Universal common good

Issues concerning globalization, international relations, fair trade, international organizations, immigration / refugees, debt-relief, race / ethinicity, third world, war, peace, ...

Pope: “Science Without Limits Has Drastic Consequences”

The Pope gave an important speech to young professors from Spanish universities, all of whom were under the age of forty.

The Pope said “Being here with you, reminds me of my first steps as a professor at the University of Bonn. When the wounds of the war were still raw and there was still a great deal of material deprivation; all this was overcome through the enthusiasm inspired by a fascinating activity, through contact with colleagues from different disciplines and through the desire to find an answer to the new and fundamental concerns expressed by students. Read more »

Overcoming the Challenges of WYD

The website of the World Youth Day was attacked. Protests were planned against Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Madrid Aug. 18-21.

A group of protesters broke into a run when police descended on a square near the historic Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun) plaza. Group of protesters were seen with anti-papal signs. Some pilgrims were harassed with chants of obscenities, while others were subjected to verbal confrontation.

Then there is the ultra secularist Spanish prime minister, José Luis Zapatero. Read more »

Christians and Muslims: Working Together For Mankind’s Spiritual Dimension

Letter from Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, President Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue to Muslims on the occasion of the end of Ramadan (Id al-Fitr)

1.   The end of the month of Ramadan offers the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue a welcome occasion for sending you our most cordial wishes, hoping that the efforts you have so generously made during this month will bring all the desired spiritual fruits. Read more »

Malaysian Riots’ Victim Is Brilliant Ambassador For His Country And His Faith

This commentary by Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith appeared in the Catholic Herald UK. Fr. Alexander Lucie-Smith is a Catholic priest and a doctor of moral theology. He is the author of several books.

Commentary on the recent criminal disturbances on our streets is now pretty much wall to wall on all media outlets, so I apologise for returning to the subject.

Watching the news last night, I was much struck by the sight of a mother and son leaving court in Manchester. Read more »

BBC Less Anti-Catholic Under Muslim Head Of Religion, Says Ann Widdecombe

The BBC has become less anti-Catholic under a Muslim head of religious programming, according to former Conservative Minister Ann Widdecombe (left).

Miss Widdecombe said that since Aquil Ahmed was appointed two years ago the BBC’s religious coverage had “improved vastly”. Speaking to the Irish Catholic, she said: “He isn’t a Christian but he understands faith, he understands religion. Read more »

First asylum seekers to be sent to Malaysia by Australia

The Australian Navy on Sunday intercepted a boat of refugees headed for the country, and took them to Christmas Island.

The 54 refugees will be the first sent to Malaysia under a controversial deal signed last week. Read more »

Australia And Malaysia Agree To Exchange Refugees

Malaysia and Australia Monday sealed a pact to swap refugees in a contentious new strategy aimed at deterring asylum seekers from undertaking perilous boat journeys to Australia.

Both governments announced the deal in May but were forced to fine-tune it amid objections by opposition politicians and human rights groups. Read more »

Communique From Archbishop Murphy Pakiam: Diplomatic Relations With The Holy See

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I write this letter upon my return from meeting the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone. His Holiness sends his apostolic blessings to all Catholics in Malaysia.

A Historical Moment for the Church in Malaysia
The recent visit of the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and a Malaysian delegation to the Holy See follows the decision of the Government of Malaysia to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Read more »

Belarus: A Committed Follower Of Christ Returns To The Lord

The name, Kazimierz Swiatek, may not ring a bell to many. But Pope John Paul II described him as “the Way of the Cross of persecution, carrying the cross of prison, of unjust condemnation and of the labour camps with their burden of toil, cold and hunger”

Cardinal Kazimierz Swiatek of Minsk-Mohilev, Belarus, died recently at the age of 96. He had led a memorable life filled with tribulations. Read more »

Christians Ask British PM To Protect Pakistani Minorities

Petitions calling for action to protect Christians and other minorities in Pakistan have been handed in at 10 Downing Street.

The documents, bearing the names of more than 6,000 people, were presented at Number 10 by an ecumenical delegation that included Neville Kyrke-Smith, director of Aid to the Church in Need UK, the Catholic charity for persecuted and other suffering Christians. Read more »

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