Quotes and news

The Synod of Bishops for Africa concluded its deliberations on October 24, voting to approve 57 propositions to be presented to Pope Benedict XVI as the basis for an apostolic exhortation.

Among the propositions endorsed by the assembly, the synod issued:

• a "heartfelt appeal to all those who are at war" to stop the bloodshed;

• a clear rejection of the "unacceptable" Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol, which "trivialises the seriousness of the crime of abortion and devalues the role of childbearing";

• a statement of concern for the 15 million migrants living in Africa;

• a condemnation of "all acts of violence against women, such as the battering of wives, the disinheritance of daughters, the oppression of widows in the name of tradition, forced marriages, female genital mutilation";

• a call for justice and fair treatment for those afflicted with AIDS.

Apparitions could mislead faithful

Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has warned that recent claims of new apparitions at a renowned Marian shrine at Knock in western Ireland "risk misleading God's people and undermining faith".

Some say no... others yes

The steering committee of Global South Anglican, a group founded in 2005 that represents 20 of the world's 38 Anglican provinces, announced last Sunday that it is not considering Pope Benedict's invitation to Anglicans to enter the Catholic church as communities under the leadership of personal ordinaries.

On the other hand, Bishop John Hind of Chichester, described by The Telegraph as "the most senior traditionalist in the Church of England", has announced his plans to convert to Catholicism.

"This is a remarkable new step from the Vatican," he said, referring to Pope Benedict's decision to permit members of Anglican communities to enter the Catholic Church as communities. "At long last there are some choices for Catholics in the Church of England. I'd be happy to be re-ordained into the Catholic Church."

Global religious freedom violations

The US State Department has released its annual report on international religious freedom. The report found that "violations of religious freedom have been noteworthy" in 30 nations, including Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

Israeli barrier 'humiliating'

"The most tragic thing I have seen is the miles-long wall that separates Jerusalem from Bethlehem and separates families and keeps farmers from the land that has been in their families for generations. It is humiliating and distressing.

"I appreciate the Israeli government's concern for security and respect it, but many of these measures raise serious human rights issues that they refuse to acknowledge and address."

Cardinal John P. Foley addressed the 11th international conference of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)