MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2009

"He fasted for forty days and forty nights,
and afterwards he was hungry" (Mt 4,1-2)

Pope: Catholic politicians must protect life

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday told U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who supports abortion rights, that Catholic politicians have a duty to protect life "at all stages of its development," the Vatican said.

Pelosi is the first top Democrat to meet with Benedict since the election of Barack Obama, who won a majority of the Catholic vote despite differences with the Vatican on abortion.

The Vatican released remarks by the pope to Pelosi, saying Benedict spoke of the church's teaching "on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death." That is an expression often used by the pope when expressing opposition to abortion.

Benedict said all Catholics—especially legislators, jurists and political leaders—should work to create "a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development."

Pelosi could not immediately be reached after the 15-minute meeting, which was closed to reporters and photographers. The two met in a small room of a Vatican auditorium after the pope's weekly public audience.

A number of the bishops in the United States have questioned Pelosi's stance on abortion, particularly her theological defense of her support for abortion rights.

Benedict has cautiously welcomed the new Democratic administration, although several American cardinals have sharply criticized its support of abortion rights in a break from former President George W. Bush.

Pelosi had meetings with Italian leaders the past few days, including Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

I'm very curious to see if there is any change in Pelosi, if she comes back from meeting with the POPE, being DIRECTLY COUNSELED on this specific issue and STILL DOES NOT CHANGE, we all know where she will be going.

Mrs. Murphy

But Will it Be Carried Out?

Vatican Official: Bishops Have no Choice But to Refuse Communion to Pro-Abort Politicians

By Hilary White

ROME, January 30, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Archbishop Raymond Burke, in an exclusive interview last week, told LifeSiteNews.com that the issue of pro-abortion politicians continuing to receive Holy Communion is still one of major concern and that it is the duty of bishops to ensure that they are refused.

He told LifeSiteNews.com, "I don't understand the continual debate that goes on about it. There's not a question that a Catholic who publicly, and after admonition, supports pro-abortion legislation is not to receive Holy Communion and is not to be given Holy Communion."

"The Church's law is very clear," said Archbishop Burke, who was appointed last year by Pope Benedict XVI as the head of the Church's highest court, the Apostolic Signatura. "The person who persists publicly in grave sin is to be denied Holy Communion, and it [Canon Law] doesn't say that the bishop shall decide this. It's an absolute."

To read the full story click here.

Do you think this will really happen? Do you think the priests will actually carry out this action? I pray so, and am waiting to see.

Mrs. Murphy

The Vatican on You Tube!

My mood has been foul to see the liberals applaud President Obama upon the unknown future of currently safely detained terrorists, the proposal to grant these people who hate us so more civil liberties while the celebration continues to fund the murder of innocent unborn babies not just here in America, but overseas as well....all funded by OUR TAX DOLLARS. I've been sickened by it, really. Save the terrorists, kill babies, yea!?

So, I was sooo happy this morning to open my email and find so many friends sharing the news that the Vatican has created it's own You Tube channel! My first word: AWESOME! Click here for the story, and go to http://www.youtube.com/vatican to check out what's happening in the Vatican daily!

We LOVE You Tube!! Wicked Awesome!!
Mrs. Murphy