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VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Iran's president and Pope Francis have exchanged gifts and wishes for hope and prayers after they met privately at the Vatican....
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis held talks with Iran's president at the Vatican Tuesday, calling on Tehran to play a key role in stopping the spread of terrorism as Iran tries to improve its image in the global arena following an agreement on its nuclear program....
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Military authorities responded Tuesday to a report of gunshots at a building on the campus Naval Medical Center San Diego....
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- The latest on the fight against the Zika virus that health officials suspect is linked to a wave of birth defects in Brazil. (All times local):...
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Brazil's health minister says the country will mobilize some 220,000 troops to battle the mosquito blamed for spreading a virus suspected of causing birth defects - but he also says the war is already being lost....
 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others.""Even as Americans rema...
 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."
"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.
"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU
He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.
The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
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The Tamil translation of 'Early Christians of 21st Century - stories of incredible Christian witness from Kandhamal jungles' was released on January 23rd at Madurai at the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council (TNBC) assembly.Bishop Peter Remigius of Kotar diocese, TNBC outgoing president, released and handed over the first copy of the Tamil translation of the internationally acclaimed investigative book authored by journalist Anto Akkara, to Archbishop Antony Pappusamy of Madurai, who was elected president of TNBC at the Jan 21-23 assembly."I am happy to introduce this book as Anto has been keenly involved in documenting the sufferings and the witness of the Kandhamal Christians. He has persistently drawn attention to Kandhamal with his books," pointed out Bishop Remigius while introducing the Tamil translation to the bishops of the TNBC comprising 22 Catholic dioceses of Tamil Nadu.The English book - chronicling the incredible witness of the Kandhamal Chr...
The Tamil translation of 'Early Christians of 21st Century - stories of incredible Christian witness from Kandhamal jungles' was released on January 23rd at Madurai at the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council (TNBC) assembly.
Bishop Peter Remigius of Kotar diocese, TNBC outgoing president, released and handed over the first copy of the Tamil translation of the internationally acclaimed investigative book authored by journalist Anto Akkara, to Archbishop Antony Pappusamy of Madurai, who was elected president of TNBC at the Jan 21-23 assembly.
"I am happy to introduce this book as Anto has been keenly involved in documenting the sufferings and the witness of the Kandhamal Christians. He has persistently drawn attention to Kandhamal with his books," pointed out Bishop Remigius while introducing the Tamil translation to the bishops of the TNBC comprising 22 Catholic dioceses of Tamil Nadu.
The English book - chronicling the incredible witness of the Kandhamal Christians amid brutal persecution - authored by the journalist Akkara after 22 trips to remote Kandhamal district in Odisha has been already translated into Malayalam, Hindi, Mizo and French besides Tamil.
"The encounter with the poor but valiant Kandhamal Christians has changed my life. I have gone there 22 times to document their suffering and incredible witness," said the journalist author who has also authored the secular investigative book 'Kandhamal craves for Justice' after five years.
The Tamil translation that carries a Foreword by Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras Myaplore apart from the 'Foreword' by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai and president of FABC - Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences - is published by 'Word of Christ' based in Chennai.
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) is taking place this week in Cebu, Philippines. The event – which takes place every four years – brings together people from around the world to worship and learn more about the Eucharist.Bishop Robert Barron – an Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, California – told Vatican Radio the event is an “indispensable” tool of evangelization.“You’ve got so many speakers who are suggesting avenues that they’ve used – intellectual approaches, practical approaches – and we all come together and listen to each other, and that is very enlivening,” he said.Listen to our report: “I think these are indispensable if we are trying to find new ways,” Bishop Barron said. “We listen, watch…see what’s working and what isn’t working, both in terms of instruction, and in terms of practicality.”Pope Francis sent a mes...
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) is taking place this week in Cebu, Philippines. The event – which takes place every four years – brings together people from around the world to worship and learn more about the Eucharist.
Bishop Robert Barron – an Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, California – told Vatican Radio the event is an “indispensable” tool of evangelization.
“You’ve got so many speakers who are suggesting avenues that they’ve used – intellectual approaches, practical approaches – and we all come together and listen to each other, and that is very enlivening,” he said.
Listen to our report:
“I think these are indispensable if we are trying to find new ways,” Bishop Barron said. “We listen, watch…see what’s working and what isn’t working, both in terms of instruction, and in terms of practicality.”
Pope Francis sent a message to the meeting, but his schedule did not allow for a second visit to the country in two years, after his 2015 Apostolic trip.
“When we first invited him, and thought they are planning to come, we are happy! And then, the [2013 Bohol] earthquake came, and [Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda] came, and there’s a lot of disaster that happened, and when the Pope said I think I should go the Philippines earlier, we understand,” said Archbishop Jose Palma, the Archbishop of Cebu and President of the IEC.
“And I think, when we look back, we can only be very pleased that this coming gives so much inspiration to the people,” Archbishop Palma told Vatican Radio.
“We know that as a Church leader – as the Vicar of Christ – he manifested to us the love of the Lord,” he said. “Am I sorry? No, because what he did even manifests even more the love of the Pope to our people.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday received in audience at the Vatican, Iranian President Hassan Rohani.The meeting between the Pope and President Rouhani is the first of its kind since 1999 when Pope St. John Paul II received in audience at the Vatican the then Iranian president Mohammad Khatami. More details to follow shortly.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Tuesday received in audience at the Vatican, Iranian President Hassan Rohani.
The meeting between the Pope and President Rouhani is the first of its kind since 1999 when Pope St. John Paul II received in audience at the Vatican the then Iranian president Mohammad Khatami.
More details to follow shortly.
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican representative to the United Nations agencies in Geneva said on Tuesday the “needs of Christians” and other religious minorities must be “taken into serious consideration” at UN-sponsored talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.The United Nations has issued invitations for talks aimed at finding a political solution to the ongoing Syria crisis. The talks are scheduled to begin on Friday in Geneva, and last for 6 months. The UN said the first priority is a broad ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid, and halting the threat posed by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.“We hope the specific needs of the Christians, the Yazidis, and other communities that are not part of the Muslim majority be taken into serious consideration,” said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva.Listen to the Vatican Viewpoint featuring the interview with Archbishop Toma...
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican representative to the United Nations agencies in Geneva said on Tuesday the “needs of Christians” and other religious minorities must be “taken into serious consideration” at UN-sponsored talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.
The United Nations has issued invitations for talks aimed at finding a political solution to the ongoing Syria crisis. The talks are scheduled to begin on Friday in Geneva, and last for 6 months. The UN said the first priority is a broad ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid, and halting the threat posed by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
“We hope the specific needs of the Christians, the Yazidis, and other communities that are not part of the Muslim majority be taken into serious consideration,” said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva.
Listen to the Vatican Viewpoint featuring the interview with Archbishop Tomasi:
“If we hope for an authentic ceasefire and possible beginning of reconstruction of the social and material fabric of society in Syria, then the human rights of these communities have to be taken into account,” Archbishop Tomasi told Vatican Radio.
The five-year conflict has killed over 250,000 people, and sent over 4 million fleeing the country. Another 6.5 million people are internally displaced within Syria, with over 13 million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
“The victims of the violence in Syria and northern Iraq - the majority of the victims - have so far been Muslim, but Christians are particularly targeted for persecution and discrimination,” the Vatican diplomat said.
The first phase of the talks could last two to three weeks before preparations are made for further phases, and the United Nations said there will be a substantial presence of civil society and women.
“We hope, if not directly and specifically represented in the negotiations which will start next Friday, at least indirectly and then later on when other participants will join in the dialogue, that Christians, in particular, be specifically represented,” Archbishop Tomasi said.
