L'Effort Camerounais (English Version)

Pope calls on Cameroonians to have an increasing awareness of the common good

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, last June 16,  received in audience His Excellency Antoine Zanga, Cameroon's Ambassador to the Holy See on the occasion of the presentation of his Letters of Credence. During the audience he called on Cameroonians to have an increasing awareness of the commonwealth. He also urged the Cameroon government to meet the exigencies of peace and security, highlighting instances of the country's growing insecurity. Read Pope’s full address.

Ecclesia in Africa: Message from Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican, 9th September, 2005.

The State Secretariat Section for General Affairs
N. 11. 996

Excellence,
You recently informed me of the upcoming celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the publication of the Post-Synodal Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa, from the 14th to the 17th of September.

New Pope condemns Spain gay bill

Pope Benedict XVI has responded firmly to the first challenge of his papacy by condemning a Spanish government bill allowing marriage between homosexuals.

The bill, passed by parliament's Socialist-dominated lower house, also allows gay couples to adopt.

A senior Vatican official described the bill - which is likely to become law within a few months - as iniquitous.

Laypeople Need Liturgical Formation Too, Says Pope In a Letter to Congregation for Divine Worship

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 3, 2005 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II sent a message from his hospital room emphasizing that liturgical formation is not only a necessity for the clergy and religious, but also for the laity.

Recovering from last week's tracheotomy and unable to attend the assembly of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, the Pope addressed a message to the participants dated today.

John Paul II's 5th Book Due Out

Pope John Paul II . Memory and Identity: Conversations Spanning Millenniums. Rizzoli. 2005, 192 pages (ISBN: 0847827615).

Pope John Paul II's latest book, "Memory and Identity: Conversations Between Millenniums," will go on sale next week, earlier than originally planned. The Italian publisher, Rizzoli, announced that the book will be in stores by Wednesday. It will be presented the day before by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Joaquín Navarro Valls, director of the Vatican press office; and Paolo Mieli, editor of the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera.

Cardinal tumi Named to Key Vatican Body

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 3, 2005 - Pope John Paul II has appointed cardinals and bishops as new members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. The new appointees include six African clerics, among them, Cardinal Christian Wiyghan Tumi, Archbishop of  Douala.