“A child is not a tourist attraction”: it was recalled by ECPAT Europe (Italy-Germany-Holland-Austria-Estonia), the network against sex tourism to the detriment of minors, through the appeal launched today by means of a spot to be broadcast by lots of Italian TVs and radios. “There are many reasons for making a journey to the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Costa Rica, South Africa, India, Philippines – says actor Arnoldo Foà in the spot -… Read more »

Looking back on 2009, it’s difficult to imagine a busier year for 82-year-old Pope Benedict XVI. The Year of St. Paul. The Year for Priests. A major social encyclical. A Holy Land pilgrimage. A first meeting with President Obama. Ten new saints. An African trip and an African synod. A Facebook debut. A controversial concession to Catholic traditionalists. An unexpected overture to disaffected Anglicans. And those are just the highlights, of course… Read more »

The International Catholic Union of the Press is underlining the media’s role in building economic justice, and is calling on journalists to serve humanity and creation, rather than individual agendas. The union affirmed this in a document titled “Media for Social and Economic Justice,” published this week in order to “emphasize the importance and role of journalism in finding lasting solutions to problems we all face worldwide.”

“Social and economic justice forms the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous world,” the document stated… Read more »

Benedict XVI, while highlighting key events of this year, noted that 2009 has “passed largely under the sign of Africa.”

The Pope affirmed this today when he had his traditional exchange of Christmas greetings with prelates and members of the Roman Curia. In this annual address, the Holy Father highlights key events of the year. This year he spoke about his apostolic trip to Cameroon and Angola, which took place March 17-23, as well as the Synod of Bishops for Africa, held Oct… Read more »

The Pontifical Mission for Palestine, a Papal agency for Middle East relief and development, celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. This Holy See agency was founded in 1949 as a “temporary” solution to help Palestinian refugees until their situation could be resolved. The anniversary celebration was held last month in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center.

Archbishop Antonio Franco, apostolic nuncio to Israel, presided over a Mass for the occasion, which was concelebrated by Archbishop Elias Chacour of Akka, Bishop Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo, auxiliary of Jerusalem, Monsignor William Shomali, chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and other priests… Read more »