Quotes and news

The US State Department annual report on the state of religious liberty in the world lists eight “countries of particular concern” on the issue. These are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan. The list of the worst offending countries has remained constant for the second year running.

Hopes that the ‘Arab Spring’ would bring more religious free­dom have been frustrated. It has transpired that religious minorities still face grave dangers.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the annual report on religious freedom throughout the world “sends a signal to the worst offenders that the world is watching”.

It is ironic that currently the US bishops are accusing the Obama administration endangering religious freedom in that country.

Thomas Farr, director of George­town’s Religious Freedom project and a former State Department office director, said there is very little evidence of a unified US strategy to advance religious freedom.

Eucharistic adoration throughout the Games

The Catholic Church has organised groups committed to do a round-the-clock adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Francis of Assisi church in east London for the durations of the Olympic Games. The adoration is being done away from any media fanfare.

The perpetual adoration is part of a pastoral plan that includes hospitality centres for athletes at the church and Westminster cathedral, the provision of chaplains for the Olympic village, and a programme of talks for interested parties.

Swiss bishops reflect on attitude to money

Bishop Markus Büchel of Sankt Gallen in Switzerland exhorted Catholics to reflect on their attitude towards money during the economic crisis. The bishop was writing on behalf of the Swiss episcopal conference.

Noting that “money is not an end in itself”, Bishop Büchel said “money is at the service of man, and man is not a slave of money”.

“Those who invest for gain with no regard for the unhappiness of their neighbour are acting in a decidedly irresponsible way,” he added. Investors, he said, should take into account humane working conditions, the “dignity of employees”, and the “careful use of natural resources”.

European capital for in vitro procedures

A third of all in vitro fertilisation procedures in Europe are being performed in Spanish fertility clinics.

This information was published in a report of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

People are drawn to Spain due to the liberal laws on assisted repro­duction passed by the Zapatero government. The largest number of would-be parents come to Spain from Italy, France and the UK.

Pope’s prayer, mission intentions for August

Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for August is: “That prisoners may be treated with justice and respect for their human dignity”.

His mission intention is: “That young people, called to follow Christ, may be willing to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth”.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)