Monsignor Robert Weiss of St. Rose of Lima Church had a ‘sacramental sense” of outreach RYE, N.Y.—The “sacramental sense” of a Catholic pastor’s outreach after the horrific violence that took place at a Connecticut elementary school “has brought the church to bear in the most intimate and powerful way,” said …
World all a-Twitter as Pope joins social media
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI launched his very own Twitter account Dec. 12, sending a short inaugural message to more than 1 million followers. “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you …
Nativity story has implications for current issues occurring globally
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—The Nativity story, like the whole story of Christ, is not merely an event in the past, but has unfolding significance for people today, with implications for such issues as the limits of political power and the purpose of human freedom, Pope Benedict writes in his third and …
Pope: faith, science must cooperate to protect people, planet
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Dialogue and cooperation between faith and science are urgently needed for building a culture that respects people and the planet, Pope Benedict XVI told his own science academy. Without faith and science informing each other, “the great questions of humanity leave the domain of reason and …
Archbishop Kurtz takes active role at synod
The Record and Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — To evangelize means to help people understand that God himself has responded to their questions, and that his response — the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ — is available to them as well, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Our role in …
Year of Faith, Respect Life Month being observed
WASHINGTON (CNA)—The U.S. bishops’ chairman on pro-life issues invited Catholics to commemorate the Year of Faith and the 41st annual Respect Life Month through prayer, education and advocacy. Respect Life Month, along with the upcoming Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI, provides a “vitally important” opportunity for Catholics …
Pope Benedict XVI making an impression on seminarians
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—With his personal charisma and energetic pastoral style, Blessed John Paul II famously inspired a generation of vocations to the priesthood—to the point that men whose discernment or formation had been decisively shaped by his 27-year pontificate came to be known as “John Paul II priests.” Now Pope …
New evangelization has a Western feel
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—When Blessed John Paul II launched the project he called the new evangelization, he made it clear that it was aimed above all at reviving the ancient faith of an increasingly faithless West: “countries and nations where religion and the Christian life were formerly flourishing,” now menaced by …
Mideast Christians also affected by controversial film
CAIRO (CNS) — As tear-gas bearing police battled Egyptians armed with stones in front of Cairo’s U.S. Embassy, Rashad was two neighborhoods away, making sure the few evening costumers respected the line at the Mobinil cellphone company where he works. “Is it all right to defame the Prophet, blessings be …
Pope leaves Lebanon with messages of peace, unity, religious freedom
BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI concluded his three-day trip to Lebanon on Sunday, offering thanks to the Middle East country and its leaders for welcoming him with such warmth and leading the pontiff to express his wishes to return. The pope arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a …
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Lebanon ‘as a pilgrim of peace’
BEIRUT (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon Sept. 14, saying that he came “as a pilgrim of peace, as a friend of God and as a friend of men.” In his remarks at a welcoming ceremony at Beirut’s airport, Pope Benedict praised Lebanon, with a mixed population of …
