Vatican - A woman in a red hooded sweat shirt leaped over a wooden barrier, grabbed Pope Benedict XVI's vestments and pulled him down as he was making his way to the altar in St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate Christmas Eve Mass. The Pope lost his miter and staff as he fell. Cardinal Roger Etchegaray was also knocked down during the incident and was taken to a hospital for a check up. The Pope resumed his walk to the altar and began the mass.
He made no reference to the attack and in his homily he urged the world to "wake up" from selfishness and petty affairs, and find time for God and spiritual matters. "Conflict and lack of reconciliation in the world stem from the fact that we are locked into our own interests and opinions, into our own little private world."
Following the assault, Vatican spokesman Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the woman appeared to be mentally unstable and had been taken into custody by Vatican police.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Egyptian apparition
Cairo, Egypt - The first sighting happened on December 10th. At 8:30 pm, a Muslim man was having coffee at a local shop in Al-Warrack, a poor neighborhood in Cairo, Egypt, when he noticed a strong light coming from the Warrack church. Others noticed and also saw a bird circling in the sky. Around 2 am, a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared in her blue and white robes. Hundreds of people rushed out of their homes to capture the event with the cameras in their mobile phones. Now as many as ten thousand gather nightly to witness the appearance.
Kawkab Munir Shehata holds she was cured of blindness in her left eye by the Blessed Mother. "I felt immense pain which lasted about quarter of an hour. Then I was ecstatic to find out that I could see clearly," said Kawkab. "You see, my left eye is even better than my right one now."
Father Fishay, a local priest, feels "Maybe her appearance is to bring people closer together, maybe it will bring about the end of the state of tension between Muslims and Christians and an end to extremism."
Kawkab Munir Shehata holds she was cured of blindness in her left eye by the Blessed Mother. "I felt immense pain which lasted about quarter of an hour. Then I was ecstatic to find out that I could see clearly," said Kawkab. "You see, my left eye is even better than my right one now."
Father Fishay, a local priest, feels "Maybe her appearance is to bring people closer together, maybe it will bring about the end of the state of tension between Muslims and Christians and an end to extremism."
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Art censorship
Texas, USA - A letter warning of a potential federal lawsuit by the Liberty Legal Institute stems from a Texas college's alleged censorship in one of the art classes. The controversy arose when a student was allegedly prohibited from making crucifixes in a not-for-credit ceramics class. According to the student, he was told by an Eastfield College instructor that he was not allowed to make religious items. "The whole point of art is to express who you are," said student Joe Mitchell, aged 69 and a retired auto worker. "I felt humiliated and that my spirituality was being demeaned."
The Eastfield ceramic's program chairman issued a memo which stated making religious icons "demeans the goals of" the program, which seeks to encourage original, creative work by students. The college's policy requires all items must be approved in advance by the instructor.
Modern art history is replete with works that would probably violate the school's policy - from Duchamp's fountain (a urinal) to Warhol's soup cans among more famous examples.
The Eastfield ceramic's program chairman issued a memo which stated making religious icons "demeans the goals of" the program, which seeks to encourage original, creative work by students. The college's policy requires all items must be approved in advance by the instructor.
Modern art history is replete with works that would probably violate the school's policy - from Duchamp's fountain (a urinal) to Warhol's soup cans among more famous examples.
Protestant vandalism
Japan - More than 50 different acts have vandalism against Protestant churches since last September have investigators and Christian clergy on heightened alert. All incidents occurred at night, usually involving bricks or fire extinguishers lobbed to smash windows. Churches and other religious facilities belonging to Protestant groups in Osaka (38 attacks), Hyogo (12), Kyoto (3) and Shiga (3) prefectures in the Kansai region of Japan seem to be the only targets. One night had seven attacks in different areas.
"As a fellow person of religion, I am very disturbed by these incidents," said an official for the Shinshu Otani-ha Buddhist sect. Masayuki Kiryu, professor of criminal psychology at Kansai University of International Studies said, "it is hard to imagine that a church or seminary could draw the wrath of so many people," concluding it was unclear whether the attacks were carried out by a single actor due to the wide area involved.
"As a fellow person of religion, I am very disturbed by these incidents," said an official for the Shinshu Otani-ha Buddhist sect. Masayuki Kiryu, professor of criminal psychology at Kansai University of International Studies said, "it is hard to imagine that a church or seminary could draw the wrath of so many people," concluding it was unclear whether the attacks were carried out by a single actor due to the wide area involved.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Ancient manuscript displayed
Scotland - The Celtic Psalter is Scotland's oldest known book and will be on display for the next three months (till March 14th) at the University of Edinburgh's library. Until now, this rare manuscript has been carefully guarded under lock and key and has only been made available to a handful of scholars.
The 11th century tome contains hand-written psalms in latin and is illustrated with Celtic and Pictish imagery. "It is a riot of colour. You would think someone had gone over it with a felt-tip pen," said librarian, Joseph Marshall. "People have been reluctant to show it, but now we have a special display case, and really this is the book's first public outing in 1,000 years."
Experts speculate the psalter was created by monks in Iona who are also thought to have been involved in the creation of the Book of Kells - one of the most famous of all illuminated manuscripts.
The 11th century tome contains hand-written psalms in latin and is illustrated with Celtic and Pictish imagery. "It is a riot of colour. You would think someone had gone over it with a felt-tip pen," said librarian, Joseph Marshall. "People have been reluctant to show it, but now we have a special display case, and really this is the book's first public outing in 1,000 years."
Experts speculate the psalter was created by monks in Iona who are also thought to have been involved in the creation of the Book of Kells - one of the most famous of all illuminated manuscripts.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Priest murdered
Congo - Armed men broke into the presbytery in the Kabare (the Sud-Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo) and killed Roman Catholic priest, Monsignor Daniel Cizimya. He was shot in the head.
Kinshasa Archbishop Pasinya has condemned the attacks stating, "Everything leads us to believe that this violence was directed intentionally against the Catholic Church and its mission of peace and reconciliation."
Two days after Cizimya's brutal murder, Sister Denise Kahambu was shot and killed by three armed men in an attack on a Trappist monastery north of Bukavu.
"The archdiocese has fallen victim to an act of barbarism," said Monsignor Pierre Bulambo, vicar general. Two months ago, two priests were "imprisoned like rats" when attackers set fire to their presbytery, according to Bulambo. "The Congolese are fed up of crying and dying," he said about a growing wave of anti-Christian violence.
Kinshasa Archbishop Pasinya has condemned the attacks stating, "Everything leads us to believe that this violence was directed intentionally against the Catholic Church and its mission of peace and reconciliation."
Two days after Cizimya's brutal murder, Sister Denise Kahambu was shot and killed by three armed men in an attack on a Trappist monastery north of Bukavu.
"The archdiocese has fallen victim to an act of barbarism," said Monsignor Pierre Bulambo, vicar general. Two months ago, two priests were "imprisoned like rats" when attackers set fire to their presbytery, according to Bulambo. "The Congolese are fed up of crying and dying," he said about a growing wave of anti-Christian violence.
Vigil for slain nun
India - A candlelight vigil has been held for 33 year-old Yankyi Dolma, a Buddhist nun attached to the Kardze Lamdrag nunnery who died in a hospital in Chengdu from her injuries sustained from being beaten by security personnel of the Chinese People's Armed Police during her participation in a peaceful protest against the Chinese government held in the Kardze market square last March. The nun was reportedly handing out hand-written pamphlets when she encountered government police. She died in the early morning hours of December 6th.
The vigil was held in Dharamshala, India - home to many Tibetans living in exile. Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people gathered to chant religious hymns in memory of the fallen nun.
The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy has called for an impartial investigation of the tragedy. Another nun, Sonam Yangchen, was also beaten and arrested during the initial incident.
The vigil was held in Dharamshala, India - home to many Tibetans living in exile. Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people gathered to chant religious hymns in memory of the fallen nun.
The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy has called for an impartial investigation of the tragedy. Another nun, Sonam Yangchen, was also beaten and arrested during the initial incident.
Monday, December 7, 2009
In the footsteps of Jesus
United Kingdom - A new film presents evidence that Jesus spent time in the West Country part of Britain before beginning his Biblically documented public life. A teen-aged Jesus went to the Cornish towns of Penzance, Falmouth, Looe and St- Just-in-Roseland and Glastonbury in Somerset with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph had business with a number of Cornish mines.
Christ studied mathematics with the Druids and built a mud and wood church in Glastonbury which he then then dedicated to his mother, according to the movie. "And Did Those Feet" was made by Dr Gordon Strachan, an Edinburgh University professor of architecture, as well as, a Church of Scotland minister and Ted Harrison - who has worked as a religious correspondent for BBC News.
This documentary film also provides circumstantial evidence suggesting that Britain was a center of learning for any wealthy, young Palestinian at that time. The period between the ages of 12 and 30 in the life of Christ were not covered by the New Testament gospels.
Christ studied mathematics with the Druids and built a mud and wood church in Glastonbury which he then then dedicated to his mother, according to the movie. "And Did Those Feet" was made by Dr Gordon Strachan, an Edinburgh University professor of architecture, as well as, a Church of Scotland minister and Ted Harrison - who has worked as a religious correspondent for BBC News.
This documentary film also provides circumstantial evidence suggesting that Britain was a center of learning for any wealthy, young Palestinian at that time. The period between the ages of 12 and 30 in the life of Christ were not covered by the New Testament gospels.
Religious leaders convene
Australia - An estimated 8,000 delegates from some 80 countries are expected to attend The Parliament of the World's Religions in Melbourne, Australia, running until December 9th. Rabbis, Islamic scholars, Hindu philosophers, Buddhist monks and Christian leaders will discuss issues ranging from the eradication of poverty to rights of self-determination for indigenous peoples.
Special focus will given to the misunderstanding of Muslim beliefs and traditions. Conference director and Presbyterian minister, Dirk Ficca, said, "we want to give reputable Islamic scholars and leaders the chance...to share what they believe Islam is all about."
Environmental sustainability will also be a topic of importance. The symbolic premise is to bring people together to share ideas and talk about their beliefs. The event is convened every 5 years.
Special focus will given to the misunderstanding of Muslim beliefs and traditions. Conference director and Presbyterian minister, Dirk Ficca, said, "we want to give reputable Islamic scholars and leaders the chance...to share what they believe Islam is all about."
Environmental sustainability will also be a topic of importance. The symbolic premise is to bring people together to share ideas and talk about their beliefs. The event is convened every 5 years.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Buddhist festival
Lalitagiri, India - A two-day festival Buddhist festival - named Buddha Mahotsav - drew monks and scholars, among others, to the Buddhist monastery in Lalitagiri, India, home to a well-known, giant Stupa. Sculptures there date back to the 1st century.
“The aim of the festival is to spread the message of peace and love among the people and to educate them about the teachings of Lord Buddha," said Mr Mihir Jena, the festival chairperson.
Buddhists from as faraway as Norway were in attendance. Processions, prayers, chants, meditation sessions and holy offerings to Buddha were among the many activities participants engaged in. Colorful dances and photo exhibitions were also part of the festival's observances.
For centuries, Lalitagiri, the sole one in eastern India, has remained a prime pilgrimage center for Buddhists from around the world as it is home to a sacred relic of Buddha.
“The aim of the festival is to spread the message of peace and love among the people and to educate them about the teachings of Lord Buddha," said Mr Mihir Jena, the festival chairperson.
Buddhists from as faraway as Norway were in attendance. Processions, prayers, chants, meditation sessions and holy offerings to Buddha were among the many activities participants engaged in. Colorful dances and photo exhibitions were also part of the festival's observances.
For centuries, Lalitagiri, the sole one in eastern India, has remained a prime pilgrimage center for Buddhists from around the world as it is home to a sacred relic of Buddha.