Benedict XVI entrusted the fruits of the Africa synod to the faithful on the continent, urging them to the “salt and light” of their homeland.

The Pope said before praying the last midday Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, and after celebrating the concluding liturgy of the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops.

The three-week assembly, which gathered 33 cardinals, 79 archbishops and 156 bishops, considered the theme “The Church in Africa at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace.”

“The synodal fathers, who have come from every country in Africa, have presented the rich reality of the local Churches,” the Pontiff said… Read more »

The bishops who spoke at the Synod for Africa sometimes used different and divergent tones when speaking of Islam, but they agreed on need for dialogue and religious liberty.

Monsignor Joseph Bato’ora Ballong Wen Mewuda, the synod’s spokesman for the French language, affirmed this, and noted the difference of expressions between the bishops of North Africa and those of Sub-Saharan Africa.

These differences are reflected in the conclusions of the working groups of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops… Read more »

Benedict XVI Names Bishop of Cheyenne

Benedict XVI appointed the vice president of the Pontifical Academy For Life, Monsignor Jean Laffitte, as secretary of the Pontifical Council of the Family, and named him a bishop. Born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France, Bishop-designate Laffite, 57, entered the French Pontifical Seminary of Rome in 1984. He was ordained priest in 1989 for the Diocese of Autun. He received a doctorate in moral theology from the John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family… Read more »

(Strasbourg) An “opportunity for a political debate”, a “chance of a live exchange on topical issues” regarding European integration. José Manuel Barroso judges with these words the first “question time” in the history of the European Parliament. The procedural novelty, that has been tested today, is that, during the session, the party leaders ask questions to the president of the EU Commission for half an hour on any issue whatsoever, then, in the second half an hour, any MEP can ask questions on the previous issues, so that the head of the EU Executive can prepare an answer… Read more »

The bishop of Kontum celebrated World Mission Sunday by announcing that 30,000 Vietnamese from his region became Catholic in the last year.

On Sunday, Bishop Michael Hoang Duc Oanh also reported to AsiaNews that 20,000 more of the Central Highlands people, called Montagnards, are currently preparing to enter the Church.

“It is the work of the Holy Spirit,” he said, “with the sincere participation and contribution of so many people.”

This year, the country is celebrating the 350th anniversary since the arrival of Catholic missionaries… Read more »