Church in France Renews Link to Israel

Paris Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois’ Feb. 12 trip to Israel marked the end of a decade in which there was no cooperation between the Church in France and Israel, reported Ha’aretz.

Upon landing at Ben-Gurion airport, Archbishop Vingt-Trois carried out the traditional ceremony of salt, wine and bread to present to the Jewish delegation. On a number of occasions in the past, he declared his belief in the need for stronger ties between France and the Jewish people and Israel.

He said, “We are happy to be in the Holy Land. Jerusalem is the center of religions.”

Abbott Dislikes ‘Captain Catholic’ Tag

Australian Health Minister Tony Abbott, referred to as “Captain Catholic,” said his opposition to abortion, embryonic stem-cell research and RU-486 did not “require religion as justification or validation,” the Australian website News.com.au reported.

“I have always found the ‘Captain Catholic’ tag very uncomfortable, because I didn’t come into this business to be a public Catholic,” he said. “I came into this business to be a politician.

“I do take religion seriously and I do try to go to Mass on Sunday and I do try to get to Mass at other times because I find it personally a helpful thing to do,” he said. “I am just as imperfect a Christian as the next person. I don’t hold myself out as an exemplar of moral virtue.”