Our Takes Daily

Richmond bishop apologizes over abortion

The Washington Times

Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of the Diocese of Richmond, Va., was told that Commonwealth Catholic Charities of Richmond planned to help a 16-year-old refugee from Guatemala obtain an abortion in January, but was told he could not prevent the action by the charity’s executive director that there was nothing he could do to prevent it.  "I express my profound apology for the loss of life of one of the most vulnerable among us," Bishop DiLorenzo wrote in a statement that appeared Monday in the Catholic Virginian. "And I apologize for the profound embarrassment this has caused the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, and Catholics throughout the United States." More info here>>

Priest slain in Nepal mourned by family

Union of Catholic Asian News

A day after Salesian Father Johnson Prakash Moyalan, was murdered in Nepal, an official from the Syro-Malabar Church predicted the missionary’s “brave death” would inspire others to follow in his footsteps. Father Moyalan belonged to the Salesian Calcutta province. In 1996, he began working in Nepal. "He never bothered about his safety. The last time he visited us was to bless my son's marriage this February. He stayed with us for two weeks," his brother, George Moyalan, told UCA News. "All our family members are in utter shock. I pray to God to give us strength to bear this agony. More info here>>

Pope tackles poverty with WYD theme

Catholic News Agency

Pope Benedict XVI is again speaking out against the scourge of poverty. This time, he’s doing it through the theme chosen for this month’s World Youth Day in Sydney: “Combating poverty, building peace.” The pontiff picked the theme because it "highlights the need for the human family to find an urgent response to the serious question of poverty, seen as a material problem but above all as a moral and spiritual one,” says a statement from the Holy See’s Press Office. More info here>>