Scottish Catholic Observer

VATICAN/WYD

Pope Benedict XVI (above) expressed concern yesterday’s Angelus about the ongoing unrest in Libya and last week’s assassination of Pakistan’s only Christian cabinet minister.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Pope-Benedict-Expresses-Concern-About-Violence-in-Libya-and-Pakistan-117488783.html

Vatican to consult the bishops of the world on the New Evangelisation.

Video link: http://www.romereports.com/palio/Vatican-consults-the-bishops-of-the-world-on-the-New-Evangelization-english-3653.html

Bishops conclude youth ministry meeting on World Youth Day.

http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=467666

NEW ZEALAND

Pope Benedict is donating $NZ67,700 to assist people affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/pope-donates-67-000-christchurch-4047043

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand will allocate at least 25 per cent of its annual Lent Appeal towards assisting people hit by the Christchurch earthquake.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1103/S00298/catholic-churchs-lent-appeal-25-percent-to-christchurch.htm

The International Council on Monuments and Sites says talk of razing heritage buildings in Christchurch, such as the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, is highly premature.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/69988/heritage-sector-warns-against-rushed-demolition-decisions

UK AND IRELAND

Group of Irish priests call for publication of new missal translation to be suspended.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0305/1224291372552.html

The moderator of the Church of Scotland has accused the Old Firm football teams of ‘besmirching the name of Scotland’ and has branded recent on-field antics as ‘shameful.’

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/232925/Now-Kirk-wades-into-Old-Firm-row/Now-Kirk-wades-into-Old-Firm-row#ixzz1FqbBM5gZ

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will assess his future after terror threat.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1363205/Lennon-quit-Celtic-Parkhead-boss-assess-future-terror-threat.html#ixzz1FqyMSyRc

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has called for a return to the tradition of self-sacrifice and abstinence during Lent.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12657101

Audio link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12658672

Mixed reaction to news that Queen Elizabeth II is to pay a state visit to Ireland this year – the first ever by a British monarch since Irish independence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12652934

Prince of Wales adds his contribution to the YouTube Bible.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/prince.of.wales.adds.his.contribution.to.the.youtube.bible/27623.htm

AND FINALLY

Deacon Keith Fournier analyses US Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s labeling of President Obama’s decision on federal marriage law as ‘alarming.’

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=40578

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