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3 DENVER CATHOLIC | NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 11, 2015 Vatican Notes Illustration by Kyle Malone REDEMPTION IS THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL HealthONE F A M I L Y P R O D U C T I O N DENVERCENTER.ORG 303.893.4100 • GROUPS: 303.446.4829 THEATRE COMPANY SEASON SPONSORS PRODUCING PARTNERS Singleton Family Foundation Dr. Reginald & Mrs. Faye Washington SUPPORTING SPONSOR SHOW SPONSOR A CHRISTMAS CAROL By Charles Dickens Adapted by Richard Hellesen Music by David de Berry NOV 27 – DEC 27 FAMILY DAY • DEC 6 Tickets include on-site activities for kids 6+ • 4 tickets for $140 with code FAMILYDAY US bishops meet with Obama Leading Catholic bishops met with President Barack Obama on Nov. 14. They have confi rmed that they dis- cussed religious liberty and a number of other issues. "The bishops are grateful for this opportunity for candid, cordial dialogue with the President and Vice President of the United States," the conference said in a written statement after the meeting. The White House confi rmed that the meeting was held "to follow up on Pope Francis' visit to the White House earlier this fall." The meeting came just days after the Supreme Court decided to hear multi- ple challenges to the administration's contraception mandate, including one by the Archdiocese of Washington and an appeal by the Little Sisters of the Poor. However, the White House said the meeting focused on issues the two groups agree upon. "Those priorities include things like climate change, immigration reform, certainly our diplomatic e… orts in Iran and Cuba," press secretary Josh Earnest noted. "Broader issues related to social justice are priorities of the Catholic Church and are priorities shared by the administration." SOURCE: CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY Vatican Secretary of State: "We will not let ourselves be paralyzed by fear" After the attacks on Paris Nov. 13, some have feared that terrorists will make good on their threats to harm the Vatican. However, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secre- tary of state for the Vatican, said that the tiny country will not be intimidated. "What happened in France highlights the fact that no one can consider them- selves excluded from (the threat of ) terrorism," Cardinal Parolin told the French Paper Le Croix in an interview published Nov. 15. "The Vatican could be a target because of its religious sig- nifi cance. We are capable of increasing the level of security in the Vatican and the surrounding area. But we will not let ourselves be paralyzed by fear." Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks that killed at least 130 and injured over 350. IS specifi cally threatened Rome in the video they released after the attack. Pope Francis is likely the biggest target in Rome. How- ever, Cardinal Parolin says the Ponti… is not letting the threats stop him from being a shepherd. "These events don't change the Pope's agenda at all," he said. SOURCE: CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY Vatican response to Paris attacks V iolent terrorists attacked the French Capitol Nov. 13. The jihadists attacked a concert hall, soccer stadium and several popular cafes and restaurants, killing at least 130 and injuring over 350 more. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. "I wish to express my deep sorrow for the terrorist attacks which on Friday evening covered France in blood," Pope Francis said at his Angelus address on Nov. 15. "Such barbarity leaves us shocked and makes us wonder how the human heart can conceive and carry out such horrible events, which have shaken not only France but the entire world." The pope said that to use God's name to justify violence is "blasphemy". "I wish to forcefully reaª rm that the path of violence and hate can never solve the problems of humanity!" he said. He prayed that Mary would watch over France, Europe and the whole world. He then led the pilgrims in a "Hail Mary". Mary is especially signifi cant to Paris, as the fi rst French Christian King, Clovis, designated it as France's capital in 508. St. Louis himself placed the crown of thorns in Notre Dame de Paris ("Our Lady of Paris") cathedral in 1239. The Virgin Mary appeared to St. Cath- erine Labouré three times in the year 1830. SOURCE: CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY NEWS IN BRIEF Countries around the world lit candles and lay fl owers to show solidarity with Paris. STOCK IMAGE

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