Vatican Archives – Greater Access Coming
In the past few weeks there have been several reports on the Vatican decision to allow scholars and journalist greater access to the Vatican Archives. Here are a few links and video:
Archive for the ‘Global Church’
Legionaries of Christ – Vatican Report
The long awaited report from the Vatican on the Legionaries of Christ was released today. The NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER has just published the document in English. Deception and Betrayal are horrible to experience in life, and I can imagine that many in the Legion are experiencing all kinds of mixed emotions. Why their founder (Father Marcial Maciel Degollado) did what he did is now in God’s hands, but the scandalization, hurts, and scars he has left behind are just horrible. Let us remember in our prayers the thousands and thousands of very good and holy people he has hurt and betrayed, and pray that the church will be able to comfort and heal the wounds of so many. Here is a brief quote of assurance from the Vatican report.
Burundi – Canadian Development and Peace
Visit Development and Peace to hear, see, and learn more, and to help by sending an internet message of
support. Earlier this fall, delegates of Development and Peace and a group of Canadian Bishops visited a number of partners in Burundi and witnessed the complex challenges that continue to face the country. The situation in Burundi
• It is estimated that 400,000 lives have been lost over the last 16 years due to civil war and ethnic violence.
• Sixty percent of Burundi’s population are children, many of whom have lost their parents.
• There are 400,000 refugees trying to return to their country and rebuild their lives.
Youth Rally in Angola with Pope
I captured a few pictures from the EWTN Broadcast of the Youth Rally with The Pope. It was a glorious meeting filled with African Music, Welcoming Messages, Youth Testimonies, and a short speech by Pope Benedict encouraging the youth to be faithful to their Christian Identity. He challenged the youth to make life long decisions and commitments - the true test of real maturity in every age: Dare to make definite decisions - life long commitments, and don’t give in to doubt, corruption, and hedonism. You are the seed - the seed of the new City, the New Jerusalem, he said, and the only way to grow the seed is to die to love. Bring to life the Holy City, the Pope challenged, as the crowds applauded enthusiastically. Towards the end of the event a young man in a wheel chair came on to the stage with the Pope and sang a moving song to Jesus My Friend. The young man appeared to have been crippled during the recent civil war, and as he sang I’m sure many a tear of thanksgiving and hope were shed as he made God’s love strong and visible.
Condoms Encourage A Sense of Invulnerability - Africa’s Bishops Report
John Allen who is following the Pope throughout Africa and attempting to give us a real feel and insight into what he sees, hears, and feels posted this on March 18, 2009. It tends to confirm what the Harvard Center reported in my previous post.
Benedict talks to journalists during his flight from Rome to Africa March 17. (CNS/ Reuters)
Condoms, Condoms, and Condoms
This event is really not attracting much attention by the main stream media either in America or Europe.
Canadian Priest Named Vatican Consultor
On February 26th Pope Benedict XVI appointed Fr. Thomas Rosica (Basilian Priest) as a as a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Speaking to CNA, the priest said that he sees this as the Pope entrusting a special responsibility to the Church in Canada.
EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS - QUEBEC CITY
One of the more popular videos on the Internet from the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, City was from June 19th - Catechesis by the most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Bishop of Imus, Philippines.
The African Church
It is hard to appreciate or visualize the vibrancy of the Catholic Church in Africa. This little youtube video speaks a thousand words about what is happening in terms of conversions, vocations, liturgy, age of congregations, etc.. I believe it was taken in the Sudan, and it illustrates the dynamism of the faith, and causes one to wonder how this will impact the universal church. The faith is definitely young and alive in this part of Africa as portrayed in the video - it is indeed a thousand words.
Ukranian Cardinal comments on Married Priests.
“My grandfather”, Cardinal Husar says, “was a priest, and other members of the family were priests; some were married, others were not.
If a person is good, he will be a good priest, and this does not depend on the fact that he is married,” Read full story
More Cardinals from the South?
Twenty-three new Cardinals were named this month. Eighteen are able to vote for the next pope because they are under 80 years of age. Twelve of the Eighteen came from the North (10 Europeans and 2 Americans).
Is France Catholic?
It’s hard to figure out why so many are drifting away from the church at such an alarming rate. Again, another survey indicates that France has lost millions of Catholics in the last 20 years. It seems, as if the west has lost interest in religion, and even God, if we believe the results of this recent survey. Is the west trying to be it’s own God? Maybe our wealth and prosperity since the Second World war has gone to our heads!
