In a bold move, the residents of Portugal Cove South, a small fishing town in Canada’s southern Newfoundland, seized their local Catholic church to prevent its sale. The Holy Rosary Church, a historic fixture in the community, is being sold to help fund a $104-million settlement for abuse survivors. The town’s parishioners have vowed to Read more
Lebanese Bishop Mounir Khairallah has expressed concern over political and economic interests hindering peace in the Middle East. Speaking during a press briefing before the first anniversary of the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Khairallah stressed that private agendas have overshadowed fundamental values such as human dignity and freedom. Khairallah voiced frustration at the world’s Read more
Pope Francis has named Ukrainian-born Bishop Mykola Bychok as Australia’s new cardinal, a decision that has left some senior bishops “choking on their Talisker”. Bychok, 44, who leads the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia, was appointed only four years after arriving in the country. His elevation has surprised many within the Church, especially those Read more
Listening to diverse perspectives is the only way Catholics can understand the biggest issues impacting the Church, says US Bishop Daniel Flores (pictured). He explains that this way they’ll hear different world views from Catholics who come from different countries and cultures or have different life experiences from theirs. “Perspective is not the enemy of Read more
A Haitian priest responded with pet blessings and laughter to a bizarre remark former President Trump made during a debate last month. This year at his annual blessing of the animals (held in St Francis of Assisi’s honour), Haitian immigrant Rev. Jean Beniste invited people to bring their pets to church. “Bring your pet. Bring Read more
Viennese theologian Paul Zulehner (pictured) is convinced that even though churches are increasingly less relevant in today’s world, they still have the ability to help society with today’s problems. Carrying on in the same old way won’t achieve this, he points out. But churches can be “sparring partners for those seeking meaning” or “midwives of Read more
Pope Francis criticised on Monday what he called the “shameful inability” of the international community to end the war in the Middle East, one year after Hamas’ devastating attack on Israel. “A year ago, the fuse of hatred was lit; it did not sputter, but exploded in a spiral of violence,” he said in an Read more
Susan Auma has known little rest since 2001, when her husband died, leaving her with two toddlers. Widowed at just 27, Auma found herself fighting to survive in her matrimonial home, where she was surrounded by hostility for refusing to be remarried. Auma’s tribulations started before the burial of her husband when her brothers-in-law instructed Read more
Police in India’s Goa state are searching for a right-wing Hindu leader following complaints that he insulted St Francis Xavier, whom Catholics consider the protector of this former Portuguese enclave, where the saint’s mortal remains are kept. Subhash Velingkar, a former state-unit chief of the powerful Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, told a public meeting Read more
The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life announced the appointment of the new members of the International Youth Advisory Body (IYAB). The appointees are 20 young people from different regions around the world and several international movements, associations, and communities. The group will play an important advisory and proactive role, collaborating in synodal style with Read more