Word: benediction
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...Gastrovac to go into mass production. Suzanne Dokolas Athens Re "Nuclear implosion," on how traditional family structures are giving way to new, improvised setups: a patchwork of competing cultural factors is prompting European families to adopt a wider variety of living situations. In rural Catholic regions, e.g., Pope Benedict XVI's birthplace in Bavaria, people still appreciate traditional gender roles: men make money, while women stick to kids and kitchen. But Western egocentrism invites young couples to reduce family to a meager dinks model (double income, no kids). At my workplace, I am surrounded by such married couples. And more...
...incomprehensible. But on Friday, when French Cardinal Paul Poupard presented the Vatican's annual message for the end of Ramadan, there was no doubt about what was meant by the "particular circumstances" that had heightened interest in what is usually a boilerplate goodwill missive. Five weeks since Pope Benedict XVI's speech in Germany about faith, reason and violence provoked a backlash among some Muslims, the wheels of Vatican diplomacy are still working overtime to "placate the souls," as Benedict himself had put it in mid-September, in his first discourse following his return from Germany...
...good to be able to share this significant moment with you in the context of our ongoing dialogue." Still the message, which is similar to other such annual missives to Buddhists and Hindus, doesn't answer the question that is on many minds in Rome, and beyond: When is Benedict going to pick up where he left off in Regensburg...
...That's because in his speech in Germany, the Pope had effectively challenged Muslims to an inter-faith dialogue less preoccupied with diplomacy. Of course, that speech turned into a worldwide diplomatic incident, largely because Benedict had cited a 14th century Byzantine emperor's statement branding the contribution to religion of Islam's Prophet Muhammad as "things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." The Pope has since clarified that he does not agree with those words, and has repeatedly expressed his esteem for Muslims. Says a senior Vatican official...
...Vatican officials cite a recent letter the Pope received from 38 Muslim intellectuals, which responds to his September speech with detailed arguments. "An exchange on the theme of reason and religion has been launched," Poupard said. Benedict's decision of how and when to return to his talking frankly on the subject is a delicate balancing act. Some in the Vatican hope he continues his post-Regensburg conciliatory tone during his trip in late November to Turkey, noting that any misstep could be explosive in a country that is 98% Muslim. Others say it is a unique opportunity to speak...