Suspects Arrested For Alleged Terrorist Threat Against Pope Benedict [Updated]

Five men were arrested in London on Friday over an alleged terrorist threat against Pope Benedict XVI. According to one source, the men are "suspected Islamist terrorists from a variety of countries." The suspects were reportedly "planning to assassinate the Pope", but were arrested and are being held by police. An initial search reportedly turned up "no hazardous items." The incident is not expected to affect the Holy Father's schedule during his historic U.K. visit.

Update: A sixth man has been arrested in connection with the suspected terrorist plot against the Holy Father. The sixth suspect, a 29 year old, was reportedly arrested at his home. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the sixth suspect is from Algeria, a predominately Muslim country in North Africa.

[9/17]

BBC Coverage During Papal Visit Expected To "Upset Many Catholics"

Besides the spectacle of dissenting ads on buses, calls for the Holy Father's arrest, anti-Catholic protests, and a possible incitement to violence by an Islamic publication, it is expected that television coverage during the upcoming papal visit to the U.K. will "upset many Catholics." According to a recent Zenit article, "the BBC is expected to upset many Catholics when it broadcasts a program timed to coincide with the Pope's Sept. 16-19 visit." The article indicates that while details "remain under wraps", reports have indicated that the program may be "a 90-minute drama that puts the Pope on trial" for 'covering up' abuse by priests. Other programming during the papal visit may include a feature on Cardinal Newman - who is scheduled to be beatified by the Pope during his visit - which infers that the Cardinal was homosexual.

[7/23]

A Few More News Highlights

Some recent news highlights...

* The U.K. government has reportedly "moved to prevent the possibility of an arrest warrant being issued" against Pope Benedict when he visits this September. Atheists had called for the Holy Father's arrest for "crimes against humanity" over abuse scandals. A few months ago, the threat of arrest was called "merely a stunt to get public attention" by a Vatican spokesman. Also in the news are reports that a dissenting group will run ads on buses in the U.K. during Pope Benedict's visit. The ads - containing the slogan "Pope Benedict Ordain Women Now" - are expected to appear on routes that "feature on the papal itinerary" [Refresher: Top Reasons Why Women Can't Be Priests]

* A Mass & pilgrimage will commemorate the 100th anniversary of St. Pio of Pietrelcina's (Padre Pio's) ordination in Benevento, Italy on August 10, 2010. A plenary indulgence may be available to participants

* No agenda here: Electronic health records required under recent U.S. legislation reportedly must contain a Body Mass Index ("a measure of obesity"), but apparently patients can choose to exclude information regarding past abortions & positive HIV test results

* In the wake of recent articles condemning the Church for "lack of a zero-tolerance policy" concerning abuse, the Catholic League has noted the hypocrisy of some media outlets who do not themselves have a zero-tolerance policy. The CL also notes that the NY Times Business Ethics Policy requires that their employees report illegal conduct to "any supervisor or the legal department", but no mention is made about reporting illegal actions to law enforcement authorities. [Hmm...]

[7/22]