Video showing marriage of young man with cancer goes viral

Manila, Philippines, Jul 3, 2014 / 04:09 pm (CNA).- Millions of viewers around the world have watched a YouTube video showing the determination of a young man in the Philippines to marry the love of his life just hours before dying of terminal cancer.

At the beginning of this year, Rowden and Leizel decided to marry. They planned on a July 8 wedding, but Rowden, age 29, was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the kidneys at the end of May.

Learning that his cancer was terminal, Rowden’s last wish was to marry Leizel. The couple moved the date up and decided to “bring the church” to him at the hospital, as he could no longer go out.

After 12 hours of marriage prep, he was able to fulfill his dream.

Rowden died on June 11, just 10 hours after marrying Leizel. The video recounting their story was posted on YouTube by her brother.

Within two weeks, the video was viewed more than 10 million times.

In the description accompanying the video, Rowden’s family said they wanted to “thank the Main Man up above, Jesus Christ, for orchestrating this very inspiring story. And for giving us enough time to give Rowden what he wanted, and show him how loved he was.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVocnNIgKwY

Official logo, prayer for WYD Krakow 2016 announced

Krakow, Poland, Jul 3, 2014 / 11:18 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a press conference held earlier today in Krakow, Poland, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz presented the official logo and prayer for the 31st World Youth Day slated to take place there in 2016.

Announced by Pope Francis during the closing Mass for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro last summer, the Krakow event is expected to draw millions, and follows the canonization of Polish Saint John Paul II earlier this spring.

World Youth Day is a gathering of young people from all over the world to pray and meet with the Pope in order to build and strengthen the bonds of faith, friendship and hope, symbolizing the union between people of different cultures and countries.

In his July 3 presentation, Cardinal Dziwisz – archbishop of Krakow and former secretary of Pope John Paul II – explained that the event’s logo has three specific elements which represent the place, the main protagonists, and the theme of the celebration.

The logo, he noted, provides an illustration of the gathering’s theme, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy,” taken from the Gospel of Matthew.

Cardinal Dziwisz went on to explain that the image is composed of a geographical outline of Poland inside of which there is a yellow cross, representing Jesus Christ, who is the soul of World Youth Day.

Also present inside the country’s outline is a yellow dot, which the cardinal revealed both marks the position of Krakow on the map and serves as symbol for the youth.

The red and blue flames, he observed, are the flames of divine mercy that emerge from the cross, which represent with their colors the phrase “Jesus, I trust in you” that accompanies the image of divine mercy revealed to Saint Maria Faustina.

Another reason for choosing the colors of yellow, red and blue is that they are the official colors of Krakow and its coat of arms, the cardinal noted.

The logo was designed by Monika Rybczynska, 28, from Poland’s small mid-west town of Ostrzeszow, following the canonization of St. John Paul II.

Cardinal Dziwisz also announced the official prayer for World Youth Day 2016, which is an entrustment of humanity and the youth to Jesus’ divine mercy, asking for the grace to obtain a merciful heart. It also invokes the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John Paul II, who is the patron of World Youth Days.


Below please find the full text of the World Youth Day 2016 official prayer:

“God, merciful Father,
in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love
and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,
We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman”.
We entrust to you in a special way
young people of every language, people and nation:
guide and protect them as they walk the complex paths of the world today
and give them the grace to reap abundant fruits
from their experience of the Krakow World Youth Day.
Heavenly Father,
grant that we may bear witness to your mercy.
Teach us how to convey the faith to those in doubt,
hope to those who are discouraged,
love to those who feel indifferent,
forgiveness to those who have done wrong
and joy to those who are unhappy.
Allow the spark of merciful love
that you have enkindled within us
become a fire that can transform hearts
and renew the face of the earth.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.
St. John Paul II, pray for us.

Wis. diocese clarifies stance on baptizing same-sex couples' babies

Madison, Wis., Jul 2, 2014 / 03:50 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Diocese of Madison, Wis. explained its response to same-sex couples who present children for baptism, welcoming sincere baptism requests but also warning of “speculative” or “scurrilous” news reports on the subject.

In a June 27 statement, the diocese reproduced vicar general Monsignor James Bartylla's May 10 confidential e-mail to priests, which noted that each request for baptism for a child being raised by a same-sex couple “must be evaluated individually.”

Priests who receive such requests should contact him to consult and coordinate, Msgr. Bartylla said.

“As you know, there a plethora of difficulties, challenges, and considerations associated with these unnatural unions (including scandal) linked with the baptism of a child, and such considerations touch upon theology, canon law, pastoral approach, liturgical adaptation, and sacramental recording,” the monsignor added.

That confidential e-mail drew the attention of the Wisconsin State Journal and attracted other national news, with the Wisconsin paper describing it as a “change in process.”

Religion News Service reporter David Gibson wrote about the Madison diocese's approach June 26, depicting it as a possible new cultural “battleground” and claiming that there is a “trend to curb baptisms.” He cited critics of Madison Bishop Robert Morlino who suspected the policy would curb baptisms he considers “problematic.”

In response to media coverage, the Madison diocese reproduced two statements its communications director Brent King sent to the Wisconsin newspaper.

In his June 2 statement, King noted “a few well-circulated and sometimes sensationalized news stories” regarding these baptisms. King said that Msgr. Bartylla’s office would assist pastors “on a case-by-case basis” given Catholics' desire “that all be offered the graces of baptism” and given “other just considerations.”

In his June 12 statement, King said that the number of babies baptized would not change under the diocese’s approach “if a parent is sincere in presenting a child for baptism.”

“We believe that baptism is the entrance into a new life in Christ and His Church, open to all,” King said. He added that in all cases of baptism of children, a parent must consent to the baptism and there must be “reasonable hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic faith.” Otherwise the baptism should be “deferred.”

“Any parent who desires baptism for their child, and truly intends to raise the child in the faith and all that means, should approach the Church, requesting the sacrament,” the spokesman said. “We want everyone to receive this most important sacrament, and we are dealing with this sensitive matter prudently, for the child’s sake and the integrity of this most sacred sacrament.”

The Madison diocese also cited the working document for the October Synod of Bishops' extraordinary general assembly that will address the challenges facing the family.

The document, issued June 26, notes that bishops' responses are “clearly opposed” to the adoption of children by same-sex couples because of the risk to the child's “integral good” and because of the child's right to both a mother and a father.

The document also emphasizes that when a person in a same-sex relationship requests baptism for a child, almost all the bishops’ responses “emphasize that the child must be received with the same care, tenderness and concern which is given to other children.”

Where there is reasonable doubt that the child can receive proper Christian instruction from those who request baptism, pastors should give careful oversight to baptismal preparation for the child, give particular attention to the choice of godparents and seek possible assistance from the couple’s friends and family.

This effort to secure proper support for a child’s baptism is “the same manner as for any couple seeking the baptism of their children,” the working document says.

News media coverage of the Diocese of Madison's approach to children raised by same-sex couples has also provided an opportunity for false front groups to criticize the Catholic Church.

The Religion News Service report from David Gibson interviewed Francis DeBernardo, the head of New Ways Ministries, which rejects Catholic teaching on sexual ethics. That organization's purported Catholic identity has been rejected by the U.S. bishops in 2010 and 2011.

Former sex slaves to take part in South Korea Mass with Pope

Seoul, South Korea, Jul 2, 2014 / 12:40 pm (CNA).- A group of South Korean women who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese army during World War II will attend an Aug. 18 Mass with Pope Francis when he visits the country.

According to local media reports, the Archdiocese of Seoul announced on Monday that it had invited the women to take part in the ceremony with Pope Francis. The Mass will be held at the Cathedral of Myeongdong in Seoul. A personal meeting between the pontiff and the women, many of whom are Catholic, has not been set.

Pope Francis will visit South Korea Aug. 14-18 to take part in the VI Asian Youth Day. It will be the third time a pontiff has visited Asia, the last time being St. John Paul II’s trip to the Korean peninsula in 1989.

Some 200,000 young girls and teenagers – more than half of whom were Korean – were forced to become sex slaves by the Japanese empire, which ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Japanese authorities denied involvement for years until clear evidence emerged, which led the Japanese government to issue an apology in 1993. However, the apology was not enough for Seoul, which has demanded reparations for the victims. Today there are some 54 women over the age of 80 who are survivors of the tragedy.

Vatican grieves deaths of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers

Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 04:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi released a statement voicing Pope Francis' condolences over three kidnapped Israeli teenagers found dead on Monday outside a Palestinian town.   

“The news of the death of three young Israelis that had disappeared is terrible and tragic,” the June 30 statement read.

“The murder of innocent people is always and abominable and unacceptable crime, and an important obstacle in the way of peace, for which we must continue to work restlessly and for which we need to pray.”

“Violence only begets more violence and feeds the deadly circle of hate,” it added.

Three Israeli teenagers, Gilad Shaer and Naftali Fraenkel – both 16 –  and Eyal Yifrah, 19, disappeared on June 12 while hitchhiking near the West Bank city of Hebron.  

Their disappearance sparked one of Israel's biggest manhunts in recent years.

On Monday, Israeli security sources confirmed that the bodies of the three young men were found in shallow graves, covered by few rocks, not far from where they were last seen.

The Vatican statement noted that “Pope Francis unites to the indescribable pain of the families affected by this homicidal violence and to the pain of all persons affected by the consequences of hate, and prays for God to inspire in all sentiments of compassion and peace.”

Since the search to find the three teenagers started, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Palestinian organization Hamas for their disappearance. Although Hamas has joined the coalition that rules the Palestinian territories, it is considered as a terrorist group by the U.S. government.

International observers fear that the murder of the three young students, one of which had U.S. nationality, will spark a new wave of violence between Israel and Hamas.

During his address to the cabinet after the bodies were found, Netanyahu said the youths had been “kidnapped and murdered in cold blood by beasts,” and said that “Satan has not yet invented vengeance for the blood of a small child. Hamas is responsible and Hamas will pay.”

The leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has condemned the abductions and murders, but has requested the Israeli government to present proof that Hamas was involved in the crimes.

Tomb of tradition

Soko Ranuqanuqa works on the crypt that will be the tomb for the late Archbishop Petero Mataca beneath the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva yesterday. Picture: JONE LUVENITOGA

A HISTORICAL event will unfold for the Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma as their first ever Archbishop the late Petero Mataca is laid to rest under the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva.

Archbishop Mataca will be the first ever Fijian Archbishop to be buried at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong announced yesterday.

"He will be entombed in what we are now calling a new bishop's tomb which is a room — an extension under the Sacred Heart Cathedral," Archbishop Loy Chong said.

"In doing that we are giving him the great honour that is given to archbishops and that is to have them be buried in the cathedral.

"We are continuing a long tradition which goes back to early Christianity and that is to bury archbishops under the cathedral that they serve in."

Archbishop Loy Chong said the archdiocese of Suva would celebrate the life of Archbishop Mataca at the vigil mass next Thursday at 6pm and the resurrection mass on Friday 10am at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

"After the vigil family, friends and the general public have the opportunity to pray and pay their last respect for the late archbishop. We will have the vigil mass and we would like people to celebrate the archbishop's life by sharing stories, the reflections and memories of him and this will be for the whole night.

"For us this is a historical moment where we move from the archbishop's tomb in Cawaci, Ovalau and to Suva basically for convenience because out there it is isolated and it's hard for friends and relatives to visit the tomb.

The reguregu begins on Tuesday at 2pm at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lami.

Long Serving Fijian Catholic Leader Passes Away

Fiji's retired Catholic leader, Archbishop Emeritus Petero Mataca, has died.Archbishop Mataca retired in 2012, being replaced by Father Peter Loy Chong.

The Fiji Sun reports that the 81 year old died at the Suva Private Hospital on Monday morning.

He had been consecrated as the Catholic Church's first indigenous Fijian bishop in 1974.

The Pacific Conference of Churches general secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae, says Archbishop Mataca had lived a life dedicated to the service of God and the church.

He says under his leadership the Catholic Church made significant contributions to Fiji's national development including the building of 12 secondary schools.

Reverend Pihaatae says Archbishop Mataca was committed to seeing that the local church was self-supporting and he made every effort to bring young men into the ministry as priests.

He says he was also passionate about social justice and addressing the needs of the under-privileged.

Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) will Rest in the Heart of Suva City

The late former head of the Catholic Church of Fiji, Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) will be buried inside the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Suva.

Archbishop Father Peter Loy Chong said the historic burial of Archbishop Mataca inside the church is an old Christian way of honoring Archbishops.

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong added that this will also enable relatives and friends to visit the tomb in the future.

Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said they had agreed to keep the Former Archbishop at the Sacred Heart Cathedral after their meeting yesterday where they will use the empty rooms on the ground floor of the church.

Meanwhile Archbishop Peter Loy Chong has revealed that they are intending to invite the President, the Prime Minister, government delegations, Ministers, Council of Churches and those who have served with the late Archbishop Mataca.

The late Archbishop Mataca was born in Cawaci, Ovalau on the 28th of April 1933. He passed away last Monday at the age of 81.

The reguregu begins at 2pm next Tuesday at the Lami Parish.

It is proposed that Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) will be laid to rest next Friday.

FIJI FIRST - Condolence message from the PM on the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus)

Every Fijian joins me in mourning the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca, the former head of the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji. He was a towering figure in the church and the wider community, serving as the Archbishop of Suva for a remarkable 36 years.

Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always prepared to take a stand for what is right. I came to deeply appreciate his personal qualities when he and I co-chaired the National Council for Building a Better Fiji. We shared a vision of a nation in which a common and equal citizenry work hand in hand for the common good and I deeply valued his commitment and support as we strove to meet that common objective.

It is sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first genuine democracy that he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after our General Election in September. But when it happens, it will be in large part because of the building blocks he did so much to set in place.

I will never forget his courage in standing up to the forces of division in Fiji, nor the great moral authority he exercised as Archbishop for the common good. As I mourn his passing, I renew my commitment to achieve Archbishop Mataca’s vision for our beloved nation.

He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every Fijian. And those are the principles on which a better Fiji is being built.

Archbishop Petero Mataca (Emeritus) Rests in Peace in Fiji

The only thing that came into Sister Maria Akeneta Nake's mind when she heard of the passing of her brother, Archbishop Petero Mataca, was his dedication and service to every Christian in Fiji.

The 89-year-old sister lives at the Sisters of our Lady of Nazareth Home in Wailoku and is the only sister left of the eight siblings.

"I am the elder sister of Pete, there are eight of us — four girls and four boys but we were the remaining ones, he was the sixth," Ms Nake said.

"It wasn't easy for me to hear the sad news of his passing, all I did was cry when I heard the news yesterday (Monday), especially when I learnt that he is now gone and I will be the only one left.

"However, our other siblings got married and their children are now following in our footsteps, two are priests and two are also Catholic sisters from our extended family.

"He left behind a legacy for everyone to follow not only in his family. He was a person of integrity, a person who loved to give teachings to church followers and to be true to what they do."

In a statement yesterday, Archbishop Father Peter Loy Chong said it was with deep sadness that the Roman Catholic Curia announced the passing of Archbishop Emeritus, Petero Mataca.

"The Catholic Church in Fiji and Rotuma has come a long way under Archbishop Mataca's guidance over the past 40 years. We thank him for his tireless commitment and in his own words we say: Sa dre ko Malolo. It is time to say goodbye," Father Loy Chong said.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Ret) Voreqe Bainimarama said Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always prepared to take a stand for what is right.

He said it was sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first genuine democracy he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after the general election in September.

Archbishop Mataca died on Monday at the Suva Private Hospital after a long illness.

Sudanese Christian woman released again

Khartoum, Sudan, Jun 27, 2014 / 04:16 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Meriam Ibrahim – a Christian woman who had previously been sentenced to death in Sudan for her faith – has been released after another detention for accusations of forging travel documents.

“The State Department has received confirmation that Meriam Ibrahim Ishag has been released on bail and is no longer being detained at a Sudanese police station,” said Marie Harf, deputy department spokesperson for the Department of State in a June 26 statement.

“She and her family are in a safe location and the Government of Sudan has assured us of the family’s continued safety,” she added.

In May, the 27-year-old woman was arrested and charged with abandoning Islam. Under Sudanese law, she was considered a Muslim due to her father’s Muslim faith, despite the fact that she was raised as a Christian by her mother after her father left the family when she was 6 years old.

Despite being sentenced to death, Ibrahim refused to renounce her Christian faith. She was released on June 23 after an appeals court dismissed her sentence, but was re-arrested on June 24 while at the Khartoum, Sudan airport for what Sudanese authorities claimed were forged travel documents.

Daniel Wani, Ibrahim’s husband, was granted U.S. citizenship when he fled Sudan to the United States as a child. He also holds South Sudanese citizenship.

The couple's young son Martin has lived in prison with his mother since February. Ibrahim gave birth to their second child, a baby girl, while in prison in May.

Besides the crime of apostasy – or the abandoning of the Islamic faith – Ibrahim was also charged with adultery. Her marriage to her Christian husband was not considered valid since she was legally considered a Muslim.

She was to receive 100 lashes for the adultery charge and was sentenced to death by hanging for apostasy.

More than 140,000 people have signed a petition calling for Ibrahim’s freedom. Numerous members of Congress and religious freedom advocates have asked the U.S. to intervene and ensure her safety, as well as that of her family.

Harf explained in an earlier press conference, before Ibrahim’s release, that while it is a “fluid situation,” the United States and Sudanese governments were communicating “to ensure that she and her family will be free to travel as quickly as possible.”

She added that “from our perspective, Meriam has all of the documents she needs to travel to and enter the United States.”

“It’s up to the Government of Sudan to allow her to exit the country,” Harf said. “As I said, we’re working with them on that right now.”

Feast of Peter and Paul celebrates God's mercy, Pope says

Vatican City, Jun 29, 2014 / 09:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his Sunday Angelus on the Feast of Peter and Paul, Pope Francis called the faithful to open themselves to the transforming power of God’s grace and mercy in their own lives.

“Since ancient times the Roman Church celebrates the Apostles Peter and Paul in one unique feast on the same day, June 29,” the Pope observed.

He explained that “this feast inspires in us a great joy, because it confronts us with God's work of mercy in the hearts of two men, and God's work of mercy in these two men, that were great sinners.”

Noting Peter’s denial of Christ during the Passion and Paul’s persecution of Christians, the pontiff stressed that it was grace that “has accomplished great things, has transformed them.”

“But together they both receive the love of God and are left transformed by his mercy; so they became friends and apostles of Christ,” he said. “Thus they continue to speak to the Church and still today show us the way of salvation.”

Similarly, the pontiff explained, even if we “fall into the greatest sin and into the darkest night,” God always wishes to transform our hearts and forgive our sins, bringing us from darkness into light.

He noted the radical transformation of St. Paul after encountering Christ on the road to Damascus: going from “a bitter enemy of the Church” to putting “his whole existence to the service of the Gospel.”

“Also for us the encounter with the Word of Christ is able to transform our entire life,” he continued. “It's not possible to hear his Word and remain firmly in one's place, getting stuck in one's habits. It pushes us to overcome the selfishness that we have in our hearts in order to decisively follow the Teacher that has given his life for his friends.”

Encountering Christ in our lives is what changes us and leads us to ask for forgiveness, he reflected.

On this feast day, the faithful can learn from St. Peter and St. Paul, two very different men who were both chosen by Christ and “responded to the call offering their entire lives,” the Pope said. “Faith in Jesus Christ has made them brothers and martyrdom has made them become one.”

“And God also wants to fill us with his grace, as he did with Peter and with Paul,” Pope Francis added. “May the Virgin Mary help us to welcome it with open hearts, as they did, and not to receive it in vain! And may she sustain us in the time of trial, to give testimony to Jesus Christ and his Gospel.”

The Pope prayed especially for the new Metropolitan Archbishops who received their pallium earlier in the day at St. Peter’s.  

“We greet them all with affection together with their faithful and friends, and we pray for them!” he said.

After the Angelus, Pope Francis commented on the news of continued violence in Iraq, saying that it is “unfortunately very painful.”

“I join the bishops of the country in appealing the governments because, through dialogue, you can preserve national unity and avoid war,” he said.

“I am close to the thousands of families, especially Christians, that have had to leave their homes and that are in great danger,” the Pope continued. “Violence begets violence; dialogue is the only way to peace. We pray to the Madonna, because she watches over the people of Iraq.”

Pope Francis stops car to bless young disabled woman

Rome, Italy, Jun 23, 2014 / 10:19 am (CNA).- During his June 21 pastoral visit to the region of Calabria in southern Italy, Pope Francis stopped the car that was transporting him to see a young disabled woman and her family on the side of the road.

A video posted online by a family in the southern Italian region of Calabria depicts the encounter with the Holy Father.

The Pope passed by the highway near the family’s house as he returned from Cassano allo Jonio, where he spoke out against the mafia.

The Vatican’s news.va website reported that family members waited with banners reading, 'Please Pope stop here to see an angel who has been waiting for you', and 'Please come and bless little Roberta'.

When the Pope saw their signs, he asked for his car to stop, and immediately went to greet and bless the people.

Once the vehicle stopped, the Holy Father descended, approached the woman, who was laying on a moving stretcher, blessed her, kissed her and greeted her family and the children around her.

The young woman – Roberta – is disabled and cannot travel far from her home, because she is dependent upon a machine to breathe, according to news.va.

Her family voiced their gratitude to the Holy Father on Facebook.

“I still can't believe it, thank you Holy Father...I thank the Pope for having given us a moment of great joy,” her sister, Pamela, wrote.

“Today we can say that Christ stopped in Sibari in the vestments of Pope Francis,” added Ivan Vania, a friend who helped make the posters calling the Pope’s attention.

He added that “it was very emotional to see how Pope Francis greeted Roberta...there are gestures in life that are worth more than speeches, much more than you would think...Pope Francis is unique.”

Supreme Court's abortion clinic ruling hailed as win for women

Washington D.C., Jun 26, 2014 / 04:24 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A unanimous Supreme Court decision striking down a 35-foot buffer zone around Massachusetts abortion clinics is being praised as a victory not only for pro-life counsellors but for all women.

Jeanne Monahan, president of the March for Life, told CNA that the ruling “absolutely protects women.”

“Abortion is bad physiologically and psychologically for many, many, many women,” she continued, adding that the ruling supports counselling that “allows women to have informed consent.”

“Abortion can be the most important decision a woman makes in her life, and sometimes she rushes in there in a state of panic,” Monahan explained. “This allows her to put the brakes on, to think about it, to think about what’s actually happening inside of her.”

“So many women regret their abortions,” she lamented.

On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Eleanor McCullen and other pro-life sidewalk counsellors in McCullen v. Coakley, striking down a Massachusetts law that placed a 35-foot buffer zone around abortion clinics, including on sidewalks and public streets.

McCullen’s lawyers argued that the law unconstitutionally violated freedom of speech and penalized only those with certain views – specifically pro-life views – from offering counselling and education to those entering the clinics, even if they do so peacefully.

In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts said that the buffer zone regulations “burden substantially more speech than necessary to achieve the Commonwealth’s asserted interests” of protecting access to health care.

“Petitioners wish to converse with their fellow citizens about an important subject on the public streets and sidewalks,” he noted, specifically highlighting the significance of such public places as areas for discussion and exchange of ideas.

The decision means that “there is no abortion exception to the First Amendment, and it may very well mean the end to abortion buffer zones around the country,” Casey Mattox, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, told CNA.

Massachusetts attorney general Martha Coakle said in a June 26 press conference that the state and abortion officials were disappointed with the decision, seeing it as a blow against abortion access.

“The decision today is obviously a disappointment to us,” Coakley said, adding that she would work with law enforcement across the state to enforce portions of the law prohibiting “harassment,” such as “screaming” at abortion clinic employees, which still stand after the Supreme Court decision.

Catholic University of America law professor Mark Rienzi, who served as lead counsel in the McCullen v. Coakley case, praised the high court for affirming “a critical freedom that has been an essential part of American life since the nation’s founding.”

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, saying the ruling “has affirmed the American tradition of basic constitutional rights for all.”

He criticized the overturned law, saying it discriminated against pro-life counsellors while exempting pro-abortion “clinic escorts.” This treatment, he continued, sought to “deny that their fellow Americans who seek to protect the unborn have the same rights as other Americans,” specifically “the right to participate in the public square and serve the vulnerable in accord with our moral convictions.”

Kristan Hawkins, executive director of Students for Life of America, called the decision “wonderful news” not only “because it upholds our crucial First Amendment rights of free speech” but also “for women considering abortion because it frees sidewalk counselors at abortion facilities to be able to offer compassionate and caring alternatives.”

In a June 26 statement, she challenged those who honestly call themselves “pro-choice” to welcome the decision, asking them to “give the woman a chance at choosing life by presenting her options she may not even know about.”

“Sidewalk counselors can't stop women from having abortions, but they can offer information, resources, and just a listening ear to those young women who feel desperate and alone,” she added.

Ashley McGuire, senior fellow at The Catholic Association, called the ruling “a double victory for the First Amendment.”

“The Supreme Court has rightly held that it is unconstitutional to grant preferential legal status to the speech of pro-abortion activists while punishing pro-life speech,” she stated, adding that this protection of free speech allows for free discussion in public places.

“This was a victory for free speech, this was a victory for religious liberty and, by the way this was a victory for women,” McGuire continued, saying that because all of the women on the Supreme Court agreed in the unanimous decision, it cannot be viewed as anti-woman.

Global Eucharistic Congress in Philippines to focus on hope

Cebu, Philippines, Jun 23, 2014 / 04:12 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The 51st International Eucharistic Congress will be held January 2016 in the Philippines with the theme, “Jesus in us, the hope of glory.”

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila explained the theme at a press conference.

“We hope in only one person. We hope in God,” he said.

The Eucharistic Congress will take place Jan. 24-31 in the city of Cebu, with more than 15,000 international and local delegates expected to attend.

Cardinal Tagle noted God is the source of our hope, because he “has already come to us,” and this is “the greatest reason for hope.”

“We have desires,” he explained, “but desires are not hope. The people can have many desires, but they may not have hope.”

The virtue of hope referred to in the theme of the congress enriches the spiritual life of every believer, especially amidst any suffering, the cardinal continued.

“We are not hoping in someone distant. We put our hope in someone who was a refugee, someone who was betrayed, who was homeless, someone who was the target of mockery, who was killed, but who God raised to life again. He is in us and for this reason we have hope.”

“This is not about passing whims and desires, but about something deeper that defines the human being and society: hope,” he added.

“Many of our desires will not be fulfilled, but our hope will never fail. And we hope to have this strong message as we prepare for the International Eucharistic Congress through our lives, through our relationships, through the dynamism of Jesus, who is in us,” Cardinal Tagle explained.

This will be the second time the Philippines has hosted the International Eucharistic Congress. The event was first held there in 1937 in Manila.

Three years earlier, in 1934, Buenos Aires hosted the 32nd International Eucharistic Congress. Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli attended the event as the papal envoy. Five years later he was elected Pope Pius XII.