Pope: Other denominations not true churches

Benedict issues statement asserting that Jesus established ‘only one church’

LORENZAGO DI CADORE, Italy — Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.

Benedict approved a document from his old offices at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that restates church teaching on relations with other Christians. It was the second time in a week the pope has corrected what he says are erroneous interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 meetings that modernized the church.

On Saturday, Benedict revisited another key aspect of Vatican II by reviving the old Latin Mass . Traditional Catholics cheered the move, but more liberal ones called it a step back from Vatican II.
Benedict, who attended Vatican II as a young theologian, has long complained about what he considers the erroneous interpretation of the council by liberals, saying it was not a break from the past but rather a renewal of church tradition.

Mary in Islam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTMqDpXLvII&feature=related

Pope deplores Israeli assault, calls for improved conditions in Gaza

By Sarah Delaney
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI deplored an assault by Israeli commandos on a flotilla of ships taking aid to the Gaza Strip, calling the series of events "tragic" and "very painful," as well as a cause concern for all those who long for peace in the region

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He also called on world leaders and local politicians to do all they could to improve the living conditions in Gaza, which Israel has blockaded since 2007, when the Islamic militant group Hamas took control of the territory.

Christian, Muslim Leaders Make 'Commitment to Action'

By Mark Pattison
Source: Catholic News Service 

WASHINGTON (CNS)—A group of Christian and Muslim leaders, whose Catholic representatives included French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, issued "an interreligious call and commitment to action" March 3 following three days of dialogue sessions in Washington.

The document finalized at the end of the dialogue committed the leaders "to commit themselves to appeal to government and community leaders to promote peace and reconciliation efforts worldwide."

Pope Condemns Violence Against Christians, Immigrants

By Carol Glatz
Source: Catholic News Service 

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope Benedict XVI condemned the use of violence, especially when the name of God is used to justify aggression against others.

"Violence against Christians in some countries has provoked the indignation of many people," especially because the recent hostility has been perpetrated during "the most sacred days" of the Christmas season, he said after his Angelus address to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square Jan. 10.

Religious Attacks by the Media Must Be Rejected, Say Officials

By Carol Glatz
Source: Catholic News Service 

VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Anti-religious commentary distributed by media outlets can create tensions and incite violence and therefore must be rejected, said Vatican and Muslim representatives.

Attacking religion in the mass media especially via satellite television channels must be opposed considering "the dangerous effect" that these broadcasts can have on social cohesion and on peace between religious communities, said a statement issued after the annual meeting of officials from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and from al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

In Portugal, Pope Calls for New Style of Evangelization

By John Thavis
Source: Catholic News Service 

PORTO, Portugal (CNS)—On a four-day visit to Portugal, Pope Benedict XVI turned the church's attention to Fatima and offered a new perspective on the continuing relevance of Mary's appearances and messages there.

But the larger purpose of his May 11-14 trip, a point enunciated at each of his three stops, was to prod Catholics to adopt a more forceful and direct way of evangelizing in a largely secularized society.

Pope says Church 'persecution' comes from within

A penitent Pope Benedict XVI referred to the paedophile priest scandal rocking the Catholic Church as he began a four-day trip to Portugal Tuesday, saying the Church's "greatest persecution" came from its own "sin".

"Today the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside, but from the sin inside the Church itself," the pope told journalists aboard his plane before his arrival in Lisbon.
The 83-year-old pontiff, who met alleged victims

The Purification of the Catholic Church

In 2005 Pope Benedict XVI issued a resounding call for reform in the Catholic church, saying, “How much filth there is in the church, and even among those ... in the priesthood.” This was widely interpreted as a reference to the sex- abuse scandal affecting the church's standing in North America and other parts of the world. However, the Pope’s exhortation was, in reality, directed more widely to the phenomenon of modernism that is poisoning the church at its core.

Wekweeti celebrates new Catholic church

Roman Catholics in Wekweeti, N.W.T., prayed, sang, feasted and danced on Sunday to mark the opening of the community's new church building. The opening service at St. Peter of Wekweeti Church marked the first time Catholics in the remote Tlicho community have a central place to worship.

Services were previously held in various homes and buildings around the tiny community of 137.
"There's no word for it to describe it. I was really happy," Marie-Adele Football, a pastoral leader in Wekweeti, told CBC News on Sunday.

Catholic Church's 'zero tolerance' doesn't apply to bishops who left abusers in ministry

By Rachel Zoll (CP) 

NEW YORK, N.Y. — In the latest Roman Catholic sex abuse scandals in Europe and beyond, more bishops already have resigned for failing to protect children than ever stepped down during the U.S. abuse crisis.
American bishops point to their repeated apologies to victims and millions of dollars spent on child protection since 2002, when they enacted a stricter discipline policy. Yet critics say the focus of those reforms remains on reining in guilty clergy, ignoring the role of leaders who enabled the abuse.
Only a tiny number of prelates overall have stepped down for keeping predators in ministry. Experts say the push for resignation must come from the Vatican itself.

Parishes to be vigilant on child protection

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has appealed publicly to all parishes in the Archdiocese to ensure all child protection measures are in place and in operation and that there is no let-up in the level of vigilance.
In an address at the headquarters of conservative church group the Knights of Columbanus, Dr Diarmuid Martin said questions about safeguarding children should be on the agenda of every meeting of every parish pastoral council.

Pope to convey message of hope in Portugal

By BARRY HATTON (AP)

LISBON, Portugal — Pope Benedict XVI arrives Tuesday for a four-day stay in Portugal, with plans to speak about Europe's economic crisis and to urge Europeans to uphold Christian values and seek solace in their faith.

The pontiff will speak about "the joy of faith and hope" as a remedy for the gloom of financial hardship, said Carlos Azevedo, the auxiliary bishop of Lisbon and the visit's coordinator.
"The moral values guiding the economy and politics show that there is a spiritual crisis," Azevedo told a news conference Monday, adding: "Europe needs to be awoken."

Pelatihan Barisan Anak Didikan Kristus [Badik]

Pertumbuhan iman bagaimanapun membutuhkan perhatian yang sangat signifikan bukan hanya karena berbagai konflik yang terjadi saat ini dalam ranah iman akan tetapi karena adanya sebuah keprihatinan akan roh generasi muda dan ketertarikan bahkan kepedulian mereka pada pertumbuhan iman mereka sendiri.

Maka di Keuskupan Agung Jakarta diadakan pelatihan yang disebut dengan
BADIK Barisan Anak Didikan Kristus

New Way of Being Church in Asia

Sebuah pemaparan tentang Gereja yang ditulis oleh Edmund Chia, FSC mencoba menyusuri evangelisasi di asia dan situasi-situasi Gereja di Asia dan berbagai perhatian yang ada di dalamnya. Sangat menarik sangat kontekstual. DAPATKAN DI SINI