Describing recents events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a "massacre of the poor", Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi called for world support to end the violence and assist refugees.

David and Samantha Meyn of East Maitland have gained wisdom beyond their years after losing their son Harrison, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 6, in July 2006. Oscar, now 7 and Campbell, 3, speak often of their older brother and love to draw attention to the photos displayed at home. - Tracey Edstein, Aurora

Fr Stan Fortuna is a Catholic priest and a founding member of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, an order established in the heart of the South Bronx in 1987. But he is also a musician known worldwide as "the rapping priest". Even after 20 years it's not a title he's totally comfortable with.

2008 has been a year of potentially historic breakthroughs between Anglican Christians and the Chair of Peter. Many Catholics have noted with great interest the growing number of Anglicans who have approached the possibility of coming into full communion with the Catholic Church. - Deacon Keith Fournier, Catholic Online

Pope congratulates new Anglican leader


Expressing hope for closer relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, Pope John Paul II yesterday sent his congratulations to the Archbishop-elect of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams.

Williams was chosen to lead the world's Anglicans on Tuesday, succeeding the Most Rev. George Carey, 66, who is retiring on 31 October after 11 years.

"I am pleased to extend to you my congratulations and to assure you of my prayers," said the Holy Father, who is now on a trip to Canada, in a telegram sent to the archbishop and released by the Vatican on Wednesday.

"I have had the opportunity to know and work closely with your predecessors ... in the shared task of promoting understanding between the Anglican communion and the Catholic Church," the pontiff said. "I am confident that, with God's help, we can make progress along the path toward unity."

British Catholic leaders welcomed the announcement, with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, calling Williams a "theologian of distinction, a man of deep spirituality and a gifted communicator."

The cardinal said on Tuesday: "He will, I have no doubt, prove to be a force for great good in this country and throughout the Christian world."

Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth, England, chairman of the English and Welsh bishops' Committee for Mission and Unity, said: "Archbishop Williams will be a challenging voice both within the Anglican Communion and for all those who work for the unity of Christ's church from other denominations.

Meanwhile Australia's Anglican Primate Archbishop Peter Carnley of Perth said he's "absolutely delighted" with the appointment, telling the ABC that he's "a theologian of very considerable stature, is a creative thinker, not just a kind of mundane thinker".

Sydney's Archbishop Peter Jensen was less excited by the appointment. He issued a statement expressing relief that the Anglican communion will still have a leader who upholds "the biblical view of such significant Christian doctrines as the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ", but asked his Sydney faithful to pray that Williams will follow the Bible, especially on marriage and the family.

LINKS
Anglican leader doesn't hold back on thorny issues (Reuters)
Pope Congratulates Anglican Leader (AP)
Church leaders welcome announcement of new archbishop of Canterbury (CNS)
Welshman Chosen to Lead the Anglicans: Opposes Abortion, Wants to See Women Ordained (Zenit)
Rowan Williams named Archbishop of Canterbury (ABC Radio National, Religion Report)
Rowan Williams new Anglican Archbishop (ABC Radio, AM)
Jensen lukewarm on Anglican head (AAP)
Comment from Archbishop Jensen on the appointment of Dr Rowan Williams as Archbishop of Canterbury (Anglican Media Sydney)

SOURCE
AP/AP/ABC 'AM'/Anglican Media Sydney


25 Jul 2002