Denver Catholic

6 APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2015 | DENVER CATHOLIC Vatican Notes P ope Francis warned against gender theories which seek to eradicate differences between man and woman, saying they perpetuate the very problems they are trying to solve. "Experience teaches us: to know each other well and grow in harmony, the human being requires the reciprocity of man and woman," the pope said April 15 in St. Peter's Square. He challenged notions of "so-called gender theory," and whether it "aims to erase sexual di•erence because it no longer knows how to confront it." Observing how such theories are an expression of frustration and resignation, the pope added: "the removal of the dif- ferences is the problem, not the solution." Pope Francis acknowledged that today's culture has allowed for advance- ments in the understanding of man and woman's di•erences, but warned that "many doubts and skepticism" have also been introduced. Recalling that faithful are called to "listen to and help one another," Pope Francis suggested that without this recip- rocal relationship, they cannot understand "what it means to be man and woman." Problems with relationships are resolved when men and women speak, listen, know, and love each other more, he added. He also stressed the universal significance of marriage, saying it is a "serious matter" for everyone, and not just for Christian believers. SOURCE: CATHOLIC NEWSAGENCY.COM Australian bish- ops: the suering need compassion Euthanasia isn't what the su•ering and dying really need, according to Australia's Catholic bish- ops. "Suicide is always a tragedy, and all people who are confronted by their mortality, whether or not they are mentally or physically ill, deserve our help and compassion, not a lethal dose," said Bishop Peter Comensoli of Broken Bay in an April 15 state- ment. He said the bishops conference's new pam- phlet, "Real care, love and compassion—the alterna- tive to euthanasia," aims to inform about the dangers of legalized euthanasia, which is illegal in Australia. There are lobbying e•orts to legalize voluntary euthanasia, which its back- ers characterize as "dying with dignity." The Cath- olic pamphlet countered with the principle that killing people is wrong—a principal "fundamental" to Australian law. SOURCE: CATHOLICNEWSAGENCY.COM Francis Oers Mass for Benedict XVI Pope Francis o•ered Mass at Casa Santa Marta for his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who celebrated his 88th birthday April 16. "I would like to remind that today is Pope Benedict XVI's birthday. I have o•ered the Mass for him and I also invite you to pray for him, so that the Lord may sustain him and give him much joy and happiness," the Holy Father said this morning. Pope Francis has made no secret of his love and admiration for his pre- decessor, who he has likened to a "wise grand- father." "It's like having your grandfather in the house, a wise grandfather. Pope Benedict is a man of great prudence.ªHe doesn't interfere!ªI have often told him so: 'Holi- ness, receive guests, lead your own life, come along with us,'" Francis said in a press conference. SOURCE: ZENIT.ORG Priest who died on the Titanic could be a saint When the Titanic began to sink on April 15, 1912, Father Thomas Byles had two opportunities to board a lifeboat. But he fore- went those opportunities, according to passengers aboard the sinking ocean liner, in order to hear confessions and o•er con- solation and prayers with those who were trapped aboard. A priest at the former church of Father Byles in England is asking that his beatification cause be opened. Some 1,500 people died when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in the Atlantic Ocean. Father Byles, a 42-year-old British priest, was traveling on the Titanic to preside at his brother's wedding in New York. Miss Agnes McCoy, a third class pas- senger and survivor of the Titanic, said the priest had been on the ship hearing confessions, praying with passengers and giving his blessing as the vessel sank. SOURCE: CATHOLICNEWSAGENCY.COM NEWS IN BRIEF Pope Francis: If men and women aren't dierent, we have problems Pope Francis greets a family during a visit to Cassano Jonio, Italy March 11. PHOTO BY BOHUMIL PETRIK/CNA Available at time of estimate only! *Maximum available discount 50% Off 3/1/15 rate card. Call for details. Offer expires 5/6/15. *Based on a 2014 study. OF GREATER DENVER AND NORTHERN COLORADO 50 % OFF* Labor & Materials! Offer expires 5/6/15 *Owner operator and proud REGIS UNIVERSITY GRADUATE Karl Scheib says "We hope we can help protect your home and family too!" Over 2 MILLION FEET INSTALLED IN COLORADO! SERVING COLORADO FOR 13 YEARS! 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