Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris should remain free for visitors, the church asserted on Thursday, following a call from Culture Minister Rachida Dati for a five-euro entrance fee for tourists. According to the Archdiocese of Paris, free access to churches and cathedrals is rooted in a 1905 law separating church and state. Additionally, the church’s Read more
World
The Czech Republic signs a treaty with the Vatican
Thursday, October 31st, 2024On Thursday, the Czech Republic signed a treaty on its relations with the Vatican, becoming one of the last European Union countries to do so. The lower chamber of Parliament rejected the treaty in 2003, saying the Catholic Church would receive preferential treatment over other churches and that it would be disadvantageous for the country, Read more
Pakistan police arrest father of Christian girl abducted and converted
Thursday, October 31st, 2024Shakeel Masih was asking for justice. Instead, the father of Roshani Shakeel, a 13-year-old Christian girl abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and given in marriage against her will in March, was taken into custody last Friday and held for three days on the order of Judge Farooq Latif. Such an episode represents yet again justice Read more
Global Catholic population rises despite decline in Europe
Monday, October 21st, 2024
According to recent Vatican data released by Agenzia Fides, the global Catholic population grew by more than 13.7 million in 2022, reaching nearly 1.39 billion. This growth highlights the continued expansion of the Church in most parts of the world despite a notable decline in Europe. Africa led the global increase, with its Catholic population Read more
US cardinal urges Catholics to avoid single-issue voting
Monday, October 21st, 2024
As the US presidential election approaches, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Washington DC, has warned Catholics against single-issue voting, urging them to take a broader approach that considers a wide range of issues. Speaking to Crux during the Synod of Bishops on Synodality in Rome, Cardinal Gregory stressed the need for Catholics to have a Read more
UK Bishop vows action as abuse impacts Mass attendance
Monday, October 21st, 2024
A third of Catholics in England and Wales have reduced their Mass attendance due to concerns over the child sexual abuse crisis within the Church, according to a new report. In response, Bishop Paul Mason, lead bishop for safeguarding in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has vowed to ensure the Church is Read more
Catholic principal’s firing sparks state and church tension
Monday, October 21st, 2024
State and church tension has been reignited in France over the dismissal of a high-profile principal. This has aggravated the debate over religious expression in French schools. Following weeks of protests, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris has spoken out in defence of this freedom of expression. Principal dismissal sparks tensions The dismissal of Christian Espeso, Read more
Synod setback – Cardinal Fernandez skips women’s role meeting
Monday, October 21st, 2024
Cardinal Victor Fernandez, head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, issued an apology on Friday after missing a critical meeting of a synod group focused on women’s roles in the Church. The absence, confirmed to the National Catholic Reporter by multiple sources, triggered frustration among some delegates. Fernandez absence sparks discontent Fernandez was notably absent on Read more
University will not revoke Greta Thunberg’s honorary doctorate
Monday, October 21st, 2024Despite recent statements by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg that have been widely criticised as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic, the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki has no plans to revoke the honorary doctorate awarded to the 21-year-old last year. The awarding of honorary doctorates falls within the autonomy of the faculties and is carried Read more
Pope Francis to release ‘first memoir published by a sitting pontiff’
Monday, October 21st, 2024In January 2025, Pope Francis will become the first sitting pontiff to publish an autobiographical memoir titled “Hope.” Random House Publishing announced the memoir’s unprecedented global release on Wednesday. According to the publisher, the original plan was to release it after his death. However, the pope decided to publish it in light of the upcoming Read more