Pope Francis: spiritual poverty is a cure to polemics

On Sunday Pope Francis said being poor in spirit doesn’t necessarily mean giving things up, but instead is rooted in humility and openness to others – an attitude capable of overcoming polemics and division, and leading to greater fraternity.

“The poor in spirit is the Christian who doesn’t rely on oneself, on material riches, who doesn’t insist on their own opinions, but listens with respect and willingly defers to others’ decisions,” the Pope said Jan. 29.

“If in our community there were more (people who are) poor in spirit, there would be less divisions, conflicts and polemics!” he said, adding that like charity, humility is “an essential virtue for living in Christian communities.”

Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus address, which this week was attended by roughly 25,000 people, according to the Vatican police. Among attendees were 3,000 youth from Catholic Action in Rome, who participated as part of their annual “Caravan of Peace” event.

Chaos And Anger As Trump Ban For Muslim Countries Begins

President Donald Trump's order to restrict people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States sparked confusion and anger on Saturday after immigrants and refugees were kept off flights and left stranded in airports.

In his most sweeping decision since taking office a week ago, Trump, a Republican, put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barred travelers from Syria and six other countries.

Civil rights and faith groups, activists and Democratic politicians were furious and vowed to fight the order.

Pastors Pray And Anoint The Door That Donald Trump Will Walk Through At His Inauguration

Three Christian leaders in the United States have joined to "pray and anoint" the doorway that President-elect Trump will walk through before his inauguration at Capitol Building today.

The three Christians have likewise prayed for previous presidents. They ask for direction, leadership, protection and blessing for Donald Trump and his team.

Controversial Philippines President Duterte Seeks Peace With Pope Francis After Rows Over Condoms, Death Penalty

The controversial President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has written a personal letter to Pope Francis saying that the country values its "special relations" with the Holy See.

The letter comes after Duterte set himself on a collision course with the Catholic Church over plans to hand out millions of free condoms and reintroduce the death penalty.

However, the Pope is said to have told an aide to the President on Wednesday that he will bless Duterte after the aide handed the letter to Francis.

Millennials Believe Britain Is No Longer A Christian Country – But They Still Think Religion Matters

Most millennials do not view Britain as a Christian country, according to a poll to be published today.

Instead, they view Britain as a nation with no specific religious identity. But they do believe that religion plays an important role in the lives of individuals.

The survey was carried out by pollsters ComRes and is being published today to mark the launch of the new Faith Research Centre later this month.

Is Social Media Leading You to Emotional Adultery?

Pastor Mark Driscoll of Trinity Church in Arizona has warned that many Christian couples are committing what he describes as "emotional adultery," and said that couples need to remember the importance of friendship in their relationship.

Why and How a Man Should Keep Himself Pure

When societies lose the directional parameters of purpose, they cast off all restraint.

The 1960s sexual revolution ushered in a degrading of America's young people. Now, the first generation of men who grew up with unlimited access to pornography are suffering unexpected collateral damage—porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED).

A new 'vocational culture' is needed in the Church, Pope Francis says

A fresh and courageous perspective is needed when it comes to helping youth discern and discover their vocation, Pope Francis said Thursday, emphasizing the importance of personal holiness and the commitment to serving others.

“(Today) there is the urgency to bring into the Christian community a new ‘vocational culture,’” the Pope said in his prepared Jan. 5 remarks.

Texas court strikes down reg forcing doctors to do ‘sex changes’ on kids

On December 31, a Texas court struck down a federal regulation requiring doctors to perform gender transition procedures on children, even if the doctor believes the treatment could harm the child.
 
The ruling protects the rights of families and their doctors to make medical decisions for their child free from government bureaucrats’ interference.

Christian Woman In China Sentenced To Three Years In Prison For Holding Bible Study

A Christian woman in China has been sentenced to three years in prison for holding a Bible study after being accused of "gathering a crowd to disturb public order".

China Aid reported that Ma Huichao was sentenced on Friday at a court in the western Xinjiang region of the country.

She had been taken into police custody along with four other Christians when officials claimed that their Bible study met without government approval, and stood trial in mid-November.