Also in Arkansas Catholic’s Feb. 7 issue

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Vatican opening path to full communion for traditionalists
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— In the long-standing conflict between the Vatican and the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, Pope Benedict XVI has been a key figure in reconciliation efforts that, so far, have always fallen short.

Pope Benedict XVI rejects Holocaust denial
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— Pope Benedict XVI renewed his “full and unquestionable solidarity” with the world’s Jews and condemned all ignorance, denial and downplaying of the brutal slaughter of millions of Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Debate continues on global religious decline
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -— Statistics leave no doubt that the number of women religious has dropped sharply over the last 50 years, but there is an ongoing debate over the reasons for the decline.

Church starts Web site for financial woes
LONDON (CNS) -— The Catholic Church in England and Wales has launched an online resource for people enduring hardship because of the global financial crisis.

Christian ethics professor dies Jan. 29 in Mobile, Ala.
Father Frederick Gunti, a priest for the Diocese of Little Rock, died Jan. 29 at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Ala., after battling pneumonia and a staph infection. He was 68.

Campaign seeks to awaken inactive Catholics
WASHINGTON (CNS) — This Lent and Easter “thousands of inactive Catholics” will go to church “and some will be open to an invitation to reconnect with their Catholic faith,” said a Paulist priest who is a leader in evangelization.

New network starts against death penalty
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CNS) -— The Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Death Penalty, launched Jan. 25 in Harrisburg, is not just another initiative of the bishops but instead represents lay Catholics at the grass-roots level “taking up the challenge” put forth in bishops’ documents, statements and actions over the past three decades.

Spiritual works of mercy help heal ‘people’s hearts, minds, emotions’
M-E-R-C-Y, what is it? How can we express it? We are called to show mercy, but why and to whom? Webster’s New World Dictionary defines it as: (1) a refraining from harming offenders, enemies, etc., (2) imprisonment rather than death for a capital crime, (3) a disposition to forgive or … (Understanding our Church, Seeds of Faith)

In good and bad times, faith and trust in God gets us through life
The quality of drivenness is obvious in the attitudes of Paul and Jesus in this weekend’s reading. Paul’s great desire was to preach the Good News to others so they could enter into the love of God made possible by Jesus’ presence among us. (Word to Life, Seeds of Faith)

To address problems in the world, go back to basics
While preparing a Sunday homily, I found in a Scripture commentary a phrase that grabbed my attention — practical atheism. (Columns)

Wanted: Hispanic families promoting vocations
Some time ago a bishop met with Hispanic groups in his diocese. They presented many concerns, including one from a married couple who asked him, “Bishop, please send us priests who understand us and will take care of us.” With a smile the bishop replied, “Of course. Give me your sons and I will send them to the seminary to be trained. I don’t have sons. Vocations must come from you.” (Opinions)

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