Quotes and news

"The environment must be seen as God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entails a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations. I also observed that whenever nature, and human beings in particular, are seen merely as products of chance or an evolutionary determinism, our overall sense of responsibility wanes."

Pope's message for World Day of Peace on January 1.

We cannot remain indifferent - Pope

"Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions?

"Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of 'environmental refugees', people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it - and often their possessions as well - in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement?

"Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?

"All these are issues with a profound impact on the exercise of human rights, such as the right to life, food, health and development."

Pope's message for World Day of Peace on January 1.

Doctors can say 'no' to abortions

The right of doctors to refuse to perform an abortion on religious and conscience grounds is being sent for consideration to Lithuania's parliament, where observers expect it to pass in 2010.

A commission made up of government representatives and Catholic bishops approved a plan to change the law governing medical practice. The proposed law would allow doctors to refuse to terminate a pregnancy because of their religious beliefs.

Congo bishop fears 'bloody Christmas'

A Congolese bishop is calling upon the international community to prevent the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) from massacring civilians in northeast Congo.

Recently "the LRA rebels attacked the village of Tapili (about 50 km from Niangara), killing several people and forcing the flight of over 2,000 inhabitants, who are now in Niangara, without any assistance," said Bishop Julien Andavo Mbia of Isiro-Niangara.

"If the international community and local authorities do not intervene in time, there is a real risk of another bloody Christmas."

Vatican asked to remove bishops

According to a report in the Belfast Telegraph, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin will ask the Congregation of Bishops to remove four bishops implicated in the Murphy report if they do not resign of their own accord.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen welcomed the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray, calling it "a welcome indication that those who are in positions of leadership and responsibility in the Church are facing up to their responsibility in the light of the very clear findings of the Murphy Commission".

Compiled by Fr Joe Borg