tagged articles with: faith

Missionary spirit means giving witness, not proselytizing, Pope Francis says

The pope appealed to all young people, calling on them to reflect on their vocation and "to not exclude the possibility of becoming a missionary" and to preach with their lives, not by proselytizing. "Those who are looking for something else are the ones that [proselytize]," he said. "Faith is preached first through witness then with words — but slowly." 

Pope Francis visits Grand Mosque of Koudoukou in Bangui

"We are well aware that the recent events and acts of violence which have shaken your country were not grounded in properly religious motives. Those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace. Christians, Muslims and members of the traditional religions have lived together in peace for many years,...

Lord's Prayer cinema ad ban in England

The Church of England has said it is "disappointed and bewildered" by the refusal of leading UK cinemas to show an advert featuring the Lord's Prayer. The Church called the decision "plain silly" and warned it could have a "chilling" effect on free speech. It had hoped the 60-second film would be screened UK-wide before Christmas.

Has Pope Francis just opened a door for non-Catholics to receive communion?

Benedict XVI speaks out on some issues

We've heard very little from Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI since his retirement, but he's made a surprise return to public life. Benedict has written a letter to the atheist mathematician Piergiorgio Odifreddi, covering subjects from the sex abuse scandal to evolution – and extracts have been released by Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

Pupils to be taught Judaism as ‘second religion’

THE CATHOLIC Education Service (CES) has defended its decision to advise church schools to teach Judaism rather than Islam as a second religion at GCSE. Its comments came in the same week that a group of parents sued the government because the reformed curriculum excludes humanism.

Reasons I’m a Better Christian as a Catholic

When I decided, as an Evangelical Protestant, to become a Catholic it was for a myriad of reasons. The appeal of the ancient tradition, the beauty of the Liturgy, and the succinct, coherent theology are only a few of the compelling aspects that drew me in. There are many more. But what I did not realize, as I began my first tentative steps to cross the Tiber, was how becoming a Catholic would utterly change my Christian life. In ways that I, then, could never have imagined.

Mobilising faith communities in ending sexual violence

His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols addressed the Inter-faith Consultation Conference on mobilising faith communities in ending sexual violence in conflicts on 9 February 2015 at Lancaster House. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, the Cardinal said that "sexual violence as an instrument of warfare and conflict is a deep wound in the body of humanity", and "that it is as old as humanity is a cause for our lasting shame." 

Controls on religion inside Tibet have intensified

Gyaltsen Norbu, the Panchen Lama installed by the Chinese government, has called for tighter controls over monks to ensure they follow Buddhist precepts in what is already among the most strictly managed Buddhist societies.  Roaming monks not based at any one temple are particularly prone to breaking precepts, Norbu said in rare public comments on Oct. 25 at the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in Wuxi, near Shanghai.

The church in Vietnam keeps growing, but the obstacles persist.

"I've been at this church for four years and more people come each year," said Father Joseph Giang. "The development of Catholicism in Vietnam is very good now and it's getting better. Of course, there are some obstacles in places where they want to curb Catholic activities. But the problems don't matter," he said.

Is Hell a thing of the past?

Hell is history. That’s good news for Jerry Lee Lewis, but bad news for Scotland’s Christian heritage. I doubt my ancestors shared the rocker’s panic about the eternal fire, but the presence of the devil was a cultural touchstone. The Broad and Narrow Way, which became enormously popular as a guide to biblical texts, as well as to desirable human conduct.

A Point of View: Does atheism have to be anti-religious?

In recent years we've come to think of atheism as an evangelical creed not unlike Christianity. An atheist, we tend to assume, is someone who thinks science should be the basis of our beliefs and tries to convert others to this view of things. In the type of atheism that's making the most noise today, religion is a primitive theory of how the world works - an intellectual error without human value, which we'd be better without.

China ordains first Catholic bishop in three years

Father Joseph Zhang Yinlin, 44, was ordained as coadjutor bishop of Anyang diocese in Henan province Aug. 4. The ceremony at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Anyang city was presided over by 90-year-old Bishop Thomas Zhang Huaixin of Anyang.

Catholic bishop urges Government to improve migrant assessment

The bishop with responsibility for migrants has called on the Government to recognise the desperation of the thousands of people caught up in the Calais crisis. Bishop Patrick Lynch welcomed an assurance by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, that the international community would provide protection for those migrants fleeing conflict and would “pursue the callous criminals who encourage so many to make this perilous journey”.

Octogenarian Chinese bishop protests cross-removal campaign

Chinese Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang of Wenzhou was joined by 20 other priests in a protest outside government offices in Wenzhou city to stop the cross-removal campaign in Zhejiang province. The appearance of Bishop Zhu, 89, who walks with a cane, leading the July 24 protest inspired many local Catholics, sources told.

Particular charisms, such as priesthood, come more like the dawn than a lightning bolt

This month we are “losing” our parish priest – he is being deployed elsewhere in the diocese, and cannot be replaced because there is no one to replace him. What were within living memory seven independent parishes will be served by a single priest. It is challenging, exciting and sad (particularly for the congregations that will lose their Sunday Mass). I will, no doubt, be telling you all how we get on! But so far what it has done is made me think about “vocations”.

Hollywood star says he prays and tries to go to church every day

Mark Wahlberg has said he never would have been able to get his life back on track if it weren’t for his parish priest. In an interview with Square Mile, Wahlberg said he was saved from a life of drugs and violence as a teenager when his priest, Fr James Flavin, took him under his wing.

Cardinal Burke warns Oxford audience of dictatorship of relativism

Cardinal Raymond Burke preached yesterday against a “dictatorship of relativism” which brands Christians“fundamentalists and extremists”. Cardinal Burke is on a short visit to Oxford. He will also address the Newman Society (the Catholic Society of the University of Oxford) on the intellectual legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.

Why is the UK government so afraid to speak of Armenian genocide?

Britain’s strategic relationship with Turkey has been more important than telling the truth. If Armenians are to find closure, we must recognise their suffering, In the early fourth century, the Armenians were the first people to adopt Christianity as their official religion. In 1914 there were 2 million Armenian Christians living in Turkey. By 1922, there were only 400,000 left.

Solemnity of the Holy Trinity (B)

The Dogma prof said, "Professor Thomas Aquinas, late of the University of Paris and the Albert Einstein of his day, didn't understand the Trinity. So, it is most unlikely that you blockheads will either. Just remember St Paul mentions the Trinity 30 times in his letters. Take it on faith and you'll muddle through somehow."