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Cardinal warns of ‘dangerous religion' of secularism
16 May 2012Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said that distorted notions of equality, freedom and tolerance are "three monsters on our cultural landscape" that formed part of a new and "very, very dangerous" secular religion.
Speaking in Leicester Cathedral yesterday evening, the archbishop emeritus of Westminster said: "In the name of tolerance it seems to me tolerance is being abolished. Our danger in Britain today is that so-called Western reason claims that it alone has recognised what is right and thus claims totality that is inimical to freedom."
He cited the Government's refusal to allow the Catholic Church an exemption from a law forcing adoption agencies to accept homosexual couples, which led the Church to close its adoption agencies.
He said that "the new secular religion" was "not pure reason but rather the restriction of reason to what can be known scientifically - and at the same time the exclusion of all that goes beyond it". He added: "It is very, very dangerous."
He went on: "The propaganda of secularism and its high priests want us to believe that religion is dangerous for our health. It suits them to have no opposition to their vision of a brave new world, the world which they see as somehow governed only by people like themselves."
SSPX 'ready to do deal with Vatican'
16 May 2012One of the most prominent members of the SSPX has claimed that the Vatican is prepared to reach an agreement with the group, even if it will not recognise the major Vatican II texts or the ordinary form of the Mass.
Fr Niklaus Pfluger, first assistant to Bishop Bernard Fellay, made the claim in a two-hour sermon at the end of last month in Hattersheim, Germany. According to Fr Pfluger the two-year negotiations between the Vatican and the SSPX have "made it clear that the different standpoints on central issues of doctrine" cannot be bridged.
The Vatican has always insisted that the SSPX must recognise the authority of the Second Vatican Council, but Fr Pfluger went on: "In recent weeks it has become clear that Pope Benedict is so interested in a canonical solution for the Fraternity that he is prepared to conclude an agreement with it even if it does not recognise the controversial Vatican II texts or the New Mass". To refuse to come to an agreement under such circumstances would be wrong, Fr Pfluger said.
Canada pro-life march breaks record
16 May 2012The 15th annual March for Life in Ottawa attracted more demonstrators this year than ever before. An estimated 20,000 people gathered on Parliament Hill on 10 May, 5,000 more than last year's turnout, which was itself a record.
Organisers were especially delighted by the age of this year's assembly, with an estimated 60 per cent of the demonstrators under the age of 30.
Twenty MPs were in attendance, with Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth, who is attempting to force the House of Commons to address the issue of when life begins, receiving a near hero's welcome. The marchers expressed displeasure with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who refuses to support Mr Woodworth's motion, which Mr Harper describes as "unfortunate".
Oldest bishop affirms Vatican II
16 May 2012
Bishop of Vinh Long in Vietnam, Bishop Antoine Nguyen Van Thien, who was the Church's oldest bishop, died on Sunday at the age of 106. French bishop and Council Father, Géry Leuliet, aged 102, is now the oldest bishop.
Bishop Leuliet, who was born near Calais, and headed the northern French diocese of Amiens from 1963 to 1985, says his greatest desire is for the Church to continue in the path set at the Second Vatican Council.
Ordained in 1933 before being named bishop in 1963 by Pope John XXIII, Bishop Leuliet told Le Figaro this week that his "greatest memory" was participating in the Second Vatican Council. He was a Council Father at the Council's second, third and fourth sessions.
The bishop, who now lives in a priests' retirement home in Arras, said his greatest wish was for the Church to progress in the "faithfulness that Vatican II established".
Above: Bishop Leuliet pictured celebrating Mass on his 100th birthday in 2010
Cafod highlights ‘water poverty'
16 May 2012
Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell yesterday received requests from more than 60,000 Cafod supporters urging the Government to ask other G8 nations to prioritise improving access to water and sanitation in their foreign aid budgets.
Cafod staff and two young volunteers handed more than 60, 000 "action cards" to Mr Mitchell outside Downing Street yesterday. The next G8 meeting starts on Friday in the US.
The cards form part of the charity's Thirst for Change campaign, which highlights "water poverty" - problems caused by a lack of access to clean water and good sanitation, which include the prevalence of easily preventable diseases.
Mr Mitchell thanked the organisation for its work and said: "We love Cafod. You are brilliant. Thank you very much for what you are doing."
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