A constitutional crisis in Luxembourg was averted after the Grand Duke Henri agreed to lose his veto following his stated decision to refuse to sign a law allowing euthanasia that the Parliament had approved. As a result of the compromise, Luxembourg will change its constitution so that the Grand Duke's signature will no longer be mandatory to enact a law.

More mosques for Milan

Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, who heads the large Italian archdiocese of Milan, has approved the opening of more mosques in the city. He said: "We need places of worship in every neighbourhood. People belonging to faiths other than Christianity need them even more urgently, especially Islam." He added that fruitful dialogue is urgently needed: "We need cultural initiatives that promote reflection, not provocation that only creates dead-end debates and sensationalism."

Catholics for climate change

"The United Nations has a moral obligation (to tackle) climate change, a reality today affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions in developing countries (that is) exacerbating storms, droughts and natural disasters. As a matter of equity and responsibility, those who have created the problem must pay for the solution. Economically developed nations have a moral obligation to tackle climate change because of their disproportionate consumption of natural resources."

An appeal signed by 92 bishops, archbishops and cardinals. Dec. 7. Poznan, Poland.

Patriarch strengthened Russian Church

"Under this holy man, the Russian Orthodox Church became the only force preserving the traditions and values of holy Russia. Like a sick man, allowed to stand after a long period in bed, our Church was weak at the beginning of his service and unable to use its spiritual potential fully. Today, it is no longer weak, and it lives with the people."

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, during the funeral service of the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II.

Don't decriminalise homosexuality

The Vatican is against a proposal mooted in the United Nations that homosexuality should be decriminalised. While stating that unjust forms of discrimination against homosexuals must be avoided, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's representative at the United Nations, made clear the Vatican's disapproval of a formal declaration that might be used to put pressure on or discriminate against countries that do not recognise same-sex marriage. A draft declaration, drawn up by France and endorsed by the European Union, condemns discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Banks should help families

Pope Benedict XVI urged the banking industry to help families facing financial difficulties as it was the banks' duty to support the weakest members of the community besides aiding business activity. The Pope was speaking during his weekly general audience. He said a major part of the banks' focus should be "solidarity toward the weakest sectors and the support of productive activity".