Quotes and news
L’Osservatore Romano praises Mgr O’Brien
L’Osservatore Romano is editorially supporting, even praising, Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Edinburgh after he decided to break off talks with the government over the introduction of same-sex marriage in Scotland.
The Vatican newpaper described O’Brien’s decision as “a symbolic action, but one that is eloquent and effective”. It added that “his stance is not Catholic but simply one of a civil nature. The cardinal upholds reason and common sense.”
Cardinal O’Brien ended talks with the Scottish government after it rejected his plea for a public referendum on the issue. Polls have shown that two-thirds of Scottish people oppose the government’s plan.
Priest is not a Vatican employee – US judge
The position of the prosecution that the Vatican is the employer of ex- priest Andrew Ronan was rejected by Michael Mosman, a federal judge in Oregon, US. The prosecution argued that the Vatican ‘employs’ parish priests and is responsible for child abuse committed by Ronan.
“There are no facts to create a true employment relationship between Ronan and the Holy See,” Judge Michael Mosman said in his ruling.
The lawsuit is one of several attempts to involve the Vatican in child abuse cases and obtain compensation from the Vatican. US courts have consistently rejected the argument that the Vatican is the ‘employer’ of a parish priest.
Nigerian archbishop’s appeal on terrorism
Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos, the president of the Nigerian bishops’ conference, told Vatican Radio there is high religious tension in Nigeria. But he emphasised that what is happening cannot be described as a war between Christians and Muslims. He blamed the terrorist group Boko not the whole Islamic community.
Mgr Kaigame called on the international community to help his country improve its security operations to stop the “fundamentalist, fanatic” Boko Haram terrorist group.
He made his appeal a day after a Catholic church, an elementary school and a police station in Damagun were attacked, presumably by Boko Haram members,
During the past two years Boko Haram has been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths of Christians, Muslims and police officers.
God: man’s ultimate meaning – Pope
In a message to participants in the annual meeting of the Communion and Liberation movement held last week, Pope Benedict said: “This word – creature – seems to be old-fashioned. People prefer to think of themselves as self-made and artisans of their own destiny. Considering the person a creature can be uncomfortable because it implies an essential reference to something other or better.
“Each thing, each relationship, each joy, like each difficulty, finds its ultimate meaning in being an occasion for a relationship with the Infinite, the voice of God who continually calls us and invites us to raise our sights and to discover in Him the fullness of our humanity.”
Coptic Christians are beaten up in Egypt
The US-based organisation, Coptic Solidarity, has quoted media reports saying that Coptic Christians are again under attack in some towns in southern Egypt. Such attacks included arson, the looting of stores, beatings, and a kidnapping.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)
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Mr Emanuel Farrugia
Aug 27th 2012, 10:37
The Catholic Church and same sex marriage
The Catholic Church opposes gay marriage and the social acceptance of homosexuality and same-sex relationships, but teaches that homosexual persons deserve respect, justice and pastoral care. The Vatican and Pope John Paul II are speaking out against the growing number of places that recognize same-sex marriages.
In Catholic belief, "marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman, joined as husband and wife in an intimate partnership of life and love," the 47-bishop committee said in a statement released Sept. 10.
Citing marriage's unique societal role in the procreation and raising of children, the Vatican said, "The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not and cannot be marital is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires it."
Calling marriage between a man and a woman a fundamental part of human reality and the basic unit of society, the pope said, "No other form of relationship between persons can be considered as an equivalent to this natural relationship between a man and a woman out of whose love children are born."
The church’s teaching on marriage is unequivocal: It is uniquely the union of a man and a woman and it is wrong that governments, politicians or parliaments should seek to alter or destroy that reality.’ - The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland.
Emanuel Farrugia [TARXIEN] former student Faculty of Theology UOM & Tribunal Ecclesiasticum Melitense
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