German Catholic Bishops approved the blessing of same-sex relationships during their final synod assembly, defying the Vatican’s stance against such blessings. The five-page document, “Blessing ceremonies for couples who love each other,” was passed by 176 votes for, 14 against, and 12 abstentions at its second reading. The vote formally adopts it as a resolution Read more
A booklet arguing that “to abolish clericalism, we must abolish the clergy” has ignited controversy among Catholics in Belgium. The proposal was made in a booklet titled “Let’s return the Church to the People of God! Putting an end to clericalism,” authored by nine Catholics working in healthcare for the Diocese of Liège. The group Read more
A Catholic group in Colorado has claimed that it has identified several priests who are using gay dating apps, including Grindr, raising concerns about the church’s position on homosexuality. The project was carried out by conservative non-profit Catholic Laity and Clergy for Renewal. The group has reportedly spent at least US$4m (NZ6.5m) on the project Read more
Abuse claims regarding Pope St John Paul II are unfounded, say Poland’s Catholic bishops. The fact that Cardinal Karol Wojtyla — the future Pope John Paul II—knew about abuse when he was an archbishop of Krakow, Poland, is neither new nor surprising, experts say. Others agree and are defending Poland’s national hero. Government figures, including Read more
Pope Francis discussed the possibility of revising the Western discipline of priestly celibacy in a wide-ranging interview for his 10th anniversary as pope last week. Francis spoke with Argentine journalist Daniel Hadad. “There is no contradiction for a priest to marry. “Celibacy in the Western Church is a temporary prescription: I do not know if Read more
The UK-based Catholic Concern for Animals and many more Christian animal rights groups have written an open letter to Pope Francis protesting at the use of wild animals in circuses, and in particular a circus which took place at the Vatican last month. On February 11th the Papal Almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, organised an entertainment Read more
Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, was sentenced on Feb 10 to 26 years and four months in prison, accused of being a “traitor to the homeland.” In recent days, authorities have not disclosed where he is being held. The prelate, who refused to be deported along with 222 other political prisoners sent to the Read more
Catholic leaders in Pakistan are explaining the Church’s position on homosexuals and human dignity after a Pakistani protestant leader’s intemperate remarks on Pope Francis’ criticism of laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust.” “Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” the pope reportedly said during an interview with The Associated Press in January adding that God loves all Read more
Hong Kong’s top Catholic cleric, Bishop Stephen Chow, will visit Beijing in April, the first such visit in nearly 30 years. Chow’s five-day trip, to start on April 17, follows an invitation last year by the Bishop of Beijing, Joseph Li Shan, the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese said in a statement on Thursday. It cited Read more
The recent presidential election in Nigeria has been met with mixed reactions from both citizens and international observers, and Catholics have faced violence in several regions. While some have hailed the election as a victory for democracy, others have criticised the process as flawed and marred by irregularities. International observers reported logistical failings at polling Read more