Military Archdiocese Praises Vets for ‘Noble Causes’

WASHINGTON – In a statement for Veterans’ Day, the U.S. military archdiocese paid tribute to “every man and woman who faithfully served in the noble causes of securing peace and freedom in the military service of our great nation.”

The statement, issued by Auxiliary Bishop Richard B. Higgins, archdiocesan administrator and vicar for veterans affairs of the Washington-based U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, said, “To our courageous and honorable veterans, we thank you. The archdiocese ... stands ready to serve your spiritual and pastoral needs wherever you find yourself in the journey of life.”

He said, “The same devoted spirit that drove our patriotic ancestors to fight alongside” Gen. George Washington in the Revolutionary War and Gen. George Patton in World War II “still rings true for those who fight alongside our current generals in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever American troops are deployed.”

The statement was released Nov. 9 to mark Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11. The national holiday this year was Nov. 12.

Pope Tells Portuguese Bishops to Involve Laity

VATICAN CITY – Where Mass attendance is falling and parish involvement is dropping, Church leaders must find ways to reaffirm that the Church is a community where the contribution of each person is important, Pope Benedict XVI said.

But, he told the Portuguese bishops, it is essential to keep in mind that unity in the Church must flow first of all from members’ unity with Christ.

“This does not mean we should not discuss proper order within the Church and the allocation of responsibilities; there will always be imbalances that require correction,” he said.

“But these issues cannot distract us from the real mission of the Church, which is not to speak of itself, but of Christ.”

Pope: World Must Make Resources Accessible to All

VATICAN CITY – Only through a widespread, coordinated effort to allocate the world’s wealth fairly will it be possible to ensure all people have access to food, water, health care, employment and needed energy resources, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Answering this “great challenge of our time” can only come about if “a global model of authentic solidarity prevails,” he said during his Nov. 11 Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope recalled that the day marked the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, “the saintly monk and bishop who was moved with such great compassion for the sufferings of the poor.”

He said St. Martin carried out Christ’s “logic of sharing, with which one expresses authentic love for the other,” when the saint cut his own cloak in half to clothe a poor, shivering man he had encountered on the street.

“Only through a common commitment to sharing is it possible to respond to the great challenge of our time: that is to build a world of justice and peace where everyone can live in dignity,” the pope said.

Vatican Tells U.N. to Work For Holy Land Compromise

UNITED NATIONS – Not working to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiation and compromise is to perpetuate continued injustice, said the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore said the Vatican “remains convinced that the two-state solution has the best chance to settle the crisis.”

However, he said, it is up to Israelis, Palestinians and neighboring states to “set aside the pretense of peacemaking and start full negotiations on the two-state solution.”

The archbishop made his remarks to a committee of the U.N. General Assembly.
He said the Vatican also believes “a lasting solution must include the status of the holy city of Jerusalem.”

Lebanese Bishops: Failure Of Consensus Means Chaos

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Lebanon’s Catholic bishops warned that rival politicians’ failure to agree on a consensus candidate for the presidency will lead the country to unprecedented disruption.

The prelates admonished pro-government and opposition leaders and insisted that elections take place “on time and in line with the constitution.”

“The general situation (that) Lebanon is suffering does not call for tranquility, especially the presidential issue, which the Lebanese wait for with anxiety because of the strong tension between the pro-government (forces) and the opposition,” said the Maronite bishops, following their Nov. 7 meeting.

“That’s why we reiterate with insistence our appeal for unity, so the presidential issue will be held in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution,” they said.

Chilean Bishops Defend Refusal to Sell Abortifacient

SANTIAGO, Chile – Chilean Catholic bishops have defended a Chilean pharmaceutical company’s right to refuse to sell the morning-after pill because it considers the drug abortive.

Auxiliary Bishop Fernando Chomali Garib of Santiago, a member of the bishops’ bioethics commission, wrote in early November that forcing the pharmaceutical industry to sell the drug is wrong. At least one pharmaceutical company said the government is forcing it to sell the drug.

“To force salespeople, pharmacists and pharmacy executives, as well as pharmacy shareholders and owners, to collaborate materially and formally in the sale of a product that is harmful to health ... constitutes not only an abuse of power ... but also an act of intolerance in the name of tolerance. ... Refusing to participate in an injustice is not only a moral duty, but also a fundamental right,” Bishop Chomali said.

The Chilean Health Ministry fined three pharmaceutical companies that control 90% of the Chilean market for not selling Levonorgestrel 0.75 as required by law.