By Francis Rocca Pope Benedict XVI said the family in Western society is undergoing a “crisis that threatens it to its foundations” owing to false ideas of human nature that equate freedom with selfishness and present God-given sexual identities as a matter of individual choice to the profound detriment of human dignity. But he said the Catholic Church, in its dialogue with states, se...

By Carol Glatz Even when the Catholic Church acknowledges its struggles and the sinfulness of some of its members, it must hold on to the joy that flows from God’s love and salvation in Christ, said the preacher of the papal household. “When the world comes knocking at the Church’s doors – even when it does so violently and in anger – it does so because it is looking for joy,” Capuchi...

As I flew toward the Tiwi Islands, an Aboriginal Community 80 kilometres north of Darwin, I dared to ask the pilot if he was willing to hand me control of the small aircraft. Surprisingly he nodded and as he let go of his wheel I nervously grabbed the one in front of me. Suddenly I was filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation – feelings, I was to later realise, gave me an insig...

By James Martone When she heard from the village chief that a 14-year-old girl was being forced to leave school and marry, Senegalese aid worker Constance Mbaye could think of only one thing to do. “I gave the chief my telephone number and address and told him to tell the girl that if she could escape and make it to the city, I would take care of her,” said Mbaye, a Catholic who once ...

By Michael Kelly DUBLIN - The president of the Irish bishops’ conference urged Catholics to make their views  on abortion clear to politicians as the government considers legalising abortion in limited circumstances. In his Christmas message, Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, reiterated the Church’s opposition to such legislation. “Public representatives will be aske...

Pope Benedict XVI has named his personal secretary, Mgr Georg Ganswein, an archbishop and the new prefect of the papal household. The 56-year-old Archbishop-designate began working with then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1996 in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. When the Cardinal was elected Pope Benedict in 2005, Mgr Ganswein, who was his personal secretary, moved with him ...

In the immaculate conception of Mary, Christians recognise the truth that the Gospel is the good news of freedom from sin, selfishness and death, Pope Benedict XVI said. Standing before a statue of Mary near the Spanish Steps, in the midst of Rome’s ritzy shopping district, Pope Benedict said Mary is a reminder that silence is essential for hearing God’s word, that salvation comes from G...

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Circuses, street musicians, clowns, magicians and other itinerant performers not only bring people joy, but their traditional lifestyle is an example of hard work, sacrifice, strong families and real respect between people of different generations, Pope Benedict XVI said. "You are called to give witness to the values that are part of your traditio...

By Paul Jeffrey BEIRUT (CNS) - When Syrian refugees arrive in Lebanon, help begins with a phone call to the UN refugee agency - if they can get through. In most refugee areas, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has no fixed office; its staffers make only sporadic visits for which refugees make appointments over the phone. It’s that phone call that is the problem. “We have called...

By Judith Sudilovsky JERUSALEM (CNS) - The late archbishop of Florence, Italian Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa, has been recognised as Righteous Among the Nations by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem for the role he played in a widespread network set up to rescue Jews following the Nazi occupation of Italy. During World War II, Florence was the scene of a major rescue mission ...