Bahrain

Fathers Vijai and Ravi will today receive this crucifix according to the ritual of the departure ceremony, which goes back over 150 years. The two are destined for Mexico and for Hispanics in the United States.

Debate has been raised by the proposal of Rowan Williams, the Anglican primate, to insert parts of sharia into British legislation. To integrate Muslims into Europe, the practice of hospitality is better. Europeans appear to be abandoning the same humanist ideals that attract many, Muslims and non-Muslims.

In his message for this most important of moments in the life of the Church, Benedict XVI warns against worshipping wealth, urging us to use it for global solidarity whose lack is strengthening groups like al-Qaeda. Giving oneself is the best and least noisy ways of giving onto others.

All markets have plunged some up to -8%. Mumbai stock exchange closes for an hour due to heavy losses. Chinese banks in difficulty. According to Soros it is the worst financial crises since the Second World War.

Markets fall, some by more than 6%. Chinese banks forced to cover American mortgage debts. Lack of confidence in the plan unveiled by President Bush last week.

Vatican representatives and Muslim thinkers will meet in Rome next March to hammer out a few guidelines for dialogue between Christians and Muslims. There is a risk of hollowness or falsity if the dialogue addresses theology alone, and not the concrete problems of the two communities.

In his speech to the diplomatic corps Benedict XVI expresses great concern for the Asian continent, from the Middle East to Myanmar, from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. Peace requires respect for human freedom and human rights which are based on natural law, starting with the right to life and to religious freedom. He expresses hope that the moratorium on the death penalty might “lead to [a] public debate on the sacred character of human life.”

In mass marking the solemnity of the adoration of the Infant Jesus, Benedict XVI asks the world to recognise Christ as the source of hope, who cancels the “curse” of the division of Babel. Brotherhood among peoples is born in Him, and a globalisation capable of sharing all of the earths resources, a globalisation impressed with “moderation” and “sobriety”.

Benedict XVI underlines the mission of the Church and for every Christian to illuminate the search for truth. Best wishes for a happy Christmas for the Churches in the east and an invitation to a common mission. Marking World Day for Missionary Children the pope also recalls the commitment of children who through prayer, small sacrifices and solidarity help evangelisation.

The shelter, which opened almost 20 years ago not far from the Pope’s old place of work, was the idea of John Paul II and the Blessed Teresa of Kolkata. The Pontiff urges the missionary sisters and brothers to bring “God’s smile” to the world.

Numbers show that Internet is home to religious and spiritual quests. Burma, Christians in Muslim lands, China and the Vatican are AsiaNews’ top searched words.

In the first Mass of 2008 Benedict XVI refers to his Message for the World Day of peace. He reiterates that a commitment to the family founded on the marriage between a man and a woman is the basis of peace in the world. But such peace must be invoked. In Mary’s school, the school of the Mother of God, we learn to be peace operators and witnesses to the Prince of Peace.