The bishop with responsibility for the parish of Medjugorje has criticised the visit of a cardinal to the disputed Marian shrine.
Responding to the December 29 visit of Cardinal Christoph SchÎnborn of Vienna, Bishop Ratko Peric of the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno insisted that the the cardinal's presence ''does not imply any recognition of the authenticity of the 'apparitions' related to Medjugorje. I regret that the cardinal, with his visit, appearance, and statements, brings something new to the present suffering of the local Church which does not contribute to peace and unity so necessary''.
Bishop Peric has long been an outspoken critic of Medjugorje.
Supporters of Medjugorje have nevertheless been buoyed by Cardinal SchÎnborn's visit, given that he is a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the body tasked with investigating the veracity of the alleged apparitions at the parish church in the town.
For his part, despite visiting a number of those linked with the visions, Cardinal SchÎnborn, who has previously hailed good elements prompted by Medjugorje, notably drug treatments for addicts, insisted his was a ''private'' visit.
United States
Holocaust court action
A court in California has dismissed a 'Nazi-loot' legal action against the Vatican bank. The action arose from claims that, during World War II, the bank laundered assets looted by occupying forces in Croatia, affecting concentration camp survivors now seeking full accounts from the bank during the period and restitution for their losses.
Ruling that, as an agency of a sovereign state, the Vatican bank has immunity from such actions, the court dismissed the case.
Stray bulletkills child
A four year-old boy attending church in Georgia has been killed by a stray bullet apparently fired randomly miles away.
Marquel Peters was in church with his family in Decatur when he was struck and killed. Only after police investigated the death was it revealed that the fatal bullet, from an assault rifle, was most likely fired as part of New Year celebrations nearly three miles away, and by a freak chance hit the boy, an only child.
Euthansia becomes law
The highest court in the state of Montana has cleared the way for euthanasia there, making it the third state to allow the practice.
Ruling that state law could not prevent doctors from helping patients to kill themselves, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Montana to follow Oregon and Washington in offering euthanasia by medication to patients.
New stamp
The US postal service is set to issue a stamp honouring Mother Teresa this year. Consisting of a portrait by artist Thomas Blackshear II, the stamp will be available from August 26, the centenary of the famed nun's birth. Mother Teresa received honorary US citizenship in 1996 from Congress and President Bill Clinton.
Vatican
Busiest year
This year will be the busiest for Pope Benedict XVI since the start of his pontificate.
Already included in his calendar are no less than four papal trips: Malta, (April 17-18) Portugal (May 11-14), Cyprus (June 4-6) and Britain (September 17-19, to be confirmed) where it is hoped he will beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman.
In addition, the Pontiff faces a number of pilgrimages within Italy, including a much-anticipated visit to the famed Shroud of Turin (May 2) and a return to the earthquake-struck L'Aquila region. The exposition of the Shroud itself takes place from April 10 to May 23 (visit www.sindo ne.org). In October (10-24) the Pope will preside over the synod for the Middle East.
2010 will also see the publication of the second part of Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazereth.
Britain
Church bullying
Members of religious traditions across the country are joining a major trade union in an attempt to gain protection from bullying within their Churches. The Unite trade union, which has a 'faith workers branch', has revealed that at least 150 Christian, Jewish and Muslim clerics have taken membership with a view to gaining union rights and backing against institutional bullying. The union is working to gain full employment rights for clergy in Britain.
Spain
Compostela Holy Year
The city of Compostela is gearing up for an expected 10 million pilgrims during its official holy year.
The holy year takes place in any given year when the feast of St James the Greater falls on a Sunday. The saint's relics are an annual draw for many thousands of pilgrims.
Marking the opening of this holy year, Pope Benedict issued a message in which he said: The shrine of Santiago de Compostela from the 9th to the 16th Centuries was frequented by countless pilgrims. They came on foot from various countries and reflect an idea of pilgrimage that is at once religious, social, and charitable.''
Malaysia
'Allah' courtchallenge
The government has vowed to appeal a court decision on non-Muslim use of the name 'Allah'.
Following a High Court ruling that a national Catholic newspaper can legally use the name 'Allah' in reference to God, the nation's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has indicated the Home Ministry will launch a legal appeal to a ruling that some have described as 'confusing' for Muslims.
In 2007, the Home Ministry banned the use of 'Allah' by non-Muslim publications to avoid the 'risk' of drawing Muslims towards Christianity.
Vietnam
Fears for clerics
There are fears that the government is preparing to crack down harder on Catholic clerics following a strong New Year message.
In the statement, issued by the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the city's Redemptorist Order is condemned for defying ''the Party's policies and the nation's laws''.
The reference is to the Order's support for prayer vigils at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where faithful gather to show support for a disputed sister church in Hanoi.
Previously, authorities have tried to disrupt gatherings at Our Lady's and maintain surveillance on its visitors. Now Catholics believe the message signals a new phase in anti-Church activity.
