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Pope's new year message for World Peace Day focuses on alleviating poverty
In his statement for New Year's Day, published last month, Pope Benedict said, "At the start of the New Year, I extend to every disciple of Christ and to every person of good will a warm invitation to expand their hearts to meet the needs of the poor and to take whatever practical steps are possible in order to help them. The truth of the axiom cannot be refuted: "to fight poverty is to build peace." more » |
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Pope calls on Israelis, Palestinians to stop war immediately
The pontiff deplored the "refusal to dialogue" which has resulted in an "indescribable worsening" of conditions through ground fighting for the coastal strip's population, "once again the victims of hatred and war." The Israeli Defense Forces invaded Gaza three days ago. In total, more than 485 Palestinians have died, including 80 children, with more than 2,500 wounded since Israeli operations began on December 27. Rocket fire from Gaza over the past week has killed four people in Israel. more » |
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Death penalty in US hits lowest level in 14 years
The arbitrary nature of the death penalty was highlighted in a new study showing a further decline, with half of all executions in Texas. Nationally, at least 25 scheduled executions were stayed in 2008. The exoneration and release of the four prisoners brought to 130 the number of death row inmates cleared by DNA evidence or investigations undertaken by death penalty opponents like the Innocence Project. more » |
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Please Read: US Catholic
Bishops' "Faithful Citizenship"
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"Now
more than ever, we must stand up for our enduring principles and
values. We can't lie low while the Republican Party tries to pass
itself off as the party of 'moral values,' at the very time when
it shortchanges America's children, neglects the nation's needy,
and leaves America with trillions of dollars in debt for future
generations to pay off. We must not give the time of day to a party
that mobilizes the hateful reactionary forces of bigotry, greed,
and fear and tries to win elections by fomenting irreconcilable
divisions in our people." - Senator
Edward M. Kennedy
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"While the common good embraces all, those who are weak, vulnerable, and most in need deserve preferential concern. A basic moral test for our society is how we treat the most vulnerable in our midst." Faithful Citizenship #50
Cost of the War in Iraq
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