NEWS

{mosimage}VIENNA, Austria - On a three-day pilgrimage to Austria, Pope Benedict XVI brought a core theme of his pontificate to Central Europe, warning that a drift away from Christian values is leaving society unfulfilled, less charitable and without a real future.

{mosimage}VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Zimbabwean Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo, the most outspoken critic of the country's leadership who is also facing allegations of adultery.

{mosimage}TORONTO - Anyone who thought a look back at 20th-century history through the eyes of prayer would be comforting, uplifting or anodyne might want to begin with the 1919 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

{mosimage}OTTAWA - “Families, where are the saints of the third millennium?”

That question forms the title of the Catholic Organization for Life and Family’s (COLF) annual message to families for 2007, challenging families to pass the faith on to the next generation.

{mosimage}SEOUL, South Korea - As 19 South Korean hostages returned safely to their country, Catholic and Protestant church leaders said it was time to reflect on overseas missions and service.

{mosimage}CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and expressed hope that new diplomatic moves can bring peace in the Middle East.

{mosimage}CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A century-and-a-half ago, a small spark was ignited in this tiniest of Canadian provinces on Canada’s east coast.

{mosimage}TORONTO — Visiting the sick in hospital, or the imprisoned in jails, is more than just a question of being there. Learn how to be a visitor in an eight-week course in “Spiritual and Religious Care Visitor Training” at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen St. W. in Toronto, Wednesday evenings starting Sept. 5. For more information about the $70 course, call (416) 535-8501 ext. 2189/2188 or e-mail biruta_pearcy@camh.net or pearly_daniel@camh.net.