Married
Future of Catholic weddings in Britain in doubt, MPs and Peers told
THE future of Roman Catholic weddings in England and Wales is now in doubt because of David Cameron’s gay marriage bill, the church’s chief legal adviser on the issue has disclosed. Prof Christopher McCrudden said that there are serious questions over whether the 120-year-old legal basis on which 8,500 Catholic weddings a year are performed can even “survive” the passage of the bill currently before Parliament.
Bishops’ conference advises Government over children of Catholic Royals.
The Church expects Catholic spouses to do all they can to raise their children as Catholics but does not censure them if they are unable to do so, a Government spokesman has told the House of Lords as it debated changes to the system of Royal succession.
International Family Centre in Nazareth: Sign of Encouragement for Families Around the World
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, and Dr. Salvatore Martinez, national president of Renewal in the Holy Spirit, presented the Vatican Foundation “International Family Centre in Nazareth”, which will be erected on the outskirts of that city above the hill that dominates the city centre and the Basilica of the Annunciation.
Same-sex marriage could threaten religious freedom in England.
More than 1,000 priests have signed a letter voicing alarm that same-sex marriage could threaten religious freedom in a way last seen during “centuries of persecution” of Roman Catholics in England.
French protests against gay marriage bill
Tens of thousands of people have protested in France against plans to legalise same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt. Police said at least 70,000 took to the streets in Paris; there were other demonstrations in the cities of Lyon, Toulouse and Marseille.
French Catholic Church pro-marriage prayer provokes gay rights row
Roman Catholic congregations in churches across France prayed for traditional marriage on Wednesday, provoking accusations of homophobia from gay rights groups as Paris prepares to legalize same-sex matrimony.
The World Congress of Families endorses a set of principles.
Assembled in Madrid, Spain, this 27th Day of May, 2012, we delegates to The World Congress of Families VI reaffirm the truth that “the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the state” (Article 16, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The World Congress of Families VI endorses a set of principles to create a cultural and political environment that is compatible with life, liberty, and hope for the future.
The benefits of family-oriented policies
An Expert Group Meeting on “Good Practices in Family Policy Making”, will be held in New York from 15 to 17 May 2012. The main issues to be discussed will be family policy making, work-family balance, recent trends in family poverty and social exclusion, anti-poverty family-focused policies, as well as social integration and intergenerational solidarity.
US marriages slump to record low
Barely half of Americans - a record low - are currently married, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census data. Just 51% of adult Americans are married, compared with 72% in 1960.
9 things you shouldn't say to your child
We all say the wrong thing sometimes, leaving our kids feeling hurt, angry, or confused. Read on for some of the most common verbal missteps moms and dads make, and kinder, gentler alternatives. 'Leave me alone!' - 'You're so...' - 'Don't cry' - 'Why can't you be more like your sister?' - 'You know better than that!' - 'Stop or I'll give you something to cry about!' - 'Wait till daddy gets home!' - 'Great job!" or "Good girl!'
Archbishop Nichols: marriage is a public good
In his homily Archbishop Nichols explained that marriage was nevertheless the key to a successful family life and the happiness and security of children because it was the most successful framework “for the relationship of love of a man and a woman to become faithful, fruitful and permanent”.
IDS think-tank criticises coalition on family policies
The Centre for Social Justice said more needed to be done to tackle relationship breakdown. The government's record on supporting marriage and preventing family breakdown have been dubbed a failure.
Daily Word
Mark 9:14-29 "'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."
| Readings | Commentary |
| Liturgy | Calendar |
- The Solemnity of the Ascension
- Fatima, May 13th - all Catholic life is here!
- Guidelines for the Long Haul - Revisited
- “Instead of us closing parishes and closing schools, we’re doing the opposite. We’re in total growth mode,”
- Historic Meeting between Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt.
- 2013 Pontifical Yearbook: Permanent diaconate booms in Europe, U.S.
- Educating women is the key to lowering maternal mortality
- Same-sex marriages: what do the children think?
- Commentary to The Solemnity of Pentecost
- Final days of Jesus' life to be performed in St Neots
