jorge Medina, ex-Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, warned Chileans that the devil is present in the world and that he uses euphemisms to destroy respect for life and the family.

Italy goes on high alert after threats

Rome, 10th August 2004. - Security in Italy's art cities, including Venice, Florence and Rome, will be tightened over the coming holiday weekend after a stream of threats from militants, officials said on Tuesday.

Pope says Advent should be time of preparing, honouring Christ as king

Vatican, 28th November 2003 - Advent should be a time of vigilance when Catholics prepare not only to mark Christ's birth, but to honor him as king of heaven and earth, Pope John Paul II said. At his Nov. 26 general audience, which fell between the feast of Christ the King and the first Sunday of Advent, the pope focused on the "royal hymn" of Psalm 110 proclaiming the enthronement of King David's descendent at the right hand of God.

Thomas A. Droleskey: God Is More Powerful Than Liars

As the late Father Vincent Miceli noted in his last book, The Roots of Terror, the lie is at the root of all terror in the world.

Peter W. Miller: The Reality of Evil

Perhaps the most disturbing detail to come out of the recent airing of Church scandals has been the strangely disproportionate reliance of bishops upon modern psychological therapy for treating outrageously immoral behavior.

Pope Speaks About His Trip to Croatia

The Family — The Path of the Church and the Nation

Pope John Paul II: “I am going to Croatia, a land of fearless witness to the Gospel.”

Press Conference on the Pope’s Forthcoming Visit to Croatia

Rosarium Virginis Mariae

The Language of Christian Art

Comics and Cartoons as Vehicles of Religious Values

Misericordia Dei

Why Women Cannot Be Priests

A Manufactured Priest Shortage

Where Sin Abounded, Grace Was More Abundant!

Message To The Priests Of The United States Of America

What Really Happened in Rome?

By Going To Confession Priests Become Holy

Priests In Crisis

Tolkien's Catholic Imagination

The Church and Internet

The Church's interest in the Internet is a particular expression of her longstanding interest in the media of social communication.

Ethics in Internet

Today's revolution in social communications involves a fundamental reshaping of the elements by which people comprehend the world about them, and verify and express what they comprehend.

Pope Lauds Internet, Calls For Regulations

The Internet is a powerful communications medium that offers boundless opportunities to people around the world, but the amount and types of data constantly available requires a certain measure of control, said Pope John Paul II.

Pope Calls Internet an Opportunity

Vatican City (AP) - Pope John Paul II, who has avidly used mass media and information technology to get out his message, said Tuesday the Internet offered new opportunities to evangelize but also poses dangers.

'Christian porn site' debuts

Provocative outreach combines 'seedy and sacred for a purpose'.

Reciting the Ave Maria as good for you as yoga

Reciting the Ave Maria is good for a person's health because of the calming power of prayer, a study says.

Virgin Mary goes on display in Indian clothes

A rare 17th century painting of the Virgin Mary dressed in Indian clothes has gone on display at a museum in India.

All India Christian Council

When Young People Fool With Satanism

Benvenuto, Brother Carlos

One of the great orders of the Church, the Dominicans, has a new leader. In this interview , the Argentinian Carlos Azpiroz pays tribute to his predecessors, and explains how he sees the Dominican vocation.

Porn Site Threat Targets Expired and Current Web Sites

Warning to Christian Website Domain Owners