CPSMA welcomes decision not to increase the pupil-teacher ratio
Month: October 2013
Attack on Pope Francis was disappointing
Dear Editor, I was shocked and disappointed on reading Dr John Murray’s letter (IC 3/10/13); shocked at the denigratory tone he adopted towards Pope Francis, and disappointed that a person in his position in the Mater Dei Institute of Education is forming opinions of Pope Francis through such a narrow lens of “his now-famous” interview,…
Catholic nun declared ‘Righteous’ for Jewish efforts
Israel has declared an Italian Catholic nun ‘Righteous Among Nations’ for her life-risking efforts to save Jews during World War II. Mother Josephine Biviglia was abbess of the Sisters of Saint Quirico in Assisi during the war and is reported to have used her position to direct the community convent’s use as a place of…
Pope Francis proves a ratings winner
Paul KeenanPope Francis is proving a ratings winner for Italian broadcasters covering papal events. According to the state broadcaster, RAI 1, the Popeís noon Angelus alone has seen numbers jump by 250,000. Figures released show that numbers tuning in for the Angelus prayers have gone from 1.56 million in 2012 to 2.27 in 2013. Meanwhile, it…
Pope welcomes US ambassador
Pope Francis has welcomed America's new Ambassador to the Holy See, Kenneth F. Hackett, who presented his credentials in Rome on October 21. Ambassador Hackett is a former president of Catholic Relief Services, the US bishopsí overseas relief and development agency, which he first joined in 1972. He retired as president of CRS in December…
Vatican accounts set for independent investigation
The Vatican has announced that it has requested an independent investigation of its own accounting offices, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA). With initiatives already well underway to boost the Vatican Bankís image in the wake of recent scandals, action on APSA has become almost inevitable following the June arrest of…
Pope to auction his motorcylce
Pope Francis is to auction his Harley Davidson motorcycle to raise funds for a soup kitchen feeding Romeís homeless people. The motorcycle is one of two donated by the famed American bike-builder in June to mark the companyís 110th anniversary. Its sale is intended to benefit the work of the Don Luigi di Liegro hostel…
Pope moved Lenten Retreat location
For the first time, the annual Lenten Retreat for the Roman Curia will take place outside Rome. The decision to move the retreat has been taken by Pope Francis himself, who has explained his decision as a desire to find a location which would encourage silence and contemplation beyond the work settings of the Vatican.…
Middle East ‘Christian exodus’ underway – report
A Christian exodus of “biblical proportions” from across the Middle East now threatens the survival of the faith in the region, a new report reveals. Persecuted and Forgotten has been compiled by the international charity group Aid to the Church in Need and, among 30 countries covered worldwide, details the deteriorating situation for Christian communities…
Looking on the lighter side
Brendan O’ReganBrendan O’Regan looks at comedy offerings of the week