The Catholic Leader Keeping Faith with You

MOSUL, Iraq (Zenit.org): The Archbishop of Mosul of the Chaldeans reported that a record number of people attended Easter Mass in Mosul, as Christians begin to return after fleeing violent attacks.

VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org): Pope Ben-edict XVI is encouraging all clergy to come to Rome in June for the closing of the Year for Priests, to show themselves "ready and unintimidated" to serve humanity.

ROME (CNS): The Shroud of Turin was hidden in an Italian Benedictine abbey during World War II in part because Church authorities feared Adolf Hitler might want to steal it, according to an official at the monastery.

WARSAW, Poland (CNS): Poland's Catholic prim-ate has urged fellow citizens to see the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others in an April 10 air disaster as a "dramatic challenge" to build "a fuller community" at the national level and with neighbouring states.

Missionaries of God's Love founder Fr Ken Barker spoke in Brisbane recently about God's divine mercy and forgiveness. He shared his insights with MATT EMERICK

VATICAN CITY (CNS): All men must apologise for and rectify cultural and "pseudo-religious" prejudices and acts of violence against women, the preacher of the papal house-hold said.

JERUSALEM (CNS): Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem reminded priests of their unique role in the Church, saying in his Holy Thursday homily that the priesthood, "in spite of human limits", entitles priests to offer themselves as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God".

ROCCA DI PAPA, Italy (Zenit.org): Love, sexuality and the increasingly secularised society were some of the main topics addressed by participants in the 10th International Youth Forum, which ended on March 28.

VATICAN CITY (CNS): The Vatican and other Church officials have strenuously defended Pope Benedict XVI and his decisions regarding priestly sex abuse, and rejected accusations of a continued cover-up of such crimes.