By Anthony Barich PERTH’S Polish Catholic community contributed over $5,000 to build what may well be the world’s first church named after Pope John Paul II. Franciscan missionary Fr Piotre Rzucidlo, with blue hat, with Aitape locals in ceremonial dress, when the John Paul II church was opened, with Franciscan Krakow Provincial Fr Nikodem Gdyk, with brown hat. Photo: Courte...

By Anthony Barich OVER 200 Perth Polish Catholic youth are continuing Pope John Paul II’s ‘philosophy of drama’ with a large-scale production that teaches them the deeper things of life. A scene from a production performed by Polish Catholic youth - the Oolish play Balladyna by Juliusz Slowacki inspired by Shakespeare’s Midsummer night’s dream and Lady Macb...

By John Thavis Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI approved a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II’s intercession, clearing the way for the late Pope’s beatification on 1 May, Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope Benedict’s action on 14 January followed more than five years of investigation into the life and writings of the Polish Pontiff, who died in April 200...

By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON - The news of Pope John Paul II’s upcoming beatification was welcomed by many as a confirmation of something they already felt from the moment the shouts of “Santo subito!” (“Sainthood now!”) reverberated through St Peter’s Square at the Pontiff’s funeral. Mourners hold banners that read &quo...

By Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - Same-sex unions “penalise” traditional couples and distort the true nature of the family, Pope Benedict XVI said. The many crises that families face are “caused by the rapid social and cultural changes” in society, the Pope said on 14 January in a speech to officials from the city and province of Rome and the Lazio region of ...

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - A presumed miracle needed for the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II reportedly has reached the final stages of approval. An Italian journalist reported that the process of approving a miracle in the sainthood cause of Pope John Paul II is so far along that the late Pontiff could be beatified this year. He is pictured durin...

By John Thavis Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI baptised 21 infants and told their parents and godparents that educating them in the faith will not be easy in today’s society. Pope Benedict XVI baptises one of 21 infants during a Mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on 9 January. Photo: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters The 9 January li...

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - Infringements on the freedom of religion threaten peace and security worldwide as well as stifle authentic human growth and development, Pope Benedict XVI said. Pope Benedict XVI greets a young man at the Vatican on 1 December who was injured when the Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq, was attacked on 31 October. Photo: CNS/...

Red-Letter Advent: Awakening consciences to nascent mystery Mary Glowrey, front, tends to children in the dispensary that would become St Joseph’s Hospital in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh in India. PhotoS: from the Glowrey Papers with permission of the Catholic Women’s League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga. “Every beginning brings a special grace, because it is blessed b...

While a Cardinal, Pope asked for swift action against abusive priests Pope John Paul II embraces Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, in 1978. Photo: CNS By John Thavis Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY - A newly disclosed letter reveals that as early as 1988, the future Pope Benedict XVI pressed for swifter and more streamlined procedures to punish priests guilty...