Vatican | Religion & Values

Vatican tour program finds use for technology

Posted by religion

on June 21, 2011 at 3:51 pm

What do you get when you mix your typical Vatican tour guide with technology?

An iPod Vatican tour program being unveiled this week.

The Associated Press is reporting that the Holy See’s pilgrim agency is offering visitors to the Vatican museums an iPod which has a Vatican tour application designed to guide them through the vast, historic museums that draw tons of people every day.

Apparently, it’s a pilot program. It’s free, the AP reports. Visitors must leave their passport or some other similar document in exchange for the iPod, for security purposes. Then they are free to roam the museums with their trusty iPod guide in hand.

Read more about it here: Vatican tour meets technology

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Pope has Good Friday TV chat

Posted by religion

on April 22, 2011 at 3:20 pm

Pope Benedict XVI altered his typical Good Friday routine by appearing on a televised special.

The Associated Press reports that the pontiff fielded questions during a Good Friday broadcast on Italian TV.

According to the report, the questions were pre-selected. One came from a Japanese girl who asked the pope about suffering in the world.

Read the story below.

The Associated Press: Pope on TV: Pontiff answers questions on Good Friday

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Countdown to PJP sainthood begins

Posted by religion

on March 15, 2011 at 4:24 pm

The countdown to sainthood for Pope John Paul II probably began as soon as the faithful at his funeral Mass began enthusiastically calling for the new pope to bestow the honor on the beloved pontiff.

It seems the Vatican has initiated a more formal countdown of sorts. It has launched a new Facebook page focusing on the upcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II (pictured in AP Photo):

http://on.fb.me/eJMIYp.

Also clips of Pope John Paul II may be seen on the Vatican’s YouTube channel for beatification: www.youtube.com/johnpaul2

The beatification ceremony is slated for May 1 and is expected to draw many, many of the faithful to Rome.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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New posting: Celibacy and the priesthood

Posted by religion

on January 29, 2011 at 10:47 am

The issue of celibacy and the Roman Catholic priesthood was the subject of a recent USA Today story.

The shortage of priests has brought the priests’ celibacy requirement to the fore again. Catholic priests are forbidden to marry but the USA Today report ponders whether the pope (pictured) would consider eliminating that prohibition to solve the priest shortage.

The Sunday Oklahoman features a story about the priest shortage in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. In the story, the Rev. William Novak, vocations director for the archdiocese, shares his thoughts about the impact the celibacy requirement may be having on men considering the priesthood.

Check out the Sunday Oklahoman for his comments.

To read the USA Today story, click here: Might Pope Benedict Consider Married Priests Again?

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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TV show to focus on exorcism rite

Posted by religion

on January 6, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the Discovery Channel is planning a TV show focusing on exorcism.

No start date has been set as yet, according to the magazine.

I predit that folks interested in this touchy topic will be waiting in anticipation of how the cable channel will approach the subject.

One tidbit that EW writer James Hibbard included in his Inside TV column did catch my eye. Hibbard writes that people involved with the new show, to be called “The Exorcist Files,” have had access to the Vatican’s case files on exorcism.

The column made me think back to last fall when I was researching information for my Oct. 15 story about exorcism. The topic came up when a Satanist church rented a public room at the Civic Center Music Hall where they performed what they called a “satanic exorcism.”

I do believe I’m going to watch this new show since my curiousity has now been piqued.

Read EW’s Inside TV column for more information: “Exclusive: Discovery, Catholic Church team for exorcism series.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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New Web site discusses “Angels & Demons”

Posted by religion

on May 20, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Westminster Theological Seminary has launched a new Web site seeking to provide answers to the religious questions in the new movie “Angels & Demons.”

The new site is www.TruthAboutAngelsAndDemons.com.

“Just as academic institutions and other groups are using the momentum of ‘Angels & Demons’ and the scientific issues it highlights to provoke discussion, Westminster Theological Seminary stands strong and is committed to educating individuals about spiritual and historical truths, in addition to science, as it relates to the book and film,” Vern Poythress, professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster and an expert on the intersection of science and religion, said in a news release.

Many universities around the nation and overseas are launching discussions to address the truth behind the scientific claims central to the suspense in the book and film.

Westminster launched the new Web site on May 13, hoping to help people ”sift through the mix of fact and fiction woven into the novel and film and encourage conversation,” leaders said.

The site contains articles on issues related to religion and science and seeks to provide answers to such questions as: “Is the Bible true?” “Can science answer the ultimate questions?” and “Is there evidence that God created the Earth?”

“Angels & Demons” premiered May 15 and is based on a novel by Dan Brown.

In 2006, Westminster launched a similar online response to l”The Da Vinci Code,” another novel-turned-movie by Brown.

“Westminster commends the scientific community for its strong response and conversation surrounding the film and joins in the pursuit of truth,” Peter Lillback, president of Westminster, said in a statement.

”We hope our site is a catalyst for people of faith to be better equipped to engage in spiritual conversation generated by this significant media and cultural event.”

Westminster Theological Seminary has campuses in Philadelphia, Dallas, New York and London.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Dan Brown revisited

Posted by religion

on February 19, 2009 at 1:40 pm

There were protests against the film version of Dan Brown’s book “The Da Vinci Code” several years ago.

Now another of Brown’s book’s is being brought to the big screen.

It’s “Angels & Demons” and it features actor Tom Hanks once again portraying ”Code” central character Robert Langdon.

I don’t know how this movie will fare at the box office. I do know that the Catholic Church is not a fan of the film, just like it wasn’t a fan of “Code.”

Actually there were people from other Christian faith traditions besides the Catholic Church that did not like the issues raised in the earlier book-turned-movie, mainly the assertion that Jesus may have been married to Mary Magdalene and fathered a child with her.

Anyway, the Catholic Church forbid “Angels & Demons” director Ron Howard from filming in Catholic churches in Rome.

Speculation and talk of the movie is picking up steam as its U.S. premiere nears.

I saw Howard interviewed on “Entertainment Tonight” and wondered how close the film’s U.S. premiere was to Easter, which is April 12.

The premiere is set for May 15, just as “Code” premiered in May.

Watch a trailer for the film here: “Angels & Demons”

And just FYI, I saw a publicity photography of Hanks and other stars taken in the St. Marta Church in Rome, which is described as a “deconsecrated church.” That means it is no longer used for worship. I am wondering if Howard and crew were allowed to film in those types of churches instead of churches where worship services currently take place.

(AP PHOTO above: Actor Tom Hanks, left, Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer, center, and director Ron Howard, right, pose during a photocall to promote their new film “Angels & Demons” at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Meyrin near Geneva, Switzerland on Feb. 12.)

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Obama inauguration: Pope sends telegram

Posted by religion

on January 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm

A congratulatory telegram was sent to President Barack Obama from Pope Benedict.

The Religion News Service reports that the pople sent the telegram urging Obama to “promote understanding, cooperation and peace among the nations.”

The pope said he hoped that Obama’s leadership would foster the “building of a truly just and free society, marked by respect for the dignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially the poor, the outcast and those who have no voice.”

“I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, cooperation and peace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of life which God wills to set for the whole human family,” Benedict wrote.

The RNS reports that according to Vatican protocol, the pope sends greetings to all new heads of state when they take office.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Vatican + iPhone = iPrayer

Posted by religion

on December 30, 2008 at 1:03 pm

The Vatican has found that new technology like the iPhone has some definite advantages.

According to the Associated Press, the Vatican is endorsing new technology that brings the book of daily prayers used by priests straight onto iPhones.

The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Social Communications has given its approval of the iBreviary, an iTunes application created by an Italian priest, the Rev. Paolo Padrini, and an Italian Web designer, the AP reports.

The application includes the Breviary prayer book — in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Latin and, in the near future, Portuguese and German. Another section includes the prayers of the daily Mass, and a third contains various other prayers.

Padrini’s proceeds are to go to charity.

(Above: AP Photo)

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

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Faith leaders comment on Obama

Posted by religion

on November 5, 2008 at 10:45 am

Religious leaders and representatives of faith-based organizations are weighing in on the election of Sen. Barack Obama as the nation’s 44th president.

The National Council of Churches has responded today with a letter to the new president elect:

Dear Mr. President Elect,

Blessings on you, and congratulations. Now that the electorate has made its decision, we at the National Council of Churches urge all Americans to come together to uphold you with our hands, our hearts and our prayers.

Only rarely in our history has a president-elect faced immediate challenges of such fierce magnitude. The leaders of this Council pledge to you our unstinting support in the difficult days to come. All of us are dependent on God’s loving mercy, and we will regularly pray for you and others elected to high leadership. May your wisdom and discernment serve you well, and may your health never wane.

To read the complete letter, click here: Letter

The Rev. Billy Graham, who is nearing his 90th birthday on Friday, also has a statement, shared through a news release sent today:

“President Elect Barack Obama faces many challenges, and I urge everyone to join me in pledging our support and prayers as he begins the difficult task ahead.”

Meanwhile, The Associated Press is reporting that the Vatican said today that it hopes that Barack Obama will work to promote peace and justice in the world.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, chief spokesman for the Vatican and for Pope Benedict XVI told The Associated Press that the Vatican hoped Obama would “work for the cause of rights and justice, finding suitable ways to promote peace in the world, fostering people’s development and dignity while respecting essential human and spiritual values.”

Other statements come from leaders that are not as conciliatory:

The Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, released the following statement regarding the Presidential election:

“Americans have made a grave mistake in electing Barack Obama to the presidency. He said during the campaign that he does not know when a human being starts to have human rights. How can one govern from that starting point of ignorance? Governing is about protecting human rights; to do it successfully, you have to know where they come from, and when they begin. The President-elect has already failed that test miserably.”I’ll post more comments and statements as they arrive.Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Religion news with an Oklahoma angle

Vatican tour program finds use for technology

Pope has Good Friday TV chat

Countdown to PJP sainthood begins

New posting: Celibacy and the priesthood

TV show to focus on exorcism rite

New Web site discusses “Angels & Demons”

Dan Brown revisited

Obama inauguration: Pope sends telegram

Vatican + iPhone = iPrayer

Faith leaders comment on Obama

Carla Hinton

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