Cardinal Ratzinger Compares Cloning Scientists to Hitler
, Aug. 9 — In the wake of announcements that three scientists plan to clone a human being by the end of this year, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, called cloning “anti-human,” the Canadian daily reported.
“In a certain sense, Hitler was ahead of his time as far as some modern developments are concerned,” said the cardinal, who lived through Nazi Germany as a teenager. Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, called cloning “the worst manifestation of human slavery.”
Doctor Severino Antinori was one of three pro-cloning doctors to address a panel of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington. London's Daily Telegraph reported that Antinori called Pope John Paul II and President George W. Bush “criminals” and asserted that he had a “human right” to research cloning.
Mel Gibson and Sons on Pilgrimage to Vatican City , Aug. 5 — Despite his scruffy appearance, actor Mel Gibson had a serious purpose when he turned up in Vatican City with his twin sons, the Scottish daily reported.
Gibson took Edward and Christian, 17, on a pilgrimage to the Vatican. The Australian actor wore religious symbols from the Carmelite order around his neck when he spoke with reporters.
Over Half of Ukrainians Positive About Pope
SOCIS INSTITUTE, Aug. 2 — Just over half of Ukrainians polled by the Socis Institute said that they felt “positive” about Pope John Paul II's June visit, despite condemnations form the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Fifty-one percent judged the visit to be positive, while only 14% thought it had been negative. One third of Ukrainians said the papal visit “will reinforce the international prestige” of Ukraine or “will contribute to an improvement in interdenominational relations.” Six percent thought the visit would cause Orthodox-Catholic relations to deteriorate, and 7% said the visit was part of a “plan of global expansion of Catholicism.”