Recently the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN) published their latest batch of named asteroids (WGSBN Bulletin 3, #2; Feb 7 2023). Included in the list are three Jesuits who have worked at the Vatican Observatory and one Pope with importance to the history of the Observatory. 562971 Johannhagen is Read more
World
Latest batch of named asteroids includes three Jesuit astronomers and a pope
Thursday, February 16th, 2023Lightning strikes Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil
Thursday, February 16th, 2023
Christ the Redeemer statue has been regarded as a landmark of Brazil ever since it was completed in 1931. Located atop the Corcovado mountain, the sculpture is 98 feet high and presents itself as if Jesus Christ is overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Its monumentality, symbolism, as well as unbeatable views one can get from the Read more
Child abuse found in Portugal Catholic Church is ‘tip of iceberg’, commission says
Thursday, February 16th, 2023At least 4,815 children were sexually abused by members of the Portuguese Catholic Church – mostly priests – over the past 70 years, the commission investigating the issue said in a report on Monday, adding the findings are the “tip of the iceberg”. “(We want) to pay a sincere tribute to those who were abuse Read more
Atlanta airport gets a 24/7 eucharistic chapel
Thursday, February 16th, 2023Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer of Atlanta dedicated and blessed his archdiocese’s newest chapel while on his way to catch a flight Monday. Airline workers and travellers flying through the busiest airport in the world can now spend time in the real presence of Christ thanks to the efforts of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s chaplains and Read more
Anglican bishops considering gender-neutral language for God
Monday, February 13th, 2023
The Bishops of the Church of England are launching a new project to explore the use of gender-neutral language for God in church services. A written question posed to the Liturgical Commission, which prepares and promotes forms of service and religious worship in the Church, prompted the news. The project is expected to begin later Read more
Nicaraguan bishop sentenced to 26 years in jail, citizenship revoked
Monday, February 13th, 2023
A Nicaraguan Catholic bishop was sentenced to 26 years in prison and had his citizenship revoked by a court in the Central American country. The sentencing of Bishop Rolando Álvarez (pictured) occurred just a day after President Daniel Ortega criticised the bishop for refusing to leave the country with other political prisoners. Bishop Álvarez, of Read more
Catholic orders call for action over L’Arche abuse scandal
Monday, February 13th, 2023
The Catholic Church in France is facing demands from its religious orders to take responsibility for the evidence of sexual, spiritual, and psychological abuse in L’Arche, a former lay community for people with developmental disabilities. A 437-page report, published after a two-year investigation, exposes the shocking details of how L’Arche’s founder, Jean Vanier (pictured), created Read more
Turkey and Syria need post-earthquake support – not sanctions
Monday, February 13th, 2023
Turkey and Syria need our help urgently, say Pope Francis, Orthodox patriarchs and other church leaders. Both countries were struck by two powerful earthquakes on Monday last week. They need solidarity from all of us – and they are “in part already martyred by a long war”, the pope says. By Sunday 12 February, the Read more
Fiery debate – no marriage but Anglican Church approves gay-couple blessings
Monday, February 13th, 2023
The Church of England has approved gay-couple blessings for the first time. The approval came after bishops rejected calls to allow same-sex marriages in churches at a meeting in January. Instead, they proposed numerous options and suggested offering blessings after a civil partnership or marriage, known as Prayers of Love and Faith. The Anglican General Read more
Over 100 priests, nuns persecuted in 2022, says report
Monday, February 13th, 2023More than 100 priests and nuns were kidnapped, arrested, or killed worldwide in 2022, says a report referring to data from a papal foundation. Nigeria led the list as “one of the most dangerous countries in which to serve the Church” with the brutal murder of four priests last year, the Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation Read more