Lima, Peru, Feb 27, 2013 / 12:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An atheist Peruvian author has praised the spiritual and intellectual stature of Pope Benedict XVI and said that his departure is a loss for the cultural and spiritual life of the world. “I don’t know why Benedict XVI’s abdication has been such a surprise,” said Mario Vargas Llosa, a Nobel laureate in literature and a self-proclaimed atheist opposed to the moral teachings of the Church. “Although it is … [Read more...]
Pope’s final audience was bittersweet for cardinals
February 27, 2013 By
Vatican City, Feb 27, 2013 / 09:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The cardinals and bishops who attended Pope Benedict XVI’s last big public appearance made sure to show him their love and respect, but it was a hard moment as well. “There was a touch of sadness as when one sees a person for the very last time,” said Archbishop Rino Fisichella after the Pope’s last general audience. “Bishops and cardinals have shown a lot of respect, love and affection towards him here … [Read more...]
Pope confident God will guide Church in days ahead
February 27, 2013 By
Vatican City, Feb 27, 2013 / 04:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI told the 150,000 people who came to his final general audience that he is filled with trust and peace as he prepares to resign, because the Church is not his but God’s and he will “not let it sink.” “In this moment,” the Pope said, “there is in me a great trust because I know, we all know, that the Word of truth of the Gospel is the strength of the Church, it is her life. … … [Read more...]
Harvard debate stresses meaning, purpose of marriage
February 27, 2013 By
Washington D.C., Feb 27, 2013 / 04:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- At the heart of the national debate on same-sex unions is a fundamental disagreement on the nature of marriage, said a participant in a recent discussion at Harvard Law School. Arguments in favor of redefining marriage are simply “wrong about what marriage is,” explained debater Sherif Girgis. He added that enshrining same-sex “marriage” in law “would be harmful for the common good, and in particular for … [Read more...]
Coalition of African-American Pastors joins March for Marriage
February 27, 2013 By
Washington D.C., Feb 27, 2013 / 02:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Civil Rights activist Reverend Bill Owens has joined with the National Organization for Marriage to promote and lead the March for Marriage occurring in Washington, D.C. next month. “Gay activists are wrong to claim the mantle of the civil rights movement in their push to redefine marriage for all – the most important civil right related to marriage is the right of every child to a mother and father,” said Rev. Owens … [Read more...]
Benedict’s faith encyclical could appear in different form
February 27, 2013 By
Vatican City, Feb 27, 2013 / 12:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI's anticipated encyclical on faith will not be released before his resignation but it may appear in another form, according to the head of the Holy See's press office. “It remains an awaited document, but one that we will not have in the way we expected, perhaps we will have it in a different way,” Father Federico Lombardi said at a Feb. 12 press meeting. The encyclical, he added, “will not … [Read more...]
Vatileaks not at center of Pope’s decision, priest states
February 26, 2013 By
Vatican City, Feb 26, 2013 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An Irish theologian who is familiar with the life and thought of Pope Benedict XVI says his decision to resign was not because of Vatican difficulties. “The media keeps focusing on the Vatileaks as key element to his resignation, and I think that’s absolute nonsense,” said Jesuit Father Michael P. Gallagher, who came to Rome about 20 years ago to work for the Pontifical Council for Culture. “I’m sure he … [Read more...]
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