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(Vatican Radio) A new book that explores the themes and the content of Pope Francis’ homilies and discourses from when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires was presented on Thursday in the Vatican.Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal-elect Blase Cupich and the newly elected Superior General of the Jesuits, Fr Arturo Sosa, were present for the presentation together with man behind the book. Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Jesuit father Antonio Spadaro, no newcomer to other editorial adventures that feature Pope Francis, is the man who collected the material that makes up the book and edited it giving life to the very first unabridged collection of the writings of Jorge Mario Bergoglio during the 14 years he was archbishop of Buenos Aires.He explained that its very title which translates loosely into: “In your eyes are my words” speaks of Pope Francis’ need to look people in the eyes when he is talking to them.Francis –...
(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva spoke on Wednesday at the World Trade Organization (WTO) during a discussion on intellectual property rights.The Vatican diplomat said access to health care must always be assured when discussing intellectual property.“As we are all aware, health is a fundamental human right, essential for the exercise of many other rights, and it is necessary for living a life in dignity,” – Archbishop Jurkovic said – “The realization of the right to health should be a fundamental goal of national policies and programmes, regardless of respective economic, social, cultural, religious or political contexts. However, for millions of people around the world, the full enjoyment of the right to health remains an elusive goal, due, inter alia, to obstacles in access to high quality, affordable, and acceptable medicin...
An organising committee for the next Uganda Martyrs Day on 3 June, 2017 has been appointed by Bishop Vincent Kirabo of Hoima, the Diocese that will lead the celebrations.The annual day commemorates the heroic faith of the 45 Martyrs Catholic and Anglican who were burnt to death on the orders of the then king of Buganda between 1885 and 1887. The twenty-two Catholic Martyrs among them were beatified on 6 June, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. They were declared saints on 18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI. Below is an article by Jacinta W. Odongo from the New Contact, a publication of the Uganda Episcopla Conference.Bishop of Hoima appoints committees to spearhead the 2017 Martyrs Day celebrationWith exactly seven months to the 2017 Uganda Martyrs day celebrations, Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo, the Bishop of Hoima Diocese has appointed an organizing committee at Diocesan level to spearhead the June 3 celebration which will be held at Namugongo Catholic Shrine.Bishop Kirabo, who was ins...
(Vatican Radio) This year’s Christmas tree and Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square will be inaugurated and lit up on December 9th and will highlight several issues such as care for the environment, the sick and migrants. A communique from the governing office of Vatican City said the 25 metre-high spruce tree for 2016 will come from the region of Trentino in northern Italy and when it’s cut down local school students will plant nearly 40 new spruce and larch seedlings in a nearby area to replace trees suffering from a parasite that had to be culled.It said the tree will be adorned with handmade ornaments featuring drawings made by children undergoing treatment for cancer and other illnesses at several Italian hospitals.Measuring 19 metres in width, this year’s giant Nativity scene will feature 17 statues dressed in traditional Maltese costumes as well as a replica of a traditional “Luzzu” Maltese boat.In its communique, the Vatican City’s...
Bangladesh’s largest religion is Islam, with Muslims constituting over 88% of the nation’s over 156 million population. Hindus and Buddhists are the most significant minorities of the country, while Christians, Sikhs, animists and atheists form the minuscule remainders. Catholicism came to the region in the 16th century with the arrival of Portuguese sailors. Today, the country’s Catholic population of over 350 thousand accounts for just 0.2 percent of the population. Among several foreign missionary congregations working in Bangladesh are the Xaverian Missionaries, who are identified by the initials SX after their name. And today, we have with us Fr. Marcello Storgato, a 73-year old Rome-born Xaverian missionary, who worked in Bangladesh for 21 years from 1972 until 1994 when he was called to serve in the Xaverian media in Brescia, Italy. In an interview with him, we came to know a lot about the Xaverian miss...
(Vatican Radio) Philippine Catholic bishops have joined several dissenting voices denouncing a Supreme court decision allowing a hero's burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos."It mocks our fight to restore democracy. I am puzzled and hurt, and in great grief," said Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, president of the Philippine bishops' conference.The prelate, a protege of the late Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila who helped oust Marcos through the so-called "People Power Revolution" of 1986, said he was "very sad" with the court decision.The highest court in the Philippines ruled on Tuesday, that former president Ferdinand Marcos will be granted a “hero’s burial”, ending a nearly three-decade fight by those who regard him as a human rights abuser and kleptocrat. The supreme court said it had cleared all legal obstacles and petitions filed against moving his remains to the Libingan ng mga Bayani, or Hero...
Vatican City, Nov 10, 2016 / 08:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Thursday, Pope Francis spoke about Christian unity and ecumenism, specifically what they are not. Namely, they aren’t about uniformity or the total absorption of one religion by another, but instead consist of a common communion in Christ.“Ecumenism is true when Christians are able to shift the focus from themselves, from their arguments and formulations, to the Word of God who demands to be heard, accepted and witnessed in the world,” the Pope said Nov. 10.“Because of this, the various Christian communities are called not to ‘compete,’ but to cooperate.”Pope Francis addressed members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity gathered in Rome for their plenary assembly at the Vatican.Throughout his pontificate Francis has placed a strong emphasis on ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. The last few months alone have included several ecumenical meetings, such as in Lun...
IMAGE: CNS/ReutersBy Chaz MuthLOUISVILLE,Ky. (CNS) -- On a seasonably warm, drizzly Nov. 3 evening, Archbishop Joseph E.Kurtz drove his white Toyota Avalon up a driveway that leads to the statelyLouisville home of Steve and Kathy Ford.Thecouple graciously agreed to hold a fundraising event for Catholic Extension, anational organization that supports programs for mission dioceses across theU.S. and one the 70-year-old archbishop strongly backs.Hewas visibly moved when he heard one of the speakers talk about a prisonministry made possible by Catholic Extension, an outreach Archbishop Kurtz seesas essential in Catholic social teaching.Eventslike this one -- conducted in the Archdiocese of Louisville, which he hasshepherded for the past decade -- bolstered his positive outlook for the futureof the Catholic Church.Italso offered him an opportunity to reflect on the remaining days of histhree-year term as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, whichwill conclude at the end...
ONEONTA, N.Y. (AP) -- This year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is beginning its journey from upstate New York to Manhattan....
NEW YORK (AP) -- Even for the best home chefs, Thanksgiving is a lot of work....
