Quotes and news

The current economic recession might result in the moral reawakening of people corrupted by a consumer society, said Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.

The cardinal said he hoped the global economic downturn marked "the end of a certain kind of selfish capitalism. This particular recession is a moment when we have to reflect as a country on what are the things that nourish the values (and) the virtues we want to have", he told London-based newspaper The Times in a February 14 interview.

"Capitalism needs to be underpinned with regulation and a moral purpose," he said, adding, "Let's face it, we now have a 'me, me' society, a more consumerist society, a utilitarian society, and our values and virtues have become diminished."

Reconciliation with SSPX not easy

Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the traditionalist Society of St Pius X (SSPX), said reconciliation with the Vatican on doctrinal issues may be difficult because of different perspectives on Vatican Council II.

Bishop Fellay said Pope Benedict XVI's recent lifting of the excommunications of himself and three other bishops was a positive step toward establishing full communion. But he said reaching doctrinal consensus with the Pope seems difficult. "Certainly he seems close to us on the question of liturgy. On the other hand, he holds very deeply to the innovations of Vatican II."

SSPX could oust bishop

Meanwhile the SSPX may expel Bishop Richard Williamson if the outspoken prelate does not renounce his views on the Holocaust, according to a SSPX priest.

Fr Matthias Gaudron, appearing in a German television interview, said Williamson had been given until the end of this month to distance himself from Holocaust denial which had damaged the SSPX by giving the inaccurate impression that the group encourages such views.

Vatican City is 80

While the Catholic Church is over 2,000 years old, the Vatican City state was only established on February 11, 1929.

In the eighth century, the Church wielded temporal power over what was known as the Papal States. In the 19th century, revolutionaries fought against Papal control in their struggle to unify Italy and the Papal States were dissolved in 1870 after Rome and the surrounding territories were annexed to a unified country covering the entire peninsula.

A dispute with the Italian government over the sovereignty of the Holy See kept Popes confined inside the Vatican walls from 1870 to 1929.

US Speaker Pelosi meets Pope

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who was involved in controversy with Church authorities for her support to keep abortion legal, met privately with Pope Benedict XVI. He told her that all Catholics, especially lawmakers, must work to protect human life at every stage.

In a statement released by her staff, Pelosi said that during the meeting she praised the Church's leadership in fighting poverty, hunger and global warming, as well as the Holy Father's dedication to religious freedom.

(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)