The Catholic bishops of India briefed Pope Benedict XVI Sept. 2 on the level of anti-Christian persecution in their country.
“These have been a cause of worry and the Holy Father specifically asked also if there is violence,” said Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai in a Sept. 2 Vatican Radio interview.  read more »

Written by John A. Oyewole
JOHN Paul 11, throughout his pontificate, was a model of peace and love for humanity, whose dignity he believed should be restored. This he did by simple positive actions like embracing persons with HIV/AIDS at the time when people were most reluctant to touch them. John Paul 11 extended the arms of oneness, friendship, dialogue and ecumenism by praying at the Wailing Wall as well as in the Mosque in Jerusalem while respecting the decorum of each religion; and it was during his era that a mighty Mosque was built in Rome.
Because of these and more, Pope John Paul 11 won the admiration of many including non-Christians. Besides, John Paul 11 made series of apologies to those concerned, and stressed the importance of the right of peaceful co-existence of all groups of people. The fact that Muslims and Jews see him as a great man is indeed an indication of a man of God who strove to make peace between opposing people who indeed should have been friends.  read more »