Here are a few news items that probably didn't receive prominent coverage in the mainstream media:
California Churches Desecrated. It would seem that there are more than a few people in California who have it in for the Catholic Church. In recent weeks quite a few churches have been desecrated in some of the most despicable ways. Here's a link to the complete article in the California Catholic Daily: Same Hate, Different Church
European Union Omits Christian Holidays. Just in case you thought that the European Union hadn't completely dismissed the role of Christianity in European life, here's a story that will likely change your mind. The EU, in its recently published school calendar, has omitted such Christian holidays as Christmas and Easter, but included both Muslim and Jewish celebrations. You can read about it in detail here: EU Calendar Omits Christian Holidays
Islamic Scholars Suspend Vatican Talks. In a rather bizarre, Alice-in -Wonderland sort of twist, Islamic scholars at Egypt’s Al Azhar University have decided to discontinue their talks with the Vatican, claiming Pope Benedict XVI insulted Egypt and Islam when he asked the Egyptian government to protect its Coptic citizens from terrorism and mob violence. By expressing concern over the dangers Christians face in Egypt, the pope apparently engaged in "unacceptable interference" in the country's internal affairs. How weird is that? Sometimes I think that Islam is its own worst enemy. Instead of condemning those who commit acts of terror on their own soil, these "scholars" attack those who express concern for the victims. By the way, Egypt also recalled its ambassador to the Holy See over the same issue. You can read all about it here: Sunni Scholars
Christian Martyrs and Christian Unity. Swiss theologian and president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, has stated that today's Christian martyrs, regardless of their denomination, are the "most credible witnesses" for the cause of Christian unity. Writing in the Vatican's newspaper, l’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Koch referred to the "ecumenism of the martyrs" and stated that "We have martyrs in all the Churches....here in Rome we have St Bartholomew's for all the modern martyrs. I think that what John Paul II said, that between the martyrs we have perfect unity and when we see this unity, we can have new forces to make visible the unity that the Holy Spirit has given us." I find myself agreeing with the cardinal, for in times of persecution the Church always strengthens and differences are much more likely to be overcome. We should all be praying daily for Christian unity. You can read about the cardinal 's comments here: Cardinal Koch on Unity. And you can listen to his comments (in English) here: Interview with Cardinal Koch.
Sargent Shriver, faithful pro-life Catholic. Sargent Shriver was a faithful Catholic, a Democrat, and solidly pro-life, a combination we are unlikely to encounter ever again in someone as prominent as he. I disagreed with him on many issues; he was, after all, a man of the political left. But he was certainly consistent in his beliefs and true to his Catholic faith. Father Raymond de Souza, writing in the Canadian National Post, stated that although Shriver was married to a Kennedy (Eunice), "it was Sarge who lived the life of public service and personal integrity the brothers Kennedy only pretended to. Sarge, who died Tuesday at the age of 95, was the son that the corrupt Kennedy patriarch never deserved to have." Read more here: Married to a Kennedy, but Dedicated to God.
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