The number of cremations carried out in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang saw a rise of nearly 73% in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same quarter in 2022, according to figures posted to the provincial civil affairs department’s website that have since been deleted. Just over 170,000 cremations were reported Read more
World
Cremations spiked by more than 70% during China’s first COVID-19 wave in Zhejiang
Thursday, July 20th, 2023Young people in Syria and Lebanon to taste World Youth Day
Thursday, July 20th, 2023Young Christians afflicted by war and poverty in Syria and Lebanon will be able to participate in this year’s World Youth Day (WYD) at local events in parallel with the main gathering in Lisbon, Portugal. Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will be helping to create a WYD experience as close to Read more
Catholic universities must embrace AI
Monday, July 17th, 2023
During a recent scientific conference, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, highlighted Catholic universities’ crucial role in embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI). In his address, Cardinal de Mendonça underscored the importance of Catholic universities taking the lead in innovation and actively engaging with emerging trends. The event, titled “Renewal Read more
Lisbon’s homeless face forced relocation ahead of Papal visit
Monday, July 17th, 2023
The homeless population of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, faces forced relocation ahead of the visit of Pope Francis during World Youth Day 2023 hosted by the city. Homeless people and others sleeping rough in Almirante Reis Avenue, one of Lisbon’s busiest thoroughfares, were recently given an ultimatum by the city council: vacate the Read more
Controversy enflames WYD buildup
Monday, July 17th, 2023
Controversy has enflamed WYD preparations as conservative Catholics get the wrong end of the evangelisation story. Regardless of his impending cardinal appointment, Bishop Robert Barron has made it clear to Américo Aguiar that he intends to evangelise during his visit to Lisbon. Aguiar, a youthful 49-year-old auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, is the Read more
Cluster bombs – Church chastises Catholic pragmatic President
Monday, July 17th, 2023
US Bishops’ International Justice and Peace Chairman, Bishop David J. Malloy, has expressed public concern regarding President Joe Biden’s decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs for use against Russian forces. He is raising questions about the ethical implications of the Catholic President’s move. Malloy, in a statement issued by the Peace Committee, highlighted the Read more
Bishop Robert Barron – no doctrinal changes at Synod
Monday, July 17th, 2023
Robert Barron, the conservative bishop and founder of Word on Fire Institute, has reassured US Catholics that the forthcoming synod on synodality will not bring about significant doctrinal changes. Despite concerns about the potential outcomes of the synod, where a diverse group of bishops, priests and laity will convene to discuss the Church’s future, Barron Read more
Nearly one fourth of China’s youth report mental health problems
Monday, July 17th, 2023The death of Hong Kong singer and Disney “Mulan” voice actress Coco Lee on July 5 has left many mourning an international star who struggled with depression to the extent of wanting to take her own life at a relatively young age. It has also focused attention once more on mental health in China, public Read more
Dictatorship in Nicaragua confiscates convent of sisters it abducted and expelled
Monday, July 17th, 2023In a new attack against the Catholic Church, the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua cancelled the legal personhood and confiscated the assets of a congregation of religious women. Members of the Sandinista police “like criminals broke into the house of the Sisters of the Fraternity of the Poor Ones of Jesus Christ at Read more
National data shows US students still ‘stalled’ after pandemic
Monday, July 17th, 2023A new national survey shows students in the United States are still struggling to make up learning loss experienced over the course of the COVID-19 crisis. The report this week from NWEA examined test scores from nearly 7 million elementary and middle school students in about 20,000 public schools around the US. The researchers found Read more