Gloria TV News on the Feast of St. John of the Cross.

Turkey Threatens Oldest Syrian Orthodox Monastery

Turkey

The existence of the world’s oldest Syrian Orthodox monastery, located in Turkey, is threatened by the actions of government officials and Muslim Kurds, The Economist reports. Built in 397, Mor Gabriel Monastery predates the 451 schism that led the Orthodox Oriental churches to cease to be in full communion with the pope. The government has long refused to allow the monks to register their ownership of the land. Now it is seeking to confiscate the monastery’s property.

Legion Formalizes Guidelines on Relationship to Fr Maciel

Rome

Photographs of the disgraced founder alone or with the Holy Father cannot be placed in Legionary or Regnum Christi centers any more. This decision was taken by the Legion of Christ and the Apostolic Delegate on Dec 6. Further, dates having to do with the founder’s person are not to be celebrated. The anniversary of his death, January 30, will be a day dedicated especially to prayer. The founder’s personal writings and talks will not be for sale in the congregation’s publishing houses, centers, and works of apostolate. The norms leave however space so that anyone who wishes/ may privately keep a photograph of the founder, read his writings, or listen to his talks. In addition, the content of his writings may be used in preaching without citing the author.

Holy See Press Office Praises New Report

Vatican

Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, offered praise for a new report documenting intolerance and discrimination against European Christians since 2005. “The importance of the new report is precisely in its giving a long and detailed series of examples of intolerance toward Christians in Europe: acts of vandalism, of hatred, toward Churches and religious symbols, manifestations of hatred and offences against persons,” Lombardi said. The report was issued by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination, a Vienna-based organization.

What is Celibacy?

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by circumstances. While attending a Marriage Weekend, a couple listened to the instructor declare, 'It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other." The instructor then addressed the men, 'Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?' The husband leaned over, touched his wife's hand gently, and whispered, 'Robin Hood - All-Purpose, isn't it?' Later the husband commented: “And thus began my life of celibacy…”