Pope: bishops and priests must listen humbly and learn 2014-11-12 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis today urged bishops, priests and deacons always to be humble and to recognize that their ministry is an unmerited gift of God’s mercy. Speaking at the weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said the Lord continues to shepherd his flock with love through the ordained ministry of bishops, priests and deacons. Recalling the Pastoral Epistles the Apostle Paul sent to his disciples Timothy and Titus in which he highlights human qualities such as the capacity to be welcoming, sober, patient, meek, reliable and good of heart as absolute necessities as well, of course, as the gifts of faith and holiness for those who receive the gift of vocation. No bishop, priest or deacon – the Pope said – must assume an authoritarian attitude, and behave as if his community were his own property and personal reign. The acknowledgment – he continued - that his ministry is a gift and a grace, helps a pastor never to fall into the temptation of putting himself at the center of attention or of relying only upon himself, Francis said. A bishop, priest or deacon must never assume that he knows all, always has the right answer and never has to ask for help. To the contrary – the Pope said – he must always be humble and understanding towards others, he must listen to his people and be aware that he always has something to learn, even from those who may still be far from faith and from the Church. Let us thank the Lord – Pope Francis concluded – for this ministry in the Church, and pray that our ordained ministers may always be sustained in their efforts to be living icons of the Father’s loving concern for all his children. Please find below the English synopsis of the Pope’s catechesis: Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our catechesis on the Church, we have seen that the Lord continues to shepherd his flock with love through the ordained ministry of bishops, priests and deacons. Today we consider the qualities demanded of these ministers in their service to Christ and the Church. In addition to the essential gifts of firm faith and holiness, Saint Paul lists such human qualities as kindness, gentleness, patience, prudence and attentive concern for others. These gifts too are required for the exercise of spiritual leadership. In a special way, Paul urges the Church’s ordained ministers to rekindle constantly the gift of God which they have received. For it is only by acknowledging that their ministry is an unmerited gift of God’s mercy that bishops, priests and deacons can serve their brothers and sisters with humility, generosity, wisdom and compassion, and thus build up the Church’s communion in faith and love. Let us thank the Lord for the gift of this threefold ministry in the Church, and pray that our ordained ministers may always be sustained in their efforts to be living icons of the Father’s loving concern for all his children. http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-bishops-and-priests-must-listen-humbly-and-le
Pope calls for global defense of Christians facing persecution http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404692.htm
Pope: Persecution of Christians must stop. Local governments need to take action 2014-11-12 With the chilly weather setting in Rome, Pope Francis made his way along the Popemobile, blessing children who were dressed for the cold breeze. In his catechesis, the Pope said that Church ministers should carry out their vocation with kindness, gentleness, patience, prudence and attention towards others. POPE FRANCIS "This is the alphabet. These words should be the starting base of every minister. It should be the foundation of every Bishop, priest and deacon.” To steer away from vanity, the Pope said ministers should remember that their qualities are gifts and not tools for arrogance. POPE FRANCIS "One doesn't become a bishop, priest or deacon because they're more intelligent, greater or better than others, but rather it's a gift. A gift of love given by God through the power of the Holy Spirit, for the good of the people.” With about 15,000 people in St. Peter's Square, the Pope also addressed the death of 43 Mexican students who went missing and were later killed, as they were heading to a protest. POPE FRANCIS "It's here that the dramatic reality of criminality becomes visible. It lies behind the sale and business of drug trafficking. I'm with you and your families.” With the persecution of Christians in different parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, the Pope made an appeal, so that local governments and international entities take action to protect them. POPE FRANCIS "May this trigger a vast mobilization of conscience, that helps persecuted Christians.” As a sign of Christian unity, he along with thousands of people in the Square, said the Lord's prayer, asking for the protection of the persecuted. http://www.romereports.com/pg159069...top-local-governments-need-to-take-action--en
VATICAN-SHOWERS Nov-13-2014 Vatican public restrooms to include showers for the homeless By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The archbishop who distributes charity on behalf of Pope Francis has announced that the public restrooms in St. Peter's Square will include showers where the homeless can wash. The service will require volunteers and donations of soap, towels and clean underwear, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, told Catholic News Service Nov. 13. "We have to be evangelical, but intelligent, too." Pope Francis blesses a sculpture "Jesus the Homeless" at the Vatican last November. (CNS/L'Osservatore Romano) Several people living on the streets of Rome or in tents say it is not difficult to find a parish or charity that will give them something to eat, but finding a place to wash is much more difficult. Barbara, a Polish woman who lives in a tent with her teenage son and a companion, said showers in the Vatican's public restrooms "would be good. We'd thank them if it works." Her companion, who calls himself Stefano, said: "I'm a mason without work. I'll help them build it. No problem." The news site Vatican Insider first reported the news that Archbishop Krajewski had asked the office governing Vatican City State to include showers in an already-approved project to remodel the public restrooms in St. Peter's Square. The remodeling work and installation of the showers was scheduled to begin Nov. 17. The archbishop said the three shower stalls would be located in the public restrooms a few steps north of Bernini's Colonnade, just behind the Vatican post office. The archbishop told Vatican Insider that in early October he was talking to a homeless man near the Vatican and discovered it was the man's 50th birthday. He invited the man to a restaurant for dinner, but the man declined, saying a restaurant would not let him in because of his odor. Sitting on the steps of the Vatican press office Nov. 13, Barbara and Stefano were discussing the plans with a small group of Polish friends -- and expressing some doubts about it to reporters. The Rome diocesan Caritas, the Community of Sant'Egidio and other organizations offer shower facilities to the homeless in Rome, Barbara said, "but there are so many things you have to do. You have to get there at 4 in the morning to sign in. Then only 15 people get in each day." In addition, she said, because the number of homeless men is so much greater than the number of homeless women, many of the shower facilities are only for men or are open to women only a half day each week. Archbishop Krajewski told Vatican Insider that he is visiting parishes in areas where homeless people gather and is encouraging them to install public showers if they have not already. His office will help fund the building, he said. "It is not simple," he said. "It is easier to prepare sandwiches than to run a shower service -- you need volunteers, towels, clean underwear." END http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404717.htm
Pope Francis: The Kingdom of God is found in silence, not in causing a spectacle 2014-11-13 In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of humility. He assured that the Kingdom of God does not consist of creating spectacle or showing off, but rather in silent testimony. He said it is in the challenges of everyday life, in the small "daily cross”. POPE FRANCIS "When one thinks about the perseverance of many Christians, who carry their families forward, – men and women –, who take care of children, of grandparents, and reach the end of the month with only half a euro, but keep praying... That's the Kingdom of God, hidden, in the sanctity of everyday life.” Finally, he added that the Kingdom of God is like a seed, which must be cultivated through silence and prayer. http://www.romereports.com/pg159076...ound-in-silence-not-in-causing-a-spectacle-en
Orthodox leader asks Pope to help find kidnapped bishops in Syria 2014-11-14 With this greeting, Pope Francis embraced all persecuted Christians in the Middle East. During the meeting with Christian bishops organized by the Focolare movements, the metropolitan of the Syriac-Orthodox Church of Antioch made a special request to the Pope. "For the release of our kidnapped brother bishops.” THEOPHILOS KURIAKOSE Metropolitan, Syriac-Orthodox Church of Antioch "I appealed him to intervene and then His Holiness came to me and held my hand and told me that "I am deeply united with you and I pray for these two bishops and I will do my best for their release and for the suffering people in the Middle East”. So that was something very profound and this came out of his heart.” He asked that the Pope could intercede during his visit to Turkey for the two Orthodox bishops kidnapped in Syria 18 months ago: Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, a Syrian Orthodox, and Boulos al-Yazigi, who is Greek Orthodox. THEOPHILOS KURIAKOSE Metropolitan, Syriac-Orthodox Church of Antioch "Unfortunately, we don't know anything about where they are. They were kidnapped from the Turkish border in Syria. But unfortunately... One of these bishops, especially Bishop Gregorios was very much active in the ecumenical movement and the social activities.” The Syriac-Orthodox Church is a first-hand witness to the suffering of Christians in the Middle East. Metropolitan Theophilos asked that Western countries mobilize to help refugees. He also strongly denounced those who assist the Islamic State. THEOPHILOS KURIAKOSE Metropolitan, Syriac-Orthodox Church of Antioch "ISIS is not a sudden event. Its preparation has been done a long time. I don't want to name the people who are engaged in that but they are backed by many people around there. So it is our task. All kind of fundamentalism and this kind of extremism, that should be abhorred and even not only for the Christians, even for the Muslims is a threat.” The solution, he said, while not violent, should allow for Christians and Muslims to live together in peace in the Middle East, as they have done for centuries. http://www.romereports.com/pg159086...e-to-help-find-kidnapped-bishops-in-syria--en
Pope at Santa Marta: Walking in truth and love 2014-11-14 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Actions speak louder than words, particularly in transmitting the faith to children and young people today, the so-called ‘digital natives’. If we want to help them experience “truth and love” then we adults must lead by example, said Pope Francis at morning Mass. Emer McCarthy reports listen: It was a very special celebration in the Santa Marta Chapel Friday, with the pews filled with children from a local Roman parish. After an initial awkwardness, the children overcame their shyness to engage in a lively question and answer session with the Holy Father. Looking out over them he said that it was like “looking at a promise, looking at the world to come”. Then Pope Francis asked the question: “what will we leave our future?”. "Do we teach them what we heard in the First Reading: to walk in love and truth? Or do we teach them with words, and then allow our lives to go in another direction? But it is our responsibility to look out for these children! A Christian has to take care of children, little ones and pass on the faith, pass on what he lives, what is in his heart. We cannot ignore the little plants that grow". Pope Francis said that everything depends on our having the right attitude towards children. “What is my attitude?” he asked, “is it the attitude of brother, father, mother, sister, that helps them to grow or is it a detached [distant], "they grow up, I have my own life ...?". "We all have a responsibility to give our very best and the very best that we have is our faith: give it to them, but give it by example! Words are pointless….in today’s world [obsessed with] images, where everyone has these cell phones words are pointless ... Example! Example! What should I give them?”. At this point of his homily, Pope Francis began asking the children why they were at Mass, giving rise to a spontaneous conversation. It took some time before one child took courage and admitted: ‘To see you…” to which Pope Francis replied "I also like to see you all". He then began questioning the children as to who had already received First Holy Communion, Confirmation, while pointing out to all of them that it is the Sacrament of Baptism that "opens the door to Christian life" and immediately after which “the journey of a lifetime begins”. The same journey described by the passage from the letter of St. John read out in the First Reading: "Walking in truth and love". Later in that journey, he said, other Sacraments arrive such as marriage. But Pope Francis repeated, "it is important to know how to live this journey, to know how to live it like Jesus": "In these Sacraments – let me ask you a question - is prayer a sacrament? ... Out loud now! ... No! That’s right it is not! Prayer is not a sacrament, but we must pray. Do you know that you need to pray? Good, good ... Yes! Pray to the Lord, pray to Jesus, pray to Our Lady, to help us in this journey of truth and love. Do you understand? You have come to see me, who said that? You. But also to see Jesus. Right? Or do we just leave Jesus out? (the children respond, 'No!'). Now, Jesus is on the altar. And we will see Him, all of us! Jesus! Right now we have to ask Jesus to teach us to walk in truth and love. Will we all say it together? (all together) 'Walking in truth and love’". http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-walking-in-truth-and-love
Our good Pope always seems to be considering those who may feel forgotten or who just continue on not caring if they get a lot of attention by the "biggies". Their faith and trust is mature, but hidden. At the same time I think he is teaching, maybe by innuendo, those Shepherds who may have forgotten what is the most important thing.
Pope to open conference on importance of marriage between a man and a woman 2014-11-14 Just a month after the Pope concluded the Synod on the Family, the Vatican is hosting an inter-religious conference on the importance of marriage. It's a way to engage in a deeper conversation about the compatibility between a man and a woman. HELEN ALVARÉ HUMANUM Vatican Conference "People talk about the failure of this relationship, they talk a lot about sex, but they don’t really talk about its absolutely fundamental essence.” The conference is titled 'Humanum.' From November 17th to the 19th, it will bring in more than 350 people representing 14 religions. Among the 40 speakers is Pope Francis. It will be a platform to look at how marriage ties into a healthy society, anthropology, and religion. HELEN ALVARÉ HUMANUM Vatican Conference "Some of the major aspects of marriage. It’s beauty. It’s difficulties. It’s openness to children, it’s importance to civil society.” "What is God trying to tell us about God, about ourselves, about the meaning of our lives that humanity comes in two sexes that are drawn to one another. Deeper conversation about marriage.” While the highs of marriage will be touched on, organizers say, the conference will also look at the realistic challenges that often rise between a husband and wife. Even further, it will delve into the increasingly blurred lines between genders. HELEN ALVARÉ HUMANUM Vatican Conference "The relationship between a man and a woman has become, I would say, confused or obscured. There is a loss of a sense that it’s a basic part of understand one’s self to have a relationship with the opposite sex, whether one is going to marry or be single or religious.” The conference is more than just talk. On its website, www.humanum.it there's a series of videos on the importance of marriage between a man and a woman and why this union is crucial to society. During the conference, additional videos will be shown. http://www.romereports.com/pg159119...ance-of-marriage-between-a-man-and-a-woman-en
Pope Francis' eight tips to improve family life 2014-11-15 Pope Francis is not only the 266th Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Jorge Mario Bergoglio is also the oldest of 5 siblings. POPE FRANCIS August 20th, 2014 "Even the Pope has a family. We are 5 siblings and I have 16 nephews and nieces. One of these nephews had a car accident.” His personal experience as well as meeting thousands of people have made the Pope an expert on the family. His advice, simple yet direct, can help in day-to-day life. There is no doubt that his advice to married couples has spread around the world. POPE FRANCIS October 4th, 2013 "I always give this advice to newlyweds: 'Argue as much as you want. If the plates fly, let them. But never end the day without making peace. Never!” POPE FRANCIS April 2nd, 2014 "It isn't necessary to call the United Nations to come to one’s home to make peace. A small gesture, a caress, a hello is sufficient! And until tomorrow - and tomorrow one begins again.” To learn about forgiveness, there is nothing better than the Bible, something that the Pope recommends to improve family life. POPE FRANCIS October 5th, 2014 "It is not for putting in a shelf, but rather for having it at hand. It is for reading it often, every day, either individually or in groups, husband and wife, parents and children; maybe at night, especially on Sundays. That way, the family can move forward with the light and the power of the Word of God!” He speaks to engaged couple on the beauty of marriage but is also very sincere with them. To move forward, they must strive. POPE FRANCIS February 14th, 2014 "It is a journey full of challenges, difficult at times, and also with its conflicts, but that is life.” A life filled with children. The Pope never tires of denouncing a culture that does not favor the family. For this reason, he invited couples to throw themselves into the adventure of parenthood. POPE FRANCIS June 6th, 2014 "This culture of comfort has, in the last 10 years, convinced us that it's better to not have children! It’s better! You can go explore the world, go on vacation, you can have a villa in the countryside, you can be care-free.” And when the children are already here, family life can be complicated at times. Pope Francis has asked to reflect on the frantic life that families sometimes experience. POPE FRANCIS June 16th, 2014 "When I confess young couples and they talk to me about their children, I always ask one question: 'And do you have time to play with your children?' And many times the father tells me: 'But Father, they are sleeping when I go to work in the morning and when I come back at night they are already asleep in bed.' This is not life.” He also has advice for children. Misused technology, he said, has become one of the elements that separates a family. POPE FRANCIS August 6th, 2014 "Many children and young adults waste so much time on hollow things: Chatting on the internet, playing with the cell phone, seeing soap operas. High tech products are meant to make life simple and to improve the quality of life. But often, they distract us from what's really important.” For the Pope, a fundamental pillar of family life are the elderly. They are the future of the people because they are its memory. For this reason, Pope Francis knows the imprint left by grandparents. POPE FRANCIS September 28th, 2014 "One of he most beautiful things in the life of a family, of our lives, is to caress a child and to let them be caressed by a grandfather or grandmother.” Striving, forgiveness, prayer and dedication are the ingredients that Pope Francis offers to strengthen family life. http://www.romereports.com/pg159098-pope-francis-eight-tips-to-improve-family-life-en
Pope urges doctors to witness to sanctity of life 2014-11-15 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the Association of Italian Catholic Doctors on Saturday. He urged them to resist “false compassion” and “witness by word and by example that human life is always sacred, valuable, and inviolable.” Read the full statement below: I welcome you on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Association of Italian Catholic Doctors. In particular, I address a cordial greeting to the chaplain, Msgr. Edward Menichelli, to Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, who for decades has followed the life of the Association, and to the President, whom I thank for the words with which he introduced this meeting. With gratitude, I greet the Minister of Health, Mrs. Beatrice Lorenzin. And with great affection, I welcome these sick children and their families. There is no doubt that, in our time, due to scientific and technical advancements, the possibilities for physical healing have significantly increased; and yet, in some respects it seems the ability to "take care" of the person has decreased, especially when he is sick, frail and helpless. In fact, the achievements of science and of medicine can contribute to the improvement of human life to the extent that they are not distanced from the ethical root of these disciplines. For this reason, you Catholic doctors are committed to live your profession as a human and spiritual mission, as a real lay apostolate. Attention to human life, especially that in greatest difficulty, that is, to the sick, the elderly, children, deeply involves the mission of the Church. The Church also feels called to participate in the debate that relates to human life, presenting its proposal based on the Gospel. In many places, the quality of life is related primarily to economic means, to "well-being", to the beauty and enjoyment of the physical, forgetting other more profound dimensions of existence — interpersonal, spiritual and religious. In fact, in the light of faith and right reason, human life is always sacred and always "of quality". There is no human life that is more sacred than another, as there is no human life qualitatively more significant than another, only by virtue of resources, rights, great social and economic opportunities. This is what you, Catholic doctors, try to say, first of all with your professionalism. Your work wants to witness by word and by example that human life is always sacred, valuable and inviolable. And as such, it must be loved, defended and cared for. Your professionalism, enriched with the spirit of faith, is one more reason to work with those— even from different religious perspectives or thought—who recognize the dignity of the human person as a criterion for their activities. In fact, if the Hippocratic Oath commits you to always be servants of life, the Gospel pushes you further: to love it no matter what, especially when it is in need of special care and attention. This is what the members of your Association have done over seventy years of fine work. I urge you to continue with humility and trust on this road, striving to pursue your statutory goals of implementing the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church in the field of medical ethics. The dominant thinking sometimes suggests a "false compassion", that which retains that it is: helpful to women to promote abortion; an act of dignity to obtain euthanasia; a scientific breakthrough to "produce" a child and to consider it to be a right rather than a gift to welcome; or to use human lives as guinea pigs presumably to save others. Instead, the compassion of the Gospel is that which accompanies in times of need, that is, the compassion of the Good Samaritan, who "sees", "has compassion", approaches and provides concrete help (cf. Lk 10:33). Your mission as doctors puts you in daily contact with many forms of suffering. I encourage you to take them on as "Good Samaritans", caring in a special way for the elderly, the infirm and the disabled. Fidelity to the Gospel of life and respect for life as a gift from God sometimes require choices that are courageous and go against the current, which in particular circumstances, may become points of conscientious objection. I hope the seventy years of your association will stimulate a further process of growth and maturation. May you work constructively with all the people and institutions who share your love of life and seek to serve it in its dignity, sanctity and inviolability. St. Camillus de Lellis, in suggesting the most effective method in caring for the sick, would simply say: "Put more heart into those hands." This is also my hope. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Salus infirmorum, support the intentions with which you intend to continue your action. I ask you to please pray for me and I give you my heartfelt blessing. http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-urges-doctors-to-witness-to-sanctity-of-life
Angelus: Don't keep grace locked up in a safe 2014-11-16 Vatican Radio (Vatican Radio) “Jesus does not ask us to keep grace in a safe… He wants us to use it for the benefit of others.” That was Pope Francis message at his weekly Angelus address on Sunday. He spoke about the day’s Gospel, which relates Jesus’ parable of the talents. In the parable, the Pope said, the master is Jesus, we are the servants, and the talents are the patrimony we have received from the Lord. “What is this patrimony?” the Pope asked. “It is His Word, the Eucharist, faith in the heavenly Father, His forgiveness… This is the patrimony He entrusts to us!” But we are not meant to merely safeguard these gifts; rather, we are called to make them grow. What have we done with these gifts, the Pope asked. “Who have we ‘infected’ with the faith? How many people have we encouraged with our hope? How much love have we shared with our neighbour?” Every time and place, he said, “even the most distant and impractical,” can be a place where we can make our talents grow. This parable, Pope Francis said, “encourages us to not hide our faith and our belonging to Christ, to not bury the Word of the Gospel, but to make it circulate in our lives, in our relationships, in concrete situations.” Our Christian witness must go out to others, grow, and bear fruit. Pope Francis called on everyone to re-read and meditate on the day’s Gospel reading from St Matthew (25:14-30). “The talents, the riches, all the spiritual goods, all the good things that God has given to me – how have I made them grow in others? Or have I simply kept them in a safe?” God knows each of us personally, and gives to each of us what is right for us. Although we do not all receive the same gifts, the Pope said, there is something we all have in common – God’s confidence. “God trusts us, God has hope in us!” “We must not be deluded, we must not allow fear to deceive us,” he continued. Rather, we must have confidence in God, who has confidence in us. Mary, the Pope said, “incarnates this attitude in the most beautiful and most complete way. She received and welcomed the most sublime gift, Jesus in person, and in turn offered Him to humanity with a generous heart.” “Let us ask her to help us to be ‘good and faithful servants,’ he concluded, “in order to participate in the joy of our Lord.” http://www.news.va/en/news/angelus-dont-keep-grace-locked-up-in-a-safe
Pope Francis to visit Philadelphia next year 2014-11-17 (-ONLY VIDEO-) During his opening remarks at the "Colloquium on the Complementarity of Man and Woman”, Pope Francis confirmed that he will visit Philadelphia next year. The Pope will be there to attend the 8th World Meeting of Families, which will take place from September 22nd-27th, 2015. POPE FRANCIS "I wish to confirm, God willing, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the 8th World Meeting of Families.” http://www.romereports.com/pg159132-pope-francis-to-visit-philadelphia-next-year-en
UPDATED ! Now includes New York City ! http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/its-official-pope-francis-announces-2015-visit-to-us-32195/
Pope: Children deserve to be raised by a mother and father 2014-11-17 Pope Francis kicked off an inter-religious conference to highlight that marriage is based on the complimentary roles of a man and a woman. He stressed that a decline in marriage, inevitably leads to a decline in society. POPE FRANCIS "This revolution in thought and morals has often flown the flag of freedom, but in fact it has brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.” The conference, titled 'Humanum' brings together more than 350 people, from 23 countries and 14 religions, to the Vatican. One of the underlying themes, is the right children have to grow up in a stable home, with a mother and father. POPE FRANCIS "Family is an anthropological fact - a socially and culturally related fact. We cannot qualify it based on ideological notions or concepts that only survive during a certain point in time, but eventually they crumble. We can't think of conservative or progressive notions. Family is a family. It can't be qualified by ideological notions. Family is per se. It is a strength per se.” The Pope confirmed for the first time, that he plans to travel to the U.S next year, to lead the World Meeting of Families. POPE FRANCIS "I wish to confirm, God willing, that in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the 8th World Meeting of Families.” The need to believe in marriage in the first place, was also touched on. Especially in light of the cynicism that surrounds younger generations. IGNACIO IBARZABAL Speaker, Grupo Solido (Argentina) "In a way, we're the first massive generation from broken families. That's one of the biggest challenges because it becomes difficult for us to believe that true love really exists.” It's a crisis that triggers instability and many social ills, among them an increase in poverty. Part of the solution is communication. IGNACIO IBARZABAL Speaker, Grupo Solido (Argentina) "This implies looking beyond parenthood, or education in school. It implies having a voice in radio, television, Facebook, twitter, websites, Instagram, phone apps. So, we must take on this challenge if we want to help these people who are suffering.” The three day conference will showcase a total of 40 speakers of different ages, faiths and nationalities. http://www.romereports.com/pg159135-pope-children-deserve-to-be-raised-by-a-mother-and-father--en
POPE TELLS MARRIAGE CONFERENCE 'CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO MOTHER AND FATHER' http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/...ce-Children-Have-a-Right-to-Mother-and-Father
Sorry. I was just giving it a compliment, showing that it was picked up by other media. I'll be more careful next time....didn't they were allowed only once.
First day of Humanum conference studies the beauty of marriage between man and woman 2014-11-18 The beauty of marriage between man and woman and its importance transcends divisions and beliefs. That's what several participants of the Humanum conference have seen on its first day. SR. PRUDENCE ALLEN Religious Sisters of Mercy (USA) "There are a few people, many people in this interfaith dynamic at the conference which is incredible where you can see the witness to marriage and the beauty and power of marriage in all the different religious traditions. How it's good, it's true, it's unifying, it's one, it's beautiful.” In his address, Cardinal Müller explained that the complimentarity of man and woman is important both in human relationships and in the relationship with God. CARD. GERHARD MÜLLER Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith "Their union reveals how each one are a mutual help to walk towards the Creator, God, who is beginning and end of the world and of mankind.” Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, was there as the Jewish representative. He stressed that marriage between man and woman should be supported by all institutions because it is not only a religious issue. It is a union that strengthens society. JONATHAN SACKS Former Chief Rabbi (England) "And those children who, through no fault of their own, have grown up through fractured families will be disadvantaged in every way. And I think it is a crying scandal and needs somebody to stand up for the children who are the victims of this strange desertion of marriage. What I wanted to point out in my speech is that marriage is not simply a religious institution. Though it is the religious communities who seem to have stayed faithful to it rather more than secular society as a whole.” The goal of the conference, which is being held at the Vatican, is to highlight that marriage between man and woman is tied to the fate of humanity and that it is crucial to protect for future generations. http://www.romereports.com/pg159145...e-beauty-of-marriage-between-man-and-woman-en
