West Bank convent loses appeal over Israeli separation barrier route
Monday, 29 April 2013 12:01
Israel is expected to press ahead with construction of the vast West Bank barrier around a convent near the Christian town of Beit Jala, following a ruling from a special appeals committee.
The route of the barrier will separate a small community of elderly nuns at the Cremisan convent from 75% of their land and from a nearby monastery with which it has close ties. The playground of a nursery and a school run by the Cremisan sisters will be bordered on three sides by the wall.
More than 50 Palestinian families will lose free access to their agricultural land, causing economic hardship to the dwindling Christian community.
The campaign against the route of the barrier at Cremisan was taken up by the UK foreign secretary, William Hague, and the archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols. In a letter disclosed by the Guardian last year, Hague told Nichols that he shared his "concerns about the problem of land confiscation by the Israeli authorities affecting the people of Beit Jala and similar Palestinian communities in the occupied territories"
Where Science meets Religion. Vatican astronomer talks about meeting point
Monday, 29 April 2013 11:52
The debate between religion and science often argues that if you agree with one, you're against the other. Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno says the relationship is more like a brotherly rivalry.
Pope Prays for Peace in Syria, After Two Orthodox Christian Archbishops Kidnapped
Friday, 26 April 2013 10:55
Despite news reports on Tuesday that two kidnapped Syrian archbishops in Aleppo had been freed, the Greek Orthodox Church said they hadn't received proof of their release and that the two prelates spent the night being held against their will.
During the general audience, Pope Francis issued a call to peace in Syria, where the armed conflict has had devastating consequences for the entire population.
Son of Holocaust Survivor Recalls Courage & Compassion of Polish Catholic
Friday, 26 April 2013 10:38
Well-known Sydney barrister, Irving Wallach paid tribute to the memory and courage of Polish grandmother, Maria Jaloweic who saved the life of his mother, Rivka during the World War II Holocaust and the mass slaughter of millions of Jewish men, women and children in Nazi death camps.
At the 22nd Sho'ah Memorial Service, organised each year by t he NSW Council of Christians and Jews and held in theCrypt of St Mary's Cathedral, Irving Wallach was keynote speaker.
Tim Fischer Salutes Gallipoli Survivors as Well as the Fallen
Thursday, 25 April 2013 00:00
On the eve of ANZAC day and the 98th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, former Ambassador to the Holy See and a former deputy prime minister, Tim Fischer told graduating students from the Australia Catholic University (ACU) that the nation's diggers were so seared by their experience both at Gallipoli and throughout the Great War that they went on to over-achieve.
Awarded a Honorary Doctorate, the highest award given by the university in recognition of his many achievements as an ambassador, politician, former leader of the National Party, author, broadcaster, farmer and for his ongoing contributions and dedication to public service, Mr Fischer used his address at today's graduation ceremony at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre to talk about core leadership and using the men of Gallipoli as both an example and an inspiration.