These are extracts from a statement by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference on the upcoming federal election in Australia:

“The principles of social teaching cross party political boundaries and Catholics may, in good conscience, form different opinions on the candidates and parties standing for election. We encourage Catholics to look beyond their own needs to apply a different test at the ballot box – the test of the common good.

“There must be legal recognition of the unique nature of marriage between a man and a woman, and proper protection for the rights of children to relate to their natural mother and father.

“Respect for human life requires constant vigilance to ensure euthanasia and assisted suicide are never legalised in Australia. These acts, presented as acts of mercy, would in fact abandon those who need our care and protection most.”

Irish bishops prepare to launch legal challenge

The Catholic bishops of Ireland have made another appeal to members of Parliament urging them to reject abortion legislation.

A spokesman for the bishops’ conference said the bishops will take legal action against the bill, if approved, arguing that the legislation violates the Irish Constitution by failing to provide equal protection of law to unborn humans.

The bishops said the abortion bill creates a number of serious moral, legal, and constitutional conflicts in the area of freedom of conscience and religious belief as it does not provide enough protection to all those who can be asked to take part in the abortion process but who have a conscientious objection.

Asian bishops slams terrorist attack

Asia’s bishops strongly condemned the July 7 bomb attacks on one of the most revered Buddhist temples. The attack was against the Mahabodhi Temple, an important Buddhist temple in Bihar, India. The temple is situated in the place where Buddhists believe that Buddha received enlightenment.

Evangelisation is the fruit of prayer – Pope

“Evangelisation is done on one’s knees,” Pope Francis told seminarians and religious novices to emphasise the importance of prayer for evangelisation. He encouraged them to be mindful of “the cascade of tenderness” that comes with God’s love, and to bring that message of comfort to the people they meet.

Besides the emphasis on prayer the Pope described the Cross as another indispensable element of their mission.

He said: “If we remain within this mystery, we are sheltered both from a worldly and triumphalistic view of mission and from the discouragement that can result from trials and failures.”

Coptic Church fears foreign jihadists

The Church in Egypt, while welcoming the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi, also warned that foreign jihadists may bring additional instability to Egypt.

The warning was given by Fr Rafic Greiche, the spokesman for the Catholic bishops of Egypt. He said the recent murder of Fr Mina Aboud Sharween in North Sinai and the second attack within three months on a Coptic Orthodox church are clear signs of the danger.

Fr Greiche added that Sinai is an area without any control by the State due to the presence of various armed groups, jihadists and other types.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)

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