Pope Benedict XVI told Irish Catholics on Sunday it is a mystery why priests and other church officials abused children entrusted in their care, undermining faith in the church “in an appalling way.” By describing the decades of child abuse in Catholic parishes, schools and church-run institutions and parishes in Ireland as a “mystery,” the Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Pope’
Pope meets FAO’s Director to discuss fight against world hunger
Monday, June 18th, 2012The Pope met with the general director of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Jose Graziano da Silva, at the Vatican. During their short meeting, da Silva talked about strengthening the ties between the Holy See and the FAO, so together, they can fight against world hunger. During their conversation, Da Silva talked about the Read more
Pope’s envoy apologizes to Irish victims of clerical sex abuse
Thursday, June 14th, 2012An envoy for Pope Benedict has apologized in person to child victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests, a gesture that highlights the Vatican’s concerns over its deteriorating status in Ireland. Senior Vatican Cardinal Marc Ouellet travelled to the island of Lough Derg, in a remote corner of Ireland, on Tuesday to speak with Read more
Benedict: sport is integral to personal development
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
Sport is integral to the development of the person, Pope Benedict said on Friday. Sports teams can help develop participants and spectators in important values, including ‘brotherhood’ generosity, honesty, self-sacrifice and respect for one’s adversaries, the pontiff told players and fans of the European Soccer Championship. Benedict XVI said that if sport is understood in this way, it Read more
Pope congratulates Queen Elizabeth on diamond jubilee
Friday, June 8th, 2012
Congratulating Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her diamond jubilee, Pope Benedict XVI praised the Queen’s “noble vision of the role of a Christian monarch”. In a message Benedict said the British monarch has over the past 60 years been an “inspiring example of dedication to duty and a commitment to maintaining the principles of Read more
Swiss Guards help Italian earthquake victims during time off
Friday, June 8th, 2012With Pope Benedict XVI in Milan over last weekend for three days under the watchful eyes of Vatican and Italian police, members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard set down their halberds and went off to do some volunteer work in earthquake-stricken northern Italy last weekend. Lt Col Christoph Graf, vice commander of the Swiss Guards, Read more
Pope saddened by Syrian massacre: calls for dialogue
Friday, June 1st, 2012
Pope Benedict is saddened by the military’s massacre of civilians in the Syrian town of Houla, and has again called for talks to end the violence. “The recent massacre in the Syrian town of Houla in which around one hundred people, including numerous children, lost their lives, is a motive of great sorrow and concern Read more
Vatican arrests loyal butler, Pope-adorer, husband and father of 3
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
Questions are beginning to emerge whether Paolo Gabriele, the 46 year old Papal butler, husband and father of three, who with his family lives in apartment inside the walls of Vatican, is responsible for the Vatileaks. Gabriele is one of a limited number of people who have access to the Pope’s private quarters. However his arrest was Read more
Pope makes personal donation to Ordinariate
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012Pope Benedict XVI has personally donated US$250,000 (£150,000) to support the ordinariate for former Anglicans, which is struggling to finance itself. Of the group’s 60 clergy some are retired but others still have young families to support. Mgr Keith Newton said he was “very grateful” for the Pope’s support. “This gift is a great help Read more
Commission of Cardinals to investigate Vatileaks
Friday, April 27th, 2012
Pope Benedict has established a commission of Cardinals, chaired by an Opus Dei troubleshooer, to investigate the leaks of sensitive documents to the media that allege corruption and mismanagement in the Vatican. The statement, released yesterday by the Secretariat of State, says the purpose of the commission is “to undertake an authoritative investigation and throw Read more