Clerical Whispers

Pope: crisis of faith, a challenge even for Ecumenism

2012-01-28T00:24:00.013Z

The ecumenical commitment has borne "quite a few good fruit", but runs "the risk of a false irenicism and indifference," that is of becoming, a search for "rules for a praxis capable of improving the world."

"The center of true ecumenism, however, is the faith in which man finds the truth that is revealed in the word of God" and the unity of Christians is "a means and almost a prerequisite to announce the faith in an increasingly credible manner", especially at this time, in which "the faith is in danger of dying out like a flame without fuel in large parts of the world”.

The meeting this morning with the participants in the plenary session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith gave Benedict XVI the opportunity to return once again to highlighting the timing and problems of the ecumenical journey, just a few days after the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for 'Christian unity.

A theme that Benedict XVI and his congregation have faced in prospect of the Year of the faith.

"We are facing a deep crisis of faith, - once again said the pope - a loss of religious meaning, which is the biggest challenge for the Church today. The renewal of the faith must be the priority in the commitment of the whole Church. "

"The theme of Christian unity is closely connected with this task."

"Today, we see quite a few good fruit from ecumenical dialogues, but we must also recognize that the risk of a false irenicism and indifference, quite alien to the mind of Vatican II, which demands our vigilance. This indifference is caused by the increasingly widespread view that the truth is not accessible to man, and therefore there is a need to find rules for a praxis capable of improving the world. So then faith would be replaced by a moralism without any deep foundation. The center of true ecumenism, however, is the faith in which man finds the truth that is revealed in the word of God. Without faith the whole ecumenical movement would be reduced to a form of "social contract" adhered to in a common interest."

"The logic of Vatican II is completely different: the sincere search for full unity of all Christians is a dynamic, animated by the Word of God."

"The crucial issue, which marks all ecumenical dialogue, is the question of the structure of revelation - the relationship between Scripture and tradition alive in the Holy Church and the ministry of the successors of the Apostles as witnesses of the true faith. The discernment between Tradition and traditions is critical. "

In this regard, the Pope said that "an important step in this discernment" was made in the measures for groups of faithful coming from Anglicanism, who enter the Catholic Church, "while preserving their own spiritual, liturgical and pastoral traditions which comply the Catholic faith."

"There is, in fact, a spiritual richness in the various Christian denominations, which is an expression of the one faith and a gift to share."

"Today, then, is one of the fundamental issues raised by the problem of the methods adopted in the various ecumenical dialogues. They too must reflect the priority of faith. Knowing that the truth is the right interlocutor in any real dialogue."

"In this sense, we must address the controversial issues with courage, always in the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect."

Study documents also have "great importance", but "they must be recognized in their true significance as contributions to the competent Church Authorities, which alone are called to judge them in a definitive way. Ascribing a binding or conclusive weight to these texts regarding the thorny issues of dialogue, without proper evaluation by the Church, ultimately, would not help the path towards full unity in faith”.

The last issue addressed by Benedict XVI was "the moral issue, which constitutes a new challenge for the ecumenical journey. In dialogue we can not ignore the great moral questions about human life, family, sexuality, bioethics, freedom, justice and peace. It would be important to talk about these issues with one voice, drawing on the basis in Scripture and the living tradition of the Church. This tradition helps us to decipher the language of the Creator in His creation. By defending the fundamental values of the great tradition of the Church, we defend mankind, we defend creation. "

Clergy Bashing Queers In Limerick (1)

2012-01-28T00:23:00.042Z

A few weeks ago, we became aware via contact from the colleague of a priest in the Mid-West area that a group down there by the name(s) of MyLGBT (on Facebook) and Rainbow Support Services are actually discriminatory towards clergy!!!

From the information passed to us, it seems that last summer, a message was sent around by this 'organisation' seeking volunteers to take part in a 'peer education' programme and amongst the very few who responded was a priest.

He had his meeting with the youth officer by the name of Ms Dee Dooley neé Nugent and all seemed to be going well until another email was then sent by aforementioned Ms Dooley to the priest a few weeks later stating that they had done a background check and as a result, she claimed that the priest had been lying about their identity, and we quote...."we believe that if it were to come out that we had a person on our voluntary panel that is lying about their identity that it would be detrimental to the work we do to help our clients." (end quote)

She then further went on to say, "and Vanessa Buswell our coordinator and myself would be more than happy to discuss the matter with you further. Please feel free to contact us to make an appointment to call into to the office to see us both."(end quote)

The priest did indeed attempt on numerous occasions to make contact with them, but to no avail despite the invitation to so do.

He even went so far as to exercise his rights under the Data Protection Act to see from what source such malignant information in relation to him was sourced, and even supplied a letter written to him by his Bishop and other documents to attest to his sacerdotal ordination etc.

Rainbow Support Services failed to even acknowledge receipt of the letter (which was registered and a record of its delivery we have to hand) and eventually when the priest managed make contact with Ms Dooley she advised him she was "under directions from her boss not to communicate with you or even have a conversation with you about any of this." (end quote - taken from the recorded telephone call transcript).

And so it remains: this 'organisation' gets money from the HSE to provide a service, seeks volunteers, does background checks, makes assumptions based on false information, then when the real evidence is produced they realise they have ballsed up and then decide to shut down and go into denial in the hope the whole thing will go away.

We attempted to get in touch with the priest concerned but understand he is currently unavailable for personal reasons for at least next 2 months, and were then given his solicitors contact details.

His solicitor advised us that due to the breaking of the law in relation to failure to respond to Data Protection request and the matter being one of defamation, he has been instructed to instigate legal action against Rainbow Support Services, and could comment no further on the matter.

It seems Rainbow Support Services may well be needing to use more of its very straitened finances to fight this particular self inflicted cockup - and its services are also questionable to the extent that it doesn't have a website (under construction since 2007) and depends on other sites to 'advise the community of its services' - when they work.

This same organisation has had more addresses than the Irish post office has post office boxes alone, and only operates Monday to Thursday - when its telephone numbers work and the same said telephones are answered (which aint often in both cases).

They accused someone of having something to hide but yet they are hiding themselves by failing to respond to Data Protection requests, ignoring emails and telephone calls and then stating quite baldly they are under orders not to speak about the matter.

That will last only so long, and we will keep you all informed of its progress as we suspect this may yet get a little more interesting as time goes on!!

The irony of all this is that the Church is often seen as been neglectful and ignorant of the LGBT community the world over, and yet when they step forward to help this is the crap they get....many may say tis Karma...we call it a bad judgement call!!

Israel and the Vatican continue negotiations, next meeting on 11 June 2012

2012-01-28T00:22:00.006Z

The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the State of Israel and the Holy See held a plenary meeting yesterday hosted by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to carry on negotiations pursuant to Article 10, paragraph 2, of the Fundamental Agreement, dealing with economic and fiscal matters.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Ayalon, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mgr Ettore Balestrero, under-secretary for Relations with States.

A joint communiqué states that the negotiations took place in an open, friendly and constructive atmosphere. Substantive progress was made on issues of significance.

The parties have agreed on the next steps towards the conclusion of the Agreement, and will hold the next plenary meeting on 11 June 2012 at the Vatican.

The negotiations begun on 11 March 1999 and are required by the 1993 Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel.

Multiethnic Karachi, a challenge for Mgr Coutts in his new mission

2012-01-28T00:21:00.008Z

“Karachi was a fairly peaceful city,” said Mgr Joseph Coutts as he remembered it from the time when he attended the local seminary to become a priest.

It was “not subject to sporadic bursts of violence and terrorism, as it is now,” the newly appointed bishop added as he described the southern Pakistani metropolis, which is also the capital of Sindh province.

Speaking to AsiaNews about the city, which he knows very well, he stressed its multiethnic and multicultural character, which will be the main challenges of his new pastoral posting.

On Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the new archbishop of Karachi, in lieu of Mgr Evarist Pinto, in place since 2002, who has reached the normal age limit.

The 66-year-old Mgr Coutts was born on 21 July 1945 in Amritsar, British India. Since 1998, he headed the Diocese of Faisalabad, where he took the placed of Mgr John Joseph who killed himself in protest against the country’s blasphemy law.

Following studies at Karachi’s Christ the King Seminary, he was ordained priest on 9 January 1971 in Lahore. After that, he completed ecclesiastical studies in Rome from 1973 to 1976, and then became professor of philosophy and Sociology at Christ the King Seminary in Karachi from 1976 to 1980.

Appointed rector of St. Mary's Minor Seminary in Lahore, he was later elected as the Vicar General of Diocese of Lahore where he served from 1986 to 1988.

On 5 May of that year, he was appointed bishop of Hyderabad. In this diocese, he defended the rights of landless farmers and was instrumental in creating the new Vicariate Apostolic of Quetta.

After ten years of service in Hyderabad, he was transferred to the Diocese of Faisalabad on 27 June 1998.

Thus, Mgr Coutts performed his episcopacy in three of Pakistan’s provinces, Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan.

As prelate, he opened avenues of dialogue with leading Muslim clerics and scholars in Faisalabad, and helped build bridges among the different communities.

For his efforts, he was honoured in 2007 with the Shalom Prize by the Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt in Germany for his commitment to peace and interfaith harmony in Pakistan.

At present, he serves as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan and head of Caritas Pakistan.

“I am not a total stranger to Karachi,” the new archbishop of Karachi told AsiaNews. “I did my philosophy and theology studies there and then taught at the Major Seminary for four years while being pastorally engaged in a number of parishes.”

“But that was many years ago. Karachi was a fairly peaceful city then, not subject to sporadic bursts of violence and terrorism, as it is now. The population too has exploded largely because of refugees who have settled” in Pakistan’s southern metropolis.

“Karachi is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural megacity of around 15 million people,” he noted, that “grew in size and importance after the creation of Pakistan in 1947.”

By contrast, “Faisalabad with about 3 million people is in the heart of the Punjab”, which “In spite of its size, [. . .] still has a rural flavour with a homogeneous population. The Christians in the diocese live mainly in the surrounding small towns and villages. The way of living and problems of citizens in both the cities are dissimilar. The climate too is very different as the two cities are about 1,400 kilometres apart, one inland the other on the Arabian Sea coast.”

Cousin of priest who quit Church takes over parish

2012-01-28T00:20:00.007Z

A CATHOLIC priest who quit the Church for "private reasons" has been replaced at Masses by his cousin.

Ian Kennedy stunned the tiny congregation at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ballinafad, Co Sligo, last week when he announced he was leaving the clergy.

Now his cousin, Father Alan Conway, a curate in Boyle, Co Roscommon, has been drafted in to the small Sligo hamlet to say weekend Masses.

"He was here last Sunday and made no mention of Father Ian or why he decided to leave his ministry," said one parishioner yesterday.

Fr Conway sits on the Elphin Diocese Vocations Committee, responsible for recruiting men to the priesthood.

Asked about Mr Kennedy's decision to leave the clergy, Fr Conway declined to comment.

Family friends say Mr Kennedy wants to "start a new life" outside the Church.

He was staying in the past few days at a house in Ballinacarrow, around 15km from Ballinfad.

"He won't go public on his reasons for leaving the priesthood because he believes it is an entirely private matter," said one Church insider yesterday.

"He leaves the Church with full support of both his congregation and the priests of the diocese. He wants to get on with a new life and perhaps meet someone and get married."

That view was echoed by one elderly parishioner in Ballinafad yesterday.

"He is welcome back here anytime. If he does meet someone and get married, we'd hope he would get married here in our chapel," she said.

"It's just a pity priests can't marry. If they could, we might still have an excellent parish priest."

Pubs hope to avoid Good Friday court battle over game

2012-01-28T00:19:00.006Z

Limerick publicans have their fingers crossed that they are not facing into another Good Friday drink court battle with the huge Munster versus Ulster Heineken Cup quarter-final set for the Easter weekend at Thomond Park.

One of the four games is set to be played on Good Friday, and the rest on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Amid huge controversy Limerick publicans had to get court permission to open on Good Friday for a Magners League game against Leinster in 2010, despite objections by the State. They were given limited opening hours from 6pm to 11pm.

Vintners’ leader David Hickey of Souths said: "We are hoping the game will be on Saturday or Sunday, but not Good Friday. Dublin publicans will also be hoping the same for the Leinster home game. But we have to wait and keep our fingers crossed until the fixtures are finalised."

Limerick Chamber of Commerce estimate the game will be worth more €10 million to the Limerick economy.

Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Jim Long said: "It promises to be a massive money spinner as the Northern supporters are great supporters and they will have plenty to spend given it’s a venue where they don’t have to go by air and then there is the sterling difference."

Ivan Tuohy, general manager of the Clarion Hotel, where the Munster team stay for home games, said they are already getting a steady flow of bookings.

He said: "It’s great having the team stay as guests can meet them in the lobby. The squad take up 30 of our 158 rooms and this one is going to be great for us and every other hotel in the city."

John Cantwell, manager of Thomond Park said Ulster will get 25% of the allocated tickets.

"We will have a full house and all our 1,300 hospitality sit-down meal packages will be taken up. Even if it is fixed for Good Friday, all our 16 bars will be open as we are one of the three venues in the country which have a sports event licence to sell alcohol on Good Friday. But Saturday would be our preferred date," he said.

Third of Church property to be still handed over

2012-01-28T00:18:00.007Z

Nearly a decade after the controversial indemnity deal for religious orders was signed, only two thirds of properties agreed have been legally handed to the State as part of the compensation agreement for abuse victims.

Latest figures show that 40 of the agreed 61 lands and buildings were legally transferred to the State by last month.

The slow negotiations saw only three extra properties transferred across during the last six months.

So far, just 65% of properties worth €40.9 million under the deal, have been transferred to the State by religious orders. The agreement was originally signed on June 5, 2002.

Correspondence from the secretary general of the Department of Education reveals 21 properties remain to be fully signed over to the State.

"The Congregations have agreed to transfer these properties under the indemnity agreement, subject to good and marketable title being furnished," wrote Brigid McManus in her letter to the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee.

"Physical transfers of the properties have taken place and all of these properties are in use or available for use by intended recipients. While they have transferred physically, the Chief State Solicitor’s office continues to pursue the legal requirements issue under the indemnity agreement."

But committee chairman John McGuinness last Monday has called for an end to the dragged-out talks on the properties and said the Government needed to press Church authorities to close the deal.

"It has been a slow and painful process to get the Church to focus on this and deliver the deal. From the latest information, there needs to be a concentration of minds so the properties can go across with full title.

The State needs to push the Church authorities on this."

Of the lands yet to be fully transferred to the state, 12 are in Cork and four are in Waterford. The others are in Westmeath, Limerick, Dublin, Monaghan, Kerry.

The €40.9m transfer of properties so far is separate from extra cash payments which form part of the €128m deal for religious orders.

Religious groups have agreed to contribute €54.5m in cash, €10m for counselling services and €63.5m in property transfers.

Emigration not choice for many, says bishop

2012-01-28T00:17:00.008Z

MANY PEOPLE emigrating from Ireland today have no other option available to them, the chairman of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Emigrants, Bishop John Kirby, said last Monday.

“Sadly, for many Irish people today emigration is not a lifestyle choice, but a necessity. Our new emigrants are forced to leave behind family and loved ones because of circumstances outside of their control,” he said.

Bishop Kirby made the comments in a statement issued “in response to the recent public debate on the causes affecting contemporary Irish emigration”.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan was criticised last week after he said emigration was chosen freely by many people.

“There are always young people coming and going from Ireland. Some of them are emigrants in the traditional sense, but simply there are people who want to get off the island,” Mr Noonan said.

“For a lot of people going, it’s not being driven by unemployment at all. It’s being driven by wanting to see another part of the world.”

He later said his comments had been reported out of context and said he meant emigration was a lifestyle choice for some people.

Bishop Kirby said “while some Irish people may choose to work abroad – and this was especially true during the economic boom – many of our people now emigrating have no other option available to them”.

Our new emigrants, he said, were forced to leave behind family and loved ones because of circumstances outside of their control.

“Many Irish people across the age groups must now take on the challenge of building a new life for themselves abroad. At a human level this will be very difficult as they cope with loneliness and isolation.”

He said that since the 1950s the Catholic Church in Ireland had provided chaplains to Irish communities in Britain, the United States and Australia to support their pastoral and spiritual needs.

“Our chaplaincies in London, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Sydney are experiencing increased demand for advice concerning issues such as spiritual and emotional support, medical, employment, accommodation, legal and immigrant status. We have found that many of the problems presenting are similar in nature to those we have dealt with in previous generations. The reality is that the new generation of Irish emigrants have had this lifestyle choice made for them as a consequence of the downturn in the economy.”

Call for prostitution legislation to be updated

2012-01-28T00:16:00.007Z

LEGISLATION NEEDS to be introduced to deal with organised prostitution, much of which takes place in private settings where the purchase of sex is not an offence under existing Irish law, according to Ruhama, the organisation that offers support to those affected by prostitution.

A discussion document on the possibility of such legislation criminalising the purchase of sex will be issued by the end of the month, according to the Department of Justice.

Although it is an offence to solicit prostitution in a public place, it is not an offence to sell or purchase sex, except in the case where someone knowingly solicits a person who has been trafficked for the purpose of prostitution.

Gerardine Rowley, communications and policy manager with Ruhama, said legislation needed to be updated given that internet and mobile phone technology has revolutionised how prostitution is organised.

“Since the 1993 Sexual Offences Act we have seen the introduction of the internet. The modus operandi of criminals has changed very much, so we need legislation to address how pimps are organising prostitution,” she said, adding that off-street prostitution was now the most common form.

She said that, although the advertisement of prostitution is illegal, pimps get around this by using servers located in a foreign jurisdiction to bypass legislation.

The criminalisation of the purchase of sex would help cut off demand for what are “hugely lucrative” and “serious organised crimes of prostitution” while also serving to raise awareness.

“Legislation can be used to change attitudes and when you change attitudes you change behaviours,” Ms Rowley said.

However, Ruhama is against any legislation that further criminalises women involved in prostitution. “This is not an equal transaction. Most of these women are vulnerable and do not have the same power as those buying sex.”

In December last year 27 men appeared before Limerick District Court charged with soliciting prostitution services from undercover female gardaí. They were charged under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 which makes it an offence for a person “who in a street or public place” solicits a person for the purposes of prostitution. However, this does not cover the common situation where prostitution is arranged via mobile phones and email.

CSO figures show that between the start of 2010 and September 2011 gardaí recorded 276 offences relating to prostitution, including soliciting or loitering in a public place.

They recorded a further 111 offences relating to brothel-keeping and 15 relating to the organisation of prostitution.

A group including representatives of the Department of Justice and gardaí travelled to Sweden last September to meet officials and experts to examine 1999 Swedish legislation which provides that a person who obtains or attempts to obtain a casual sexual relation, in any place, in return for payment commits an offence.

A report on the visit was published by the department at which time Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said a consultation document would be prepared to inform future legislation in this area.

The seventh Chinese cardinal in the history of the Church: John Tong Hon

2012-01-28T00:15:00.008Z

As they celebrate the New Year and enter the Year of the Dragon, Chinese Catholics have additional reasons for rejoicing: Pope Benedict XVI will make Hong Kong’s Bishop John Tong Hon a cardinal on February 18 and, for the first time in history, there will be three Chinese in the College of Cardinals.

Tong is the seventh Chinese cardinal in the history of the Church, and the first to be born in Hong Kong.

A quiet, scholarly, reserved, spiritual man, he spent ten of the first twelve years of his life in mainland China and has visited there many times since.

A student of Chinese philosophy, he gained a Master’s degree in the subject at the Chinese University in Hong Kong in the 1970s, and later taught it in the seminary. A source who knows him well says this mild-mannered man has absorbed much of the Confucian and Taoist way of thinking, and this is reflected in his style of leadership.

Since 1980 he has been Director of the Holy Spirit Study Centre in Hong Kong, the leading Catholic research centre on the Church in China, and is one of the most informed people on this subject. He is also a member of the China Commission established by Pope Benedict.

A prudent man, with no illusions about the Communist regime in Beijing, he participated in negotiations with the authorities there prior to the British handover of Hong Kong in 1997. Indeed, this bishop and basketball player was one of the religious leaders officially invited to the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing on 6 August 2008.

He firmly believes that “only dialogue and negotiation can resolve conflicts” as he told Fr Gianni Criviller in a lengthy interview for Asianews, reproduced in Tripod (Hong Kong, 2009). At the same time he insists that Beijing has to “allow complete religious freedom and human rights to all our brothers and sisters in the Church”, if it wants normal relations with the Catholic Church. As cardinal, he can play a significant role by helping bridge the gap between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities.

Bishop Tong considers himself “unworthy and privileged” to be named cardinal, he told Hong Kong’s Sunday Examiner, January 9. He regards this honor as “a sign of the Pope’s great love and concern for the Catholic Church in China, and an encouragement for the efforts of the Hong Kong diocese in its efforts to promote reconciliation and full communion between the China Church and the Universal Church.”

Born to non-Catholic parents on 31 July 1939, the first of three children (two boys and one girl), when he was two years old when the Japanese invaded Hong Kong and his family had to move to Macau (his mother’s birthplace). Soon after, however, to ensure his safety, his parents sent him to stay with his paternal grandmother in a village in Guangdong province, mainland China (where his father was born). He remained there until the age of six.

After the war ended on 15 August 1945, he was reunited with his family in Canton, and started primary school. But then his father, an accountant, fell ill with tuberculosis, and his mother had to work as a teacher to support the family. “Those were very hard times. It was in those days that I learned endurance and tolerance”, he told Criviller.

After the war, his mother, who had studied in a Catholic school, decided to become a Catholic and was baptized. In the following years the whole family followed suit.

In those years, the Communists and the Nationalists engaged in fierce fighting in northern and central China, and many wounded, destitute soldiers sought refuge in Canton where the Tong family lived. The young John witnessed the compassion and love shown by the Catholic missionaries (American Maryknollers) in Canton to these people, and was greatly impressed. His parish priest, who introduced him to Catholic primary school, was among them and his example inspired him to become a priest.

When the Communists came to power in China, the priests suggested it would be better for him to go to Macau to pursue his vocation. His parents trusted the Church and agreed that it would be good for him to leave China, he told Criviller.

Tong entered Macau seminary in 1951, at the age of 12. His father, 42, died in the mainland the following year, and his beloved grandmother died some time later. After six years in Macau, he moved to the Holy Spirit seminary, Hong Kong, to study philosophy and theology. He was sent to Rome to study theology in 1964, where the Second Vatican Council was still in session. Ordained priest by Pope Paul VI, January 1966, he later gained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Urban University.

On his return to Hong Kong, he went to live at the seminary and has resided there ever since. From 1970 onwards, he taught theology and Chinese philosophy there. In 1979, Bishop (later cardinal) Wu appointed him head of the newly created diocesan Holy Spirit Study Centre, a post he has held to this day. In 1992, the cardinal made him one of the Vicar Generals of the diocese in 1992, a post he held for seventeen years.

Pope John Paul II appointed him auxiliary bishop of Hong Kong, December 1996. Pope Benedict named him coadjutor bishop, January 2008, and bishop on 15 April 2009, after Cardinal Zen’s resignation.

When he receives his red hat on February 18, there will then be three Chinese in the College of Cardinals: Tong, Zen and Paul Shan Kuo-hsi (Taiwan). But Tong is the only one under the age of 80, with the right to vote in the conclave to elect the next pope.

High tension between Moscow and Constantinople

2012-01-28T00:14:00.012Z

The two Orthodox patriarchates are increasingly divided by the arrest of Archimandrite Ephraim.

Constantinople rejects Moscow’s “interference” following the affair.

Synod at risk?

It came after more than two weeks - the official response of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to the arrest of Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of Vatopedi, the main monastery of Mount Athos - and it did not spare a barb at the orthodox “brothers” of Moscow who sought to use the event to increase their influence on the Holy Mountain.

The silence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on whom The Holy Mountain formally depends, has made headlines: in support of the popular monk - friend to many of the powerful in Greece - the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow immediately jumped into the fray with vehement declarations.

Patriarch Kirill actually ended up writing a letter to Greek President Karolos Papoulias to ask for his release.

In a statement issued on 10 January, the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate remains extremely cautious on the subject of Ephraim, whose business activism was watched with some concern by Phanar.

The Patriarchate of Constantinople expressed “sorrow” for what happened to the Archimandrite, but reiterates its “established policy” to “respect…the independent investigation of the justice system,” avoiding “any kind of interference in outstanding judicial matters, especially inasmuch as it is not privy to the content of the relevant legal briefs.”

But the more interesting note concerns the “interference” of the Moscow Patriarchate, which - thanks to the closeness it developed with Ephraim - has tried to assert its authority on Athos at the expense of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The move has created tension, especially after the Archimandrite’s decision to bring Athos’ most precious relic - a belt that belonged to the Virgin Mary - “on tour” through Russia. Now, after his arrest, it even calls into question the Pan-Orthodox Synod that has been in preparation for years.

The statement of the Patriarchate of Constantinople reads: “As a result of statements made on the part of a sister Orthodox Church on this matter, the Ecumenical Patriarchate emphasizes that, as its canonical territory, the Holy Mountain indeed comprises Orthodox monks of different ethnicities but this does not lend a Pan-Orthodox character that would permit any kind of intervention therein by other Autocephalous Churches.”

It is if to say: “Moscow, stay out of the issue of Athos, and don’t take advantage of the Ephraim affair to appropriate what is not yours.”

Madrid refuses to withdraw the “blasphemous” photo

2012-01-28T00:13:00.008Z

The news agency ACI Prensa has declared that the active citizens’ web-platform Hazteoir urged the Mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella, to withdraw a blasphemous photo showing actor Asier Etxeandia with the painting of Christ by Velázquez covering his genitals.

The photo is part of the exhibition “Camerinos”, which took photographer Sergio Parra twelve years of his professional career .

The exhibition includes fifty images on foil sheets, 1.50 x 2.25 metres, the pictures were taken without any preparation and without any subsequent retouching.

The images show various theatre, dance and music performers moments before going on stage.

The black and white photos show luxury dressing rooms, make-shift dressing rooms, world renowned artists and emerging talent.

The members of Hazteoir and other groups like Maslibres.org and AES demand that the Mayor withdraw the black and white photo taken by Sergio Parra called ‘Infierno’ (hell) from the exhibition at the Teatro Español (in Plaza de Santa Ana).

The photo shows the subject with his arms above his head and a ‘wound in his side’.

After being displayed at the Merida Theatre Festival, in July 2011 the photo was withdrawn following the decision of the Estremadura committee.

In that instance the complaints forced the president José Antonio Monago to order the withdrawal.

The exhibition in the Teatro Español, which still includes the photo, opened Friday and since then it has received several complaints.

The spokesperson of MasLibres.org, Olga Cuquerella said that the Mayor of Madrid , Ana Botella, has been asked to withdraw the photo immediately.

The petition was signed by 20,000 people.

According to Europa press, the spokeswoman declared the image offensive to ‘ religious feelings’ and said that it ‘ attacked the right of Christians “to require respect for their symbols”.

She added that she hopes the mayor will accept this petition following the example of Josè Antonio Monago, taking stock of what happened with the exhibition during the Merida Theatre Festival”.

The HazteOir.org petition, which can be accessed on the website, says:

Mrs. Ana Botella, I do not want blasphemous exhibitions to be organized with my contribution. I demand for the photo entitled ‘Infierno’, currently showing at the Teatro Español, of which you are in charge, to be withdrawn from the exhibition because it is detrimental to religious feelings and the right of Christians to require respect for their symbols. Following the citizens’ appeal, the photo was withdrawn by José A. Monago. I beg you to do the same. Regards

What happens when the carnival comes to church...

2012-01-28T00:12:00.011Z

Rivers of beer and sensual pole dancing in church.

Protestant pastor Klaas Bakker had offered Saint Catherine, a historical sacred building towering over the main square in the Dutch city of Doetichem, as the location for an annual ceremony held by the local carnival company.

But, contrary to the agreement established with local religious authorities, the event’s organisers put up a pole in the central nave of what had once been one of the main places of Catholic worship in the region, until the Protestant Reformation.

The images of the lap dancer strutting her stuff in church have caused a scandal in the Netherlands.

What happened in Doetinchem is the latest of a series of events that have transformed sacred buildings into highly unsuitable venues.

A few days ago, Spanish Catholics protested through the mass media about some images which showed actress Paz Vega undressing in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Incarnation, patron of Gerena, in the Archdiocese of Seville, for the new Lambertz calendar.

“CatharinaKerk” in Doetinchem, the central church that was transformed into a dance club for one night only, suffered serious damages during the Second World War bombings and underwent a long restoration programme from 1948 to 1963.

Originally a Catholic church, it passed into the hands of the Protestants in 1591 during the Protestant Reformation in the Netherlands. There are also two castles that form part of the ecclesiastical complex: De Kelder and Slangeburg.

Meanwhile, besides the trend of churches where worship still takes place, being used for “indecent purposes”, another phenomenon is also spreading across Northern Europe: Churches are being sold and used for other activities, whilst still maintaining their original structure.

This phenomenon is particularly prominent in the UK, where approximately 50.000 temples of worship are experiencing problems with expenses and many are already being used to house shops, markets or offices.

The phenomenon is also taking root in Italy, where some churches have undergone restructuring and now include a kitchenette. Then there are the small and solitary churches that are stuck in the middle of nowhere; or scenic structures overlooking the sea.

Some are luxurious baroque structures standing in historical centres while others resemble lofts. They have all been deconsecrated and passed down through the centuries from the Church to private owners (mostly decayed noble families) and put on sale.

In this case, architects and designers are employed to transform them into chic homes and offices.

In Italy, the oldest deconsecrated church on sale is the Volterra. It dates back to the year 850 and is worth 1, 6 million Euros. For some, permission has already been obtained to change the intended use of the building and can thus be turned into homes; as in the case of one church in Florence’s Careggi area, in which a 170 m space has been used to build a kitchenette.

For many churches, a plan has already been laid out to make them more comfortable. Chapels annexed to disused convents, immersed in spacious gardens, are very attractive and are ideal for agritourism businesses.

The Holy See and the national episcopates have warned time and time again that sacred buildings cannot just be used in any which way, not even after they have been deconsecrated, if their external appearance is obviously that of a church.

If the structure in question is a warehouse being used temporarily as a centre for religious worship, this poses no problems for ecclesiastical authorities the day it falls into disuse.

But the structure in question is a church, it will require certain care.

A certain cultural and religious sensitivity will need to be shown in relation to structures that remain places of worship in people’s collective memory.

In the calendar for the German chocolate company Lambertz, the Spanish actress Paz Vega was photographed nude inside a church in Seville.

The images represent a mix of eroticism and traditional religious imagination.

The Secretary of the Confraternity of Our Lady of the Incarnation in Gerena, Antonio Manuel Marín defended himself against the protests of faithful, saying he had given permission for the photo shoot to go ahead, unaware that the actress was going to take her clothes off.

The calendar’s producers appealed to the “right to art” and Paz Vega herself assured: “I did not wish to cause offence. I did this with love, in honour of my country and my tradition.”

The Archbishop of Seville, Juan José Asenjo condemned what happened, including it among “the acts that undermine the sentiments of faithful, wound the sensitivity of those who worship the holy patron of Gerena and go against the regulations set forth in canonical law concerning the use of sacred places.”

Christians in Algeria: The challenge of staying unified and keeping going

2012-01-28T00:11:00.008Z

How do Christians in Algeria, who represent just 1% of the majority Muslim population, feel about Christian Unity?

The week of prayer for Christian unity worldwide, includes them too, even though they are only a very small minority in the largest country of the African continent.

‘This is the land of St. Augustine and in the 3rd Century, the Christian faith flourished here” explains Sister Sandra Catapano of the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Apostles, who lives in the city of Orano.

“But after several waves of Islamic invasion, the Christian faith only survived by being passed down from generation to generation. In the last century it has suffered two major losses, first the departure of a large number of French Christians who went home after Algeria was declared independent in 1962 and second later on the loss of assets and jobs. Now it is only a modest presence in the country, socially loved by many and officially tolerated.”

But unexpectedly immigration has revitalized Christianity in Algeria. Six years ago many Christians arrived, they came from African Countries beyond the Sahara desert, they were students or were looking for work. This situation prompted questions and support by the community in Orano and has fuelled the desire of many to understand and interact with other religions.

“Our parish church, the cathedral of St Maria, has opened its doors to hundreds of Christians, to Evangelical and Pentecostal Protestants, to the Coptic-Orthodox and Coptic-Catholic Egyptians and to thousands of Asian workers. They don’t have an official place of worship or religious representatives here. So we meet in our Church which after mass hosts various prayer groups. More over during the major festivities, after the celebrations, everyone stays behind in the Centre, which is named after our illustrious bishop, Mgr. Pierre Claverie who was killed 1996, to share a festive meal and different groups take turns to cook. With the help of the authority figures of the different ethnic communities we support a scheme whereby a priest can visit the immigrants who are in hospital. There have been many births in the last few months and many parents, including from other Christian faiths, have asked us to baptize their children.”

The parish pastoral council is also ecumenical, there are 25 members including 5 representatives of other religions and they all participate in the life of the only Christian centre within reach, the cathedral of St Maria. There are also some young people like Tiaret.

“Last time” reminisced sister Sandra” he told us of his joy in seeing a small prayer group form among the young Protestants. The young people of our community join them is prayer and the Protestants in turn join in with them in Friday communion. This also happens in the city of Tlemcen. It is not unusual to hear people here say that the Catholic Church here in the land of Algeria is like a family to them, a place of integration!”

Faith and football: An unfortunate pairing

2012-01-28T00:10:00.011Z

The relationship between football support and religious belief represents a controversial chapter in the history of football.

The Hungarian Mtk team of Budapest, the Dutch team Ajax and Tottenham in England, are all Jewish clubs par excellence.

Their supporters wave flags donning the Star of David and encourage their favourite players with slogans like “joden” or “yid”. But in today’s era of ‘social networks’ and global communication, some infamous religious-diplomatic incidents have been occurring.

A spokesperson of the Israeli Centre of Information and Documentation (CIDI) referred to the hashtag on a message posted on a trending topic (words or topics that are tagged at a greater rate than other tags) on Twitter as ‘extremely distasteful’.

The hashtag #jodengaaneraan (rough translation: the Jews never had it) was used in connection to a football match due to take place in a week’s time, between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam.

Ajax is often referred to as Jewish, while any mention of Feyenoord players often includes hashtags such as #BommenopRotterdam (Bombs on Rotterdam) which are a clear reference to the bombing of the city during the Second World War. Some tweets include links to images of the match.

The director general of CIDI, Ronny Naftaniel, says that the organization is trying to put a stop to hashtags but without success. “We weren’t able to contact Twitter,” he said.

A trending topic is a word/topic often used or discussed on Twitter.

“Of course, it is about football and of course it is about supporters. But if you say this with your head held high, apparently with a certain amount of pride, then you are on the same level as the Nazis,” said Mr Naftaniel.

The director general of CIDI refused to clarify whether the use of such words does in fact constitute a felony; ‘it’s definitely hurtful,” is all he said. CIDI is collaborating with the Dutch football association in order to prevent anti-Semitic slogans during football matches. Many people on Twitter condemn the hashtag. Previous tweets seemed to orchestrate the hashtag as a trending topic.

Jewish icons are widely used in Ajax merchandising. Tottenham’s ‘spurs’ stadium (‘White Hart Lane’ in North London, in the heart of the capital’s Jewish quarter), for example, also sells bagels, the ring shaped bread role that is typical of Jewish baking.

Tottenham supporters call themselves the “Yid Army”. In Glasgow, Scotland, “the ‘Old Firm’ derby (the collective name for the two main football clubs) between the Protestant Rangers and the Catholic Celtic, turns football matches at Ibrox Park Stadium into religious derbies: Protestants versus Catholics, English versus Irish, loyalists versus Independentists, the Orange Order against the Fenians.

Green and white are the colours of the Irish team, Celtic and blue is the colour of the Rangers who are loyal to the Crown and the Anglican faith. Rangers supporters are referred to as ‘Hun’ and are Protestant and pro-English. Celtic’s supporters live in Glasgow East and are referred to as ‘Tim’ (short for Timothy).

Thanks to an old ethnic-religious law, only Protestants could play in the Rangers, and only Catholics in the Celtic team. Today this is no longer the case, but fines are still issued to Rangers players caught making the sign of the cross.

In Turkey the Galatasaray, the country’s oldest football club is linked to the old Ottoman elite of the Lyceé Galatasaray.

Therefore the complex relationship between faith and football is truly an interreligious matter which involves all three main monotheistic faiths and even Buddhism. It is not just a team issue, but also a personal one.

In 1999 Giampaolo Mattei, a journalist of the L’Osservatore Romano the Vatican newspaper, interviewed 74 managers and players, asking them about religion and then wrote a book entitled Grazie a Dio (Praise the Lord) published by Piemme.

The Brazilian national team has many ‘Athletes of Christ’, Evangelical Baptist players who read the Bible every day and fervently carry out their apostolates. The former AC Milan and Italian national team midfielder, Demetrio Albertini, is deeply Catholic and his brother is a parish priest in Barbaiana, in the Northern Italian municipality of Lainate.

Another midfielder, former Roma player Damiano Tommasi was a conscientious objector and worked with Caritas, he nearly entered into priesthood (but then met his wife Chiara.

“The Lord calls whoever he wants to”). George Weah, from a Christian family embraced Islam and said: “I pray regularly, 5 times a day, even in the street or if I am playing. I understood that Islam was the right religion for me and all the black people in the world.”

Roberto Baggio says he found the strength to overcome trials and obstacles thanks to Buddha. ‘After the accident I had, many doctors told me my career was over. Buddhism helped me achieve what I had been hoping for.”

The manager trainer of the very Catholic Irish national team, Giovanni Trapattoni was himself well “trained” in faith matters from an early age thanks to his home and his local church in Cusano Milanino “I come from a very Catholic family and my sister is a nun, I pray every day in the morning and in the evening and I always encourage my players to go to mass. I think that by attending mass a team finds better cohesion and serenity. You might lose a match, but you never lose sight of what really counts.”

On the other hand, Didier Deschamps, former Juventus midfielder and trainer and current Marseille Football club manager, lost his faith after the death of his brother in an air-crash: “If God existed, he would not allow such injustice. I thank my parents for a strict and rigorous education, a deep Catholic education. I am sorry I lost my faith in God, I am sorry for them as well as for me. I am an honest person. Honesty and gratitude I believe are the most important values.”

OSCE at the Vatican : Religious freedom a factor for stability

2012-01-28T00:09:00.010Z

“People in general have the idea of the OSCE’s role in the past but not about our role today and in the future”, says President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe, Petros Efthymiou.

On Monday last he led a delegation to meetings at the Vatican with Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, and President of the Council for Inter-religious dialogue Cardinal Jean Louis Tauran.

“We don’t have security in Europe”, he adds. “We have the Euro-Atlantic dimension of security with NATO, we have the European Union, but we don’t have the Eurasian dimension of security. We have a void that stretches from Vienna to Kazakhstan. The OSCE is the only instrument that we have to work together, the United States and Russia, Western Europe and Eastern Europe”.

Security, cooperation and stability are not guaranteed by the absence of arms alone, notes Efthymiou.

More importantly through ensuring the fundamental human rights of the populations in the countries it encompasses (56 in total).

For that very reason, one of the biggest tasks the OSCE carries out is sending out election monitoring missions, particularly to countries struggling to establish democracy.

The Holy See has been a full member of the Organisation since its establishment in 1975.

December last, Archbishop Mamberti addressed the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Vilnus, Lithuania, where he encouraged the OSCE’s attempts to support religious freedom and praised the organisation’s concern to safeguard religious freedom in the participating states.

Special attention was put on education, religion, belief, religious symbols and expression in view of emerging restrictive legislation in some EU countries.

In filling the Eurasian void and in its battle against all forms of discrimination, the President Efthymiou says the Holy See is a key partner in “generating values and principles within the OSCE”.

“We are fully harmonised with the Holy See’s position on these issues” he concludes “especially when there are attempts to use religions for political purposes”.

Australian priest found dead in Cebu river

2012-01-28T00:08:00.006Z

Police are investigating the death of an Australian Roman Catholic priest, whose body was found floating in a river on the southern island province of Cebu.

The Rev. Douglas Leslie Rowe, 69, was found dead in the village called Can-asuhan in Carcar City, around 25 miles south of Cebu City, The Manila Times reported. He had been inspecting a parcel of land with two Filipino female companions.

Police said Rowe's companions -- Jan Rebutaso, a nun, and local real estate broker Sunshine Hoyo -- went off to take pictures of the land and left Rowe near the river at his request.

When the women returned they saw the Jesuit priest's body in the river, the Times' report said.

"His undergarments were below his knees," a police officer told the newspaper. "The two women rushed Rowe to hospital but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival," the officer said.

Police said they are keeping an open mind about the death of Rowe, who was from Midland, a

suburb in Perth in Western Australia, until they get a forensic report.

But police said the women claimed the priest suffered from heart disease, was hypertensive and diabetic. He "could have suffered a heart attack or stroke while relieving in the river. We still don't know. There is an ongoing investigation," police officer Vicente Garcesa said.

Rowe was the founder of the Patrist Society of the Sons and Daughters of God the Father, based in Australia and had put up churches in Cebu City and in Meru in Kenya -- the two countries where the group had missions.

Rowe had specialized conducting retreats for nuns, priests and bishops for several years and was an author of several religious books, the official Web site of the order says.

He was also an accomplished jazz and classical musician.

In the Philippines every week the order feeds poor children "who have no proper home, no proper parents and probably no future," the Web site says.

"We also house children who have home related problems. We teach children and adults about God and about prayer."

Cebu City is about 360 miles south of Manila and regarded as the seat of Christianity in the Philippines because Western explorers, including Ferdinand Magellan, landed on the island's shores.

Missionary priests have been the target of rebel kidnappers in the Philippines but mainly south of Cebu on the island of Mindanao, a more heavily Islamic and also rebellious area.

Between 120,000 and 150,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the struggle between government troops and rebel groups seeking an independent Mindanao region.

One rebel group is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. But the MILF also has had peace agreements with the central government and has actively helped free kidnapped people, including priests.

In November 2009, the MILF helped behind the scenes to free the Rev. Michael Sinnott, a Catholic priest.

The MILF leadership negotiated with disaffected rebel factions who were holding Sinnott hostage to hand him hand over.

Sinnott was walking in his garden the month before when men stormed his residence and hustled him into a waiting van that later was found abandoned along the coast.

Fears for his health mounted during his abduction because he required medication as a result from a heart bypass operation.

Sinnott, 79, and a native of Wexford, Ireland, was ordained in 1954 with the Missionary Society of St. Columban, an order that has been working with the poor of the Philippines since 1929.

Despite the good work done by the Columbans, the order suffered a kidnapping in August 2001 that resulted in the death of the Rev. Rufus Halley, who was killed by his abductors.

Mass celebrated in the Vatican for late president Havel

2012-01-28T00:07:00.007Z

A Requiem mass for the former Czechoslovak and Czech president Vaclav Havel, who died on December 18 aged 75, was celebrated by Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, in St Peter's Basilica Friday.

Sodano commemorated his personal meetings with Havel in the Czech Republic during the visits of the late Pope John Paul II and during Havel's visit to the Vatican.

Sodano pronounced one sentence in Czech. He recalled the statement of Havel, a playwright, dissident and politician, about the history of the Czech nation being firmly connected with Christianity.

The ceremony was concelebrated by Jan Mraz, rector of the Czech Nepomucenum College, and Giovanni Coppa, the first Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic.

Cardinal Sodano also quoted from the letter that Pope Benedict XVI sent to Czech President Vaclav Klaus after Havel's death.

The 45-minute mass was held 30 days after Havel's death according to the Catholic tradition and it was attended by about 100 guests, Czech ambassador to Vatican Pavel Vosalik told CTK.

The participants were representatives of Czech compatriots, Italy's representatives as well as diplomats from other countries, including Britain, Canada, France, Honduras, Poland, Serbia and Slovakia.

Close relatives and friends did not take part in the ceremony.

Havel's office said formerly widow Dagmar would not arrive over her work schedule.

A Requiem mass for Havel, last Czechoslovak and first Czech president (1998-2003) was held in St Vitus's Cathedral at Prague Castle on December 23.

Vatican says 2012 papal visit to Lebanon ‘very possible’

2012-01-28T00:06:00.009Z

A visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Lebanon later this year is “very possible,” according to the Vatican’s official spokesman.

The Pope would use the visit to deliver a document – known as an apostolic exhortation – that is the fruit of the discussions that took place at last October’s Synod for the Middle East.

“In the context of the publication of a synod document, it is very possible and reasonable for the Pope to go to Lebanon and deliver this message,” Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J., told CNA on Jan. 23.

“Lebanon is certainly a country that desires the Pope’s presence. Given that the Pope has already been to the Holy Land, Lebanon is a place that would be an option to host the Pope for this purpose,” Fr. Lombardi said.

The Italian media is already speculating that the Pope will travel to the country in mid-September. Possible dates include Sept. 13, the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross, and the following weekend, Sept. 22-23.

Pope Benedict could make stops in Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut and the seat of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate, Bkerké, as part of his trip.

“Well that’s very much the hope there at the moment,” said Monsignor John Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, who recently visited Lebanon.

“There is a lot that would have to go into such a decision, and there are a lot of parties that will have to weigh in on that,” he told CNA, adding that a papal trip “certainly would be a most welcome sign to the people and to the Church there.”

Just over a quarter of the Lebanese population is Catholic, with the majority of those belonging to the Maronite Catholic Church, an Eastern Church in communion with Rome.

Blessed Pope John Paul II made a two-day visit to Lebanon in 1997 to sign the apostolic exhortation “A Hope for Lebanon,” which drew together the work of the Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops in 1995.

A papal visit later this year would be Pope Benedict’s first journey to the Middle East since the emergence of the “Arab Spring,” a series of popular uprisings across the region that have toppled a number of dictatorships over the past year.

Mexican Archbishop Calls for Gang Cease-Fire During Papal Visit

2012-01-28T00:05:00.013Z

Archbishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago called on organized crime groups to ensure there is peace during Pope Benedict XVI's March 23-26 visit to Mexico.

The archbishop said in a press conference Sunday that he was asking criminal organizations to observe a cease-fire during the papal visit "in the name of all of Mexico."

"To those who do evil, if my word reaches them in some way, tell them to take into account that the time we are going to experience is one of peace and grace," the archbishop said.

Criminals "in the end are human beings" and will hopefully "avoid doing anything that will give us an experience of pain and death," Martin Rabago said.

Officials should provide security so people can travel on highways in peace, the archbishop said.

Pope Benedict is scheduled to stay at Leon's Colegio Miraflores during his visit to Mexico.

On March 25, the pontiff is slated to meet with Mexican and Latin American bishops at the Leon cathedral.

Facilities at Guanajuato Bicentenario Park, where Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass in the morning on March 25, should be ready by the first week of March, Martin Rabago said.

The outdoor venue will accommodate about 750,000 people, who will need a ticket to enter.

Young people from the Queretaro, Celaya, Irapuato and Leon dioceses will form a human wall along the route that the pope's vehicle will travel.

Campaigners in Westminster write to the Pope to prevent Pastoral Centre sale

2012-01-28T00:04:00.008Z

Campaigners in the Archdiocese of Westminster in London have written to Pope Benedict XVI, asking him to intervene in the sale of a local pastoral centre.

The residents of Colney believe that the Archdiocese has agreed to sell the All Saints Pastoral Centre to developers for €9.5million and have called on the Pontiff to intervene in the sale.

The residents have formed a group Save all Saints and in their letter to Pope Benedict point out that the centre was built in the 1920's for the All Saints Sisters, who were an Anglican order of nuns and was sold to the Archdiocese of Westminster in 1974 with an agreed covenant stating that any future sale would be to a purchaser who would ensure educational and religious continuity.

However according to the group, the Archdiocese has failed to be proactive in allowing the centre to flourish both spiritually and economically.

The diocese has previously blamed the challenging economic situation for forcing it to sell the near 40-hectare site.

Furthermore the letter accuses the diocese of accepting a deal for short term gain at the expense of long-term spiritual, practical and economic benefits, in keeping with the aims of the Catholic church and the spirit of last year's Papal visit to both England and Scotland.

The letter states that this is an example of the Westminster diocese not only failing to practice what it preaches but also ignoring the essence of your message.

Save All Saints spokesperson Peter Baker said that he hoped that, “The trustees of the diocese would have a change of heart, particularly if the Vatican intervened.”

The Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, Bishop John Arnold, said that while change is never easy, All Saints did not meet with the pastoral needs of the church.

"The clergy of the diocese have, for some time, been of the opinion that the upkeep and renovation of the centre was not a priority. The reality is that few priests have used it for their ministry and the number of diocesan events been held there each year has been minimal.”

Concerns raised in Britain over 'three parent test tube baby' experiments

2012-01-28T00:03:00.005Z

News that babies with three biological parents could be a reality within three years using a new IVF technique, have been described as 'unethical' and 'macabre' by Catholic scientists and pro-life campaigners in Britain.

The Wellcome Trust and Newcastle University have just announced a €7m package for further lab-based research aimed at assessing the safety of an experimental technique, which involves transferring parents’ DNA into a donor egg, meaning the resulting child would inherit a tiny fraction of their genetic coding from a third party.

They say it could prevent genetic conditions affecting the heart, muscle or brain being passed on to children and future generations.

The UK’s Department of Health has ordered a public consultation on whether the technology should be moved from the lab to patients, which will be followed by a House of Commons debate in London on the ethics of the issue.

Anthony Ozimic, communications manager with the Society for the Unborn Child, commented, "These macabre experiments are both destructive and dangerous and therefore unethical. The vast majority of embryonic children created in the laboratory are killed because they do not meet the 'quality control' requirements dictated by scientists involved in such increasingly macabre experiments.”

“Scientists should abandon the spurious field of destructive embryo experimentation and instead promote the ethical alternative of adult stem cell research, which is already providing cures and treatments for the same conditions,” concluded Mr Ozimic.

John Smeaton, SPUC director, commented, “As with IVF and cloning, this mitochondrial technique may well lead to the developmental abnormalities. Creating embryonic children in the laboratory abuses them, by subjecting them to unnatural processes. Human life begins at conception. Any grounds for denying human rights to human embryos are arbitrary and self-serving. Scientists should respect human life and pursue ethical alternatives which are much more likely to be successful in the long term,” he concluded.

Helen Watt, a senior research director at the Anscombe Centre for Bioethics in Oxford, a Catholic academic institute, told Channel 4 News that both the techniques being assessed by the HFEA involve "very serious ethical problems.”

Regarding pronuclear transfer, she said, "This grossly disrespects human life, and any child born from this particular technique will sadly discover she has no genetic parents - not three parents, as is sometimes reported. Instead, she is formed from the bodies of two embryos created and killed precisely as 'building blocks' for hers. We are very far here from the unconditional welcome of new life which having a baby should involve."

She added, "Even with the second, less destructive method, maternal spindle transfer, where nuclear material is exchanged before fertilisation, the child will face the unknown physical risks of the procedure in addition to the identity problems of knowing she that has, in this case, three genetic parents. For couples who, understandably, do not want to take the risk of passing on mitochondrial disorders to their children, adoption is a far better solution."

C of E bishops attacked for blocking benefits reform

2012-01-28T00:02:00.007Z

UK Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has hit out at bishops trying to block his welfare reforms, accusing them of ignoring the concerns of ordinary people.

Mr Duncan Smith said the Church of England bishops, who are threatening to derail his planned £26,000 benefit cap, should think more of low-income families who try to do ‘the right thing’.

The Church of England said it had a ‘moral obligation to speak up for those who have no voice’ and said government needed to reassess the new Welfare Reform Bill.

But Mr Duncan Smith urged the bishops, who are leading the opposition in the upper chamber, to rethink their objections, insisting they were not doing the poor any favours.

‘The question I’d ask these bishops is, over all these years, why have they sat back and watched people being placed in houses they cannot afford? It’s not a kindness,’ he said to the Sunday Times in an interview.

The Rt Rev John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, said he was not opposed to all aspects of the bill but believed child benefit should be exempted from the cap.

“What we’re talking about tomorrow is children in families where the welfare benefits have been cut to a point where they are less than Parliament actually has said they should be, because that’s what a cap does,” he told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme.

New service for pastors in debt

2012-01-28T00:01:00.008Z

Two Christian charities have launched a new service to help pastors and senior church leaders struggling with debt.

While it is hard enough for the average Joe to ask for help in personal finance matters, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Stewardship said it could be near impossible for the leaders of churches who are expected to set an example to their flock.

It said many church leaders ended up suffering in silence because of personal finance problems.

Now CAP and Stewardship have joined forces to launch a specialised service aimed at church leaders.

CAP Money Ministers is a free, non-judgemental and completely confidential telephone service for senior church leaders to find a way forward.

CAP's Chief Executive Matt Barlow explained: “We know there is a problem because we already have church leaders coming to us as clients. They are often paid very little or their pay can fluctuate. Often there are unfair expectations placed upon our church leaders and admitting any vulnerability can be so hard."

"Ideally, struggling church leaders would attend a CAP Money course at their local church or visit one of our debt help centres. However, we know the reality is they would most likely feel very exposed if they could get there at all with the number of midweek meetings expected of them.”

One church pastor turned to CAP for help after a series of unexpected expenses gave him a growing level of debt which left him taking out more credit to pay for essentials.

He said: “Being in debt is a massive taboo subject especially for a church leader – who can you confide in? You worry that your ministry will be affected if people in your church learn of your struggle. The great thing that CAP did for us was to give us hope: hope that we could sort out the debt, hope that it wouldn’t last forever. We have also found that we are better equipped to help people in the church who have financial problems – we truly can say: 'We’ve been there – we know how you feel'.”

Stewardship’s Chief Executive, Michael O'Neill, said it was conversations with ministers that had prompted the organisation to take action.

He said: “We are passionate about seeing the UK Church generously resourced.

"However, we often hear from church leaders who lack confidence in their own finances and in their ability to speak confidently about money with others. That’s why we are so thrilled to be partnering with CAP to launch CAP Money Ministers; a service which we hope will release hundreds of church leaders from financial worry and, in doing so, free them to do the same for their congregations.”

Pastors, ministers and other senior church leaders wanting to access CAP Money Ministers should call 01274 760780 or find out more at www.capmoney.org/ministers

Eucharistic Congress 2012 - Prayer

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000Z

Lord Jesus,
You were sent by the Father
to gather together those who are scattered.

You came among us, doing good and bringing healing,
announcing the Word of salvation
and giving the Bread which lasts forever.

Be our companion on life’s pilgrim way.

May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts,
enliven our hope and open our minds,
so that together with our sisters and brothers in faith
we may recognise you in the Scriptures
and in the breaking of bread.

May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body
and lead us to walk humbly on the earth,
in justice and love,
as witnesses of your resurrection.

In communion with Mary,
whom you gave to us as our Mother
at the foot of the cross,
through you
may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father
in the Holy Spirit and in the Church,
Now and forever.

Amen

Controversy erupts over television programme “The Untouchables”

2012-01-27T00:24:00.009Z

A “biased and trivial” presentation of “understandable” and human arguments and tensions in which facts were interpreted in a “factious” manner with the aim of “presenting the Church’s government structures...deeply marked by disagreements, divisions and clashes of interests”: this and nothing else - said the director of the Vatican newsroom, Fr. Federico Lombardi - is what emerged from the episode of “The Untouchables” broadcast by LA 7 the night before last.

The programme presented some letters by Mgr. Carlo Maria Viganò, the current Nuncio to the U.S. and until last october Secretary General - in other words number two man - of the Vatican City’s Governatorate, addressed to pope benedict XVI and to the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

In the letters, Viganò condemns the “corruption” that reigned over the Vatican Governatorate’s administration. He also sustains that his transferral to Washington was part of a campaign aimed at discrediting him and that it was planned by those who had taken profited from money squandering and inflated budgets. the letters say these individuals had been disturbed by his financial clean up and restructuring.

The television documentary is authored and presented by Gianluigi Nuzzi, author of a book on the accounts of the Institute for Works of Religion (the Vatican Bank), entitled Vaticano S.p.A. (Vatican Ltd).

The director of the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Giovanni Maria Vian also took part in the programme.

Fr. Lombardi stated that in response to the “serious” accusations made during the programme, particularly “with regard to the members of the Finance and Management Committee of the Governatorate and the Secretary of State,” the Secretary of State itself and the governatorate “are making every effort to take all steps necessary, even legal if necessary, to guarantee the respectability of morally sound individuals of renowned professionalism who loyally serve the Church, the Pope and the common good.”

In the note published yesterday morning, the Vatican’s spokesman criticised the “questionable nature of the journalistic ploys used” in the programme, including the “diffusion of confidential documents.”

But, he added, this is a “too frequently used” method of using “factious information on the Vatican and the Catholic Church.”

Furthermore, Lombardi added, Mgr. Viganò’s dispatch to the U.S. as Nuncio to the Holy See “is proof of the unquestionable respect and trust the Pope has towards him.”

The statement emphasises the “very positive” results of the work carried out by Mgr. Viganò during his time in the Governatorate, characterised by “administrative rigour” and “straightening out of an difficult overall economic situation.”

According to Fr. Lombardi, these results must be seen in context, for example in light of the increased number of visitors to the Vatican Museums - which is where the Governatorate gets most of its funds from and in light of market performance and ends “that are not purely economic but of support to the mission of the Vatican State’s universal Church.”

In any case, even with Mgr. Viganò’s transferral, the criteria of “a correct and sound administration and of transparency” which he was inspired by, continue to be at the forefront of the Governatorate’s management.

Fr. Lombardi underlined that the “understandable differences in opinion and position” were presented in a biased and trivial manner, with emphasis placed on the negative aspects. This inevitably resulted in a presentation of the Church government structures not so much as bodies that are also liable to human fragility - that would be easily understandable - but rather as structures that are deeply marked by disagreements, divisions and clashes of interests.”

In relation to this point, Fr. Lombardi stated “without fear” that “there is a tendency to grossly exaggerate the real facts,” because the current “state of the Governatorate in general, is not as negative as the programme would have us think.”

Furthermore, he added, “this level of misinformation definitely cannot hide the peaceful daily efforts towards an ever greater transparency on the part of all Vatican institutions.”

Finally, the Vatican spokesman’s statement concluded, “we must not forget that the Church’s Government is headed by a Pope whose deep and prudent judgement is indubitably honest and guarantees the serenity and trust that are rightly expected by those who work in service of the Church and all its faithful.”

For his part, the journalist and presenter of the programme, Gianluigi Nuzzi stated that “We have done our duty as journalists, drawing attention to certain documents, verifying their authenticity and publishing them."

"Perhaps the story of a bishop who condemns certain dealings involving the Holy Father, which he believes to be corrupt, putting them down on paper, is an unprecedented one.”

Vatican: The Pope’s calendar

2012-01-27T00:23:00.008Z

The Concistory which will be held on 18 February for the creation of new cardinals, the visit to Mexico and Cuba between 23 and 29 March and the Rites of Holy Week: these are the Pope’s main commitments for the next three months according to the calendar of liturgical celebrations to be presided by Benedict XVI, published today by the Vatican press.

The calendar includes the Pope’s visit to the Roman parish of San Giovanni Battista de la Salle in the Torrino quarter, on 4 March.

According to the calendar, the Vespers with monks and nuns for the celebration of the Day for Consecrated Life will be recited on Thursday 2 February, in the Vatican Basilica.

The Concistory for the election of new cardinals and the vote on some canonization causes will be held on Saturday 18 at 10:30, followed by a mass with new cardinals on Sunday 19.

On Ash Wednesday on 22 February, there will be a procession from the Church of St. Anselm to the Basilica of St. Sabina on the Aventine, where the Pope will celebrate mass with the imposition of the ashes.

There will be a pause between Sunday 26 February and Saturday 3 March, while the Roman Curia completes the Spiritual Exercises.

Then on Sunday 4 there will be a mass in the Roman parish in the Torrino quarter.

The Pope will hold yet another mass in the City of Rome on Saturday 10 March, where he will preside over the Vespers in the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio, on the occasion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit.

Between 23 and 29 March, Benedict XVI will be in Mexico and Cuba and will return to Rome straight after this to celebrate the Easter rites: Pal Sunday mass on Sunday 1 April in St. Peter’s Square, the Chrism mass on Thursday 5 April in the Vatican Basilica and the mass “in coema Domini” in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

On 6 April there will be an afternoon celebration for Holy Friday in the Vatican Basilica and in the evening the customary Via Crucis will take place in the Coloseum.

On 7 April the Holy Saturday Easter vigil will take place in St. Peter’s and on Easter Sunday on Sunday 8, there will be a mass in St. Peters’ Square, followed by the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.

Catholic Church reconquers Genoa, the secular city

2012-01-27T00:22:00.013Z

“Genoa for us,” sang Paolo Conte and Bruno Lauzi back in the ‘70s, when the hieratic gaze of Giuseppe Siri reigned over the city of Lanterna, dominated by social unrest, the crisis of State ownership and Red Brigade terrorist violence.

The archbishop of the immobilized city came to be known by his detractors as the Cardinal-Prince. These were the post-Council years, and the diocese was considered the rear guard of the Italian Church - closed in its negative interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, expressed by the pastoral action of the Archbishop and the non-conformist reflections of Renovatio, the periodical born in opposition to the international journals Concilium and Communio.

And yet, between the ‘30s and ‘60s of the previous century, the Genoese Catholic world and the ecclesiastical institution had been the training grounds for an important Catholic ruling class - more so than Lombard, Brescia and Milanese Catholicism.

From the lesson of the Barnabite Fr. Giuseppe Semeria to the pastoral innovations introduced by Archbishop Carlo Dalmazio Minoretti, a generation of young priests became important figures in 20^th century Italian religious history, including Fr. Giuseppe Siri, Fr. Giacomo Lercaro, Fr. Franco Costa, and Fr. Emilio Guano, to name a few of the most famous.

The liturgical apostolate founded by Fr. Giacomo Moglia, Catholic training and charity organizations like Catholic Action, FUCI, and the scouting movement, were important parts of youth education programs, as well as male religious congregations (the Jesuits of Arecco, the Vittorio da Feltre Institute of the Barnabites, the Marists of Champagnat, the Salesians of Sampierdarena, the Augustinians of the Consolation, the Dominicans of Santa Maria di Castello, and the Franciscans of Monte Alverno) and female congregations, with the schools of the Sisters of Saint Dorothy and the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge on Mount Calvary.

This living reality described the cipher of a genuine opposition toward other dioceses, toward secular, Mazzinist, Masonic, and especially Marxist aspects, with the strongest communist party in Italy, and the cradle of National Socialism which instilled a secular spirit among the people of this city characterized by its alleyways, the port, and the industry in Western Liguria (then considered the “Genoese Russia”).

A great period for Catholics who, while not clashing directly with fascism, had prepared a new ruling class during the dictatorship years and after 8 September 1943, brought young intellectuals and politicians into the partisan struggle for liberation and the democracy-building forces.

Such forces included Aldo “Commander Bisagno” Gastaldi - “white” leader of the “red” partisans; Paolo Emilio Taviani; the rectors of the University of Genoa Carlo Ceretti and Achille Pellizzari; professors Michele Federico Sciacca, Alberto Caracciolo, and Fausto Montanari; Vittorio Pertusio, future mayor during the years of economic boom; and the young Dossettian Gianni Baget Bozzo.

The Catholic Church played a decisive role in the fight for freedom in Genoa, through the diplomatic work of Jesuit Archbishop Pietro Boetto, and especially by his vicar and successor, the young Giuseppe Siri.

Then, with the return of democracy and the start of reconstruction during the early years of the Republic, the ideological clash shifted to the anthropological incompatibility between Christian thought and Marxism.

Under Siri, the most faithful and authoritative interpreter of the pontificate of Pius XII, Genoa became the stronghold of the defense of Christianity and the cardinal point of reference for a church closer to tradition than innovation, leading it to its isolation from the rest of the country, particularly after the Council.

The comparison between the two different ecclesiological ideas took different paths to Minoretti’s young priests: Siri in Genoa on the one hand, and on the other, Guano and Costa, who migrated to Rome and became assistants at FUCI and Catholic Action, then bishops at Crema and Livorno, and tenacious innovators at the Council.

In Bologna, adopted city of Genoese Giuseppe Dossetti, Giacomo Lercaro was a bishop who was open to modernity and an important figure in the Second Vatican Council, as moderator and Italian guide for the progressive component.

The defiance of the Genoese church polarized them. On the one hand, there was Siri’s doctrinal compactness, which reduced the innovative reception of the Council, and on the other, minority Christian groups expressing their dissent through social, theological, and political action manifested in the stories of the communities based in the Camillians and Fr. Zerbinati, Nando Fabro, Katy Canevaro, and Nazareno Fabretti’s journal Il Gallo, from the street communities of San Benedetto to the Port of Fr. Andrea Gallo, to the dynamic and unpredictable eclecticism of Gianni Baget Bozzo, who had a relationship of friendship and of very troubled conflict with Cardinal Siri.

At the end of the long “reign” after the brief ferrying of Cardinal Giovanni Canestri, began the ascent of Catholic Genoa, despite the suffering and difficulties of an aging clergy and empty seminaries, the shrinking of Catholic associations, the growth of secular lifestyles distant from any spiritual dimension, with a strong reduction of participation in the Sunday Mass.

On the social plane, the progressive irrelevance of the Catholic component in city politics - the last Christian Democrat mayor in Genoa, was Giancarlo Piombino, a pupil of Paolo Emilio Taviani in the early ‘70s - were signs of an overt decline.

It has taken more than twenty years since the death of Cardinal Siri, in May 1989, to see the return of the centrality of Genoese church hierarchy to its universal dimension, after an unpredictable and covert climb.

The Genoese clergy, accustomed to having an experienced leader, lived through the swift succession of bishops, a springboard to the most prestigious and important positions: Dionigi Tettamanzi (1995-2002), secretary of Ruini’s CEI (Italian Episcopal Conference) and then successor to Carlo Maria Martini at the head of the great diocese of Milan and the Piedmontese Tarcisio Bertone, Salesian bishop of Vercelli and importantly, Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, close collaborator of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who appointed him as Secretary of State after the succession to John Paul II.

And while it has increased the polarization between opposites, Father Gallo and Father Baget-Bozzo, and experiences along the lines of the reception of the Council in the life of the city has grown significantly: in the cultural field, the publishing activities of Fr. Antonio Balleto with “Marietti”, in the pastoral field, the evangelical restlessness of Fr. Paolo Farinella, and in the social field, the work of Fr. Piero Sheath in Auxilium Caritas.

And there were other priests, ordained in the ‘60s and ‘70s by Siri, who achieved prestigious appointments and assignments, particularly between the pontificate of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Other lesser-known names and religious figures who currently serve the Pope, such as Fr. Guido Marini, his secretary, should not be forgotten.

There are four more names that come up in this area: Angelo Bagnasco, Domenico Calcagno, Francesco Moraglia, and Mauro Piacenza, all united by their rise to the episcopate and the cardinalship with prominent assignments in the Roman Curia and the pastoral leadership of important Italian dioceses.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, was appointed bishop in 1998, and was previously pastor of Pesaro and Urbino. Then the military chaplain was appointed Archbishop of Genoa in September 2006, and after a few months designated successor to Cardinal Camillo Ruini, President of the Italian Conference of Bishops; Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, bishop since 2003, held a number of positions in the Roman Curia: President of the Pontifical Commission for Cultural Heritage of the Church, then the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, Pro-Prefect and then Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Cardinal since November 2010.

Another Genoese figure who will become a cardinal in the consistory this February, is Mgr. Domenico Calcagno, ordained in 1967, active in the diocese of Genoa for many years, then Bishop of Savona, since last July, appointed by the President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

Finally, Monsignor Francis Moraglia, Bishop of La Spezia, about to become cardinal as successor to Angelo Scola as new Patriarch of Venice.

Their appointments and ecclesiastical careers are signs of a turnaround, the revenge of Cardinal Siri in the Italian church, which some interpret with an old antinomian flavor, or in more current aspect of a total rethinking of Second Vatican Council.

A deeper reading could be an ex post facto reinterpretation of a never-appeased aspect of the Italian church - a return to faithfulness to the tradition that consolidated itself in its doctrinal forms through John Paul II.

It had a theological definition with the pontificate of Benedict XVI; the rebirth of a less prophetic and more systematic Catholicism, which has caused the last students of the Cardinal of Genoa to emerge at the top of the Roman Curia and the Italian church.

The Holy See increasingly «transparent»

2012-01-27T00:21:00.013Z

The Holy See, acting on behalf of the State of Vatican City, ratified yesterday in New York «the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances of December 20, 1988» and adhered to the «International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism of December 9, 1999, and the United Nations Convention against transnational Organized Crime of November 15, 2000».

A further important step towards the goal of making its financial system correspond to the international standards of «virtuous» States.

The Permanent Observer of the Holy See at the UN, Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikat, filed yesterday with the Secretary General of the UN - a note from the Vatican press office - «the instrument of ratification of the first Convention and those of adherence to the other two».

In doing so, the note continues, «the Holy See intends to contribute with its own moral support» to these conventions.

At the same time, the Vatican «wishes to reiterate its commitment to promoting the values of solidarity, justice and peace among people and nations, which requires the primacy of the rule of law and respect for human rights for their protection and strength».

The Holy See, in a statement, reaffirms that «the instruments and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, play an important role in achieving effective protection against criminal activities that undermine human dignity and peace».

The note concludes with some «conditions» and interpretative declarations.

The conditions firstly concern the behaviour to be held in case of disputes regarding the application of these conventions: like many other States have done, the Holy See also specifies in a condition that there cannot be an automatic mechanism that forces litigants to resort to international tribunals, but an attempt should be made to resolve disputes in bilateral relationship.

Another condition, also shared by other States, concerns values and Vatican law: international conventions must be interpreted in light of the values underlying the law of the Holy See and therefore it will not be possible, for example, to proceed with litigations based on political, ethnic or religious reasons.

While another condition notes that adherence to subject convention does not mean automatic membership to all other conventions attached to the main one.

Commenting on the ratification and accessions, the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, recalled the words of Benedict XVI such as «terrorism and organized crime» attack «the dignity of human beings and the common good in all countries of the world».

It is for this reason that by depositing these instruments of accession and ratification «the Holy See confirms its willingness and its practical and effective commitment to collaborate with the international community in a manner consistent with its nature and mission, in order to ensure peace and international justice».

The adoption of these tools represents a further adaptation of the law of the State of Vatican City with international standards, in the wake of the transparency desired by Pope Ratzinger and already implemented by the adoption of several Vatican laws, like that concerning the prevention and fight against money laundering and counterfeiting of euro banknotes and coins.

In this line, says Archbishop Mamberti, «today’s gesture reflects the determination to adapt the internal legal system to the most stringent regulatory parameters agreed upon at an international level», making the law that has recently become effective across the Tiber, «which is already rigorous, even more detailed, providing for, among other things, more transparent instruments of international cooperation and higher penalties for violation of the law».

«These innovations - explains Mamberti - along with the new legal instruments offered by the three conventions, which aim to promote a high level of collaboration between the courts of the State of Vatican City and those of other States, make the fight against terrorism, laundering, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime even more determined».

But the «foreign minister» of the Holy See, referring to the conditions and interpretative statements attached, also explains that all this «will not affect the sovereign right of each State to refrain from its collaboration with respect to proceedings pending in other jurisdictions,when these can result in forms of individual persecution for political, religious, ethnic or other reasons».

He concludes by recalling that in an international context characterized by «serious and repeated violence for religious reasons, too often at the expense of Christians», this type of international cooperation could also «be useful to prevent and combat» these attacks «against life and the religious freedom of every human being».

Corruption Scandal Rocks Vatican, Whistle Blower Archbishop Vigano Was Transfered Against His Will

2012-01-27T00:20:00.014Z

The Vatican was shaken by a corruption scandal Thursday after an Italian television investigation said a former top official had been transferred against his will after complaining about irregularities in awarding contracts.

The show "The Untouchables" on the respected private television network La 7 Wednesday night showed what it said were several letters that Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who was then deputy-governor of Vatican City, sent to superiors, including Pope Benedict, in 2011 about the corruption.

The Vatican issued a statement Thursday criticizing the "methods" used in the journalistic investigation.

But it confirmed that the letters were authentic by expressing "sadness over the publication of reserved documents."

As deputy governor of the Vatican City for two years from 2009 to 2011, Vigano was the number two official in a department responsible for maintaining the tiny city-state's gardens, buildings, streets, museums and other infrastructure.

Vigano, currently the Vatican's ambassador in Washington, said in the letters that when he took the job in 2009 he discovered a web of corruption, nepotism and cronyism linked to the awarding of contracts to outside companies at inflated prices.

In one letter, Vigano tells the pope of a smear campaign against him (Vigano) by other Vatican officials who wanted him transferred because they were upset that he had taken drastic steps to save the Vatican money by cleaning up its procedures.

"Holy Father, my transfer right now would provoke much disorientation and discouragement in those who have believed it was possible to clean up so many situations of corruption and abuse of power that have been rooted in the management of so many departments," Vigano wrote to the pope on March 27, 2011.

In another letter to the pope on April 4, 2011, Vigano says he discovered the management of some Vatican City investments was entrusted to two funds managed by a committee of Italian bankers "who looked after their own interests more than ours."

LOSS OF $2.5 MILLION, 550,000 EURO NATIVITY SCENE

Vigano says in the same letter that in one single financial transaction in December, 2009, "they made us lose two and a half million dollars."

The program interviewed a man it identified as a member of the bankers' committee who said Vigano had developed a reputation as a "ballbreaker" among companies that had contracts with the Vatican, because of his insistence on transparency and competition.

The man's face was blurred on the transmission and his voice was distorted in order to conceal his identity.

In one of the letters to the pope, Vigano said Vatican-employed maintenance workers were demoralized because "work was always given to the same companies at costs at least double compared to those charged outside the Vatican."

For example, when Vigano discovered that the cost of the Vatican's larger than life nativity scene in St Peter's Square was 550,000 euros in 2009, he chopped 200,000 euros off the cost for the next Christmas, the program said.

Even though, Vigano's cost-cutting and transparency campaign helped turned Vatican City's budget from deficit to surplus during his tenure, in 2011 unsigned articles criticizing him as inefficient appeared in the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

On March 22, 2011, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone informed Vigano that he was being removed from his position, even though it was to have lasted until 2014.

Five days later he wrote to Bertone complaining that he was left "dumbfounded" by the ouster and because Bertone's motives for his removal were identical to those published in an anonymous article published against him in Il Giornale that month.

In early April, Vigano went over Bertone's head again and wrote directly to the pope, telling him that he had worked hard to "eliminate corruption, private interests and dysfunction that are widespread in various departments."

He also tells the pope in the same letter that "no-one should be surprised about the press campaign against me" because he tried to root out corruption and had made enemies.

Despite his appeals to the pope that a transfer, even if it meant a promotion, "would be a defeat difficult for me to accept," Vigano was named ambassador to Washington in October of last year after the sudden death of the previous envoy to the United States.

In its statement, the Vatican said the journalistic investigation had treated complicated subjects in a "partial and banal way" and could take steps to defend the "honor of morally upright people" who loyally serve the Church.

The statement said that today's administration was a continuation of the "correct and transparent management that inspired Monsignor Vigano."

Spanish bishop emphasizes role of victims in journey toward peace

2012-01-27T00:19:00.009Z

Bishop Jose Ignacio Munilla of San Sebastian, Spain has said that the country's victims of terrorism should occupy “the central place in the journey toward peace and reconciliation.”

To forget the memory of the terrorism victims would be “reason to question the authenticity of our commitment to peace and reconciliation,” the bishop said during a homily on Jan. 20, the feast of St. Sebastian.

He offered prayers that the patron saint of the diocese would grant “definitive peace to our people and particularly to our city.”

Victims must occupy “a central place in the journey toward peace and reconciliation, so that we do not add new injustices to those already committed,” the bishop said.

Bishop Munilla expressed gratitude that after almost 50 years of violence in the region, Catholics were able to celebrate the feast of St. Sebastian without the “explicit threat” of terrorism.

“Let us be joyful and hopeful, not forgetful and unsupportive,” he said.

“May the Lord receive into glory all those who were cruelly snatched from this life and may he alleviate the suffering of their families and move all of us to conversion,” Bishop Munilla prayed.

The Spanish bishop went on to note the economic crisis that has gripped Spain and expressed solidarity with those who have been unemployed for long periods of time. He urged political leaders to “work together to find solutions” for the entire country.

On the other hand, he warned of the “great temptation” for believers to be “dragged into and absorbed by a worldly spirit, such that we end up thinking, feeling and acting as if God did not exist.”

“The religious meaning of our existence is perfectly reconcilable with the positive values that are derived from authentic progress,” the bishop explained.

“In order to achieve that necessary maturity, in which modernity and religiosity are integrated, we need to live without hang-ups in the present day situation.”

Young people are hope of pro-life movement, says Texas cardinal

2012-01-27T00:18:00.009Z

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston told over a thousand young people at a prayer vigil in D.C. that the pro-life movement depends on their loving witness in the face of a hostile culture.

“You are a good infection,” the cardinal told the youth gathered at the opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life. “Do not underestimate your presence.”

More than 10,000 people gathered on the evening of Jan. 22 for Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, including many young people from across the country.

The date marked the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in America.

Cardinal DiNardo, who serves as chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the opening Mass, which was followed by confessions, a rosary, Night Prayer and holy hours throughout the night.

The Catholic University of America hosted almost 1,300 pilgrims overnight.

The vigil concluded on the morning of Jan. 23 with Morning Prayer and a closing Mass, at which Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York was the principal celebrant and homilist.

Participants were then able to attend the March for Life in downtown D.C., along Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court building.

In his homily, Cardinal DiNardo spoke about the call of Jonah. Although he first ran away, Jonah eventually realized “that the call of the Lord is serious.” When he finally responded to that call, his preaching converted the people of Ninevah.

“We are walking through Ninevah,” the cardinal said, emphasizing the need for “personal conversion.”

With millions of lives destroyed by abortion in the last 39 years, he noted the need for ministries of conversion, as well as compassion and mercy.

Through the work of such ministries, he said, “we witness the miracle of Christ’s mercy and healing grace” as broken hearts are “made whole” and “filled with new peace and hope.”

The cardinal also expressed grave concerns that the pro-life movement is threatened by recent attacks on religious freedom in America.

On Jan. 20, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule that will require virtually all health insurance plans to include sterilization and contraception – including drugs that cause abortion – free of charge.

Cardinal DiNardo explained that this mandate violates the religious liberty and rights of conscience of Catholics and other religious employers by forcing citizens “to directly purchase what violates our beliefs.”

He called for “timely and unwavering actions” to defend religious freedom.

At the same time, the cardinal expressed hope for the future, observing signs of good news, such as the “record numbers” of pro-life laws passed on the state level in recent years.

In many ways, the youth are “weaving Christ into our culture,” he said, urging them to show the loving face of Christ to those who are hostile.

“Don’t be compromised in your dedication to the protection of life.”

Humanism: the faith that doesn't need a god

2012-01-27T00:17:00.010Z

The simple wicker casket carrying the body of journalist and broadcaster Mary Raftery entered the Great Hall of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham the week before last, as the latest high-profile humanist funeral took place.

Family and friends gathered as a string quartet played in celebration of the life of the 54-year-old States of Fear documentary maker.

Actor Mick Lally and politician Justin Keating are other well-known figures who have joined the growing number of people choosing a non-religious rather than a church burial ceremony.

"I met Mary on a number of occasions after she asked me four years ago to conduct her father's funeral," says Brian Whiteside, the humanist celebrant who conducted the ceremony.

"In the later stages of her illness, her husband David Waddell contacted me and said she also wished to arrange a humanist funeral. Like other such funerals, we marked the sadness of losing the person but balanced that by celebrating a life well lived, which was certainly the case with Mary. We try to capture the essence of the person with words and music."

Whiteside is one of nine Humanist Association of Ireland celebrants.

He says: "The closing words focused on the continuum of life -- that you go on living through those you have touched in life. This is hopefully somewhat comforting because while we are celebrating the life of someone who was not religious, people are still looking for something more."

Humanist philosophy centres on an ethical belief in humanity and the individual, and is defined by justice, reason and the search for human fulfilment.

Its roots lie in ancient Greece and the philosophies championed during the Renaissance, placing faith in the natural world and its evolution rather than the existence of a supernatural power.

"Interest in humanism is growing and funerals are becoming more and more commonplace," says Whiteside.

"I've been doing this since 2006 and in my first year I did three or four. Last year there were 51. It's not a huge number, but it's growing."

The British Humanist Association conducts around 8,000 funeral services each year.

"If you adjust that figure for population size, it suggests we should be doing about 600," says Whiteside, who is the director of ceremonies for the Humanist Association of Ireland.

"Remarkably, I was recently told that in Australia only 30pc of funerals are religious. That is a point that will take us sometime to get to, if we ever do. But we only want to get to where people want to get. We are only there for people who want us to be there."

The latest available figures suggest that the non-religious in Ireland are a fast-growing group, with 186,000 saying they have no religion and a further 70,000 choosing not to indicate any religious belief. When the results of the 2011 census become available, these figures are expected to rise. If you take all the religions outside of the Catholic church, there are more non-religious in this country than any other religious grouping," says Whiteside.

However, while the voice of the non-religious is growing, choosing a humanist funeral can still cause difficulties.

"Of course, there is conflict sometimes within families," says Whiteside. "You have to realise, for someone who is not religious to have a religious funeral is inappropriate, at least, and likely to be hypocritical. But it is important to note that the ceremonies are not anti-religious, and they are very dignified and respectful. I conducted a service where the family approached me and said they wanted to say the rosary. So at the end of the service I handed it over to them and I have no problem with that."

But while there may be a growing acceptance of humanist funerals, humanist weddings are still not legally recognised.

"Because our ceremonies do not carry legal status, anyone wishing to get married with us has to go to the registry office beforehand," says Whiteside.

This is expected to change later this year, when an amendment to the Civil Registration Act, which governs civil marriages in this country, goes in front of the Dáil after passing the Seanad.

"Between all our celebrants we conduct around 150 weddings a year, which has doubled over the last six years," says Whiteside.

At present, the Humanist Association of Ireland has 500 members and, while not claiming to be 'the' voice for the non-religious, it sees itself as 'a' voice.

"The reason our membership is so low is that many people who don't believe, nor belong to a religious grouping, think, why would they want to belong to something else," says Whiteside.

"But for some strange people, such as myself, it is nice to belong. I was brought up in a strict religious Church of Ireland background. I decided to become a humanist after I attended a funeral in London 10 years ago. I was struck by how people who knew this man simply came and celebrated his life in a very open and honest way. I get phone calls every week from people who may not necessarily want to become a humanist, but say that when they die they don't want to be brought anywhere near a church."

Former Catholic priest trial over sex assault on boys

2012-01-27T00:16:00.000Z

Former Roman Catholic priest Alexander Bede Walsh went on trial last Monday after denying sexually assaulting seven boys over a 20-year period.

The 57-year-old has previously entered not guilty pleas to all 25 charges put to him.

He denied 23 charges of indecently assaulting a male and two further charges of sexual assault.

It is alleged he indecently assaulted boys aged between seven and 16 on dates between July 1974 and December 1994.

Walsh, of Church Lane, Abbots Bromley, near Rugeley, served as a priest in Cheadle for 14 years until 1999.

He was a governor and chaplain at Painsley Catholic High School in the town.

He also served in Coventry and Coleshill.

Hindus urge Swiss churches to speak for abused children

2012-01-27T00:15:00.009Z

Hindus have asked various religious groups in Switzerland to come out openly in support of Verdingkinder (contract children), whom the authorities reportedly coerced into horrible lives in the past.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA), said that as religion tells us to speak out against the injustice and help the helpless, religious groups in Switzerland, especially the majority Catholic Church and Swiss Reformed Church, should openly ask Switzerland for an official apology and compensation for the Verdingkinder.

As love and compassion for the helpless, defenseless and downtrodden was the hallmark of religious ethics; we as religious groups should voice the maltreatment of Verdingkinder and it was our moral obligation to make efforts to see that they got justice for the human rights violations suffered by them in the past, said Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed.

He also urged Swiss religious groups for support on Verdingkinder issue.

Rajan Zed quoted from The Bible: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36)”. “Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth (Zephaniah 3:19)”.

Zed further said that it was a dark chapter in Switzerland history when children from poor urban families were reportedly forcibly taken away from their parents and sent to perform hard labor on farms and it happened till mid-1950s.

It is alleged that many of these children were frequently beaten and even sexually abused, given little food, and were not permitted to talk or receive Christmas presents.

Rajan Zed argued that it was immoral for Switzerland to steal the childhood of these children and subject them to a loveless life full of loneliness. Formal apology and adequate compensation would be a “step in the right direction”, Zed added.

Switzerland; the country of Albert Einstein, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Jeremias Gotthelf, Max Frisch, Roger Federer, orphan girl Heidi, cosmopolitan Geneva, Lausanne cathedrals, Valais wines, Red Cross, World Economic Forum, International Olympic Committee, dozens of Nobel laureates, and mountain high life; should be more mature and transparent, Zed pointed out.

SNAP Protests After Priest Says Mass Amid Abuse Allegations

2012-01-27T00:14:00.009Z

Members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests were handing out leaflets outside Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday.

The group is upset because the Rev. George Klein, 78, celebrated mass on Jan. 1 at St. Philip the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, at 1962 Old Willow Rd. in Northfield.

Klein, who is 78 and retired, has been restricted in his ministry since the summer because of an allegation that he acted inappropriately with a young woman more than 40 years ago while serving as principal of St. Benedict High School, 3900 N. Leavitt St., the Chicago Tribune reported.

In a Sept. 1 posting on its Web site, SNAP said the woman first divulged the alleged sexual abuse to Archdiocese officials over the summer.

The woman’s age at the time and the nature of the alleged abuse were not specified.

Under the restrictions, Klein was forbidden from being alone with anyone under 18 “unless a responsible adult is present” and could not “engage in any teaching or instructive functions with minors,” SNAP said.

Klein mistakenly thought the restrictions against him had been lifted, and went ahead and led mass on New Year’s Day.

But he has been corrected, the newspaper reported.

Klein now resides in the rectory at St. Philip the Apostle, the Tribune reported.

Santa Rosa bishop fires up anti-abortion activists at rally

2012-01-27T00:13:00.011Z

Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa Sunday called politicians who support abortion rights “unfit for public office” and suggested they face excommunication from the Catholic Church for expressing such a position.

Vasa made the remarks at a rainy afternoon rally in Courthouse Square on the 37th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, granting women the right to legal abortion.

The event drew about 100 participants who prayed, sang songs and carried signs such as “Defend life” and “Women do regret abortion.”

It also drew a handful of protesters who tried to disrupt the event with chants of their own supporting abortion rights.

Vasa, who previously served as bishop of the Baker Diocese in politically conservative eastern Oregon, was blunt in his condemnation of laws and leaders that don't stand up to protect the unborn.

He said that because of the position of the United State on the issue of abortion, it is “not the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

“It's a land of the imprisoned and the home of the cowards,” said Vasa, who traded his bishop's mitre for a baseball cap in deference to the weather.

Such forceful public rhetoric is a marked departure from that of previous leaders of the 165,000-member Santa Rosa Catholic diocese, which sits in a strongly liberal region with widely held feminist values. Vasa became its spiritual leader in July.

Sunday, he called laws like Roe v. Wade “illicit and invalid” and leaders who support abortion rights “as guilty of abortion as those who choose it themselves.”

“Any government leader, particularly those who claim to be Christian, who claim to be pro-choice, is unworthy of public office,” Vasa said to cheers from the damp crowd.

“Absolutely unworthy and absolutely unfit for public office.”

In an interview after his remarks, Vasa suggested such leaders who publicly hold such a position shouldn't accept communion at Mass.

He also said they could be excommunicated, or banished from the church through their actions. “In some ways, they excommunicate themselves,” he said.

If he learned a politician expressed a position so out of line with Catholic beliefs, then he would first try to have a “face-to-face” with that person and urge them to recant their remarks. If they did not, then that person would be “on thin ice.”

But he noted that the church “tends to resist” formal excommunications, noting that Catholics who advocate abortion rights suffer from the conflict between two incompatible positions within them.

“I, for one, if someone wants to put hot coals on their own head, I say fine,” Vasa said.

Rep. Mike Thompson, the North Coast's seven-term Democratic congressman, is Catholic and supports abortion rights.

“I support a woman's right to make decisions about her health care,” Thompson has said, adding that he separates his role as a lawmaker from his Catholicism.

Midway through one of the early speeches, an abortion-rights activist jumped up and attempted to disrupt the event.

When protesters pushed JT Bymaster, a 33-year-old massage therapist, and told him to leave, he began yelling “Abortion is a right!” and noted he was in a public place and enjoyed the same free-speech rights as they.

Lawrence Lehr, president of the group Sonoma County Pro Life, said there are signs that anti-abortion activists are “chipping away” at Roe v. Wade and helping win support for the passage of state laws that restrict access to abortions. He urged them not to lose heart.

“The goal is not to be successful. The goal is to be faithful,” he said.

Disobedient priests plan global movement

2012-01-27T00:12:00.011Z

A parish priest who encouraged clergymen to be "disobedient" towards the Vatican plans to go international.

Helmut Schüller of the Preachers’ Initiative said that "2012 will be the year of internationalisation".

Schüller – who previously headed Caritas Austria – said the Austrian Roman Catholic Church should "finally take members seriously".

Schüller criticised the Vatican due to its conservative approach towards key topics of the 21st century and said the institution resembled an "absolutist monarchy".

The head of the parish of Probstdorf in the province of Lower Austria stressed that his initiative "receives a lot of approval from Catholic reform movements all over the world."

Schüller claimed some weeks ago that the Preachers’ Initiative currently consisted of 370 members. He said yesterday there were no plans for further talks with the highest representative of the Roman Catholic Church of Austria, Viennese Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn.

The archbishop condemned the word disobedience as a "term of fight" last month. Schönborn said it was "burdened with a negative connotation".

Schönborn said it was not true that he opposed all kinds of reforms of the Church. He admitted that there was the need to rethink certain decisions and opinions but also made clear that he was against the crucial points of Schüller’s agenda.

The Preachers’ Initiative, which was established more than half a year ago, calls on the Vatican to allow priests to give Holy Communion to people who married a second time at registry offices after getting divorced following church weddings.

The group also says women should be allowed to become Catholic priests.

Austria is one of the Roman Catholic Church’s most significant strongholds in Europe. Around 5.4 million Austrians are members of the Church.

The number of people leaving the Church declined by 32 per cent from 2010 to 2011.

More than 58,600 people quit their membership last year. Around 65 per cent of adult residents of the country are part of its Catholic Church – down sharply from 1981 when the same applied to 84 per cent.

The budget of Austria’s Catholic Church was strained in 2011 due to declining membership numbers meaning receding financial support but also compensatory payments to victims of sexual and physical abuse.

The Church paid 6.4 million Euros altogether to 456 people who came forward to inform special commissions dealing with the issue that they suffered abuse at boarding schools and other institutions run by the Church.

The Church was also in the news recently due to discussions over whether it should be allowed to charge people who left it.

Maximilian Hiegelsberger of the Austrian Association of Farmers’ section in Upper Austria said the Church could tax everyone regardless of whether they were members or not.

Hiegelsberger argued that every resident of the country benefited by the Church’s activities in some way. He also made aware of abbeys’ positive effects on the domestic tourism industry.

The Social Democrats (SPÖ) rejected his appeal while St. Pölten Diocese Bishop Klaus Küng said it was an idea worth discussing in his opinion.

Hiegelsberger is a member of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) which has formed a federal government coalition with the SPÖ since 2007.

The SPÖ emphasised it would not support his initiative. The party branded Hiegelsberger’s suggested post-Church membership fee as a "forced charge".

The Austrian Catholic Church generated 394 million Euros with the so-called Church tax in 2010.

The sum Church members have to transfer depends on their salaries. Unemployed people and everyone with a comparably small income do not have to pay anything.

Organ donation: Church leaders in Wales attack presumed consent

2012-01-27T00:11:00.009Z

Church leaders in Wales have criticised "ill-judged" proposals for presumed consent rules on organ donation.

The Roman Catholic Church in Wales, Church in Wales and Wales Orthodox Mission urged the Welsh government to revisit its policy process.

In a joint statement they said they were "profoundly committed" to human dignity in life and death.

The Welsh government said it wanted as many people as possible to join the debate on the matter.

The church leaders said their response was based on social, moral and ethical principles.

Their statement, they said, was intended to contribute these important elements to the current debate.

They said the principles outlined in their document "seek to preserve the dignity and autonomy of every person whilst creating a proper framework in which the gift of human organs after death is precisely that - an act of solidarity, generosity and love."

"Our main concern," the statement continues, "is that the positive ethos of donation as a free gift is being endangered by an ill-judged if well-intentioned proposal to move from voluntary donation to presumed consent."

Debate

The statement urges the Welsh government to establish a cross party committee to consider all the evidence submitted to the previous enquiries of the last three years.

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said: "There are still two weeks to go before the consultation closes and I want as many people to be part of this process as possible. If you have not done so already, let us know what you think of these proposals. This is an exciting time. We are making Welsh history and all who make their opinions known in this consultation are part of that history."

Ms Griffiths said the Welsh government wanted to improve the lives of the hundreds of people on the transplant waiting list in Wales and throughout Britain.

"As well as transforming lives, transplantation is one of the most cost effective treatments and we need to do everything we can to increase the number of organs available," she said.

The church leaders' move comes after the Church in Wales staged a public debate to discuss presumed consent.

Under the Welsh government proposal, everyone in Wales would automatically become a donor unless they opted out.

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, has already called for the legislation to be scrapped.

The debate was held at John the Baptist Church in central Cardiff.

Official consultation will end on 31 January.

The latest figures show Wales has reached a deceased organ donation rate of 27.7 per million people (pmp), compared to the UK average rate of 16.3 pmp.

It places Wales above many other European countries, including France (23.8 pmp), Italy (21.6 pmp) and Belgium (20.5 pmp), which already has a system of presumed consent, according to figures for 2010.

The proposed change to the law has been backed by organisations such as the British Medical Association, British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, British Lung Foundation, the Welsh Kidney Patients Association.

Former Episcopalians welcome new Catholic structure

2012-01-27T00:10:00.016Z

Leaders of the new U.S. Catholic ordinariate established Jan. 1 for former Anglicans/Episcopalians said they and their people welcomed with “joy and gratitude” the historic Vatican announcement that Pope Benedict XVI had established the new church jurisdiction for them.

The new ordinariate -- the equivalent of a nationwide diocese -- is based in Houston and is headed by Fr. Jeffrey N. Steenson.

A former Episcopal bishop, he became Catholic along with his wife, Debra, in 2007; was ordained a Catholic priest in 2009; and now teaches theology at two Catholic institutions in Houston, the University of St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Seminary.

Key to the ordinariate is that former U.S. Anglican/Episcopalian priests and communities entering the Catholic church will be able to continue worshiping in their centuries-old Anglican tradition centering on the Book of Common Prayer.

It is slightly adapted to conform with classical Catholic worship but retains most of Anglicans’ own special traditions and customs -- most of which marked no real departure from Roman Catholic teaching or practice -- while entering into full unity with Rome.

St. Mary’s will be the formation center for all former U.S. Episcopal priests entering the Catholic church and seeking Catholic ordination as part of the new ordinariate. It will also likely be the main formation center for any future seminarians preparing for priesthood in the ordinariate.

Most former Episcopal priests who reconcile with the Catholic church by entering the ordinariate are married, as was the case since 1980 with U.S. Episcopal priests who became Catholic and were accepted for Catholic ministry under a special pastoral provision established by Pope John Paul II.

The chief difference is that most priests who became Catholic under the 1980 provision entered into full Catholic communion as individuals (albeit often with their wives and perhaps their children), while applicants for the new ordinariate are ordinarily former Episcopal priests who are accompanied by a group of former lay Episcopalians who share their desire to reconcile with the Catholic church.

Steenson is married and therefore cannot be ordained a bishop, but as head of the ordinariate he is a voting member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In a news release Jan. 1 on its new website, www.usordinariate.org, the new ordinariate said that more than 100 U.S. Episcopal priests and some 1,400 laity from 22 U.S. Episcopal parishes are already in the process of transitioning from membership in the U.S. Episcopal church to the Catholic church under the auspices of the new ordinariate.

In a national phone teleconference for media Jan. 2, Steenson described both the pain and the joy that he and many fellow former members of the Anglican Communion, which includes the U.S. Episcopal church, feel in their pilgrimage to reconciliation with the Roman Catholic church -- repairing a break that goes back to the 16th century, when King Henry VIII formed the Church of England.

Steenson said his pilgrimage to reconciliation with Rome began several years ago with conscientious objections to the way the Anglican Communion sought to respond to movements within the communion to bless gay unions. What troubled him was not so much the doctrinal issue itself, but how church authority was or was not being exercised to respond to it, he said.

“The archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion tried to bring in what they called stronger instruments of unity, that each of the members of the Anglican Communion would be accountable to each other,” he told journalists in the teleconference. “And the [U.S.] Episcopal church said in 2007: No, we can’t do that. Our polity demands that we [function] as an autonomous democracy, basically."

“That was a question that was a real catalyst for me in bringing me to my journey to the Catholic church,” he continued.

“But you know, that’s only a catalyst, because you quickly leave all those issues behind and the journey becomes a very positive journey, reaching out to the fullness of the Catholic truth. So before I knew it, all that emotion and that troubled soul -- that was all in the rearview mirror for me. And I look back now with joy and gratitude for my life as an Anglican. All those memories that were difficult are gone. It’s sort of like childbirth, I’m told. They [mothers] don’t remember the pains; they just remember the joy, and that’s, I think, something of how I must feel in this.”

Steenson is a theologian with a graduate degree from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., and a doctorate in patristics, the study of ancient Christian theologians, from the University of Oxford in England.

Fr. Scott Hurd, another former Episcopalian priest and currently pastor of an Anglican use Catholic parish in the Washington archdiocese, has been named vicar general of the new ordinariate.

The formation of the new Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter for former Anglicans/Episcopalians in the United States seeking reconciliation with Rome in groups is the immediate result of a 2009 apostolic constitution by Benedict, Anglicanorum Coetibus (“Groups of Anglicans”).

It is also an evolutionary development from the 1980 U.S. pastoral provision by Pope John Paul II.

Both Catholic initiatives, in 1980 and 2009, came in response to numerous requests from within the Anglican Communion, especially by priests who felt called to reconciliation with the Catholic church and the papacy and regarded new positions adopted within the Anglican Communion as fresh obstacles impeding and delaying, perhaps indefinitely, their desired ecumenical reunion between the sister churches.

Since 1980, more than a dozen Catholic communities -- where former Episcopal clergy received into the Catholic church were joined by a substantial number of their former Episcopalian flock -- have been established within local U.S. Catholic dioceses.

A few of those communities have been sufficiently large and stable to be established as full parishes of the diocese - distinguished by the use of Anglican liturgical and devotional traditions, adapted only as necessary to conform to Catholic teaching.

The new U.S. ordinariate is the second to be formed.

The first, formed a year ago, is the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, for England and Wales. Similar ordinariates are also under consideration currently in Canada and Australia.

In the teleconference, church officials said that some U.S. Catholic parishes or communities of Anglican use that are currently under the authority of the local Catholic diocese might request to be transferred to the authority of the ordinariate. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, they said.

Steenson emphasized that whether an Anglican-use parish or community is part of the national Catholic ordinariate or part of the local Catholic diocese in terms of jurisdiction and administration, it will be called to participate actively in the life of the local diocese and develop strong bonds of trust and collaboration.

Dean criticises Catholic Church's 'lack of ecumenism'

2012-01-27T00:09:00.015Z

THE DEMORALISED state of the Catholic Church in Ireland “may have something to do with its lack of ecumenism”, the Very Rev Robert MacCarthy (71), Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, has said.

“While I have been happy to welcome the present Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin as a preacher here, I have to say that there has been no reciprocal invitation to the Pro-Cathedral,” he said.

Ecumenism in Dublin seemed “to be equated to fellowship between the two archbishops; that should merely be the first step”, he said in his final sermon as dean at evensong in St Patrick’s last Sunday.

He stepped down from the position on Wednesday.

Last month he announced his retirement as life had been “made more difficult” for him by the attitude of some members of the cathedral chapter and board.

“They have not supported me all along and they can find someone else to carry on,” he said.

He recalled that when he was elected dean in 1999, “a bishop remarked that it would be interesting to see how an iconoclast did as an icon”.

The “special position” of a dean of St Patrick’s in the Church of Ireland “was resented by the previous Archbishop of Dublin [John Neill], who challenged my position as ordinary, declined to preach in the cathedral and abolished the cathedral parish”, he said.

The Church of Ireland itself showed every sign of splitting into “a sort of Catholic sect in the South with married clergy and a body indistinguishable from other Protestant sects in the North”.

The former and current Catholic archbishops of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, had “both refused to appoint a Roman Catholic chaplain to St Patrick’s, and in this they were supported by their Anglican colleague”, even while such chaplaincies were “commonplace” in England.

He disagreed with those members of his church who felt it could benefit from the abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in Ireland.

They had been “lucky that there was no inquiry into sexual abuse within the Church of Ireland – if there had been, I doubt if we would have been found to be blameless”.

Clericalism “was at the root of the church’s ills” and was “alive and well in the Church of Ireland.”

He did not attend a reception at Dublin Castle in 2001 to mark Cardinal Connell getting the red hat, “since the invitation was in the names of the then Taoiseach and his then mistress”.

He said “the affair was well summed up by a priest friend of mine at Maynooth who said: ‘Isn’t it great to see the Protestants standing up for what we once believed in’.”

As a member of the board of the Rotunda Hospital, he “was in a minority of one in opposing the move of the hospital to the Mater site”.

He introduced elections to the board and in return it passed a vote of no confidence in me and “attempted to muzzle my public utterances”.

Dealing with the board and chapter at St Patrick’s “has shown me how unchristian the institutional church can be”, he said.

Comment - The sacking of Bishop Bill Morris

2012-01-27T00:08:00.010Z

In May last year, the Bishop of Toowoomba, Bill Morris, was involuntarily removed from his office by Pope Benedict XVI on the grounds of "defective pastoral leadership".

The dismissal is now the subject of legal review; QC’s opinion and a canon lawyer’s analysis were released last week.

But the process that led to the bishop’s sacking began more than seven years ago, writes Father Michael Kelly in The Tablet.

Bishop Morris is from Brisbane but by temperament and style he is very much a "bush priest".

The climate of the Australian outback makes few concessions and if you survive, it breeds wiry and resilient types.

Affectionately regarded for his pastoral style, he is a man of the people who had a successful racehorse, Bishop Bill, named after him.

Perhaps the racing connection nurtured the attitude he has needed since 2004 – ever alert to surprises and upsets, and trained to live with disappointments.

Bishop Morris’ first upset occurred when he arrived at the Vatican in late 2004 for what he later described as an ambush.

He was invited by Cardinal Francis Arinze, then the Prefect of the Congregation for Worship and Sacraments, to discuss the continuing use in his diocese of the Third Rite of Reconciliation, which offers participants general absolution but whose use had become limited following John Paul II’s 2002 apostolic letter, Misericordia Dei.

Bishop Morris was surprised when he arrived alone for the meeting to find the cardinal flanked by an archbishop and two monsignors, apparently canon lawyers. He felt ambushed because the "discussion" was based on claims, which he had not seen, from unnamed accusers about his pastoral practices and permission for the Third Rite to be held under certain conditions in his diocese.

The Diocese of Toowoomba is vast; priests are few and ageing; there are 66,000 Catholics; 36 parishes are served by 28 active priests.

In the circumstances, pastoral visitation and celebration of the sacraments are rare in many places.

The bishop explained that in these conditions, some flexibility was needed if the sacraments were to be available.

The cardinal and his companions said the practice was forbidden and should end.

Bishop Morris complied and from that date Third Rite celebrations ceased in Toowoomba.

But apparently Rome was not satisfied.

Men in black: What did Bulgarian Orthodox Church clergy do while spying for the communist state?

2012-01-27T00:07:00.005Z

The senior clergy of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church named as having worked for the country’s communist-era State Security did not file denunciations of lay people but gathered information about what was going on within the church and wrote denunciations of other senior clergy.

This emerged in an interview given by Ekaterina Boncheva of the Dossier Commission to television station bTV on January 18 2012, a day after the commission disclosed that 11 out of 15 of the church’s metropolitans had been agents of State Security.

The metropolitans were involved with the Sixth Department of State Security, which was responsible for acting against "political subversion".

Boncheva said that the clerics’ co-operation had been voluntary and there was no evidence of subversion, while she added that priests had been aware that by co-operating with State Security, their chances of career advancement were enhanced. In one case a member of the clergy was paid for his services but this was not common practice, she said.

The reports turned into the communist state’s secret service covered characteristics of colleagues and also had passed on information about representatives of the Greek and Macedonian churches.

Clergy serving abroad had passed on information about emigres.

Documents indicated that State Security decided who should be sent to Mount Athos, where Bulgaria has a monastery.

Boncheva underlined that there was no document indicating that Patriarch Maxim, who currently has headed the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for more than 40 years, had been a State Security agent.

There was no evidence that any such document had been destroyed and she was certain that if Maxim had any role in State Security, a document confirming this would have remained.

Historian Momchil Metodiev, appearing on Bulgarian National Television on January 18, also emphasised that Maxim was not on the list announced by the Dossier Commission.

He said that had the files been opened at the beginning of the 1990s, there would have been no schism in the church.

After the formal end of communism in Bulgaria, an "Alternative Synod" arose that demanded the ouster of Maxim, alleging that he was tainted by the communist era.

The dispute lasted for several years and had its dramatic moments, including scuffles outside the landmark Alexander Nevsky cathedral in capital city Sofia and some years later, the eviction of "Alternative Synod" figures from possession of churches, carried out by police.

The matter went to the European court, which responded with an opinion that the rivals should sort out their differences.

Metodiev, speaking to Bulgarian National Radio the same morning, said that it was hardly a surprise to anyone that the church under communism had been controlled by State Security.

He expressed hope that the disclosure of the list would cause the Holy Synod to address the whole period of communism, currently a neglected page in the history of the church.

On Bulgarian National Television, religious affairs journalist Goran Blagoev said that the disclosure of the list was a blow to the senior clergy but not to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church itself, which had its own dignity, holiness and history.

Blagoev said that he expected that the clerics would repent.

Interviewed by Bulgarian-language mass-circulation daily 24 Chassa, Vidin Metropolitan Dometian (born in 1932 and recruited in 1972, an agent code-named Dobrev) said that "there will be people who might be disappointed, others will protect me, but my conscience is clean".

Dometian said that he always had served "the church and the people".

He said that from 1970 to 1979, as secretary of the Holy Synod, he held a crucial position and naturally, had been visited by people from State Security.

During that time, there had been conferences and symposia that were ecumenical, with church representatives coming from all continents.

He said that he had been obliged to compile reports to the synod and church affairs committee "and from there they were sent to State Security, I suppose". He said that the reports that he wrote were about who had come to Bulgaria "but without making comments".

"Two-thirds of my life during those years were spent at the airport, meeting and seeing foreigners," he said

Dometian said that at the time, the atmosphere was such that he had to write reports to the Holy Synod, not to State Security, about trips abroad.

He recalled, for example, being at a conference in February 1988 and attending a meeting with dissident writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

Dometian said that "I have not ever been privileged by the powerful and I did not serve State Security, and vice versa – I suffered a lot of trouble".

He himself, entering the army after theological seminary, had been reported as "unreliable" while his brother, also a priest, had been a political prisoner for speaking out against atheism. Dometian said that his ordination as a bishop had been delayed because his brother was a political prisoner.

"Again I say with a clear conscience that I have served, and serve, the church and the people," Dometian said.

Metropolitan Neofit of Rousse, recruited in 1983 (code name: Simeonov) said that he felt no guilt about complying with something that had been a requirement when travelling outside the country.

State Security had been interested in conferences and meetings abroad and after his return from abroad, what had happened and what meetings there had been. This in no way prejudiced those with whom meetings and conversations had been held, he said, Bulgarian news agency BTA reported.

Vratsa Metropolitan Kalinik (code names: Rilski, and Velko) expressed surprise that he had a code name as an agent, saying that after his many trips abroad he had reported to the Holy Synod, but at the same time asked forgiveness. "We were obliged to be in sync with the state for the good of the people," he said.

Emil Velinov, head of the religions directorate at the Council of Ministers office, told Bulgarian National Radio that the position of the Holy Synod on the issue should be awaited and there was no reason for interference.

"I have worked with all of them," Velinov said, describing them as conscientious people. "I know that I do not believe them to be quite as bad as some people want to convey," he said.

He said that there was a purposeful attack on the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, not only on this issue but also on several others, and which was undeserved, and he saw no reason to deepen the process.

Lovech Metropolitan Gavril, who was not on the list of those who worked with State Security, told Bulgarian National Radio that it was possible that the clergy had been forced to co-operate.

"Maybe a person was forced to, I cannot know about that. I am glad that, with the help of God, it was not me. It was not easy for me. Never condemn, because only God can know what is happening in a human soul," Gavril said.

"These are my brothers, with whom I have worked for so many years. How to comment?" he said, adding that he did not think that there would be resignations.

First Santal bishop for the diocese of Dinajpur

2012-01-27T00:06:00.010Z

Education and schools, but also justice and peace are "the essential needs of the people of Dinajpur. I expect a great challenge, there is much work to do. But with the help of the people and religious, this diocese will grow. And I with them”, says Msgr. Sebastian Tudu, the new Bishop of Dinajpur, who will be ordained on 27 January.

Originally from Marianpur (north), he is the first Santal priest to become bishop. Msgr. Tudu, 45, is a young bishop, he did not expect "all this support and this great welcome. I was a little frightened, the episcopal vocation is something that you can not understand right away. But I depend on the will of God, and am in his hands. "

In addition to the Santal, the diocese of Dinajpur welcomes different tribal communities, like the Oraon, the Munda and Malo. For the most part they are Christians and Catholics, but are very poor populations, often discriminated against by the Bangladeshi and Islamic majority. "I am the bishop of all - says the bishop - without distinction. My vocation is to every community: Santal or other tribes, Christians and non Christians. This diversity is our wealth. "

"Being poor and marginalized - says Msgr. Tudu - education is one of the primary needs. The Church has always created and managed schools dedicated to those who did not have much ability to pay. Today, it is clear that more education and formation are fundamental for the development of society and Bangladesh. " Even so, says the bishop, "I want to pay particular attention to young people. They are often undervalued, but they represent the future of this country. We need to give them the opportunity to study, if possible, at university; this is our duty. "

Injustices, expropriated (or burned) land and assaults are frequent episodes in tribal villages.

The dynamics are always the same: the Bangladeshi attack more or less undisturbed, the aborigines react, often without success, while their requests for help remain largely unanswered by the authorities.

According to Msgr. Tudu, "Justice and Peace" are "important issues. The tribal people are often victims, abandoned by society and the institutions which do not give them any support. The Church defends these minorities: so they may see their rights recognized, and understand that it is possible to live in peace and harmony with other communities. "

From October 29, 2011, when Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop of the Diocese of Dinajpur, Msgr. Tudu says he has "received incredible and unexpected support. I was frightened by this great responsibility, but the closeness of these populations and the religious orders have shown me, gives me the strength to start this mission."

Buddhist monk dies from police torture

2012-01-27T00:05:00.004Z

Geshi Tsultrim Gyatso, a Buddhist monk respected for his religious activities and commitment to Tibetan culture, died from the effects of torture by Chinese police during six months of detention. His death illustrates China’s relentless crackdown in Tibet and other provinces with a Tibetan majority.

According to writer Woeser, who has lived in Beijing for years, the authorities arrested the 51-year-old monk in July 2011 in Hainan Prefecture. He was released in December 2011 to be taken to hospital where all efforts to save him proved fruitless. He was dismissed a few days ago and died at home on 22 January.

"Just a few days ago, the local hospital returned him to his family. He was physically incapacitated and frail due to maltreatment in prison. He passed away at home on 22 January,” Woeser said, citing local sources.

The authorities do not deny his death but claim, “We are not responsible for a prisoner's death which occurred outside the prison. We handled many cases of detention and releases [and are] not aware of this particular case," a police staff said.

Gyaltso had been on China’s ‘suspects’ list since 2006 after he had participated in the Kalachakra Buddhist ritual in India led by the Dalai Lama.

In March 2008, he had taken part in a peaceful protest with 60 other monks from his monastery demanding freedom for Tibet and the return of the Dalai Lama. He had been also fighting to preserve the Tibetan language and culture.

In Tibet, the situation is deteriorating. In the past few months, 16 people, mostly Buddhist religious men and women, have set themselves on fire demanding freedom and justice for their country.

Beijing has responded to the crisis by blaming the Dalai Lama for these acts, despite the fact that that the Buddhist leader has repeatedly asked his compatriots not to use suicide as a tool of struggle.

FG push for re-opening of Vatican Embassy

2012-01-27T00:04:00.008Z

TANAISTE Eamon Gilmore is facing growing demands from Fine Gael backbenchers for a rethink about his closure of the Ireland's Vatican Embassy.

The closure has cast doubt over the prospects of the Pope coming here in summer for the Eucharistic Congress.

The decision to close the embassy is particularly sensitive in Fine Gael, with some party sources privately suggesting Taoiseach Enda Kenny should not have allowed it to happen.

The former Vatican Embassy is to be renovated to allow the Irish Embassy in Rome to operate from the building.

A proposal being mooted is to have a lightly staffed Vatican Embassy share the building, the Villa Spada, on the outskirts of Rome.

A lobby against the closure is building up momentum, with TDs being targeted for support by the group, Ireland Stand Up.

Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes is among the backbenchers who want the Tanaiste to have a rethink about the closure.

"An accommodation needs to be made. We need to deal with it," he said.

Mr Kenny's constituency colleague, John O'Mahony, also wants to see some movement. He said he didn't accept the argument on cost put forward for closing the embassy. It was important to keep lines of communication open.

"I won't be happy until I see it re-opening," he said.

But Mr Gilmore is not in the mood for any change of heart on the Government's decision.

"No, that decision has been made and I don't intend to reverse that. As part of the expenditure review that has been conducted, my department, like every other department, have had to look at the services that we have provided. We have decided to reduce by three the number of resident embassies that we have abroad. When economic circumstances improve, we can look at all that again," he told the Irish Independent at the weekend.

Following the Taoiseach's attack on the Vatican after the Cloyne Report, the Government's relations with the Holy See are at a low ebb.

Thousands of pilgrims and clergy are expected in Dublin for the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in June in Croke Park.

Although Mr Gilmore has said the Government would welcome a visit by Pope Benedict, there are fears among churchgoers that the Coalition's attitude will put the Pontiff off coming to the event.

"The official line is, it is a matter for the church authorities to issue the invite. The church would invite him but the Pope has to feel he is welcome in Ireland and the Government is welcoming," a source said.

The Vatican Embassy has been officially closed since the start of the year.

A secretary is still operating there doing administration work.

Work is ongoing to convert Villa Spada to allow the Irish Embassy to move in.

Celibacy in priesthood is 'soon to be a thing of the past'

2012-01-27T00:03:00.009Z

A MISSIONARY priest who has saved hundreds of children from a life of sexual abuse has described celibacy in the Catholic Church as a "business arrangement" that will soon be a thing of the past.

Fr Shay Cullen has earned three Nobel Peace Prize nominations during his 40 years fighting to save small children from paedophiles on the streets of the city Olongapo in the Philippines.

"Celibacy is only a practice mostly to keep property out of the hands of married couples," he said. "It's more sort of a business type of arrangement."

"All of the other Christian churches manage very well and many Anglicans who were married and had family and children and came over to the Catholics and were warmly accepted. Now we have many married priests in the Catholic Church and it is working, so why not? It is only another step to abolishing this celibate thing and getting on with life."

The unconventional cleric told Gay Byrne in last night's episode of his TV interview series 'The Meaning of Life' that his faith kept him from being frightened away by the local mafia and the anger of the former first lady when he exposed the rape of Filipino children to the rest of the world.

He said: "I just couldn't ignore it but I got the heat for it. Imelda (Marcos) wasn't pleased, the wife. They started to deport me and put me on trial and all these legal harassments. We succeeded in beating the raps in the court so I stayed on. I like to think of God in terms of the existence of eternal goodness and the power and the force of love."

In the frank interview, he said he currently has 35 cases going through the courts in his adopted country.

"I never doubt what I am doing. It is the right thing to do. Nearly every new day we have some new case of the rape of a child. It's terrible. I see torture, abuse, human rights violations every day."

Aid agency Goal rejects state audit allegations

2012-01-27T00:02:00.008Z

International aid agency Goal has rejected suggestions that it withheld information from government auditors during an examination of how it spent €14 million in state funding.

In a statement, the charity said it "rejects entirely" claims in a Sunday newspaper that it failed to co-operate fully with Irish Aid, the arm of the Department of Foreign Affairs responsible for the Government’s overseas aid budget.

As part of its remit, Irish Aid routinely audits all its beneficiaries to ensure public funds are properly spent.

Goal said it "co-operates fully with its external auditors and has a strong track record of compliance and cost-effectiveness over the last 35 years".

The report said information withheld from Irish Aid auditors included minutes of board meetings, copies of agendas for meetings, information on "succession planning for the board and senior management" and an internal review of security in the field after the kidnapping of two staff in Sudan in 2009: Sharon Commins, 32, from Dublin, and her colleague Hilda Kawuki, 42, from Uganda.

However Goal said any documentation requested by Irish Aid was submitted and referenced in the final evaluation report.

"The action plan annexed to the report states clearly that where documents were requested Goal provided them and, in the absence of any documents, Goal provided a clear rationale," the statement said.

Its statement also claimed that the Irish Aid report "demonstrates clearly that Goal fulfilled its audit requirements effectively" and that the report was "positive" regarding Goal’s financial and management systems.

Goal chairman Pat O’Mahony said the newspaper report was "factually incorrect" and misrepresented the Irish Aid report.

"Goal did not withhold any documents or information in our possession from the auditors," Mr O’Mahony said.

It is understood that Irish Aid had requested documents from the charity that were not supplied on time.

The statement added that Mr O’Mahony and Goal CEO John O’Shea welcomed the audit "which, in common with those conducted previously by Goal’s other major donors ... has served to confirm that the organisation’s financial structures are compliant and robust".

Irish Aid has said it will work with Goal to implement the recommendations of the audit.

Goal has not been free from controversy in recent months.

In November, Fran Rooney, former chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, resigned from the board shortly after barrister Ken Fogarty resigned from his position as chair of the board.

Mr Fogarty told the Irish Examiner that he had quit on foot of being told by Mr O’Shea that he had no trust or confidence in him.

Mr Fogarty, who said he was caught off guard by Mr O’Shea’s comments, had been involved in delivering a restructuring programme for the charity which included changes that would help modernise corporate governance and improve supervision in the agency.

Priest awarded €8.5k for abuse of human rights

2012-01-27T00:01:00.005Z

The European Court of Human Rights has awarded damages of €8,500 to a Dublin priest who was acquitted in 2010 of charges of sexually assaulting a teenager after it ruled his human rights had been violated by the excessive length in bringing the case to trial.

The ECHR has ordered the Government to pay the damages to Fr Maeliosa Ó Haullacháin after his legal team successfully argued that the 13 years and seven months taken to conclude proceedings against him represented a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Fr O Haullacháin sought damages of €100,000 from the state and €48,000 in legal fees.

However, the ECHR awarded him just €8,500 in damages and €3,500 in legal costs.

Fr Ó Haullacháin of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to three charges of indecent assault on a Co Louth teenager between July 1981 and August 1982 when she was aged 13-14.

It is the third case in recent years in which the Strasbourg-based court has found Ireland to have violated a person’s human rights on grounds of length of proceedings in taking a criminal prosecution against an individual.

Eucharistic Congress 2012 - Prayer

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000Z

Lord Jesus,
You were sent by the Father
to gather together those who are scattered.

You came among us, doing good and bringing healing,
announcing the Word of salvation
and giving the Bread which lasts forever.

Be our companion on life’s pilgrim way.

May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body
and lead us to walk humbly on the earth,
in justice and love,
as witnesses of your resurrection.

Amen

Tears as cleric tells his congregation 'personal reasons' made him quit the priesthood

2012-01-26T00:26:00.007Z

A CATHOLIC priest has surprised his congregation in a quiet rural community by suddenly quitting the priesthood for "totally personal reasons".

Father Ian Kennedy has moved out of the parochial house in the tiny village of Ballinafad, Co Sligo, the Irish Independent has learned.

He moved the last of his belongings from the home beside the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday evening after telling parishioners the previous week that he was resigning from his ministry -- a move that was greeted with tears from some.

Fr Kennedy, who is in his 40s, had been acting parish priest of Aughanagh.

Boyle parish priest Canon Gerard Hanley, who celebrated Mass in Fr Kennedy's place, admitted that the cleric's decision to leave the priesthood had come as a "shock".

"I understand it is something that he has thought about on and off for some time and he spoke to the Bishop recently and came to this agreement. There is nothing sinister whatsoever in the decision," said Canon Hanley.

Fr Kennedy was not available for comment. However, Christopher Jones, Bishop of Elphin, confirmed the departure to the Irish Independent.

"Fr Ian Kennedy announced on January 15 at Mass in Ballinafad that for personal reasons he was resigning as administrator of the parish and leaving the priesthood," Bishop Jones said.

"He had already informed me. He will be very much missed by me, his priest colleagues and the people he served, most recently the parish of Aughanagh. We are all very grateful for Father Ian's contribution to people and the diocese of Elphin. Our prayers and good wishes go with him."

A member of the congregation told the Irish Independent that she was left "stunned" by the news.

"He was a great priest. He hadn't been his usual chirpy self since just before Christmas but this (announcement) came as a complete shock," she said.

"He stood on the altar and thanked everyone in the parish who had worked with him since 2005 and said he had decided to leave the priesthood. Some people cried."

On Tuesday, outside a community centre in Ballinafad -- which is famous for being home to Ireland's shortest St Patrick's Day parade -- one parishioner said it would take "some time to get over this."

He added: "It's not every day that someone resigns from the priesthood.

"Father Ian was well-liked and had organised the parish so well. People are stunned."

A friend added: "Whatever the reasons for leaving, we wish him all the best for the future. He is a good man."

Sligo Parish Priest In Shock Resignation

2012-01-26T00:25:00.005Z

The parishioners of an east Sligo village are still reeling from the shock resignation of their parish priest, not only as their pastor, but from the priesthood.

Fr Ian Kennedy, acting parish priest of Ballinafad, on the N4 between Castlebaldwin and Boyle, told the shocked congregation at Sunday morning mass recently that he was stepping down from his ministry 'for personal reasons' but declined to elaborate.

However, it was known that Fr Kennedy has formed a relationship with a woman from another town and that the couple were now parents to a new baby born some weeks ago.

Although it had been suggested that the whereabouts of the former priest was a mystery, it was common knowledge among his former flock that he was with his partner in her home village of Ballinacarrow on the N17 between Collooney and Tubbercurry.

Speaking to a number of the residents of Fr Kennedy's former parish, the support for the former priest was evident.

"His devotion to his duty was beyond what would be expected from any human being," said one elderly man. "He was always there for you, he's done nothing wrong as far as I'm concerned and that goes for all my family too."

It is believed that Fr Kennedy resigned under his own volition and was not 'sacked' or forced to resign by the Diocese.

"I wish him and her the best for the future andf hope they have a happy life together," said a mother of four. "He and her are welcome here [Ballinafad] any time and I know if he walked down the street now he'd be shaking a lot of hands, a well respected man, and always will be."

A young woman told SligoToday.ie, "The church should wake up and let the priests marry if they want to. It might have stopped some of the evil scandals that happened over the years."

She continued, "Ian is a decent bloke, he's helped so many people here and I know he'll be missed but life goes on. Good luck to him."

Malawi: The Church condemns violence against women

2012-01-26T00:24:00.007Z

“The recent assaults against women who have had their cloches ripped off them in Lilongwe and Mzuzu are indecorous and unacceptable.”

This was the message included in a communiqué sent by the Gender and Civic Education Desk of the Malawi Episcopal Conference’s “Justice and Peace” Commission to Fides news agency.

A number of women and girls were assaulted and had their clothes ripped off by groups of shopkeepers on 17 January in Mzuzu and on 18 January in Lilongwe.

The police have arrested some individuals in relation to these assaults.

“We must say “no” to abuse against women,” said Vice President Joyce Banda, who expressed her support during a demonstration organised by women who were protesting against these assaults.

“There are no plausible reasons that can justify anyone treating women in such an inhumane way,” the communiqué stated.

“It is very discomforting to see shopkeepers, who depend a great deal on women’s custom, offloading their animosity and anger onto their own clients.”

The document concludes by asking the government and the police to guarantee women’s safety; the municipal authorities to boost inspections of commercial places; associations and shopkeepers to take on responsibility for the “shameful acts” of some of their members.

Armenia: The massacre of innocent people

2012-01-26T00:23:00.011Z

In a country proud of its Christian roots, the growing phenomenon of selective abortion is harming the unborn.

Each year, 1400 baby girls do not make it to birth: a taboo for the Orthodox Church.

With over 114 males to 100 females at birth, when normal proportions should never exceed a ratio of 105 to 100, it is not a country for girls.

It would seem like a case of selective abortion - the sad practice of terminating the pregnancy when it is discovered that the fetus is a girl - which we have read about so many times from India or China.

And this is exactly the phenomenon we are talking about.

But this time it turns out to be very common in a country like Armenia – a land very proud of its Christian roots, which usually makes headlines for the memory of the genocide at the beginning of the twentieth century in the name of this Christian identity.

The alarm was sounded some weeks ago by the Council of Europe, which passed a resolution condemning the practice of selective abortion, citing the fact that this tragedy is also widespread in the Balkans.

A few days later, the issue was taken up in an exposé by Armenian journalist Nanoro Barsoumian, published in the Armenian Weekly.

The picture that emerges is very disturbing: the combination of a tradition of easy abortion inherited from the years of the Soviet Union in Armenia, and a still very-deeply rooted mentality that is not exactly friendly toward women, are driving the country’s levels of imbalance between the sexes at birth to approach Chinese levels. Behind these numbers also lie completely illegal - but apparently tolerated - practices: in fact, in Armenia, abortion is only allowed before the twelfth week, before knowing the sex of the unborn child.

The Armenian section of UNFPA (The United Nations Population Fund) provide an estimate: there are at least 1,400 girls each year in the country who are never born, simply because they were recognized as females on the ultrasound.

The Nanoro Barsoumian article has provoked a lively debate among readers on the Armenian Weekly site, and more than one of them has questioned the silence of the local patriarchate on such an important issue. Moreover, Armenians love to point out that they were the first to adopt Christianity as a State religion: as early as 301 A.D., in fact - twelve years before Constantine’s Edict - King Tiridates was converted to the Gospel, which in Armenia, according to tradition, was first spread by the Apostles Bartholomew and Jude Thaddeus.

And the Armenian Apostolic Church (the Ancient Eastern Church took a different path than Rome in the days of the Council of Chalcedon) was for centuries the bulwark of identity for these people with such a troubled history.

Official statistics classify more than 98 percent of Armenians as Christians (though we cannot forget the legacy of mass atheism promoted here during the time of Soviet communism). Like many Eastern Churches, however, the Armenian Church also has always been very reluctant to publicly condemn abortion.

In 1995, expanding on a question asked by the Washington Post during a trip to the United States, then-head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin I, explained: “We do not emit dogmatic pronouncements or impositions of principles. When a person is nourished by Christianity and his conscience is formed by Christian principles, that person must be free to address specific issues such as abortion. The Church should not be involved in this type of detail. Jesus never forced anything on his disciples.”

This attitude does not seem to have changed with his successor Karekin II, Catholicos of Armenians since 1999.

In his recent Christmas message, released on January 6, he criticized the modern world “burdened with difficulties, hardships, contradictions, and man-made conflicts.”

He also added that “the rejection of Christ and his commandments gives rise to wars and tragedies, threatens our planet, causes a weakening of the soul and spirit, as in the violent disruption of life given by God.”

In relation to those last words, however, he offered only two examples: murder and suicide.

The issue of unborn children, evidently, is still a taboo for the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Bishop O'Connell reveals he has cancer in anti-abortion statement

2012-01-26T00:22:00.008Z

In a message to Catholic’s about the importance of the church’s anti-abortion stance, Bishop David O’Connell revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

“Illness always seems different when it’s our own we are facing,” he begins a letter posted to the Diocese of Trenton’s website Thursday.

In the next paragraph, O’Connell, 56, writes about receiving the difficult news that he had cancer.

“What started out as a small skin cancer, became more aggressive, apparently due to my neglect,” he wrote. ‘It’ll go away,’ I thought. When I tried to dismiss the diagnosis as ‘my Irish skin,’ doctors were not so amused. ‘Bishop, cancer is cancer,’ was their sober reply.”

O’Connell, who is also a diabetic, said the right side of his nose was removed and rebuilt at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

The operation reportedly went smoothly and from the letter, it appears O’Connell is now cancer-free.

“‘We got it all,’ were the only words I wanted to hear,” O’Connell wrote. “And, thank God, that’s what they said.”

A spokeswoman for the diocese declined to answer further questions about O’Connell’s diagnosis, his recovery, remission or the affect his condition had on running the diocese, home to 830,000 Catholics from four counties.

In his letter, O’Connell used news of his condition to segue into a message about the sanctity of life and the necessity of being a “pro-life” Catholic.

“Catholics must be pro-life,” he said. “There is simply no other ‘choice’ or alternative, no valid counter-argument. Our pro-life position must embrace the womb and the tomb and every moment in between, without forgetting or ignoring support for the whole of life until its natural end as determined by our Creator.”

Bishop Good condemns bomb attacks

2012-01-26T00:21:00.006Z

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, has condemned the planting of two explosive devices in Londonderry.

He said, “We are proud of this city. Our resolve to create a new future as a united community is undiminished by acts such as this”.

He continued, “This is an attack on all of the people of this city who are committed to a hopeful and bright future. The shared future we are working for is one that has left behind destructive violence and makes progress through democratic processes. I believe this city has a bright future because we are as one in our determination to work constructively together. We will not to be deflected by these negative and destructive attacks."

Face of homeless is the face of Christ to Anchorage volunteers

2012-01-26T00:20:00.008Z

Iraq war veteran Samuel Paul Albers had come across hard times and was living at Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage, Alaska in March 2011 when he came down with a chest cold and sinus infection.

Thanks to a free clinic which is staffed by volunteers from Providence Alaska Medical Center also in Anchorage, Albers received much needed health care.

Albers, who has a degree in human services, now works at the shelter, is moving into a case management position there, and has lived in his own home since August of 2011.

As part of his new job, he counts heads after the shelter’s evening meal.

The numbers are then relayed to Providence, which provides all dinners for the shelter every night of the year.

Lately, the shelter has served between 200 and 275 meals a night.

But many of the homeless also require basic medical care.

Heidi Hurliman, an advanced nurse practitioner and director of the shelter’s medical clinic, said volunteer health care workers aim to provide this needed medical care along with a dose of compassion.

“Everybody you treat is the face of Jesus,” Hurliman said. “I remind my folks I work with, it’s the face of Jesus you’re looking at and treating. And the guests we treat are grateful we’re there, and they thank us profusely.”

Providence provides medicine for the clinic as well as volunteer physicians on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

“Providence has been very generous,” Hurliman said. “They give us all brand-new medications.”

The clinic is open two to three times a week, based on volunteer availability. It is limited in scope, providing care and treatment for issues like colds the flu, and some wounds.

The clinic also coordinates with other medical providers for people who need additional care.

At Providence, Monica Anderson, the hospital’s chief mission integration officer, said caring for the homeless goes to the heart of the Catholic hospital’s mission.

Providence was founded in Anchorage by the Sisters of Providence in 1939.

“There’s no way we can be faithful to what we are called to be if we’re not reaching out to the poor and the vulnerable,” Anderson said.

The hospital’s official mission statement is simple: “As people of Providence, we reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service.”

Albers, who lived at Brother Francis Shelter for seven months, said the hospital’s contributions make a tremendous impact.

“As far as the clinic goes, I’ve known quite a few people that were sick and went there and were able to get help,” he said. “And there have been times that we’ve seen somebody that we knew wasn’t doing really good health wise, but didn’t realize how serious the situation was and they’ve gone to the clinic and the doctor or nurse has said, ‘I’m putting you in an ambulance.’ I’ve seen basic wound care that needed to be addressed that probably wouldn’t have been addressed otherwise.”

Through the Parish Nurse Program, which is supported through funds from Providence, guests at Brother Francis Shelter also receive care for their feet, which volunteer nurses do in imitation of Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper.

Anderson said it is this imitation of Christ’s love that ultimately allows Providence to carry forward the healing ministry of Jesus.

“You’ve got to love people,” she said. “If you’re going to be a revelation of God’s love, you’ve got to love people.”

Pope marks feast of St Agnes

2012-01-26T00:19:00.006Z

Pope Benedict XVI marked the Feast of St. Agnes Saturday with a centuries-old rite: the blessing of the lambs from whose wool the Pallium will be made.

Two small lambs were carried to the Pope in baskets, as per tradition, by the Canons Regular of the Lateran Basilica.

Agnes means “lamb” in Latin.

The saint of the same name was a martyr of the early 4th century, known for her consecrated virginity, who was killed for refusing to worship pagan gods.

To symbolize St. Agnes’ purity, one of the lambs wears a crown of white flowers, while the other wears a red floral wreath to recall her faithful witness even unto death.

Reared in the convent instead of Tre Fontane in Rome, come Summer these same two lambs will be brought to the monastery of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere where in a custom that has remained in tact down through the centuries, they will be shorn to supply the wool from which the religious sisters will weave the Pallium.

These white stoles are worn by metropolitan archbishops around their necks as a symbol of their authority and unity with the pope.

The Holy Father presents them to newly-appointed metropolitan archbishops each year on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Will Dean Jeffrey' and his chaplain boyfriend tear the Church apart?

2012-01-26T00:18:00.011Z

From the ornate pulpit of the vast and ancient cathedral where fire and brimstone have reverberated down the decades, the sermon that Sunday morning took on a very different, intimate tone.

The Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey John, was preaching to the congregation about his own personal anguish and the challenge of finding the strength to meet it.

His uplifting message, as he surveyed the absorbed faces of worshippers in St Albans Cathedral, was that all those who faced difficult challenges should be supported by their fellow men and women.

This was a fine Christian message, but it may not have been quite what it seemed.

For Dr John, who is openly gay and living in a civil partnership with a fellow cleric, is threatening to sue the Church of England for failing to appoint him a bishop.

Twice the controversial cleric has been the favourite to become one, first at Reading in 2003 and then at Southwark in 2010. And twice — despite a brilliant career — he’s been rejected.

Dean Jeffrey has now instructed specialist employment lawyers to consider suing the Church under the Equality Act 2010, which bars discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.

Such action, whatever the result, could catastrophically deepen the schism that threatens an Anglican church already dangerously divided worldwide over homosexuality.

It would almost certainly require the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to give evidence under oath, as he is said to have blocked John’s promotion on both occasions.

Curiously, Dr John’s threats have emerged just as the Church is said to be about to review its attitude to homosexuality and reconsider allowing gay clergy in civil partnerships to be bishops.

So why the pre-emptive threats of legal action?

‘Jeffrey wants to help them reach the right decision,’ says a close observer. This is one issue, of course, where there is no ‘right’ decision. Even current teaching, allowing clergy to be gay so long as they are celibate, brings some traditionalists out in a cold sweat.

So is Dr John just another radical gay lobbyist, as his opponents insist, or is he the victim of ancient homophobic teachings that have no place in a modern world?

On the one hand, he is regarded as the liberal movement’s intellectual inspiration, and his candidacy for Southwark is thought to have been proposed by fellow campaigners knowing it would cause a row, calculating it would further their cause to drag the church ‘into the 21st century’.

On the other, one must surely sympathise with the way he and his partner of some 36 years, the Rev Grant Holmes, who is chaplain at Kingston hospital, Surrey, have been forced to live a ‘half life’ domestically for most of that time.

Even now, despite the security of a civil partnership ceremony at St Albans register office in July 2006, Dr John has had to give the Church his word that he is celibate.

They live a curious ‘not quite together’ life at the Deanery near the ancient Cathedral, whose stones date back to Norman times. Each is said to have his own bedroom, bathroom and living quarters.

Yet around the diocese they are a familiar couple, and very popular.

The Rev Holmes, 57, regularly accompanies Dean John to official functions.

Conveniently, he has been made a member of the Associate Clergy at St Albans Abbey (the old name of the cathedral) which enables him to help out, especially at Sunday school, though he does not get paid.

He also acts as Master of Ceremonies at the St Albans annual International Organ Festival .

‘Both are extremely well-loved and they attend events together and go away on holiday together,’ says Edward Hackford, former council chief executive who sits on the Cathedral’s council.

‘Grant has a great sense of humour and is very outgoing, and Jeffrey runs the best-attended cathedral in the country. His sermons are first class.’

That doesn’t sound like a relationship that threatens to undermine our established Church.

Or does it?

It sounds almost like a Bible story, how the union of two boys who grew up in pit villages 250 miles apart became the single focus of a dispute that could be a defining moment for the Church of England.

John grew up in a flat above his parents’ grocery shop in the Welsh mining village of Tonyrefail, near Cardiff.

Holmes grew up in Coxhoe, an old mining village in Co. Durham where his father was a teacher.

The two men met in 1976 at St Stephen’s House theological college, a seat of religious learning and part of the University of Oxford, where it is a light-hearted custom for some students to be given girls’ names — which, in some cases, they continue to use privately in later life.

In Dr John’s time, there was an Audrey, a Pearl, a Bobo . . . and Jeffrey himself was known as ‘Jennifer’.

He had been steered towards the comforts of religion by his mother, who brought him up alone after his father left her to live with another woman.

The local minister in Tonyrefail, the Rev Rhys Emmanual — uncle of the Welsh baritone Ivor Emmanuel — took the bright, sensitive boy under his wing and encouraged him to join the clergy.

Meanwhile in Co. Durham, Grant Holmes, a quiet, dark-haired boy, had always dreamed of entering the church to help the poor.

Almost from the moment Grant met ‘Jennifer’ at Oxford, they were inseparable.

Many years later, Dr John spoke about his relationship to a conference of Affirming Catholicism, a Church of England group which is vehemently in favour of the consecration of women and homosexuals, and unkindly referred to by opponents on the church’s evangelical-conservative wing as ‘girls at the altar and boys in bed’.

He told them how at theological college he had owned up to the principal that he was in a gay relationship and offered to leave.

He told the conference he was astonished to be congratulated by the principal and told that it would make him ‘a better human being and a better priest. He was right, it did.’

That college principal was Dr David Hope, who later became Archbishop of York, the second most important man in the church, and who has described his own sexuality as ‘a grey area’.

He retired in 2004.

After leaving college, the professional lives of John and Grant Holmes diverged.

John — known to some around the St Albans diocese as ‘Elton’ because of his passing likeness to the pop star — was an instant high-flier. Holmes was not.

After two years serving as a curate in Wales, John arrived at Magdalen College, Oxford, as assistant chaplain, and by 1984, at the tender age of 31, he was a Fellow and Dean.

His amusing style was liked by the students, who included Princess Diana’s brother, Charles (now Earl Spencer) and Darius Guppy, who was best man at the first of Spencer’s three weddings and who was later jailed for a jewellery insurance fraud.

The Rev Holmes, meanwhile, was moving through a number of modest posts before arriving at Kingston hospital, by which time John had become chancellor and canon theologian at Southwark Cathedral.

Then, in 2003, John was named the new Bishop of Reading.

There was uproar against an appointment which critics insisted went against the Christian scriptures and the ‘divinely created order and gift of marriage’.

Almost the first thing the newly enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, had to do was quell the rebellion fomented by Jeffrey John’s appointment.

There was only one way to do that — John stepped down.

Being made Dean of St Albans was his consolation prize.

But the retirement in 2010 of Dr Tom Butler as Bishop of Southwark presented John with a golden opportunity to test the church’s resolve again.

‘Jeffrey’s ambition burns very bright — quite apart from his gay campaigning,’ says one close church member.

‘He desperately wants to be a bishop.’

Southwark was used to an earthy bishop in Tom Butler, a ‘Thought for the Day’ regular on BBC Radio 4’s early-morning Today programme, who is married with two grown-up children.

Famously, shortly before Christmas in 2006, Butler returned home from a party at the Irish embassy with a head injury, which he could not explain.

He thought he might have been mugged.

Witnesses claimed, however, that Butler, having had a few drinks at the embassy, had climbed into a stranger’s car and begun throwing out children’s toys that were lying there.

Asked what he was doing, he allegedly replied: ‘I’m the Bishop of Southwark. It’s what I do.’

Jeffrey John would clearly have been a very different Bishop of Southwark — if he’d got it.

His name was among dozens of candidates nominated for the post.

The choice is made by the Crown Nominations Committee, a group of 14 senior clergy and lay members of the General Synod which convenes under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

John is understood to have been high on the shortlist.

But according to a leaked memo written by committee member Dr Colin Slee, former Dean of Southwark Cathedral, he was blocked by Archbishop Williams.

There were, he said, shouting matches and arm twisting.

This would be crucial evidence at any employment tribunal, but sadly Dr Slee, who was on the church’s liberal wing, died of cancer soon after the appointment was made.

The man chosen as Southwark’s tenth bishop was the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, 55, a bachelor.

So will a legal battle now commence?

John’s hiring of costly employment law specialist Alison Downie suggests he means business.

She won the first ever gay discrimination case against the Church of England in 2007, involving a man whom the Bishop of Hereford refused to employ as a youth worker because he was gay.

Five years later, the church continues to be in disarray.

‘If only Rowan Williams would lead,’ complains one senior cleric.

‘All he does is agonise.’

Why more people are saying 'I do' to a church wedding (Comment)

2012-01-26T00:17:00.008Z

The news that the number of church weddings increased in 2010, even while the total number of marriages continues to decrease, will hopefully go some way to restoring faith (literally) in the institution of marriage.

Have engaged couples suddenly found God again?

They may well have, but there are probably a few different factors at work.

The question of where to have your wedding used to be simple, but over 18 years it has resulted in a wide variety of answers.

In 1994, the Marriage Act changed the wedding market forever, granting licences for civil marriages to venues as disparate as Manchester United's Old Trafford football stadium, Blenheim Palace and the London Eye.

It opened up choice for couples who previously would have had to opt for either a church or register office ceremony.

Even those who may have preferred a church ceremony sometimes found it tricky. You could only be married in your own parish and, with so many couples already living together some distance from where they grew up, the chances of being allowed to go "home" to marry in the church where your parents or grandparents wed were slim to say the least.

Regular church attendance was often carefully monitored, too – some vicars would stipulate that you had to attend services for two weeks out of every four – and for some couples it was simply all too complicated.

The result was that fewer and fewer couples decided to marry in church, choosing instead to exchange vows in a stately home, or a smart hotel. They could say "I do" and then smoothly move on to the reception in the next room. Over the years, more and more venues have become licensed, offering an often confusing choice for brides- and grooms-to-be. And the trend seemed set to continue, until now that is.

In difficult times – and this ongoing recession definitely qualifies – people often feel reassured by traditional institutions. It's comforting to know that the church is still there when you need it, even if you haven't always been there.

Life's important landmarks – weddings, christenings and funerals – somehow seem much more significant when celebrated in church.

I wouldn't say that I'm overly devout. Unlike my Irish Catholic grandmother, I don't have holders for holy water on the wall inside the front door, and I definitely don't have statues of the Holy Trinity in my bedroom.

I did, however, have a church wedding when I got married 20 years ago. I loved the atmosphere, the wedding service itself, the hymns, Ave Maria being played while we were signing the register.

The whole occasion felt suitably solemn, and joyful. It wasn't our local church, but one that both my husband and I felt a great affinity for, and we did attend church regularly. We carried on going to services after the wedding, until we moved house.

Declining numbers of church weddings, and general attendance, were obviously serious enough for the Church of England to relax its rules on where you could marry in 2008. Now you can be married in a church if you can prove a family link – ie, your parents or grandparents tied the knot there – or if you have lived in the parish for six months.

This, coupled with a higher profile for the Church of England via a new website and a more visible presence at wedding shows, has definitely had an impact on where couples choose to marry.

People are being reminded about what it means to have a celebration in church. And the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton didn't do it any harm.

Only time will tell whether the 4% increase is merely a temporary blip, or the start of a whole new love affair with church weddings.