Scottish Catholic Observer

SCOTLAND

First Minister Alex Salmond (above) convenes a summit prompted by ‘shameful’ violence at Wednesday’s Scottish Cup replay between Celtic and Rangers after which there were 34 arrests for sectarian offences, racial abuse and breach of the peace.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/03/salmond-calls-summit-over-football-violence

Aristocrats and local people gathered at St Mary’s in Eskadale this week to bid farewell to Hugh Fraser, a senior member of the Lovat Fraser clan. Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, a former priest in the Highlands who was a personal friend, celebrated the funeral Mass.

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/14495/Family_and_friends_mark_passing_of_senior_clansman.html

VATICAN

Pope Benedict XVI received Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera at the Vatican.

http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=466933

Video link: http://www.romereports.com/palio/Pope-meets-with-President-of-Chile-Sebastian-Pinera-in-the-Vatican-english-3644.html

Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the need for the ongoing catecheses and formation of the laity, and the importance of interreligious dialogue during the ad limina visit by bishops from the Philippines yesterday.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Dialogue-with-other-religions-a-high-priority-for-the-Church,-says-Pope-20935.html

The Vatican may soon be ready to issue a set of comprehensive revisions to the laws governing crime and punishment in the church for, among other things, sexual abuse by clergy. Project by Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts.

http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/crime-and-punishment-church-gets-new-look

INTERNATIONAL

‘Sex abuse is the Catholic 9/11,’ says author Massimo Franco.

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/sex-abuse-catholic-911

Maronite conclave to meet next week to elect new patriarch

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=125536#ixzz1FZvidqkU

Polish President Bronisław Komorowski will invite former presidents and prime ministers to join him on board the presidential plane on his way to Rome for the beatification ceremony of John Paul II on 1 May.

http://www.thenews.pl/national/artykul150522_top-ranking-politicians-to-attend-popes-beatification.html

NATIONAL

Anglicans who chose to ‘go home’ to Rome.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12624594

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