Scottish Catholic Observer

Scottish Government to introduce tougher laws which crack down on people who shout sectarian abuse in football stadiums or ‘peddle religious hate’ online.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13399728

The Catholic Church in England and Wales is to reintroduce the practice of abstaining from red meat on Fridays.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/catholics.to.return.to.no.meat.on.fridays/27983.htm

Pope Benedict XVI appeals for peace in Libya and Syria.

http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/articolo.asp?c=487363

Pro-euthanasia group Campaign group Dignity in Dying says Swiss voters have made a ‘brave decision’ in rejecting calls to ban assisted suicide for non-residents Care not Killing said it was disappointed after 78 per cent voted against outlawing it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13405719

The Irish Prime Minister has described the Queen’s upcoming four day visit to the Republic, starting on tomorrow, as a chance to heal the past. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has issued a conciliatory statement emphasising the positive effect of the Royal trip.

http://tinyurl.com/3mlzxpd

Another leading Catholic priest has offered to hold peace talks with the Real IRA ahead of the Queen’s visit to Ireland.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Priest-offers-to-hold-peace-talks-with-real-IRA-ahead-of-Queens-visit–121852714.html

Catholic church beatifies German priest who opposed Nazis.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1639262.php/Catholic-church-beatifies-German-priest-who-opposed-Nazis

Holy Fathers prays for victims of Spanish earthquake.

http://www.zenit.org/article-32572?l=english

Holy Father’s message for 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

http://www.sconews.co.uk/opinion/holy-fathers-vocations-message/

Up to 400 people, mainly Eritreans, are being held for ransom by people-traffickers in Egypt’s Sinai desert, a Catholic priest has told the BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13388039

OPINION CHALLENGING SCHOOLS ON SECTARIANISM

Kenny Farquharson: “I’m a supporter of denominational schools… but I roll my eyes when people insist our system of religious apartheid is not a factor in the sectarianism.”

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sos-news-columnists/Kenny-Farquharson-New-school-of.6768358.jp

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