Displaying Today's Top 13 Headlines from Cath News:

Caritas Project Compassion nets more than $1m in two weeks

Australians have given more than $1 million to Caritas Australia's Project Compassion over the past two and a half weeks, which the organisation says displays the nation's commitment to eradicate global poverty.

Abbott draws criticism over gay remarks

The gay and lesbian community has criticised Opposition Leader Tony Abbott over his remarks that homosexuality challenges "the right order of things" and that he feels "a bit threatened" by it.

Aussie Christian coalition petition against Iranian cleric's deportation

A group called the Christian Save the Sheik Coalition says it has collected thousands of signatures on a petition to prevent the deportation from Australia of Iranian cleric Dr Mansour Leghaei.

Qld priest calls for ban on "World's Greatest Pub-Fest"

A priest in Maryborough Queensland wants the district's pubfest banned and has asked for an "honest and independent survey" on the pub crawl-turned-fest.

Vatican appeal to preserve Holy Land's "Christian origins"

The Holy See has launched this year's Easter appeal for the support of Christians in the Holy Land, calling for support to preserve the "Christian origins" of the region.

Monsignor Ratzinger admits he has punished pupils

Monsignor Georg Ratzinger has admitted that he slapped pupils as punishment but says he was unaware of allegations of sexual abuse at the German Regensburger Domspatzen boys choir that he took over in 1964.

Clergy sex abuse is linked to celibacy: Kung

Swiss theologian Father Hans Kung says clerical sex abuse across the globe is linked to priestly celibacy and the Church's "uptight" views on sex.

German minister attacks Vatican "wall of silence" on abuse

Germany's justice minister has criticised what she called a "wall of silence" from the Vatican, referring to a  secrecy rule which is complicating the country's clergy child sex abuse investigations.

Nigerian Christians flee homes, fearing more attacks

Christian villagers in Nigeria have fled their homes fearing new attacks in the aftermath of a massacre that killed some 500.

Feature - Ignorance at heart of Nigeria violence

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama from Jos in Nigeria, where 500 sectarian killings have occurred in recent days, says the cause is ignorance, not religion.

Featured website - Church on the ball

This website is dedicated to the Church in South Africa, which hosts the 2010 football World Cup in June. This site has articles about the Pope's views on sport and the Church's own World Cup, known as the Clericus Cup.

Film review - A Single Man

Colin Firth has received a great deal of acclaim for his role as George, a gay professor of English in California in 1962. This film has confirmed him as a strong and versatile actor.

Opinion - lessons learned from children in Haiti

I was fortunate enough to be in Haiti twice. My mind is filled with unforgettable experiences, but I want the children of Haiti to speak for themselves, writes Mercy Sister Karen Schneider.