An apologetic Vatican acknowledged “grave failures” in its handling of child sex abuse in the Cloyne diocese, however has rejected claims that it in any way hampered a clerical child abuse inquiry, and said the accusation against it was unfounded. In a long-awaited 24 page report the Vatican expressed deep concern at the findings and “abhorrence” Read more
“An object lesson in what not to do” is how Association of Catholic Priests founder, Fr Brendan Hoban described last weeks interview and the statement issued by former Cloyne bishop, John Magee. The media events were Magee’s first comments in five weeks on the Murphy Report into the handling of sexual abuse in the Cloyne Read more
The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has posted online the names 159 priests and deacons who have been accused of child sexual abuse. The list was made public to assist survivors and protect children. Another 91 sex abusers also faced some level of accusation including 62 dead priests who have not been publicly accused and 22, mostly Read more
Spain’s capital, Madrid, netted a NZ$280 million WYD profit, reports Arturo Fernandez, the president of Madrid’s House of Commerce. The surplus was generated by accommodation, transport services and business such as food providers. The director of the Hotel Industry Business Association in Madrid, Juan Jose Blardony, said three million meal tickets were distributed to young people Read more
Pope Benedict braved thunder, lightning, strong winds and torrential rain to preside at the 2011 WYD vigil prayer service. “Be proud of the gift of faith which you have received, as it will illumine your life at every moment,” the Pope said to 1.5 million young people at Cuatro Vientos air base on the outskirts Read more
The Dublin Archdiocese could be on the verge of financial collapse as it tries to manage the child abuse payouts. Declining numbers of Catholics attending Mass and fewer donations are also significant contributing factors. The Irish Catholic reports that reserves built up by the diocese have been spent. A senior administrator for the archdiocese said Read more
Hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world gathered in Madrid, Spain for the opening Mass of World Youth Day 2011. “The day that we’ve been waiting for has arrived, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, said as he welcomed the crowd. “These will be days you will never Read more
Seoul and Beijing have launched investigations into hospitals in China’s Jiln province, after reports in South Korea media have alleged capsules containing human remains are for sale in South Korea. The capsules are reportedly being sold for therapeutic purposes such as boosting stamina. According to South Korean broadcaster SBS, some hospitals in China apparently sold aborted foetuses Read more
Many faith communities are working together on the front line after the riots in London and other cities and towns in the UK. Haringey Citizens, is an alliance of civil-society institutions including St Ignatius Church and St Ignatius College. They are are part of Citizens UK, a national broad-based alliance of schools, colleges, universities, churches, mosques, synagogues, Read more
“The Arab spring is over: we are experiencing a hot summer,” says Father Paolo Dall’Oglio. “Whoever was able to complete this change in just a few weeks really hit the jackpot; Syria and Yemen, countries marked by complex social, cultural and religious situations, and Libya which has its own complexities, are all stuck mid-stream and Read more