Santosh Digal

The council is the most important consultative body in the country. Among those invited to join the meeting is Cardinal Vidal. A government official said "the religious leaders can serve as a bridge to unite political currents in the country. We will listen carefully to their advice".

An international delegation of United Methodist church has called for justice to guarantee "civil freedoms under threat".

"The Catholic Channel" will start broadcasting 24 hours a day on January 1. It plans to break down barriers of misunderstanding among people.

Muslim leaders in the region, which has seen violent inter-religious clashes, have urged collaboration and tolerance, the only path to development and peace.

Born to allow farmers to attend the Advent Liturgy, they are a time of unity and sharing for the population.

The island's Christians and Muslims want to continue promoting peace in the wake of a "Mindanao Peace Week".

The theme of three-day conference is "Celebrating the Gospel of Life issues in Bioethics". Mgr Elio Sgeccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, will be present.

A Catholic MP told AsiaNews about the limitations, contradictions and risks inherent in laws controlling family planning: "Look at the West or Japan. They are rich nations but without youth.

Copies of the sacred text are given to Baseco area residents. Faith is women's only hope. "The Lord is our hope; he is the only one who knows his plans for us. Every day, I ask him: 'What do you want me to do today?'"

Three days of discussion focused on priests' behaviour, vocations and religious. Fr Amalay: "We need to ask ourselves if we are getting the Church's message across effectively in this fast-changing world."

The Filipino Bishops' Conference has decided to set apart 5 to 7 December as three days for prayer, penance and fasting to be observed across the nation. The days coincide with the end of the Marian year.

The bishops' conference invites the faithful to join Rosary for Life, an association which promotes "respect for life from the womb to the tomb". One member said: "Today, human life has become cheap."