Archbishop Nichols Urges Secondary School Pupils to Say ‘No’ to What is Wrong

In a video message to all 50 Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Westminster, The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster has encouraged pupils to “learn how to be generous with what is right and how to say ‘no’ to what is wrong.”

In the message, he encourages pupils to move away from the values of fashion and celebrity by seeking “true and lasting values” and to acquire “the habits and routines of good behaviour”.

Referring to the recent riots in London, Archbishop Nichols said: “Mutual respect and responsibility went out of the window for those few days of rioting and looting. I know that many of you were upset at what you saw...Since then much has been said about young people today. But I am confident that you do understand the issues involved: that we owe respect to others in every circumstance; that theft is wrong; that we are easily tempted in the spur of a moment; that the actions we take always have  their consequences.”

In the message, which will be shown at the start of the new school year, Archbishop Nichols also said that everyone is a child of God saying: “This truth lies at the heart of the life of your school community. I trust that in this coming year you will continue to learn more about the greatness of human living and achievement, about your faith in God made visible in Jesus Christ who is your friend and companion, about your own abilities and true potential.” 

Ron Paul Ad Tells the Truth About Rick Perry

Ron Paul is taking on Rick Perry in a new television ad blasting the Texas governor for his support of Al Gore’s 1988 presidential campaign.

The six-figure ad buy, and one of the first negative ads to attack Perry,  contrasts Paul’s endorsement of Ronald Reagan in 1980 with Perry’s role as the Texas chairman for Gore’s first presidential campaign.

We're not endorsing any candidate yet, but this blog will most definitely not be supporting Rick Perry or Mitt Romney. American can and must do far better; Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachmann are much better -- and genuine conservatives.

Please tell us what you think.

Join Father Robert Barron for a LIVE Web Conference Here, Tonight

Tuesday, September 6, at 7 PM ET, Here at Sunlit Uplands

Watch live streaming video from imagebooks at livestream.com

What is Catholicism? A 2,000 year old living tradition? A worldview? A way of life? A relationship? A mystery? In his new book and DVD series Catholicism Father Robert Barron examines all these questions and more, seeking to capture the body, heart and mind of the Catholic faith.

You're invited to join in on the conversation through an online, live web cast with Father Barron! Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 7:00 pm EST (4:00 PM Pacific Time)

Father Barron will discuss this ground-breaking series and will take YOUR questions live!

Record Low; How Low Can He Go?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Obama hits all-time low according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

Fighting Between Muslims and Christians in Central Nigerian Town of Jos Leaves at Least 16 Dead.

From Bloomberg Businessweek

By Ardo Hazzad

 At least 16 people were killed and 11 wounded in Nigeria’s central city of Jos in reprisal clashes between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups yesterday, said Pam Ayuba, spokesman for the Plateau state government.

Hundreds of women and youth barricaded the highway between Abuja, the capital, and Jos today to protest renewed violence between the groups, Ayuba said by phone from the city.

A family of four was killed in the predominately Christian district of Dabwak and 12 people died in an attack in the suburb of Babale, Ayuba said. On Sept. 3, unknown gunmen killed a family of eight in Jos, he said.

Nearly 70 people have been killed in Plateau state in less than two weeks in the latest violence between Christians and Muslims. Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer and most populous nation of about 140 million people, is roughly split between a mainly Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south.

The military deployed to maintain peace are “now mandated to use all the necessary force within its powers on anybody carrying and using arms or dangerous weapons,” after soldiers came under sniper attack on Sept. 2, Charles Ekeocha, a spokesman for the military task force in the area, said today by phone from the city.

More than 14,000 people died in ethnic and religious clashes in the West African nation between 1999 and 2009, according to the Brussels-based International Crisis Group.

Bhatti Murder: Focusing Again on Islamic Extremism

Court issues arrest warrants for two Pakistani nationals who fled to Dubai. Pakistan plans to demand the extradition of Ziaur Rehman and Malik Abid, both from Faisalabad. 
 

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's only Christian minister, assassinated for opposing Islamic blasphemy law

From AsiaNews.it

By Jibran Khan

Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court has issued an international arrest warrant against two people in connection with the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, the Catholic Minority Affairs Minister who was assassinated on 2 March. The order was signed by Special Judge Pervez Ali Shah against Ziaur Rehman and Malik Abid, both from Faisalabad, who fled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Now Pakistani authorities will be able to demand their extradition so that they can be put on trial.

Is China Planning a Surprise Missile Attack?

From World Affairs

By Gordon G. Chang

A retired Chinese general recently revealed that his country might be planning a surprise missile attack on the United States. The public comment of Xu Guangyu came in response to WikiLeaks revelations that last year Washington had warned its allies beforehand of China’s test of a missile interceptor.