Catholic Fire

Thursday, May 1 - Sunday, May 11 For A Renewed Descent of the Holy Spirit In Our Day “As we give thanks for past blessings, and look to the challenges of the future, let us implore from God the grace of a new Pentecost for the Church in America. May tongues of fire, combining burning love of God and neighbor with zeal for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, descend on all present.”Pope Benedict XVI, Papal Visit to the United States, April 19, 2008 Our world is in great danger. It is under constant threat from unprecedented acts of terrorism and war, disasters of nature, economic crises, mass hunger, moral decline, attacks on human rights and the sanctity of human life. As people of faith, we know we are engaged in a colossal battle between the Gospel of Life and the “culture of death.” We are deeply concerned, but not without hope. More and more people realize that our world needs conversion. More and more people realize that our efforts alone will not be enough. We need the help of heave...

PAPAL ADRESS WELCOME CEREMONY THE WHITE HOUSE, SOUTH LAWN WASHINGTON, DC April 16, 2008 Mr. President, Thank you for your gracious words of welcome on behalf of the people of the United States of America. I deeply appreciate your invitation to visit this great country. My visit coincides with an important moment in the life of the Catholic community in America: the celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the elevation of the country’s first Diocese -- Baltimore -- to a metropolitan Archdiocese, and the establishment of the Sees of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Louisville. Yet I am happy to be here as a guest of all Americans. I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society. America’s Catholics have made, and continue to make, an excellent contribution to the life of their country. As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States, and strengthen th...

VATICAN CITY, Oct 11, 2007 ( CNA ) - Pope Benedict issued a plea to all scientists today to stop using human embryos for research because it violates their God-given human dignity.The head of the Catholic Church made his appeal specifically to South Korea, which has been in the international spotlight for its burgeoning bio-medical field over the last couple years, particularly in the area of stem-cell research. MORE Making sure that people realize that the he is not against all forms of stem-cell research, the Pope pointed out that the Church does not hesitate to approve and encourage somatic stem-cell research: not only because of the favorable results obtained through these alternative methods, but more importantly because they harmonize with the aforementioned intent by respecting the life of the human being at every stage of his or her existence."

The motu proprio allowing broader use of the Latin liturgy has been the subject of anticipation by the faithful for several months now. CWN reports today that in an interview with the Italian daily Avvenire, Cardinal Bertone revealed: "I think we won't have to wait much longer to see it published." The cardinal did not offer a specific date for the release of the document. He did, however, confirm that the motu proprio will be accompanied by a letter in which Pope Benedict will explain his reasons for encouraging the use of the 1962 Missal. Cardinal Bertone emphasized that the Pope has taken a direct personal interest in this initiative, and hopes for a "serene reception" of the document. During the same interview with Avvenire, the Secretary of State spoke about the Pope's scheduled meeting with US President George W. Bush, saying that the war in Iraq would be on the agenda, along with issues involving the dignity of human life, such as abortion and stem...