The Muslims identified as the perpetrators of the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris were from some of the most secular parts of northern Europe, where Christianity, especially Catholicism, is weakest.
This was the message of Pope Francis to the faithful following the readings of the day at Mass on Thursday, November 19, in the Casa Santa Marta.
“The whole world is at war,” and the rejection of the “path of peace” means that God Himself, that Jesus Himself, weeps. This was the message of Pope Francis to the faithful following the readings of the day at Mass on Thursday morning in the Casa Santa Marta.
The Vatican Secretary of State reflects on the Paris attacks in an interview with French Catholic newspaper La Croix. Military intervention is acceptable when it is for the legitimate defence of a state but legitimacy must be sought through international law. Regarding the Pope’s visit to Africa, he said “for now there are only three legs, we will see further down the line, depending on the situation on the ground”.
In an interview, Combonian missionary Fr. Giulio Albanese, says shootings continue in Bangui, in the Central African Republic but "we hope the situation improves. The fact that the opening of the Holy Door has been brought forward perfectly sums up Francis’ pontificate”
The magisterium of the last three pontificates, which grew out of the Second Vatican Council, staved off fundamentalist currents and those who wanted to put new walls up
Pope Francis on Sunday, November 15, expressed closeness to the victims in Paris and said using the name of God to justify violence is "blasphemy." The pontiff said the only "victorious power" in the world is love of neighbor.
Pope Francis again strongly condemned the recent horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, saying he wanted to express closeness to the families of the victims and calling any religious justification for such attacks "blasphemy."
Following is the text of the address Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Rif'at Bader made on November 9 at the opening of the two-day conference, which was patronized by Upper House of Parliament Faisal Al Fayez, titled, "Migration of Religious and Ethnic Components within the Region and Beyond":
His Excellency Mr. Faisal Al Fayez,
patron of the conference,
Your Excellencies,
Lombardi says a decisive, supportive response is needed in order to counter the spread of murderous hatred. The Vatican Secretary of State has sent a telegram to the Archbishop of Paris, assuring him that the Pope is praying for the victims of the attcks and condemns these acts of violence. Francis was supposed to meet Hassan Rohani today but the Iranian president cancelled his trips to Italy and France. Now there is an even greater need for the Jubilee, the Vatican spokesman says.
Kenyans, particularly young people and those for whom the Gospel is an integral part of their everyday life, are excited by Francis’ words and gestures. Bishops have appealed against corruption and one missionary hopes the Pope will motivate people to be among the poor.
In late October 1965, the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council issued an extremely important document named Nostra Aetate, meaning “In our Age”, which tackles the relationships with religions or their followers. The document dedicated some paragraphs to Muslims which reflected the respect and appreciation the Church harbours to the followers of the Islamic religion.
