Pope remembers victims of persecution

Vatican City — Pope John Paul II urged those who suffer for their faith to hold to their beliefs and not hate their persecutors.

The pontiff’s brief remarks cited St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, whose feast day is marked by the Catholic church on Dec. 26.

“Today I would like to remember in a special way the Christian communities that undergo persecution, and all the faithful who suffer for faith,” he told several thousand people gathered in St. Peter’s Square last week. “May the Lord give them the strength of perseverance and the capacity to love even those who make them suffer.”

The 83-year-old pontiff, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease as well as hip and knee ailments, has carried out several tiring Christmas activities. John Paul delivered his traditional Christmas Day blessing just hours after celebrating Midnight Mass inside St. Peter’s Basilica.

President Bush honored by United Methodist Men

Washington — The United Methodist Men organization has honored President Bush for his statements of faith and national call to prayer following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Bush, a member of the denomination, was named to the Society of John Wesley Fellows on Dec. 17, according to United Methodist News Service.

The idea for presenting the award to Bush came from members who wanted to thank the president for his leadership after the attacks.

“The John Wesley Award is given to clergy, laymen and laywomen who have demonstrated their commitment to Christ and their understanding that this faith affects every aspect of their daily life,” said the Rev. Joe Harris of the Commission on United Methodist Men in Nashville, Tenn.