Woolwich: appeal for prayers after yesterday's killing Southwark Bishop Patrick Lynch met with Father Michael Branch, parish priest of Saint Peter the Apostle, Woolwich, today, Thursday, 23 May. In the wake of yesterday's tragic killing of a soldier from Woolwich Barracks, they issued this joint request for prayer: 'We encourage people to pray for the young man who died so tragically and for his family and colleagues at Woolwich Barracks who must be devastated by recent events. We would also ask people of the diocese to unite themselves in prayer with the people of Woolwich at this difficult time. Read More ... Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 5:58 pm
Pope meets President of El Salvador; discusses importance of Archbishop Oscar Romero Yesterday Pope Francis received in audience His excellency Mr Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena, president of the Republic of El Salvador. President Funes then met with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, SDB, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. A Vatican statement said: "During the cordial talks, satisfaction was express for the good relations between the Holy See and the nation of El Salvador. In particular, Servant of God Archbishop Oscar Amulfo Romero y Galdamez of San Salvador Read More ... Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 5:43 pm
Report shows more than half a million people in UK rely on food banks A new hard-hitting report from Church Action on Poverty and Oxfam is warning of Britain’s ‘hidden hungry’, and highlighting the scandal of food poverty in 21st-century Britain. The two charities, with the backing of the Trussell Trust, are calling for an urgent Parliamentary Inquiry into the relationship between benefit delay, error or sanctions, welfare reform changes, and the growth of food poverty.They are asking their supporters to speak out in support of the call. Niall Cooper, Church Action on Poverty CEO and the report's lead author, said: “The safety net Read More ... Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 5:13 pm
Caritas urges call for action to protect Syrian people from slaughter Caritas Lebanon reports that there is a shortage of shelter to house the influx of Syrian refugees, that diseases are spreading due to the unhygienic situation of the makeshift camps and that Lebanon’s delicate political balance is at risk. Caritas providing food, clothing, hygiene items and medical help. The agency has been responding to the needs of Syrians since the first days of the crisis in March 2011, supporting both those inside the country and refugees throughout the region. Caritas has helped more than 100,000 people in need, Read More ... Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:24 pm
London's faith communities condemn attack in Woolwich Representatives from nine faith groups issued a statement last night, following the attack in Woolwich in which a young soldier was savagely killed in the street by two men. They said: "We, as representatives of many of London's faith communities, deplore the terrible attack that has taken place today in Woolwich. All of our religions exalt the sanctity of human life and no grievance could justify such a barbaric assault that has cost a young man his life. Terrorism has no place on our streets. Read More ... Phil Rosenberg, - Posted: Thursday, May 23, 2013 12:19 am
Jordan: thousands in candlelight procession for kidnapped bishops More than two thousand people walked through Amman yesterday evening to pray for the release of the bishops and priests kidnapped in Syria and for peace in the Middle East. The candle light prayer procession went from from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple to the Syriac Orthodox Church of St Ephrem, passing by the Catholic church of St Mary of Nazareth, at the Latin Vicariate. The gathering, which marked one month after the kidnapping of two bishops of Aleppo Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 11:08 pm
Pope Francis: be courageous witnesses of the Gospel Pope Francis dedicated his Wednesday general audience catechesis to a reflection on the Holy Spirit, without whom, he said: “the Church could not live or carry out the mission that Jesus has entrusted us with, of going out and making disciples of all nations. Evangelisation is the Church's mission, not just of a few, but my, your, our mission. … To evangelize, then, it is necessary to open ourselves once again to the action of God's Spirit, without fear of what He might ask us or where He might lead us. Let us entrust ourselves to him. He will enable us to Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 10:41 pm
Me and My Faith: Kate Introna - nurse Kate writes: I grew up as one of a seven children in a Catholic family. My parents were from Irish and Italian backgrounds so that was a double dose of Catholicism. We went to Mass as kids every Sunday and practised all the traditions of the church which as I was growing up, was something I just took for granted and was a part of our family life. My parent's faith was so much a part of who they were as kind and loving people and I think it made them closer, and they taught us that their love as a married couple reflected God's love Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 9:35 pm
Vatican Financial Information Authority issues first report The first annual report of the Vatican Financial Information Authority (L’Autorità di Informazione Finanziara, AIF), was issued today (Wednesday). The AIF is the authority of the Holy See and the Vatican City State for financial intelligence and for supervision and regulation in the prevention and countering of money laundering and financing of terrorism. It was established in 2010 and became operational in April of 2011. AIF director, Rene Brulhart told a press conference: “Over the course of the year AIF reported the submission of six Suspicious Transaction Reports, Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:31 pm
Financial advisors warn of 'legal minefield' in changes to marriage law The Association of Christian Financial Advisers is warning of a legal minefield ahead for advisers if the government changes marriage laws – and massive confusion and costs for pension schemes. Some press reports say the cost to pension schemes of gay marriage could reach £4 billion. "These figures seem little more than guesswork, but what is certain is that high costs and great legal confusion lie ahead’" says Arwyn Bailey, of the Association of Christian Financial Advisers. Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 6:31 pm
Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives 2013 Templeton Prize Archbishop Desmond Tutu received the 2013 Templeton Prize last night, at a glittering ceremony in London's Guildhall. The former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town was presented with the award for his 'life-long work in advancing spiritual principles such as love and forgiveness which has helped to liberate people around the world'.... Dr John M Templeton, Jr president and chairman of the Foundation, said: "By embracing such universal concepts of the image of God within each person, Desmond Tutu also demonstrates how the innate humanity Read More ... Jo Siedlecka - Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 5:54 pm
US Bishops urge government to publicly discuss and rethink use of Drones The United States should publicly discuss and scrutinize its policy of targeted killings by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in order formulate “a more comprehensive, moral and effective policy to resist terrorism,” said the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace in a letter to National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon. “An effective counterterrorism policy should employ non-military assets to build peace through respect for human rights and addressing underlying injustices that terrorists unscrupulously exploit,” Read More ... Posted: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 3:01 pm
Pakistan: 250 Christian families driven from their homes More than 250 Christian families have been threatened and thrown out from their homes in the village Chak 31 in Khanewal district, in southern Punjab. A report drawn up by two human rights groups said: "What happened in South Punjab reflects the increase of violence and abuses against religious minorities in Pakistan" and "recalls the serious episode of the attack on Joseph Colony, a Christian area of Lahore, which happened two months ago". Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:29 pm
USA: Church pledges support for tornado victims The Archbishop of Oklahoma City, the Most Reverend Paul S Coakley has assured all those affected by this week's devastating tornadoes, that he and the faithful in Oklahoma will walk with them "not merely through the next few days, but through the weeks, months and years of rebuilding to come." “Our first concern is for the victims who have lost their lives or loved ones and suffered injury or loss of property,” Archbishop Coakley said. “We are moved by the efforts of the first responders who have put their own lives on hold to help in this time of need. Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 11:05 pm
Blessed Virgin Mary Untier of Knots When he returned to Argentina following his doctoral studies in Germany, Jorge Mario Bergoglio SJ, now Pope Francis, took with him a particular fondness for a Marian devotion that he had encountered in Bavaria. Hedwig Lewis SJ introduces us to the increasingly popular devotion to ‘Mary Untier of Knots’ in Thinking Faith. ‘Mary Untier of Knots, pray for us’ would be a strange-sounding invocation in the Litany to Our Lady to which we are so accustomed. In fact, devotion to the Blessed Virgin under this title has been common in parts of Germany for centuries. Read More ... Hedwig Lewis SJ - Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 10:32 pm
Christian Aid documentary ‘Big River Rising’ nominated for major green award The internationally acclaimed Sheffield Doc Festival has nominated Big River Rising, an interactive documentary produced by Christian Aid, for a Green Award, its category to honour documentaries addressing major environmental challenges. The web-documentary, which will screen at the festival from 12- 16 June 2013, was shot in the Philippines during the dramatic August 2012 monsoon deluge, and demonstrates the importance of science in helping slum dwellers in Manila cope with flooding that claims innocent lives every year. Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 9:50 pm
Campaigners call for Pakistan debt freeze Pakistan's economy has been paralysed by an unpayable and largely unjust debt burden that is preventing the country reaching its poverty goals and hindering the development of democracy, says a new report from Jubilee Debt Campaign and Islamic Relief. Unlocking the Chains of Debt criticises the IMF for the crippling conditions attached to its loans and calls for repayments to be frozen while the legitimacy of all debts is investigated. The report, published today, shows that Pakistan's government foreign debt burden has doubled since 2006 Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:27 pm
Pope calls for prayers for victims of Oklahoma tornado In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that struck Oklahoma yesterday, Pope Francis sent out a tweet expressing sympathy for the victims of the disaster. “I am close to the families of all who died in the Oklahoma tornado, especially those who lost young children. Join me in praying for them.” At least 91 people are now known to have died, including 20 children, when the massive tornado swept through the suburbs of Oklahoma City, USA. Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 2:02 pm
Egypt: Bishop hopes Coptic Orthodox Church may recognise Catholic baptism A leading Coptic Catholic bishop has expressed hopes that a historic meeting between two popes may lead to the Coptic Orthodox Church recognising Catholic baptism. Bishop Kyrillos William of Assiut described the meeting between Catholic Pope Francis and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II earlier this month as a "watershed" in ecumenical relations – and expressed optimism that the two Churches would grow closer. One key contention between the churches is that the Coptic Orthodox Church does not recognise Catholic baptism. Read More ... John Newton - Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:40 pm
Walsingham's Orthodox Chapel asks for your memories Trustees of St Seraphim’s Orthodox Chapel, based in the former Walsingham Railway Station since 1967, are appealing for people's memories of the chapel and the old station, which was for years (1857 - 1964) the arrival point for many pilgrims at the shrine. As well as a centre of worship St Seraphim's was the place where Fr David (d 1993) and Leon Liddament (d 2010) worked on their icons, which can now be seen in churches and homes throughout the UK and worldwide. Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 1:27 pm
Pope speaks about his faith journey in Q&A session with lay movements In a question and answer session with representatives from new lay communities and associations gathered in Rome over the weekend, Pope Francis spoke about his own faith journey. More than 120,000 had gathered in St Peter's Square for the final evening ceremonies on Saturday. After a welcome by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, the image of the Virgin Mary Salus Populi Romani was brought in a procession to the centre of the square. Read More ... Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 12:25 am
Libya: bomb explodes in front of Catholic Church A bomb exploded in front of the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Benghazi on the night of 17 May, Fides reports. "They put a bomb at the entrance of the corridor leading to the courtyard where there is the door of the church. The church, was not touched directly, but the attack is not a positive sign, " said Mgr Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli. Mgr Martinelli said life is becoming increasingly difficult for the the small Christian community in the capital of Cyrenaica, because of Islamic extremism. Read More ... Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 11:06 pm
Christians & Buddhists: inner peace among peoples 'Inner Peace, Peace Among Peoples' was the theme of the fourth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium held at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in collaboration with the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Italy. The participants, coming from Italy, Japan, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India, reaffirmed the need of mutual responsibility to maintain or to restore peace and to Read More ... Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 10:22 pm
Pope Francis: 'courageous, humble prayer can work wonders' Courageous, humble and strong prayer can accomplish miracles: this was Pope Francis’ message at Mass on Monday morning, (20 May) in Casa Santa Marta. The Pope was commenting on Monday’s Gospel reading which recounts the disciples failure to heal a child suffering from some kind of seizure. Jesus himself intervenes and laments the disbelief of those present. Responding to the child’s father’s pleas for help He says: “everything is possible to one who has faith ". Read More ... Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 9:46 pm
Mark Dowd reflects on the life and times of Sir Alex Ferguson It was an event that, in terms of impact, allegedly out-tweeted the death of Mrs Thatcher. It reduced grown men to tears and rendered the Queen´s Speech a trifling irrelevance. When the news broke of Sir Alex Ferguson´s decision to vacate the hot seat at Manchester United, I must confess that, as a lifelong Red, I identified with the talk of 'bereavement'. As the MUFC Facebook page urged us all to send a message of thanks to 'the boss', I pondered my own sense of gratitude to a 71 year old man who had, some few brief minutes with him a few years back, Read More ... Mark Dowd - Posted: Monday, May 20, 2013 9:19 pm
