Articles by Alan Holdren
Vatican plans 'spiritual journey' for John Paul II beatification
Apr 5, 2011 / 11:09 amPerhaps the grandest beatification ceremony ever celebrated – the May 1 beatification of Pope John Paul II – will be divided into stages to maintain a solemn spirit across three days of prayerful preparation, celebration and thanksgiving.
Pope approves new ‘blesseds’ from Spanish Civil War, French Revolution
Apr 4, 2011 / 11:41 amTwenty-two martyrs of the Spanish Civil War and a priest beheaded during the French Revolution will be declared “blessed” by the Church in coming months.
New Ukrainian Catholic leader to combat secularism with alliances
Apr 1, 2011 / 10:34 amThe 40-year old bishop newly elected to lead the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has ambitious plans to resist growing secularism in his country, drawing on help from Rome and a "strategic alliance" with the Orthodox Churches.
Patriarch sees Egypt faced with a choice: Democracy or Islamism
Mar 31, 2011 / 13:56 pm"We don't have an intermediate choice" between Islamism and democracy, says Cardinal Patriarch Antonios Naguib about the future of Egypt.
Pope sends top Vatican official to Ivory Coast
Mar 30, 2011 / 12:13 pmInternal conflicts in the Ivory Coast that threaten tear the country apart are a cause of such great concern for Pope Benedict XVI that he sent a top African official from the Vatican to plead for peace.
As beatification nears, memories of John Paul II surface
Mar 29, 2011 / 23:24 pmWith the May 1 beatification of Pope John Paul II fast approaching, those who knew and loved the late pontiff are speaking out about the imprint he left on the Church and the world.
Caritas bishop sees long days ahead in Japanese rebuilding
Mar 29, 2011 / 12:26 pmJapan’s top Catholic charities official says the people face great challenges rebuilding their lives in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Good Friday stations will have Augustinian mark
Mar 29, 2011 / 09:51 amPope Benedict XVI asked a sister of the order of St. Augustine to author the prayers and meditations that will be used for this year's Good Friday way of the cross in Rome.
Atheists and Catholics in Paris examine question of God
Mar 28, 2011 / 14:56 pmPope Benedict XVI called for a greater sense of brotherhood in the world as the first official modern forum for dialogue between believers and non-believers was inaugurated last week in Paris.
At site of Nazi massacre, Pope deplores ‘grave offense to God’
Mar 28, 2011 / 10:50 amPope Benedict XVI made a heartfelt appeal for peace at an emotional memorial ceremony in Rome, March 27.
Pope's Lenten preacher designs spiritual exercises to prepare for JP II beatification
Mar 19, 2011 / 12:07 pmThe preacher of this year’s spiritual exercises in the Vatican designed this week’s meditations on the theme of the universal call to holiness to anticipate the May 1 beatification of Pope John Paul II.
World's largest bronze stations of the cross line street in Rome
Mar 14, 2011 / 16:44 pmAnyone making their way along Rome's Via della Conciliazione toward St. Peter's Basilica this Lent will be greeted by the world’s largest bronze representation of the stations of the cross.
Vatican creates online presence for John Paul II as beatification nears
Mar 14, 2011 / 09:45 amWith the help of Facebook and YouTube users, the Vatican hopes to create a broad audience for material on the life and teachings of the soon-to-be beatified Pope John Paul II.
Pope urges priests to preach on uncomfortable topics
Mar 11, 2011 / 14:44 pmPriests must not preach “Christianity 'a la carte'” and should be willing to approach even uncomfortable aspects of the Gospel, Pope Benedict said in a meeting with priests this week.
Pakistani Catholics encouraged by Pope’s concern, Bhatti legacy remembered
Mar 11, 2011 / 13:21 pmPope Benedict XVI expressed his concern for the protection of human dignity and religious freedom again this week as Pakistani Catholics recalled the legacy of murdered government minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
Pope Benedict urges wholehearted conversion during Lent
Mar 10, 2011 / 17:26 pmAll are called by God to return to him with their “whole heart,” said Pope Benedict XVI at a special celebration for Ash Wednesday.
Vatican meeting seeks to promote culture, economy in 'new world' of Asia
Mar 10, 2011 / 13:29 pmCardinal Gianfranco Ravasi and the Pontifical Council for Culture are looking to the “new world” in Asia and other emerging nations for a greater understanding of how to build solidarity and cooperation to better confront the important issues of the day.
Despite Christians being murdered, Church chooses dialogue over barbarity
Mar 5, 2011 / 10:23 amIn light of the murders of two high profile Catholics leaders who strongly believed in inter-religious dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran is emphasizing the value of communication for peaceful coexistence.
Retiring Iraqi archbishop sees his flock at turning point on liberty, security
Mar 3, 2011 / 15:38 pmArchbishop Casmoussa of Mosul has guided the Church in northwestern Iraq since 1999.
Celebrating 40 years of dialogue, Catholics and Jews commit to defending religious freedom
Mar 3, 2011 / 13:31 pmCatholics and Jews share “joint responsibility” to work together to fight religious bigotry and promote “justice and solidarity, reconciliation and peace,” according to the Vatican’s top ecumenist.