Scottish Catholic Observer

UK

The Scottish government wants the note, granting William Wallace (statute above) passage to visit the Pope in 1300, handed to Scotland’s national archives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12262174

Seven Church of England priests and 300 members of their congregations are converting to a new section of the Roman Catholic church.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/8277123/Seven-Anglican-priests-and-300-parishioners-join-Catholic-church.html

Vatican reps meet with clerical abuse victims in Northern Ireland

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Vatican-reps-meet-with-clerical-abuse-victims-in-Northern-Ireland-114446174.html

Vatican

Pope to Catholics online: It’s not just about hits; have respectful, discreet interactions

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=127460a82

Vatican holds consultations on Pope JP II beatification ceremony

http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul147888_vatican-holds-consultations-on-jp-ii-beatification-ceremony.html

The right of a man and woman to marry each other is contingent upon their juridical ability to do so, says Benedict XVI.

http://www.zenit.org/article-31544?l=english

Papal officials have defended the Vatican’s call for the protection of Christians in the Middle East following Al-Azhar’s announcement that it would suspend interfaith dialogue with the Holy See.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/after-al-azhar-snub-vatican-defends-calls-protect-mid-east-christians

Pope blesses special lambs on Feast of St Agnes

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-blesses-special-lambs-on-feast-of-st.-agnes/

There are signs the Italian prime minister might not count on Church backing for long

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0124/1224288164436.html

—Cross Wires is the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper’s blog