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Featured Term (selected at random):MAJOR ORDERS The diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate. Until the Second Vatican Council and the decision of Pope Paul VI in 1973, the subdiaconate was also considered a major order. All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Dear Bishop ________, Groups claiming the title “Catholic” are working effectively to support legislation which violates core Catholic social teachings. They do not represent Catholic morality. But they claim to represent YOU. “Catholics across the political spectrum should lend their full-throated support to this [Health Care Reform] legislation. The bishops' stamp of approval means that this bill is unambiguously pro-life, and we will vigorously oppose those who suggest otherwise.” Chris Korzen Catholics United http://www.catholics-united.org/> Here, Chris Korzen is speaking of the Health Care Reform that passed the House in November which --- despite the Stupak Amendment --- is still objectionable...

Socialism 1522. Would you tell us the view your Church takes of socialism? Socialism is a very broad term which men interpret in many different ways. Communistic socialism is, of course, condemned by the Catholic Church. Mitigated forms of socialism, which aim at social reform, but which ignore religion and rely upon purely materialistic methods, are also condemned. In these and similar senses of the word no Catholic can be a socialist. The Catholic program is social reform which demands true consideration of the workers by employers according to the demands of both justice and Christian charity, at the same...

Pope To Open Africa Synod In Rome By David Willey BBC News, Rome The pope drew huge crowds during his visit to Angola in March Pope Benedict is to open a three-week gathering of African bishops with a Mass in St Peter's Basilica in Rome. The Synod on Africa is aimed at discussing the continent's social and economic problems. The Catholic Church is growing faster in Africa than in any other part of the world, nearly trebling in size to 150 million followers over 30 years. It will be the second synod of bishops organised at the Vatican to be...