Is Europe doing enough to protect persecuted Christians?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/01/2016 - 16:47

European leaders gathered on November 29 at a conference in Vienna to discuss Christian persecution and its resounding effect on Europe, particularly emphasizing the need to seriously address religious discrimination and genocide around the world.

“The persecution faced by Christians around the world must be recognized and treated by the international community with the seriousness it deserves,” Ellen Fantini, executive director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians, stated.

Pope Francis expresses “strong commitment” to re-establishing Christian unity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/30/2016 - 16:09

At the end of his general audience on Wednesday, November 30, Pope Francis greeted the Church of Constantinople, and the “beloved Patriarch Bartholomew” on the occasion of the Feast of the Apostle St. Andrew, traditionally held to be the founder of the See of Byzantium, which later became the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Pope Francis expressed his desire to be united to the Patriarch and to the church of Constantinople, offering them his “best wishes for all possible goods, for all the blessings of the Lord, and a warm embrace.”

“World Day of the Poor, a gesture for all”

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/30/2016 - 02:13

Vatican Insider hears from Etienne Villemain, the man who came up with the idea that ended up in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter “Misericordia et Misera”: “In our communities we usually meet the poor at the church entrance. But their place is in the heart of the Church”

Not many get to launch an idea which then appears in black and white in a Pope’s Apostolic Letter. But Etienne Villemain invites us to look beyond: “I don’t think it was a proposal we came up with, it was the Holy Spirit that suggested it to us…”

Cuba: Vatican’s role is crucial in thawing relations, one small step at a time

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/27/2016 - 20:06

The Vatican has played a part in guiding the transition process since the mid-90s. Now, the Church also has a decisive role to play in Cuba’s future.

Pope Francis, Vatican diplomacy and the Catholic Church will be able to play a part in Cuba’s future in light of the líder máximo’s death, playing the ecumenical card after the historic meeting between the Pope and Moscow’s Patriarch Kirill at Havana airport last February, with the subtle mediation of Raúl Castro

Tobin: When it comes to Trump we must steer clear of a priori rivalries or blessings

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/26/2016 - 13:01

Interview with the newly-created Redemptorist cardinal: the “balkanisation” process in the US Church “is reinforced by people who speak only with those who agree with them”. Those behind bars are good at grasping the meaning of mercy because “they have no reason to brag before God”

Cardinal Cupich: ‘Pope Francis is saying we are with you’

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/19/2016 - 17:17

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago says Pope Francis is saying loud and clear we are with you.

In an exclusive interview with ZENIT in the lead up to the consistory, the Archbishop of Chicago said this while speaking on the Pontiff’s choices for new cardinals from the peripheries.

In this interview, the new American cardinal addresses how many believe that he represents aspects of Pope Francis’ vision for the Church and whether he feels a close identification with Francis’ unique style as Pontiff.

Apostolic Nuncio to Syria Archbishop Mario Zenari named cardinal

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/19/2016 - 15:36

At today’s Consistory Francis conferred the red biretta on 17 new cardinals: “In God’s heart there are no enemies, He only has sons and daughters. We are the ones who raise walls, build barriers and label people. God does not wait for us to be a little bit better or more perfect before he loves us”. After the celebration, the Pope and the newly created cardinals boarded two minibuses and went to pay Ratzinger a visit.