CATHOLIC NEWS: Pope Benedict calls for end to anti-Christian violence in Iraq... PLUS 16 MORE

CATHOLIC NEWS: Pope Benedict calls for end to anti-Christian violence in Iraq... PLUS 16 MORE

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Pope Benedict calls for end to anti-Christian violence in Iraq

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 12:30 PM PST

After the Angelus on Sunday, the Holy Father exhorted the international community to do "everything possible" to give Iraqis a future of "reconciliation and justice." His words against anti-Christian violence in Iraq were well received by Iraqi demonstrators in St. Peter's Square.

NAC Martyrs charge ahead

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 08:04 AM PST

Victor Ingalls (in red) takes possession of the ball during the North American College's second match of the Clericus Cup. (CNS photo by Paul Haring) VATICAN CITY — The North American College's soccer team, the Martyrs, won 2-0 against the College of St. Paul on Saturday.

2010 Olympic Gold Medallist: "No Medal Compares to Having a Child"

Posted: 25 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST

Russia's biathlon relay team revealed the secret to their success following their gold medal victory on Tuesday, reports AFP. "Go ahead and have babies — and get better in sports," said Russian anchor Olga Zaitseva, 31, in a word of advice to the French and German teams, who won silver and bronze respectively.

Church-State Cases on Supreme's Agenda

Posted: 25 Feb 2010 09:02 PM PST

Until the Supreme Court's decision overturning a federal campaign financing law—a ruling that prompted liberal cries of "Judicial activism!" and led to the head-butting incident (I speak metaphorically) between President Obama and Justice Alito during the State of the Union speech—conventional wisdom held that the Roberts court leaned to judicial minimalism.

The Four Marian Dogmas and the Various Titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Posted: 26 Feb 2010 06:49 AM PST

We Catholics love the Mother of Christ simply because Christ loves and reveres her as His own mother. "Honor thy father and mother." Even more, Catholics recognize that the Blessed Virgin is not merely the means of Christ's incarnation. She is the "Woman" of Genesis 3:15 who is at everlasting war with Satan.

Muddled Moral Reasoning

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 08:05 AM PST

In a New York Times column today, Mark Oppenheimer reviews the controversy surrounding former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen's efforts to square waterboarding with Catholic moral doctrine. Mr. Thiessen has some ill-informed views, and Mr. Oppenheimer seems to have failed to do his homework.

John Paul II: Remove the Bullet - Not My Scapular!

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 06:31 AM PST

As everyone knows, His Holiness John Paul II was shot in Saint Peter's Square on 13 May, 1981 - the anniversary of Our Lady's first apparition at Fatima. Just before doctors were about to begin surgery in order to remove the embedded bullet, the Holy Father regained consciousness and instructed the doctors "do not remove my scapular" during the operation.

Utah law would criminalize some abortions

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 08:10 PM PST

A bill awaiting the governor's signature could go further than any other in the country. Details: Last May in a small town in eastern Utah, a 17-year-old girl, seven months pregnant, paid a man she had just met $150 to beat her up in hopes of inducing a miscarriage that would resolve her crisis. He obliged...

Holy Father's March Intentions

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 09:00 PM PST

General Intention World Economy. That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equality, taking into account the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest. Speaking of last year's global financial collapse, Pope Benedict said...

The Transfiguration and The Cross

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 09:01 PM PST

Appearances can be deceiving. After all, Jesus was just another Galilean. His hands were the rough hands of a workman. People in Nazareth knew his mother. Some even remembered the man they thought was his dad. Yet when Jesus went up on Mt. Tabor with his three closest disciples, his appearance changed.

Boston priest's near-tragic 'Toyota experience'

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 05:26 AM PST

I doubt Father Kevin McGrade of the Archdiocese of Boston will be singing the "Oh what a feeling -- Toyota!" jingle any time soon. A few weeks ago, the retired priest experienced something very similar to what a number of other Toyota customers have reportedly experienced in the last few years -- the accelerator got stuck, causing his Toyota Prius hybrid to...

Pope Paul VI and The Smoke of Satan

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 03:26 AM PST

I have long heard about Pope Paul VI having referred to the "smoke of Satan" having entered the Church. Usually most references to it do not mention when it was said and in what context. The quote apparently was said on June 29, 1972 by Pope Paul VI on the ninth anniversary of his coronation during a homily given at a mass for the solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.{pu.

What they don't show you on TV

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 04:43 AM PST

Photo by Matt Labash / The Weekly Standard Images like this don't pop up on the Evening News. In the above photo, Missionary Vern Conaway offers Hail Mary's for a dead infant in the hospital morgue in Haiti. It comes from a very good profile by Matt Labash of the legendary Fr. Rick Frechette. Please read it.

What is "the Flesh" ??

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 10:55 PM PST

There are many references to "the flesh" in New Testament Scripture, especially in the letters of St. Paul. The phrase confuses some who think it synonymous with the physical body. It is true that there are many times when Scripture uses the word "flesh" to refer to the physical body. However when the definite article "the" is...

"Oh my God, I am heartily sorry..."

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 03:00 AM PST

So begins one of the most widely recited prayers in the Catholic Church, the penitential Act of Contrition, said at the conclusion of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lent is a season for revisiting this sacrament, and for attempting to make what my nuns back in grade school used to call "a good confession."

Scientology's open-handed compliment

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 06:39 PM PST

It's got to be hard being the Church of Scientology. Germany doesn't want you; Wikipedia has banned your computers; protesters are trying to separate Beck from your fold; guys with samurai swords are challenging your guards; and all that Xenu talk just won't go away. Add to that the relentless, and outstanding, investigative efforts of Jedi reporters at the St...

Dolan on Everything, Part Deux

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 11:32 AM PST

Earlier today saw the last of Archbishop Tim Dolan's "re-launch" interviews on the first anniversary of his appointment to New York... and just like Thursday's sit-down with NY1, this morning's chat with WABC's Diana Williams had its share of headline-making quotes -- maybe, given its enhanced ad intra focus...