Sydney, Australia (CNA/EWTN News) — The Sydney archbishop has strongly defended the freedom of the Catholic Church in response to a legal complaint claiming the Australian bishops' pastoral letter on marriage violated Tasmania's strict anti-discrimination law.
"Australia is party to treaties guaranteeing freedoms of religion and of speech, and regularly exhorts other nations to observe these," Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney said Nov. 13. "It is therefore astonishing and truly alarming that people might be proceeded against for stating traditional Christian beliefs on marriage."
A subdued France paid homage Friday to those killed two weeks ago in the attacks that gripped Paris in fear and mourning, honoring each of the 130 dead by name as the president pledged to "destroy the army of fanatics" who claimed so many young lives.
With each name and age read aloud inside the Invalides national monument, the toll gained new force. Most, as French President Francois Hollande noted, were under the age of 35, killed while enjoying a mild Friday night of music, food, drinks or sports. The youngest was 17. The oldest, 68.
