Signs of the Times

Pope Addresses Diplomats

Addressing diplomats from around the world, Pope Benedict XVI warned that numerous armed conflicts and social disorders have left global stability in a fragile situation. The pope said Jan. 7, that the latest attack on Christian churches in Iraq reflects a continuing climate of terrorism and violence in the country and illustrates the need for constitutional reform to safeguard the rights of minorities. On nuclear weapons, he urged the international community to undertake a joint effort to prevent terrorists from gaining access to weapons of mass destruction. The pope also condemned “continually perpetrated attacks” against human life, in areas ranging from the death penalty to biotechnology, and criticized efforts to weaken the traditional family and the institution of marriage. The world’s problems illustrate that real solutions must be “solidly anchored in natural law, given by the Creator,” he said. “This is another reason why God can never be excluded from the horizon of man or of history. God’s name is a name of justice; it represents an urgent appeal for peace,” he said.

U.N. Calls for Moratorium on Executions

A Dec. 18 vote by the

Hibernians to Expand Pro-Life Efforts

Jack Meehan, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, has urged fellow members to “fight the scourge of abortion “by increasing their support of pro-life efforts. Meehan, who resides in Quincy, Mass., sent a letter to members of the Irish-American lay Catholic group Dec. 28 asking them to “stand up and speak out as never before in defense of human life. “He suggested that the Hibernians expand their pro-life activism with “practical and material support “by continuing to help expectant mothers seeking aid from pregnancy crisis centers and Birthright, an international organization with local chapters that assists women experiencing crisis pregnancies. Meehan also said group members should continue to support This article appears in January 21 2008.