International Business News - VAT http://www.ibtimes.com All articles are copyrighted by IBTimes.com 400 100 http://www.ibtimes.com/ http://www.ibtimes.com/images/top_logo_ibt2_3.gif An international doctors' panel appointed by the Roman Catholic Church says it's getting out of the "miracle" business at Lourdes. The panel will no longer judge whether pilgrims to the French shrine could have benefited from "miracle" healing--a huge shift from the centuries-old way of deciding what makes the cut as a divine cure. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/188040-france-miracle-cures.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081203/doctors-panel-wont-rule-on-miracles-at-lourdes.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081203/doctors-panel-wont-rule-on-miracles-at-lourdes.htm Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:10:46 EST Pope Benedict XVI is urging banks to help families experiencing financial problems. Benedict says one of the primary objectives of banks is to support the weakest in society while also spurring productivity. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081203/pope-says-banks-should-support-weakest.htm Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:17:39 EST The only exhibit of Vatican artifacts outside the papal capital is on display in an unlikely spot--the National Museum of Funeral History, an exhibit hall that celebrates coffins, hearses and other ceremonial aspects of death. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/186260-vatican-funeral-museum.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081130/vatican-exhibit-on-display-only-in-houston-museum.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081130/vatican-exhibit-on-display-only-in-houston-museum.htm Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:54:59 EST After two days of mob violence, an uneasy calm returned Sunday to this central Nigerian town. Women with plastic buckets ventured out in search of water and many of the dead were buried. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081130/calm-returns-to-nigerian-city-after-deadly-clashes.htm Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:44:41 EST Thousands of Roman Catholic faithful and even President Raul Castro gathered Saturday for the beatification of a monk known as the "father of the poor"--the first ceremony of its kind on Cuban soil. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/185700-cuba-beatification.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081129/raul-castro-attends-first-beatification-in-cuba.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081129/raul-castro-attends-first-beatification-in-cuba.htm Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:08:34 EST Thousands of Roman Catholic faithful and even President Raul Castro gathered Saturday for the beatification of a monk known as the "father of the poor"--the first ceremony of its kind on Cuban soil. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081129/raul-castro-attends-first-beatification-in-cuba.htm Sat, 29 Nov 2008 12:13:20 EST A new album of songs based on poems by the late Pope John Paul II and performed by Placido Domingo goes on sale in Italy. The world famous tenor says the album "Amore Infinito" ("Infinite Love") will not just speak to the faithful. He says "these are songs for everyone." http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/184985-vatican-music.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081128/cd-of-songs-based-on-late-popes-poems-on-sale.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081128/cd-of-songs-based-on-late-popes-poems-on-sale.htm Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:11:17 EST Pope Benedict XVI may visit the Holy Land next year, the Vatican spokesman said Thursday. Benedict, who has expressed his desire to visit the Holy Land, has a long-standing invitation from Israel. But a tax dispute and other issues have so far prevented a visit, and the two sides are also at odds over the conduct of wartime Pope Pius XII. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/183196-vatican-pope.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081127/pope-may-visit-holy-land-next-year.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081127/pope-may-visit-holy-land-next-year.htm Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:41:19 EST It's billed as the world's most expensive, most beautiful new book. Valued at well over $100,000, a 62-pound handmade tome depicting the life and work of Michelangelo has arrived at the New York Public Library, fresh from publication in Italy. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/181909-michelangelo-book.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081125/most-expensive-new-book-arrives-in-ny-from-italy.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081125/most-expensive-new-book-arrives-in-ny-from-italy.htm Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:54:11 EST A lawsuit can continue against the Vatican alleging that top church officials should have warned the public or authorities of known or suspected sexual abuse of children by priests in the Archdiocese of Louisville, a federal appeals court ruled Monday. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081124/appeals-court-lets-vatican-sex-abuse-case-proceed.htm Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:18:45 EST Jewish and Muslim leaders on Monday cautiously praised recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, who said that dialogue among faiths should be pursued even though it is impossible on strictly religious issues. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081124/pope-dialogue-among-religions-should-be-pursued.htm Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:05:05 EST Demonstrators renewed their call Sunday to shutter a school on a Georgia Army base for Latin American military and government officials and say they're optimistic the new president or a more sympathetic Congress will act within the next year. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/180896-military-school-protest.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081123/protesters-call-for-closing-of-military-school.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081123/protesters-call-for-closing-of-military-school.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:18:41 EST Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday prayed that no political ideology would ever again cost people their freedom and dignity, as he recalled the millions who died from famine in Ukraine and other Soviet regions under dictator Josef Stalin. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/180655-vatican-pope.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081123/pope-speaks-to-ukrainian-pilgrims-of-1930s-famine.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081123/pope-speaks-to-ukrainian-pilgrims-of-1930s-famine.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:04:02 EST Vatican media are praising the Beatles' musical legacy and sounding philosophical about John Lennon's boast that the British band was more popular than Jesus. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/180799-vatican-beatles.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081123/vatican-beatles-music-better-than-todays-songs.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081123/vatican-beatles-music-better-than-todays-songs.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:43:25 EST A high-ranking Vatican official says Pope Benedict XVI is considering introducing a change to the Mass liturgy. Cardinal Francis Arinze, who heads the Vatican office for sacraments, says the pope may move the placement of the sign of peace, where congregation members shake hands or hug. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081121/pope-pondering-change-to-mass-liturgy.htm Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:43:45 EST Samurai warriors, housewives and children were crucified, thrown into hot springs and tortured, but refused to renounce their religion. Japan's extraordinary but relatively unknown history of Christian persecution is finally receiving recognition in a beatification of 188 martyrs. http://www.ibtimes.com/data/articleimgs/179587-japan-martyrs.jpg http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081121/japanese-christian-martyrs-to-be-beatified.htm http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081121/japanese-christian-martyrs-to-be-beatified.htm Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:10:20 EST The U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee voted Thursday for the second year in a row to urge a global moratorium on the death penalty. The United States sided with countries such as Iran, China and Syria in opposing the resolution. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081120/un-vote-shows-growing-support-of-death-penalty-ban.htm Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:19:56 EST Recognized widely for his catchphrase--"the family that prays together stays together"--the late Rev. Patrick Peyton spread his message to millions by radio and later television, using Hollywood stars to emphasize prayer and moral values. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081119/sainthood-probe-starts-in-us-for-rosary-priest.htm Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:18:30 EST Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging Catholics who get involved in politics to stay true to their church's teaching. Benedict says it is necessary that a new generation of Catholics in politics be "coherent" with the faith they profess. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081115/pope-says-catholics-in-politics-must-follow-faith.htm Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:01:37 EST A Georgia priest facing excommunication for supporting the ordination of women said Friday he plans to visit the Vatican with a contingent of fellow priests and a bishop to appeal the decision. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20081114/catholic-priest-in-us-faces-excommunication.htm Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:20:58 EST