Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

There's controversy in Camden over crosses and this time it's not atheists who are to blame. A collection of 81 crosses forms the visible heart of a protest against rampant violence in the city.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (Catholic Online) - "The crosses will not be removed. Absolutely not," said City Council President Frank Moran in an interview he gave on Monday.

Fellow Councilman Brian Coleman has objected to their placement because they could harm the city's image, making people believe Camden is a violent place.

However, Camden has 81 crosses planted in the grass in front of City Hall with names inscribed on each. The crosses represent people who have been murdered in Camden over the past year and a little beyond. This year has seen at least 58 homicides in the city.

The group, Stop Trauma On People (STOP) began planting the crosses in October to bring awareness to the violence in the city.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.