Vatican official says world forum for Christianity is vital
Nairobi (ENI). A senior Vatican official has said the Roman Catholic Church welcomes a new Global Christian Forum intended to bring together the diverse strands of Christianity as never before. "When Christians are divided, the preaching of the gospel suffers and this is a pain we all have to feel," said Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, addressing a meeting of the forum near Nairobi.
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'Historic' world Christian forum issues call for dialogue
Nairobi (ENI). Leaders meeting in Kenya belonging to all main Christian traditions, and from countries ranging from Armenia to Zimbabwe, have pledged to convene international, local and regional meetings to deepen reconciliation and understanding.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
The political advocacy of the American Catholic Bishops at the state level is one of the Church's best-kept secrets.
WASHINGTON (November 9, 2007)-The prospect of permitting Iran to develop nuclear weapons is unacceptable, according to U.S. Catholic Bishops, but absent an immediate threat, the U.S. and other nations must be fully committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the present confrontation. This was the message delivered by letter last week to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice from Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando, Florida, on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The bishops were reacting to escalating rhetoric and news accounts speculating about a potential preemptive use of force against Iran to deter further possible nuclear weapons ambitions. “From a moral perspective,” Bishop Wenski wrote, “in the absence of an immediate threat…military action would constitute an act of preventative war.” The Catholic Church, he noted, teaches that “engaging in a preventative war without clear proof that an attack is imminent cannot fail to raise serious moral and juridical questions.” The bishops make clear their assessment that the Iranian situation does not presently constitute an immediate threat. Before military action could be considered, according to the bishops, all non-military alternatives must be exhausted. Options, they suggest, range from diplomatic and economic incentives, increased international involvement and cooperation, to economic sanctions. The bishops also called on the nation’s leaders to change the United States’ current nuclear posture to ensure that nuclear weapons are not used against non-nuclear threats and appealed for greater, more sustained progress toward nuclear disarmament in the spirit of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The full text of the letter is available by logging on to: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/2007-11%20Iran%20Letter.pdf.
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Five million sign petition to UN calling for end to capital punishment
Five million signatures against the death penalty were presented to Srgian Kerim, president of the 62nd general assembly of the United Nations Organisation on Friday, in New York by a delegation of the Sant'Egidio community and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
The petition, signed by people from around the world, demands a universal moratorium for capital punishment.
The text of the Sant'Egidio appeal was adopted by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty on 10 October.
The delegation led by Sant'Egidio spokesman Mario Marazziti, included Sr Helen Prejean, American anti death penalty activist, and representatives of other organisations which promote the abolition of the death penalty.
The presentation of the signatures was followed by a video press conference, at which speakers included Archbishop Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize winner from Buenos Aires; Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace; and Siti Musdah Mulia, Muslim theologian of Djakharta University.
For more information
download the Fides Dossier on the death penalty:
Microsoft Word file - 'love your enemies'
by copying and pasting the following url into your browser:
http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/dossier_pena_morte_130807.doc
VATICAN CITY - November 7, 2007 -
Pope receives King of Saudi Arabia The Holy See Press Office released the following communique yesterday: "Today in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Holy Father Benedict XVI met with King Abdallah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. The sovereign subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone SDB who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. "The meetings took place in a cordial atmosphere and provided an opportunity to consider questions close to the heart of both sides. In particular, the commitment to inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue aimed at peaceful and fruitful coexistence between individuals and peoples was reiterated, as was the importance of collaboration between Christians, Muslims and Jews for the promotion of peace, justice and spiritual and moral values, especially in support of the family. "The Vatican authorities expressed their hope for the prosperity of all the inhabitants of the country, and mention was made of the positive and industrious presence of Christians. "Finally, views were exchanged on the situation in the Middle East and on the need to find a just solution to the conflicts affecting the region, especially that between Israelis and Palestinians."
