Quotes and news
Cardinal defends Brown
England's leading Catholic clergyman, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westmin-ster, has come to the defence of Prime Minister Gordon Brown after a group of Anglican bishops condemned the government's economic policies as immoral.
The cardinal said that he was "not too happy with the 'blame game'", adding that the nation's economic problems were the result of decisions made by people in general. "If we are going to accuse people of immorality it is much further than the government, it is the whole country," the cardinal said.
Asked whether he agreed with the Anglican bishop who said the Labour government had been "beguiled by money", the cardinal replied: "I do not think that is the whole truth at all."
Pope on family gatherings
"Christmas is the family celebration par excellence," Pope Benedict XVI told visitors in St Peter's Square while reciting the Angelus last Monday. "This is demonstrated by many traditions and social customs, especially gathering together as a family to share festive meals and exchange best wishes and gifts." But, he said, it also is a time when "the discomfort and pain caused by certain family wounds are amplified".
Bishop's mea culpa
Bishop John Magee of Cloyne, Ireland, has accepted "full responsibility" for the mishandling of sex-abuse cases in his diocese. "We made errors - not intention-ally," the bishop said in an emotional Christmas Eve address. However, Mgr Magee said he would not resign despite many calls to do so. He said he was determined to supervise the implementation of new policies to eradicate clerical abuse. Many people severely criticised the bishop after a Church-commissioned review showed the failure of diocesan officials to respond to credible reports of abuse.
Persecution in Vietnam
Widespread violations of religious freedom in Vietnam became more evident during Christmas. Curfews were enforced to block the Catholic faithful from Christmas midnight Mass celebrations. The Catholic news agency Asia News said the city of Son La, the authorities banned all religious events because "there are no religious followers" in town. In reality, there are around 3,000 Catholics from 40 different ethnic groups. In fact, the Church has records of at least 700 Catholic families there as far back as 1985. Catholics who wanted to attend Mass had to travel with great difficulty to neighbouring provinces.
Compiled by Fr Joe Borg