Official Clarifies Statement on Homosexual Ordination

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Sept. 20 — Last week an influential Vatican official, Father Andrew Baker of the Congregation for Bishops, published an article in the Jesuit journal America arguing that homosexually inclined men should not be ordained priests.

In the face of controversy, Father Baker has stood by his position but made it clear he is not promulgating official teaching in the article.

In the article, Father Baker argued that homosexual men have special difficulties staying celibate in an all-male seminary environment and remaining faithful to Church teaching — especially those that condemn homosexual behavior and call homosexuality a disorder.

War Over the Cross in Italy

NEWS24.COM, Sept. 19 — A proposed law that would place crucifixes in public places in Italy — such as schools and train stations — has sparked controversy.

Promoted by the conservative party The Northern League, the bill has been attacked by Islamic and Jewish groups, who said it hearkens back to fascist Italy.

The bill was introduced after a recent appeal from Pope John Paul II during a talk on the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross that crucifixes be made more visible throughout society.

Abdel Smith, leader of the controversial Italian Union of Muslims, responded to the bill by likening the crucifix to a rotting cadaver.

Education minister Letizia Moratti explained to parliament that the crucifix would hang in state schools and hospitals as “a symbol of Christian civilization, its roots and its universal values, all of which are essential elements of the historical and cultural heritage of our country.”

Pope Blesses Soccer Team

DAILY RECORD (U.K.), Sept. 17 — Perhaps the best soccer team in the world, Real Madrid (Royal Madrid), visited Pope John Paul II two weeks ago to get his blessing en route to playing an important match against a local Roman team.

The team is nine-time winner of the European Cup. It went to Rome to see the Pope, who played goalkeeper as a teen-ager, wearing No. 1 for his school team in Wadowice, Poland.

The Holy Father addressed Real Madrid, speaking of the “nobleness” of sport and of its power to bridge differences among peoples.

Future Accord With Traditionalists?

UNA VOCE.ORG, September — On its Web site this month, the “traditional Catholic” group Una Voce offered hints of a possible accord between followers of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the Vatican.

It cited an interview in the French Una Voce magazine with Jesuit Father Pierre Blet, professor of Church history at the Gregorian University in Rome. In the interview, Father Blet noted some members of the Pius X Society were warmly received at the Vatican during the Jubilee Year, but negotiations had stalled over what level of acceptance the society must give to the documents of Vatican II. Father Blet said he expected this snag to be overcome.

He went on to address the liturgy, suggesting that many cardinals in the curia are open to wider permission for the Mass of St. Pius V, noting that “the Pope himself celebrated this Mass during his recent vacation.”