Morning Catholic must-reads: 27/09/12

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states, has told the United Nations that international law must be grounded in natural law (speech extracts, video).

Authorities in the Philippines are investigating claims that a monsignor is involved in the country’s illegal ivory trade.

Barack Obama’s lead among American Catholic voters in November’s presidential election has increased, a new poll suggests.

The Vatican’s Courtyard of the Gentiles project is expanding to Italy, Portugal and Mexico following successful events in Spain, Sweden and France (video).

Pope Benedict listened with “delight” to a performance of an oratorio about St Augustine of Hippo by contemporary German composer Wilfried Hiller last night.

Inge Loots says the German bishops should have explained the reasons for their recent statement on “church tax” more clearly.

And the South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier has announced that he will give wristbands imprinted with a fish symbol and the words “Credo Domine” to his flock to mark the Year of Faith.