Pope supports breast feeding in public- an advice to women who refuse to feed their hungry infants in public:-20-Dec-2013
Feed the poor and hungry has been the message of Pope Francis from the day one as the Pontiff. The man whose simplicity and openness are touching thousands of visitors he meets every week, during his routine General Audience session. When an infant is crying with hunger the top priority of the mother should be to breast feed ,even if she is standing in front of the Pope, the representative of God. It is the right of the child and the duty of the mother, no matter what place or time or people. Pope Francis narrated one incident in a recent papal interview with La Stompa, of what he did when he came closer to a mother caressing a crying baby. In the interview, Andrera Torinelli of La Stompa (Vatican Insider) asked Pope Francis about the state of hungry children in the world. In response, he suggested that people should recycle food and be less wasteful, and then told a story that was both a reminder of the resources we have, and a declaration that breastfeeding mothers shouldn't be ashamed to feed their babies when they're hungry. Said the pontiff: "There are so many children that cry because they are hungry. At the Wednesday General Audience the other day, there was a young mother behind one of the barriers with a baby that was just a few months old. The child was crying its eyes out as I came past. The mother was caressing it. I said to her: 'Madam, I think the child's hungry.' " "Yes, it's probably time," she replied "Please give it some...
Pope Francis-Time Magazine's Person of the Year-11-Dec-2013
Most media are selecting Pope Francis as the Person of the Year. Time Magazine declared its selection today. According to the ABC News/Washington Post Poll, 92 percent of American Catholics have a favorable opinion about Pope Francis, and 95 percent of Catholics in America believe that he is directing the Church in the right way. Among all Americans (Catholics and Non-Catholics) 70 percent see Pope Francis favorably. This is 15 points more than what Pope Benedict had at the end of his papacy. However, Pope John Paul II was seen favorably by more Americans overall, 86 percent, in a Gallup poll in December 1998. But, Pope Francis is regaining the lost glory by his leadership of love and forgiveness. Among all Americans 62 percent see Catholic Church favorably. This was down to 40% in 2002 when church was tarnished by evils of sex scandals and child abuse cases. The decision of Pope Francis to appoint a Commission to consider how the Church can protect children from sexual abuse by priests, and his crack down on gay priests and abusive priests, helped regaining the faith and confidence of Catholics in America. Recent polls also showed that the number of Catholics going to church on Sundays gone up by 20 percentage points ever since Pope Francis took charge 7 months ago. -----------------------------------------------------...
University of Notre Dame files lawsuit against Obama Care:-05-Dec-2013
The University of Notre Dame, on Tuesday, filed another lawsuit opposing portions of the Obama Care that forces it to provide health insurance for students and employees that includes birth control, saying it contravenes the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in South Bend claims the Affordable Health Care Act violates Notre Dame's freedom to practice religion without government interference. Under the law, employers must provide insurance that covers a range of preventive care, free of charge, including contraception. The Catholic Church prohibits the use of contraceptives. Although Obama administration made a compromise, to exempt Catholic Universities, religious hospitals and organizations, by transferring the responsibility to the insurer or third party, it is considered as a crooked measure by many religious groups. The compromise measure requires insurers or the health plan's outside administrator to pay for birth control coverage and creates a way to reimburse them. Rev. John Jenkins, the president of Notre Dame said in a statement, "the government's accommodations would require us to forfeit our rights, to facilitate and become entangled in a program inconsistent with Catholic teaching and to create the impression that the university cooperates with and condones activities incompatible with its mission,". Recently, a federal judge in Pennsylvania granted the Pittsburgh and ...
Cardinal Dolan of New York Lashes Out Against Caricaturing Catholic Church as Anti-Gay-29-Nov-2013
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York responds strongly, in an interview today with "Meet the Press" moderator David Gregory, that will be aired Sunday on NBC television channel. When asked, why the Church is losing argument on gay marriage, Cardinal Dolan said, "the Roman Catholic Church has been out-marketed on the issue of gay marriage and has been caricatured as being anti-gay". He categorically denied the notion that the Church is anti-gay, but said, "the Church supports only traditional marriage and is not anti-anybody". Cardinal Dolan also added, "When you have forces like Hollywood, when you have forces like politicians, when you have forces like some opinion-molders that are behind it, it's a tough battle." But, he said, the church will not give up on gay marriage issue. Last year (March 2012), in another interview with O'Reilly of Fox News, Cardinal Dolan condemned the misleading propaganda by some bullies who were trying to achieve, judicially and legislatively, what they had been unable to achieve democratically. In that interview he said that the moral integrity of those bullies had been compromised, and that was the reason they were trying hard to caricature the Church and bishops, to achieve their goals. In today's interview when asked about the health care issue, Dolan said, the Catholic Church has long championed comprehensive health care, several years ag...
Pope Francis releases his first Apostolic Exhortation:The Joy of the Gospel-27-Nov-2013
Pope Francis issued his first Apostolic Exhortation called Evangelii Gaudium, meaning The Joy of the Gospel. The 224-page document was released on Tuesday (November 26,2013), which outlines his vision of a missionary church, whose "doors should always be open" for the needy. This is a compilation of all the talks he has made since becoming the pontiff. The Joy of the Gospel is the title Pope Francis has chosen for this first major document of his pontificate, putting down in print the joyous spirit of encounter with Christ that characterizes every public appearance he has made so far. The Pope speaks on numerous themes, including evangelization, peace, homiletics, social justice, the family, respect for creation, faith and politics, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, and the role of women and of the laity in the Church. Pope Francis, who has constantly kept the media’s attention with his desire to embrace and share his faith with everyone he meets, now urges us to do exactly the same. To “recover the original freshness of the Gospel”, as he puts it, through a thorough renewal of the Church’s structures and vision- including what he calls “a conversion of the papacy” - to make it better able to serve the mission of evangelization in the modern world. The Church, he says, should not be afraid to re-examine “customs not directly connected to the heart of the Gospel” even if they may have deep historical roots...
Pope Moves the World Again, Embracing Victim of a Terrible Disease-See the Pictures @ Joychenputhukulam.com/viva il papa-20-Nov-2013
Every week during his weekly audience Pope Francis's actions are creating news of compassion and humility. The people who receive his warmth and touch are the rejected and the disfigured. His eyes seek the weak, the poor and the vulnerable. His greetings to such people do not end in words, but rather extended with embracing, kissing, blessing and praying for their well being. For those who couldn't come closer to him, he made personal phone calls to give his touch, invited the homeless to dine with him and washed the feet of young prisoners irrespective of their gender, race, creed or religion. Two weeks ago he embraced a disfigured man with skin tumors all over the face and body. Earlier this week his compassion brought a moment of joy to another disfigured man, who virtually lost his face to a terrible disease. Last weekend, he stopped to speak and hug the man, after the weekly papal audience at St. Peter's Square. The man's identity is not known , nor the details of what caused the terrible damage to his face. The photos below show the moments Pope Francis shared with the disfigured man. (Photos-courtesy mail Online UK; Associated Press; Life News)...
Pope Francis Prescribes Medicine for Heart Health-20-Nov-2013
Holding on to the legacy of his predecessor Blessed Pope John Paul II , Pope Francis prescribed a medicine for heart health. It came in a small box resembling a packet of pills. Appearing on Sunday (November 17,2013) at his studio window on St. Peter's Square to address the faithful, Pope Francis jokingly said that he was like a Pharmacist, promoting prayer as medicine. Then he handed out rosary beads packaged to look like medicine. About 80,000 tourists were present in the square last Sunday. It was another day of "Pope Francis Wave" . In his address Pope said that he was recommending reciting the Holy Rosary prayer as a "spiritual medicine" that is "good for heart". The warmth of Pope Francis seems to have had a ripple-effect throughout the church, as attendance at mass and confession has increased anywhere from 12 percent to 20 percent in countries around the world, according to a survey by England's Sunday Times newspaper. The paper surveyed 22 Catholic cathedrals in England and Wales and found a 21 percent increase in attendance at Mass. They also cited surveys in Italy that showed 51 percent of priests reported a rise in attendance and Spain, where there was a 12 to 13 percent increase. According to Washington Times, Pope Francis's down-to-earth way of speaking, in a style ordinary people can readily understand, is drawing larger- than- usual crowds to St. Peter's Square for his traditional weekly appearance. -------------...
Pope Francis becomes sick with flu:-18-Nov-2013
According to Vatican Officials, Pope Francis cancelled his morning audiences on Friday (November 15) because of a cold. For the first time, the energetic and hard working Pontiff slowed down his busy schedule due to illness. Pope Francis who is 76 now, had to undergo a surgery as a teenager, to get the upper portion of his right lung removed due to a complication of pneumonia. On Friday he took off in the morning to rest in his apartment, but kept his afternoon appointment, presiding over the ordination of a new Bishop. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...
Bones of Saint Peter the Apostle and First Pope to be Displayed:-14-Nov-2013
According to a statement released by Vatican, the bones believed to be the mortal remains of St. Peter, the chief Apostle of Jesus will be displayed for the first time, later this month. Archbishop Rino Fisichella said on Monday (November 11th) that Catholics making a pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb to mark the end of the Year of Faith on November 24 will be able to view the relics traditionally recognized as those of Saint Peter who gave his life for the Lord. Archbishop Fisichella was referring to the belief that St. Peter was crucified upside down, and died in either A.D 64 or 67, where the St. Peter's Basilica was built. Previously, only the box containing the bones was on display. The beloved saint's remains were discovered during excavations of the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica in the 1940s. But, for several years, the remains stayed below ground and out of public view since their discovery. In 1960's Pope Paul VI officially declared the authenticity after archeological testing by scientists. Peter's tomb was discovered near a monument constructed in the 4th century to honor him. The tomb is located under the altar of the Vatican basilica. Millions of pilgrims visit St. Peter's tomb each year inside the basilica named for him. Peter was the leader of Christ's 12 apostles and the first bishop and Pope of the Catholic Church. Saint Peter is believed to be the Gate Keeper of Heaven according to the Gospel of St. Mathew Chapter16 verses17-20. -----...
He embraced, kissed and blessed a disfigured man with skin tumors-13-Nov-2013
On November 6th, as he carried out his routine greetings of pilgrims, Pope Francis embraced a man whom others would hate to touch or even look closely. The man was identified as suffering from a rare skin tumor disease called Neurofibromatosis, that looks cosmetically ugly and horrible. Neurofibromatosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors (looking like boils) to grow along the nerves, everywhere in the body. Sometimes these tumors can become cancerous, painful, and early death due to several complications inside and outside the body. There is no cure for this condition, but not contagious. People with this condition are often discriminated and stigmatized, even by family members. While greeting hundreds of pilgrims at St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis paused several minutes to embrace this sick man in his arms, and later, kissed on his face which was also spread with tumors. Before moving to greet others, Pope Francis also blessed the sick man, gesturing that God was watching him in his sickness. Holy Father's compassion and affection towards the sick and the downtrodden are manifested by his gestures and actions. His actions made headlines when he visited young prisoners and washed their feet, including a young Muslim woman, on Maundy Thursday. His response to letters with personal phone calls, especially to a rape victim, and his invitation to the local homeless to dine at St. Peter’s Square are some of the other actions that drew attention and p...
John Paul II and John XXIII to be canonized On April 27, 2014-10-Nov-2013
October 1, 2013 Yesterday, Pope Francis set the date for the canonizations of his predecessors Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II, declaring they would be made saints together, on April 27, 2014. The date and day for sainthood chosen by Pope Francis is an especially special day for Catholics, because, more than anything, it is the Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine Mercy Sunday is the Sunday after Easter actively promoted by Pope John Paul II who officially designated the day for devotion to Divine Mercy. Pope Francis made the decision of the date yesterday, after a planned meeting of cardinals present in Rome. It was announced by the Vatican press office in a daily bulletin released yesterday. The normal process of conferring sainthood in the Catholic Church is lengthy, and usually requires the Vatican to determine that the beatified person has been responsible for at least two miracles since his or her death. While Pope Francis approved determination of a second miracle for John Paul II in July, he moved forward with John XXIII's canonization without such a declaration. Pope John Paul II was elected pope in October 1978 as the first non-Italian since the 16th century. He served until his death in 2005. Pope John XXIII was elected in October 1958 and served until his death in 1963. John XXIII is most noted for convening the Second Vatican Council, a 1962-65 meeting of the world's bishops in Rome, which led to a number...
Pope Francis Calls Synod on Divorce and Remarriage-10-Nov-2013
10 October, 2013 The Vatican announced, on Oct. 8, 2013, that an extraordinary session of the Synod of Bishops will meet Oct. 5-19, 2014, to discuss the "pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization." The perplexing issues like divorce and remarriage will be the major topics of this synod, according to the reports of Catholic News Agency. On his return journey from Rio de Janeiro in July , Holy Father told the reporters who accompanied him that the next synod would explore deeply the pastoral care of marriage including the eligibility of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the Holy Communion. Currently divorced Catholics are not eligible for Holy Communion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church does give a theological norm about divorce in general, noting that “Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law…. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign” (For Catechism article 2383on Divorce Click Here) While emphasizing the need of forgiveness in issues like divorce and remarriage, Pope Francis said, "The church is a mother, and she must travel this path of mercy, and find a form of mercy for all." The announcement of the synod came amid news that the Archdiocese of Freiburg, Germany, had issued new guidelines making it easier for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion. According to Vatican spokesman, "Pope is placing the pastoral...
Pope Excommunicates Australian Priest who advocated for Gay Marriage and Ordination of Women-10-Nov-2013
29 September, 2013 Pope Francis has ordered the excommunication of a Catholic priest in Australia who illicitly celebrated Holy Mass, taught that women should be ordained priests, and advocated for “gay marriage.” According to the Australian Associated Press, a spokesman of the Archdiocese of Melbourne confirmed the order issued by Pope Francis to excommunicate Father Greg Reynolds, who had earlier been dismissed from the clerical state by the Bishop of Melbourne. Through this action Pope Francis has once again proven that Catholic Doctrines and Pastoral Services cannot be manipulated, and the Holy Catholic Church established by Jesus himself would be protected at any cost. While opening the gates for lost sheep, he also reiterated that he would protect the church from the wolves disguised as sheep. Excommunication is a canonical penalty intended to warn and correct those who commit grave offenses against the Church. Priests who are excommunicated may not receive or celebrate the sacraments. Reynolds had resigned as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Melbourne in 2011, and founded a group called “Inclusive Catholics” the following year, to continue his work against Catholic teachings. In August 2012, a visitor to the group’s woman-led religious service reportedly fed “consecrated bread” to his dog. These women were ordained by Reynolds to perform religious services. Media reports at tha...
Pope Sells his Motorcycle to fund Homeless shelter and Soup Kitchen-10-Nov-2013
16 October, 2013 Pope Francis has donated his Harley Davidson motorcycle, to be auctioned, to raise money for a hostel and a soup kitchen that serve Rome’s homeless. In June 2013 the American Iconic Company, Harley Davidson, gifted Pope Francis two motorcycles and a biker jacket, on the occasion of its 110th Anniversary celebrations. According to Monsignor Enrico Feroci of Rome , the money raised by this sale would be used for the renovation of a hostel and a soup kitchen. The hostel and the kitchen have been catering to the needs of over 1000 homeless and hungry people every day , since 1987. In his recent talks, Pope Francis encouraged clergy and religious to show humility in their choice of transportation, and instead, think of helping children without food and shelter. In July 2013, he told a group of seminarians and religious novices that he felt hurt when he sees a priest or a sister with a brand new car. As the Archbishop of Buenos Aires and later as a cardinal in Argentina, Pope Francis used public transportation for his daily commute. On the evening of the day he was elected pope, he returned to his residence on the shuttle bus used by other cardinals in the conclave. Even after becoming the Pope he refused to accept the traditional luxuries and decided to use economy vehicles like Ford Focus and Volkswagen Phaeton sedan (with an economy grade 6 cylinder diesel engine). In September, the Pop...
POPE FRANCIS CALLS A RAPE VICTIM TO CONSOLE HER-10-Nov-2013
September12, 2013 A 44-year-old woman from Argentina said that after writing a letter to Pope Francis telling him that she had been raped by a local police officer, the Pope called her to tell her, “You are not alone.” “The Pope told me he receives thousands of letters each day, but that what I wrote moved him and touched his heart,” the woman said in an interview with the National University of Cordoba’s Canal 10 TV station. “When I heard the Pope’s voice, it was like feeling the hand of God,” she said. The woman explained that in her letter, she asked the Holy Father for help and explained that she had been raped on two occasions by a police officer, who later threatened her. On Sunday afternoon, her cell phone rang, and when she asked who it was, the voice said, “It’s the Pope.” “I was petrified,” she confessed. The conversation lasted about half an hour and centered on “faith and trust.” “The Pope listened attentively to my story,” the woman said. “I’ll do anything now to go to the Vatican. He told me he would meet with me.” The woman told the television station that justice has been thwarted because local officials have covered up the crime, refusing to hear her story and even giving a promotion to the alleged perpetrator. “Now I know that I am not alone and I will pick myself up again,” she said. “The Pope told me that I am ...
Pope Francis warns Bishops, tells not to be Airport Bishops-10-Nov-2013
September 23,2013 Pope Francis on Thursday (Sept.19,2013) lashed out at what he called the scandal of “airport bishops,” urging his peers to remain rooted in their dioceses and spend less time seeking the spotlight. The Argentine pontiff, who is very attached to his title as bishop of Rome, said that staying in a diocese was “not only necessary for organizational purposes but had theological roots.” “You are betrothed to your community, deeply bound to it. I am asking you, please, to remain among your people,” the pope said at an audience of new bishops from around the world. “You must stay, stay! Avoid the scandal of airport bishops,” he said. Bishops are often invited to attend international seminars and conferences but Francis voiced his indignation at reports of bishops who could never make time for their own flock. “Careerism is a cancer,” the pontiff said, adding that some bishops trying to raise the profile of their diocese reminded him of those men “who are constantly looking at other women more beautiful than their own.” “Be welcoming pastors… journeying with your people,” he said, urging the new bishops to keep their doors open and phones close at hand. Source: AFP, Vatican City, September 23, 2013 ...