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Isabel de BertodanoWhen a cardinal is appointed, along with the red hat, and all that that means, he is given one of Rome?s titular churches. The allocation of who gets what is sometimes random ? but not always Free
From the editor’s desk
| The invitation that matters Free Easter is one of two moments in the year when church congregations experience a surge. The Christmas Day surge is easier to understand, given that it has been the focus of the retail industry for weeks beforehand. Easter remains essentially a religious ... | Africa's misplaced solidarity |
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Features
 Women under fire Free Robert Fox Film of captured female sailor Faye Turney shown on Iranian television has highlighted concerns about the increasing number of women forces personnel at risk of abuse and exploitation by an enemy. But they are here to stay... | The fast track that needs to slow down Free Jonathan LuxmooreThe best way to honour John Paul II is through a seemly and rigorous beatification process. But the Polish Church has not always maintained these standards, and the late Pope?s cause may suffer...
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From doubt to faithWendy BeckettIn her book The Art of Faith, art historian Sr Wendy Beckett uses the panels of Duccio?s magnificent Maest?, completed for the high altar of Siena Cathedral in 1311, as the basis for a series of reflections. Here, to accompany our Easter cover illustration of The Incredulity of Thomas, she considers belief and repentance...
| Coming into leafGeorge StackAt this time of year, when nature is resurrecting itself from winter, a garden is an appropriate place to reflect on the events of Holy Week. It is no coincidence that many of the pivotal events in the Bible take place with the protagonists surrounded by the works of both God and mankind...
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Perils of the school-place lotteryFrank FieldDrawing lots to get into over-subscribed schools might seem to benefit those disadvantaged by the mortgage-wielding middle class but the danger of demands for a return to selection lurks beneath this short-sighted attempt to reform Britain?s massively failing educational system...
| ?The right thing to do?Jimmy BurnsA quarter of a century ago, Margaret Thatcher sent the British task force to the South Atlantic to drive the Argentine invaders from the Falkland Islands. It is a decision that appears vindicated by history, says one writer who was based in Buenos Aires throughout the conflict...
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 Prophesying for the planetMark Dowd When Al Gore recently brought to Britain his campaign to raise global awareness of the threat posed to humanity by climate change, he combined seasoned political campaigning with the zeal of an Old Testament prophet. His Baptist faith was in evidence, too.... | The path to CalvaryMelanie McDonaghWhether walking the real Via Dolorosa in the Holy Land or following Christ?s path to Golgotha through the virtual world of the internet, the Stations of the Cross are an intimate and immediate way for contemporary Christians to reflect on the Crucifixion...
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Many reasons, one desireThomas NortonParishes all over the world will be welcoming new members at the Easter Vigil. But what draws people to the Catholic Church and what problems do they face in embracing a new faith? Experienced catechists provide some interesting answers...
| Lighten the darknessPaula BaileyThe symbols and images associated with the Easter Vigil must properly evoke the drama of what is celebrated. And, since the liturgy is not for the faint-hearted, any time devoted to catechetical preparation will be well spent...
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Hell for grown-upsThomas G. CaseyWhen Pope Benedict spoke about the reality of hell last week, the media response was predictable. But, far from using the old images of fire and brimstone, he was offering a far more subtle reminder of a possible destiny...
| In newness of lifeDaniel McCarthyContinuing the seasonal return to his series on the opening prayer, Daniel McCarthy
considers that of the liturgy of the Triduum through which we might rise to
self-transcending love of God and neighbour...
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Columnists
 Tim Hames?The present comes with a high price tag that the past has imposed on it?  Ann Wroe?On entering the dirt and the dark, they have suddenly met the shock of the eternal?
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Books and arts
Beyond the mystery of existence Free
Faith within Reason
Herbert McCabe
In our modern fragmented intellectual culture, much thinking about religion has become very polarised, and often very polemical. On the one side, there are atheists who stridently ... |
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Is the Church too slow in recognising that academies are the future for Catholic schools?
Christopher Lamb
According to the chairman of governors at the Cardinal Vaughan School, west London, one ... Goodwin the scapegoat
Elena Curti
There was an old Sixties TV series, Branded, about a disgraced soldier that always began ... The pain of being a coeliac Catholic
Sr M, guest contributor
"Whoever comes to me, I shall not turn (him) her away" (John 6:37). Many readers will recognise ...
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