President Barack Obama signed an executive order reversing the so-called Mexico City policy, a move that clears the way for the federal government to provide aid to programmes that promote or perform abortion overseas. The ban was first instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the US Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, called the reversal "very disappointing". He said, "an administration that wants to reduce abortions should not divert US funds to groups that promote abortions".
Obama signed the executive order with no fanfare and with no news media in the room, a marked contrast to signings of executive orders earlier that same week.
Pope lifts excommunications
Pope Benedict XVI has lifted the excommunication of four bishops ordained against papal orders in 1988 by the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The move was considered a major concession to the archbishop's traditionalist followers.
The Vatican said the decree removing the excommunication, signed on January 21 and made public three days later, marked an important step toward full communion with the Society of St Pius X, founded by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1970.
It said some questions remain unresolved with the society, including its future status and that of its priests, and that these issues would be the subject of further talks.
Vatican on You Tube
The Vatican launched a video channel on You Tube that will feature news coverage of Pope Benedict XVI and major Vatican events. Archbishop Claudio Celli, head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said the decision was taken so that the Vatican would "be present wherever people are". The Vatican officially unveiled the new channel on January 23 during a press conference that presented Pope Benedict's message for World Communications Day, which is dedicated to new media technology.
Addressing pilgrims in St Peter's Square two days later, the Pope said he hoped the You Tube channel "will enrich a wide range of people - including those who have yet to find a response to their spiritual yearning - through the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ".
Violent media begets violence
A new research study to be published this month shows that exposure to violent media makes adolescents more likely to be violent or aggressive themselves. Even when other factors that can contribute to violent behaviour are present, according to the study, the tendency for young people to become violent or aggressive as the result of watching violent media still exists. The study, which began in 2004, is entitled 'The role of violent media preference in cumulative developmental risk for violence and general aggression'.
"Even in conjunction with other factors, our research shows that media violence does enhance violent behaviour," said Rutgers University assistant psychology professor Paul Boxer, one of five researchers who contributed to the study and the study's lead author.
Be the voice of moderation
Despite the dangers and difficulties Iraqi Christians are facing, the Chaldean Catholic Church must take an active role in bringing peace and harmony to Iraq by being a voice of moderation, the Pope said. Christians have been present in Iraq for thousands of years and as Iraqi citizens they should be guaranteed full and equal rights with no distinctions made because of religion, he added.
Chaldean bishops from Iraq, the United States and Australia met the Pope on January 24 at the end of their ad limina visits to report on the status of their dioceses. The Chaldean Catholic Church is one of the 22 Eastern Catholic churches.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)