Vatican slams media for ‘misinformation’ about ChurchFebruary 23, 2013 - 14:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Vatican's chief spokesperson has criticized the media for reporting "misinformation" about the Church, BBC News reports. Father Federico Lombardi said some were trying to profit from a time of disorientation in the Catholic Church to spread "gossip" and "calumny". Father Lombardi made the comments on Vatican radio. Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, the first by a pope in nearly 600 years, takes effect on Thursday. His decision surprised many within the Church. There have been recent articles in the Italian and international media of intrigue, and corruption in the Church. One unconfirmed report suggested the Pope had resigned after being presented with a dossier detailing a network of priests who were being blackmailed. But the Vatican spokesman said those who were putting themselves in a position of judgement had no authority to do so. "Whoever has money, sex and power at the forefront of the mind sees the world through these parameters and cannot see beyond these even when looking at the Church," he said. "Their view cannot look to the heights or go in-depth to understand the spiritual dimensions and motivations of existence." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |