Pope John Paul II has said that the activities of the Church for evangelisation of villages and homes in yester years, have now to be directed towards the evangelisation of cities with greater efficiency. The evangelisation of cities is the greatest challenge of today. The Pope was speaking to the Bishops come for their ad Limina visit from Canada.

The Pope pointed out that city life has its own challenges and possibilities. In the new evangelisation, there is great importance given to faith formation, the liturgy, and pastoral units like the diocese. It is through these that the Bishops teach, sanctify and exercise jurisdiction - the triple aspects of their mandate. This will help us to become one community in Jesus. It is essential to work along these lines in order to meet the challenges of modern culture. There are numerous people in the cities who do not know or have any connection with one another. But the situation in our community of worship should not be so. We must foster the growth of mutual relationships that Christian brotherhood demands. Not only parishes but Catholic schools and institutions also should play an important role in the evangelisation of cities, the Pope said.
 
 

New York: Dr Joel Brind, professor of Life Sciences in New York City, University, has stated that abortion increases the possibility of breast cancer. Of the 31 medical research papers published in the entire world, 25 emphatically state that abortion leads to breast cancer. Destruction of the foetus is a step taken towards the death of the mother. The hormone imbalance that is the result of the abortion, is the cause of this type of cancer.
 
 

Washington: Studies conducted in America show that those who go regularly for prayer and worship, live longer. Those who frequent church services have a longer life than those who do not by ten per cent. Research workers of the US universities have made this study.

They found that those who go to church at least once a week live up to an average age of 85. For those who never go to church the life span is only 75 years. 22,000 persons in all were subjected to this study which lasted for 9 years.
 
 

Followers of Islam share the same legacy of faith, with Christians and Jews, said the Pope. The Pope was addressing the people at the general audience given in St Peter’s Basilica. It is the patriarch Abraham whom all consider as the ideal example of surrender to God’s will. We should realise that our beginning and end is in God. Christians and Muslims have a common tradition of teaching, philosophy and theology. They have influenceed East-West cultures. Both these religions go forward exhorting their followers to grow in love, respect for human dignity, and defence of moral values and freedom. Therefore there is the possibility of more dialogue and united activities between these religions, the Pope pointed out.
 
 

Though new movements of the laity serve to renew the Church, ecclesiastical authorities should be careful to direct them along the right path, stated Cardinal Ratzinger, the chairman of the Congregation of faith and morals at the meeting of Bishops held in Rome. The cardinal reminded them that at least occasionally some movements have caused division in the parish and obstructed the pastoral activities of the vicar. The cardinal highlighted the fact that in the 1960’s Church activities had suffered a setback and it was at this time that several of these movements were born as the result of the special activity of the Spirit. There must be correct attitudes towards the parish. It must be a family where all work together with one mind and heart. It should not be a market place where each one chooses the group he likes, the cardinal added.