Pope requests prayer and fasting today

Pope Benedict requested two days of prayer and fasting for peace in the world, especially Iraq, to take place on April 3 and 4. According to Catholic World News

The Holy Father asked "the faithful, believers, and men and women of good will" to devote April 3 and 4 to prayer and fasting for peace in the world, especially in the "martyred land" of Iraq.

The Pope said that he was passing along a request from Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel II Delly of Baghdad and the Iraqi bishops. He encouraged the faithful to join with Iraqi Catholics in prayer, "entrusting this intention to the intercession of Mary most holy, Queen of Peace."

US abstinence programs violate UN treaty?

The Center for Reproductive Rights is charging that the US is violating a UN treaty by funding programs that encourage abstinence. (No, this is not a late April Fools joke). According to Catholic World News

One of the more notable accusations (CRR lawyer) Smith makes is the claim that the US promotion of abstinence-based sex education programs leads to the continued promulgation of gender stereotypes and increases the likelihood of people engaging in unprotected sex, thus raising rates of sexually transmitted infection. The CRR reports "the US exports these harmful programs to countries . . . such as Uganda, with a high prevalence of HIV."

But as Catholic World News points out:

The Ugandan government has touted its success in drastically reducing the HIV infection rate from 15% in 1991 to just over 4% at the end of 2003 through its promotion of abstinence-based sexual education programs.

Oops.

The “problem” of Easter and Christmas Catholics

They show up twice and year, clog the parking lot and take your favorite pew. What's a faithful Catholic supposed to do about these prodigals? Catholic Pillow Fight and Catholic Mom have an idea – welcome them. All will be welcome on Easter Sunday! (And other Sundays too!)

Remembering Pope John Paul II

The Anchoress is remembering Pope John Paul II on the first anniversary of his death. A terrific roundup of posts on the legacy of John Paul II and remarkable papacy of Pope Benedic XVI (who intervened in the release of the Afghan Christian convert Abdul Rahman). Highly recommended.