German investigators conducted raids within the Archdiocese of Cologne as part of a perjury investigation targeting Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. The probe is in connection with media coverage of sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church. The Cologne prosecutors confirmed that around 30 police officers searched six locations, including Woelki’s residence and an IT centre Read more
The Vatican has launched a formal investigation into Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland, a figure known for his controversial statements. Among the comments, Strickland accused Pope Francis of undermining the Catholic faith. This investigation, known as an apostolic visitation, was confirmed by Elizabeth Slaten, the Diocese of Tyler, Texas communications director. Slaten revealed that the visitation Read more
Over recent decades, a significant decline of Catholicism in France suggests it could become a minority religion. France is the homeland of St Joan of Arc and St Louis. The significance of the decline has sociology of religion expert Guillaume Cuchet suggesting that in a few decades time it could be overtaken by Islam, evangelical Read more
A Vatican appointee’s liturgy circular is drawing ire from lay Indian Catholics in Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese. They burnt it in a public protest. Archbishop Andrews Thazhath’s circular insisted on a controversial form of Mass. That form has been the centre of a dispute for 50 years. St Mary’s Basilica, which is the seat of the Major Read more
The Catholic Church in the US is undergoing a “silent schism”. Some American Catholics are just “sitting out the papacy of Francis”, the Tablet newspaper reports. Some bishops are using social media to inflame “a uniquely toxic situation”, author and theologian Dr Dawn Eden Goldstein (pictured) says. Speaking to the Tablet about “The Church and Read more
Recent allegations that a biased synod agenda working document favours a liberal plan are baseless and lack substance, says Massimo Faggioli. The working document (Instrumentum Laboris) for the Synod of Bishops, a result of a comprehensive process involving the participation of the entire church, is a testament to the church’s commitment to inclusivity and dialogue, Read more
Australian universities are ranked alongside the very best in the world, with three – Melbourne, Sydney and UNSW – in the top 20 of the new list from global rankings group QS. The QS 2024 World University Rankings also name nine Australian universities in the global top 100 (up from seven last year). Nearly all Read more
The last refugee held by Australia on Nauru has been evacuated off the island, flying into Brisbane on Saturday night, marking the end – at least for now – of more than a decade of offshore processing on the Pacific island. However, the Australian government says it remains committed to offshore processing as a policy. Read more
Pope Francis offered prayers Sunday for the family of a teenager who went missing 40 years ago this week, an intervention her brother hailed as a sign the Vatican was finally engaging seriously with its most famous cold case. Emanuela Orlandi, the 15-year-old daughter of a Vatican employee, was last seen leaving a music class Read more
As has been his practice since becoming pope in 2013, Pope Francis will take most of the month of July off as a sort of “staycation.” “From July 1 and until the end of the month, as usual,” the pope’s “general, particular and special audiences are suspended. The audiences will resume in August, with the Read more