The Archdiocese of New York has filed a lawsuit against its long-time insurer, Chubb, accusing the company of evading its responsibility to cover settlements related to clerical sexual abuse claims. Cardinal Timothy Dolan alleges that Chubb is neglecting its contractual obligations despite receiving billions in premiums from the archdiocese over the years. In a letter Read more
Father Timothy Radcliffe, a Dominican theologian, has called on the Synod of Bishops to embrace openness, warning against fear of change and/or stagnation. Speaking at a retreat on 30th September to launch the second session of the Synod on Synodality, Radcliffe emphasised the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit and avoiding the temptation to Read more
The former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, appeared in an Australian court on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to 28 criminal charges, including two counts of rape and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault. Saunders, 74, denied all charges that initially surfaced in 2020 and allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2016. Church officials launched Read more
RE teachers will be able to access a new series of RE resources from 10 October. The “Deep Dive” RE classes will be delivered via 60 videos, each five to eight minutes long, each exploring theological topics. The programme aims to help primary and secondary school teachers to deliver content included in the 2023 Religious Read more
Something had to change when most parents in a Spanish town were not married but wanted their children baptised or requested the children receive their first holy communion. Change happened, and Catholic couples in Sebastián de los Reyes are now lining up for a “macro wedding”. It is a new option for the parish, and Read more
Amid ongoing and potentially escalating conflict in both the Middle East and Ukraine, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin cautioned gathered delegates at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York Sept 28 that, “peace is only possible if it is wanted.” While it was earlier rumoured that Pope Francis might Read more
Queensland babies that survive late-term abortions are legally left to die by the doctors and midwives who deliver them. Traeger MP Robbie Katter introduced the Babies Born Alive Bill earlier this year to protect these newborns under the law. However, a parliamentary committee recommended that the government reject the bill this week. Under the current Read more
California’s attorney general on Monday sued a Catholic hospital accused of refusing to provide an emergency abortion in February to a woman whose water broke prematurely, putting her at risk of potentially life-threatening infection and haemorrhage. Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta accused Providence St Joseph Hospital in Eureka of discriminating against pregnant patients and violating Read more
Unless a recent change in US visa law is reversed, more than 15 priests from other countries serving in the Archdiocese of Baltimore may be forced to go home. This will uproot their ministries, leaving parishes, schools, and Catholic institutions scrambling. “If this law does not get changed, we will be without the priests, and Read more
Pope Francis has encountered criticism throughout his visit to Belgium, with the country’s king and prime minister urging him to take stronger steps to support survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy. Additionally, a rector at another Catholic university called on him to reconsider the Church’s prohibition on ordaining women as priests. The visit underscored the Read more