Catholic Church

By Al Jazeera Staff in Europe on September 16th, 2010

18:30 GMT: Right, that's it from me for the day. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. Don't forget to check back for more updates tomorrow, and remember, you can follow this and other world news 24 hours a day by tuning into Al Jazeera English, or online at www.aljazeera.net/english. But I'm guessing you knew that...

18:23 GMT: Susan Boyle is back on stage, and the first day of the Pope's visit to Britain is over. He will now head to London to spend the night there, ahead of a visit to Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canturbury, scheduled for Friday.    

18:11 GMT:  Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reports from the mass: "What the pope got here in Glasgow was what we would have expected from the fathful. It's not just Scots that are here; we've seen flags from all over Europe.

By Alan Fisher in Europe on September 15th, 2010
Photo by EPA

In 1982, Pope John Paul II came to Britain. The charismatic Pole drew huge crowds wherever he went. The Catholic Church was reinvigorated. People spoke of the feel good factor he left in his wake.

Twenty eight years on, Pope Benedict will come on a short state visit which has already been plagued by discontent and threats of protest.

There are three main reasons why events during this Papal visit might still not be sold out, why people are questioning the wisdom of a visit right now.

First there is church dogma.

Despite strong medical evidence that condoms help prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that can lead to Aids and that they can help with population control, particularly in poorer countries, the Catholic Church still believes their use is sinful, that they are against God's teachings. Many Catholics believe this - and the Church's position on homosexuality - are out of step with society.

By Alan Fisher in Europe on April 11th, 2010
Photo from EPA

Despite the early morning chill, hundreds are lining up outside the presidential palace to sign the book of condolence.  Few in the line speak, lost in their thoughts.

Suddenly the crowd parts and a group of servicemen, bayonets attached to their rifles, march through followed by an official delegation from the Law and Justice Party. They carry a large wreath and somber expressions.

In many places the candles form large crosses on the ground. The smell of candle wax hangs in the air.

Just a short walk from the palace, there is a beautiful Catholic church. It's rather ordinary door hides the dramatic splendour inside. 
This morning every seat is taken. People kneel on the hard floor at the back. Here, and across the country, prayers are said for the president and the others who died in the crash.

By Teymoor Nabili in Asia on January 8th, 2010
Photo by EPA

The row over the use of the word Allah has escalated into violence:

Attackers threw a petrol bomb at church in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and tried to set two others ablaze in a nearby suburb in the early hours of Friday.

As I write this, Muslim groups are promising to stage protest marches after Friday prayers, and have received the tacit blessing of the prime minister:

He said people could express their views as long as it was done properly and in accordance with regulations.

By Teymoor Nabili in Asia on January 5th, 2010
Photo by EPA

Malaysia's Barisan National has been ruling virtually uninterrupted for half a century, so in many ways it's not surpising that it feels comfortable in issuing blanket decrees, however irrational they may be. 

The latest dictum, above, is a perfect case in point.

A little background. The Catholic Church in Malaysia has been in litigation against the government for the past two years. At issue: should Christians use the word "Allah" to refer to God when they are speaking to local Christians in Malaysian?

The question came up when the government, seemingly without any motivation, decreed that they must not. It would, they said, "confuse" Muslims.

The Catholic Church pointed out that they have been active in Malaysia and using the word for centuries, without any problem.

By Barbara Serra in Europe on November 21st, 2009

The Vatican may well describe Saturday’s talks between Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, and Pope Benedict as “cordial”, but for many Anglicans, relations between the two churches are anything but.

Al Jazeera Live

What's Hot


Recent Comments

This work is licensed under Creative Commons. Please read our attribution policy.