World News
German bishops defend exclusion of Catholics who stop paying tax
WARSAW, Poland (CNS) — The German bishops’ conference defended a controversial decree that said Catholics who stop paying a church membership tax cannot receive sacraments. “There must be consequences for people who distance themselves from the church by a public act,” said Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg, conference president, in defending the Sept. 20 decree. […]
Papyrus fragment with reference to Jesus’ ‘wife’ stirs debate
ROME (CNS) — Scholars are unlikely to agree anytime soon on the authenticity of a newly published text containing a reference to Jesus’ “wife.” But the tiny papyrus fragment, purportedly dating to the fourth century A.D., has already stirred interest in the early church’s attitudes toward marriage, sex and the role of women. The fragment […]
Vatican synod to examine when divided Christians can preach together
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The potential power, but also the limits, of an ecumenical proclamation of the Gospel and defense of Gospel values is likely to be a key topic during October’s world Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization. The ecumenical focus will be particularly sharp Oct. 10 when — at the personal invitation […]
Marking Jewish holy days, pope urges joint sharing of faith values
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI expressed hope that Christians and Jews would bear witness to the whole world of the values that stem from adoring one God. In a telegram to Chief Rabbi Riccardo di Segni of Rome to mark the Jewish high holy days, the pope sent his greetings to members of […]
Christians, Muslims must give joint witness for peace, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI said his three-day trip to Lebanon convinced him that now is the time for Christians and Muslims to bear witness together against violence and in favor of dialogue and peace. In Lebanon, he said, Muslims “welcomed me with great respect,” and their presence at each of his public […]
New head of doctrinal congregation says abuse victims are first concern
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The senior Vatican official with authority for investigating priests accused of sexual abuse said that, in such cases, “always and everywhere the most important concern is for those who have been the victims of this terrible abuse.” Archbishop Gerhard L. Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, […]
Encounter with God only answer to suffering and evil, says ethicist
ROME (CNS) — Pain, suffering and human mortality shouldn’t be explained away, ignored or denied, but embraced by faith in God, said an expert in the philosophy and ethics of science. In fact, only a concrete encounter with the Lord can provide solace for people grappling with the question of how there can be a […]
Pope Benedict arrives in Lebanon as ‘pilgrim of peace’
BEIRUT (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon Sept. 14, saying that he came “as a pilgrim of peace, as a friend of God and as a friend of men.” In his remarks at a welcoming ceremony at Beirut’s airport, Pope Benedict praised Lebanon, with a mixed population of Christians and Muslims, for its […]
Catholic social programs foster Christian-Muslim understanding in Egypt
AL-MUKHALFA, Egypt (CNS) — On a recent summer evening, the local representative of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood party paid a visit to the almost entirely Coptic Catholic village of Al-Mukhalfa, known as “Little Rome” deep in Egypt’s south. “When you are threatened, we are threatened,” party representative Yusuf Sherif told an audience of about 80 […]
Vatican firmly condemns US deaths, disrespect against religions
UPDATED — VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican firmly condemned the recent attack against a U.S. consulate in Libya, which led to the death of a U.S. ambassador, three U.S. personnel and at least 10 Libyans. “The very serious attack organized against the United States diplomatic mission in Libya,” it said, “calls for the firmest […]