Morning Catholic must-reads: 29/07/10

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun (CNS photo/Paul Yeung)

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun has said that there is still a long way to go before Beijing and the Holy See agree on the appointment of bishops.

Benedict XVI will visit the birthplace of Pope Leo XIII days before his visit to Britain.

Lord Patten of Barnes has said he is “absolutely certain” the Pope’s visit will be “an incredible success”.

The Pakistan Christian Post publishes a detailed account of the murder of two Christian brothers outside a courthouse in Faisalabad.

The Anglican Catholic Church of Canada has voted to take up the Pope’s Ordinariate offer.

The atheist prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, has said she respects the Catholic Church.

The Catholic News Service reports on the Vatican ruling upholding the right of bishops to close any parish, no matter how thriving.

Fr Anthony Symondson SJ describes three new shrines for Cardinal Newman in England.

Kerry Weber wonders if a British atheist’s challenge to Pope Benedict to engage in a debate during his visit to Britain is a publicity stunt.

Zenit chats to Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, president of Caritas Internationalis.

Bryan Berry reflects on the sacking of Dr Kenneth Howell for presenting Church teaching on homosexuality.

And Marcel LeJeune writes one of the first reviews of the new biopic of St Josemaria Escriva.