MBA Program Launched in Cuba

The program sponsored by the Catholic church aims to teach Cuban students how to start and market their own businesses in the new Cuban economy.

Saint Valentine

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Amid all the cards, flowers and chocolates being given and received today, we’re sparing a thought for the original Saint Valentine. He was a Christian martyr, reportedly killed in the 3rd century. Question is where? Download MP3

Vatican bank gets an upgrade

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Lisa Mullins talks with theologian Father Thomas Reese about changes in the Vatican Bank. New rules announced today should increase transparency, prevent money laundering or the financing of terrorists. Download MP3

Abortion becomes an issue in Brazil’s presidential elections

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Abortion has become a campaign issue in Brazil’s presidential runoff vote this weekend. Solna Pyne reports from Rio de Janeiro.Download MP3

Church weighs in on Poland IVF debate

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Poland’s parliament is considering several proposals related to in-vitro fertilization, or IVF. The Catholic Church has entered the debate and voiced its opposition to the procedure. Amy Drozdowska reports that the debate is part of a larger discussion in Poland, about how much influence the Church should have there. Download MP3

French cathedral’s gargoyle causes stir

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A Muslim stonemason in France has been immortalized by having his face carved as a gargoyle on the side of a medieval cathedral. However a far-right group in Lyon has said the carving, which includes the inscription ‘God is Great’, is an affront to the Catholic Church. Anita Elash reports. (photo: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images) Download MP3

• ‘Muslim’ gargoyle adorns French cathedral

The case of Italy’s crucifix

We’re focusing on the region of Italy that includes Venice. That region is named Veneto. What we want you to do is name a major city some 30 miles west of Venice. This city may not be as beautiful as the city of canals. But it does have some unique claims to fame. One is the local botanical garden. It was created in 1545 and the UN calls it the world’s original botanical garden. It’s listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Then there’s the city’s university where Galileo once lectured. And finally this is where Shakespeare set his “Taming of the Shrew.” So which city in northern Italy is it? We’ll let you know in just a few minutes.

Play deals with Catholic sex abuse

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An orphaned choir boy is abused by his Catholic priest, and grows up to be a troubled parent. That’s the plot of a play that opened last month in Regensburg, Germany, just as that city’s real-life clergy abuse scandal came to light. Susan Stone travels to the Bavarian city, where stunned audiences are considering their own tragic past. Download MP3 (Photo: Juliane Zitzlsperger)

• Theater Regensburg (German)
• Catholic Church sex abuse scandals around the world

New Catholic child sex abuse allegations

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Questions are being raised about whether Pope Benedict was personally involved in covering up a case of child sex abuse by a Roman Catholic priest. Documents seen by the New York Times newspaper suggest that in the 1990s, before he became pope then Cardinal Ratzinger failed to respond to letters about a US case. Marco Werman talks with John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter. Download MP3 (Photo: Sergey Kozhukhov)

• New York Times story
• Vatican website

Hebrew’s revival, Turkey’s banned letters, and Q

Hebrew is most successful attempt ever at language revival. We find out why. Also, Malaysians are rioting after a court rules that a Catholic newspaper can use the word Allah. Then, two reports on alphabet letters: in Sweden, parents win the right to name their newborn Q; and in Turkey, using the Kurdish-associated letters Q, W or X can land you in jail. And, a two-nations-divided-by-one-language examination of the word grit.

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Immigrants and the Catholic Church

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The Catholic Church in the United States faces many other challenges. Attendance at some of its churches are near empty, while others are full. The growth in the Church has come largely from immigrants, who often want to worship in their own language and style. Older churchgoers don’t always like that. A documentary that airs tonight on many PBS stations documents these tensions. Download MP3

• Scenes from a Parish
• Wikipedia: Lawrence, MA

Spanish Catholic Church crisis

The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on the Catholic Church’s efforts in Spain to remain a political force as its membership wanes. Listen