Religion
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Quotes and news
Addressing a 200-strong delegation from the Italian National Olympic Committee, Pope Benedict said: “Every sport, both amateur and professional, requires fairness in competition, respect for one’s body, a sense of solidarity and altruism and also...
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Keep the fire burning
Today’s readings: Zephaniah 3, 14-18; Phil. 4, 4-7; Luke 3, 10-18. There is no such thing as imposing on someone to be happy. Happiness and joy are conditions of the heart that influence the mind and the way we connect with ourselves and with...
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What exactly is sin?
Many talk about sin as if it is something of the distant past; others portray it as a natural progression towards an eventual or perceived human maturation. Few, in fact, have the courage to admit it because they conscientiously recognise its...
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Quotes and news
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...
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Pope in first cautious step on Twitter
Pope Benedict XVI blessed his new internet flock yesterday with his first Twitter message to the hundreds of thousands of followers already signed up to receive the holy tweets. “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter.
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Architecture of living
Today’s readings: Baruch 5, 1-9; Philippians 1, 3-6.8-11; Luke 3, 1-6. Our alertness to God in the present gives us the patience to hope for the future. This is the basic pattern to follow in Christian living, the key to remain always in perspective...
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Philosophy of life
The recent three-hour hearing of Tonio Borg at the European Parliament was a stark reminder, if any was needed, of the deep-seated prejudice and hostility of a number of MEPs against Catholicism and what it stands for. The aggressive intolerance of...
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Quotes and news
Speaking to a group of French bishops on their ad limina visit to the Vatican, Pope Benedict said: “One of the gravest problems of our time is the ignorance of religion on the part of many men and women, also among the Catholic faithful.” He added...
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Pope popular on Twitter
Even though he has not sent a single tweet yet, Pope Benedict had more than half a million Twitter followers in eight languages yesterday, two daysafter the Vatican unveiled his handle: @Pontifex. They included people ranging from the simple Roman...
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Chaos vs harmony
Today’s readings: Jer. 33, 14-16; 1 Thes. 3, 12 – 4,2; Lk 21, 25-28.34-36. The gospel reading articulates in graphic images the instability and insecurity we all feel inside us. If there is a collective fear in our times and in our hearts which...
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Meddling in society
Whenever Church leaders intervene in public debate some people are offended and suggest that the Church is crossing the boundaries. Among those who protest are the secularists and some who refer to history. Let us begin with the latter. Few...
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Quotes and news
Pope Benedict XVI plans to celebrate the Year of Faith by publishing a new encyclical letter about faith. This will probably be released in the first half of 2013. This will be the fourth encyclical of the present Pope. The encyclical letter Caritas...
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Hard conversation
Today’s readings: Daniel 7, 13-14; Apocalypse 1, 5-8; John 18, 33-37. The key to belonging to Christ’s kingdom is worship in truth. That is the way we can relate to Jesus as redeemer and lover of souls. Believing in Christ Jesus is not like...
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Is there life after death?
Through my hospital ministry at Mater Dei Hospital I regularly encounter the shock that overcomes the relatives of the deceased. What has happened to their loved one? Will they ever see him or her again? So we come to our existential question: Is...
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Quotes and news
Speaking to the Catholic News Service about the conflict in Gaza, Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem said: “We are sad for this escalation. It does not lead to peace but only leads to more violence. This is a vicious circle of violence...
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Pope calls Virgin birth ‘unequivocal’ truth in new book
Pope Benedict published the last part of his trilogy on the life of Jesus, delivering an early childhood narrative which strongly reaffirms the doctrine of the Virgin birth as an “unequivocal” truth of faith. In the book, Benedict also urges his...
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Time of new awareness
Today’s readings: Daniel 12, 1-3; Hebrews 10, 11-14.18; Mk 13, 24-32. The gospel’s talk about times of distress involving the sun, the moon and the stars may sound all negative and doom. But Mark is writing about the dawn of a new world. Literature,...
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Contemplation as being awake
Finding the right balance between being and doing is never easy. We live in a culture where people’s value is tied to the work they do. As humans and as Christians, we are called to delve deeper to discover our lives’ inner rooms, the rooms of our...
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Quotes and news
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Christianity is “the most persecuted religion worldwide”. She was echoing the findings of several reports drawn from time to time about religious persecution. Merkel also said the problems of Christian minorities...
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Pope says world is in need of more (literary) Latin lovers
Pro Dei amore Latinam linguam discite. If you don’t know what that means, Pope Benedict is on your case. In fact, he’s not only on your case, he’s on your declension, your conjugation, your tense, your person, your voice and your mood. Pro Dei...
