The Church’s Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse took place on 16 February, the first Friday of Lent. The Day of Prayer is an initiative of Pope Francis and was first marked in Irish dioceses in 2017. Blessed candles will be lit in parishes across the country as a reminder to the Read more
“Unfairness” was the watchword Chris Hipkins used when he outlined a proposed change to the school donations scheme in 2017. The incoming Education Minister said schools where parents were less able to pay were at a disadvantage against those with wealthier parents. “That’s creating real unfairness,” Hipkins said. “It means that kids whose parents can Read more
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen human embryos constitute children under state statute. This decision could have wide-reaching effects on in vitro fertilisation and other medical concerns there. The nine-judge court said in the 8-1 ruling that the state’s “Wrongful Death of a Minor Act” is “sweeping and unqualified” and that its provisions Read more
In recent years, Megachurch troubles have made headlines in American newspapers. Whether it be financial or sexual scandals, closures, layoffs, or relocations, the shocks continue. Megachurches, predominantly Evangelical Protestant communities that gather an average of 2,000 worshipers each week, are going through a period of turbulence. As a result, these structures are crumbling, and demand Read more
Mass attendance in Nigeria is one of the highest of any country in the world. As many as 94% of self-identified Nigerian Catholics surveyed said they attend weekly or daily Mass, according to a study published in early 2023 by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The World Values Survey, which conducted Read more
As many as 15,000 teenagers are taking on paid work to help pay for family basics and government agencies urgently need to find out how many are dropping out of school to do so, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)says. CPAG is urgently calling for adequate support to school students who are working too many Read more
According to a report, a South Korean Protestant Church has unveiled a five-year plan to boost the fertility rate through subsidies and support facilities to tackle low birth rates in the country. The Yoido Full Gospel Church will prioritise supporting marriage and child-rearing in the coming years, pastor Lee Young-hoon said during a press conference Read more
Father Patrick Pullicino, an English Catholic priest and neurologist, has been vindicated after being investigated by a UK medical regulation agency for giving his expert opinion in an emergency end-of-life case. In this case, Fr Pullicino called for further tests before cutting off a hospitalised man’s nutrition and hydration. The man, referred to as “RS,” Read more
Immigration New Zealand is warning potential migrants to watch out for scam job offers and visas that seem too good to be true. The agency says scams on social media and apps like WhatsApp are becoming more commonplace. General manager of immigration compliance and investigation Steve Watson said unscrupulous people were targeting migrants wanting to Read more