Apr

8

Prelate: “Privatized” Religion Leads to Less Confession

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Fewer people avail of the sacrament of reconciliation because of an increased tendency to “privatize” the faith, contended a bishop of Uruguay.
Bishop Pablo Galimberti of Salto, in northeast Uruguay, said he believes confessions are less frequent because many Catholics leave aside the figure of the priest and choose religious rites according to personal convenience.
“In general […]

Apr

8

Cardinal Sees New Blessed as Light for Anti-Faith World

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Newly-beatified Mother Celestina of the Mother of God is an example for a world in which faith is difficult, said the prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes.
Cardinal José Saraiva Martins said this about Blessed Celestina (born Maria Anna Donati, 1848-1925) when he presided over her beatification ceremony March 30 in her native Florence.
She founded […]

Apr

8

Bishop Expects Pope to Challenge Politicians

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Notes Pontiff’s Unique Status as a World Leader
When Shepherd One lands at Andrew’s Air Force Base a week from today, Benedict XVI will disembark with a message to strengthen the faith, hope and love of U.S. Catholics, said one of the nation’s bishops.
Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International […]

Apr

8

Divine Mercy Enthroned in Former Soviet Nation

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Mission Director Says Devotion Proves Love Stronger Than Hate
By Nieves San Martín
A former Soviet nation in Central Asia has a renewed opportunity to grow in devotion to God’s mercy after two images were enthroned in the “sui iuris” mission.
On the feast of Divine Mercy, two images of the devotion were enthroned in Tajikistan, a nation […]

Apr

8

Spanish Official: Traditional Marriage Back in Style

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Cites Worldwide Legal and Social Turn-Around
The general secretary of Spain’s Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation contended that traditional marriage is back in style.
Rafael Navarro Valls affirmed this last Thursday, saying that numerous legal measures established in various countries, and sociological polls carried out in Spain, reflect a return to a classical understanding of marriage, […]

Apr

8

Church in France Receives Converts From Islam

April 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Between 150 and 200 Muslims convert to Catholicism each year in France, many of them the children of mixed marriages, reported a French daily.
According to the April 2 edition of Le Monde, the topic has been little discussed in recent years. But the Church is now affirming that religious liberty and reciprocity are essential.
Bishop Michel […]