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Parting of the ways? Thomas Norton Amnesty International is shifting its position on abortion, from its long-held neutral stance to one that regards abortion as a mother's right in certain circumstances. An association with the Catholic Church that dates from the charity's foundation is now under threat
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Church in the World
America?s theologians urged to be less critical of the Vatican 
Australia Pell detects whiff of Stalinism in reaction to stem-cell remarks | | Austria Church leaders defend Waldheim | France Teilhard Foundation may be evicted from Paris museum  | | Iraq Unprotected Christians terrorised  | Jordan Sabbah predicts onslaught by Islamic extremists  | | Rome Pope reclaims the true St Francis  | Switzerland Integration accord proposed for Muslims | | United States Americans want a religious president | |
Featured Articles
 Hidden agendas in the Holy Land  The Palestinian crisis Michael Hirst Michael Hirst looks at how al-Qaida, Syria and Iran are involved in the destabilisation of Israel, while, below, Trevor Mostyn examines why Palestinian has turned on Palestinian in Gaza
A sorry tale of violence and broken promises  The Palestinian crisis Trevor Mostyn One day in 1994, when I was involved in a European Union media programme that brought Arab, Israeli and EU journalists and filmmakers together through co-productions and training, I was taken by Ahmed, one of our radio trainees, to lunch with his family in Gaza City's Shati refugee camp. A growing flock of friends The Tablet Interview Robert Mickens On the final day of the Second Vatican Council, Enzo Bianchi moved to Bose in Piedmont, beginning a monastic way of life that has since grown into an ecumenical community. Robert Mickens met a man little known to the public but with increasing influence on the Church  Ditch the sofa, Gordon Peter Hennessy Tony Blair?s premiership has been characterised by informal decision-making in the parlours of Number 10 ? so-called ?sofa Government?. With a new Prime Minister taking over next week, there is a chance for the Cabinet and civil service to re-establish their constitutional roles
Reducing poverty must top new PM?s agenda Paul Nicolson In the early 1990s the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust was conceived by a group of academics, clergy, lawyers and charity workers concerned at the damage being done by the poll tax to people with the lowest incomes, writes Paul Nicolson. Among the convict community Spotlight on Brazil Margaret Hebblethwaite Brazil?s prisons have a reputation as places of violent depravity. But, in the last of an occasional series, we visit a jail where the cooperative spirit is flourishing By any other name Rick Jones Sir John Tavener?s work based on the names for God in the Qur?an was given a controversial premiere in Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday. Here, music critic Rick Jones gives his verdict on the performance while Martin Boland answers those protesting at the choice of venue In the depths of one?s self John McDade A rare exhibition of some 75 works by the seventeenth-century French painter Philippe de Champaigne currently on show in Lille casts a lambent light over Jansenist life and thought at the Paris convent of Port Royal where many of his paintings were first hung Welcome that can last a lifetime Parish Practice Peter McGrail The pre-baptismal encounters between parents and parish can be fraught with tensions for both parties, as motives are assessed and reactions judged. On the feast of St John the Baptist, ways to make this key moment in a family?s life as meaningful and faith-affirming as possible are examined New Worlds and order Across the Universe Guy Consolmagno
News from Britain and Ireland Bishops offer Pope advice on use of Latin Mass More home news Book Reviews Audacious Ariel?s inner elements
Being Shelley

Ann Wroe
Reviewed by P.J. Kavanagh
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