Pope Announces “Year of the Faith” for 2012-2013

Pope Benedict XVI has announced plans to invoke a “Year of the Faith” for 2012-2013 in order to “give new impetus to the mission of the whole Church to lead men out of the desert in which they often find themselves, to the place of life, of friendship with Christ.”

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Pope: Better to be Searching Agnostic than Fake Believer

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

Pope Benedict XVI delivered a provocative message in his final homily on German soil this weekend, telling the faithful that it is better to be a searching agnostic than a fake believer. It was just one of many shining moments on a trip that even the mainstream media are dubbing a “success.”

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Pope’s Visit to Germany Expected to be “Difficult”

Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

When Pope Benedict XVI steps off a plane in his native Germany tomorrow morning, he will be embarking on what many say will be a difficult four-day visit to a land where Catholic teaching is mostly opposed or at least ignored and militant groups are planning large boycotts and protests.

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Pope Tells Young Couples to Forego Cohabitation and Choose “Forever” with Conviction

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

During a meeting with young married couples at the closing ceremony of Italy’s Eucharistic Congress, Pope Benedict XVI gave sage advice to families on dating, commitment and the false belief that living together before marriage can somehow guarantee a happy future.

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Pope Sends Condolences on Sept. 11 Anniversary

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

In a letter to New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan marking the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Pope Benedict XVI condemned the violence of that day, saying that the tragedy was compounded by the perpetrators’ claim to be acting in God’s name.

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Pope Wows Secular Madrid

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

From the moment he landed in one of Europe’s most secular nations, Pope Benedict XVI took on secularism in Spain, encouraging a massive throng of nearly one million youth from 190 countries to build their lives “on the firm foundation” of the Christian faith.

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