During an address to members of the International Theological Commission, Pope Benedict addressed a number of issues of importance.
The Pope criticised the belief that the “sense of the faithful” can be used in defence of theological dissent. He said the “sense of the faithful” is not just a matter of public opinion as it assumes a deep attachment to the faith. It presumes believers who fully participate “in the life of the Church. This requires a responsible adherence to her magisterium”.
The Pope strongly rebutted the charge that “religions, especially the monotheistic religions, would inherently be bearers of violence, mainly because of the claim that they advance the existence of a universal truth”. He said that, on the contrary, it is the denial of the belief in absolute truth that leads to open conflict and violence.
Christians are ‘most discriminated against’
Addressing the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, said: “The rights associated with religion are all the more in need of protection if they are considered to clash with a prevailing secular ideology or with majority religious positions of an exclusive nature.
“With the increase of religious intolerance throughout the world, it is well documented that Christians are among the most discriminated against, even in the OSCE region. Dispite commitments by participating states, threats to religious freedom remain common.”
Alfred Hitchcock died as a devout Catholic
Fr Thomas Henninger SJ, who frequently visited Alfred Hitchcock in the final weeks of his life, said that he witnessed Hitchcock’s deep devotion to the faith. Fr Henninger was reacting to a comment by a leading biographer of Hitchcock who said the famous film director refused to have a priest visit him in his final days.
Fr Henninger said that in the movie director’s final days he deliberately and successfully led outsiders to believe precisely the opposite of what happened, adding that this was “pure Hitchcock”.
UK bishops strongly oppose same-sex Bill
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have taken a very strong position against the British government’s plans to recognise same-sex marriage.
“We strongly oppose such a Bill,” they said, describing as “shambolic” the position of the Government, that has “no electoral mandate” and did no serious public consultation.
About 600,000 people signed a petition urging the Government to defend the existing legal definition of marriage; a petition which the bishops said the Government is ignoring.
The Tweeting Pope
“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart. Pope Benedict XVI.”
This was the Pope’s first ever tweet made last Wednesday which was received by internet users following his Twitter account (@Pontifex).
The Pope’s Twitter account already has over a million followers.
The Pope’s second tweet was a question: “How can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?” His third tweet was its answer: “By speaking with Jesus in prayer, listening to what he tells you in the Gospel and looking for him in those in need.”
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)