(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to Catholic Churches in the UK that marked the annual Day for Life on Sunday, dedicated to raising awareness about the value of human life at every stage and in every condition. The theme for this year’s event is ‘The Wonder of Human Life in Our Common Home’, clearly referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ which was published one year ago.To find out more about the event and about the way it’s being celebrated in parishes across the country, Philippa Hitchen spoke to Bishop John Sherrington, auxiliary of Westminster diocese, who deals with life issues for the Catholic bishops conference of England and WalesListen: Bishop Sherrington says the Day for Life 2016 is focused on the interconnectedness of life, from the dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, to the world around us.Cards have been produced for every parish in the country telling the sto...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to Catholic Churches in the UK that marked the annual Day for Life on Sunday, dedicated to raising awareness about the value of human life at every stage and in every condition. The theme for this year’s event is ‘The Wonder of Human Life in Our Common Home’, clearly referencing Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ which was published one year ago.
To find out more about the event and about the way it’s being celebrated in parishes across the country, Philippa Hitchen spoke to Bishop John Sherrington, auxiliary of Westminster diocese, who deals with life issues for the Catholic bishops conference of England and Wales
Listen:
Bishop Sherrington says the Day for Life 2016 is focused on the interconnectedness of life, from the dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, to the world around us.
Cards have been produced for every parish in the country telling the story of a man in an Indian village who is suffering from the effects of heat and drought, illustrating the connectedness between people and protection of the natural world. Other resources are available on the Day for Life website, including a reflection on a profoundly disabled woman who finds joy in nature and in the love of others.
Quoting from Pope John Paul’s words to artists in a letter written in 1999, Bishop Sherrington says the Church must encourage people to wonder at the sacredness of human life and the marvels of the universe. He says Pope Francis has sent a blessing in support of the work of the Day for Life initiative and he notes also the very encouraging words of the Pope at the recent Jubilee for the sick and disabled.
Finally Bishop Sherrington says that money raised during the Day for Life collections goes to support the Anscombe Bioethics Centre which works for the protection of life in the public sphere and offers funds to individuals such as expectant mothers in need of help to continue their pregnancies.
The state capitol building of New Hampshire in Concord, New Hampshire. / Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesCNA Newsroom, Mar 28, 2024 / 11:30 am (CNA).The New Hampshire House of Representatives is poised to reconsider its narrow passage of a bill that would legalize assisted suicide in the "Live Free or Die" state.Last week, New Hampshire state representatives passed HB 1273 by a margin of just three votes, 179-176. Twenty-four representatives abstained during the vote. However, the bill has not been advanced to the New Hampshire Senate, as one member of the slim majority, Rep. Mike Ouellet, filed a motion to reconsider. The Republican politician had initially voted in favor of the proposed law. However, the following day, Ouellet revealed that he wanted to change his vote due to his faith."I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life," the lawmaker told the New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism. The Republican politician felt "torn because the bill w...
Adoration. / Thoom / Shutterstock.CNA Staff, Mar 28, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Did you know that it is possible to sing a special song of adoration on Holy Thursday and have your soul purified?It's true, and the song is "Tantum Ergo."First, some background...A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove all temporal punishment due to sin.What does this mean?"An indulgence does not confer grace. An indulgence is not a remission of the guilt due to sin. The guilt due to sin is ordinarily taken away by the sacraments of baptism and penance (confession), in which we receive forgiveness for sins through Jesus Christ," the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains in this helpful Q&A."Although guilt is taken away, and with it the eternal penalty that is due to sin, namely, damnation, the eternal loss of the presence of God, there remain consequences for sins that those who have committed them ...
Asian elephant. / Credit: Filiz Elaerts / Unsplash (CC0)CNA Newsroom, Mar 27, 2024 / 13:00 pm (CNA).Despite repeated protests from Catholic bishops, wildlife attacks continue to pose a severe threat to the lives and properties of both Catholics and other residents in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. On Wednesday, local media reported significant damage from two elephants in Kerala's Idukki district, alongside a tiger's attack on livestock. This year alone, elephant attacks have resulted in 27 fatalities in the region. Video footage of a Catholic man trampled to death on Feb. 10 made headlines and sparked protests, only to be followed by news of a potential mauling by a tiger of a Catholic woman on her way to Mass four days after the fatal attack. Further fatal elephant tramplings followed the incident.The Catholic Church in Kerala has been leading the charge in urging the government to take decisive action to protect human lives. "The series of shocking ...