Quotes and news

Archbishop Celestino Migliore the Vatican's ambassador to the UN, said people must be equipped "with more than knowledge, ability, technical competence and tools" to truly combat "the deeper causes" of AIDS.

Mgr Migliore recommended "a value-based approach grounded in the human dimension of sexuality, that is to say, a spiritual and human renewal that leads to a new way of behaving toward others. The spread of AIDS can be stopped effectively, as has been affirmed also by public health experts, when this respect for the dignity of human nature and for its inherent moral law is included as an essential element in HIV prevention efforts."

Philippine bishops will back Aquino

Philippine bishops say they will back the anti-corruption campaign of newly-elected President Benigno Aquino III, but they also warned him to keep his election promises. On June 9, the Philippine Congress proclaimed Aquino as the country's president.

"We will cooperate with his ideals," said Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, but without "compromising our convictions, particularly in matters of faith and morals".

Aquino is the son of assassinated Senator Benigno Aquino Jr and the late President Corazon Aquino.

Augsburg bishop withdraws letter of resignation

Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg, Germany, has had a change of heart. He first signed a resignation letter to the Pope following allegations of child abuse and financial maladministration. The Pope accepted the resignation.

Now Mgr Mixa is saying that three days after sending the letter, he wrote another letter asking the Pope to revoke the resignation. He will probably make the request again during an audience planned for July.

Mgr Mixa says he was forced under pressure akin to "the fires of Purgatory", and criticised Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg, Archbishop Reinhard Marx of Munich, and Augsburg Auxiliary Bishop Anton Losinger for calling for his resignation.

'Absolute humanitarian catastrophe'

Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Vatican nuncio to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, told Vatican Radio on Tuesday that the situation in the country was chaotic as ethnic violence increased the number of refugees and displaced people.

"In Osh, there is a situation of absolute humanitarian catastrophe: There are no lights, no gas, no water and no food in the markets." He said Uzbeks are afraid to go to hospital.

Bloody Sunday report welcomed

The Catholic bishops of Ireland have welcomed publication last Tuesday of the Saville inquiry report into the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre, which concluded that those shot by the British army were unarmed and constituted no threat to the soldiers.

The bishops paid tribute to the clergy and political leaders who contributed to the restoration of peace in Northern Ireland, and called on "all those who are still committed to violence to recognise the futility of this approach".

Compiled by Fr Joe Borg