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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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BAGHDAD, Iraq, MAY 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A Chaldean priest was abducted in the al-Baladiyat quarter of Baghdad.
Father Nawzat Hanna, parish priest of Mar Pithion, was leaving the house of an ill parishioner Saturday, when he was stopped by a group of persons who had been waiting for him, Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of the Archdiocese of Babylon told www.AsiaNews.it.
He said that the abductors have already made contact with the Chaldean Patriarchate, but as of yet there is no further news.
The bishop said: "We cannot go on living like this, it's inhuman, it's humiliating. We will pray for his immediate release, but we will not submit to fear."
Code: ZE07052011
Date: 2007-05-20
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Studies Raise Concerns Over Video Games
By Father John Flynn
ROME, MAY 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A couple of new publications in the United States shed light on the long-standing debate over media violence and children. In April the Federal Trade Commission published the latest in a series of reports on the issue.
Titled: "Marketing Violent Entertainment to Children," it provides an overview of the exposure of children and adolescents through music, films and video games to content normally reserved for an adult audience.
There has been progress, the report observes, with more limits on ads for movies and video games. Nevertheless, the Commission notes that with regard to video games advertisements for the M-rated games still reach large numbers of children and young teens. The M rating (mature) designates that the games are suitable for an audience of 17 years of age and above.
The report cited concerns by critics, who argue that children have too easy access to M-rated games. For example, a 2005 survey by the National Institute on Media and the Family found that 70% of children in grades 4 through 12 reported playing M-rated games.
The second publication is a book, published earlier this year, titled: "Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents." (Oxford University Press, USA). The book is the result of a joint effort by three psychologists: Craig A. Anderson; Douglas A. Gentile; and Katherine E. Buckley.
The book starts by noting the difficulty, from a scientific point of view, in establishing a relationship of direct causality between exposure to violent video games and violent behavior. Over the years researchers have carried out many studies on the more general question of media violence. The overwhelming conclusion of what is now a substantial body of evidence is that exposure to violence through the media does indeed increase aggression.
Research in the area of video games is, however, more limited. To remedy this deficit in the evidence the bulk of the book presents the results of three new studies on video games.
As a preliminary the authors observe that children and adolescents are spending an increasing amount of time playing video games. Recent surveys show school-age children devoting about 7 hours a week playing video games. Generally, boys spend more time playing video games, with one 2004 survey of students showing 5 hours a week for girls and 13 hours for boys.
Not only do children and teens spend considerable amounts of time playing video games, but they do so with little parental oversight. Over 50% of students in one study said their parents never checked the ratings for video games before giving the go-ahead for their purchase or rental.
New evidence
In the first of the three new studies that form the core of the book the authors explain that they tested 161 9-to 12-year-olds, and 354 college students. Each was randomly assigned to play a violent or non-violent game. Subsequently, participants played another game in which they were asked to set punishment levels to be delivered to another person.
The results demonstrated that those who had played the violent video games punished opponents more severely than those who had played the non-violent games. In addition, the research revealed that the interactive nature of video games results in a stronger relationship with violent behavior, compared to non-interactive media such as television or movies.
A result that surprised the researchers was that there was no apparent difference between the children and college students. This is in contrast with the view held by many that children are more vulnerable to media violence, and indicates college students are just as much affected.
On a positive note, based on information from those surveyed, it turned out that what happens at home influences behavior. Children whose parents set more limits on media usage were less aggressive.
The second study consisted in a survey of 189 high school students. The results showed a positive relationship between those who played a greater number of violent video games and possessing more hostile personalities.
The survey took into account factors that could influence the results, such as the amount of time spent playing games, the normal differences that exist in attitudes between males and females. Even after taking these and other elements into consideration the researchers concluded that playing violent video games was a significant predicator of aggressive behavior.
The study also found that the more time students spent on the combination of video games and watching television, the poorer were their academic results.
The final study examined 430 third, fourth and fifth graders, at two times during a school year. The student's peers and teachers were also questioned, in order to obtain more information about the level of aggressiveness of the group studied.
More aggressive, less sociable
By examining the group over a period of time, on average there was a gap of 5 months between the measurements, the researchers were able to conclude that children who played a greater number of violent video games early in the school year had changed later on, and came to see the world as a more hostile place. They also became more aggressive and less inclined to socialize with their peers.
The results showed no apparent differences between boys and girls. In fact, the researchers concluded that no one is truly immune from the effects of media violence.
As in the first study the factor of controls put in place by parents had an important influence on children. If at home there are controls on both the amount of time spent playing video games and the content of them, then children suffer a lesser degree of ill-effects.
Proceeding to a general evaluation of the relationship between media violence and its effects on children and adolescents the authors conclude that the impact of the media is far from trivial. Given this, and considering that almost all children play video games, if society were to reduce the exposure of this group to violence through games there would be a significant social impact for the better.
In spite of evidence showing the harmful effects of media violence the authors admit that so far attempts to put any legal restrictions on children's access to violent video games have had little success.
An alternative approach is to increase efforts at public education, so that parents are more aware of the risks their children run with video games. The authors also recommend that parents discuss with their children the question of violence, pointing out the inappropriateness of aggressive behavior in resolving personal problems.
Improving the ratings system for games, and putting more explicit warnings on the games themselves could also help, the authors point out. In addition, community action to pressure retailers not to sell violent games to children can be effective.
On May 20 the Church celebrated World Communications Day. Benedict XVI's message for the event was titled: "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education." The problem of violence in the media was one of the questions dealt with by the Pope.
"Any trend to produce programs and products -- including animated films and video games -- which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behavior or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are directed at children and adolescents," the Pontiff declared. (No. 3) Strong words, but well-grounded, as the latest research amply demonstrates.
Code: ZE07052029
Date: 2007-05-20
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Aide Comments on Inaugural Homily
VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI envisions Latin America as not only the "continent of hope," but also as the "continent of love," according to the director of the Vatican Television Center.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this on the most recent edition of the Vatican television news program "Octava Dies."
He was commenting on the Pope's homily at the inaugural Mass of the 5th General Conference of the Episcopate of Latin America and the Caribbean, which is being held through the end of May near the national shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida.
The spokesman said that the homily was "broad but delivered with extraordinary vivacity and effectiveness."
Father Lombardi added that the Pope "painted a vast and articulate picture for the conference's work, responding to the lively expectations for orientation on fundamental themes: the relationship between culture and the proclamation of the faith, the center of the faith, the pastoral problem posed by sects, the relationship between the work of the Church and the construction of justice in the social and political sphere, the Christian vision of the family."
He continued: "The sermon, in line with the previous magisterium, but characterized by the 'Ratzinger style' in its systematization and linearity, in its conceptual profundity and in some crucial themes, such as the reaffirmation of a vision of reality and life from which God must not be marginalized, and cannot be if we do not want to risk endangering the well-being of humanity today and tomorrow.
"Fundamental directions for a continent that, thanks to its history of faith, is -- according to the Pope -- not only a 'continent of hope,' but also a 'continent of love.'"
Code: ZE07052002
Date: 2007-05-20
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Urges Both Sides to Increase Efforts for Peace
VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI urged "once again, in the name of God" an end to the violence between Israelis and Palestinians, and between Palestinian factions.
The Pope made these comments today after praying the midday Regina Caeli with those gathered in St. Peter's Square and as Israel announced that it planned to intensify operations against Palestinian militants in Gaza, according to the Associated Press.
Israel and militants within Gaza have been exchanging fire for the last week. Israel has carried out airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza for five days, while Palestinian militants have launched more than 100 rockets into Israel.
Also, fighting between the rival Hamas and Fatah movements in Gaza killed at least 50 people in the past week.
The Holy Father said: "The fighting between Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and the rocket attacks against the inhabitants of nearby Israeli cities, which have provoked military intervention, are bringing about a bloody deterioration of the situation and causing dismay.
"Once again, in the name of God, I ask that an end be brought to this tragic violence, while to the suffering Palestinian and Israeli populations I desire to express my solidarity and assurance of my prayerful remembrance."
Benedict XVI continued: "I appeal to the sense of responsibility of all the Palestinian authorities that, in dialogue and firmness, they take up again the difficult path of understanding, neutralizing the violent.
"I invite the Israeli government to moderation and exhort the international community to multiply efforts for the relaunching of negotiations.
"May the Lord bring forth and sustain makers of peace!"
Code: ZE07052004
Date: 2007-05-20
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Comments on World Communications Day
VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI defines programs with content that is violent, antisocial or degrading of human sexuality as "unacceptable."
The Pope's statement provoked applause from the tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square today to pray the Regina Caeli on the 41st World Communications Day.
The Holy Father pointed out that theme for the media day is "Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education."
The Pontiff said: "The educational challenges of today are often linked to the influence of the mass media, which competes with school, the Church and even the family.
"In this context an adequate formation in the right use of media is essential: Parents, teachers, and the ecclesial community are called to collaborate to educate children and young people to be selective and to develop a critical attitude, cultivating a taste for what is aesthetically and morally valid."
"But the media too must make its contribution to this educational task," Benedict XVI said, by "promoting the dignity of the human person, marriage and the family, and the accomplishments and aims of civilization."
The Pope said: "Programs that inculcate violence and antisocial behavior or that vulgarize human sexuality are unacceptable, and much more so when they are directed at the young.
"Thus I renew the appeal to the leaders of the media industry and workers in social communications that they safeguard the common good, respect the truth and protect the dignity of the human person and the family."
Code: ZE07052005
Date: 2007-05-20
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Sophia Kishkovsky | 18 May 2007 | 07-0381 |
Moscow (ENI). The Russian Orthodox Church and an émigré church that broke ties in 1927 over a Russian church leader's declaration of loyalty to the then Soviet state have officially reunited at a ceremony in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
"Church divisions are being overcome, and the confrontation in society inherited from the times of the revolution is being beaten back," said Patriarch Alexei II of the Russian Orthodox Church after the signing of an act of canonical union on 17 May. This was followed by his first joint liturgy with Metropolitan Laurus of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, also known as ROCOR.
The event, attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and a crowd of worshippers that included émigré pilgrims from around the world, was hailed as a symbolic and spiritual end to the Russian civil war that broke out after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.
Speaking at the Moscow cathedral, which was dynamited on Stalin's orders in 1931 and rebuilt in the 1990s, Putin called church unity "a paramount condition for the restoration of the lost unity of the entire Russian world, one of the spiritual foundations of which was always the Orthodox faith".
The New York-based ROCOR, which has 400 parishes spread from Europe to Australia, was created by émigrés who fled Russia with the White Army, which battled the Bolsheviks in the Russian civil war.
Inside Russia, the Orthodox church endured brutal repression in the early 1920s. Hoping to stave off complete destruction, the church's acting leader, Metropolitan Sergius, stated in an encyclical that the church would not oppose the state. Nonetheless, another wave of bloody suppression followed in the 1930s, when Josef Stalin was the supreme leader.
The church in exile remained staunchly monarchist and anti-communist, asserting that the KGB, the Soviet secret service, controlled the Moscow Patriarchate. The ROCOR's statutes stated that it would not reunite with Moscow until the fall of "the godless regime".
In a twist of fate, Putin, a former lieutenant colonel in the KGB, played a key role in bringing the churches together. Reportedly a practising member of the Russian Orthodox Church, Putin broke the ice by meeting in 2003 with Metropolitan Laurus in New York and conveying an invitation to visit Russia.
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