Features
Middle East Analysis: Lebanon
15 July 2010
Later this month, Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, Chair of the Bishops' Conference Department for International Affairs, travels to Lebanon to meet with Cardinal Sfeir of the Maronite Catholic Church and some of the country's other Christian and religious leaders.
But what do we know about Lebanon and its people? We may remember the 34-day Israel-Hezbollah conflict back in 2006 and perhaps some high-profile kidnappings in the capital Beirut over the years but what is the situation like on the ground in 2010?
Ahead of Bishop Declan's visit, Middle East consultant Dr Harry Hagopian tells us more about the country in a downloadable podcast.
Have we forgotten Iraq's Christians
12 July 2010
The plight of the people of Iraq - particularly the country's Christians - has drifted out of the news headlines in recent times. The spotlight on the region has focussed far more intensely on Afghanistan.
In this two-part podcast, Dr Harry Hagopian, Middle East Consultant to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, takes a close look at the key issues facing Christian communities in Iraq after the second Gulf War of 2003.
The Church and the World Cup
7 July 2010
James Parker, the Catholic Coordinator for the 2012 Games, recently made a visit to South Africa to see how the Church has been engaging with the 2010 FIFA World Cup and how the Catholic Church in Britain can, in turn, best engage with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Alongside the international matches taking place, the South African Catholic community were hosting some equally important football matches that have been played out under the radar. Initiated by two organisations, Caritas and the Damietta Peace Initiative, a Franciscan-led project, with sponsorship from the South African Bishops Conference, the Peace Cup is an eight-week long football tournament taking place in the townships of Atteridgeville, on the West side of Pretoria.
Faith Sense: Basis of Authority
June 2010
This month’s audio resource to support Catholics to grow in confidence and knowledge of their faith, summarises the Catholic understanding of Church authority.
In response to recent news stories members of Catholic churches in England and Wales are increasingly being asked to explain their beliefs. Such are the challenges and difficulties being faced that for some it has provoked heartfelt questioning about the basis of religious authority.
Which authority bases are true and good? How can a Church claim to speak and teach with authority when its members are so flawed? Can anyone truly claim to have the moral high ground? These and other questions are explored by Fr Stephen Wang, Dean of Studies at Allen Hall Seminary, London.
Podcast: The Kairos Palestinian Document
4 May 2010
The Kairos Document is a call by Palestinian Christians for the world to hear their voice and look anew at their plight. It was publshed in Jerusalem on 15 December 2009.
Dr Harry Hagopian, a consultant to the Bishops' Conference on the Middle East, discusses the document and whether it will have a long-term impact.
"Whilst admitting that Palestinians had reached a political ‘dead end’, the signatories of this document challenged the international community - including church leaders and politicians worldwide - on their questionable support of, and contribution to, the Palestinian struggle for freedom."
Faith Sense: Suffering and natural disasters
22 January 2010
All over the world, at some time or another, people are suffering. From viewing images of the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis, to hearing about a friend or relative having a terminal illness, it can all seem not to make any rational sense. Many people find themselves asking: "How can a loving God allow suffering and natural disasters to happen? What possible purpose could there be to suffering and surely it all makes for a grim vision of our existence on earth?"
Dr James Hanvey SJ, a Catholic priest who is also a member of the Society of Jesus (otherwise know as the Order of Jesuits), offers reflective responses to these questions.