Pope Benedict has welcomed the adoption of an international treaty to ban cluster munitions. Speaking at Castel Gandolfo on August 1 as the treaty came into effect, the Pope took time after his weekly Angelus to praise the 108 nations which have now signed up to the treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), banning both the stockpiling and use of the devastating weapon which scatters hundreds of bomblets over a targeted area, many of which do not immediately explode but later cause injury and death to returning civilians. The Pope hailed the treaty as one ''for the defence of human dignity and human life'' and urged those remaining countries yet to accept the CCM to follow the example of the 108, ''to establish a peaceful international order and to achieve the common good of all persons and all peoples''.
Countries not signing up to the treaty include the United States, China and Russia.
The treaty against cluster munitions was first adopted by 100 states attending the Diplomatic Conference in Croke Park, Dublin, in May 2008.
Vatican
Abortion document
The Vatican is preparing a document to detail the effects of abortion on women. Set to be released in 2011, news of the document's formulation was issued last weekend by Archbishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
''The existence of post-abortion syndrome is a well known fact that has already been developed in much literature,'' the archbishop said, adding that the Pontifical Academy's own document would focus on various areas of the issue including the depressive effects of termination on a woman.
''It is true that abortion, in addition to killing an innocent person, profoundly affects the conscience of the woman who undergoes it. It is a question, then, that cannot be ignored, especially from a pastoral point of view.''
Stem cell criticism
The former president of the Pontifical Academy for Life has condemned a US decision to begin the use of embryonic stem cells in clinical trials.
The US Food and Drug Administration has given its approval for the use of such cells in treating people with spinal injuries as part of a research project to test the effects of the cells.
Decrying the move, Italian Bishop Elio Sgreccia said the use of cells amounted to ''the sacrifice of human beings'', and even if successful, ''morally it would still be a crime''. In sanctioning the use of embryonic cells, America becomes the first country to allow for such treatment on patients.
Pope's intentions
The Pope will pray throughout August for those unemployed and struggling through the current world financial crisis, the Vatican has announced.
Pope Benedict's general prayer intention is: ''That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties.'' His mission intention is: ''That the Church may be a 'home' for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.''
Italy
Peter's prison
Archaeologists in Rome have indicated that the Christian tradition that holds St Peter was held in the ancient Mamertine Prison before his crucifixion may be based in fact (see picture).
Though not finding any direct evidence to link the saint with the prison, now a site of excavation below the Church of St Joseph of the Carpenters, located opposite the Roman Forum, researchers have worked to uncover mosaics of Jesus with Peter, and through these have identified the site as a place of veneration for Peter as far back as the 7th Century, leading to a working theory that the tradition of veneration grew from an actual period of incarceration imposed on Peter there.
Holy Land
Water threat
Jerusalem officials have indicated they may shut off the water supply to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Though water has been supplied to the site free for the best part of a century throughout British, Jordanian and Israeli control, officials at the church have stated that the arrangement is under threat, with Jerusalem authorities demanding a paid scheme as well as back payment to 1967 when Israel took control of Jerusalem.
The water situation for the Holy Sepulchre is not helped by the fact that such services, which are part of ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Holy See, have not yet been agreed in spite of numerous fraught meetings.
United States
Professor reinstated
A professor removed from his position at the University of Illinois for entering an email discussion on Catholic Church teaching on homosexuality has been reinstated. Professor Kenneth Howell had previously delivered a lecture on the subject of Catholic Church teaching and entered a later online discussion on that specific teaching related to homosexuality. A student's complaint of 'hate speech' levelled against him led directly to his dismissal.
However, university authorities have now reversed that decision and confirmed they ''will be contacting Dr Howell to offer him the opportunity to teach at the University of Illinois for the fall 2010 semester''.
Mexico
Priest murdered
An elderly priest has been stabbed to death in his church. Fr Carlos Salvador Wotto, who was 80, was discovered bound and stabbed in Nuestra Senora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snow), in the southern city of Oaxaca. No suspects have yet been identified in the murder. The diocese has refused to comment pending the outcome of a police investigation.
Iraq
Christian kidnapped
A Chaldean Christian has been abducted by armed men from his business in the city of Kirkuk. Yonan Daniel Mammo, is the latest victim in the targeting of the country's Christian community by criminals taking advantage of the power vacuum in the region, as politicians continue to try to form a government four months after parliamentary elections.
Death of bishop
Iraqi Christians are mourning the loss of Bishop Andreas Abouna, who died on July 27, aged 67.
Born in 1943, Andreas Abouna entered St Peter's seminary in Mosul aged 14 and was ordained in 1966, going on to serve as a priest in Baghdad for 20 years before his elevation to Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad in 2002. He took up his position just ahead of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and Bishop Abouna's task quickly became one of support for Christians who became targets for violent insurgents. On news of the bishop's death, Church leaders in Iraq paid tribute to him, one stating that ''he was always smiling, even in very difficult situations''.
China
Priest arrested
A priest of the underground Church has been arrested immediately after his release from prison. Fr Peter Wang of the Diocese of Xiwanzi had been held since 2007 and was exiting the gates of the Tangshang Jidong to greet family and well-wishers when he was seized by four men who forced him into a car and then drove back into the prison complex.
Supporters of the priest have alleged that the move is a further attempt by the authorities to force Fr Wang to renounce the underground Church and join the government-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.
DR Congo
Cardinal named as national hero
A leading Churchman who stood against the excesses of the regime of General Mobutu has been declared a national hero by President Joseph Kabila. From the commencement of the regime in 1965, Cardinal Joseph Albert Malula stood firm against demands made by Mobutu in respect to Christianity, such as the requirement to reject Christian names in favour of non-Christian alternatives. The cardinal was also vocal in condemning the ruler's abuse of wealth at the expense of his people. Cardinal Malula died in 1989 as his country moved towards democracy.
Pakistan
Anniversary march
A major march in Faisalabad has commemorated the first anniversary of an anti-Christian pogrom in the country. Over 2,000 people marched to recall the violent drive by Islamic extremists against Gojra city Christians in August 2009. The attacks left eight Christians dead and many homes and business looted and burned.
Among others, the marchers were addressed by Muslim leaders who described the attacks as standing against the message of the Koran, and the attackers as unworthy of the title 'Muslim'.
The 2009 attacks were prompted by rumours that a copy of the Koran had been desecrated near Gojra, and incident traced to schoolchildren cutting up a schoolbook in order to make confetti.
