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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The sudden resignation Friday of Donald Trump's campaign chairman put renewed emphasis on revelations about his past work on behalf of Ukraine's pro-Russian political leaders, including his firm's role directing a covert Washington lobbying operation that would have required him under federal law to disclose his efforts to the Justice Department....
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Offering consolation, expressing regret, cutting ties with a controversial aide. Donald Trump's campaign turnaround plan on Friday featured the unorthodox candidate acting much like a conventional politician struggling to revive a presidential bid on the ropes....
Vatican City, Aug 19, 2016 / 10:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In September Pope Francis will make his second visit to Assisi in just two months for an interreligious summit for peace, where he will pray and meet alongside major Islamic and Orthodox leaders.The visit will take place Sept. 20, which marks the 30th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace that St. John Paul II convoked in Assisi 1986.St. John Paul II went back to Assisi for successive events 1993 and 2002. The last day of prayer led by a Pope was convoked by Benedict XVI in 2011, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first historic meeting in Assisi.However, the Sant'Egidio community has organized an interreligious meeting every year since 1986, held at different locations. This year the meeting will once again take place in Assisi, with the Pope present.Pope Francis' presence at the prayer summit will be his third time in Assisi, the first having taken place Oct. 4, 2013, for the feast day of his namesa...
Vatican City, Aug 19, 2016 / 10:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In September Pope Francis will make his second visit to Assisi in just two months for an interreligious summit for peace, where he will pray and meet alongside major Islamic and Orthodox leaders.
The visit will take place Sept. 20, which marks the 30th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace that St. John Paul II convoked in Assisi 1986.
St. John Paul II went back to Assisi for successive events 1993 and 2002. The last day of prayer led by a Pope was convoked by Benedict XVI in 2011, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first historic meeting in Assisi.
However, the Sant'Egidio community has organized an interreligious meeting every year since 1986, held at different locations. This year the meeting will once again take place in Assisi, with the Pope present.
Pope Francis' presence at the prayer summit will be his third time in Assisi, the first having taken place Oct. 4, 2013, for the feast day of his namesake, and the second being just a few weeks ago on Aug. 4, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the “perdono” indulgence.
Shortly after the Pope's visit to Assisi Aug. 4, Mohamed Abdel Qader, the Imam of Perugia and Umbria and who met with Francis during the brief trip, hinted that another visit could take place again soon. The news was confirmed by the Vatican Aug. 18.
Titled “Thirst for Peace: Religions and Cultures in dialogue,” the World Day of Prayer for Peace will run Sept. 18-20, and is being organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio in collaboration with the Franciscan family and the diocese of Assisi.
Other than Pope Francis, other special guests who will make an appearance include Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and the rector of the prestigious al-Azhar University, Imam Ahmen al-Tayyeb.
Since his election Pope Francis has shown that both interfaith and ecumenical dialogue are key priorities for his pontificate. Not only has met with Patriarch Bartholomew on several occasions, he was also the first Pope in history to meet with a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church when he embraced Patriarch Kirill Feb. 12 while on his way to Mexico.
The Pope has also placed a strong emphasis on dialogue with Muslims, welcoming al-Tayyeb to the Vatican May 23 for a visit largely seen as a making a leap in terms of Catholic-Muslim relations.
The Custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, Fr. Mauro Gambettilo, has confirmed that the Italy’s President, Sergio Mattarella, will also be there.
The president of the Community of Sant'Egidio, Marco Impagliazzo, said the meeting is “a necessary encounter,” especially given the current global climate of conflict.
“It will be a convergence of very high religious and institutional personalities: to show to all that religions are not indifferent to this cry which rises up from the people and to distance ourselves from preachers of hate, working in favor of the integration which is the key to defending our societies from violence.”
Trier, Germany, Aug 19, 2016 / 12:34 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Accusations have been raised in a number of German media that Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising failed to remove from office a priest accused in 2006 of sexually abusing a minor.The alleged abuser, it appears, was allowed to stayed on as parish priest for a number of years, even going on overnight excursions with youth.A spokesperson for Cardinal Marx has said that the prelate had acted in accordance with relevant guidelines that were in place at the time.Saarland public broadcaster SR reports that Cardinal Marx, who was then Bishop of Trier, knew authorities were investigating a parish priest – identified only as "M" – for allegedly sexually abusing a 15 year old boy.Citing the victim's legal counsel as a source, SR reports that “M”, who was then 52, had partially confessed the crime to authorities. However, he appears to have avoided prosecution because the alleged cri...
Trier, Germany, Aug 19, 2016 / 12:34 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Accusations have been raised in a number of German media that Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising failed to remove from office a priest accused in 2006 of sexually abusing a minor.
The alleged abuser, it appears, was allowed to stayed on as parish priest for a number of years, even going on overnight excursions with youth.
A spokesperson for Cardinal Marx has said that the prelate had acted in accordance with relevant guidelines that were in place at the time.
Saarland public broadcaster SR reports that Cardinal Marx, who was then Bishop of Trier, knew authorities were investigating a parish priest – identified only as "M" – for allegedly sexually abusing a 15 year old boy.
Citing the victim's legal counsel as a source, SR reports that “M”, who was then 52, had partially confessed the crime to authorities. However, he appears to have avoided prosecution because the alleged crime fell just outside the statute of limitations.
The Church was duly informed by authorities of this in 2006, but never requested the case files, several media report.
When nonetheless questioned by the diocese, “M” denied the allegations, SR reports, and then-Bishop Marx closed the matter and moved on.
It appears the accused continued to serve as parish priest in the community where the alleged abused took place until 2015.
According to the German news magazine "Focus", state authorities initiated two further investigations into the priest's conduct, in 2013 and 2015. Both times, the lines of inquiry stalled and finally were abandoned due to a lack of evidence.
Only as of May 2015, the alleged abuser is no longer allowed to be in contact with minors or to publicly say Mass, Focus reports, as both civil authorities and the Trier diocese are yet again investigating the matter under both legal and canonical auspices.
Cardinal Marx, who was Bishop of Trier from 2001 to 2007, has not yet spoken about the accusations levelled against him. Spokespersons for both the Diocese of Trier and for Cardinal Marx have confirmed that the then-Bishop of Trier knew of the case in 2006.
However, the spokesperson for Cardinal Marx emphasised that he "had acted in accordance with the guidelines of the German Bishops' Conference". These guidelines were reformed in 2010 and then again in 2013.
"Such a case would be dealt with differently today; the Church would conduct her own investigation", the spokesperson said. "The German bishops have acted on the bitter experiences and introduced new guidelines that apply to all dioceses".
Cardinal Marx is also president of the German bishops' conference, a member of the Council of Cardinals advising Pope Francis on the reform of the Roman Curia, and coordinator of the Vatican's Council for the Economy.
IMAGE: CNS photo/Aprille Hanson, Arkansas Catholic By Malea HargettLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- Asthe first week of school began at Catholic High School in Little Rock, a signplaced on the school office door is being discussed by national radio hosts,the media and parents.The boys school always hasplaced a high priority on responsibility and consequences, but the notice witha red stop sign prominently at the top is what is getting attention across thecountry.On Aug. 10 the sign was postedat the school and shared with parents: "If you are dropping off your son'sforgotten lunch, books, homework, equipment, etc., please turn around and exitthe building. Your son will learn to problem-solve in your absence."After the sign was posted on theschool's Facebook page, it was shared 117,000 times and had more than 3,600comments.While most of the comments weresupportive, many Facebook comments disagreed with the school's notice.One woman said, "I'm an adultwho forgets things because life is hecti...
IMAGE: CNS photo/Aprille Hanson, Arkansas Catholic
By Malea Hargett
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- As the first week of school began at Catholic High School in Little Rock, a sign placed on the school office door is being discussed by national radio hosts, the media and parents.
The boys school always has placed a high priority on responsibility and consequences, but the notice with a red stop sign prominently at the top is what is getting attention across the country.
On Aug. 10 the sign was posted at the school and shared with parents: "If you are dropping off your son's forgotten lunch, books, homework, equipment, etc., please turn around and exit the building. Your son will learn to problem-solve in your absence."
After the sign was posted on the school's Facebook page, it was shared 117,000 times and had more than 3,600 comments.
While most of the comments were supportive, many Facebook comments disagreed with the school's notice.
One woman said, "I'm an adult who forgets things because life is hectic and chaotic. ' I can't expect my kids to remember when their life is just as hectic. This is a terrible idea. Especially the food."
Other commenters seemed to understand that the school was educating high school boys, not elementary students.
"These are young men only a few short years away from college. Mommy can't bring your lunch or forgotten book to college. My son would be mortified if I brought his lunch or book to him. So what if they get detention? I promise, they will not starve in three hours. They are smart. They will borrow food from a friend. Natural consequences," another woman wrote.
Catholic High parents were not surprised by the sign and knew what to expect since the school has been preaching this rule for decades.
"I'm very proud to now be a part of this exceptional school and happy to hear it is generating a national conversation about the value of personal responsibility," said freshman parent Jennifer Gunderman of Maumelle.
Principal Steve Straessle reminded parents Aug. 10 before the Aug. 15 first day of school to follow the school's common sense policy.
In an e-mail to parents, he wrote, "Our old philosophy was that doing so perpetuates forgetfulness and inconveniences adults for a boy's memory lapse. Now, however, we are doubling-down on this policy to treat the aforementioned lack of problem-solving that has become the norm. If your son forgets something, he will simply have to figure out the best mechanism for fixing it.
"He will have to borrow money for lunch, talk to a teacher about forgotten homework or go hat-in-hand to a coach for forgotten equipment."
Straessle has been telling parents to teach their sons about "soft failures"
"Soft failures are the times when boys come up short without permanent damage to their well-being," he said. "A soft failure is a lower grade on a test than expected. A soft failure is not making the team. A soft failure is when a boy's behavior results in corrective discipline. No one has ever had his life destroyed by soft failures. However, many lives have been devastated by the lack thereof."
In an interview with Arkansas Catholic, Little Rock's diocesan newspaper, Straessle said he intended for the quickly written sign to be at the school for two weeks, but now it will be permanent. In the past parents occasionally did bring up lunches, homework or football pads, but the office staff always told them they couldn't deliver the forgotten items.
"We want to save the trip up here and save the embarrassment and save any kind of time, in addition to underscoring why we have that policy," he said. "It's not because we don't want parents to bother us, or we want to be mean to the kids. It's because our kids need to think beyond the default switch of call Mom and Dad if something goes wrong. Every tool necessary to solve the problem can be found here on campus."
Straessle said he would never advocate the rule for an elementary or middle school, and even in some high schools it wouldn't work. "But it works here and it is intrinsic to our mission."
"Most parents knew about the policy and liked, but I decided to underscore it for the handful of parents who are making the trek up here and getting turned away," he said. "This is one of those lessons that is just as vital as calculus or English composition but can't be found in a textbook. That lesson is the value of personal responsibility."
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Hargett is editor of the Arkansas Catholic, newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock.
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