S i g n i s I n d i a

WASHINGTON D.C., June 30, 2010--Seeking to help catechize and educate Catholics on the meaning of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Marriage has launched an initiative titled “Marriage: Unique for a Reason.”read more »

BEIJING, China, July 8, 2010--Mgr Jia Zhiguo, underground bishop of Zhengding (Hebei), was released yesterday morning after 15 months of detention in an unknown location. Last night, surrounded by a hundred faithful, he celebrated Mass in the cathedral of Wuqiu village (pictured) where he lives.read more »

MEXICO CITY, Jul 1, 2010--Bishop Jose Luis Dibildox of Tampico has called on Mexicans to go to the polls on July 4 during the nation's upcoming election. At the same he denounced the violence that has struck several Mexican states, including the murder of the PRI party candidate for governor of Tamaulipas, Rodolfo Torre.

Bishop Dibildox said he would be carrying out his civic duty to vote on Sunday, because “it is an obligation and I must give an example.”read more »

INDORE, India, July 9, 2010--Some 1,000 Indians, including priests and nuns, have protested a government move to dispose of toxic waste from the Bhopal gas tragedy site in their locality.

The Madhya Pradesh government, following a Supreme Court order, is to dispose of 346 tons of poisonous material from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, the state capital.

The state plans to destroy the waste in an incineration facility in the Pithampur area near Indore town, some 190 kilometers west of Bhopal, according to reports.read more »

LONDON, England, Jul 2, 2010--Though Christmas is still six months away, the organization ChurchAds.net has chosen the design for its Christmas ad campaign. The selected design, called "Ultrasound Jesus," depicts an ultrasound image of an unborn baby with a halo above his head and the caption, “He's on His way. Christmas starts with Christ.” The image quickly angered pro-abortion and atheists groups with its alleged pro-life sentiments.read more »

BEIJING, China, July 9, 2010--The priest and nun of the underground diocese of Ningxia, who were killed on July 5 at Wuhai (Wuda district, Inner Mongolia), were murdered by a former seminarian. 43 year old Wenping Zhangwas arrested yesterday afternoon in Hohhot. The police informed Catholics in Hohhot and Ningxia last night.read more »

ROME, Italy, Jul 3, 2010--Recently created metropolitan archbishops from around the world descended on Rome for the conferral of the pallium on June 29 at St. Peter's Basilica. Among them was Archbishop Thomas Wenski, whom CNA was able to ask about the ceremony, his archdiocese and the reconciliation process with Cuba.read more »

BANGKOK, Thailand, July 9, 2010--The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is organizing a meeting in Thailand next week with its Asian members and consultants.

The meeting is scheduled for July 12-18 at Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Center in Sam Phran, outside Bangkok. Thirty-six Church officials, mainly bishops, are expected to participate, including council president Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.read more »

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Jul 4, 2010--As Americans across the country celebrate the nation's Independence Day this weekend, they should humbly remember their dependence on their Creator, said Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York.

In a column written this week, he reflected on the celebration of Independence Day and called on the faithful to proclaim a “spiritual Declaration of Dependence” on God that is “downright revolutionary” in American society today.read more »

TAIZHOU, China, July 10, 2010--After 48 years of vacant see today the Diocese of Taizhou (Zhejiang) has a new bishop. Bishop Anthony Xu Jiwei, recognized by the government, was ordained this morning in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Taizhou (Jiaojiang district), with the approval of the Holy See.read more »