Saint Jacob Melkite Byzantine Catholic Mission

Fr. Musallam: Palestinians Want Peace
(03 Sept 10 - RV) During a live broadcast to mark the annual Al-Quds, or Jerusalem Day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today urged Palestinians to keep up their armed struggle against Israel. His remarks come a day after Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to continue talks on a U.S.-backed peace deal. We spoke to former parish priest of the holy family parish in Gaze, Fr Manuel Musallam he told us what he would like from the peace talks: 00:01:19:25

Europes Bishops on Green Pilgrimage
(03 Sept 07 - RV) Pope Benedict today called for a renewed commitment to environmental protection, in greetings to European Bishops currently on a “green” pilgrimage from Budapest to the Marian shrine in Mariazell. Leading the group, Cardinal Turkson, President of the Vatican’s Council for Justice and Peace today sais that “care for the environment can no longer be seen as the responsibility of someone else”. Father Timothy Bartlett works on social and political affairs for the Irish Bishops Conference and is taking part in the 5 day event: 00:02:01:61

After World Cup, South African Strikers Ask Where Money Is
(3 Sept 10 - RV) South African government officials want to meet with labor unions to find a solution to a civil servants' strike for higher wages that is in its third week. Schools and hospitals have been severely affected by the strike, and protests linked to it have sometimes been violent. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier is the Archbishop of Durban. He us that the government is in a weak position... 00:02:13:97

Individual Discipleship Discussed at Congress of Asian Catholic Laity
(2 Sept 10 - RV) The Congress of Asian Catholic Laity is continuing this week in Seoul, South Korea. The Conference is bringing together many members of lay apostolates from around the continent. We spoke to Professor Thomas Hong Soon Han, a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and a past president of the Lay Apostolate Council of Korea. He said that although the work of lay groups is important, individual discipleship must be the goal of all Christians: 00:01:11:30

Preparations Underway at Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
(2 Sept 10 - RV) Final preparations are underway at Rome’s Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, where a special symposium will be held for journalists next week. The president of the Church Up Close Symposium, Fr. John Wauk spoke with us about the initiative… 00:01:13:80

Australia Poised for Minority Government
(2 Sept 10 - RV) Prime Minister Julia Gillard today edged closer to retaining power in Australia when an independent lawmaker said he would support her centre-left Labour Party to form Australia's first minority government in almost seven decades. We have this report: 00:01:32:18

South African Workers Continue Strike
(2 Sept 10 - RV) Striking South African state workers planned a protest march today as their leaders held meetings with government negotiators after rejecting a revised wage offer aimed at ending their three-week strike. The majority of unions, most of which are in the largest labour federation COSATU, voted against the offer yesterday, prolonging a strike by 1.3 million state workers that a prominent economist said was costing about $150 million a day. The editor of South Africa’s Southern Cross Newspaper, Gunther Simmermacher, said people are growing impatient with the strike… 00:01:37:08

Flash Floods Hit Central Africa
(2 Sept 10 - RV) Flash floods have worsened an already chronic humanitarian crisis caused by drought – particularly in the landlocked countries of Chad and Niger, where aid agencies have warned that millions of people are already facing severe food shortages. We have this report: 00:01:20:42

Pope Meets Israeli President Shimon Peres
(2 Sept 10 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI today received the President of Israel Shimon Peres. The two men spoke about of the relations between the State of Israel and the Holy See and those of the state authorities with the local Catholic communities. This included a discussion of the ongoing work of the bilateral working Commission on the drafting of an Accord concerning economic matters. They also spoke about the renewal of direct contacts between Israelis and Palestinians this week in Washington. In a communiqué released by the Holy See Press Office, the hope was expressed that this may assist in reaching an agreement that is respectful of the legitimate aspirations of the two Peoples, and capable of bringing lasting peace to the Holy Land and to the entire region. The condemnation of all forms of violence and the necessity of guaranteeing better conditions of life to all the peoples of the area were reaffirmed. The discussions also touched on Interreligious Dialogue and an overview of the international situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are meeting today at the US State Department in Washington. We spoke to Franciscan Father David-Maria Jaeger, an expert on the Holy Land, about the significance of this meeting. 00:03:09:72

SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVES: The editor of a Catholic magazine and weekly paper discusses the challenges ahead in covering the papal visit to Britain.... FINDING SANCTUARY: The former Abbot of Worth Abbey explains how to draw on monastic wisdom to find sanctuary in our hectic daily lives.... RENAISSANCE MASTERPIECES: Tapestries designed by Raphael go on display at the V&A next to the original cartoons.... 00:28:59:09