To put things on a more solid footing-- "just the facts, ma'am"-- here are the "top 10" CWN stories for the week:

1. The Pope met with President Bush, of course. Although some analysts predicted a direct clash, there was actually a general agreement on future prospects for Iraq. The visit took place under tight security,, with Italian officials worried about both anti-war demonstrators and Al Qaida terrorists.
2. Responding at last to the pleas from Ukrainian Catholics for the recognition of a Byzantine-rite Patriarchate of Kiev, the Holy Father said that he was in favor of establishing the patriarchate, but would not grant recognition if it would cause problems for ecumenical relations with the Orthodox churches.
3. The Pope prepared for his weekend trip to Switzerland. CWN offered a preview of the trip, and of the hostility the Pope is likely to encounter; no doubt we'll have details next week. But even before he left Rome, he had already pulled off a coup: Switzerland announced plans to normalize diplomatic relations with the Holy See after a break that has lasted more than 130 years!
4. In another breakthrough for Vatican diplomacy, Israel announced plans to resume negotiations for the long-awaited completion of the "fundamental agreement."
5. Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos said that traditionalist Catholics should not be treated as second-class citizens. It sounds so obvious, and yet if you understand the background, you realize why that comment made for an interesting news story.
6. In Pakistan, a young Christian man died of injuries suffered when he was beaten by Muslim militants. His death came shortly after another young Christian died at the hands of Muslim extremists. Pakistani Christians are understandably worried, and looking for government protection.
7. Our friends at C-Fam exposed an effort by the UN Population Fund to capitalize on divisions within the Catholic Church in order to promote their "gospel" of family planning.
8. In his latest talk to visiting US bishops, the Pope called for more energetic efforts to forestall the destructive effects of a negative, self-centered popular culture.
9. The prime minister of France spoke out sharply against legal recognition of same-sex unions.
10. And Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger-- a German citizen who was once briefly held by US troops as a prisoner of war-- was chosen as the Pope's personal representative for D-Day anniversary ceremonies in Normandy.

The hottest controversy on CWN this week involved a report given by Chicago's Cardinal George to the Pope, complaining that the Church is facing new threats to religious freedom in the US. While many American Catholics applauded the cardinal's remarks, Father Joseph Wilson sharply disagreed in a "Phil's Forum" column. That column in turn touched off a spirited exchange of "Sound Off" comments. Have you joined in that debate yet?

Remember, there's just over one week left on our special subscription offer: a year of Catholic World Report absolutely free with your one-year subscription to Catholic World News. If you've been thinking about taking advantage of that offer, don't wait until my next reminder!

Until then,

Phil Lawler,
Editor,
Catholic World News

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 05, 2004

Answers

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-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), June 05, 2004.

"Vatican, May. 31 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Dario Castrillion Hoyos, the Vatican official charged with relations with traditionalist Catholics, believes that traditionalist often do not receive enough respect from Church leaders.

The Colombian prelate told he Italian daily Il Giornale that traditionalists should never be treated as second-class citizens in the Church. He admitted that the Church sometime shows more consideration in dealings with Protestant and Orthodox groups than with traditionalist Catholics. At the same time, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos suggested that some traditionalists should avoid "types of exasperated criticism" of Church leaders."

Exasperated criticism?

-- Louis IX (catholicmonarch@yahoo.com), June 06, 2004.