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The Associated Press reported early this morning that Pope John Paul II is receiving nutrition through a feeding tube. His increasingly frail health is likely the reason Rizzoli moved up publication of the 84-year-old pontiff's fifth book, Memory and Identity: Conservations at the Dawn of a Millennium. But the book itself should put to rest to any suggestion that the Pope has been anything but alert during the last few years. Memory and Identity came out of conversations the Pontiff had in 1993 with two Polish philosophers. An anonymous editorial note at the beginning says the Pope has revised the...

Papal reflections: An attempt to bring Western Christians back in line RAY DRENNAN Freelance Saturday, March 19, 2005 Memory and identity, perhaps the last book by pope john paul II, explores the big questions of modern existence, including the coexistence of good and evil. Here are two views on it - - - Memory and Identity: Conversations at the Dawn of a Millennium will probably stir up some excitement, whether you are a believer or not. We expect spiritual leaders to be bridge-builders, fostering respect on our tiny, interrelated planet. We look for wisdom that transcends the narrow sectarianism and...

Pope labels democracy 'godless'By Bruce Johnston in Rome The Pope published a new book yesterday strongly attacking the "negative" society of the West, calling it a godless "anti-Gospel and new totalitarianism" masquerading as democracy. Entitled Memory and Identity: Conversations Between Millenniums, John Paul II's fifth book, printed first in Italian, blames the moral permisiveness of the West for undermining society with divorce, free love, abortion, euthanasia, and genetic manipulation. He also talks for the first time of the attempt on his life in 1981, describing his survival as an "act of divine intervention". But its main focus is the risk...

Pope book riles Jews by comparing abortion to Holocaust VATICAN CITY (AFP) - A new book by Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II to be published in Italy next Wednesday in which he likens abortion to a new Holocaust has outraged Jewish groups appalled by what they say is a lack of understanding on the part of the Catholic Church. AFP Photo   The comparison is highlighted in a passage of the 84-year-old pontiff's fifth book, "Memory and Identity", a volume of reflections on ideological conflicts of the 20th century released to Italian newspapers ahead of its publication...

FRANKFURT, Germany - A German Jewish leader criticized the pope Saturday for making what he called an unacceptable comparison between abortion and the Holocaust in a new book. Paul Spiegel, the head of Germany's Central Council of Jews, told the Netzeitung daily that Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II's statements reflect similar "unacceptable" comments made by a Roman Catholic Cardinal in Cologne. Spiegel was referring to a passage in "Memory and Identity: Conversations Between Millenniums," where the pope draws a broad comparison between abortion and the Holocaust, saying both came about when people decided to usurp "the law...

Rome (AsiaNews) – The Pope’s new book “Memory and Identity: Conversations Between Millenniums,” in print next week in Italy, is being awaited with great anticipation.  According to reports, in his fifth book, the Pope warns Eastern Europe to guard against the nihilism that dominates in the West.  He also compares the abortion laws that exist in  many states to Nazism, the bane of abortion to a new Holocaust.  For John Paul II, both phenomena arise from governments in conflict with “the law of God.”In Poland, Znak publishing house will release the book on March 11 and provided a Polish version...