Apr

24

Venezuelan and German to Be Beatified

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Benedict XVI authorized three beatifications for the coming days, one each in Venezuela, Germany and Rome.
Candelaria de San Jose (born Susana Paz Castillo Ramirez), virgin and founder of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Third Regular Order of Venezuela, will be beatified April 27 in the stadium of the Central University of Caracas, […]

Apr

24

Pope: Bishops in Former USSR Face Difficulties

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Bishops in the former Soviet Union countries of the southern Caucasus region still face many difficult situations, though the “flame of the Gospel” still persists, Benedict XVI says.
The Pope affirmed this today when he received in audience prelates from the region, which includes all of Armenia and the majority of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The bishops […]

Apr

24

Music Called to Give Hope, Says Benedict XVI

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

There is a kinship between music and hope, between song and eternal life, said Benedict XVI at the end of a concert offered in his honor today.
The concert was a gift from the president of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, to mark the third anniversary of Benedict XVI’s pontificate. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected April 19, 2005, […]

Apr

24

Rites of Beatification Approved by the Holy Father

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

  The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff today announced three beatification ceremonies due to take place over coming days:
  Candelaria de San Jose (nee Susana Paz Castillo Ramirez), virgin and foundress of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of the Third Regular Order of Venezuela. Her beatification is scheduled for Sunday 27 […]

Apr

24

Prelates of Caucasus: Support Faithful in Difficulties

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

  At midday today, the Holy Father received prelates from the southern Caucasus region on their “ad limina” visit.
  “Since the fall of the Soviet Union”, said the Pope in his address to them, “your peoples have seen significant social changes along the road to progress. Yet difficult situations persist: many are the poor, the […]

Apr

24

Mexican Top Court Considers Abortion Law

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

A law permitting abortion in the capital city of Mexico is being considered before the nation’s top court.
Testimonies began April 11 in an attempt to prove that the abortion law, which went into effect April 25, 2007, is not constitutional. The law permits abortions only in the capital and up through the 12th week of […]

Apr

24

Transferring Technology to the Human Dimension

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

  On 17 April, Msgr. Renato Volante, Holy See permanent observer to the Rome-based United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO), participated in the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Brasilia, Brazil, on 17 and 18 April.
  In his talk, the prelate praised the work FAO accomplishes […]

Apr

24

Alvare Named Laity Council Consultor

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Benedict XVI appointed Helen Alvare, a law professor at the Catholic University of America, as a consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Alvare was appointed to the council for a five-year term. The council has 36 members and 20 consultors. “I am delighted to be asked to serve the Church and the Holy […]

Apr

24

Suspended Prelate Asks Pardon for Causing Sorrow

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The president-elect of Paraguay, a suspended Catholic bishop, asked forgiveness from the Church for the sorrow his disobedience of canon law has caused.
Fernando Lugo asked forgiveness particularly to Benedict XVI on Monday after having been elected Sunday as Paraguay’s next president. “If my attitude and my disobedience of canon law caused sorrow, I sincerely ask […]

Apr

24

Cardinal Says Pope Giving New Direction to Dialogue

April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Benedict XVI is encouraging the participants in interreligious dialogue to cross the bridges that have been built by decades of focus on friendship and tolerance, contended the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran affirmed this April 16 when he opened a five-day conference in Nairobi on “Formation in Interreligious Dialogue in […]

Apr

24

The Shadow of Peter Fell on America Last Week

April 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

Pope Brought Words of Hope and Healing
By Father Thomas Rosica, CSB
Last week Benedict XVI made his first visit as Pope to the United States of America, and many were concerned about the impact the German Pontiff would have on a rather beleaguered Church.
They asked if Benedict XVI would be able to “connect” with people as […]