Some recent news highlights include...
* Pope Benedict's planned visit to a Jewish synagogue in Rome on January 17 is expected to go ahead as planned, despite some Jewish anger over the Holy Father's declaration of Pope Pius XII as venerable
* Muslims in Malaysia are angry over a court ruling which permits a Catholic newspaper to use the word "Allah" as a translation for God. The paper claims it is the "only suitable word for God in Malay". The controversial ruling in the Muslim-majority country has sparked protest, which has included both an organized online effort by a group of Muslims who reject the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims & the hacking of the Catholic newspaper's website. The government is expected to appeal the ruling on this "very sensitive issue"
* Two new members have been named to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, including a priest from a traditional institute (the FSSP)
* "Timeless treasures" from the Vatican's Secret Archives have been published for the first time in a 252-page illustrated book which is available to the general public. A special limited edition of the book - priced over $8,000 - is also available to about 30 buyers
* A bishop in China's underground Catholic Church died on December 30 at the age of 87. Bishop Leon Yao Liang was imprisoned for more than 28 years for his fidelity to the Catholic Church. News of his death is said to have been "tightly controlled" by Chinese authorities
* The Irish Cardinal Daly has died at age 92
* A new Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jerome Listecki, is being installed. He replaces Archbishop Dolan who was transferred to New York last year
* Bishop D'Arcy has celebrated his final Mass in South Bend as the head of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. He will be replaced by Bishop Kevin Rhoades
* Atheists in Ireland have published blasphemous statements on a website to challenge a new anti-blasphemy law which threatens fines of up to 25,000 euros (which may total more than $35,000 U.S.)
* Schism in Uganda: Twenty priests who reject their vow of celibacy have reportedly left the Catholic Church to form a new "church". The vow-breaking, schismatic priests now face excommunication [Related: Why Priestly Celibacy?]
* A former Argentinean archbishop has been sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of a seminary student
* Heartbreaking: PP has reported that more than 1.1 million "abortion services" were provided in 2008, more than double the amount provided in 2007. Despite the huge increase, they say the figures "remain low" and claim that "much needs to be done". They plan to "seize upon" what they see as "growing international interest" and hope to garner new support & financing for their anti-life agenda
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