The Holy See has asked the Society of St Pius X to sign a "doctrinal preamble" that could lead to the creation of a personal prelature for its members, a Vatican spokesman said today (full text of communiqué). Benedict XVI dedicated his general audience this morning to a meditation on Psalm 22. Fr Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, has said he will appeal against his bishop's decision to his restrict his ministry to his diocese (full text of statement). A former Vatican cardinal has dismissed an appeal to the International Criminal Court to investigate the Pope for "crimes against humanity" as "the usual anti-Catholic attempt". Dr Edward Daly, the former Bishop of Derry, has called for mandatory priestly celibacy to be abolished. Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, has expressed cautious support for Libya's National Transitional Council. US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta has said that his Catholic faith helped him to make key decisions in the fight against al-Qaeda when he was director of the CIA. And Fr John Zuhlsdorf passes on a saint's advice that it's OK to punch someone in the face if they criticise you for drinking wine.