Scottish Catholic Observer

Messages for St Patrick’s Day 2011: from Bishop Séamus Hegarty, chairman of the Bishops’ Council for Emigrants…

http://www.catholicbishops.ie/2011/03/16/16-march-2011-message-st-patricks-day-2011-bishop-seamus-hegarty/

… and from Irish bishops.

http://www.zenit.org/index.php?l=english

The Jock’s on us — St Patrick t is really a Scot

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/the-jocks-on-us-our-patron-saint-is-really-a-scot-2582900.html

‎Irish church still vibrant, says Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin.

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=9664

Church plays a special role in Italy, says Pope Benedict XVI in a message to Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano, timed for the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=9622

François-Marie Lethel explains what he is saying to the Pope in spiritual retreat, a way to prepare for the beatification of John Paul II.

Video: http://www.romereports.com/palio/Francois-Marie-Lethel-explains-what-he-is-saying-to-the-pope-in-spiritual-retreat-english-3715.html

Japanese bishops to set up centre to coordinate operations in Sendai.

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1101047.htm

Earthquake prompts regional détente, led by bishops.

http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/03/15/earthquake-prompts-regional-detente/

Malta to hold a divorce referendum on May 28. Pope Benedict XVI during a visit last April praised Malta’s stance divorce, one of only two countries in the world whose laws do not permit divorce.

http://www.montrealgzette.com/life/Malta+hold+divorce+referendum/4451136/story.html#ixzz1GoMHRwZx

Cardinal Raymond Burke addresses cultural crisis while  in Australia.

http://www.zenit.org/article-32035?l=english

Bishop Crispian Hollis of Portsmouth plans to retire following his 75th birthday later this year.

http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/bishop-to-retire-37702.aspx

—Cross Wires is the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper’s blog