Italy proposes mandating display of crucifixes in public buildings
July 24, 2018 CNA Daily News News Briefs 1 Print
Rome, Italy, Jul 24, 2018 / 12:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A bill has been introduced in the Italian parliament which would require the visible display of crucifixes in public buildings, Italian news magazine L'Espresso reported Monday.
The bill, "Dispositions concerning the display of the crucifix in schools and in offices of public administration," proposes crucifixes be visibly hung in places such as schools, universities, prisons, public offices, consulates, embassies, and ports.
The proposal would also order a fine of up to 1,000 euros ($1,169) for non-compliance. The bill now waits to be scheduled for discussion in the Chamber and Senate.
It was introduced by the country's Lega Nord party, headed by Matteo Salvini, the newly-made interior minister and deputy prime minister alongside the leader of the Five Star Movement, Luigi di Maio.
Italy's general election, held in May, resulted in a coalition government led by Lega Nord and the Five Star Movement, both of which are center-right populist parties.
A similar decision was made by the government of Bavaria, a German state.
Bavarian premier Markus Söder announced April 24 that the entrances to state building would be required to display a cross by June 1. Söder's office said the decision was meant to "express the historical and cultural character of Bavaria" and to present "a visible commitment to the core values of the legal and social order in Bavaria and Germany."
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Tribunal says China uses coercion in organ harvesting, targets religious minorities
June 22, 2019 CNA Daily News 0
London, England, Jun 22, 2019 / 04:04 pm (CNA).- An investigative tribunal has said that forced harvesting of organs for transplant continues in China, with religious minorities especially targeted.
"Forced organ harvesting has been committed fo… […]
Priest in Scotland wants to visit in jail the man who robbed him
July 21, 2018 CNA Daily News 1
Motherwell, Scotland, Jul 21, 2018 / 04:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Father Patrick Hennessy, who was robbed and attacked in May at his rectory in Scotland, says he has forgiven his robber and wants to visit him in prison to give him pastoral care.
Michael McTaggart, 41, was sentenced to four years imprisonment July 17 at Glasgow Sheriff Court for the May 13 robbery of Fr. Hennessy, 73.
Fr. Hennessy told the Scottish Catholic Observer after the sentencing that "it's a heavy sentence for the fella and I feel quite sorry for him as I think he must have so many problems. I wasn't expecting him to get anything like four years jail time, it's obviously a huge mistake for the guy."
"I would now actually go and visit him in prison if it could be arranged because he obviously needs some help."
Around 9:40 pm on May 13, McTaggart knocked on Fr. Hennessy's rectory door. Fr. Hennessy is pastor of St. Columbkille's in Rutherglen, in the Diocese of Motherwell, and is known regularly to help those who come to his door with donations of food.
McTaggart grabbed the priest and demanded money.
"Father Hennessy gave him two pink collection envelopes he believed to contain £10 each and five pounds from his pocket," prosecutor Louise MacNeil told the court, according to Glasgow Live's Ashlie McAnally.
McTaggart continued asking for money, and Fr. Hennessy gave him a donation box, thought to have had about GBP 100 ($130).
While McTaggart went through the envelopes in the donation box, Fr. Hennessy was able to run into the street and alert neighbors, and McTaggart fled.
At the sentencing the judge, Martin Jones, addressed McTaggart, saying, "You have pled guilty to an extremely serious offence … You used violence to extract money from him and pulled hm in to the house after you had obtained money and threatened him in the vestibule of the premises."
"The time has come to realise if you continue offending this way your sentences are going to get longer and longer."
At the time of the assault, McTaggart had been released early from a previous sentence.
Fr. Hennessy said the St. Vincent de Paul Society will now handle donations at St. Columbkille's, and is operated out of the parish hall.
The Motherwell diocese commented that "the safety of priests and religious living in parishes is paramount. In light of recent incidents, the diocese has offered support to all priests to review the security measures across all presbyteries and parish halls."
Treat inmates with compassion, Pope Francis urges prison staff
February 7, 2019 CNA Daily News 3
Rome, Italy, Feb 7, 2019 / 09:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Often spaces of suffering, prisons should be places of hope and the possibility of redemption, Pope Francis told prison personnel Thursday, urging them to have compassion on the 'wounds'… […]
Fr Peter Morello
Bavaria a happy surprise. Italy miraculous. Restoring the Cross in public will hopefully pass Govt muster in Italy and begin the impossible. Restoration of Christian European culture.
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Pres. Obama: Defending traditional marriage is "a bad idea"
Carl E. Olson May 16, 2012 0
From the CNN blog, which follows "The View" more closely than I do: Less than a week after President Barack Obama made history by endorsing same-sex marriage, the president would not commit to fighting to […]